Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
128865000 | Inflatable or expandable | 12 |
20080314393 | Self-conforming sound attenuation earplug - A self-conforming sound attenuation earplug, including: a stem, at least one support joined with the stem and extending radially outward from the stem, and a shell engaging the support and encircling the stem to form a space between the shell and the stem. At least one of the support material and the shell material is a deformable-resilient material. | 12-25-2008 |
20090173353 | Self-fitting device for location in an ear canal - Self-fitting device for location in ear canal and related method, including a bladder joined with a pump assembly via a valve assembly. The pump assembly transfers air to the bladder and achieves a predetermined pressure with the chamber regardless of ear canal size. The predetermined pressure may be achieved by reducing excess air pressure through the valve assembly. | 07-09-2009 |
20100095971 | Water absorbing ear plugs - By providing an ear plug product incorporating water absorbing capabilities, a highly effective and easily employed ear plug product is realized which is capable of being used for removing water contained in the ear canal of an individual. In one preferred embodiment, the ear plug product of the present invention incorporates water absorbing material integrally formed in the ear plug which immediately draws the water from the ear canal into the ear plug product for being retained in the ear plug. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the ear plug product incorporates at least one elongated, longitudinally extending channel or passageway formed along substantially the entire length of the ear plug product. By incorporating the elongated, longitudinally extending passage-way or channel in the ear plug product, the desired water absorption is achieved. | 04-22-2010 |
20110079227 | Pressure regulation mechanism for inflatable in-ear device - An inflatable in-ear device incorporates a pressure regulating mechanism, for example a simple length of tubing or a relief/unloader valve, at the inflow or outflow from the inflating sheath inserted within the ear canal, thus allowing pressure regulation of the settable compound being injected for inflation of the sheath while avoiding excesses in pressure in the inflating compound and ensuring the comfort of the individual. | 04-07-2011 |
20110079228 | Sealing assembly for inflatable in-ear device - An inflatable in-ear device includes a core member with a platform provided with a sealing assembly in the form of a locating recess for the registration of a retention ring formed around a defining opening of a sheath arranged in close circumjacent manner around the platform attached to the core member, an abutment surface being formed on a capping for the platform and the core member whereby in use positive location of the retention ring within the recess is achieved by the closure of the recess by the abutment surface. A space is defined between the sheath and the core member for the injection of a settable material used for the inflation of the sheath once the device is emplaced within the ear canal of the ear. | 04-07-2011 |
20110079229 | Settable compound delivery device and system for inflatable in-ear device - A method and apparatus for filling an expandable in-ear device having in-flow and out-flow canals including a plurality of chambers with elastic membranes in which the components of a settable polymer are held under high relative pressure. The component chambers are connected to a common mixing element which mixes the components before they are applied to the in-flow canal of an in-ear device. A sealed relief chamber is connected to the out-flow canal of the in-ear device and receives excessive mixed compound as it exits the in-ear device. The relief chamber is in contact with the elastic membranes of the component chambers such that when the elastic membranes contract the pressure in the relief chamber decreases, maintaining the pressure within a pre-determined pressure range. | 04-07-2011 |
20110308533 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ANCHORING AN EAR PIECE - An apparatus and method of anchoring an earpiece is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible member of moldable expandable, semi-adhesive material. The flexible member has a predetermined shape. The method of anchoring an earpiece includes the steps of placing an earpiece in the ear. The method also includes the steps of shaping the flexible member into a ball and placed the shaped flexible member into the concha portion of the ear, such that the shaped flexible member is disposed the earpiece and the antihelix and the earpiece anchor expands to retain the earpiece in the ear. | 12-22-2011 |
20120000474 | VESTIBULAR CANAL PLUG - An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation. The apparatus comprises a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position. | 01-05-2012 |
20120103346 | EARPLUG AND PUMPING SYSTEMS - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an earplug comprising: at last a partially flexible distal end; an inflatable element; and a flexible anti-distal end, where the anti-distal end has at least one portion that is deformable, where the inflatable element is operatively attached to the distal end by an inflation channel, where when the at least one portion is deformed the inflatable element expands to an adjustable pressure, where at least one portion of the anti-distal end provides a pressurizing force to maintain the expansion of the inflatable element. | 05-03-2012 |
20140076336 | EAR INSERT FOR RELIEF OF TMJ DISCOMFORT AND HEADACHES - An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures. | 03-20-2014 |
20140373854 | METHOD AND STRUCTURE FOR ACHIEVEING ACOUSTICALLY SPECTRUM TUNABLE EARPIECES, PANELS, AND INSERTS - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an earpiece that includes a fluid in a reservoir where the composition of the fluid or the pressure of the fluid can be modified to vary the insertion loss value of the earpiece. | 12-25-2014 |
20160015568 | EARPLUG AND PUMPING SYSTEMS - An earpiece, earphone, earbud or earplug includes an inflatable element operatively attached to a distal end by an inflation channel, and an anti-distal end of the inflation channel that provides a pressuring force via fluid transfer of a fluid to maintain an expansion of the inflatable element. The inflatable element can be pressurized to a gauge pressure range between 0.05 bar and 3.0 bar. In some embodiments, the inflatable element is pressurized to a gauge pressure range from 0.3 bar to 0.25 bar and maintains such gauge pressure range for at least 12 hours. In some embodiments, the inflatable element uses a material of a predetermined permeability for a given density of fluid and a given thickness of the inflatable element such that an inflation pressure drops from 1.2 atmospheres to 1 atmospheres in 8 hours after the inflatable element is pressurized to 1.2 atmospheres. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-21-2016 |