Method and apparatus for cleaning hearing aids
US7850783B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/17
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cleaning a hearing aid provides a housing having a motor drive and speed control. A rotary chamber is mounted to the housing and driven by the motor drive. A drive shaft can be provided connecting the motor drive and the rotary chamber. The rotary chamber has a wall with at least one receptacle for holding a hearing aid. The rotary chamber can have two openings, one for a hearing aid and a second opening for another hearing aid or a counterweight. The rotary chamber can be counterweighted to compensate for the weight of a single hearing aid or any other arrangements of multiple hearing aids. Each receptacle is configured to hold a hearing aid. The motor drive is powered sufficiently to rotate the hearing aid at the speed of between about 2800 and 3200 rpm in order to generate a G-force on the hearing aid of about 270 G's. Preferably, the motor drive rotates at a rotational speed sufficient to remove earwax, rotation lasting for a period of time of between about 5 and 45 (preferably 18-22) seconds.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.