Ear protection kit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for protecting the patient's ear comprising i) at least one ovoid-shaped flexible cover sheet made of a flexible synthetic material with a thickness between 10 and 100 μm, intended to be applied to the ear; ii) at least one container holding an adhesive substance with an extrusion head or neck that allows the application of a bead of 5 mm or less of this adhesive substance connecting the contour of the patient's ear to the cover sheet; and iii) a removable protective sheet applied against the outer face of the cover sheet, having less flexibility than the cover sheet.

Description

Scope of the invention :

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for protecting a patient's ear. Previous art :

[0002] The auricle of the ear ( figure 1 The auricle, which is the only visible external part, is essentially composed of flexible and elastic cartilage, covered by skin on both surfaces. The only part not made of cartilage is the lobule, the small end of the ear, more commonly called the earlobe. This auricle, which has a shell shape, is designed to receive and concentrate sound waves. To do this, it is composed of numerous muscles and crevices to better capture these sounds, in order to send as much as possible to the next stage of a sound wave's journey, the external auditory canal. While the muscles of the ear do not have a significant effect in humans, they are nevertheless observed in animals.

[0003] Because of this complex morphology, reliably protecting the ear is difficult.

[0004] However, this protection is often necessary in cases of "summer" or more chronic ear infections. Indeed, children with recurrent ear infections are often fitted with tympanostomy tubes, also known as "grommets" or "grommets." These are essentially tubes that continuously ventilate the middle ear and prevent recurring ear infections.

[0005] It is now strongly recommended to avoid swimming after the insertion of such devices. Water can then cause inflammation or infection. Since ear infections affect young children, it is difficult to enforce these recommendations, and constant vigilance is therefore necessary. Summary of the invention :

[0006] The inventor has now developed a kit to easily protect the ear.

[0007] Consequently, a first object of the invention is a device for protecting a patient's ear according to claim 1, comprising: At least one unglued flexible cover sheet made of a flexible synthetic material based on polyurethane, intended to be applied to the ear; and at least one package containing an adhesive substance comprising a silicone-based copolymer having an outlet opening allowing the application of a bead of this adhesive substance which connects the contour of the patient's ear auricle and the cover sheet; the cover sheet having an ovoid shape with a length between 7 and 9 cm, a width between 5 and 7 cm; and a thickness between 10 and 100 µm. Description of the figures :

[0008] There figure 1represents the auricle of the ear. figures 2 , 3 and 4 represent schematic views of an example of a protective sheet associated with a cover sheet Detailed description of the invention :

[0009] International patent application WO2006 / 100382 discloses a device for protecting a skin surface, comprising a flexible, unglued covering sheet made of a flexible synthetic material, preferably polyurethane-based, and preferably with a thickness between 10 µm and 80 µm, and a tube containing an adhesive advantageously made of a copolymer, preferably silicone-based. There was no indication that the described device could be adapted for protecting a patient's ear. Patents US2016 / 192764, US2012 / 124719, and US61826309 disclose ear protectors. FR3018453 describes a device for securing and protecting catheters placed on a patient's body area. EP2612630 discloses an adhesive skin patch.

[0010] The synthetic material of the soft cover sheet provides water-resistant properties and is also waterproof and non-allergenic.

[0011] Examples of usable materials include polyurethane, polypropylene, and polyethylene-based materials. According to the present invention, polyurethane or a polyurethane-based polymer will be used.

[0012] Now, this cover sheet can be transparent or opaque, preferably transparent so that the condition of the ear can be easily observed without having to remove it.

[0013] The thickness of the roofing sheet must be sufficient, depending on its composition, to ensure good waterproofing and impact resistance. Typically, this thickness should be between 10 µm and 50 µm, and preferably 20 µm for a polyurethane roofing sheet.

[0014] As for its shape, it is ovoid, meaning it resembles an egg. According to the present invention, the shape of the cover sheet is a flattened ovoid. Ideally, the cover sheet has: a length between 7 and 9 cm, preferably between 7.5 and 8.5 cm and, particularly preferably between 7.9 and 8.1 cm; and a width between 5 and 7 cm, preferably between 5.5 and 6.5 cm, and particularly preferably between 6 and 6.2 cm.

[0015] The inventor has thus highlighted that such dimensions make it very easy to adapt to any type of ear.

[0016] The cover sheet is unglued, which gives it better air permeability and facilitates the passage of sound waves even if it attenuates them.

[0017] In addition, the kit advantageously features a detachable protective sheet applied against the outer face of the cover sheet, this protective sheet having less flexibility than the cover sheet.

[0018] To facilitate its removal, this protective sheet features a convenient cutout. Ideally, this cutout is positioned lengthwise and in the middle of the sheet. Note that it can be straight or wavy.

[0019] Regarding the packaging containing an adhesive substance, it can take multiple forms, such as a compressible tube or a rigid cartridge, pressurized or not.

[0020] In the case where the packaging containing an adhesive substance takes the form of a compressible tube, it then includes an extrusion head or a neck arranged, in a manner known per se, to allow the distribution of the adhesive substance so that it forms a bead of homogeneous width and, preferably, flexible.

[0021] Preferably, the extrusion head or the neck is arranged to allow the distribution of the adhesive substance so that it forms a bead of width equal to or less than 5 mm, preferably of width equal to or less than 4 mm or even 3 mm and, particularly preferably, of width less than or equal to 2 mm.

[0022] The adhesive substance can take, for example, the form of a liquid, a foam or a gel, preferably a gel.

[0023] This adhesive substance, once applied, allows the adhesion of said at least one cover sheet to the skin surface and ensures the water tightness of the volume thus delimited (skin surface surrounded by adhesive substance and covered with at least one cover sheet).

[0024] This adhesive substance is also non-allergenic and biocompatible.

[0025] Ideally, this adhesive substance may have less strong skin adhesion properties than its adhesion properties to the cover sheet; this is so as to allow removal of the cover sheet without painful effect or residue of adhesive substance on the skin.

[0026] Ideally, the adhesive properties of the adhesive substance are such that they allow the cover sheet to remain on the patient's skin for one or more days.

[0027] This adhesive substance advantageously comprises a homopolymer or a copolymer. Ideally, this adhesive substance comprises a copolymer, preferably silicone-based, such as a polydimethylsiloxane-based adhesive, which copolymer may further comprise functional groups.

[0028] THE figures 2 , 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment in which the necessary component incorporates a polyurethane cover sheet

Claims

1. A kit for protecting a patient's ear, comprising: - a non-adhesive flexible cover sheet made of a flexible polyurethane-based synthetic material, intended to be applied over the ear - and having a length between 7 and 9 cm, a width between 5 and 7 cm; and - At least one package containing an adhesive substance that comprises a silicone-based copolymer, featuring an outlet orifice allowing for the application of a bead of this adhesive substance to connect a periphery of the patient's auricle and the cover sheet; wherein said cover sheet has a flattened ovoid shape and a thickness between 10 and 100 µm.

2. The kit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the cover sheet is between 10 µm and 50 µm.

3. The kit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the cover sheet is 20 µm.

4. The kit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3, characterized in that the adhesive substance is a polydimethylsiloxane-based glue.

5. The kit as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover sheet has - a length between 7.5 and 8.5 cm and, particularly preferably, between 7.9 and 8.1 cm; and - a width between 5.5 and 6.5 cm and, particularly preferably, between 6 and 6.2 cm.

6. The kit as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the kit further comprises a detachable protective sheet applied against the external face of the cover sheet, wherein such protective sheet has a flexibility lower than the cover sheet.

7. The kit as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cover sheet has a cutout.

8. The kit as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the package takes the form of squeezable tube9. The kit as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the squeezable tube comprises an extrusion head or a neck arranged to allow the distribution of the adhesive substance such that it forms a bead with a width equal to or less than 5 mm preferably with a width equal to or less than 4 mm or 3 mm and, particularly preferably, with a width less than or equal to 2 mm.

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