Self-cleaning cerumen guard for a hearing device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cerumen guard for a hearing device, comprising:
- a thermally activated element, wherein the thermally activated element is generally elongate and has a first end and a second end, the cerumen guard further comprising a base connected to the first end, and a plunger connected to the second End, respectively, of the thermally activated element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-cleaning cerumen guard includes a thermally activated element. The cerumen guard is mounted on the distal end of a hearing device adjacent to a sound port. The thermally activated element is oriented in a manner which causes it to retract when heated to a first temperature range and extend when cooled to a second temperature range, such that, upon removal of the hearing device from an ear canal, the self-cleaning cerumen guard will automatically remove any accumulated debris from the sound port.
37 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A cerumen guard for a hearing device, comprising:
a thermally activated element, wherein the thermally activated element is generally elongate and has a first end and a second end, the cerumen guard further comprising a base connected to the first end, and a plunger connected to the second End, respectively, of the thermally activated element. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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2. A cerumen guard for a hearing device, comprising:
a thermally activated element, wherein the thermally activated element maintains a first shape in a first temperature range, and a second shape in a second temperature range, and wherein the first temperature range is approximately 95°
F. and higher, and the second temperature range is approximately 90°
F. and lower.
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3. A cerumen guard for a hearing device, comprising:
a thermally activated element, wherein the thermally activated element is generally elongate and is in a retracted position in a first temperature range, and an extended position in a second temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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10. A cerumen guard for a hearing device, comprising:
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a thermally activated element having a first end and a second end; wherein the thermally activated element is circularly wound having an outer ring, and oriented such that the first end is radially disposed and the second end is centrally disposed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A hearing device comprising:
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a housing having an interior surface; and a cerumen guard, the cerumen guard comprising a disk formed from a thermally activated material, the disk having a circumferential surface, an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the circumferential surface of the disk is connected to the interior surface of the receiver housing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification