GB2520047A

GB2520047A - A device for removing bodily secretions from a human or animal orifice and its method of use

Info

Publication number: GB2520047A
Application number: GB1319691.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mireille Hasbrig-Hartley; Dominic John Joseph Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-06
Filing date: 2013-11-06
Publication date: 2015-05-13
Also published as: GB201319691D0

Abstract

A swab for cleaning the ears, nose and other bodily orifices has an elongate body 1 with a cushion 4 at one or both ends encapsulated by a flexible membrane 3. The cushion may be filled with fluid, gel, or small particles such as foam, sponge or plastic spheres which will deform like a fluid. Where both ends have a cushion, the cushions may be in communication such that squeezing one end increases the pressure at the other (figure 9C) and may cause it to expand (figure 9B). The end portions may be shaped like a blade (figure 12A), a loop (figure 12C) or a scoop (figure 12F). Projections and/or recesses on the end portions (figure 2) collect bodily secretions, such as ear wax, from the orifice. The device may be coated in oil to replace the bodys natural oils or wax.

Description

Specification

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for removing various matter and substances from the orifices, crevices and invaginations of humans and animals and its method of use.

Background of the invention

Ear-wax (Ceruinen) is traditionally removed from the ear using cotton-buds, devices with a cotton covered end or ear cleaning devices made of a compressible solid material. Such devices have the disadvantage that over-insertion into the external ear canal (External Acoustic Meatus) can damage the tissue therein. Another disadvantage is that the cotton can become dislodged from the device and stick to the tympanic membrane or surrounding external ear canal. Such cotton is either dry to start with, or dries out naturally in the ear if it was wet. When this cotton contacts water again, at a later date, it expands and can damage the tympanic membrane, sometimes causing bleeding and discomfort, and sometimes has to be removed surgically.

Known devices comprising a compressible solid material only have a narrow compression range; therefore the risk of injury is still considerable with these devices. Further, known devices comprising a compressible solid material only align to the shape of the surtce that they are pressed against to a limited degree. Therefore, their potential to clean such surfaces is not optimal, whilst their potential to cause damage is still present.

It is well documented that users have a tendency to over-insert devices into their ears and damage the tympanic membrane and/or external ear canal tissues as a result. The traditional devices for inserting into and cleaning the ear have a stiff longitudinal portion that transmits the force exerted by the user when they push the device into theft ear.

Another disadvantage of the known devices is that the ear cleaning device or cotton end is traditionally convex in shape and so does not clean the outer rim of the convex tympanic membrane or the adjacent external ear canal tissue (indicated in a two dimensional representation as areas A in Figure 1) as it cannot contact these parts of the ear (see Figure 1).

Further, such devices tend to compact ear-wax against the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues rather than remove it. This is undesirable as the users wish is to clean the ear and extract the ear-wax, not compact it and leave it in the ear. Furthermore, this compaction may result in blockage of pores, loss of skin-air contact in places and compound the problems of having too much ear-wax in the ear.

A further disadvantage of the cleaning devices with a cotton end is that they feel scratchy, hard and uncomfortable. Also, when the device is used it tends to strip the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues that it contacts of their natural oils and does not

I

replace these in any manner. This can cause irritation and discomfort in the ear and can lead to short term and long term skin problems of the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues.

With regard to ear cleaning devices that are made of a compressible solid material, the projections that are used to scape ear-wax tend to be made of the same compressible solid material as the end portion supporting them, as it is moulded as one complete end portion piece. Due to this fact the projections on an end portion tend to bend too easily and not clean wax efficiently, as they fold over and act to spread the ear-wax due to their inherent flexibility. This inherent flexibility is dictated by the compressible solid material of which the end portion is formed.

There is a need for an ear-ear-wax removal device that minimises the risk of damage to the ear by cushioning and buffering the force exerted by the user, facilitates efficient removal of ear-wax, whilst not compressing the ear-wax against the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues, and which feels comfortable to the user. Additionally, there is a need for an ear cleaning device that replaces or substitutes the natural oils found on the tyrupanic membrane and external ear canal tissues when the ear is cleaned.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided an ear cleaning device comprising a longitudinal body, comprising either a substantially solid or substantially flexible material, having at least one end portion of a substantially flexible material filly encapsulating or partially encapsulating a cushioning means.

The cushioning means preferably comprises a fluid or gel portion, although it could comprise a substantially compressible material, such as foam, sponge, multiple portions of foam, multiple portions of sponge, multiple portions of plastic spheres or multiple solid particles such as sand, which also have substantially fluid-like or gel-like characteristics when partially encapsulated or filly encapsulated in a substantially flexible material.

The end portion of the present invention may have projections and/or recesses on all or some of its outer surface that scrape or dislodge material from the surface of the tympanic membrane and/or the external ear canal. These projections may be in the form of knobs, ribs or fins that project from the outer surface of the end portion, at an angle or otherwise, situated along the whole length of the end portion or alternatively along one or more parts of the end portion. The recesses may be in the form of etchings, dimples, trenches or invaginations in the outer surface of the end portion, at an angle or otherwise, situated along the whole length of the end portion or alternatively along one or more parts of the end portion.

The present invention minimises damage to the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues and facilitates efficient removal of ear-wax. Additionally, the present invention does not compress ear-wax against the tympanic membrane and external ear canal. The present invention also feels comfortable to the user. The invention and the method of its use described in this patent can replace or substitute the natural oils found on the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues when the ear is cleaned.

As the present invention is also portable it can be used in conjunction with a storage means for storing a substance that replaces or substitutes the oils or other materials that are naturally found on the surface of the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues. The present invention can be partially or fully coated in this substance before use by the user, so that the oils or other materials that are naturally found on the surface of the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues are replaced or substituted, reducing the risk of causing damage to these tissues through the removal of these oils or other materials when cleaning the ear.

This substance may be cooled or heated before placing onto the present invention if desired by the user. For instance, hot olive oil tends to dissolve wax faster than when at ambient temperature and embodiments of the present invention may take advantage of this fact. The present invention may be stored, sold and transported in a container holding a sponge-like material soaked in the oil or substance. When the device is pressed onto the sponge-like material it would partially or wholly wrap around the device and apply a layer of oil or substance to it. Such a storage means may have a removable lid to prevent any leakage into the container.

The invention can be used to clean ear-wax from the ear, however it could also be used to relieve nasal congestion in humans or animals, or clean other human orifices or animal orifices.

Specific embodiments of the invention According an embodiment of the invention at least one end portion is bud-shaped.

According to an embodiment of the invention at least one end portion is concave at the end to some degree, thus allowing this end portion to contact the outer edge or the outer surface of the tympanic membrane and clean it efficiently. The fact that the present invention moulds to the shape of the ear tissues of the user means that it fits many different sizes of tympanic membrane and external ear canal of different users without the need to industrially produce many different sizes of the present invention, which is an advantage of those known in the art.

According to an embodiment of the invention the whole or part of the end portion may take the form of a projection that scrapes or dislodges material from the tympanic membrane and/or inside of the external ear canal, such as the form of a blade, loop or scoop. The end portion may be shaped so that one end portion more efficiently cleans the external ear canal whilst another end portion more efficiently cleans the outer surface of the tympanic membrane, a portion of the outer rim of the tympanic membrane or the external ear (Auricular). For example, in one embodiment of the invention at least one end portion is substantially concave at the end to some degree, thus allowing this end portion to contact the outer edge or the outer surface of the substantially convex tynipanic membrane and clean it effectively. The end portions contained in one device may be the same or different shapes.

According to an embodiment of the invention at least part of one end portion is sufficiently large that the whole end portion cannot be inserted into the ear. This allows just a sub-portion of the end portion to be inserted by the user and so minimises possible damage to the external ear canal tissues and tympanic membrane.

According an embodiment of the invention the longitudinal body may have projections from, or recesses in, the whole or part of its surface to allow better grip when inserting and twisting the device. These projections may be in the form of knobs, ribs or fins that project from the outer surface of the longitudinal body, at an angle or otherwise, situated along the whole length of the longitudinal body or alternatively along one or more parts of the longitudinal body. The recesses may be in the form of etchings, dimples, trenches or invaginations in the outer surface of the longitudinal body, at an angle or otherwise, situated along the whole length of the longitudinal body or alternatively along one or more parts of the longitudinal body.

According to an embodiment of the invention the cushioning means in one end portion may be continuous with the cushioning means of at least one other end portion. In such an embodiment an end portion substantially not in the external ear canal, or a connecting portion, can be conveniently compressed so expanding an end portion substantially within the external ear canal by using the palm or figures of the hand holding the device. The expanded end portion can touch more of the external ear canal and tympanic membrane and so clean more efficiently than known devices that do not expand within the external ear canal. The user can perform this action more conveniently and efficiently than with other known devices. The pressure on the end portion substantially inside the external ear canal could be released by reducing the pressure exerted by the user to facilitate its contraction and extraction from the external ear, with ear-wax adhered to its outer surface, projections or recesses. Alternatively, the device could be turned when expanded and then removed to scrape the ear-wax from the external ear canal and tympanic membrane to improve the removal of ear-wax. Additionally, a pressure could be exerted on an end portion substantially not in the external ear canal, or alternatively a connecting portion, resulting in an end portion substantially within the external ear canal having a higher internal pressure without substantially expanding but which deforms less as a result of the extra pressure, as desired by the user.

According to an embodiment of the invention the substantially flexible material may encapsulate multiple portion(s) of a substantially compressible material comprising the cushioning means, such as foam, sponge, multiple portions of foam, multiple portions of sponge, multiple plastic spheres, or multiple solid particles such as sand, which also have substantially fluid-like or gel-like characteristics when partially encapsulated or fully encapsulated in a substantially flexible material.

According to an embodiment of the invention the cushioning means may be partially encapsulated by a substantially flexible material rather than completely encapsulated. The substantially flexible material may partially encapsulate the cushioning means, by taking the form of a net fully surrounding or partially surrounding the cushioning means or a band substantially encircling the cushioning means or other forms.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a traditional cotton bud being used to clean the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues.

Figure 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device having a longitudinal body and an end portion of a substantially flexible material encapsulating a cushioning means.

Figure 2B illustrates an end-on view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device having an end portion of a substantially flexible material with projections from its outer surface.

Figure 2C illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device having a longitudinal body and an end portion of a substantially flexible material with projections from its surface.

Figure 2D illustrates an end-on view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device having a longitudinal body and an end portion of a substantially flexible material with recesses in its outer surthce.

Figure 2E illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device having a longitudinal body and an end portion of a substantially flexible material with recesses in its outer surthce.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal (Figure 3A), contacting the tympanic membrane, resulting in substantial deformation of the end portion (Figures 3B and C).

Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal (Figure 4A), contacting the tympanic membrane (Figure 4B) and then the external ear canal tissue (Figure 4C), resulting in substantial deformation of the end portion in response to both contact points (Figure 4D).

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an car cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal (Figure 5A) and contacting the external ear canal tissue, resulting in substantial deformation of the end portion (Figures 5B and 5C).

Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal (Figure 6A) and contacting the tympanic membrane and the external ear canal tissue, resulting in no substantial deformation of the end portion (Figure 6B).

Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal (Figure 7A) and contacting the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissue, resulting in substantial deformation of the end portion (Figures 7B and 7C), allowing the device to clean the small space or crevice formed between the tyinpanic membrane and the external ear canal tissue.

Figure 8A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means in one end portion is substantially equidistant from the edges of the end portion.

Figure SB illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the position of the cushioning means within the end portion is altered more towards one end of the end portion with respect to the longitudinal body.

Figure SC illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where multiple cushioning means are located in the same end portion.

Figure SD illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the overall shape of the cushioning means within an end portion substantially vafies and so is not substantially uniform.

Figure SE illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means in one end portion is substantially continuous with that of at least one other end portion.

Figure SF illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means in one end portion is substantially continuous with that of at least one other end portion and the longitudinal portion is substantially the same width as at least one end portion.

Figure 9A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means in one end portion is substantially continuous with the cushioning means of at least one other end portion.

Figure 911 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the end portion substantially outside the external ear canal is compressed, so expanding the end portion substantially within the external ear canal, using the hand holding the device.

Figure 9C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the end portion substantially outside the external ear canal is substantially compressed to less of a degree that shown in Figure 9B, resulting in the end portion substantially within the external ear canal having a higher internal pressure, without resulting in substantial expansion, and so deforming less under equivalent pressure as compared to when a part of the device is not compressed.

Figure 1OA illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises multiple portions of a substantially compressible material that may be free to move against one another within the encapsulating layer of a substantially flexible material.

Figure 1011 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises multiple portions of a substantially compressible material that may be free to move against one another within a partially encapsulating layer of a substantially flexible material in the fonn of a net.

Figure 1 0C illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises multiple portions of a substantially compressible material that may be free to move against one another within a partially encapsulating layer of a substantially flexible material in the form of a band.

Figure IOD illustrates an overhead view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device as depicted in Figure bC.

Figure 1 1A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises a single portion of a substantially compressible material partially encapsulated by a layer of substantially flexible material in the form of a band.

Figure 11B illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises a single portion of a substantially compressible material partially encapsulated by a layer of substantially flexible material.

Figure 12A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the end portion is in the shape of a blade.

Figure 1 2B illustrates a cross-sectional, end-on view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device as depicted in Figure 12A.

Figure 12C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the end portion is in the shape of a loop.

Figure 12D illustrates a cross-sectional, end-on view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device as depicted in Figure 12C.

Figure 12E illustrates a cross-sectional, overhead view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the end portion is in the shape of a scoop.

Figure 12F illustrates a cross-sectional, side-on view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device as depicted in Figure l2E.

Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cross sectional area of part of the device is too large to fit into the ear of the user, therefore only a sub-portion of the device is small enough to fit into the ear.

DetailS description of the present invention

The present invention will now be described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a traditional cotton bud 100 being used to clean the external ear canal tissues and tympanic membrane. The cotton end is traditionally convex in shape and so does not clean the outer rim of the convex tympanic membrane 6 or the adjacent external ear canal tissue 7 (indicated in this two dimensional representation as areas A in Figures IA and IB), as it cannot contact these parts of the ear.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal body I with an end portion 2 comprising a substantially flexible material 3 encapsulating a cushioning means 4. The cushioning means 4 is preferably provided by a fluid or gel portion, although it could comprise sponge, foam, multiple portions of foam, multiple portions of plastic spheres, multiple portions of sponge or multiple solid particles such as sand, which also have substantially fluid-like or gel-like characteristics when partially encapsulated or filly encapsulated in a substantially flexible material. The end portion 2 may have projections (as shown in Figures 2B and 2C) or recesses (as shown in Figures 2D and 2E) on all or some of its outer surface that scrape or dislodge material from the surface of the tympanic membrane and/or the external ear canal.

These projections may be in the form of knobs, ribs or fins (as shown in Figure 2C) that project from the outer suthce of the end portion, at an angle or otherwise, situated along the whole length of the end portion or alternatively along one or more parts of the end portion.

The recesses may be in the fonn of etchings, dimples, trenches (as shown in Figure 2E) or invaginations in the outer surface of the end portion, at an angle or otherwise, situated along the whole length of the end portion or alternatively along one or more parts of the end portion.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal and contacting the tympathc membrane 6 resulting in deformation of the end portion from the initial insertion into the external ear canal (Figure 3A), then being pressed against S the tympanic membrane with a force in Figure 3B and then being pressed against the tympanic membrane with a greater force in Figure 3C.

The substantially flexible material 3 encapsulating the cushioning means 4 in the end portion deforms at a certthi pressure and so protects the ear tissues from damage if the device is over inserted, as the cushioning means contained within the end portion, and so part or the whole of the end portion, substantially moves in the opposite direction away from the site of the pressure. Thus the end portion, in part or as a whole, substantially deforms away from the site of pressure due to the reactionary force exerted by the encapsulated cushioning means and so cushions and buffers the force exerted by the user if they over-insert the device into the car or exert greater than necessary pressure.

If the present invention is over-inserted into the ear or greater than necessary pressure is exerted by the user, the pressure felt by the user upon deformation of the end portion alerts them to the over insertion or greater than necessary pressure, which they correct themselves upon being alerted. Hence, the present invention prevents both initial over-insertion and/or use of greater than necessary pressure and further over-insertion and/or use of greater than necessary pressure in a safer manner to the known devices, as it cushions and buffers the force exerted on the external ear canal and tympanic membrane, giving the user more time to react to the over-insertion and substantially reducing the potential or actual damage caused as a consequence of over-insertion.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal (Figure 4A) and contacting the tympanic membrane 6 resulting in substantial deformation of the end portion (Figure 4B) due to being pressed against the tympanic membnme with a substantial force, then being pressed against the tympanic membrane with a substantially greater force and deforming further (Figure 4C) then contacting the external ear canal tissue and deforming away from this and the tympanic membrane (Figure 4D).

As the cushioning means 4 will transmit a reactionary force in all directions away from the area of pressure, the end portion deforms away from the initial pressure to the maximum degree by expanding in all directions away tivm the point of contact. This minimises the damage to the tissues at the point of contact to a greater degree than with known devices, as the present invention cushions and buffers the force exerted by the user and spreads the force over a larger area, so reducing the pressure being exerted on the tissues when they over-insert the device into their ear. As further contact is made with more tissues by the substantially deforming end portion, it again deforms away from these new points of pressure, minimising damage to these secondary points of contact. As the deformation of the end portion is based on the mechanics of fluids and/or gels, the end portion exerts equal force in all directions away from the point of contact. Therefore, upon contact the end portion provides the maximum amount of cushioning and buffering of force as substantially the whole, or a substantial part, of the end portion reacts to this contact to displace and disperse, and so minimise, the force exerted at the point of contact.

Therefore, the damage to the external ear canal and tympanic membrane is minimised with the present invention more than with other known ear cleaning devices, including those known devices comprising a flexible or rubbery material, as these would not deform in the same manner and do not react to displace and disperse, and so minimise, the force exerted at the point of contact to the same degree, if at all. The present invention also has the ability to react to secondary and further points of contact to the same degree as it substantially acts like a fluid and/or gel and so would act to move away from multiple points of contact, whereas the other ear cleaning devices would not be able to react to the same degree to additional points of contact. Even known compressible devices are not capable of compressing in all directions to the same degree, if at all. Additionally, they would already be compressed to some degree and so resist further compression in response to secondary and further points of contact.

The present invention also has the benefit that when an end portion reaches the tympanic membrane it compresses against the membranes convex surface and deforms, consequently contacting the outer edges of the tympanic membrane and eventually the adjacent tissues of the external ear canal. Thus, when the device reaches a certain point in the external ear canal it expands to fill the canal naturally, without the need to pump fluid into the device or use some hand operated mechanism to expand the end portion, both of which can be cumbersome and difficult for the user. Consequently, the present invention is less cumbersome and easier for the user to use than known ear-cleaning devices that are expanded inside the external ear canal.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal and contacting the external ear canal tissue 7 resulting in substantial deformation of the end portion from the initial insertion into the external ear canal (Figure 5A), to being pressed against the external ear canal tissue with a force (Figures 5B and SC). The known devices, including cotton buds, only contact a small area of the ear, whereas the present invention acts substantially like a fluid and so adopts the shape of the surface it is contacting and, therefore, touches more of the surface and maximises the cleaning potential of the device compared to other devices known in the art. This increases the surface area of tissue cleaned in one movement and so increases the efficiency of the cleaning process compared to the known devices.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal and contacting the external ear canal tissue 7 resulting in no substantial deformation of the end portion from the initial insertion into the external ear canal (Figure 6A), to being pressed against the external ear canal tissue (Figure ÔB) with substantially less force than shown in Figures 3 to 5. Under this pressure the end portion does not substantially deform and so forms a sufficiently solid structure when cleaning the tympanic membrane and external ear canal. Thus, the user can more easily vary the shape and surface area of the present invention contacting the ear tissues by varying the force used to push the present invention against these tissues depending on their preference. Therefore, the present invention is more adaptable and so more comfortable to use then known devices and is safer touse.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear canal and contacting the tympanic membrane 6 and external ear canal tissue 7 resulting in deformation of the end portion from the initial insertion into the external ear canal (Figure 7A), to being pressed against the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissue with a greater force (Figure 7B), then being pressed against the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissue with an even greater force resulting in deformation of the end portion allowing the device to clean within the crevice or space formed between the tympanic membrane and the external ear canal tissue (Figure 7C). The present invention is able to mould itself around curves, dimples and bends and into tight spaces and crevices and so cleans the various parts of the ear that are not accessible to known devices. Thus, as well as being safer to use, the present invention also cleans the ear to a great extent than devices known in the art and cleans pasts of the ear that the devices known in the art cannot reach.

Figure SA shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means 4 in one end portion 2 is substantially equidistant from the outer edges of the end portion, therefore the deformation in response to pressure will be substantially uniform over the whole of the end portion, as the width of substantially flexible material 3 encapsulating the cushioning means is substantially the same over the whole of the end portion.

Figure 8B shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the position of the cushioning means 4 within the end portion 2 is situated more towards the distal end of the end portion with respect to the longitudinal body, therefore the deformation in response to pressure will not be uniform over the whole of the end portion, as thickness of substantially flexible material 3 encapsulating the cushioning means is not the same over the whole of the end portion. In this embodiment, the part of the end portion furthest from the longitudinal portion 1 deforms at a substantially lower pressure than the part of the end portion nearest to the longitudinal portion!. This and similar embodiments give the advantage that the present invention can be tailored to deform in only certain areas within an end portion, in order to sassume the shape of the surface to be cleaned (such as the tympanic membrane), whilst other areas within the same end portion do not substantially deform, or deform less, where desired, for instance where they are needed to substantially retain their shape to provide structural support to the deforming region(s) of the end portion or to the present invention as a whole.

Figure SC shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device comprising multiple cushioning means 4 located in the same end portion 2, this gives differing degrees of responsiveness to pressure within one end portion. Thereibre, the deformation in response to pressure will not be substantially uniform over the whole surface of the end portion, as neither the width of substantially flexible material 3 encapsulating the cushioning means 4 is the same over the whole of the end portion nor is the ratio of substantially flexible encapsulating material) to cushioning means 4 the same over the whole end portion. This gives the advantage that the present invention can be tailored to deform preferentially in certain areas of an end portion, in order to assume the shape of the surface to be cleaned (such as the tympanic membrane), whilst other areas within the same end portion may not substantially deform, or deform less, for instance where they are needed to substantially retain their shape to provide structural support to the deforming regions or to the present invention as a whole.

Figure 8D shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the shape of the cushioning means 4 within an end portion varies, therefore the deformation in response to pressure will not be substantially uniform over the surface of the end portion, as the thickness of the substantially flexible material) encapsulating the cushioning means 4 is not the same over the whole of the end portion. This gives the advantage that the device can be tailored to deform in certain areas under a substantially lower pressure than other areas within the same end portion 2. This is an advantage over the known devices as it allows the end portion to assume the shape of the surface to be cleaned (such as the tympanic membrane), whilst other areas within the same end portion stay substantially less, or not, deformed where desired, for instance where they are needed to substantially retain their shape to provide structural support to the deforming regions or to the present invention as a whole.

Figure 8E shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means 4 in one end portion 2 is continuous with at least one other end portion 2. This has the advantage of allowing a larger total volume of cushioning means 4 to be present and so increases the reactive response to pressure of an end portion 2 and extent to which one (or more) end portion(s) can deform under pressure. Both encapsulated cushioning means 4 could be substantially the same size, and so give similar degrees of responsiveness to pressure, or substantially different sizes and so give differing degrees of responsiveness to pressure and cushion or buffer the force exerted by the user to differing degrees to suit the preference of the user. Thus the device is easier to adapt to the preference of the user simply by increasing the volume of cushioning means 4 within, or continuous with, an end portion, unlike devices known in the art.

Figure SF shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means 4 in one end portion 2 is continuous with at least one other end portion 2 and the longitudinal portion I is substantially the same width and/or height as at least one end portion. This has the advantage of allowing a larger total volume of cushioning means 4 to be present and so increases the reactive response to pressure of an end portion 2 and extent to which one (or more) end portion(s) can deform under pressure. Both encapsulated cushioning means 4 could be substantially the same size, and so give similar degrees of responsiveness to pressure, or substantially different sizes and so give differing degrees of responsiveness to pressure and cushion or buffer the force exerted by the user to differing degrees to suit the preference of the user. The longitudinal portion 1 may be substantially wider and/or higher than at least one end portion, substantially narrower and/or shorter than at least one end portion or substantially the same width and/or height as at least one end portion 2. Thus the device is easier to adapt to the preference of the user simply by increasing the volume of cushioning means 4 within, or continuous with, an end portion, unlike devices known in the art.

Figure 9A shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device being inserted into the external ear where the cushioning means 4 in one end portion 2 is substantially continuous with that of at least one other end portion 2.

Figure 9B shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the end portion not substantially within the external ear canal 20 is compressed so expanding the end portion substantially within the external ear canal 2 using the hand holding the device. Where the cushioning means 4 in one end portion is substantially continuous with that of at least one other end portion, the end portion not substantially in the external ear canal, or the longitudinal portion!, can be conveniently compressed so expanding the end portion substantially within the external ear canal 2 by using the palm and/or figures of the hand holding the present invention. The expanded end portion can contact more of the external ear canal 7 and tympanic membrane 6 and so clean more efficiently than known devices that do not expand within the external ear canal. As the end portion not substantially in the external ear canal 20, or the longitudinal portion!, can be conveniently compressed to expand the end portion substantially within the external ear canal 2 by using the palm and/or figures of the hand holding the present invention, the present invention is more convenient for the user to expand inside the external ear canal and takes less concentration than with devices known in the art, as they can use the hand that is holding the device to do this rather than the other hand, which would distract the user from what they are doing with the hand holding the device.

Figure 9C shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device inserted into the external ear where the end portion not substantially within the external ear canal 20 is compressed substantially less than in Figure 913 resulting in the end portion substantially within the external ear canal 2 having substantially the same volume but a higher internal pressure and so being less responsive to pressure and deforming less under the same pressure, as desired by the user. The user can perform this action more conveniently and efficiently than with other known devices. Alternatively, the longitudinal portion! can be compressed to produce substantially the same or a similar result. The pressure on the end portion substantially inside the external ear canal 2 could be released to facilitate its contraction and extraction from the external ear, with ear-wax adhered to its outer surface, projections or recesses. Alternatively, the device could be turned when expanded and then removed to scrape the ear-wax from the external ear canal 7 and tympanic membrane 6 to improve the removal of ear-wax.

Figure WA shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises multiple portions of a substantially compressible material 4 that may be free to move against one another within the encapsulating layer of a substantially flexible material 3.

As the portions of substantially compressible material, which may comprise foam, sponge, multiple portions of foam, multiple portions of plastic spheres, multiple portions of sponge or multiple solid particles, that may be free to move against one another, they may act substantially like a fluid and/or gel and so have the advantages discussed within this patent over the devices known in the art.

Figure lOB shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning where the cushioning means comprises multiple portions of a substantially compressible material 4 that may be free to move against one another within the encapsulating layer of a substantially flexible material 3 in the fonn of a net. As the portions of substantially compressible material, which may comprise multiple portions of foam, multiple portions of plastic spheres, multiple portions of sponge or multiple solid particles, may be free to move against one another they act substantially like a fluid and/or gel and so have the advantages discussed within this patent over devices known in the alt.

Figure 1OC shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises multiple portions of a substantially compressible material 4 that may be free to move against one another within a partially encapsulating layer of a substantially flexible material 3 in the form of a band. As the portions of substantially compressible material, which may comprise foam, sponge, multiple portions of foam, multiple portions of plastic spheres, multiple portions of sponge or multiple solid particles, may be free to move against one another they act substantially like a fluid and/or gel and so have the advantages discussed within this patent over the devices known in the art.

Figure lOD shows the embodiment of an ear cleaning device as shown in Figure 1OC from an over-view, where the cushioning means comprises multiple portions of a substantially compressible material 4 that may be free to move against one another within a partially encapsulating layer of a substantially flexible material 3 in the form of a band. As the portions of substantially compressible material, which may comprise foam, sponge, multiple portions of foam, multiple portions of plastic spheres, multiple portions of sponge or multiple solid particles, may be free to move against one another they act substantially like a fluid and/or gel and so have the advantages discussed within this patent over the devices known in the art.

Figure 1 1A shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises a single portion of a cushioning means 4 partially encapsulated by a substantially flexible material 3 in the form of a band-As the portion of substantially compressible material, which may comprise of foam or sponge, is partially encapsulated by the substantially compressible material 4 this aids the substantially compressible material 4 to retain its shape and so the substantially compressible material 4 can comprise a substantially soft and fluid-like substance than would be possible if it was not partially encapsulated.

Additionally, as the projections or recesses in the substantially flexible material 3 do not have to be made of the same substance as the substantially compressible material 4 they can be made of a substantially stiffer substance that enables them to scrape the ear tissues without substantially losing their shape. Thus, this embodiment has advantages, discussed within this patent, over devices known in the art.

Figure 11 B shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning device where the cushioning means comprises a single portion of a cushioning means 4 partially encapsulated by a substantially flexible material 3. As the cushioning means, which may comprise of foam or sponge, is partially encapsulated by the substantially flexible material 4 this aids the cushioning means 4 to retain its shape and so the cushioning means 4 can comprise a substantially soft and fluid-like substance to those known in the art. Additionally, as the projections or recesses in the substantially flexible material 3 do not have to be made of the same substance as the substantially compressible material 4 they can be made of a substantially stiffer substance that enables them to scrape the ear tissues without substantially losing their shape. Thus, this embodiment advantages discussed within this patent over devices known in the art.

Figures 12A and l2B show an embodiment of an ear cleaning where the cushioning means 4 is encapsulated by a substantially flexible material 3 and the end portion 2 is the shape of a blade. As the end portion contains the cushioning means 4, having the device in the shape of a blade is not a safety hazard as it would be if the device wear made of a solid material.

Therefore, the blade can be comfortably used to scrape ear-wax from the ear in a safer manner than devices known in the art.

Figures 12C and 12D show an embodiment of an ear cleaning where the cushioning means 4 is encapsulated by a substantially flexible material 3 and the end portion 2 is the shape of a loop. As the end portion contains the cushioning means 4 having the device in the shape of a loop is not a safety hazard as it would be if the device wear made of a solid material.

Therefore, the loop can be comfortably used to scrape ear-wax from the ear in a safer manner than devices known in the art.

Figures l2E and 12F show an embodiment of an ear cleaning where thecushioning means 4 is encapsulated by a substantially flexible material 3 and the end portion 2 is the shape of a scoop. As the end portion contains the cushioning means 4 having the device in the shape of a scoop is not a safety hazard as it would be if the device wear made of a solid material.

Therefore, the scoop can be comfortably used to scrape ear-wax from the ear in a safer manner than devices known in the art.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of an ear cleaning where the cross sectional area of part of the device 10 is too large to fit into the ear of the user, this allows just a sub-portion 21 of the device to be inserted by the user and so nlininlises possible damage to the external ear canal 7 andexternalear8and9. Astheendportioncontainsacushioningmeans4ithasthe characteristics described above and thus nhlnimises the damage to the external ear, if the user uses too much pressure when trying to insert the device into their ear. If excessive force is used to try and insert the device into the ear the device will simply squish, squash or compact against the external ear 8 and 9 and make it impossible to insert any further, minimising the potential damage to the external ear S and 9, external ear canal 7 and tympanic membrane 6.

Additionally, as the sub-portion of the end portion that is inserted into the external ear canal 21 contains the cushioning means 4 it has the characteristics described above and so substantially assumes the shape of the surthce that it contacts and so more efficiently cleans that part of the external ear canal and external ear that it does make contact with.

Further, in this embodiment the cushioning means 4 in one end portion 21 is substantially continuous with that of at least one other end portion 20, the end portion not substantially in the external ear canal 20, or the longitudinal portion 1, can be conveniently compressed so expanding the end portion substantially within the external ear canal 21 by using the palm and/or figures of the hand holding the present invention. The expanded end portion can contact more of the external ear canal 7 and tympanic membrane 6 and so clean more efficiently than known devices that do not expand within the external ear canal. As the end portion not substantially in the external ear canal 20, or the longitudinal portion 1, can be conveniently compressed to expand the end portion substantially within the external ear canal 21 by using the palm andlor figures of the hand holding the present invention, the present invention is more convenient for the user to expand inside the external ear canal and takes less concentration than with devices known in the art, as they can use the hand that is holding the device to do this rather than the other hand, which would distract the user from what they are doing with the band holding the device.

Advantages of the present invention over devices known In the art Other devices such as cotton buds and solid flexible ear cleaning devices do not have the ability to mould around the tympanic membrane and external ear canal, as described above, to the same degree, if at all, or to be expanded inside the ear to improve the cleaning efficiency of the device. Other devices that do expand inside the ear do so by the user hand operating a mechanism to cause this expansion using their other hand that is not holding the device in question, which is cumbersome and makes the process of cleaning your ears challenging and manually intensive as compared to the present invention.

When a fluid is used to clean an individual's ear it feels comfortable and assumes the shape of the external ear canal that it contacts. Additionally, there is a reduced risk of damaging the external ear canal or tynipanic membrane as compared to using cotton buds or other substantially solid ear cleaning devices. An advantage that the present invention has over the devices known in the art is that it has very similar physical characteristics to cleaning the ear with a fluid, as the cushioning means contained within each end portion acts substantially like a fluid. However, the action of cleaning the ear has none of the mess, complicated machinery and/or hassle as compared to known devices and methods used to clean an ear with a fluid.

Therefore, the present invention replicates the advantages of cleaning the ear with a fluid, with none of the disadvantages. The present invention is not messy, as the cushioning means is encapsulated and so does not need to be drained into a receptacle during or after use.

Therefore, the present invention is much more convenient for the user to use and is more portable than any of the known devices used to clean the ear with a fluid. Thus, the present invention can be used in any location imaginable. For example, the present invention could be used to clean the ear whilst sitting at home on the sofa, walking, or traveling in a car or on a train, which is advantageous over the other known inventions.

Further, because the invention does not contain cotton or cloth on the surface that cleans the ear, it can be easily cleaned with a wipe or tissue, stored and re-used when desired, which is much more convenient for the user is more cost effective than a disposable device. As the present invention can be re-used in the place of cotton buds it is environmentally friendly and cuts down on waste and expense of continually buying cotton buds and disposing of them.

The substantially flexible material encapsulating the cushioning means can be sufficiently hard, or the cushioning means of such composition or encapsulated at such pressure, that an end portion may maintain its shape outside the ear. However, all components can be sufficiently soft and flexible that under a pre-deterrnined pressure an end portion deforms away from the site of pressure due to the reactionary force exerted by the cushioning means inside. The thickness of the substantially flexible encapsulating material can be varied, different types of encapsulating material can be used and/or different types of cushioning means can be encapsulated under different pressures, so that the pressure needed to cause the end portion to deform can range from a substantially high to a substantially low pressure to suit the preference of the user, including how they wish the device to feel against their tissue when in use and the cleaning efficiency desired from the device.

Further, the thickness of the encapsulating material can be varied in different areas of an end portion to give differing areas of flexibility and/or compression ranges within one end portion. Furthermore, where more than one cushioning means is used within a device or an end portion, the composition or nature of the cushioning means in different parts of the same portion can be varied, to give differing areas of flexibility and/or compression ranges within one end portion. The shape of the compartment containing the cushioning means may also be varied to give differing areas of flexibility and/or compression ranges within one end portion.

Thus the present invention has the advantage that many components of the device can be varied to give a wide range of responsiveness of an end portion and/or device to pressure, merely by varying the thickness of the encapsulating material, the type of encapsulating material used, the characteristics of the cushioning means and/or other fhctors. This makes production of items in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, may be with end portion(s) with differing reaction profiles to pressure, industrially quicker, easier and cheaper to achieve, as the manufacturer has the choice to vary one or more of several components, each of which may individually or in combination produce the desired reaction profile.

Mother advantage of the present invention over known devices is that the substantially flexible material encapsulating a cushioning means does not have to be made of the same material as the cushioning means, as is found with known devices. Therefore, the substantially flexible material may have projections or recesses on all or some of its outer surface that are made of substantially less flexible materials than the cushioning means.

Therefore, the projections or recesses can be made to be substantially less or substantially more responsive to force exerted on them than the cushioning means, which is an advantage over known devices which have projections or recesses comprising the same material as the cushioning means, as they are produced as one unit.

This level of adaptability of the responsiveness of an end portion to pressure and the small incremental changes to responsiveness possible, is not obtainable with cotton buds and other devices known in the art as they do not contain a substantially flexible material encapsulating a cushioning means. The presence of both the layer of substantially flexible material and the cushioning means together makes the range of reactionary profiles available within an end portion or device wider and available in smaller increments than with devices known in the art. This wide variation is more easily achievable, which saves on production costs in industry and means that different end portions, or devices with different characteristics, can be produced more easily than compared to devices known in the art.

Patents have been filed for certain ear cleaning devices containing mechanical structures made of metal, or other materials, that perform a cushioning flinction. These provide a limited cushioning effect upon over-insertion because these structures tend to only bend in one direction. These also contain small parts that may detach from the device and become trapped in the ear. Whereas, the cushioning means in the present invention is contained in the device itself and therefore is not at risk of detachment.

The cushioning means used may be chosen so that it does not react with human tissues or animal tissues. Therefore, in a highly unlikely scenario where the end portion bursts under extreme pressure (although the user would more likely have stopped pressing and/or inserting the device into their ear by this stage) the cushioning means released from the present invention would simply run out of the ear when the affected ear is tipped sideways toward the ground, minimising the risk of any part of the present invention being trapped in the ear.

This is another advantage of the present invention over the known devices. Even with ear cleaning devices made of a compressible solid material, if the solid material becomes disconnected from the device it is highly likely to remain in the ear and have to be removed surgically, rather than simply flowing out when the head is angled appropriately.

As the projections and/or recesses on the end portion scrape ear-wax from the external ear canal and tympanic membrane it is not compressed against, wiped across and/or simply left on these tissues, making the cleaning process more efficient than with the devices known in the art. Additionally, as the projections and/or recesses are comprised of a substantially flexible material resting on an encapsulated cushioning means, that reacts to pressure as described above, they are able to buffer the force exerted against them to a greater degree than comparable structures in other known inventions and so they act to reduce the potential and actual damage to the external ear canal and tympanic membrane to a greater degree than those found in other devices known in the art.

A further aspect that should be considered is that humans are reticent to put solid objects in their ears, whereas they are less fearful of putting a fluid-filled or gel-filled object in Their ear or objects that have similar characteristics. Additionally, due its fluid-like nature the invention feels more comfortable in use as compared to a cotton bud or other devices known in the art made of flexible materials. This feeling of comfort is increased further when part or all of the present invention is coated with oil or other substances, as this accentuates the feeling of the fluid nature of the present invention and gives the user an improved and more pleasurable experience when cleaning their ears as compared to devices known in the art.

Patents have also been filed for devices that prevent a cotton bud or ear cleaning device from being over inserted into the external ear canal by providing a device that physically prevents the cotton bud or ear cleaning device from being inserted into the external ear canal beyond a certain point. However, these devices are either solid or made of a compressible solid material and so have a relatively narrow range of compression and risk damaging the user's external ear if they exert too much pressure when trying to insert the device into their ear.

The present invention minimises damage to the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues due to the ability of the end portion to deform away from the site of pressure, as described above, and so cushion and buffer the force exerted by the user when over-inserting the device into their ear. As it does not use cotton as the functional cleaning end of the device, it prevents the risk of cotton dislodging from the device and damaging the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues. The present invention also reduces the compaction of ear-wax against the ear tissues and maximises the contact surface between the device with the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues, so it can clean the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues more efficiently.

Due to the nature of the present invention it feels more comfortable to the user than the known inventions. Certain embodiments of the present invention replace or substitute the natural oils found on the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues when the ear is cleaned. Certain embodiments of the present invention have a flexible longitudinal portion and so do not efficiently transmit the force exerted by the user when they (attempt to) over-insert the device into their ear, so that the risk of damage due to attempted over-insertion is reduced.

All of the above advantages are cumulative and together give the present invention multiple advantages over the prior art, which any one of the known devices cannot deliver alone.

The invention can be used to clean ear-wax from the ear, however it could also be used to relieve nasal congestion in humans or clean other human orifices or animal orifices. When cotton ear-buds or cotton devices are used to remove mucus and/or discharge from a child's nose the cotton can dislodged from the cotton ear-bud and stick to the mucus and/or discharge and further block the child's nose aggravating and prolonging the problem and discomfort.

The lack of cotton on the end portions of the present invention means that no cotton is dislodged and so there is no further aggravation of the problems described above. The end portion of the present invention has the characteristics described above and so minitnises the chance of damage to a child or baby's nasal tissues, especially when they are agitated, shaking theft heads and wriggling due to discomfort and frustration with a blocked or partially blocked nose, tiredness and/or other factors.

The bud shape of the traditional devices tends to push mucus further into the nose rather than remove it, whereas the non-bud shaped embodiments of the present invention, such as the blade, loop or scoop, provide a smaller surface area of the end entering the nasal passage and so push no, or substantially less, nasal discharge further into the nasal passage and facilitate its removal. The bud-shaped and/or other embodiments of the present invention still have the advantages over the known inventions of reducing potential damage to the nasal tissue and not aggravating the blockage due to dislodged cotton sticking to the nasal discharge.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for removing bodily secretions from a human or animal orifice comprising a longitudinal body characterized in that at least one end portion comprises a substantially flexible membrane frilly encapsulating or partially encapsulating a cushioning means.
2. A device as claimed in claim I where the cushioning means is at least one fluid or gel portion.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 where the cushioning means comprises one or more portions of foam, sponge, plastic spheres or solid particles that are free to move against one another.
4. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cushioning means of at least one end portion is continuous with the cushioning means of at least one other end portion.
5., A device as claimed in any of claims Ito 3 wherein the cushioning means of at least one end portion is continuous with a cushioning means of the longitudinal body and, optionally, a cushioning means of at least one other end portion.
6. A device as claimed in either of claims 4 to 5 wherein an end portion substantially outside the external ear canal is compressed to increase the pressure of a cushioning means substantially inside the external ear canal.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the said compression of the said end portion substantially outside of the external ear canal substantially increases the size of the end portion that is substantially inside the external ear canal.
8. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to? wherein the outer surface of any end portion is provided with means for scraping or dislodging bodily secretions from the external surface of said orifice.
9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the means for scraping or dislodging bodily secretions comprises surface features such as projections or recesses.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the projections comprise knobs, ribs or fins.
11. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the recesses comprise etchings, dimples, trenches or invaginations.
12. Adeviceasclaimedinanyofclaims 1 toll whereinthewholeoratleastpartofany end portion is shaped as a blade, loop or scoop.
13. A device as claimed in any of claims ito 12 wherein the orifice is an external ear canal.
14. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 wherein an end portion is shaped so asto present a substantially concave surface for complementary engagement with the outer surface of a tympanic membrane within the external ear canal.
15. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14 wherein the bodily secretion is ear-wax.
16. A device as claimed in any of claims Ito 12 where the orifice is a nosiril.
17. A device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the bodily secretion is phlegm or mucus.
18. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the device is partially or frilly coated in an oil or substance that substantially acts to replace or substitute the oils or other materials that are naturally found on the surface of the tympanic membrane and external ear canal tissues.
19. A means of applying the oils or substances to the device as claimed in claim 18 incorporating the use of a sponge soaked in the oil or substance.
20. A means of cooling or heating the oil or substance before it is applied to the device as claimed in either of claims 18 or 19.
21. A method of using a device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the device is inserted into the orifice, twisted and removed.
22. A method of using a device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the end portion of the device that is substantially inserted into the orifice is substantially expanded following insertion.
23. A method of using a device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the device is inserted into the orifice, the end portion of the device that is substantially inside the orifice is substantially expanded following insertion, the device is twisted and removed.
24. A method of using a device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the device is inserted into the orifice, the end portion of the device that is substantially inside the orifice is substantially expanded following insertion, then allowed to substantially contract and is removed.
25. A kit of parts comprising a device as claimed in any of claims 1-18, a means as per claim 19 or 20 and optionally one or more wipes for cleaning said device, for use in accordance with the method claimed in any of claims 21 to 24.
26. A device substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings.