Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12016816-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A manual ear pump including one or more of a support element configured to releasably engage an external ear canal and having an interior chamber, a resilient element capable of being resiliently deformed coupled to a support element, and an aperture disposed on a support element bottom surface communicating with the external ear canal and interior chamber.
Core Innovation
A manually actuated ear pump is inserted into an ear of a subject experiencing a neurological disorder. The ear pump includes a fluid flow generator positioned in the ear, with a support element configured to be inserted into an external ear canal, a piston configured to slidably move relative to the support element, and a resilient element.
The ear pump is operated by manually pressing the resilient element so that the piston slidably moves relative to the support element and into the external ear canal. This operation produces a pressure differential between external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure, and the pressure differential is generated to treat the neurological disorder.
The disclosure also includes optional features for controlling and modulating fluid flow and sealing, including valves and check valves. In some implementations, the resilient element has a compressed state and an uncompressed state, and the ear pump engages the concha bowl.
Claims Coverage
The disclosed material identifies one independent claim covering a method of treating a neurological disorder using a manually operated ear pump to create a pressure differential, with dependent claims refining the neurological disorder type and structural or operational aspects of the ear pump. Overall, the inventive features revolve around a support element, piston, resilient element fluid flow generator, and producing a pressure differential between external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure for treatment.
Manual ear pump pressure-differential treatment method
A method comprising inserting an ear pump into an ear of a subject experiencing a neurological disorder, operating a fluid flow generator positioned in the ear by manually pressing a resilient element to slidably move a piston relative to a support element to produce a pressure differential between external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure, wherein the pressure differential is to treat the neurological disorder.
Migraine headache treatment
The neurological disorder is a migraine headache, as an added limitation of the method.
Ear pump with check valves
The method is practiced using an ear pump comprising one or more check valves.
Resilient element with compressed and uncompressed states
The fluid flow generator includes a resilient element that can be in a compressed state and an uncompressed state.
Concha bowl engagement
The method includes an ear pump that engages a concha bowl of the ear.
Heating ear pump before insertion
The method includes heating the ear pump before inserting it into the ear.
The claim coverage centers on using a manually actuated fluid flow generator within an ear to create a pressure differential between external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure to treat a neurological disorder, with refinements specifying migraine headache, check valves, resilient element compressed and uncompressed states, concha bowl engagement, and heating prior to insertion.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?