Earset Assembly for Anesthetizing Solution Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering anesthetizing solutions into the ear canal for procedures like tympanostomy tube placement often require general anesthesia and lack efficient systems for maintaining the anesthetizing solution within the ear canal, leading to suboptimal patient comfort and procedural challenges.
Innovation Solution
An earset assembly comprising a pad with an adhesive side, an arm with a ball and socket arrangement, and a rigid tube with a nozzle for delivering therapeutic fluid, along with a vent system to prevent excess fluid from flowing back into the ear canal, allowing for iontophoresis to anesthetize the tympanic membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If general anesthesia is used for ear procedures, then the procedure can be performed effectively, but patient comfort and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering anesthetizing solution into the ear canal before the surgical procedure to anesthetize the tympanic membrane and surrounding tissues. This preliminary anesthetic preparation allows the procedure to be performed effectively while avoiding the need for general anesthesia, thereby improving patient comfort and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If anesthetizing solution is delivered into the ear canal, then patient comfort is improved, but the solution may leak back into the ear canal or onto the ear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic reverse flow path by incorporating a one-way valve mechanism that allows fluid to flow in only one direction (from the delivery device into the ear canal) and prevents any reverse flow back onto the ear or into the external environment. This extraction of the harmful reverse flow path eliminates fluid leakage while maintaining patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of fluid leakage into a benefit by designing a system where the same fluid delivery mechanism inherently prevents reverse flow through the one-way valve. The valve mechanism that could potentially cause obstruction instead ensures that the anesthetizing solution remains contained and effective, transforming a potential problem into a solution.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid delivery system is used, then fluid delivery control is improved, but the system becomes complex and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delivery system into distinct functional components: a rigid internal core for precise fluid delivery control, an external flexible sheath for maneuverability and comfort, and an integrated one-way valve mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while the combination achieves both precision and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible external sheath or coating over the rigid internal delivery core. This flexible shell allows the device to be easily maneuvered through the ear canal and conform to the patient's anatomy, while the rigid internal core maintains precise control over fluid delivery. The flexible shell reduces device complexity from the user's perspective.
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 earset assembly effectively delivers and retains anesthetizing solutions within the ear canal, reducing the need for general anesthesia and enhancing patient comfort by ensuring the anesthetizing fluid remains in place, facilitating procedures like tympanostomy tube placement without causing discomfort or fluid leakage onto the ear.
Implementation Method 1
a pad defining an adhesive side having an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
performing iontophoresis with the therapeutic fluid by way of an electrode of the earset
Data Source
AI summary
Delivering an anesthetizing solution into the ear canal. One example embodiment is a method of treatment, the method comprising: adhering a pad to a patient, the adhering on the patients face proximate to a tragus of the patient, and the pad being a member of an earset assembly; inserting an earset into an ear canal of the patient; locking relative orientations of the earset and pad by way of a connection assembly, the locking in place to hold the earset in the ear canal; filling the ear canal with therapeutic fluid; and performing iontophoresis with the therapeutic fluid by way of an electrode of the earset.