GB2257912A

GB2257912A - Cerumen softening and absorbing device

Info

Publication number: GB2257912A
Application number: GB9115760A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Myer Benjamin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-22
Filing date: 1991-07-22
Publication date: 1993-01-27
Also published as: GB9115760D0

Abstract

An ear-plug or external auditory meatus insert or prosthesis, which is internally fitted with a heater capable of reaching and maintaining a desired temperature range for a length of time and preferably overnight. It may also be fitted with a means of removal of products of the softening process by absorption or soaking away or otherwise. <IMAGE>

Description

CERUMEN SOFTENING AND ABSORBING DEVICE This invention relates to a device designed to soften or liquefy cerumen in the external auditory meatus and aid in its absorption and removal.

There are many methods adopted for the removal of wax from the ears.

ears. These including syringing with various fluids,suction, curetting or mechanical removalor the wax from the external auditory meatus using a variety of instruments.

Wax (cerumen) in the meatus may become very inspissated and hard and thereby increasingly difficult to remove.This can occur to such a degree that the removsl procedures may cause excoristion and damage to the tissuee of the walls of the mestus and even to the tympanum. Uarious solutions and liquids are available to help aid the softening of the wax prior to the removal procedures.

In the invention,utilising the fact that cerument is found to soften and liquify within a given temperature range,then by using an aural prosthesis or aural plug or insert which can be hested in situ in the external auditory meatus,to produce this effect,and then to soak away or absorb or otherwise carry away these products.

In the present invention there is provided an ear plug or external auditory meatal insert or prosthesis,in which is formed or inserted 3 small heating device capable of gently heating the plug to the desired range of temperature,It is desirable to msintain this for some hours,perhaps overnight.Furthermare the invention permits the incorporation or addition if desired,of a tampon,wick or sock or cover of absorbent material to aid the extraction of the softened products.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure 1 shows one of the possible alternative arrangements for the parts of the device.

Figure 2 shows a pinna hook tampon arrangement.

Referring to the drawing the Body 1 may or not have a flange and mav. be a moulding or ting or turned part constructed of a i de variety of materials.These include metal or metal alloy,plastic or ceramic,rubber or silicone rubber,and resins or synthetic moulding materials.The aural insert may be of soft or hard material capable of standing the required temperature range,and it may be a pre-formed plug or moulded in situ in the external auditory canal,and pinna.

The heating unit 2 is a small ohmic resistance heater which may be incorporated in the body during moulding or curing,or may be inserted into a prepared cavity or chamber or orifice in a prefarmed ear-plug,either as a push-fitting or screw-fitting or otherwise.Electrical leads may form a permanent feature within the ear plug,or electrical contacts 3 provided for attachment of leads from a suitable electrical supply.External electric leads are shown ri Alternative heating arrangements may be made for the ear plug such as alectro-magnetic inductive heating,chemical heating.or pumped fluid heating.

An absorbent tampon or sock 5 is shown with tie strings 6 which serve to secure and/or extract the tampon.These securing ties may be used to attach the tampon to the body-plug so that removal of the plug automatically withdraws the tampon.Alternative means of soaking the wax products away are surface pads or wicks fitted into grooves in the body,or even by wsy of absorbent covers applied over the canal portion of the body.A wide variety of (cttom suitable absorbent materials include sponges,absorbent papers and other disposable materials,but preferably fitted with strings or other means providing for ease of withdrawal.

An alternative is shown in Figure 2 as a hook frame for fitting over the pinne which carries a tampon and through which the body of the device can be pushed prior to insertion in the suditory canal.1 is the hook formed with a shaped hole and 2 is the tampon formed round or attached to the hole.

Claims

An external auditory meatus insert containing a heating device, capable if heating the insert whilst it is. seated in the ear canal to a desired temperature range so as to soften or liquify cerumen.

A cerumen softener as in claim 1 capable of being fitted with a means of sosking or absorbing or otherwise removing the cried or llquified cerumirious products.

A cerumen softener and absorber substantially as claimed herein with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.