Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
  • A61F11/006—Ear cleaners, e.g. curettes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to natural waxed-cloth cones already largely used for the care of the auricle and of the outer ear canal, which is the tortuous canal that, being 25 mm long on average, overlooks the auricle pavilion and reaches the elliptical membrane of the eardrum.
• the head is bended laterally, on a horizontal support surface so that the cone, inserted into the ear and hold with a hand, is in a practically vertical position in order to burn with a regular and gradual burning.
• the fumes and the hot air generated by the burning descend all the way to the barrier of the eardrum and soften the earwax that subsequently, for a sort of 'chimney effect', is suctioned and gathered inside the cone together with the waste and possible water remains.
• the cones are arranged for the self -putting out having, at the preset safety height, a portion externally covered with non-flammable material or impregnated with adequate fireproof substances. Furthermore, especially to reassure the user about the possible fall of burnt particles or of melted wax, the cones are inserted in the central hole of a protective disk of metallized paperboard or other suitable material.
• OTOSAN N.1323498 which, being easily insertable in any of the cones of standard production, forces the fumes to pass through a short conduit coaxial to the cone.
• the said conduit which is circumscribed, to a large extent, by a sort of annular interspace closed at the bottom to contain the possible excess of melted wax, is accessible only laterally, since it is closed at its top to prevent the possible fall of burnt particles inside the auricle.
• the accessory device just described like any other element inserted in the lower and narrower part of the above-mentioned cones, sensibly reduces the passage clearance of the fumes. It accelerates their descent and facilitates the dragging of the lighter remains of the burning inside the ear, unless these settle in the lower end of the cone with the risk to obstruct it before the end of the treatment.
• the main aim of the present invention is to overcome the cited drawbacks by the present invention for use in combination with or even without the accessory devices of the type described above.
• Some embodiments are provided, which are suited to protect the auricle cavity also from the melted wax trickles and from the fall of burnt particles. These embodiments have the unquestionable advantage to be always visible and therefore constantly verifiable both for their presence and for their right positioning.
• the claimed invention is basically realised in one or more elements, of which at least one is preferably made of silicone or other material that allows the soft adjustment to the ear when it has to lean on the cavity of the auricle pavilion, or even when it has to go into the initial portion of the outer ear canal.
• the claimed accessory device is shaped to receive by pressure insertion the lower end of a waxed-cloth cone for the ear care and to offer a sort of deceleration chamber suitable for the deposit of the liquid or solid particles conveyed by the downward and upward movement of the fumes that pass through it.
• FIG. 3 and 4 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above- mentioned first accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• FIG. 5 and 6 which illustrate a partial vertical section and the top view of a second accessory device realised according to the invention
• FIG. 7 and 8 show a vertical view and the vertical section of the above- mentioned second accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• FIG. 9 and 10 illustrate the partial vertical section and the top view of a third accessory device realized according to the invention
• Fig. 11 and 12 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned third accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• Fig. 13 and 14 which illustrate the partial vertical section and the top view of a fourth accessory device realized according to the invention
• [21] Fig. 15 and 16 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned fourth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• Fig. 15 and 16 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned fourth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• Fig. 15 and 16 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned fourth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• Fig. 15 and 16 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical
• FIG. 17 and 18 which illustrate the partial vertical section and the top view of a fifth accessory device realized according to the invention
• Fig. 19 and 20 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned fifth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• Fig. 21 and 22 which illustrate the partial vertical section and the top view of a sixth accessory device realized according to the invention
• Fig. 23 and 24 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned sixth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• Fig. 25 that illustrates, with the exploded view of a seventh accessory device and of its respective care cone, the partial vertical section of the two elements of which the said accessory device consist
• Fig. 25 that illustrates, with the exploded view of a seventh accessory device and of its respective care cone, the partial vertical section of the two elements of which the said accessory device consist
• Fig. 25 that illustrates, with the exploded view of a seventh accessory device and of its respective care cone, the partial vertical section of the two elements of which the
• FIG. 26 which illustrates the top view of the outer element of the above-mentioned seventh accessory device
• Fig. 27 and 28 which illustrate a vertical view and the top view of the inner element of the above-mentioned seventh accessory device
• Fig. 29 and 30 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned seventh accessory device already applied to an ear care cone
• Fig. 31 that illustrates, with the exploded view of an eighth accessory device and of its respective ear care cone, the partial vertical section of the two elements of which the said accessory device consists
• Fig. 32 and 33 which illustrate a vertical view and the bottom view of the inner element of the above-mentioned eighth accessory device
• FIG. 34 and 35 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned eighth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone;
• FIG. 36 that illustrates, with the exploded view of a ninth accessory device and of its respective ear care cone, the partial vertical section of the two elements of which the said accessory device consists;
• FIG. 37 and 38 which illustrate a vertical view and the bottom view of the inner element of the above-mentioned ninth accessory device
• FIG. 39 and 40 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the above-mentioned ninth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone;
• FIG. 41 that illustrates, with the exploded view of a tenth accessory and of its respective ear care cone, the partial vertical section of the two elements of which the said accessory device consists;
• FIG. 42 and 43 which illustrate a vertical view and the bottom view of the inner element of the above-mentioned tenth accessory device
• FIG. 44 and 45 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the tenth accessory device already applied to an ear care cone;
• Fig. 46 that illustrates, with the exploded view of an eleventh accessory device and of its respective ear care cone, the partial vertical section of the two elements of which the said accessory device consists;
• FIG. 47 and 48 which illustrate a vertical view and the vertical section of the said eleventh accessory device already applied to an ear care cone;
• FIG. 49 which illustrates the horizontal section XX related to fig. 48.
• the examined accessory device presents an overall shape that can be defined as cap. It has a first frustum-conical portion that, suited to the pressure insertion of the lower end of the cone A, is followed by a practically cylindrical portion with diameter larger than the exit of the cone, in order to obtain inside it the deceleration of the fumes that pass through it and the deposit of the particles conveyed by them.
• the examined accessory device here indicated altogether with C, has an overall shape that can be defined as an amphora. It has a first frustum-conical portion that, suited to the pressure insertion of the lower end of the cone A, is followed by a sort of bulge suited to determine the deceleration of the fumes that pass through it and the deposit of the particles conveyed by them.
• the accessory device C is provided with a hole 3 in the centre of the bottom. This part is adequately rounded for a better support inside the cavity of the auricle pavilion, and it shows in its upper part, around the leader-shaped mouthpiece, a flange 4 that facilitates its grip both during the insertion onto the cone A and during its possible removal.
• the examined accessory device here indicated altogether with D, has a practically cylindrical overall shape and it shows, around the adequately leader-shaped mouthpiece, a flange 5 that facilitates its grip both during the insertion onto the cone A and during its possible removal.
• a cross-section reduction 6 from which three ribbings 7 descend, converging towards the centre with the same inclination of the cone A.
• the above-mentioned frustum-conical portion 8 suited to be inserted in the initial portion of the outer ear canal and, to this aim equipped with two or more annular seal fins 9, transversal and flexible, centrally extends downwards from the cross-section reduction 6.
• the examined accessory device here indicated altogether with E, has a practically frustum-conical overall shape and it shows, around the adequately leader-shaped mouthpiece, a flange 10 that facilitates its grip both during the insertion onto the cone A and during its possible removal.
• this flange 10 there is, inside the accessory device, a cross-section reduction 11 from which three ribbings 12 descend with the same inclination of the cone A. These ribbings, spaced of 120° to guarantee the perfect coaxiality of the inserted cone, reach the bottom.
• the bottom part is adequately rounded for a better support inside the cavity of the auricle pavilion and, from it, a frustum-conical portion 13 stands in the centre, forming, together with the outer surface of the accessory device, a sort of annular interspace for the deposit of the particles conveyed by the fumes.
• the examined accessory device here indicated altogether with F, has a practically cylindrical overall shape and it shows, around the adequately leader-shaped mouthpiece, a flange 14 that facilitates its grip during the insertion onto the cone A and during its possible removal.
• a cross-section reduction 15 from which three ribbings 16 descend with the same inclination of the cone A.
• the examined accessory device here indicated altogether with G, has a practically frustum-conical overall shape and it shows, around the adequately leader-shaped mouthpiece, a flange 20 that facilitates its grip both during the insertion of the cone A and during its possible removal.
• the claimed accessory device is composed of two elements H and L, of the same or different material, easily con- nectable and, also, separable after use in order to be able to accurately clean and re-use them when needed.
• the elements H and L both have an overall frustum-conical shape to be inserted one into the other as far as the contact of the respective flanges 26 and 24, located each around the leader-shaped mouthpiece.
• the said elements likewise shaped to hold in the inner element L the lower end of the waxed-cloth cone A, are basically suited to cooperate to perform the same function of the previous accessory device G.
• the two arms 27 stretch out, from diametrically opposite areas, converging in the centre to support the conical portion 28 located in axial position and raised relatively to the frustum-conical portion 25.
• the said portion 28 avoids that the possible burnt particles, arriving for gravity from the cone A placed above, could fall inside the above-mentioned portion 25 overlooking the cavity below of the auricle pavilion where the element H leans.
• the examined accessory device is composed of two elements M and N, of the same or different material, easily connectable and also separable after their use in order to be able to accurately clean and re-use them when needed.
• the said elements M and N are insertable one into the other to the contact of the respective flanges 29 and 31.
• Each flange 29, 31 is located around one leader-shaped mouthpiece that, in the inner element N, gathers the waxed-cloth cone A insertable not further than the lower end of the upper frustum-conical portion 30. This is meant not to obstruct the passage of the fumes from or towards the below interspace, formed by the element M and by the lower portion 33 of the element N, which consists of a sort of cup that a pair of arms 32, descending from the upper portion 30, maintains centred and raised relatively to the pierced bottom of the element M.
• the examined accessory device is composed of two elements O and P, of the same or different material, easily connectable after their use, in order to be able to accurately clean and re-use them when needed.
• the elements O and P are shaped to be inserted one into the other as far as the contact of the respective flanges 34 and 38, located each around the leader-shaped mouthpiece of its own element.
• the said elements likewise shaped to hold in the inner element P the lower end of the waxed-cloth cone A, are basically intended to cooperate to perform the same function as the previous accessory device G is (drawing sheet 3/8).
• the two arms 39 stretch out from diametrically opposite areas. These arms converge in the centre to support the conical portion 40 located in axial position and raised relatively to the frustum-conical portion 35.
• Such portion extends from the bottom of the outer element O and forms, together with the outer surface, a sort of annular interspace for the deposit of the particles dropped by the deceleration of the fumes as well as of the particles diverted thereto from the above- mentioned portion 40 of the inner element P.
• a practically cylindrical portion 36 stretches down.
• This cylindrical portion 36 is suited to be inserted in the initial portion of the outer ear canal and, with this aim, it is equipped with two or more seal annular fins 37, transversal and flexible.
• the version of the fig. 41-42-43-44-45 illustrates an accessory device similar to the one illustrated in the drawing sheet 6/8, described above, but which enables an easier cleaning in case of a possible re-use.
• This accessory device is composed of two elements Q and R, of the same or different material, shaped to be inserted one into the other as far as the contact of the respective flanges 41 and 46. These flanges are both located at the top of the respective elements, where there are also the leader-shaped mouthpieces destined to hold in Q the element R and, in this last one, the cone A.
• the outer element Q shows a sequence of three frustum-conical portions 42, 43 and 44, all narrowing at the bottom so that each has the smallest diameter coinciding with the largest one of the following portion.
• the portion 44 which is exclusively intended to enable the passage of the fumes and is shaped to be inserted in the initial portion of the outer ear canal, is therefore equipped with two or more seal annular fins 45, transversal and flexible.
• the overlooking portions 42 and 43 are intended to hold the whole inner element R, thanks to which is obtained the deposit of the particles dropped by the deceleration of the fumes and of the particles that arrive thereto for gravity from the cone A together with the possible trickles of melted wax.
• the claimed accessory device is composed of two elements S and T, of the same or different material, easily con- nectable and, also, separable after their use in order to be able to accurately clean and re -use them when needed.
• the said elements S and T are insertable one into the other to the contact of the respective flanges 52 and 56, located in the respective upper ends.
• the flange of the inner element T has the leader-shaped mouthpiece to hold the waxed-cloth cone A insertable not further than the lower end of the upper frustum-conical portion 57. This prevents from the obstruction of the passage of the fumes from or towards the annular interspace below, formed by the element S and by the lower portion 59 of the element T.
• the lower portion 59 consists in a sort of cup that is held centred and raised by three or four ribbings 58, which descend from the flange 56 of the upper portion 57, in order to restrain the possible trickles of melted wax and the burnt particles that arrive thereto for gravity from the cone A placed above.
• annular fins 60 are provided outside the said cup 59 outside the said cup 59 . These fins further slow down the fumes flow so that the conveyed particles can deposit at the bottom of the element S and, in particular, in that annular space surrounding the frustum-conical portion 53, which extends centrally from the cited bottom in alignment with the cylindrical portion 54. With this aim, this portion 54, stretching out downwards to be inserted in the initial portion of the outer ear canal, is equipped with two or more seal annular fins 55, transversal and flexible.
• the claimed accessory device can be susceptible to further alterations. These alterations, which are in any event comprised in the claimed subject-matter, could lead to the realization of hybrid solutions, formed by the combination of parts or features belonging to two or more embodiments represented and described above.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Psychology (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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• 2006
  • 2006-03-22 IT ITRA20060018 patent/ITRA20060018A1/it unknown
• 2007
  • 2007-03-14 WO PCT/IB2007/050871 patent/WO2007107927A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2007-03-14 EP EP07735111A patent/EP1996136A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2008
  • 2008-09-21 IL IL194239A patent/IL194239A/en not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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