Earplug assembly for iontophoresis system
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) a rigid body defining;
(i) a channel defining a first volume;
(ii) a reservoir in fluid communication with the channel, the reservoir and the channel defining a second volume, the second volume greater than the first volume;
(iii) a vent path in fluid communication with the reservoir; and
(iv) a conduit opening integrally formed with the vent path;
(b) an electrode defining a longitudinal axis and disposed within the channel of the rigid body, the reservoir extending laterally and proximally from the longitudinal axis defined by the electrode to increase a spacing between the electrode and the vent path;
(c) a sealing element positioned distal to the rigid body, the sealing element being configured to bear against a wall surface of an ear canal to thereby define a closed volume outside of a tympanic membrane in the ear canal; and
(d) a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the channel to fill at least one of the closed volume, the channel, and the reservoir with fluid, the fluid conduit extending through the conduit opening defined by the rigid body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus includes a rigid body, a flexible sealing element, a nozzle assembly, and an electrode. The rigid body defines a channel, a reservoir, and a vent path. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The vent path is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to provide spacing between the channel and the vent path. The sealing element is positioned distal to the rigid body. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle head and a post. The post extends distally through the channel of the rigid body. The nozzle head projects distally from a distal end of the post. The electrode is disposed within the channel of the rigid body. The reservoir extends laterally from a longitudinal axis defined by the electrode.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) a rigid body defining; (i) a channel defining a first volume; (ii) a reservoir in fluid communication with the channel, the reservoir and the channel defining a second volume, the second volume greater than the first volume; (iii) a vent path in fluid communication with the reservoir; and (iv) a conduit opening integrally formed with the vent path; (b) an electrode defining a longitudinal axis and disposed within the channel of the rigid body, the reservoir extending laterally and proximally from the longitudinal axis defined by the electrode to increase a spacing between the electrode and the vent path; (c) a sealing element positioned distal to the rigid body, the sealing element being configured to bear against a wall surface of an ear canal to thereby define a closed volume outside of a tympanic membrane in the ear canal; and (d) a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the channel to fill at least one of the closed volume, the channel, and the reservoir with fluid, the fluid conduit extending through the conduit opening defined by the rigid body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification