# US 2021/0330507 A9 · Ear insert for relief of tmj discomfort and method for use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0330507 A9 - Document ID: US20210330507A9 - Status: Published application - Kind: A9 - Application number: 15/904,498 - Filed: 2018-02-26 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Earliest claimed: 2008-03-07 - Assignees: Renew Group Private Limited - Applicants: Renew Group Private Limited - Inventors: Lawrence G. Clayton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330507A9 ## CPC - A61F 11/00: Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense (implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00); Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand (headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16) - A61F 11/08: internal, e.g. earplugs - 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 A prosthesis for insertion in an ear to reduce pain resulting from TMJ disorders. The ear insert has a predefined shape conforming to the shape of the ear canal when the jaw is in an open position. The ear insert supports the TMJ and associated secondary musculature to reduce strain in the TMJ area, including the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and the temporo-mandibular joint itself. The insert is hollow in the inside to permit hearing and is made of a rigid material which retains the shape of the ear canal. A scalloped indenture extends across a surface of the ear insert positioned behind the tragus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A prosthesis adapted to be inserted into an ear canal in an ear having a tragus for treating discomfort in a joint bets between a mandible and a corresponding temporal bone, wherein the ear canal includes an isthmus, the prosthesis comprising: a hollow and substantially rigid structural body having a predefined shape substantially conforming to a contour of a portion of the ear canal extends approximately between the entrance to the ear canal and the isthmus when the jaw is in an open position, the structural body including a proximal base portion adapted for positioning adjacent the entrance of the ear canal, the structural body further including a distal end portion adapted to extend an effective distance into the ear canal, wherein a scalloped indenture extends away from a boundary edge of the proximal base portion across a surface of the structural body adapted for positioning behind the tragus of the ear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The prosthesis as recited in claim 1, wherein the structural body is substantially free from any covering ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The prosthesis as recited in claim 1, wherein said structural body is formed from acrylic. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The prosthesis as recited in claim 1, wherein said scalloped indenture is characterized by a length and width sufficient to accept substantially the entire tragus of the ear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The prosthesis as recited in claim 1, further including at least one post element projecting away from the proximal base portion, the post element adapted to extend to a position outside of the ear canal when the prosthesis is inserted within the ear canal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The prosthesis as recited in claim 5, wherein said post element is formed from a thermoplastic polymeric or non-polymeric material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The prosthesis as recited in claim 6, wherein said post element is formed from monofilament nylon. ### Claim 8 A prosthesis adapted to be inserted into an ear canal in an ear having a tragus and an inter-tragal notch for treating discomfort in a joint between a mandible and a corresponding temporal bone, wherein the ear canal includes an isthmus, the prosthesis comprising: a hollow and substantially rigid structural body haying a predefined shape substantially conforming to a contour of a portion of the ear canal which extends approximately between the entrance to the ear canal and the isthmus when the jaw is in an open position, the structural body including a proximal base portion adapted for positioning adjacent the entrance of the ear canal, wherein the proximal base portion includes an extended peninsular leg portion adapted to extend substantially to the inter-tragal notch, the structural body further including a distal end portion adapted to extend an effective distance into the ear canal, wherein a scalloped indenture extends away from a boundary edge of the proximal base portion across a surface of the structural body adapted for positioning behind the tragus of the ear, at least one post element projecting away from the peninsular leg portion, the post element adapted to extend to a position outside of the ear canal when the prosthesis is inserted within the ear canal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The prosthesis as recited in claim 8, wherein said scalloped indenture is characterized by a length and width sufficient to accept substantially the entire tragus of the ear. ### Claim 10 A method of treating discomfort in a joint between a mandible and a corresponding temporal bone, the method comprising: inserting a prosthesis into an ear canal in an ear having a tragus, wherein the ear canal includes an isthmus, wherein the prosthesis comprises a hollow and substantially rigid structural body having a predefined shape substantially conforming to a contour of a portion of the ear canal which extends approximately between the entrance to the ear canal and the isthmus when the jaw is in an open position, the structural body including a proximal base portion positioned substantially adjacent the entrance of the ear canal, the structural body further including a distal end portion adapted to extend an effective distance into the ear canal, the structural body further including a scalloped indenture extending away from a boundary edge of the proximal base portion across a surface of the structural body positioned behind the tragus of the ear. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the structural body is substantially free from any covering ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said structural body is formed from acrylic. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, wherein said scalloped indenture is characterized by a length and width sufficient to accept substantially the entire tragus of the ear. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, wherein at least one post element projects away from the proximal base portion, the post element extending to a position outside of the ear canal when the prosthesis is inserted within the ear canal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein said post element is formed from a thermoplastic polymeric material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said post element is formed from monofilament nylon. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the proximal base portion includes an extended peninsular leg portion adapted to extend substantially to an inter-tragal notch. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as recited in claim 17, wherein at least one post element projects away from the extended leg portion, the post element extending to a position outside of the ear canal when the prosthesis is inserted within the ear canal.