Insertion device for deep-in-the-canal hearing devices
First Claim
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 including a channel sized to accommodate a DIC hearing aid and a distal opening sized to permit passage of the DIC 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.
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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.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A device for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising:
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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 including a channel sized to accommodate a DIC hearing aid and a distal opening sized to permit passage of the DIC 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising:
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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 including a channel, sized to accommodate a DIC hearing aid, with an internal surface that includes 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; 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.
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21. A device for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising:
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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 including a channel, sized to accommodate a DIC hearing aid, with an external opening; 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; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A system for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising:
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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 including 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 to drive the DIC hearing aid from the channel.
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25. A method of inserting a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising the steps of:
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positioning an insertion device, with at least a majority of a DIC hearing aid seated therein, conformably within a conchal bowl of an ear; and advancing the DIC hearing aid through an opening in the insertion device deep into the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of inserting a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising the steps of:
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positioning an insertion device, with a DIC hearing aid seated therein, conformably within a conchal bowl of an ear; and advancing the DIC hearing aid deep into the ear canal by driving the hearing aid distally with a piston. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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37. A method of inserting a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid into an ear canal comprising the steps of:
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positioning an insertion device, with a DIC hearing aid seated therein, conformably within a conchal bowl of an ear; advancing the DIC hearing aid deep into the ear canal; and breaking a membrane extending across a distal opening of the device as the DIC hearing aid advances.
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38. A method of selecting an insertion device for a deep-in-the-canal (DIC) hearing aid comprising the steps of:
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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 an insertion device configured such that the insertion device will advance the DIC hearing aid into the ear canal to a position where the distal end of the DIC hearing aid is at a distance of about 2 mm to about 4 mm from the tympanic membrane.
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Specification