67 results about "External ears" patented technology

A self-contained, portable headset carries a waveform source device and tissue interface circuits in a self-locating position for delivering treatment signals to a preselected area in the conch of the ear of a human subject. An electronics housing carries a waveform source device in communication with right and left tissue interface circuits, carried respectively in right and left earpiece housings. The headset carries each earpiece housing at a rearward and downward angle so that a protruding trunk enters the conch of the outer ear and contacts the conch generally below and rearwardly of the ear canal. An audio speaker delivers associated tones during treatment. An end wall of the trunk carries an array of electrodes contacts the preselected area in the conch of the ear.

The apparatus for transcutaneous stimulation or transcutaneous measurement of a parameter is a device which fits wholly within the pinna (external ear) of the vertebrate. In order to fit completely within the pinna, the housing is C-shaped and from each end of the housing is a curved section which has a spring action that holds the apparatus inside the ear. This apparatus has a compact design which allows for nerve stimulation in a particularly efficient, ergonomically favorable and easy manipulation for the patient.

An earphone device (1) comprising a main body (14) to be inserted in to the outer ear (28) of a user. The main body (14) has a first side (5) that faces the user's head when inserted, a cavity (13) and a sound opening (2) connecting the first side (5) with the cavity (13). The main body (14) further comprises an ear canal protrusion (3) to be inserted into the ear canal (7). The cross section of the ear canal protrusion (3) is smaller than the cross section of the ear canal (7) and the ear canal protrusion (3) is having a first side (8) adapted to lie against the ear canal wall (10) and a second side (9) lying opposite the first side (8) and beside the sound opening (2).

A device for non-invasively correcting a human external ear is disclosed. The device comprises a flat fixture with an adhesive for sticking the fixture together with two fold parts on an ear which is folded about a folding line along a zone which is to be corrected with a permanent deformation. The fixture can be fixed on the ear easily and conveniently. In attached state, it is hardly visible, and the patient does not feel the fixture as something unpleasant and irritating to wear. The fixture can advantageously be used for correcting a small child's jug-ear which particularly easily can be given a permanent shape within the first few weeks after birth where the concentration of oestradiol is highest.

The present invention provides a customizable ear insert for fitting within a user's outer ear or ear canal or both and methods therefor. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a customizable ear insert having: a body formed of photocurable polymer, the body having a first shape configured for insertion into the outer ear canal of a user; a light source, the light source positioned adjacent the body, and wherein the body can be cured into a second shape by application of light generated by the light source, the second shape snugly conforming to the interior surface of the user's outer ear or ear canal or both.

Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting the external ear from the elements, heat, cold, wind, rain and / or snow. In some embodiments, an ear protector comprises a conforming anchor with an opening through which the external ear may be passed. The ear protector further comprises an insulating outer covering that, in combination with the anchor, forms the ear protector with a chamber positioned between the outer covering and the anchor. During use, the chamber is configured to receive the external ear, with the anchor's opening conformably positioned in proximity to at least a portion of the ear's root. The perimeter of the conforming anchor's opening resiliently deforms during passage of the external ear through the opening and into the chamber, and then conforms to the geometry of at least a portion of the ear root in order to securely and comfortably maintain the ear protector in position over the external ear without additional external support. The conforming anchor preferably is fabricated from a closed cell foamed elastomer.

A method and system for conveniently producing a hearing device for a consumer that can involve manufacture of a hearing aid or other hearing device from a mobile site or a site the is near and convenient for the consumer. Techniques similar to those used in dentistry can be used to take impressions of the ear canal, produce a mold, and finally produce a custom fitted hearing device. Alternatively, a light curable resin can be placed into the outer ear canal and partially or totally hardened with a light source in-situ to take the shape of the ear canal. The device can be removed and finished. Hearing aid electronics can be mounted into cavities created in the device to form a final hearing aid or other hearing device. By supplying hearing aids or other devices on-site, the consumer pays less, and can receive a final fitted hearing device in around an hour.

In a headset (100, 200) for receiving infrared or radio signals and transforming them into an audio transmission in the audible range, the headset essentially comprises a base housing (101), one continuous or two individually guided supporting bands (102, 103) each with a miniature loudspeaker (300, 400) arranged at the end. The miniature loudspeaker has a loudspeaker body (305, 405) on the ear side, which loudspeaker body assumes a place in the auditory passage or surrounds the whole external ear. The loudspeaker body (305, 405) on the ear side is supported rotatably with respect to the supporting band (102, 103) or a joining part (301, 401).

An audio headset (7) for 2-way communication via a separate mobile phone or similar, is supported by means of two or three pads (13-15) engaging anatomical details of the outer ear of a user. One (13) of the pads engages the Cymba Concha, and a second pad (14) engages the area between the Tragus and the Antitragus. A third support pad may engage the rear wall of the Concha.

A tympanic membrane drain tube is formed so that it is possible to freely trim a tip end of a hollow tube which has a large diameter at a rear end on the external ear side and tapers toward a front end, whereby the drain tube can be inserted into a stoma formed in the tympanic membrane under clear vision, and can naturally shed.

The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) image of the outer ear canal. This will be achieved by scanning at least the outer ear canal by use of a video camera, transmitting the image data of the video camera through a connection to a service provider, analyzing the image data by the service provider with respect of acceptance and integrity, transmitting status information back to the video camera and further processing / converting accepted image data into 3D geometric data. Thus, video image data will be retrieved from the part of interest of the ear and the quality and integrity of this information will be checked by the service provider prior to storing and process / converting this data into 3D imaging data that can be used for an automated manufacturing process for the outer shape of hearing devices, hearing protection devices or hearing aid shells.

The present invention relates to a cap (11) intended for use as hearing protection and adapted to enclosed the external ear of a user, characterized by at least one vibration-damping weight element (18, 38a-b) of the cap (11), which weight element is arranged so as to at least partly block an audio mode of vibration that would have existed in the cap in the absence of said weight element (18, 38a-b). The invention also relates to a method of producing such a cap, and use of the same.

The invention provides an ear irrigation device for injecting a fluid into an external ear canal extending between an external ear and a tympanic membrane. The external ear canal includes an outer portion extending inwardly from the external ear and including cerumen-producing glands and an inner portion between the tympanic membrane and the outer portion. The ear irrigation device has a longitudinally extending body including an inward end and an outward end. Also, the ear irrigation device includes an input duct extending from the outward end to the inward end and terminating in a nozzle. The nozzle is adapted to direct fluid out of the body both transversely and towards the external ear when the inward end is positioned proximate to the inner portion of the external ear canal.

A device is worn on the head that covers the outer ear. The device comprises one or more materials that exotherm upon activation, so that the device generates heat. The generated heat is contained within the ear cap or covering for the outer ear, and the heat is communicated with the ear canal. The heat reduces pain associated with infection or pressure changes, and assists in equalizing pressure within the ear.

The present invention relates to a cap intended for use as hearing protection and adapted to enclosed the external ear of a user, comprising a cap shell (4) at least partly made of a substantially transparent material, characterized in that the cap (3) is arranged to support at least one object or layer (9) on the side of the cap shell (4) which, in use of the cap (3), is arranged to face the user, and that said object or layer (9) is visible through the cap shell (4). The present invention also concerns a method of producing such a cap.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for preventing or at least reducing high acoustic pressure levels reaching the tympanic membrane of an ear. In particular, the present invention relates to an arrangement for preventing or at least reducing high acoustic pressure levels reaching the tympanic membrane of an ear by means of placing a protector in an external auditory canal of said ear. The ear protector comprises members for easily engaging or disengaging the ear protector.

A tympanic membrane drain tube is formed so that it is possible to freely trim a tip end of a hollow tune which has a large diameter at a rear end on the external ear side and tapers toward a front end, whereby the drain tube can be inserted into a stoma formed in the tympanic membrane under clear vision, and can naturally shed.

A system dries water droplets within a person's outer and inner ear. The presence of the droplets is typically caused by swimming, showering, bathing, and other activities associated with water sports such as diving, water polo and the like. A hair dryer blows warm air at a distance into a handheld drying apparatus. One or more diffusion chambers containing a plurality of apertures deliver warm air from the hair dryer into the outer ear. An integral central tubular element forming part of the diffusion chamber delivers warm air from the hair dryer into the inner canal. The diffusion chamber has a handle to help position the central tubular element within the inner ear canal. The distance between the hair dryer and the handheld drying apparatus may be varied to select a comfortable warmth level and warm air velocity.

A pre-moistened swab apparatus includes a swab unit having a pair of swab portions located at opposite ends of a handle portion. One swab portion can be shaped round, and the other swab portion can be cone-shaped. Preferably, both swab portions are pre-moistened. A package is provided for containing swab units. The package includes a logo and other identifying indicia. Preferably, the package includes package walls which include transparent material. Preferably, the package includes a package opening which can used over and over again without being damaged. Preferably, the swab portions are pre-moistened with an aqueous solution which includes eye gentle and eye friendly ingredients. With the eye gentle and friendly ingredients employed in the swab portions, the user can wipe away makeup smudges with no residue left behind and can clean outer ear surfaces, sleep residues from eyes, pets eyes, etc.

A clamp in form of a mainly U-shaped or V-shaped device serves for non-invasively affecting a cartilage fold on for example the exterior ear by a stretching and compressive force. The clamp is shaped as a V, in which the angle α between the legs of the V prior to use is equal to or smaller than 90°, and the angle β between the legs of the V, in use mounted on a cartilage fold, is smaller than the angle α. The clamp is made of a material that can be given a permanent deformation and which therefore is able to maintain a constant pressure on local, opposite areas of the cartilage fold.

The invention discloses a new Chinese herbal composite for deafness treatment and a preparation method thereof. The Chinese herbal composite of the invention is mainly prepared by the following ingredients of cortex phellodendri, musk, styrax, benzoin, venenum bufonis, camphor, borneol, raw milkvetch root, malaytea scurfpea fruit, fructus alpiniae oxyphyllae, eucommia bark, radix paeoniae alba, manyflower solomonseal rhizome, radix angelicae sinensis, fritillary, ground beetle, white bombyx batryticatus, dragon's blood resin, rhizoma drynariae, rhizoma sparganii, rhizoma curcumae, dragon's blood resin, catechu, squama manitis and the like. The Chinese herbal composite of the invention can be prepared into any common oral preparation according to the conventional Chinese medicine preparation method. The medicine can obviously improve conductive deafness resulting from pathologic change of the external ear and the middle ear, and nerve deafness resulting from pathologic change of the internal ear and the auditory nerve, and has reliable and apparent clinical effect and fast desired effect. The Chinese herbal composite of the invention also has the advantages of low cost, basically no toxic or side effect and the like.

An apparatus for use in wellbore operations and a method for using it is provided. The apparatus includes a main body, two support ears spaced-apart and projecting from the main body, each having an inner ear part and an outer ear part. The inner ear part is able to support more weight than the outer ear part. In certain aspects, structure for preventing a large support link from being positioned on an outer ear part is provided. The apparatus, may be any of a link adapter, a block adapter, a becket, an elevator, and a drilling hook.

The invention discloses a manufacturing method for an acellular dermal matrix tympanic membrane and an external ear tissue repair material. The method comprises the following steps of A, selecting mammal body or human body dermis tissue; B, determining three adjacent layers of dermis tissue alpha layer structures similar to the structure of tympanic membrane tissue in the dermis tissue structure by comparing the dermis tissue with the tympanic membrane tissue structure; C, removing the other layers except for the dermis tissue alpha layer structures in the dermis tissue structure to obtain a dermis tissue alpha layer preliminary material. According to the specificity of the dermis characteristics and the tympanic membrane tissue structure for development and improvement, and the tympanic membrane repair material similar to the human body tympanic membrane structure and the tissue characteristics is obtained. On the basis that the tissue integrity repair is completed, the tympanic membrane function is basically repaired, and the clinic effect is greatly improved; the raw material sources of the material for manufacturing the acellular dermal matrix tympanic membrane and the external ear tissue repair material are broadened, and the cost for manufacturing the repair material is lowered.

The invention discloses a biomechanical research, modeling, verification and application of human ear for railway vehicles to provide thoughts and basis for the design and evaluation of noise comfort of the railway transit equipment. The verification method includes establishing a plane wave source in the external ear as the acoustic excitation and applying pure timbre of a series of different frequency and sound pressure level in the external ear. Based on the acoustic modal analysis of external ear and the domain modal analysis, the ear finite element model and the sound sensitive band of the fluid domain finite element model are obtained and the matching between the sound sensitive band and the actual sensitive band of the human auditory system is compared. And based on the acoustic solid coupling method and the mode superposition method, the tympanic membrane and the acoustic response of stapes footplate are respectively obtained, and compared with the ANSI curve. The reliability of the ear finite element model and the fluid domain finite element model are determined by combining the results of the above two comparisons.