Earplug Pressure Adjustment Apparatus for Middle Ear Equilibrium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sudden changes in air pressure, such as during air travel or altitude changes, cause discomfort and pain due to pressure differences between the internal ear and external auditory meatus, which existing solutions like earplugs or manual pressure adjustment devices fail to address effectively, especially when the Eustachian tube is blocked.
Innovation Solution
An air pressure adjustment apparatus comprising a speaker, microphone, and an earplug with an air pressure adjustment device that automatically measures and adjusts the pressure difference by changing the fluid volume within the earplug, using a processor to output sound and calculate necessary adjustments based on echo strength to equalize internal and external ear pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual actions like yawning or swallowing are performed to open the Eustachian tube, then air pressure equilibrium can be restored, but the operation becomes cumbersome and may not work when the Eustachian tube is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic detection through microphone echo analysis and self-adjusts air pressure via the pump without requiring user intervention. The processor continuously monitors echo strength changes and autonomously controls the pump to maintain pressure equilibrium, eliminating the need for manual yawning or swallowing actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical actions (yawning, swallowing) with an automated electronic system comprising a microphone, processor, and pump. The system uses acoustic echo analysis to detect pressure differences and automatically actuates the pump to restore equilibrium, substituting human physiological actions with an engineered control system.
2Ease of manufacture
If earplugs or external auditory meatus pressure adjustment devices are used, then air pressure can be adjusted without medicine, but manual manipulation is required and the device is ineffective when air pressure difference has already been generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects air pressure differences through echo analysis and self-regulates the pump to maintain equilibrium. No manual manipulation is required - the processor continuously monitors acoustic echoes and autonomously adjusts pressure, making the device effective even after pressure differences have developed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the microphone to continuously monitor acoustic echoes from the ear canal, analyzing echo strength changes as feedback about current pressure conditions. This real-time feedback loop enables the processor to detect pressure imbalances and automatically activate the pump to restore equilibrium without user intervention.
3Reliability
If the Eustachian tube is blocked due to otitis, sinus cold, or rhinitis, then air pressure equilibrium cannot be restored through natural actions, but taking medicine to expand the Eustachian tube burdens the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external intermediary device (the pressure adjustment apparatus) that bypasses the blocked Eustachian tube. The pump directly adjusts air pressure in the external auditory meatus to match middle ear pressure, eliminating the need to force the Eustachian tube open through medicine or manual actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the natural physiological mechanism (Eustachian tube function) with an external mechanical pump system. When the Eustachian tube is blocked, the pump directly compensates for pressure differences by injecting or removing air in the external auditory meatus, substituting the failed biological system with an engineered solution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus automatically adjusts air pressure differences, reducing discomfort and pain by maintaining equilibrium, even when the Eustachian tube is blocked, thereby enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
measure the air pressure difference between air pressure of an internal part of a middle ear and air pressure of an external auditory meatus on the basis of strength of a received echo
Implementation Method 2
strength of a received echo based on the echo of the sound reflected from the eardrum
Data Source
AI summary
An atmospheric pressure adjustment apparatus is disclosed. The atmospheric pressure adjustment apparatus comprises: a speaker; a microphone; an earplug of which a main body is made of an elastic material so as to seal the external auditory meatus when the earplug is worn on the ear of a user, and which comprises an atmospheric pressure adjustment part penetrating the main body; and atmospheric pressure adjustment device for adjusting the fluid volume of the atmospheric pressure adjustment part; and a processor for outputting a sound through the speaker when the earplug is worn, measuring the air pressure difference between the middle ear internal atmospheric pressure and the external auditory meatus atmospheric pressure of the user on the basis of the strength of a received echo when the echo of the sound reflected from the eardrum of the user is received through the microphone, and adjusting the atmospheric pressure difference by moving the atmospheric pressure adjustment device according to the measured atmospheric pressure difference.