Pressure-Regulating Earplug with Porous Material for Barometric Headache Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earplugs are inadequate for managing barometric pressure changes, leading to barometric pressure headaches, as they are not designed for gradual pressure changes and are not suitable for long-term use, and there is a need for a solution that can notify users of impending changes and provide relief.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that provide meteorological data to users, including a pressure-regulating earplug with a porous material for slow airflow, designed to be worn comfortably for extended periods, and a system that alerts users to impending barometric pressure changes, allowing for timely insertion of the earplug to mitigate headache symptoms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional earplugs are used to block ear canal, then pressure differential is reduced, but they are not suitable for long-term wear and do not effectively manage gradual barometric pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug incorporates a porous material in the ear canal that allows controlled airflow between the external environment and the middle ear. This porous structure enables gradual pressure equalization during barometric changes while maintaining comfort for extended wear periods, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and duration of wear.
2Speed
If earplug provides rapid pressure equalization, then headache relief is faster, but it causes discomfort for long-term wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of pressure equalization speed from rapid to gradual by using a porous material with controlled porosity. This gradual equalization process reduces the speed of pressure change, which eliminates the discomfort associated with rapid equalization while still providing effective headache relief over time, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and comfort.
3Loss of time
If meteorological data is provided with advance notice, then user can timely insert earplug for prevention, but requires complex data processing and notification system
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by providing meteorological data and barometric pressure forecasts in advance, allowing users to insert the earplug before adverse pressure changes occur. This advance notification approach enables preventive action without requiring complex real-time processing, as the system simply needs to forecast and alert users of upcoming pressure changes.
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 solution effectively reduces the severity and duration of barometric pressure headaches by regulating pressure changes and providing timely notification and relief, using a pressure-regulating earplug with a porous material for extended wear and alerting users to impending changes.
Implementation Method 1
a porous material for slow airflow
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method, apparatus and computer program for provision of meteorological data pertaining to a particular atmospheric condition to assist in the timing of a remedy to ameliorate involuntary physical distress caused by a change in the atmospheric condition. The remedy according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be an earplug including a body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, a bore defined within the body and extending from the first end to the second end along the longitudinal axis of the body, and a pressure regulator positioned within the bore and providing an air flow rate of 3.4×10−6 to 7.8×10−5 cc/sec through the bore.