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US 10,420,877 B2Granted
Ear cleaning devices and methods
AssigneeSafKan, Inc.
InventorAadil Diwan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method to irrigate a user's auditory canal. A fluid can be dispensed from a reservoir through a fluid path and out through openings of a delivery element into the auditory canal. A pump may be used to facilitate the process of dispensing the fluid. The fluid can be delivered to the user's auditory canal for a predetermined period of time. Such a time period may be user selectable. The discharge from the irrigation is removed from the user's auditory canal via a discharge port located on the delivery element. The discharge exits the delivery element and proceeds to a discharge reservoir via a discharge path. A vacuum may be used to generate a negative pressure to facilitate the removal of the discharge from the auditory canal.
Claims26
An apparatus, comprising:
- a support structure including a coupling element detachably coupleable to a delivery element and defining a cavity configured to receive an ear of a subject;
- a first reservoir coupleable to the support structure and configured to contain a first volume of fluid;
- a first channel configured to provide fluid communication between the first reservoir and the coupling element such that the first volume of fluid can be delivered from the first reservoir to the coupling element;
- a second reservoir coupleable to the support structure and configured to receive a second volume of fluid, the second reservoir including:
- a first port configured to receive the second volume of fluid into the second reservoir;
- and
- a second port configured to couple to a vacuum assembly such that the vacuum assembly can generate a negative pressure within the second reservoir to draw the second volume of fluid into the second reservoir;
- and
- a second channel configured to provide fluid communication between the second reservoir and the coupling element such that the second volume of fluid can be received in the second reservoir from the coupling element.
6 more elements
A kit, comprising:
- a delivery element including:
- a body insertable into an ear canal of a subject and defining:
- a first port having at least one opening configured to deliver a first volume of fluid into the ear canal;
- a second port configured to receive a second volume of fluid from the ear canal, the second volume of fluid including a portion of the first volume of fluid and one or more particles of debris dislodged by the first volume of fluid;
- the at least one opening of the first port disposed distal to a distal end of the second port such that, when the body is inserted into the ear canal, the first port extends a greater depth into the ear canal than the second port;
- and
- a coupling element configured to detachably couple the delivery element to an irrigation device;
- a first reservoir coupleable to the irrigation device and configured to contain the first volume of fluid to be delivered to the first port via a first channel defined by the irrigation device;
- and
- a second reservoir coupleable to the irrigation device and configured to receive the second volume of fluid from the second port via a second channel defined by the irrigation device, the second reservoir including:
- a third port configured to receive the second volume of fluid into the second reservoir;
- and
- a fourth port configured to couple to a vacuum assembly such that the vacuum assembly can generate a negative pressure within the second reservoir to draw the second volume of fluid into the second reservoir.
10 more elements
A method, comprising:
- positioning a support element of an irrigation device on a portion of a subject such that:
- a first delivery element of the irrigation device is inserted into a first ear canal of the subject and forms a seal against a surface of the first ear canal;
- and
- a second delivery element of the irrigation device is inserted into a second ear canal of the subject and forms a seal against a surface of the second ear canal;
- delivering, from a first fluid reservoir of the irrigation device and via a first fluid path defined by the irrigation device, a first volume of fluid into the first ear canal to displace earwax within the first ear canal;
- receiving, via a second fluid path defined by the irrigation device that is fluidically isolated from the first fluid path, a second volume of fluid from the first ear canal;
- providing the second volume of fluid into a second fluid reservoir of the irrigation device;
- delivering, from a third fluid reservoir of the irrigation device and via a third fluid path defined by the irrigation device, a third volume of fluid into the second ear canal to displace earwax within the second ear canal;
- receiving, via a fourth fluid path defined by the irrigation device, a fourth volume of fluid form the second ear canal;
- and
- providing the fourth volume of fluid into a fourth fluid reservoir of the irrigation device.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.