Self-fitting device for location in an ear canal
First Claim
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1. A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal, comprising:
- a body having a body ear end and an opposite body user end, the body user end comprising a pump assembly and a valve assembly, and;
the body ear end comprising a bladder defining a chamber, wherein the chamber is in communication with the pump assembly via the valve assembly,wherein the device has an activated state and an inactivated state, and wherein the valve assembly is adapted to release air from the body ear end to the ambient surroundings at a predetermined pressure to maintain the chamber at the predetermined pressure when the device is in the activated state.
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Abstract
Self-fitting device for location in ear canal and related method, including a bladder joined with a pump assembly via a valve assembly. The pump assembly transfers air to the bladder and achieves a predetermined pressure with the chamber regardless of ear canal size. The predetermined pressure may be achieved by reducing excess air pressure through the valve assembly.
90 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A self-fitting device for location in an ear canal, comprising:
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a body having a body ear end and an opposite body user end, the body user end comprising a pump assembly and a valve assembly, and; the body ear end comprising a bladder defining a chamber, wherein the chamber is in communication with the pump assembly via the valve assembly, wherein the device has an activated state and an inactivated state, and wherein the valve assembly is adapted to release air from the body ear end to the ambient surroundings at a predetermined pressure to maintain the chamber at the predetermined pressure when the device is in the activated state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for self-fitting a device to an ear canal, the device having an inactivated state and an activated state, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing the device, the device comprising a body having a body ear end and an opposite body user end, wherein the body ear end defines a chamber; locating the body ear end in the ear canal in the inactivated state; activating the device to the activated state by transferring a fixed volume of air to the body user end; and pressurizing the chamber by releasing any excess air to an ambient surrounding to achieve a predetermined pressure within the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for self-fitting a device to an ear canal, the device having an activated state and an inactivated state, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing the device, the device comprising; a pump assembly adapted to contain air; a valve assembly having a first end and a second end; and
abladder that defines a chamber adapted to contain air; wherein the bladder is attached to the first end of the valve assembly, and wherein the pump assembly is attached to the second end of the valve assembly; and wherein the valve assembly comprises a central valve for receiving air from the pump assembly, and a side valve that emits air from the valve assembly to ambient surroundings at a predetermined pressure; locating the bladder in the ear canal when the device is in the inactivated state; activating the device to the activated state by transferring air from the pump assembly to the chamber, and pressurizing the chamber to the predetermined pressure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification