Twist tip cleaning devices for ear wax removal

Abstract

Left-handed and right-handed twist tip cleaning devices for cleaning left and right ear canals of a user comprise a shaft having a soft twist tip head which is positioned over a hemisphere type end of the shaft which is supported by two angled inwardly legs. The soft twist tip head has six flutes encircling a bullet shaped body along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The flutes of the left-handed twist tip cleaning device differ from the right-handed twist tip cleaning device by angling the flutes to optimize cleaning of the ear canals when rotated by the user. A tickler extends from the top of the twist tip head to provide a safety warning when the tickler contacts an ear drum. A storage box comprises a plurality of left-handed twist tip cleaning devices in one-half of the box with one end removably hinged to an edge of the box. A second half of the storage box comprises a plurality of right-handed twist tip cleaning devices removably hinged to an edge of the box.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to an apparatus for removal of ear wax or cerumen from an ear canal, and in particular, to a pair of ear cleaning twist tip devices wherein a first device comprises right-handed spiral flutes and a second device comprises left-handed spiral flutes.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Many devices are described in the prior art for use in removing wax from the outer ear canal. Ear wax or cerumen is a substance produced by the skin of the outer one-third of the ear. It functions to protect the delicate ear canal lining from excessive moisture, dehydration and infection by bacteria and other micro-organisms. Unfortunately, the ear wax can also accumulate fouling hearing aids and other “in-canal” listening devices. The use of cotton swabs, which are well-known, generally pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal mixing it with cotton fibers, dead skin cells and environmental dust forming ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Accordingly, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a safe and effective ear cleaning device having an auger shaped tip attached on an end of a shaft.

[0013]It is another object of the invention to provide a right-handed twist tip cleaning device and a left-handed twist tip cleaning device for effective cleaning of an ear canal when the right-handed twist tip cleaning device is rotated clockwise in a right ear canal and the left-handed twist tip cleaning device is rotated counterclockwise in a left ear canal.

[0015]It is yet another object of this invention to provide a shaft having on one end a semi-circular loop topped with a mushroom type cap for keeping a soft tip anchored to the shaft and to prevent the twist tip head from spinning or being pulled off or pushed further down on the shaft.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the ear wax can also accumulate fouling hearing aids and other “in-canal” listening devices.

The use of cotton swabs, which are well-known, generally pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal mixing it with cotton fibers, dead skin cells and environmental dust forming what doctors call “cerumen impaction” forming hard plugs up to an inch long which can be difficult and painful to remove.

However, the blunt end will tend to force cerumen deeper into the ear canal, which if too hard, can damage ear structures on contact.

The second metal end with cotton is likely to become exposed and puncture the fragile ear drum.

Pushing hard enough on a wax impaction will damage the ear.

However, the blunt end will force wax deeper into the ear canal and will damage the ear drum and attached middle ear structures on contact.

The springs are more likely to abrade the ear canal causing pain, bleeding and possible infection.

However, using any type of motor that can generate up to 12,000 RPM without reduction gearing to spin anything in a human auditory canal is not a safe procedure.

Also, the softest of bristles will instantly load with wax stiffening and ripping the delicate canal lining to shreds causing severe discomfort, bleeding and possible infection.

However, this device is similar to an ear curette used by physicians only under direct visual inspection of the ear canal by an otoscope.

Such devices are very dangerous because the tip can force cerumen back into the ear canal impacting it against the ear drum.

Further, the filament loops that are stiff may cut through the cerumen and into the ear canal wall causing pain and potentially damaging the ear drum and middle ear structure.

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