Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
  • A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears
  • A61F11/08—Protective devices for the ears internal, e.g. earplugs
  • A61F11/10—Protective devices for the ears internal, e.g. earplugs inflatable or expandable
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
  • A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears
  • A61F11/08—Protective devices for the ears internal, e.g. earplugs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
  • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
  • A61M25/10—Balloon catheters
  • A61M25/1018—Balloon inflating or inflation-control devices
  • A61M25/10181—Means for forcing inflation fluid into the balloon
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
  • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
  • H04R1/1083—Reduction of ambient noise

Definitions

• the invention relates in general to devices and methods of earphone, earpiece, earbud, fit and sealing technology, and particularly though not exclusively, is related to earplug and pumping systems for earplugs.
• NRR Noise Reduction Rating
• Earplug fit affects the effective noise reduction ratio of an earplug. For example one study illustrated that a good fit of the earplug has an NRR of 33dB, while the same earplug fitted poorly provided an NRR of OdB.
• the correct fit of the hearing protection often determines its usefulness. Thus the fit of an earplug is important. Current earplugs have various levels of ease of fit.
• 1-2 illustrate an earplug 10 with an first end 14, that when deformed into a second stable position results in the extension of a second end, the system lacking a method for maintaining a pressurizing force, thus lending itself to possible de-inflation;
• Krause U.S. Patent No. 5,483,027 illustrates a bi-directionally inserted earplug with a two-way valve to maintain a chamber in an expanded condition, while Michael et al. (U.S. Patent No. 2,824,558) illustrates an earplug with a one-way valve.
• At least one exemplary embodiment is related to an earplug comprising: at least a partially flexible distal end; an inflatable element; and a flexible anti-distal end, where the anti-distal end has at least one portion that is deformable, where the inflatable element is operatively attached to the distal end by an inflation channel, where when the at least one portion is deformed the inflatable element expands to an adjustable pressure, where at least one portion of the anti-distal end provides a pressurizing force to maintain the expansion of the inflatable element.
• At least one exemplary embodiment provides the pressurizing force using an elastic membrane.
• At least one exemplary embodiment provides the pressurizing force using a plate secured by screwing in the plate to a given position.
• At least one exemplary embodiment provides the pressurizing force using a resilient member.
• Figure 1 illustrates a generic illustration of an inflatable element
• Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a generic variable volume inflatable element attached to a reservoir and a stent
• Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a generic constant volume inflatable element attached to a reservoir and a stent
• Figures 4a and 4b illustrate an earplug including an inflatable element attached to a reservoir and a stent, where an elastic membrane provides a pressurizing force in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment
• Figures 5a and 5b illustrate an earplug including an inflatable element attached to a reservoir and a stent, using a pinchable resilient member to provide a pressurizing force in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment
• Figures 6a and 6b illustrate an earplug including an inflatable element attached to a reservoir and a stent, using a screwable plate to provide n adjustable pressurizing force in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.
• the size of structures used in exemplary embodiments are not limited by any discussion herein (e.g., the sizes of structures can be macro (millimeter, centimeter, meter, size), micro (micro meter), nanometer size and smaller), and can be used in various orifices besides ear canals although ear canals will be discussed.
• the materials used for earplug construction will not be discussed in detail, however any materials , as known by one of ordinary skill in the art of earplug manufacturing and medical balloon manufacturing, can be used to fabricate earplugs in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
• At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an earplug comprising: at least a partially flexible distal end; an inflatable element; and a flexible anti-distal end, where the anti-distal end has at least one portion that is deformable, where the inflatable element is operatively attached to the distal end by an inflation channel, where when the at least one portion is deformed the inflatable element expands to an adjustable pressure, where at least one portion of the anti-distal end provides a pressurizing force to maintain the expansion of the inflatable element.
• the distal end can include a flexible and inflexible portion.
• the flexible portion can be an elastic membrane for example an elastic membrane that can be stretched to several initial lengths then returned to its original size.
• Many materials can be used (e.g., silicon) that provide a restoring force when deformed (e.g., stretched). Typically such materials have a lower Durometer (e.g., less than 50 Shore).
• the inflexible portion can be made of less stretchable material, for example when stretched to less than 100% the material returns to its shape, for example typically such materials have a higher Durometer (e.g., greater than 50 Shore).
• the flexible portion can also be a compressible or expandable bladder operatively attached to the inflexible portion.
• the deformable portion of the anti-distal end can be any deformable portion of the anti-distal end for example it can be a bladder, or a deformable dome of the anti- distal end, where deformation moves fluid from one section into the inflatable element.
• the inflatable element can be any element that can be inflated for example a self contained bladder or balloon, or a sheath around a stent that can expand away from the stent.
• the inflatable element can be operatively attached to the distal end by an inflation channel.
• the inflation channel can be a tube carrying fluid from the anti-distal end to the inflation element, or can be a channel for example within a stent.
• the inflatable element can be pressurized via fluid transfer into the inflatable element. For example deformation of a portion of the anti-distal end moves fluid from a chamber (e.g. a bladder) through an inflation channel into the inflation element. A pressure can be chosen (e.g., by deforming a portion of the anti-distal end by a given amount) for the gauge pressure inside the inflation element.
• the fluid can be water, air, or any type of fluid and gas that provides the requisite time of pressurization.
• the material requirement for the inflation element and other pneumatic systems can be determined (e.g., the inflation channel can also be designed to reduce permeability within the given limits).
• a material can be chosen to provide the necessary permeability for the given fluid used (e.g., Teflon for air for 12 hours or more for an inflation element that maintains gauge pressure from 0.3 bar gauge pressure to 0.25 bar gauge pressure).
• a pressurizing force can be applied to the pneumatic system (e.g., bladder in the anti-distal end, the inflation channel and the inflation element).
• a screwed in plate can press again an anti-distal end bladder deforming it increasing the pressure in the pneumatic system, where the thread force maintains the pressurizing force.
• other systems can provide the pressurizing force, for example an elastic membrane can provide a restoring force.
• a further exemplary embodiment can use a resilient member to provide a restoring force when deformed.
• a plastic paperclip can be pulled then released to return to its original shape.
• a resilient member in the form of an opened plastic clip presses against a bladder, so that when the plastic clip is pinched it closes around a stent and the bladder is free to fill, which if coupled to an inflation element will inflate the inflation element.
• the volume of the deformation can be calculated to provide the requisite inflation element pressure.
• the inflatable element can be a sheath around a stent, were a hole in the stent allows fluid to flow into the sheath stretching the sheath until the orifice in which the sheath is placed is obstructed or occluded.
• the inflation element can also be a balloon attached to a stent that is inflated or deflated.
• the inflation element can be made of various elastic materials.
• the inflatable element can be a non- elastic material that is preformed to a size and shape when inflated. For example a variable volume balloon can be tight against the stent when deflated. When inflated it can expand until a predesigned shape is obtained, for example by varying the thickness of the balloon along the stent direction. For example a constant volume balloon can be preformed into a shape (e.g., a cone).
• the inflatable element can be pressurized to a range of gauge pressure s(pressure difference between inside the inflation element and outside the inflation element).
• the inflatable element can be pressurized to a gauge pressure range between 0.05 bar and 3.0 bar.
• the pressurized inflation element can provide sound isolation when the inflation element occludes an orifice (e.g., ear canal).
• Figure 1 illustrates a generic illustration of an inflatable element.
• FIGs 2a and 2b illustrate a generic variable volume inflatable element attached to a reservoir and a stent.
• Figure 2A illustrates a non-inflated variable volume balloon having an uninflated volume 220 V1 , having an inflated internal pressure of 150 P1 and an outside pressure of 130 PO.
• the variable volume balloon can be attached to a reservoir having a pump volume 230 V2.
• the decrease of the reservoir volume moves fluid into the variable volume balloon 210, increasing the volume 270 V4. Where the radius has increased to R4 and the internal pressure increases to P3.
• V1 volume of the pressure
• Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a generic constant volume inflatable element attached to a reservoir and a stent. Assuming that the initial volume 305 V1 is not 0, that 370 V4 is not 0, that V1 is not equal to V4, the reservoir volume V2 can be calculated as:
• V1 V4
• V4 V4
• V2 [(P3 * V4)/P1]-V4
• V4 1000mm ⁇ 3
• V2 0.2cm ⁇ 3.
• Figures 4a and 4b illustrate an earplug 400 including an inflatable element
• FIG. 4a illustrates the earplug 400 with an inflated B1 inflation element 460.
• Figure 4b illustrates a deflated B2 inflation element 460. For example when a knob 420 in a first position
• A1 is pulled to position A2, fluid from the inflated inflation element 460 flows into the reservoir via an inflation channel 445, where the elastic membrane 430 provides a restoring and in this example a pressurizing force.
• a thumb can be placed on knob 410 while a finger pulls moveable knob
• Figures 5a and 5b illustrate an earplug 500 including an inflatable element 560 attached to a reservoir 530 and a stent 550, using a pinchable resilient member 520 to provide a pressurizing force in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.
• the resilient member 520 can have a portion that provides a restoring force equivalent to a spring constant 542.
• When the resilient member 520 is pinched reservoir 530 expands moving fluid from the inflation element to the reservoir 530.
• the resilient member is unpinched the resilient member 520 presses the reservoir 530 against the stop flange 540 where the fluid moves through the inflation channel 545 into the inflation element 560.
• a stent 550 with an anti-distal end 510 forms a core that the other elements can be anchored to.
• Figures 6a and 6b illustrate an earplug 600 including an inflatable element 660 attached to a reservoir 630 and a stent 650, using a screwable 605 plate 620 to provide an adjustable pressurizing force in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment.
• a user can use knob 610 to screw clockwise and anti-clockwise to adjust the deformation of reservoir 630 to move fluid in and out of inflation channel 645 to inflate the inflation element 660.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Psychology (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
• Pulmonology (AREA)
• Anesthesiology (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)
• Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)
• Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Related Child Applications (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=42562317

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (4)

Families Citing this family (36)

Citations (9)

Family Cites Families (119)

• 2010
  • 2010-02-16 WO PCT/US2010/024308 patent/WO2010094033A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2010-02-16 EP EP10741874.1A patent/EP2395956A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-02-16 US US13/201,308 patent/US9138353B2/en active Active
  • 2010-02-16 JP JP2011550311A patent/JP2012517865A/ja active Pending
• 2015
  • 2015-09-21 US US14/860,617 patent/US20160015568A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2020
  • 2020-07-03 US US16/920,425 patent/US11389333B2/en active Active
• 2022
  • 2022-06-11 US US17/838,160 patent/US11857396B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (9)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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