EP3335435B1 - Appareils permettant de commander et de positionner des composants de prothèse auditive dans les conduits auditifs - Google Patents

Appareils permettant de commander et de positionner des composants de prothèse auditive dans les conduits auditifs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3335435B1
EP3335435B1 EP16835626.9A EP16835626A EP3335435B1 EP 3335435 B1 EP3335435 B1 EP 3335435B1 EP 16835626 A EP16835626 A EP 16835626A EP 3335435 B1 EP3335435 B1 EP 3335435B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ear canal
cap
sidewall
component
canal component
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16835626.9A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3335435A1 (fr
EP3335435A4 (fr
Inventor
Jeffrey P. Szmanda
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority claimed from PCT/US2016/045019 external-priority patent/WO2017027245A1/fr
Publication of EP3335435A1 publication Critical patent/EP3335435A1/fr
Publication of EP3335435A4 publication Critical patent/EP3335435A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3335435B1 publication Critical patent/EP3335435B1/fr
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
    • B25B13/02—Spanners; Wrenches with rigid jaws
    • B25B13/04—Spanners; Wrenches with rigid jaws of ring jaw type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
    • B25B13/48—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes
    • B25B13/50—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes for operating on work of special profile, e.g. pipes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/023—Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/025—In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/09—Non-occlusive ear tips, i.e. leaving the ear canal open, for both custom and non-custom tips
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/17—Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/603—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to apparatuses for controlling and/or positioning devices into a living body, specifically apparatuses for controlling and positioning ear canal components in an ear canal.
  • Hearing aids are used to assist a person who has impaired hearing or does not perceive sound properly. Technological advances in hearing aids have reduced their size. Accordingly, many components of the hearing aid are very small making the manipulation and positioning of components within an ear canal difficult.
  • RITE receiver-in-the-ear
  • RIC receiver-in-the-canal
  • RITA receiver-in-the-aid
  • the ear canal component can include a sound receiver, a tip (e.g. occluding ear dome, non-occluding ear dome, other suitable component) portions of a wire, portions of an acoustical mini sound tube, and/or other hearing air components that are positioned in the ear canal.
  • the receiver and/or the tip are positioned in the ear canal and a thin wire connects the receiver and/or the tip to the main body of the hearing aid.
  • a tip (and generally a portion of the acoustical mini sound tube) is positioned in the ear canal, and the tip is connected to the main body of the hearing aid by the acoustical mini sound tube.
  • the receiver is located in the main body of the hearing aid.
  • Certain examples of hearing aids or ear canal components include a retention tail that maintains the ear canal component in the correct position in the ear canal and/or increases the stability of the ear canal component in the ear canal.
  • Maintaining the ear canal component in position in the ear canal is important as movement of the ear canal (due to the user talking, chewing, leaning over, turning of the head, and/or walking) can cause the ear canal to change shape, and therefore, result in slippage of the ear canal component which may change the performance of the hearing aid.
  • ear canal component be property inserted and positioned in the ear canal.
  • the ear canal component must be seated correctly to ensure that the hearing aid user is receiving the prescribed amplification and the hearing aid is secure.
  • a fingertip and/or fingernail to position the ear canal component can result in user frustration, inability to manipulate the ear canal component, and/or too much effort by the user due to the lack of an adequate surface area and accommodations for a fingertip and/or fingernail to manipulate and position the ear canal component.
  • the small size of the ear canal component makes it very difficult for the user to manipulate and control the orientation and position of the hearing aid component as the user attempts to direct the ear canal component through the angled and sloped pathways of the ear canal. For instance, a user may have several angles, bends, or curves in the ear canal. Furthermore still, dexterity or mobility limitations of older hearing aid users make the ability to manipulate and position the ear canal component even more difficult and frustrating.
  • the ear canal component also lacks adequate surface area for a fingertip to manipulate the movement of the ear canal component. For instance, fingertip may slide past and alongside the ear canal component making manipulation of the ear canal component nearly impossible.
  • the hearing aid such as the ear canal components, the connector wire, and acoustical mini sound tube, are often very delicate. Substantial force on any component may cause damage, malfunction, and/or destruction of the hearing aid. Often times, a twisting motion is used by a user to attempt to achieve proper positioning, but this twisting motion can cause substantial damage to the hearing aid component.
  • Example prior attempts at solving the problems discussed above have been disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2009/0285428 , 2009/0082801 and 2006/0215862 .
  • all disclosures have their own problems. It is also conceivable that these handheld tools may cause injury to the user if improperly inserted into the ear canal. For instance, inserting a tool too deeply into the ear canal may rupture to the tympanic membrane (ear drum) and/or injure the surface of the ear canal. Also, the user may lose the handheld tool.
  • an apparatus for controlling and positioning a device in a body cavity includes a cap configured to couple to the device such that the cap increases maneuverability of the device in the body cavity as the device is positioned in the ear canal.
  • an apparatus for controlling and positioning of ear canal components in an ear canal comprising a cap with a first end portion configured to couple with the ear canal component such that the cap increases maneuverability of the ear canal component in the ear canal as the ear canal component is positioned in the ear canal.
  • the cap including a gripping structure at a second end portion of the cap located opposite to said first end portion, wherein gripping structure projects in a direction away from the first end portion of the cap; and a projection at the second end portion of the cap, wherein the projection projects in a direction away from the first end portion of the cap.
  • the gripping structures and the projection define a groove with a contact surface between them, wherein the groove is adapted to receive a fingernail.
  • an assembly comprising an ear canal component of a hearing aid that is positionable in an ear canal and an apparatus for controlling and positioning the ear canal component in the ear canal.
  • the apparatus comprising a cap for increasing maneuverability of the ear canal component in an ear canal.
  • the cap including a gripping structure at a second end portion of the cap located opposite to said first end portion, wherein gripping structure projects in a direction away from the first end portion of the cap; and a projection at the second end portion of the cap, wherein the projection projects in a direction away from the first end portion of the cap.
  • the gripping structures and the projection define a groove with a contact surface between them, wherein the groove is adapted to receive a fingernail.
  • the cap is configured to increase maneuverability and control of the ear canal component as the ear canal component is positioned in the ear canal.
  • the terms “include” and “including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise” and “comprising” in that these latter terms are “open” transitional terms that do not limit claims only to the recited elements succeeding these transitional terms.
  • the term “consisting of,” while encompassed by the term “comprising,” should be interpreted as a “closed” transitional term that limits claims only to the recited elements succeeding this transitional term.
  • the term “consisting essentially of,” while encompassed by the term “comprising,” should be interpreted as a “partially closed” transitional term which permits additional elements succeeding this transitional term, but only if those additional elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim.
  • a hearing aid includes an apparatus that allows a user to control and position an ear canal component of the hearing aid into an ear canal. More specifically, the apparatus is an ergonomically designed fingertip fitting guide that couples to the ear canal component to increase the control of the ear canal component while the user positions the ear canal component into the ear canal. The apparatus can prevent damage to the hearing aid (such as the ear canal component) and/or sensitive ear structures.
  • fingertip and/or “fingernail” in this disclosure does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to the specific body part referred to.
  • a fingertip, fingernail, and/or another part of a human extremity can be used to contact, position, and manipulate the apparatus described herein.
  • the application of the present disclosure discussed herein does not limit the scope of the present disclosure and the example application to an ear and/or ear canal is used herein for purposes of context such that it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill that other applications (e.g. nasal cavity, vaginal cavity, anal cavity) and/or uses of the present disclosure may find similar advantages for devices or items (e.g. suppositories) that are positioned in other body cavities.
  • the embodiments set forth herein are merely examples and not intended to be limiting.
  • the hearing aid 20 includes a main body 21, an ear canal component 23, and a connector 22 (e.g. wire, acoustical mini sound tube) which couples the ear canal component 23 to the main body 21.
  • the main body 21 of the hearing aid 20 includes other components of the hearing aid 20 including a power source, electronic processing equipment, and/or the like.
  • the ear canal component 23 can include a receiver, a tip, portions of the connector 22, and/or other hearing aid components that are positioned in an ear canal 15 (see FIGURE 3 ).
  • Certain examples of hearing aids 20 or ear canal components 23 include a retention tail 24 (see FIGURE 13 ) that maintains the ear canal component 23 in position in the ear canal 15 and/or increases the stability of the ear canal component 23.
  • an example ear canal component 23 is depicted, specifically a receiver and a portion of the connector 22 of the hearing aid 20.
  • FIGURE 3 a typical cross sectional view of a human ear 10 is depicted.
  • the ear 10 includes cartilage 11, bones 12, a tragus 13, bends 16, an ear canal 15, and an ear drum 17.
  • the ear canal component 23 (see FIGURE 1 ) must be inserted into the ear canal 15 and manually controlled, manipulated, and positioned sufficiently deep in the ear canal 15.
  • the apparatus 26 assists in manipulating and positioning the ear canal component 23 into the ear canal 15.
  • the user uses a fingernail 8 (see FIGURE 1 ) to engage the apparatus 26.
  • the user can use other body parts and objects such as a tool, a tweezer, and/or the like to engage and/or contact the apparatus 26.
  • example apparatuses 26 are shown in greater detail.
  • the apparatus 26 is coupled to the ear canal component 23 and is utilized when positioning the ear canal component 23 of the hearing aid 20 into the ear canal 15.
  • the apparatus 26 includes a guide member or cap 28 configured to couple to the ear canal component 23 such that the cap 28 supports the fingernail 8 and increases maneuverability of the ear canal component 23 in the ear canal 15 as the ear canal component 23 is positioned in the ear canal 15.
  • the cap 28 includes a contact surface 29 that is contacted by the fingernail 8 such that the fingernail 8 does not slip as the user positions the ear canal component 23 in the ear canal 15.
  • the contact surface 29 can be a smooth surface or a textured surface such as etching, crosshatching, roughen surfaces, bumps, undulations, depressions, and/or the like.
  • the cap 28 includes a concave endwall 30 (described further herein) opposite the contact surface 29.
  • the cap 28 can be any size and/or shape (e.g. circular, disc, spherical, triangular, rectangular).
  • the apparatus 26 can be coupled to the ear canal component 23 by adhesive, friction, compression (i.e.
  • the apparatus 26 elastically deforms when placed on the ear canal component 23 such that that apparatus 26 tightly grips the ear canal component 23 such that the apparatus 26 is not easily removed), mechanical connection devices (e.g. screws), and/or the like.
  • the apparatus 26 may be integral with the ear canal component 23 (e.g. the apparatus 26 can be integral with a molded plastic cover of the receiver; the apparatus 26 can be integral with the dome of the hearing aid; the apparatus 26 can be integral with the ear canal component 32).
  • the apparatus 26 can be made of any suitable material such as elastic materials, rubber, silicon, flexible plastic, rigid plastic, ceramic, metal, and/or the like.
  • the cap 28 includes a gripping structure 33 that projects outwardly from the contact surface 29 of the cap 28. Any number of gripping structures 33 can be included with the cap 28.
  • the gripping structures 33 can be any suitable size and/or shape (e.g. rectangular, circular, triangular, concave). In certain examples, the gripping structures 33 are truncated (see FIGURE 4 ).
  • the gripping structure 33 includes a first end that is adjacent to the contact surface 29 and a second end opposite the first end.
  • the second end of the gripping structure 33 includes a sloped surface that slopes toward the first end from an outer edge 80 (see FIGURES 4-5 ) of the cap 28 towards the center of the cap 28.
  • the cap 28 includes a step or projection 34 that projects outwardly from the cap 28 and defines a groove 35 between the projection 34 and the gripping structure 33.
  • the fingernail 8 can be received in the groove 35 between the projection 34 and the gripping structure 33.
  • the illustrated number of gripping structures 33 and/or projections 34 included with the cap 28 is merely exemplary and can vary from that which is shown.
  • FIGURE 4 depicts three gripping structures 33 (one gripping structure 33 is hidden by the depicted fingernail 8) and
  • FIGURE 5 depicts four gripping structures 33.
  • the cap 28 may be devoid of gripping structures 33.
  • the projection 34 and a plurality of gripping structures 33 define a plurality of grooves 35 between the projection 34 and the plurality of gripping structures 33.
  • the grooves 35 are shaped to receive a curved fingernail 8 (e.g. the groove 35 is arc shaped having curvature similar to the curvature of a typical fingernail).
  • the gripping structures 33 and/or the projection 34 can comprise the same material as the rest of the apparatus 26 or different materials.
  • the cap 28 defines a connector hole 40 (see FIGURE 7A ) and includes a cap slit 41 that intersects the connector hole 40.
  • the connector hole 40 receives the connector 22 of the hearing aid 20 (see FIGURE 2 ).
  • the size and/or shape of the connector hole 40 can vary based on the dimensions of the ear canal component 23 (e.g. the connector hole 40 is circular or oval in shape). In certain examples, the diameter of the connector hole 40 is equal to the diameter of the connector 22.
  • the connector hole 40 can be located in the center of the cap 28 on a center axis (not shown). In other examples, the connector hole 40 is radially offset from the center of the cap 28.
  • the cap slit 41 intersects the connector hole 40 and the outer edge 80 of the cap 28.
  • the cap 28 is configured to elastically deform as the cap 28 couples to the ear canal component 23 such that the cap slit 41 opens whereby the user can position the connector 22 into the connector hole 40.
  • the cap slit 41 returns to a closed position such that the connector 22 is not easily moved from the connector hole 40 without an appropriate force and/or the apparatus 26 is not easily removed from the connector 22 and/or the ear canal component 23. In a closed position, two surfaces of the cap slit 41 can contact each other.
  • the cap slit 41 is a cut in the cap 28 between the connector hole 40 and the outer edge 80 that defines two surfaces that abut each other in the closed position and separate from each other in an open position. In other examples, a space or gap may separate the two surfaces of the cap slit 41.
  • the apparatus 26 includes a sidewall 48 coupled to the cap 28.
  • the sidewall 48 engages and/or couples to the ear canal component 23, and the sidewall 48 defines a cavity 49 that is configured to receive the ear canal component 23.
  • the cap 28 includes the concave endwall 30 that defines a closed end 50 of the cavity 49 (see FIGURE 6E ).
  • the sidewall 48 is configured to couple with the ear canal component 23 by surrounding or encircling the ear canal component 23.
  • the sidewall 48 couples to the ear canal component 23 by adhesive, friction, compression (i.e. the sidewall 48 elastically deforms when coupled to the ear canal component 23 such that the sidewall 48 tightly grips the ear canal component 23 and the apparatus 26 is not easily removed), mechanical connection devices (e.g.
  • the sidewall 48 elastically deforms as the user stretches the sidewall 48 around the ear canal component 23.
  • the sidewall 48 can be any size and/or shape.
  • the sidewall 48 is annular.
  • the sidewall 48 can be made of any suitable material such as elastic materials, rubber, silicon, flexible plastic, rigid plastic, ceramic, metal, and/or the like.
  • the sidewall 48 can be made from the same material of the cap 28 or made from a different material.
  • the sidewall 48 can include a plurality of fins or ribs 55 that project into the cavity 49 and are configured to deform as the cavity 49 receives the ear canal component 23 such that the ribs 55 couple to and/or engage with the ear canal component 23.
  • the ribs 55 are integrally coupled to the sidewall 48 and are made of any suitable material.
  • the structure e.g. projections, detents, suction cups, textured pads
  • size, and/or the shape of the ribs 55 can vary.
  • the ribs 55 depicted in FIGURES 10A and 10B are smaller and have a different shape when compared to the ribs 55 depicted in FIGURES 11A and 11B .
  • the ribs 55 can be stepped in height and/or width such that the rib height and/or width increases from an open end 51 of the cavity 49 to the closed end 50 of the cavity 49 such that engagement or coupling between the ribs 55 and the ear canal component 23 increases as the ear canal component 23 is inserted further into the cavity 49.
  • the ribs 55 are depicted in an erect or undeformed position.
  • the ribs 55 are depicted in a collapsed or deformed position such as when the ear canal component 23 is received by the cavity 49.
  • the ribs 55 deform, collapse, are received in pockets (not shown), and/or move relative each other while moving from the undeformed position to the deformed position.
  • the ribs 55 fold onto or overlap adjacent ribs 55.
  • the ribs 55 fold or collapse into pockets (not shown).
  • the ribs 55 are configured to accommodate ear canal components 23 having different shapes and sizes (i.e. a single apparatus 26 having the sidewall 48 with the ribs 55 accommodates several different ear canal components 23 manufactured by different hearing aid manufacturers). Often, hearing aid manufacturers manufacture various hearing aids 20 with different attributes (e.g. size, dimensions, shapes).
  • the sidewall 48 includes an outer surface 57 that defines sidewall channels or slots 58.
  • the sidewall channels 58 are opposite the ribs 55 relative to the sidewall 48.
  • the sidewall channels 58 receive and/or mate with fingers 74 of a retention tail 70 (to be described below).
  • the sidewall 48 is flush with cap 28 such that there is no edge or surface between the sidewall 48 and the cap 28 (see FIGURES 6A-6H ).
  • the cap 28 includes a lower surface 38 positioned between the cap 28 and the sidewall 48 such that the sidewall 48 is inset from the outer edge 80 of the cap 28 (see FIGURES 7A-7C , 8A-8C , and 9A-9C ).
  • the sidewall 48 includes a top surface 60 adjacent to the cap 28.
  • the sidewall 48 includes a sidewall slit 56 that aligns with the cap slit 41 (see FIGURES 6C , 7C , and 9C ).
  • the sidewall slit 56 opens as the user elastically deforms the sidewall 48 to position the ear canal component 23 in the cavity 49.
  • the sidewall slit 56 returns to a closed position such that the ear canal component 23 is not easily moved from the apparatus 26 without an appropriate force.
  • two opposite surfaces of the sidewall slit 56 can contact each other.
  • a space or gap may separate the two edges of the sidewall slit 56.
  • the present inventor has also recognized that ear canals 15 that are longer and require deeper insertion of the hearing aid 20 or ear canal component 23 can cause the retention tail 24 (see FIGURE 13 ) to not lie properly in the concha bowl 18 of the pinna (outer ear) and stick straight-out of the pinna because the ear canal component 23 is situated deep into the ear canal 15 such that the retention tail 24 is out of alignment with (e.g. not perpendicular to) the concha bowl 18.
  • the apparatus 26 can be configured to increase the length of the ear canal component 23 to maintain proper alignment of the retention tail 24.
  • the apparatus 26 defines a retention tail opening 59 that is configured to receive a retention tail 24 of the hearing aid 20.
  • the retention tail opening 59 can be defined in the cap 28 and/or the sidewall 48. In certain examples, the retention tail opening 59 extends transverse to the connector hole 40.
  • the apparatus includes a retention tail 70 that is removably coupled to the sidewall 48.
  • the retention tail 70 is configured to retain the ear canal component 23 in the ear canal 15.
  • the retention tail 70 includes a collar 72 that defines a bore 73 that receives the sidewall 48.
  • the collar 72 comprises a plurality of fingers 74 that project into the bore 73 of the collar 72.
  • the fingers 74 are received in the sidewall channels 58 defined by the outer surface 57 of the sidewall 48 (see FIGURE 15 which depicts the retention tail 70 adjacent to the cap 28 and sidewall 48; see FIGURE 16 which depicts the retention tail 70 coupled to the sidewall 48 such that the fingers 74 are received in the sidewall channels 58).
  • any number of fingers 74 can be included, and the fingers 74 can be any suitable size and/or shape (e.g. rectangular, circular, triangular, concave).
  • the fingers 74 include a first end 75, a second end 76, and a sloped surface 77 that slopes inwardly from the second end 76 to the first end 75.
  • the shape of the concha bowl 18 can vary, and some concha bowls 18 include deep valleys in which the retention tail 24 lays. In certain examples, the concha bowl 18 does not include a deep valley below the ear canal 15 and the retention tail 24 must lie in the upper portion of the concha bowl 18.
  • the plurality of fingers 74 and sidewall channels 58 allows the user to position of the retention tail 70 in different positions relative to the sidewall 48 (i.e. the retention tail 70 can extend upwardly; the retention tail 70 can be positioned downwardly).
  • the retention tail 70 can be indexed relative to the sidewall 48 such that the retention tail 70 can extend in a plurality of positions (i.e. the retention tail 70 can be indexed relative to the sidewall 48 such that the fingers 74 engage the sidewall channels 58 and the retention tail 70 extends in a selected position).
  • the retention tail 70 in permanently coupled and integral to the apparatus 26.
  • the retention tail 70 is coupled to the ear canal component 23 such that the apparatus 26 does not include the cap 28 and/or sidewall 48.
  • the retention tail 70 can couple to the ear canal component 23 as described with reference to the other components and features of the apparatus 26.
  • the apparatus for controlling and positioning a device in a body cavity apparatus comprises a cap configured to couple with the device such that the cap increases maneuverability of the device in body cavity as the device is positioned in the body cavity.
  • the device is an ear canal component of a hearing aid, and the ear canal component is positioned in an ear canal.
  • the cap includes a contact surface configured to be contacted by the user, and the contact surface is textured.
  • the cap includes a gripping structure that projects outwardly from the cap.
  • the cap includes a projection that projects outwardly from the cap and defines a groove between the projection and the gripping structure.
  • the gripping structure is one of a plurality of gripping structures and the groove is one of a plurality of grooves such that the plurality of gripping structures defines the plurality of grooves between the projection and the plurality of gripping structures.
  • the apparatus includes a sidewall coupled to the cap that defines a cavity configured to receive the ear canal component.
  • the sidewall is annular and the cap further comprises a concave end wall that defines a closed end of the cavity.
  • the sidewall comprises a plurality of ribs that project into the cavity and are configured to deform as the cavity receives the ear canal component such that the ribs elastically deform as the ear canal component is received in the cavity.
  • the cap includes a cap slit and the sidewall includes a sidewall slit that aligns with the cap slit.
  • the cap is configured to elastically deform as the cap couples to the ear canal component, and the cap slit opens and the sidewall slit opens as the ear canal component is received in the cavity.
  • the apparatus includes a retention tail that is removably coupled to the sidewall.
  • the retention tail has a collar defining a bore that is configured to receive the sidewall.
  • the collar comprises a plurality of fingers that project into the bore, and the sidewall further comprises an outer surface that defines a plurality of sidewall channels that receive with the fingers thereby coupling the retention tail to the sidewall.
  • the plurality of fingers includes an first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sloped surface that slopes inwardly from the second end to the first end.
  • an apparatus for controlling and positioning an ear canal component of a hearing aid in an ear canal includes a cap configured to couple with the ear canal component such that the cap increases maneuverability of the ear canal component in the ear canal as the ear canal component is positioned in the ear canal; a plurality of gripping structures; a projection that defines a plurality of grooves between the projection and the plurality of a gripping structures; and an annular sidewall opposite the plurality of gripping structures that defines a cavity configured to receive the ear canal component.
  • an ear canal component of a hearing aid that is positioned in an ear canal includes a cap configured to increase maneuverability and control of the ear canal component as the ear canal component is positioned in the ear canal.
  • an ear canal component of a hearing aid that is positioned in an ear canal includes an ear canal component having a cap configured to increase maneuverability and control of the ear canal component as the ear canal component is positioned in the ear canal;
  • the cap can include a gripping structure projecting outwardly from the cap;
  • the cap can include a projection projecting outwardly therefrom such that projection and the gripping structure define a groove therebetween;
  • the cap can include a textured surface positioned between the projection and the gripping structure;
  • the gripping structure is one of a plurality of gripping structures and wherein the groove is one of a plurality of grooves such that the plurality of gripping structures defines the plurality of grooves between the projection and the plurality of gripping structures.
  • the cap is integral with the ear canal component.
  • the ear canal component of the hearing aid includes gripping structures and/or projections that extend outwardly from the ear canal component.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Un appareil (26) permettant de commander et de positionner une composante de canal auriculaire (23) dans un canal auriculaire (15), l'appareil (26) comprenant:
    un capuchon (28) avec une première partie d'extrémité configurée pour coupler avec la composante de canal auriculaire (23) de telle sorte que le capuchon (28) augmente la manœuvrabilité de la composante de canal auriculaire (23) dans un canal auriculaire (15) lorsque la composante de canal auriculaire (23) est positionnée dans le canal auriculaire (15), le capuchon (28) comprenant:
    une structure de préhension (33) au niveau d'une deuxième partie d'extrémité du capuchon (28) située à l'opposé de la dite première partie d'extrémité, dans lequel la structure de préhension (33) fait saillie dans une direction axiale à l'opposé de la première partie d'extrémité du capuchon (28); et
    une projection (34) au niveau d'une deuxième partie d'extrémité du capuchon (28), dans lequel la projection (34) fait saillie dans une direction axiale à l'opposé de la première partie d'extrémité du capuchon (28)
    dans lequel la structure de préhension (33) et la projection (34) définissent une rainure (35) avec une surface de contact (29) entre elles, dans lequel la rainure (35) es adaptée pour recevoir un ongle (8).
  2. L'appareil (26) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la surface de contact (29) est texturée.
  3. L'appareil (26) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la structure de préhension (33) est une parmi une pluralité de structures de préhension et la rainure (35) est une parmi une pluralité de rainures; la pluralité de structures de préhension (33) définissant la pluralité de rainures (35) entre la projection (34) et la pluralité de structures de préhension (33).
  4. L'appareil (26) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 3, comprenant en outre une paroi latérale (48) couplée au capuchon (28), la paroi latérale (48) définit une cavité (49) configurée pour recevoir la composante de canal auriculaire (23).
  5. L'appareil (26) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la paroi latérale (48) est annulaire et dans lequel le capuchon (28) comprend en outre une paroi d'extrémité concave (30) qui définit une extrémité fermée de la cavité (49).
  6. L'appareil (26) selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la paroi latérale (48) comprend une pluralité de nervures (55) qui font saillie dans la cavité (49), la pluralité de nervures (55) étant configurée pour se déformer lorsque la cavité (49) reçoit la composante de canal auriculaire (23) de telle sorte que les nervures (55) se déforment élastiquement lorsque la composante de canal auriculaire (23) est reçue dans la cavité (49).
  7. L'appareil (26) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le capuchon (28) comprend une fente de capuchon (41) et la paroi latérale (48) comprend une fente de paroi latérale (56) qui s'aligne avec la fente de capuchon (41); dans lequel le capuchon (28) est configuré pour se déformer élastiquement lorsque le capuchon (28) se couple à la composante de canal auriculaire (23); et dans lequel la fente de capuchon (41) s'ouvre et la fente de paroi latérale (56) s'ouvre lorsque la composante de canal auriculaire (23) est reçue dans la cavité (49).
  8. L'appareil (26) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 7, comprend en outre une queue de retenue (70) qui est couplée de manière amovible à la paroi latérale (48).
  9. L'appareil (26) selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la queue de retenue (70) a un collier (72) définissant un alésage (73) qui est configuré pour recevoir la paroi latérale (48).
  10. L'appareil (26) selon la revendication 9, dans lequel le collier (72) comprend une pluralité de doigts (74) qui font saillie dans l'alésage (73); et la paroi latérale (48) comprenant en outre une surface externe (57) qui définit une pluralité de canaux de paroi latérale (58) qui reçoivent avec les doigts (74), couplant ainsi la queue de retenue (70) à la paroi latérale (48).
  11. L'appareil (26) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel chaque doigt de la pluralité de doigts (74) comprend une première extrémité (75), une deuxième extrémité (76) à l'opposée de la première extrémité (75), et une surface inclinée (77) qui est inclinée vers l'intérieur de la seconde extrémité (76) à la première extrémité (75).
  12. Un arrangement comprenant une composante de canal auriculaire (23) d'une aide auditive qui peut être positionnée dans un canal auriculaire (15) et un appareil (26) pour commander et positionner la composante de canal auriculaire (23) dans le canal auriculaire (15), selon la revendication 1.
  13. L'arrangement selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le capuchon (28) comprend une surface texturée (29) positionnée entre la projection (34) et la structure de préhension (33).
  14. L'arrangement selon la revendication 12 ou 13, dans lequel la structure de préhension (33) est une parmi une pluralité de structures de préhension et dans lequel la rainure (35) est une parmi une pluralité de rainures; et dans lequel la pluralité de structures de préhension (33) définissent la pluralité de rainures (35) entre la projection (34) et la pluralité de structures de préhension (33).
  15. L'arrangement selon la revendication 12 à 14, dans lequel la composante de canal auriculaire (23) est une composante d'une aide auditive (20), et dans lequel la composante de canal auriculaire (23) est configurée pour être positionnée dans le canal auriculaire (15).
EP16835626.9A 2015-08-12 2016-08-01 Appareils permettant de commander et de positionner des composants de prothèse auditive dans les conduits auditifs Active EP3335435B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562204043P 2015-08-12 2015-08-12
US201662289433P 2016-02-01 2016-02-01
PCT/US2016/045019 WO2017027245A1 (fr) 2015-08-12 2016-08-01 Appareils permettant de commander et de positionner des composants de prothèse auditive dans les conduits auditifs

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EP3335435A1 EP3335435A1 (fr) 2018-06-20
EP3335435A4 EP3335435A4 (fr) 2019-04-10
EP3335435B1 true EP3335435B1 (fr) 2020-10-21

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Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11240615B2 (en) 2019-11-15 2022-02-01 Jeffrey P. Szmanda Apparatuses for coupling to hearing aids

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH089999Y2 (ja) * 1991-05-31 1996-03-21 リオン株式会社 補聴器
EP1723828A2 (fr) * 2004-02-13 2006-11-22 InSound Medical, Inc. Capsule perforees pour appareil auditif
US8693719B2 (en) * 2010-10-08 2014-04-08 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Adjustment and cleaning tool for a hearing assistance device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3335435A1 (fr) 2018-06-20
EP3335435A4 (fr) 2019-04-10

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