WO2020065511A1

WO2020065511A1 - Device for removing earwax

Info

Publication number: WO2020065511A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/058070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Rossi
Original assignee: Luca Rossi
Priority date: 2018-09-24
Filing date: 2019-09-24
Publication date: 2020-04-02
Also published as: EP3856102A1

Abstract

Device (1) for removing earwax, adapted to be used for removing earwax or possible particles or other elements from the outer ear canal (U) of an ear of a user, comprising a grip portion (2) and a portion (3) for removing the earwax adapted to be inserted in the ear canal (U) by means of an opening (A) for accessing such ear canal present in the outer ear of the user, wherein the grip portion (2) comprises a grip (4), adapted to be gripped by the user, wherein the portion (3) for removing the earwax is flexible or movable with respect to the grip portion (2).

Description

“DEVICE FOR REMOVING EARWAX”

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention regards a device for removing earwax from the ear canal of a user.

In particular, such device allows the user to remove the earwax in a safe and effective manner.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

In a human being, the outer ear comprises an auricle, an outer ear canal and the eardrum. In particular, the ear canal is extended from the auricle to the outer surface of such eardrum.

In substance, the auricle has the function of collecting sounds in order to send them to the eardrum and then to the middle ear, and the ear canal is a kind of channel for conveying such sounds, comprising smooth walls provided with sebaceous glands and with ceruminous glands. Earwax, produced by such glands, is a waxy substance that is secreted into the outer ear canal both in order to maintain the surface moist and soft, aiding the cleaning and lubrication thereof, and for antibacterial and protective purposes, due to its acidic pH.

In normal conditions, the epithelium of the ear canal assists with the outflow of the produced earwax.

In order to remove such substances, users very often use cotton-tipped swabs, which are erroneously inserted within the ear canal. This is a very risky operation since the length of such cotton-tipped swabs allows the same to reach the eardrum, with consequent possibility to damage the same, as well as the walls of the ear canal.

In other situations, if the quantity of earwax produced is overly abundant or if the outflow is altered or obstructed, it is possible that the waxy secretion will be accumulated, possibly in combination with the presence of other particles or elements in the ear canal, causing the formation of a so-called plug.

In such case, such plugs are normally removed by means of washing with particular solutions, or in the most acute cases by means of intervention of a specialized doctor. Hence, it is inferred that the cleaning and health of the ear canal is essential for preventing the risk of the above-indicated drawbacks.

The device for removing earwax according to the present invention, therefore, has the objective of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art in a safe and effective manner.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The task of the present invention is to improve the state of the prior art.

In the scope of such technical task, one object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing earwax that is easy and safe for the user to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing earwax which is custom-produced or which has a size adaptable to the specific dimensions of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing earwax which is respectful of the environment, since it allows reducing waste and the use of disposable material.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a device is provided for removing earwax according to claim 1.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for removing earwax, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the enclosed drawings tables in which:

figure 1 is a top view of a device for removing earwax according to the present invention;

figure 2 is a side view of the device for removing earwax pursuant to figure 1; figure 3 is a section view of an element of the device for removing earwax pursuant to figures 1 and 2, taken along the trace plane III of figure 1;

figure 4 is a front schematic view of an ear of a user.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION With reference to the figures, reference number 1 overall indicates a device for removing earwax according to the present invention, adapted to be used for removing earwax from the outer ear canal of a user.

As is visible from the scheme illustrated in figure 4 of an outer ear of a user, this is composed of an auricle P, eardrum T and canal or ear (or auricle) canal U.

The ear canal U departs from a suitable access opening A, present in the auricle P, up to the eardrum T (or better yet to its surface directed outward) and has a length L.

The length L is extended from the opening A to the outer surface of the eardrum T and normally has a size comprised between 1.5 cm and 3.5 cm, in any case variable from person to person.

Within the ear canal U, as indicated above, earwax is naturally present.

The device 1 for removing earwax operates by removing and extracting the earwax from the auricle canal U in a mechanical manner.

The device 1 comprises a grip portion 2 and a portion 3 for removing the earwax.

The portion 3 for removing the earwax constitutes the extracting body of the device 1, since it is adapted to be inserted in the ear canal U in order to extract, by means of a mechanical movement determined by the user, the earwax or possible particles or other elements that are situated therein.

In the present description, the term earwax is intended to comprise not just the earwax itself but also other possible particles or elements which are situated within the ear canal

U and must be removed.

The device 1 is extended along a longitudinal axis Y which corresponds with the greater size of the device itself.

In one version of the invention, the plane in which the longitudinal axis Y lies is a plane of symmetry for the device 1 and/or the axis Y is a central longitudinal axis, thus passing along a center of the device itself.

The grip portion 2 comprises a grip 4, adapted to be gripped by the user, having a shape substantially elongated along said axis Y.

According to a cross section taken along a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis Y, such grip 4 has a shape that is substantially circular or polygonal, such as square, rectangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, octagonal, etcetera.

The grip 4 has a lateral wall 4c possibly shaped for facilitating the grip by the user, also only with two or three fingers.

The lateral wall 4c can have a conical or polyhedral shape such as cubic, pyramidal, truncated pyramid, frustoconical, parallelepiped, prism, etcetera, depending on the shape of its cross section.

Such grip 4 has a first end 4a and a second end 4b, opposite the first end 4a. The first end 4a has a shape in cross section substantially corresponding to that of the grip 4 itself, according to one version of the invention, or different, so as to prevent the slipping of the hand or grip of the user.

The first end 4a can project externally with respect to the grip 4, i.e. it has a lateral size bulk slightly greater than that of the cross section of the grip 4 itself.

The second end 4b also has a shape in cross section substantially corresponding to that of the grip 4 itself, according to one version of the invention, or different therefrom. In addition, the second end 4b is flanged or discoid, in the sense that it projects outward with respect to the grip 4 or to its lateral wall and has a size such to prevent the entrance thereof through the opening A of the ear canal U.

The end 4b, in fact, is the end of the grip 4 directed towards the ear of the user and has an abutment surface 4d, adapted to come into contact during use with the auricle P and/or to be positioned at the opening A thereof.

Due to the dimensions of the abutment surface 4d and/or of the second end 4b, the user is assured, through use of the device 1, that he/she will not enter too deeply into the ear canal U, thus preventing any risk of damaging the eardrum T.

The surface 4e, opposite the abutment surface 4d, of the second end 4b is directed towards the grip and can also be variously shaped so as to facilitate the grip and the gripping by the user.

At the abutment surface 4d, the grip 4 and/or the second end 4b comprises (at least) one seat 8 for the housing and the connection of the portion 3 for removing the earwax.

In addition, the portion 3 for removing the earwax is flexible or movable with respect to the grip portion 2, as will be better described hereinbelow. The seat 8, in at least one version of the invention, is placed in central position with respect to the abutment surface 4d, possibly at the longitudinal axis Y.

The portion 3 for removing the earwax comprises a closed fork or U shape element comprising at least one section 3a, 3b which departs from the grip portion 2 or better yet from the abutment surface 4d of the second end 4b of the grip 4.

In one version, illustrated in the enclosed figures, such portion 3 comprises two sections 3a and 3b, substantially parallel to each other or converging at the grip portion 2 and/or at their ends placed at the seat 8 and/or at the grip 4.

The two sections 3a and 3b are substantially rectilinear

The fork element also comprises a further section or tip section 3c, placed in distal position with respect to the grip portion 2, with substantially semi-circular or curved shape. The further section 3c is a section of connection of the two sections 3a and 3b, in fact reproducing the shape of a U, when these are present in such number. In one version of the invention, the sections 3a and/or 3b and 3c form a single piece.

At the seat 8 and/or at the grip portion 2, the end of the at least one section 3a, 3b has an insert section 3d (or the ends of the sections 3a and 3b can be joined together by an insert section 3d), which can have a spherical or polyhedral shape such as cubic, pyramidal, truncated pyramid, frustoconical, conical, parallelepiped, prism, etcetera.

In the version illustrated as an example in the enclosed tables, such section 3d, which joins the ends of the sections 3a and 3b, has spherical form.

Alternatively, each of the ends of the sections 3a and 3b can be provided with an insert section 3d for insertion in a respective seat 8 provided at the second end 4b of the grip portion 2.

In particular, the section 3d, in one version of the invention, has an analogous shape corresponding to that of the seat 8 in which it is inserted and housed in a constrained but flexible or movable manner.

The portion 3 for removing the earwax also has an internal core 6. The internal core 6 has a closed fork or U shape analogous to that just described and hence provided with at least one substantially rectilinear section 6a, 6b (or analogously two sections 6a, 6b that are substantially parallel or converging at the seat 8 and/or at the grip portion 2), a further section or tip section 6c, possibly of connection for the sections 6a and 6b so as to have a U shape, and a possible insert section 6d, possibly of connection for the ends of the sections 6a, 6b.

The material which constitutes the grip portion 2 and the internal core 6 is a rigid material, so as to confer rigidity to the entire device 1.

In such a manner, when the user grips the grip portion 2 and possibly exerts a certain force along the portion 3 for removing the earwax, the device 1 maintains its overall shape substantially unaltered.

Such rigid material can comprise a metal material or a metal alloy, such as steel, titanium, etcetera, a plastic material, such as for example a rigid plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene, glass resins or resins of another type, mixtures thereof, etcetera.

With regard to the grip portion 3, for example, a coating made of rubber or other suitable material can be provided which renders the gripping by the user more comfortable.

The portion 3 for removing the earwax also comprises a coating 9 for the internal core 6

Therefore, the coating 9 represents the outermost portion of the portion 3 for removing the earwax and completely incorporates the internal core 6.

As is visible for example in figures 2 and 3, according to one version of the invention, the internal core 6 (and in particular its sections 6a, 6b and/or 6c) has a cross section that is substantially polygonal, e.g. rectangular. In particular, the long section of such section is placed parallel to the plane where the axis Y lies.

In such a manner, the internal core 6, and consequently the portion 3 for removing the earwax, takes on the appearance of a continuous or non-continuous strip at the at least one seat 8.

Otherwise, such section can have a circular shape, square shape or another suitable shape.

In addition, the coating 9 can have a groove or channel 9a, positioned in a longitudinal manner along part or all of the portion 3 for removing the earwax, at at least one face (internal or external depending on the versions) of the at least one section 3a, 3b and/or in the further section 3c.

Such groove or channel 9a allows creating an additional space adapted to collect the earwax during use.

In the space 10 underlying the sections 3a, 3b and 3c, a closure separator or a membrane can be present in one version of the invention, not illustrated in the enclosed drawings, adapted to close the fork of the portion 3 for removing the earwax and to create a kind of collector for the earwax itself.

The material which substitutes the coating 9 is a flexible material, such as for example a soft material, a silicone, a flexible plastic material, for example rubber, neoprene, etcetera.

Therefore, such material is flexible with respect to the material that constitutes the grip portion 2 and/or the internal core 6.

Also the section 3d of the portion 3 for removing the earwax is made of this flexible material.

In such a manner, if the user exerts an excessive force against the walls of the ear canal 2, due to the flexibility of the material of the coating 9 and/or of the section 3d - and notwithstanding the rigidity of the internal core 6 - the flexible material can be bent and/or deformed and/or folded, so as to reduce such force and thus prevent any risk or damage for the user.

As can be observed in the enclosed figures, at the insert section 3d, the material of the coating 9 is present in a much greater quantity than that at the internal core 6, indeed for allowing suitable bending movements if required during use.

Simultaneously, the insert section 3d is locked within the seat 8, for example by means of a shape coupling which constrains the position of the section 3d, and/or by means of gluing, and/or by means of the presence of at least one locking element, so as to prevent the exit, even accidental, of the section 3d of the portion 3 for removing the earwax from the seat 8 and hence from the grip portion 2. Therefore, in such case, the connection of the portion 3 for removing the earwax with the grip portion 2 is not removable. In other versions, such connection could be removable, with the possibility of substituting one of the two portions 2 or 3, in case of damage or wear.

In such case, locking elements will in any case be present so as to prevent the separation of the grip portion 2 from the portion 3 for removing the earwax during use, even if such locking elements will be releasable or substitutable for the disconnection of the two portions.

In addition, the material constituting the coating 9 is compatible for coming into contact with the tissues of the human body, is usually non-allergenic and can be washed.

The same can be stated, in at least one version of the invention, with regard to the material that constitutes the grip portion 4.

In order to further facilitate the removal of the earwax, in one version of the invention, the tip zone of the portion 3 for removing the earwax, at the section 3c, can be tilted (e.g. upward) with respect to the at least one section 3a, 3b thereof.

In this manner, such portion 3 for removing the earwax takes on a teaspoon shape, if the closure separator is present in the space 10, or bent fork shape, if such closure separator is absent and the space 10 is free.

In particular, as is visible for example in figure 2, the tip zone of the portion 3 is tilted with respect to the sections 3a and/or 3b (which have a substantially rectilinear progression) by an angle 12. Such angle 12 is comprised between 1° and 80° or preferably between 15° and 65° or still more preferably between 20° and 40°.

In order to make the device 1, its portion 3 for removing the earwax has a length L’.

Such length L’ is smaller than the length L of the auricle canal U, e.g. it is smaller than such length L by 5 mm.

This size was selected in order to ensure safety for the user, who - also due to the fact that the abutment surface 4d prevents the device from being too deeply inserted in the canal itself - does not run the risk of damaging the eardrum T during use.

The device 1 can be custom produced or several standard sizes can be provided for the same, such as small, medium or large.

In any case, before using the device 1, it is good practice that the user undergo a hearing-aid specialist or ear/nose/throat doctor visit so as to establish the correct dimensions of the device 1, and in particular of the length L’ of the portion 3 for removing the earwax.

Also the dimensions or overall bulk of such portion 3 can be varied depending on the specific anatomy of the user.

The shape and size of the auricle canal U of the user can be acquired, for example, by means of a suitable impression or by means of the use of any one instrument adapted for precise identification - by the specialized doctor and in a center specialized for making and/or selling hearing aids, or in a pharmacy.

Hence, it is seen that the device 1 is capable of removing earwax in an effective and safe manner for the user, as pre-established in the above-indicated objects.

Indeed, during use the user grips the device 1 by means of the grip portion 2 and introduces the portion 3 for removing the earwax within his/her ear canal U. In such a manner, by moving such portion 3 for removing the earwax, for example by introducing it and extracting it repeatedly from the same or by pressing it and/or dragging it against the walls of the ear canal, the user is able to remove the earwax or the particles contained in the canal itself.

Due to the flexible nature of the coating 9 and/or of the insert section 3d, notwithstanding the pressure exerted by the user by means of the grip portion 2 (which is transmitted to the portion 3 for removing the earwax due to the internal core 6, which is rigid), there is no risk of damaging the ear canal U or its lateral wall.

Simultaneously, due to the presence of the abutment surface 4d, which comes into contact with the opening for accessing the ear canal U without being able to penetrate therein, the risk that the user can too deeply insert the device 1 within the ear canal U is eliminated, thus preserving the integrity of the eardrum T. This is further ensured by the fact that the device 1 is calibrated on the actual anatomic measurements of the patient and/or by the fact that the portion 3 for removing the earwax provides for a length L’ smaller than the length L of the ear canal, thus absolutely preventing the same from reaching such eardrum.

In addition, since the device 1 is custom-made or purchased with the size adapted for the dimensions and anatomy of the ear canal U of the user, this can have a long duration of use, always used in fully safe conditions, so long as the above-indicated sizes are maintained.

In such a manner, the device 1 is also respectful of the environment, since it leads to reducing waste, for example caused by the use of cotton-tipped swabs or other disposable devices, made of non-recyclable materials.

In one version of the invention, in fact, the materials selected for making the device 1 are recyclable and/or biodegradable.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept

The characteristics presented for one version or embodiment can be combined with the characteristics of another version or embodiment, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention.

In addition, all details can be substituted with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be of any type depending on the requirements without departing from the protective scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Device (1) for removing earwax, adapted to be used for removing earwax or possible particles or other elements from the outer ear canal (U) of an ear of a user, wherein said device (1) comprises a grip portion (2) and a portion (3) for removing the earwax adapted to be inserted in the ear canal (U) by means of an opening (A) for accessing such ear canal present in the outer ear of the user, wherein said grip portion

(2) is connected and/or constrained to said portion (3) for removing the earwax and comprises a grip (4), adapted to be gripped by the user, characterized in that said portion

(3) for removing the earwax is flexible or movable with respect to said grip portion (2). 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said grip (4) has a first end (4a) and a second end (4b), opposite the first end (4a) and directed towards the ear of the user, wherein said second end (4b) has an abutment surface (4d), adapted to be positioned during use at and/or in contact with said opening (A) and having a size greater than said opening (A) and/or wherein a grip (4) has a substantially elongated shape.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said portion (3) for removing the earwax comprises a closed fork or U-shaped element comprising at least one substantially rectilinear section (3a, 3b) that departs from said grip portion (2) and/or from the abutment surface (4d) of the second end (4b) of the grip (4), and a further section or tip section (3c), with substantially semi-circular or curved shape, placed in distal position with respect to said portion (3) for removing the earwax with respect to said grip portion (2).

4. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said portion (3) for removing the earwax comprises two sections (3a, 3b) substantially parallel to each other or converging at said grip portion (2) and said further section (3c) is a section of connection of said sections (3a, 3b), actually reproducing the shape of a U.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, at said abutment surface (4d), the grip (4) and/or the second end (4b) comprises at least one seat (8) for housing and connecting said portion (3) for removing the earwax, wherein said at least one seat (8) has a spherical or polyhedral shape such as cubic, pyramidal, truncated pyramid, frustoconical, conical, parallelepiped, prism, etcetera, and wherein said portion (3) for removing the earwax has, at the end of the at least one section (3a, 3b) directed towards the grip portion (2), an insert section (3d) having a shape corresponding to that of said at least one seat (8), so as to be housed in a constrained manner within the latter, and/or wherein said seat (8) is placed in a central position with respect to said abutment surface (4d) and/or with respect to said device (1).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said portion (3) for removing the earwax comprises an internal core (6) and a coating (9) which entirely covers said internal core (6), wherein said internal core (6) has a closed fork or U shape and is provided with at least one substantially rectilinear section (6a, 6b), a further section or tip section (6c), with substantially semi-circular or curved shape, and a possible insert section (6d) and wherein said coating (9) comprises a flexible material, with respect to said internal core (6), such as a soft material, a silicone, a flexible plastic material, rubber, neoprene, etcetera and/or wherein said coating is present at said insert section (3d) in a manner such that said portion (3) for removing the earwax is flexibly or movably constrained to said grip portion (2).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said grip portion (2) and/or said internal core (6) are made of a rigid material, such as metal material or metal alloy, steel, titanium, etcetera, a plastic material, a rigid plastic, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene, glass resins or resins of another kind, mixtures thereof, etcetera, and/or wherein said grip portion (3) has a coating made of rubber or another suitable material that facilitates the grip by the user.

8. Device according to claim 6, wherein said coating (9) has a groove or channel (9a), positioned longitudinally along part of or all of said portion (3) for removing the earwax, and/or at at least one face of said at least one section (3a, 3b, 3c).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said insert section

(3d) has a proportion of said coating (9) greater than said internal core (6) and/or wherein said insert section (3d) is locked within said seat (8) by means of a shape coupling and/or by means of gluing, and/or by means of at least one locking element, in order to prevent the exit of said insert section (3d) from said seat (8) during use.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said portion (3) for removing the earwax has, at the further section (3c), a tilted tip zone, e.g. tilted upward, with respect to said at least one section (3a, 3b) thereof, wherein said tip zone has a tilt equal to an angle (12) comprised between 1° and 80° or between 15° and 65° or between 20° and 40° and/or wherein said portion (3) for removing the earwax has a length (U) smaller than the length (L) of the ear canal (U) of the user.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said grip (4) and/or said first end (4a) and/or said second end (4b) has a transverse section having a shape that is substantially circular or polygonal, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, octagonal, etcetera and/or wherein said grip (4) has a side wall (4c) possibly shaped for facilitating the grip by the user, having a shape that is substantially conical or polyhedral, cubic, pyramidal, truncated pyramid, frustoconical, parallelepiped, prism, etcetera, and/or wherein said first end (4a) and/or said second end (4b) externally protrude with respect to said grip (4), having a lateral size bulk at least slightly greater than that of the transverse section of said grip (4) and/or wherein said second end (4b) has a flanged or discoidal shape.

12. Use of a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, for removing earwax or possible particles or other elements from the outer ear canal (U) of an ear of a user.