# US 7,466,836 B2 · Removal tool for in situ cerumen removal from hearing devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,466,836 B2 - Document ID: US7466836B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/411,437 - Filed: 2006-04-25 - Published: 2007-01-04 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2005-02-14 - Assignees: InSound Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Alex Tilson; Steve Blumenkranz; Pat Contioso; David P. Knight; Mitchell Barham - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466836B2 ## CPC - H04R 25/654: {Ear wax retarders} - H04R 2460/17: Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A removal tool for atraumatically removing a removable fitting from a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal comprises a housing adapted to be grasped in the hand and a plurality of flexible members partially positioned in the housing and extending from the housing. The members have an outwardly flared portion at a distal portion of the member. At least one member includes an engagement element positioned at the flared distal portion of the member for engaging a removal element on the fitting. The tool also comprises a mechanism for engaging the engagement element with the removal element for removal of the fitting independent of a radial orientation of the housing with respect to the hearing device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A removal tool for atraumatically removing a removable fitting from a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal of a user, the removal tool comprising: a housing adapted to be grasped in the hand; a plurality of flexible members partially positioned in the housing and extending from the housing, at least a portion of the flexible members having an outwardly flared distal portion, at least one flexible member including an engagement element positioned at the flared distal portion of the member for engaging a removal element on the fitting; and a mechanism for engaging the engagement element with the removal element for removal of the fitting independent of a radial orientation of the housing with respect to the hearing device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the hearing device is a CIC hearing aid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the mechanism inwardly deflects the engagement element to bring it into contact with the removal element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The removal tool of claim 3 wherein the mechanism locks the engagement element in contact with the removal element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes an actuator positioned on the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible members includes at least three flexible members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein a flexible member comprises at least one of steel, spring steel, super elastic material or shape memory material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the flared distal portions are pre-sprung. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the flared distal portions are radially distributed around a longitudinal axis of the tool. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the removal element is a loop structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the fitting is a planar sheet, a cap or a crown shaped structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve coaxially positioned over the flexible members, the sleeve configured to inwardly deflect the flared distal portions of the members. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The removal tool of claim 12, wherein the sleeve is slidable over the flexible members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, further comprising an advancement member coupled to a proximal portion of the flexible members, the advancement member configured to advance the members in and out of the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein the flared distal portions of the flexible members define a conical volume having a major diameter allowing insertion of the flared distal portions into the ear canal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein an engagement element is substantially spherically shaped. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein an engagement element is magnetized. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The removal tool of claim 1, wherein each flexible member includes an engagement element so that the tool includes a plurality of engagement elements. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The removal tool of claim 18, wherein the engagement elements are configured to engage the removal element without precise positioning of the engagement elements with respect to the hearing device or the ear canal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The removal tool of claim 18, wherein the engagement elements are configured to center the removal tool in the ear canal during insertion. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The removal tool of claim 18, wherein the engagement elements are configured to allow the user to engage the removal element without direct visual observation of the removal tool.