Wearable customized ear canal apparatus

• US 10,292,601 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2016
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EarLens Corporation
• Original Assignee: EarLens Corporation
• Inventors: Perkins, Rodney, Facteau, William, Edwards, Brent, Rucker, Paul, Sandhu, Kulbir, Shaquer, Cem, Rathnam, Lakshman
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US15/282,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20170095167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1451 for interstitial fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14517 for sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 : Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 : Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4266 : sweat secretion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 : Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 : Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4875 : Hydration status, fluid retention of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 : Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 : Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 : Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2037/0023 : Drug applicators using microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 : Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 : Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 : Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 : Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 : Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36036 : of the outer, middle or inner ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 : Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 : associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 : Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 : In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 : Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/07 : Use of position data from wide-area or local-area positioning systems in hearing devices, e.g. program or information selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 : Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/02 : adapted to be supported entirely by ear
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 : Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a wearable system wherein elements of the system, including various sensors adapted to detect biometric and other data and/or to deliver drugs, are positioned proximal to, on the ear or in the ear canal of a person. In embodiments of the invention, elements of the system are positioned on the ear or in the ear canal for extended periods of time. For example, an element of the system may be positioned on the tympanic membrane of a user and left there overnight, for multiple days, months, or years. Because of the position and longevity of the system elements in the ear canal, the present invention has many advantages over prior wearable biometric and drug delivery devices.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a medial ear canal assembly including a transducer configured to be positioned on a tympanic membrane of a user;

a lateral ear canal assembly including a signal source configured to be positioned in an ear canal of a user; and

sensors connected to the medial ear canal assembly, the sensors being connected to a transmitter.

2. A method of sensing physical characteristics of a system user, the system comprising a medial ear canal assembly configured to be positioned on or near a tympanic membrane of the system user, the medial ear canal assembly comprising transducer sensors and a transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:

using the sensors to measure biometric data of the user; and

transmitting the measured biometric data using the transmitter.

3. An ear canal platform comprising:

a medial ear canal assembly configured to be positioned on or over a tympanic membrane of a user; and

sensors connected to the signal output transducer, the sensors being connected to a transmitter.

4. A method of sensing physical characteristics of a user having a medial ear canal assembly configured to be positioned on or near a tympanic membrane of the user, the medial ear canal assembly comprising sensors and a transmitter, the method comprising the steps of:

using the sensors to measure biometric data of the user; and

transmitting the measured biometric data using the transmitter.