EARPIECE AND METHOD FOR FORMING AN EARPIECE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An earpiece within an ear canal of a user comprising:
- a) a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer and pigment particles, the thermal activator layer being separated from the tympanic membrane of the user'"'"'s ear by an air gap; and
b) an acoustical reflector layer comprised of a second polymer adjacent to the thermal activator layer.
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Abstract
An earpiece is provided containing a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer, the thermal activator layer being separated from the tympanic membrane of the user'"'"'s ear by an air gap, and an acoustical reflector layer, containing a second polymer and pigment particles, adjacent to the thermal activator layer. The earpiece may be produced by sequential introduction of various liquefied components in layers within the ear canal, with the components being cured to provide the thermal activator layer and the acoustical reflector layer.
23 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An earpiece within an ear canal of a user comprising:
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a) a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer and pigment particles, the thermal activator layer being separated from the tympanic membrane of the user'"'"'s ear by an air gap; and b) an acoustical reflector layer comprised of a second polymer adjacent to the thermal activator layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15)
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9. A method of forming an earpiece, comprising the steps of:
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a) introducing into an ear canal of a user adjacent to the tympanic membrane a first layer which provides a temporary foam layer; b) introducing into the ear canal adjacent to the first layer a second layer in liquefied form which comprises one or more polymer precursors and pigment particles capable of being cured to form a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer and pigment particles; c) introducing into the ear canal adjacent to the second layer a third layer in liquefied form which comprises one or more polymer precursors capable of being cured to form an acoustical reflector layer comprised of a second polymer; and d) curing the second layer and the third layer, simultaneously or sequentially. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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16. An earpiece within an ear canal of a user comprising:
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a) a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer and pigment particles, the thermal activator layer being immediately adjacent to or in at least partial contact with the tympanic membrane of the user'"'"'s ear; and b) an acoustical reflector layer comprised of a second polymer adjacent to the thermal activator layer. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification