Apparatus, which is insertable into an ear canal, for detecting physiological parameters
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12257076-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Expiration Date
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Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus for recording physiological parameters, which can be inserted in an ear canal. The apparatus is designed with a tube, which is to be introduced into the ear canal, and a housing, which is connected to the tube. The tube comprises a largely cylindrical portion at a distal end that faces toward the eardrum when being worn. At least one sensor device for recording physiological parameters is integrated in the housing. The largely cylindrical portion is designed with at least one sensor opening for at least one sensor component for recording physiological parameters. The at least one sensor opening is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis LA of the largely cylindrical portion by a distance lsensoropening. A receiver device for outputting sound signals may also be integrated in the apparatus, so that the apparatus is suitable for applying sound to the eardrum. The invention further relates to an ear adapter for detachable attachment to the largely cylindrical portion of the tube of the apparatus, wherein the ear adapter is attached thereto in such a way that the at least one sensor opening comes to lie in close proximity to an inner surface of the ear canal or comes into contact therewith.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus for recording physiological parameters, which can be inserted in an ear canal, comprising a tube adapted to be introduced into an ear canal and a housing connected to the tube, wherein the housing has integrated therein at least one sensor device adapted to record a physiological parameter. The tube comprises a largely cylindrical portion at a distal end of the tube adapted to face toward an eardrum of a user when the apparatus is inserted in an ear canal, and the largely cylindrical portion of the distal end of the tube includes an aperture and at least one sensor opening for the at least one sensor device.
The apparatus further comprises an ear adapter configured to detachably attach to the largely cylindrical portion, wherein the ear adapter comprises a central piece adapted to engage in the aperture of the largely cylindrical portion, an ear contact surface adapted to engage with an inner wall of an ear canal when the apparatus is inserted in an ear canal, and an endpiece adapted to connect the central piece and the ear contact surface. The ear contact surface at least partially encloses the distal end of the tube and is attached thereto such that when the apparatus is inserted into an ear canal, the at least one sensor opening comes to lie in close proximity to an inner wall of the ear canal.
The problem addressed by the invention is providing an apparatus for recording physiological parameters optimally adapted to the individual anatomical conditions of a wearer's ear canal and which enables the reliable, precise measurement of physiological parameters, is intended to be able to be used multiple times and is intended to be able to be manufactured in a cost-effective manner. In particular, the invention addresses providing a multifunctional apparatus which can be inserted in an ear canal and which is designed to apply sound to the eardrum and/or to record physiological parameters, and in which components, in particular the ear adapter, are exchangeable in an easy and cost-effective manner for adaptation and/or cleaning purposes.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one independent claim with four main inventive features identified.
Integrated sensor device in housing
A housing connected to the tube, wherein the housing has integrated therein at least one sensor device adapted to record a physiological parameter.
Largely cylindrical distal portion with aperture and sensor opening
The tube comprises a largely cylindrical portion at a distal end of the tube that includes an aperture and at least one sensor opening for the at least one sensor device.
Sensor opening spaced from longitudinal axis and arranged to contact ear canal
The at least one sensor opening is spaced apart from a longitudinal axis LA of the largely cylindrical portion by a distance lsensoropening and is arranged such that when the apparatus is inserted in an ear canal, the at least one sensor opening contacts an inner wall of the ear canal.
Detachable ear adapter with central piece and ear contact surface
An ear adapter configured to detachably attach to the largely cylindrical portion, wherein the ear adapter comprises a central piece adapted to engage in the aperture of the largely cylindrical portion, an ear contact surface adapted to engage with an inner wall of an ear canal, and an endpiece adapted to connect the central piece and the ear contact surface, wherein the ear contact surface at least partially encloses the distal end of the tube and is attached thereto such that the at least one sensor opening comes to lie in close proximity to an inner wall of the ear canal.
The independent claim covers an ear-insertable apparatus combining an integrated sensor device in a housing with a tube having a largely cylindrical distal portion bearing an aperture and eccentrically spaced sensor opening(s), together with a detachable ear adapter whose geometry and attachment position the sensor opening(s) in close proximity to the inner wall of the ear canal.
Stated Advantages
Optimally adapted to the individual anatomical conditions of a wearer's ear canal.
Enables reliable, precise measurement of physiological parameters.
Intended to be usable multiple times and able to be manufactured in a cost-effective manner.
Multifunctional apparatus capable of applying sound to the eardrum and/or recording physiological parameters.
Components, in particular the ear adapter, are exchangeable in an easy and cost-effective manner for adaptation and/or cleaning purposes.
Easy to handle and does not require greatly miniaturized connectors that are to be worn in the ear canal.
Enables optimal signal detection with few spurious signals via peripheral arrangement of sensor components in direct contact with the inner wall of the ear canal.
Reduced manufacturing costs and flexibility by designing receiver and sensor devices as integral components.
Documented Applications
Apparatuses to be worn in the ear for determining body temperature.
Apparatuses to be worn in the ear for determining heart rate or heart rate variability.
Apparatuses for pulse oximetry to record pulse rate or arterial oxygen saturation.
Wearable hearing apparatuses for treating people with hearing loss.
Apparatuses for listening to music (headphones / BTE hearing-aid style devices).
Combined apparatus for applying sound to the eardrum and for recording physiological parameters.
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