# US 8,465,685 B2 · Device for taking impression of an ear > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,685 B2 - Document ID: US8465685B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/201,231 - Filed: 2010-02-23 - Published: 2011-12-01 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-16 - Applicants: Ola Öquist - Inventors: Ola Öquist - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465685B2 ## CPC - H04R 25/652: {Ear tips; Ear moulds (hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659)} - 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 Device for taking an impression of a subject's ear minimizes risk of damage on the eardrum when the impression is made. The device comprises a nozzle having a first essentially tubular part that has a centre axis and a side wall. The first tubular part has also a first end intended to be inserted into a subject's ear, a first opening for the outlet of impression material, and a second end connected to a supply member for impression material to the tubular part. The first opening has a centre axis that is essentially perpendicular to the centre axis of the first tubular part at the point where the two centre axes intersect each other, alternatively has a direction, as seen from the centre axis of the first tubular part through the side wall, from said first end. The first opening is preferably arranged in the side wall of the tubular part. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Device for taking impressions of a subject's ear, comprising a nozzle having an essentially tubular part that has a centre axis and a side wall, said tubular part comprising a first end intended to be inserted into a subject's ear, a first opening for the outlet of impression material, as well as a second end connected to a supply member for impression material to the tubular part, wherein said first opening has a centre axis that is essentially perpendicular to the centre axis of the tubular part alternatively has a direction, as seen from the centre axis of the tubular part through the side wall, from said first end, and wherein said tubular part comprises a plurality of openings serving as outlets for impression material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein said first opening is arranged in the side wall of the tubular part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein said first end is closed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein a limiting member having an essentially circular cross-section is arranged at or adjacent to the first end of the tubular part in such a way that the diameter (D) of said limiting member is essentially perpendicular to the centre axis of the tubular part at said first end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Device according to claim 4, wherein the cross-section of said limiting member is adapted to the cross-section of an auditory canal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) Device according to claim 4, wherein said limiting member is essentially cup-shaped in such a way that it is convex toward the eardrum when the tubular part is inserted in a subject's ear. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) Device according to claim 6, wherein said limiting member is connected to said first end in such a way that the centre axis of the tubular part essentially coincides with the cross-sectional centre of said limiting member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein each opening has a centre axis that is essentially perpendicular to the centre axis of the tubular part alternatively has a direction, as seen from the centre axis of the tubular part through the side wall, from said first end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein said first opening is arranged essentially at the first end of the tubular part. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein said openings are distributed along said tubular part of the nozzle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) Device according to claim 10, wherein an opening arranged in the vicinity of the second end of the tubular part is larger than an opening arranged in the vicinity of the first end of the tubular part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one projecting, essentially tubular outlet member is arranged on the outer side of the side wall of said tubular part, this outlet member having a first end connected to said tubular part in such a way that it forms a continuous passage for the outlet of impression material with said first opening, and a second end having an opening intended for the outlet of impression material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) Device according to claim 4, wherein said limiting member is made of an elastically deformable material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Device according to claim 1, wherein said tubular part of the nozzle is curved. ### Claim 15 Device for taking impressions of a subject's ear, comprising a nozzle having an essentially tubular part that has a centre axis and a side wall, said tubular part comprising a first end intended to be inserted into a subject's ear, a first opening for the outlet of impression material arranged in said first end, as well as a second end connected to a supply member for impression material to the tubular part, wherein said tubular part, in the vicinity of said first end, is curved at an angle that is equal to or greater than 90° so that said first opening is essentially directed toward the mouth of the auditory canal when said tubular part is inserted in a subject's ear. ### Claim 16 Device for taking impressions of a subject's ear, comprising a nozzle having an essentially tubular part that has a centre axis and a side wall, said tubular part comprising a first end intended to be inserted into a subject's ear, as well as a second end connected to a supply member for impression material to the tubular part, wherein the tubular part comprising a plurality of openings serving as outlets of impression material, said openings arranged in the side wall of the tubular part and distributed along an extension of the tubular part adapted to be inserted into the subject's ear when the impression is made. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) Device according to claim 16, further comprising a limiting member having an essentially circular cross-section arranged at or adjacent the first end of the tubular part in such a way that the diameter (D) of said limiting member is essentially perpendicular to the centre axis of the tubular part at said first end. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) Device according to claim 17, wherein said limiting member is essentially cup-shaped in such a way that it is convex toward the eardrum when the tubular part is inserted in a subject's ear. ### Claim 19 Method for taking an impression of a subject's ear, comprising supplying impression material to the ear by a device comprising a nozzle having an essentially tubular part that has a centre axis and a side wall, said tubular part comprising a first end intended to be inserted into a subject's ear, a first opening for the outlet of impression material, as well as a second end connected to a supply member for impression material to the tubular part, wherein said first opening has a centre axis that is essentially perpendicular to the centre axis of the tubular part alternatively has a direction, as seen from the centre axis of the tubular part through the side wall, from said first end, and wherein said tubular part comprises a plurality of openings serving as outlets for impression material, and allowing the impression material to solidify in order to form the impression, whereupon the impression is removed from the ear.