Insertion Device for Deep-in-the-Canal Hearing Devices

• US 20100142739A1
• Filed: 12/15/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Schindler
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Schindler
• Inventors: Schindler, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,155,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/17 Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
• 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

Abstract

The invention provides a device and method for inserting a deep-in-the-ear-canal (DIC) hearing aid into the ear canal. The method may be performed by a DIC hearing aid user self-inserting the hearing aid or by a second person assisting the user. Embodiments of a DIC hearing aid insertion device include a base configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear, a chimney configured to fit into the ear canal projecting distally from the base and having a channel sized for a DIC hearing aid, and a piston. The piston is supported by a support structure such that the piston'"'"'s longitudinal axis is collinear with the channel and the piston is moveable into the channel. A method of using the insertion device includes seating the DIC hearing aid in the insertion device, positioning the base of the insertion conformably within the conchal bowl of the ear, and inserting the hearing aid deep into the ear canal. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to in situ activation and programming of the DIC hearing aid, as well as its removal from the ear canal.

Claims

1. A device for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising

a base configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear;

a chimney projecting distally from the base, the chimney configured to fit into the ear canal and comprising a channel sized to accommodate a deep-in-the-canal hearing aid; and

a piston supported by a support structure such that a central longitudinal axis of the piston and a central longitudinal axis of the channel are collinearly aligned, the piston being distally moveable into the channel.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the height of the chimney is about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm above the distal surface of the base.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the height of the chimney is about 3 mm to about 7 mm above the distal surface of the base.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the channel of the chimney comprises a distal opening sized to permit passage of the deep-in-the-canal hearing aid.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the channel of the chimney comprises a proximal raised receptacle portion sized to accommodate the piston.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein an internal surface of the channel comprises a material sufficiently compliant to compressibly secure a hearing aid within the channel and sufficiently low in frictional resistance to allow passage therethrough in response to finger pressure force.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the piston support structure comprises an actuator adapted to move the piston distally.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the actuator comprises a button on a proximal surface of the support structure adjacent to a proximal base of the piston.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the piston support structure comprises a cover, the cover and the base defining a cavity within the insertion device.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the piston support structure and the base comprise a compliant and resilient material such that the piston support structure may be pressed toward the base by finger pressure.

11. The device of claim 1 comprising features that cooperate to provide a limit to the advancement of the piston into the channel, such features being associated with any one or more of the piston support structure, the piston, or the channel.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the channel comprises a raised receptacle wall portion extending proximally above the base and wherein the piston support structure comprises an abutting surface adjacent to a proximal portion of the piston, the receptacle wall and piston support structure surface aligned such that the abutting surface and receptacle wall meet when the piston support structure is advanced toward the base.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the piston comprises a raised annular portion and the channel comprises an abutting surface with an internal diameter that is smaller than an external diameter of the raised annular portion.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the piston is flexible.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the piston is rigid.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising a piston movement resistor element.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising finger engaging elements.

18. The device of claim 1 further comprising a DIC hearing aid seated in the channel such that a distal end of the hearing aid is aligned with the external opening of the channel.

19. The device of claim 18 further comprising a membrane arranged across the opening of the channel.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the membrane is breakable when pressed with a force sufficient to eject the device distally from the channel.

35. A method of packaging a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid comprising:

seating the DIC hearing aid in an DIC hearing aid insertion device according to claim 1; and

closing the base and the piston support structure of the insertion device together.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising attaching the base and the support structure of the insertion device together.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising applying a membrane across a distal opening of the channel.

21. A system for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising

a base configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear;

a DIC hearing aid;

a chimney projecting distally from the base, the chimney configured to fit into the ear canal and comprising a channel with the DIC hearing aid seated therein; and

a piston supported by a support structure such that a central longitudinal axis of the piston and a central longitudinal axis of the channel are collinearly aligned, the piston being distally moveable into the channel.

29. The method of claim 21 wherein the advancing step comprises breaking a membrane extending across a distal opening of the device.

22. A method of inserting a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising:

seating the DIC hearing aid within an insertion device;

positioning the insertion device conformably within a conchal bowl of an ear; and

advancing the DIC hearing aid deep into the ear canal.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein positioning the device in the conchal bowl further comprises positioning a portion of the device into an ear canal.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein positioning a portion of the device into the ear canal comprises positioning a distal end of the device into the ear canal to a depth of about 3 mm to about 5 mm.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the method is performed by a hearing aid user.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the method is performed by a second person assisting the hearing aid user.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the advancing step comprises driving the hearing aid distally with a piston.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein driving the hearing aid distally with a piston comprises driving the piston with force applied by a finger.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein the advancing step comprises ejecting the hearing aid to clear a distal end of the device.

31. The method of claim 22 wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the hearing aid into the ear canal to a depth such that a distal end of the hearing aid is within about 4 mm from a tympanic membrane.

32. The method of claim 22 wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the hearing aid into the ear canal to a depth such that a distal end of the hearing aid is about 2 mm to about 4 mm from the tympanic membrane.

33. The method of claim 22 wherein the advancing step comprises stopping advancement of the hearing aid into the ear canal to a depth such that it does not press into a tympanic membrane.

34. The method of claim 22 wherein the advancing step comprises resisting advancement of the hearing aid into the ear canal with a resisting force sufficient to prevent unintentional advancement;

and advancing the hearing aid into the canal with a force sufficient to overcome the resisting force.

38. A method of selecting an insertion device for a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid comprising:

determining a length of an ear canal of a hearing aid user;

identifying the length of the DIC hearing aid appropriate for a user; and

selecting a device configured such that the insertion device will advance the hearing aid into the ear canal to a position where the distal end of the hearing aid is at a distance of about 2 mm to about 4 mm from the tympanic membrane.

39. A platform for a removal device for a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid from within an ear canal, the platform comprising:

a distal surface configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear;

a chimney projecting distally from the distal surface of platform, the chimney configured to fit into a canal of the ear and comprising a channel sized to accommodate the DIC hearing aid removal device.

40. A system for removal of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid from within an ear canal comprising:

a platform for a removal device for a DIC hearing aid from within the ear canal, the platform comprising a distal surface configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear and a chimney projecting distally from the distal surface of platform, the chimney configured to fit into the ear canal and comprising a channel sized to accommodate the DIC hearing aid removal device; and

a DIC hearing aid removal device.

41. A method for removing a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid from an ear canal comprising:

positioning a platform for a DIC hearing aid removal device conformably within the conchal bowl of an ear;

inserting at least a portion of a DIC hearing aid removal tool through the platform and into the ear canal;

detachably engaging the DIC hearing aid removal tool to the DIC hearing aid; and

withdrawing the removal tool from the ear canal with the hearing aid attached thereto.

42. A platform for an magnetic activation device for a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid residing in an ear canal, the platform comprising:

a distal surface configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear;

a chimney projecting distally from the distal surface of platform, the chimney configured to fit into a canal of the ear and comprising a channel sized to accommodate the DIC hearing aid magnetic activation device.

43. A system for activation of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid residing within an ear canal comprising:

a platform for an magnetic activation device for a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid residing in an ear canal, the platform comprising a distal surface configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear, a chimney projecting distally from the distal surface of platform, the chimney configured to fit into a canal of the ear and comprising a channel sized to accommodate the DIC hearing aid magnetic activation device; and

a DIC hearing aid magnetic activation device.

44. A method for activating a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid residing in an ear canal comprising:

positioning a platform for a DIC hearing aid magnetic activation device conformably within the conchal bowl of an ear;

inserting at least a portion of a DIC hearing aid magnetic activation device through the platform and into the ear canal; and

transmitting an electromagnetic signal to the DIC hearing aid.