WO2016026030A1

WO2016026030A1 - Electrical apparatus for treating ear barotrauma

Info

Publication number: WO2016026030A1
Application number: PCT/CA2015/050357
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chris Connor
Original assignee: Life Flight Aeromedical Solutions Inc.
Priority date: 2014-08-20
Filing date: 2015-04-29
Publication date: 2016-02-25
Also published as: CA2860357A1

Abstract

An electrical apparatus for treating ear barotrauma is described which includes an air-tight hollow body having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines a chamber having a first end and a second end. The first end is closed by an end wall of the body. The second end defines an ear receiving opening. An air-tight seal is positioned around the ear receiving opening to prevent air from escaping the chamber. A battery powered electric heat source is positioned within the chamber at the first end. The heat source is selectively activated by an external switch in order to selectively pressurize the chamber through heat expansion of air trapped within the chamber.

Description

T[TLE

[0001 ] Electrical Apparatus For Treating Ear Barotrauma FIELD

[0002] There is described an electrical apparatus that is used for treating ear barotrauma. BACKGROUND

[0003] Ear barotrauma is a condition in which pressure within the inner ear causes pain. Infants under the age of seven years of age are particularly susceptible to experiencing ear barotrauma, as their sinuses are not fully developed. A change in altitude, such as is experienced during an aircraft flight can induce ear barotrauma.

[0004] It has long been known that heat expansion can be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of ear barotrauma. Experienced airline flight attendants used to place hot water on a towel, insert the towel into a cup and position the cup over an ear of a passenger (usually an infant) experiencing ear barotrauma. This treatment worked because as water changes to steam there is a rapid expansion that pressurized the cup. However, this practice ceased due to liability concerns when some passengers were scalded. [0005] Canadian Patent Application 2,839,225 describes an apparatus for treating ear barotrauma, which is intended to eliminate scalding. There will hereinafter be described an alternative apparatus for heating ear barotrauma.

SUMMARY

[0006] There is provided an electrical apparatus for treating ear barotrauma which includes an air-tight hollow body having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines a chamber having a first end and a second end. The first end is closed by an end wall of the body. The second end defines an ear receiving opening. An air-tight seal is positioned around the ear receiving opening to prevent air from escaping the chamber. A battery powered electric heat source is positioned within the chamber at the first end. The heat source is selectively activated by an external switch in order to selectively pressurize the chamber through heat expansion of air trapped within the chamber. [0007] The electrical apparatus described has an advantage over the prior art, in that there is no use of either water or steam. It functions on "dry" heat. It has also been developed to be easy to use and to operate even when there is no access to water. [0008] A preferred embodiment has two of the bodies and a structure for mounting the two bodies to a human head with one of the two bodies positioned over a left ear and another of the two bodies positioned over a right ear. This results in the preferred embodiment taking on the appearance of stereo headphones and enables the treatments of both of the patient's ears at once.

[0009] As the electrical apparatus is battery operated, it is preferred that there be a recharging port provided on the exterior surface for connecting a power source to recharge a rechargeable battery powering the battery powered electric heat source. [0010] It is preferred that the body is uninsulated and is made from a material which conducts heat. This results in the body rapidly cooling to permit immediate reuse. It is uncomfortable for the patient to have his or her ears exposed to the pressurized chamber for a length of time. If an initial treatment does not work, it is advisable to temporarily discontinue treatment and then start again. The operation of the chamber requires that there be a heat differential. It is, therefore, preferable that the body be allowed to cool before treatment is resumed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[001 1 ] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical apparatus for treating barotrauma.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view, in section of the electrical apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view, in section of the electrical apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electrical apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 , in an operative position.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electrical apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 , in an operative position.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical apparatus illustrated in FIG. I .

[0018] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a main control and charging circuit for the electrical apparatus illustrated in FIG. I .

[001 ] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a slave circuit for the electrical apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] An electrical apparatus for treating ear barotrauma generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through 8. Structure and Relationship of Parts:

[0021 ] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, apparatus 10 includes an air-tight hollow body 12 having an exterior surface 14 and an interior surface 16. Interior surface 16 defines a chamber 18 having a first end 20 and a second end 22. First end 20 is closed by an end wall 24 of body 12. Second end 22 is open with an ear receiving opening 26. An air-tight seal 32 is positioned around ear receiving opening 26 to prevent air from escaping chamber 18. A battery powered electric heat source 28 is positioned within chamber 18 at first end 20. Heat source 28 is selectively activated by a switch 30 located on exterior surface 14. It is preferred that body is uninsulated and is made from a material which conducts heat, such that the body rapidly cools to permit immediate reuse.

[0022] While it is possible to treat one ear at a time, it is preferable to treat both ears at once. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, in order to treat both ears at once, two of bodies 12 are provided and a structure, such as a band 34, provided for mounting two bodies 12 to a human head with a first 12A of the two bodies positioned over a left ear and a second 12B of the two bodies 12 positioned over a right ear. Referring to FIG. 5, it is preferred that band 34 be spring tensioned to go to a stored position when not in use. [0023] Although one can use non -rechargeable batteries, which are periodically replaced, it is preferable diat rechargeable batteries be used. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when rechargeable batteries are used means for recharging the batteries can be built into heat source 28 and a port 36 provided on exterior surface 14 for connecting a power source to recharge a rechargeable battery powering the heat source.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a circuit diagram for the apparatus 10. [0025] Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a Control Circuit that provides control, indication, and charging to the system. The battery and element are connected to JP1 , when a 500mA source is connected to the USB port, the output MOSFET gate voltage is pulled low via the logic MOSFET controlled by the source voltage. The 500mA source voltage is provided to the charge indicator LED (green), and to U l (charge management IC) that in turn manages the charging cycle of the connected battery. When source voltage is removed the gate voltage of the output MOSFET is not forced low, and when voltage exceeding the gate threshold voltage is reached the system will operate. When the main button SI is depressed, C3 is charged, when the line voltage exceeds the output MOSFET's gate threshold voltage battery voltage is applied to the external heating element, and to the output indicator LED (red). When the burton S I is released C3 will drain its charge through R2 until the gate voltage threshold is crossed and output is disabled. The time required for C3 to drain to the threshold voltage is a function of capacitance of C3, and resistance of R2.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a Secondary Circuit that provides basic switching and charging for the opposing headset cup. The operation of the secondary circuit is similar to that of the Control Circuit, however no indication or control is provided directly. Instead the switch and supply current are provided from the Control Circuit via JP2. The secondary circuit has a dedicated charge management controller, source power is supplied from the Control Circuit. Operation:

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1 , when a child is experiencing discomfort due to ear barotrauma, two bodies 12 are positioned on the child's head using band 34 with a first 12A of the two bodies positioned over a left ear and a second 12B of the two bodies 12 positioned over a right ear. Switch 30 is then activated to cause electric heat source 28 to generate heat within chamber 18 selectively pressurize the chamber through heat expansion of air trapped within the chamber. Seal 32 positioned around ear receiving opening 26 forms a seal against the side of the child's head to pressure heat within chamber 18. Referring to FIG. 5, when no longer required, apparatus 10 is removed and retracts into the stored position. When in the stored position, a USB connector 100 can be inserted into port 36 and connected by cable 102 to a power source for the purpose of recharging in preparation for the next use.

[0028] If an initial treatment does not work, treatment is temporarily discontinued while body 12 cools. Once body 12 has cooled treatment is resumed.

[0029] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0030] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth as examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with a purposive construction of the claims in view of the description as a whole.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. An electrical apparatus for treating ear barotrauma, comprising:

an air-tight hollow body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface defining a chamber having a first end and a second end, the first end being closed by an end wall of the body, the second end defining an ear receiving opening;

an air-tight seal positioned around the ear receiving opening to prevent air from escaping the chamber; and

a battery powered electric heat source positioned within the chamber at the first end, the heat source being selectively activated by a switch in order to selectively pressurize the chamber through heat expansion of air trapped within the chamber.

2. The electrical apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein there are two of the bodies and a structure for mounting the two bodies to a human head with one of the two bodies positioned over a left ear and another of the two bodies positioned over a right ear.

3. The electrical apparatus of Claim I , wherein there is a recharging port provided on the exterior surface for connecting a power source to recharge a rechargeable battery powering the battery powered electric heat source.

4. The electrical apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein the body is uninsulated and is made from a material which conducts heat, such that the body rapidly cools to permit immediate reuse.