GB2544041A

GB2544041A - Ear protector

Info

Publication number: GB2544041A
Application number: GB1518884.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philips Brenda
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-26
Filing date: 2015-10-26
Publication date: 2017-05-10
Also published as: GB201518884D0

Abstract

An ear protector 1 for the prevention and/or treatment of auricular hematoma where the protector has an open rear, and an interior cavity shaped to correspond to the shape of a users auricle. The covering acts to compress the ear. It may be held in place with glue or adhesive, and made of a malleable material such as EVA; it may have an aperture 2 to aid hearing. Also claimed is a method for measuring or modelling a users ear and producing a custom fitted protector, which may involve the use of impressions of the ear, scanning the ear with photographs or CAT scans and forming the protector using a 3d printer or by vacuum moulding

Description

EAR PROTECTOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an ear protector and in particular to an ear protector to aid in the prevention and/or treatment of auricular hematoma of the ear.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In many contact sports it is very common for participants to suffer from the condition known as auricular hematoma more generally known as cauliflower ear. This is a result of damage to the underlying cartilage of the outer ear caused by instances of blunt trauma such as that occurred in rugby scrums or wrestling grapples. It can also occur in any activity wherein a person suffers blunt trauma to the ear including piercing. This trauma results in a gradual thickening of the outer ear and as a result, blood accumulates to form a hematoma or blood clot between the ear cartilage and the skin. Overtime the hematoma obstructs the connection of the skin to the ear cartilage, preventing oxygenation of the cartilage, resulting in necrosis and causing it to assume a callous like appearance. Auricular hematoma is routinely treated via the draining of the blood contained within the ear via a syringe, following which, a compressive dressing is applied thereon to prevent further blood accumulation and to aid in the natural healing process.

The compressive dressing which is typically applied to prevent the re-occurrence of the haematoma is not an ideal solution; it protrudes significantly from the ear and cannot be worn comfortably during normal day to day activities as it rapidly deteriorates or becomes loose. Furthermore it must also be removed prior to the user engaging in any sporting activities such as water polo, wrestling or rugby and is quite difficult for the user to fit on their own.

Therefore there exists a need to provide a device which aids in the prevention and treatment of auricular hematoma which is durable and can be worn during normal day to day activities as well as sporting activities which is easily attached and removed, can be done so by the users themselves

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an ear protector for the prevention and/or treatment of auricular hematoma comprising a protector shaped to substantially correspond to the contours and dimensions of a user’s ear, wherein said protector has an open faced rear such as to define an interior cavity suitable for receiving and retaining the user’s ear therein, wherein said protector is configured to apply a compressional force upon said ear.

Ideally, said protector incorporates at least one aperture, wherein said aperture is located such as to substantially align with the user’s ear canal.

Preferably, at least part of the protector has an adhesive applied thereon. Ideally, the adhesive is applied directly upon the protector, upon all, or, at least part of the total surface area of the interior cavity of the ear protector.

Additionally or alternatively at least part of the protector has an adhesive applied on or around at least part of the circumference of the interior edge of the open faced rear of the protector.

Preferably, said protector comprises a substantially malleable material such as at least one of, or, a combination of plastics, or rubber or vinyl

Ideally, said protector comprises EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate).

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for producing an ear protector for the treatment of auricular hematoma, the method comprising obtaining the dimensions of a user’s ear, producing a protector having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of said user’s ear wherein the protector produced by the method is in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Ideally, obtaining the dimensions of the user’s ear involves applying a moulding material such as, at least one of, alginate, polyether, silicones, to the user’s ear whilst surrounded by an impression tray and obtaining an impression thereof, applying a deformable hardening material, such as plaster or cement, into and/or upon the impression and obtaining a replica of the user’s ear, removing any excess material present on the replica typically via sanding or cutting.

Preferably, producing said protector involves placing a forming sheet on said replica, said forming sheet being approximately 0.5 to 5 mm in thickness; and placing said replica and said forming sheet in a vacuum forming machine; removing any excess plastics, via cutting, sanding, removing the resulting vacuum formed ear protector from the replica.

Ideally, obtaining the dimensions of the user’s ear involves scanning and producing an imaging scan of said ear.

Preferably, said imaging scan comprises a CT or computerised axial tomography scan.

Ideally, obtaining dimensions of the user’s ear involves capturing one or more images of the ear, by the use of a fixed and/or handheld electronic computer device with image capturing functionality, and generating imaging data, comprising a digital model of the ear.

Ideally, the fixed and/or handheld electronic computer device comprises a smartphone or tablet or computer.

Preferably, producing said protector involves printing via a printer such as a 3D printer. Said protector may optionally be printed directly from image data representing said ear.

Ideally, producing the protector involves providing a printer, such as a 3D printer, with the imaging data comprising, or being indicative of, the user’s ear dimensions, and printing a replica of the user’s ear.

Preferably, producing the protector involves placing a forming sheet upon said replica, said forming sheet being approximately 0.5 to 5 mm in thickness, before placing in a vacuum forming machine, removing any excess plastics, via cutting, sanding, removing the resulting vacuum formed ear protector from the replica.

Preferred embodiments of the invention obviate or mitigate problems typically associated with aids for the prevention and/or treatment of auricular hematoma, more commonly known as cauliflower ear, by providing an ear protector for the prevention and/or treatment of auricular hematoma, which is easily put on by the user, allows the user to hear whilst wearing the protector and which can be worn on a daily basis, even during the pursuit of sporting activities such as rugby, water polo, wrestling and mixed martial arts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are used to denote like parts.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ear protector showing the front of the protector;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ear protector showing the rear of the protector;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ear protector showing the side of the protector;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a user wearing the ear protector shown in figures 1 to 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to figures 1 to 4, there is shown, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, an ear protector embodying a first aspect of the invention. The ear protector 1 is shaped to correspond to the contours and dimensions of at least part of a user’s ear. Preferably, the protector 1 is shaped to conform to the dimensions of the whole of the external ear, encasing the front of the ear from helix to lobe, with at least part of the protector 1 extending substantially around the rear of the ear, upon the side adjacent to a user’s skull. The protector 1 has front and rear sides 5 and 6 respectively. The rear 6 of the protector 1 is open faced such as to define an interior cavity 4 therein. The interior cavity 4 is suitable for receiving and retaining the user’s ear therein, advantageously this allows the protector 1 to be removably attached to the user’s ear. The protector 1 may be fitted upon the ear by the user themselves, or via the assistance of another person. The user may insert their ear substantially within the interior cavity 4 of the protector 1 in-use. To this end, the part of the protector 1 which extends substantially around the rear of the ear, upon the side adjacent to the user’s skull, secures the protector in place thereon.

Advantageously, the ear protector 1 encapsulates the entire ear, is configured to apply a compressive force thereon, this prevents the accumulation of blood by maintaining the natural structure of the ear and thereby preventing the occurrence, or, re-occurrence of an auricular hematoma. The protector 1 typically comprises a substantially malleable material such as at least one of, or, a combination of plastics, or rubber or vinyl such as acrylic or silicone or polystyrene or EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate), or any other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment the protector 1 comprises EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate). The ear protector 1 typically incorporates at least one aperture 2. The aperture 2 is typically located on the ear protector 1 in a position such as to substantially align with the user’s ear canal. Advantageously, the aperture 2 allows the user to hear whilst wearing the protector 1. Additional or alternative apertures 2 may also be located upon the protector 1, such as apertures to allow for the dissipation of heat. At least part of the protector 1 may have an adhesive 3 applied thereon, the adhesive may be applied directly upon the protector 1, and/or, it may be applied in the form of adhesive strips or any other suitable adhesive arrangement, Preferably the adhesive 3 may be applied to all, or, at least part of, the total surface area of the interior cavity 4 of the ear protector 1. Alternatively, the adhesive 3 may be applied on, or, around at least part of the circumference of the interior edge of the open faced rear of the protector 1. The adhesive 3 allows the protector 1 to be further securely attached to the user’s ear in-use. Advantageously, the protector 1 can be worn during various day to day activities as well as during sporting activities such as rugby. A second aspect of the invention provides a method for making the ear protector 1, the method comprising,

Obtaining the dimensions of a user’s ear via applying a moulding material such as, at least one of, alginate, polyether, silicones, Polyvinyl siloxane or any other suitable material to a user’s ear whilst surrounded by an impression tray to obtain an impression thereof;

Applying a deformable hardening material, such as plaster or cement or any other suitable material, into and/or upon the impression to obtain a replica of the user’s ear;

Removing any excess material present on the replica typically via sanding or cutting or any other suitable process;

Taking the replica and placing a forming sheet thereon, typically said forming sheet comprises at least one of, or a combination of, plastic or vinyl such as for example EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) or any other suitable material, preferably the forming sheet is approximately 0.5 to 5 mm thick, before placing in a vacuum forming machine;

Removing any excess plastics, via cutting, sanding or otherwise, removing the resulting vacuum formed ear protector 1 from the replica.

In an alternative aspect of the invention the method for making the ear protector 1 may additionally or alternatively comprise,

Obtaining the dimension’s of a user’s ear via an imaging scan, such as a CT scan, otherwise known as a computerised axial tomography scan or any other suitable scan capable of obtaining imaging data corresponding to the dimensions of a user’s ear, alternatively, the dimensions of the user’s ear may be obtained by capturing one or more images of the ear, typically via the use of a fixed and/or handheld electronic computer device with image capturing functionality such as a smartphone, tablet or any other suitable computing device, such as to generate imaging data, comprising a digital model of the ear;

Providing a printer, such as a 3D printer, with the imaging data comprising the user’s ear dimensions;

Printing the imaging data via said printer to produce at least one of said ear protectors 1.

In an alternative embodiment, the method for making the ear protector 1 may additionally or alternatively comprise,

Obtaining the dimension’s of a user’s ear via an imaging scan, such as a CT scan, otherwise known as a computerised axial tomography scan or any other suitable scan capable of obtaining imaging data corresponding to the dimension’s of a user’s ear, alternatively, the dimensions of the user’s ear may be obtained by capturing one or more images of the ear, typically via the use of a fixed and/or handheld electronic computer device with image capturing functionality, such as a smartphone, tablet or any other suitable computing device, such as to generate imaging data, comprising a digital model of the ear;

Printing the imaging data via said printer to produce at least one of said replica’s of the user’s ear, wherein the replica typically comprises a plastic and/or vinyl and/or rubber material and/or any other suitable material;

Taking the replica and placing a forming sheet thereon, typically said forming sheet comprises at least one of, or a combination of, plastic or vinyl such as for example EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) or any other suitable material, preferably the forming sheet is typically 0.5 to 5 mm thick, before placing in a vacuum forming machine;

The invention is not limited to the embodiments) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ear protector for the prevention and/or treatment of auricular hematoma comprising; A protector shaped to substantially correspond to the contours and dimensions of a user’s ear, Wherein said protector has an open faced rear such as to define an interior cavity suitable for receiving and retaining the user’s ear therein, Wherein said protector is configured to apply a compressional force upon said ear.

2. The ear protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protector incorporates at least one aperture, wherein said aperture is located such as to substantially align with the user’s ear canal.

3. The ear protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the protector has an adhesive applied thereon.

4. The ear protector as clamed in claim 3, wherein the adhesive is applied directly upon the protector, upon all, or, at least part of the total surface area of the interior cavity of the ear protector.

5. The ear protector as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least part of the protector has an adhesive applied on or around at least part of the circumference of the interior edge of the open faced rear of the protector.

6. The ear protector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said protector comprises a substantially malleable material such as at least one of, or, a combination of plastics, or rubber or vinyl.

7. The ear protector as claimed in claim 6, wherein said protector comprises EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate).

8. A method for producing an ear protector for the treatment of auricular hematoma, the method comprising; Obtaining the dimensions of a user’s ear; Producing a protector having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of said user’s ear.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, involving obtaining the dimensions of the user’s ear involves applying a moulding material such as, at least one of, alginate, polyether, silicones, to the user’s ear whilst surrounded by an impression tray and obtaining an impression thereof, applying a deformable hardening material, such as plaster or cement, into and/or upon the impression and obtaining a replica of the user’s ear, removing any excess material present on the replica typically via sanding or cutting.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8 and 9, wherein producing said protector involves placing a forming sheet on said replica, said forming sheet being approximately 0.5 to 5 mm in thickness; and placing said replica and said forming sheet in a vacuum forming machine; removing any excess plastics, via cutting, sanding, removing the resulting vacuum formed ear protector from the replica.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, involving obtaining the dimensions of the user’s ear by scanning and producing an imaging scan of said ear.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said imaging scan comprises a CT or computerised axial tomography scan.

13. The method as claimed in claim 8, involving obtaining dimensions of the user’s ear by capturing one or more images of the ear, by the use of a fixed and/or handheld electronic computer device with image capturing functionality, and generating imaging data, comprising a digital model of the ear.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fixed and/or handheld electronic computer device comprises a smartphone or tablet or computer.

15. The method as claimed in claims 8 and 11 to 14 wherein producing said protector involves printing said protector via a printer such as a 3D printer from image data representing said ear.

16. The method as claimed in claim 8 and 11 to 14, wherein producing the protector involves printing via a printer, such as a 3D printer, using the imaging data comprising or otherwise being indicative of the user’s ear dimensions, a replica of the user’s ear.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the protector is produced by placing a forming sheet upon said replica, said forming sheet being approximately 0.5 to 5 mm in thickness, before placing in a vacuum forming machine, removing any excess plastics, e.g. via cutting and/or sanding, removing the resulting vacuum formed ear protector from the replica.

18. An ear protector for the prevention and/or treatment of auricular hematoma substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.