# US 11,896,826 B1 · Systems, devices and methods for caloric vestibular stimulation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,826 B1 - Document ID: US11896826B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 18/068,069 - Filed: 2022-12-19 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-19 - Assignees: Scion NeuroStim, LLC - Applicants: Scion Neurostim, Inc. - Inventors: Robert D. Black; Duncan Bathe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896826B1 ## CPC - A61N 1/36039: {fitting procedures} - A61F 7/007: {characterised by electric heating} - A61F 7/12: Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities - A61F 2007/0005: {Ears} - A61F 2007/0075: {using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled} - A61F 2007/0086: {with a thermostat} - A61F 2007/0093: {programmed} - A61F 2007/0296: {Intervals of heating alternated with intervals of cooling} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes a frame defining a perimeter and having a center region, at least one tensioning member in the center region of the frame and being held by the frame, and an earpiece connected to the tensioning member in the center region of the frame. The frame is configured to generally rest on a head and around an ear of the subject such that the earpiece is positioned in the ear canal of the subject and the tensioning member exerts a force on the earpiece toward the ear canal of the subject. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject, comprising: a frame defining a perimeter and a center region; at least one tensioning member in the center region of the frame and being held by the frame; an earpiece connected to the tensioning member in the center region of the frame, wherein the frame is configured to generally rest on a head and around an ear of the subject such that the earpiece is positioned in the ear canal of the subject and the tensioning member positions the earpiece in the ear canal of the subject, wherein the tensioning member comprises a planar sheet that extends from the center region adjacent the earpiece towards the perimeter of the frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning member is flexible such that the tensioning member is configured to flex thereby reduce a force on the earpiece in the ear canal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 2, wherein the tensioning member is secured by the frame so that the tensioning member is taut so as to achieve a thermally conductive fit in use between the earpiece and the ear canal of the subject. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 2, further comprising a heat sink rigidly coupled to the earpiece and configured to move together with the earpiece when the tensioning member flexes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising a thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 5, further comprising a heat sink coupled to the thermoelectric device on a side thereof that is opposite the earpiece. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the earpiece comprises a generally cylindrical portion having a domed distal end that is configured to be positioned in the ear canal of the subject. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the earpiece is thermally conductive. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising a cushioning member on the frame and configured to rest on the head and around the ear of the subject. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 9, wherein the cushioning member is removable whereby the cushioning member is configured to be selected by a user from a set of cushioning members of different sizes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 9, wherein the cushioning member comprises a recess on opposing sides thereof, the recess being sized and configured to allow eyewear in use on the user to be within the recess. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 1, further comprising a headband configured to hold the frame in position on the subject. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the tensioning member comprises an elastic sheet. ### Claim 14 An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject, comprising: a frame defining a perimeter and having a center region; at least one tensioning member in the center region of the frame and being held by the frame; an earpiece connected to the tensioning member in the center region of the frame; a headband configured to position the frame adjacent the head and around an ear of the subject such that the earpiece is positioned in the ear canal of the subject and the tensioning member positions the earpiece in the ear canal of the subject; wherein the tensioning member comprises a planar sheet that extends from the center region adjacent the earpiece towards the perimeter of the frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 14, wherein the tensioning member is flexible such that the tensioning member is configured to flex thereby reduce a force on the earpiece in the ear canal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 15, wherein the tensioning member is secured by the frame so that the member is sufficiently taut so as to achieve a thermally conductive fit in use between the earpiece and the ear canal of the subject. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 15, further comprising a heat sink rigidly coupled to the earpiece and configured to move together with the earpiece when the tensioning member flexes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 14, wherein the frame is spaced apart from the head of the subject. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 14, further comprising a substrate having the earpiece mounted thereon, wherein the at least one tensioning member connects the frame to the substrate. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 14, further comprising a cushioning member on the frame and configured to rest on the head and around the ear of the subject. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 20, wherein the cushioning member is removable whereby the cushioning member is configured to be selected by a user from a set of cushioning members of different sizes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The in-ear stimulation device of claim 20, wherein the cushioning member comprises a recess on opposing sides thereof, the recess being sized and configured to allow eyewear in use on the user to be within the recess.