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US 2026/0199136 A1Published application
External ear canal pressure regulation device
AssigneeNocira, LLC
InventorsDavid George, George Buckler, Timothy A. Crown, David Brice Sullivan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator, an earpiece having an axial earpiece bore, and a valved conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator and the axial earpiece bore, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.
Claims20
(canceled)
A fluid transfer device comprising:
- an earpiece configured provide a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure;
- and
- a fluid flow generator being configured to generate a fluid flow through the earpiece to achieve an external ear canal pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure;
- wherein the fluid transfer device has a first configuration in which the fluid flow generator is operable to increase the external ear canal pressure relative to the ambient pressure so as to generate a positive external ear canal pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure;
- wherein the fluid transfer device has a second configuration in which the fluid flow generator is operable to decrease the external ear canal pressure relative to the ambient pressure so as to generate a negative external ear canal pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure.
2 more elements
An ear canal pressure regulation device, the device comprising:
- an earpiece for insertion into an external ear canal, the earpiece being configured to sealably engage the external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure to maintain a seal between the earpiece and the external ear canal of the patient with a pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure;
- and
- a pressure regulator that defines a flow rate of fluid between the earpiece and ambient environment outside the ear, the flow rate being defined to reduce the pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure over a period of time.
An ear canal pressure regulation device, the device comprising:
- an earpiece for insertion into an external ear canal of a patient;
- a fluid flow pathway to provide fluid communication between the external ear canal and ambient environment outside the ear;
- and
- a pressure regulator that defines a flow rate of fluid through the fluid flow pathway;
- wherein the earpiece is configured to:
- create a seal with the external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and ambient pressure;
- maintain the seal with the external ear canal while a pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure increases during a first period of time;
- and
- maintain the seal with the external ear canal while the pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure decreases during a second period of time after the first period of time;
- wherein the pressure regulator permits fluid to flow at the flow rate through the fluid flow pathway to or from the ambient environment to decrease the pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.