Ear probe tip

• US 6,258,043 B1
• Filed: 01/05/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bio-Logic Systems Corporation (Natus Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rolfsen, Ron, Raviv, Gabriel, Tarasewicz, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINGOOD, PAMELA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/225,754
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 600/559
• US Class Current: 600/559
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/12 Audiometering

Abstract

An improved ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal. The ear probe tip comprises a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end. The body portion inner surface defines a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion. The ear probe tip also has a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.

Claims

1. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising:

a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size along the length of the body portion toward the second end; and

a ring located on the outer surface of the body portion proximal the second end.

2. The ear probe tip of claim 1 further comprising at least one flexible annular flange disposed on the outer surface of the body portion at a distance from the first end.

3. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe, which can be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising:

a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion,

wherein the passage can receive the probe end and wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size along a length of the body portion toward the second end; and

at least one flexible annular flange disposed on the outer surface of the body portion.

4. The ear probe tip of claim 3, wherein the at least one flange is located proximate the first end.

5. The ear probe tip of claim 3, wherein the at least one flange is disposed on the body portion at a distance from the first end.

6. The ear probe tip of claim 3, wherein the body portion outer surface diameter increases along the length of the body portion toward the second end.

7. The ear probe tip of claim 3, wherein the at least flange is disposed on the body portion at a backward angle toward the second end.

8. The ear probe tip of claim 3, further comprising means for pushing the ear probe tip onto the probe.

9. The ear probe tip of claim 8, wherein the means for pushing the ear probe tip onto the probe is a ring located on the body portion proximate the second end.

10. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe, which can be inserted in to an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising:

a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion,

wherein the passage can receive the probe end and wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size along the length of the body portion toward the second end and communicates with a cavity located proximate the second end; and

at least one flexible annular flange disposed on the outer surface of the body portion.

11. The ear probe tip of claim 10, wherein the at least one flange is located proximate the first end.

12. The ear probe tip of claim 10, wherein the at least one flange is disposed on the body portion at a distance from the first end.

13. The ear probe tip of claim 10, wherein the body portion outer surface diameter increases along the length of the body portion toward the second end.

14. The ear probe tip of claim 10, wherein the at least flange is disposed on the body portion at a backward angle toward the second end.

15. The ear probe tip of claim 10, further comprising means for pushing the ear probe tip onto the probe.

16. The ear probe tip of claim 10, wherein the means for pushing the ear probe tip onto the probe is a ring located on the body portion proximate the second end.

17. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe, which can be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising:

a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the outer surface has a diameter which increases along the antecedent length of the body portion toward the second end; and

a passage defined by the inner surface that extends substantially the length of the body portion wherein the passage can receive the probe end and wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size near the second end.