Portable hand-operable device for applying pneumatic pressure pulses to an ear canal
US7766858B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M39/22
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hand-held device (10) for creating a pressure change in a person's ear canal. It has an interior space forming an air chamber (50), a plunger (58) and a valve means (52) frictionally engaged with said plunger (58), a tube (14) with an earpiece (48), and a finger-actuated diaphragm (60) in an external wall of the air chamber (50). The diaphragm (60) moves the plunger (58) from a resting position, and in a first direction. A spring (56) returns the diaphragm (60) to its undepressed position. Initial movement of the plunger (58) in said first direction from said resting position displaces the valve (52) from a first position to a second position at which the valve means (52) is stopped from further movement in said first direction. Further movement of the plunger (58) in said first direction causes the plunger (58) to slide relative to the valve (52). The device (10) is intended for treatment of Mënière's disease and ear pain from other causes.A1
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.