CA2126016A1 - Disposable ear syringe - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand-held device for syringing wax or other foreign material from ears consisting of a tip, pump mechanism activated by a trigger, and a length of tubing to be immersed in any suitable container of water.

Description

2126~1 6 Disposable Ear Syringe Specification This invention relates to a hand-operated pump for syringing wax from ears.
Devices presently used for this purpose in medical practice consist of syringes which are manually filled from suitable containers of water or by means of a one-way valve drawing water up from an adjacent container. All are meant for long-term use, are relatively expensive, made from metal, prone to leakage after extensive use and need to be disinfected between uses.
These devices are awkward to use with one hand either because of excessive size or the inability of the practitioner to exert enough water pressure by using only one hand.
The Disposable Ear Syringe is small, made of plastic, is light in wei~ht and can be disposed of after one or several uses when contaminated or when loss or leakage of pumping action is noted.
The main body (1) is generally pistol-shaped. Activation of the trigger (3) activates the piston (6) in the cylinder l5) and will cause suction of water through the tubing (4) and ejection of same under pressure through the nozzle (2).
Trigger return is by means of the spring (12) in the cylinder.
Exact design of the mechanism can vary but consists of the trigger, piston, cylinder, pre-iniection storage (7) and two one-way valves (8,9). Design of the one-way valves may vary but as shown consist of a spring-activated diaphragm which opens and allows water to pass in only one direction. Ball valves or fluted reed valves may also be suitable.
The fluid is ejected through the tip (2). The tip and shield (11) may ~e constructed of clear plastic for visibility into the ear by the operator.
The entire tip may be removed from the main body at (10) and disposed of after one use. The remainder of the apparatus (1~ may be disposed of after one or a number of uses dependin~ on the circumstances.
The entire ~echanism can be made by thermo-forming with the exception of the one-way valve springs and main piston chamber spring.

Claims (2)

1 A hand-held and operated device of generally pistol-shaped configuration which is used for syringing wax from ears by ejecting water from the nozzle and actuated by a trigger mechanism.
1(a) A device in Claim 1 which can be disposed of after one several uses.
1(b) A device in Claim 1 where the tip can be removed and disposed of after one use separately from the main apparatus.

2 A device which uses a separate suitable container as a source of water used in the syringing. Connection to the source of water is by a tube attached to the device.