US20140155688A1 - Expandable sealing devices and methods - Google Patents
Expandable sealing devices and methods Download PDFInfo
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- US20140155688A1 US20140155688A1 US14/176,184 US201414176184A US2014155688A1 US 20140155688 A1 US20140155688 A1 US 20140155688A1 US 201414176184 A US201414176184 A US 201414176184A US 2014155688 A1 US2014155688 A1 US 2014155688A1
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- orifice
- sealing elements
- insertion device
- membrane
- canal
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
- H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord
- A61B17/12022—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires
- A61B17/12099—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires characterised by the location of the occluder
- A61B17/12104—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires characterised by the location of the occluder in an air passage
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord
- A61B17/12022—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires
- A61B17/12099—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires characterised by the location of the occluder
- A61B17/12109—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires characterised by the location of the occluder in a blood vessel
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
- A61B17/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord
- A61B17/12022—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires
- A61B17/12131—Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires characterised by the type of occluding device
- A61B17/12136—Balloons
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
- A61F11/06—Protective devices for the ears
- A61F11/08—Protective devices for the ears internal, e.g. earplugs
- A61F11/10—Protective devices for the ears internal, e.g. earplugs inflatable or expandable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/0093—Rectal devices, e.g. for the treatment of haemorrhoids
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
- H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
- H04R1/1016—Earpieces of the intra-aural type
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
- H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts
Definitions
- the invention relates in general to devices and methods of earphone, earpiece, earbud or orifice, fit and sealing technology, and particularly though not exclusively, is related to expandable sealing mechanisms for orifices.
- Present day ear devices are intended to deliver information to the ear via off-the-shelf or custom-molded pieces that present the information primarily in the outer third of the ear canal, often with questionable attention to the actual fit, comfort, and consideration of the ear anatomy and physiology.
- At least one exemplary embodiment is related to an earpiece (e.g., earphone, earbud, or other devices configured to direct acoustic signals to the ear) inserted into the ear canal, where a portion of a sealant section acoustically seals a medial portion of the external auditory canal.
- an earpiece e.g., earphone, earbud, or other devices configured to direct acoustic signals to the ear
- a portion of a sealant section acoustically seals a medial portion of the external auditory canal.
- At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an earpiece that includes: a sealing section, where the sealing section includes an expandable bladder; an ambient sound microphone (ASM); an ear canal receiver (ECR); an ear canal microphone (ECM); a wireless communication module; a power source; and a logic circuit.
- ASM ambient sound microphone
- ECR ear canal receiver
- ECM ear canal microphone
- FIG. 1 illustrates an ear canal as a non-limiting example of an orifice that can be sealed with an orifice insertion device such as an earpiece according to at least one exemplary embodiment
- FIG. 2 illustrates an orifice insertion device according to at least one embodiment
- FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a stent used to inflate an expandable section of the device
- FIG. 5 illustrates a multiple expandable system where various combinations of expandable systems can be combined on a stent
- FIG. 6 illustrates an internal piston mechanism that can be used to increase the pressure in the inflatable membrane on a stent.
- Exemplary embodiments are directed to or can be operatively used on various wired or wireless orifice insertion devices such as earpiece devices (e.g., earbuds, headphones, ear terminals, hearing aids, behind the ear devices, or other acoustic devices as known by one of ordinary skill in the art, and equivalents).
- earpiece devices e.g., earbuds, headphones, ear terminals, hearing aids, behind the ear devices, or other acoustic devices as known by one of ordinary skill in the art, and equivalents.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a sealed (occluded) ear canal 50 , with a sealed volume 30 (sealed from receiving sound from ambient environment 20 ).
- Voice can leak 80 into the sealed volume 30 between insertion element 75 and eardrum 40 from various source paths 80 A, 80 B, and 80 C.
- Source paths 80 A and 80 B represent sound conducted from bones 10 adjacent to ear canal 50 .
- Source path 80 C represents sounds 90 , 95 to ear canal 50 from other areas of the ear.
- the leaked acoustic energy results in an amplification (e.g., by resonance) at certain frequencies within the sealed volume, resulting in the occlusion effect.
- FIG. 1 illustrates at least one exemplary embodiment.
- An earpiece 100 can include an insertion element 75 operatively connected to a sealing section.
- the sealing section can include an expandable section 70 (e.g., expanding polymers, inflatable systems, mechanically expanded systems).
- the expandable section 70 can be inflatable (e.g., fluid (gas or liquid)) of deformable fillable material.
- the fillable material referred to herein can be viscous and can include silicone-based polymers, gels, vinyl elastomers, or any other material of sufficient properties to allow the deformation of a membrane cavity from user contact. Materials can also be used to provide a slow reformation of the original membrane cavity shape after it has been deformed and released. In this regard, a silicone gel or other non-cross-linked polymer or uncatalyzed materials may be used. It should be appreciated that the composition of the fillable material could be altered for applications in which varied membrane characteristics are desired (i.e. more stiffness, durability, more or less deformability and/or longer-lasting deformation).
- the fillable material may be elastically deformed or it may be deformed by displacement, which is the actual movement or flow of the fillable material in response to pressure, such as that from a user's fingertips.
- the fillable material could be altered for applications in which varied temperature or light conditions would be encountered during the use of particular products on which the membrane cavity is mounted.
- the portion of a membrane connected to a structure can be made of any material, rigid or elastic, including various plastic or metal materials, or it can be made of a membrane formed of thin rubber-based material, deformable plastic or silicone-based materials or other elastomeric materials suitable for a given application. If the base is configured as a flexible membrane, the cavity can more easily conform to a product's surface, thereby increasing the ease with which the cavity can be installed, removed, and replaced. Likewise, the outer membrane also can be made of a thin rubber-based material, deformable plastic or silicone polymer materials, or other elastomeric materials suitable for a given application. If the base membrane and outer membrane are made of silicone material, both should be from 0.50 mm to 2.5 mm in thickness.
- the base may be a membrane instead of a piece of rigid material.
- the edges of the outer membrane and the base membrane can be mechanically fastened or clamped forming the membrane cavity.
- at least a portion of the base membrane can be adhesively attached (e.g., adhesive tape, glue) or mechanically fastened to the support structure.
- the silicone sealant can be of an acetoxy cure type. In particular, upon exposure to moisture, the silicone sealant will give off small amounts of acetic acid while the sealant cures. It is not recommended that the acetic acid vapors be inhaled.
- the sealant will cure in 24 hours and has a tack free time of 10-20 minutes at 77.degree.F. (25.degree.C.) with 50% relative humidity.
- the sealant's tensile strength is approximately 350 psi, its elongation property is 450%, and its hardness is approximately 25-30 Shore A.
- the sealant has temperature stability from ⁇ 85.degree.F. to 450.degree.F. ( ⁇ 65.degree.C.
- the sealant is believed to have good resistance to various weathering conditions, including UV radiation, rain, snow, etc, without hardening, cracking, or shrinking.
- the support structure and the lower surface of the base membrane should be clean, dry, and free from oil, grease or other foreign material. If necessary, metal surfaces should be wiped with a non-oily solvent. Rubber surfaces should be abraded to promote adhesion. Depending on environmental conditions, the base and product surface should be joined within 5-10 minutes, before the tack-free time of the sealant passes.
- the expandable section 70 includes a fluid (gas or liquid)
- the fluid can be variable for example H 2 , O 2 , air, and water
- the membrane can be designed to vary porosity to the fluid leakage through the membrane.
- the wall thickness can be increased (e.g., 3 times that of air) to decrease the porosity of H 2 through an inflatable membrane.
- Typical dimensions of the expandable section include a fully expanded dimension that is slightly larger than the orifice (e.g., nose, throat, vein, anal, ear canal) opening.
- the orifice e.g., nose, throat, vein, anal, ear canal
- FIG. 2 illustrates an orifice insertion device 200 , that has an optional stop flange 210 .
- the stop flange 210 can be designed to stop at the opening of an orifice.
- the stop flange 210 can be attached to a stent 220 (e.g., multilumen tube, single lumen tube) that can vary in durometer (e.g., 25-80 urethane, steel, wood).
- the stent 220 is a multi-lumen tube with various openings (e.g., 250 ).
- An expandable section 230 can be operatively attached to the stent 220 (e.g., heat bonded, shrink wrapped, glued).
- a guide section 240 e.g., soft foam tip, additional inflatable system
- the expandable section 230 of the earpiece is an inflatable device.
- Several methods can be used to inflate the expandable section 230 .
- FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an orifice insertion device 300 including a stent 320 , operatively connected to an inflatable membrane 310 (e.g., balloon), where a push mechanism ( 340 and 360 ) moves along the stent 320 in direction A 1 , to compress the inflatable membrane 310 along direction B 1 .
- FIG. 3 and 4 illustrate an orifice insertion device 300 including a stent 320 , operatively connected to an inflatable membrane 310 (e.g., balloon), where a push mechanism ( 340 and 360 ) moves along the stent 320 in direction A 1 , to compress the inflatable membrane 310 along direction B 1 .
- FIG. 3 and 4 illustrate an orifice insertion device 300 including a stent 320 , operatively connected to an inflatable membrane 310 (e.g., balloon), where a push mechanism (
- FIG. 6 illustrates an orifice insertion device 600 including an internal piston mechanism 620 that can be used (e.g., moved along direction D 1 ) to increase the pressure E 1 in the inflatable membrane 610 on a stent 630 (via opening 650 in stent 630 ).
- an internal piston mechanism 620 that can be used (e.g., moved along direction D 1 ) to increase the pressure E 1 in the inflatable membrane 610 on a stent 630 (via opening 650 in stent 630 ).
- FIG. 5 illustrates a multiple expandable system where various combinations of expandable systems (e.g., one inflatable the other foam), can be combined on a stent 520 .
- the orifice insertion device 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 shows two expandable section 530 A and 530 B.
- the orifice insertion device 500 also illustrates stop flange 510 . Both can be expanded by methods discussed previously and at different times. For example expandable section 530 A can be inflated (if it were an inflatable system) if a trigger event (e.g., excess sound pressure level (e.g., 100 dB)) were reached.
- a trigger event e.g., excess sound pressure level (e.g., 100 dB)
- the sealing sections have been illustrated as homogeneous material, which in some cases can expand in response to thermal variations.
- Additional exemplary embodiments can include expandable sections, that can include temperature expanding materials varying in a sandwich type configuration, and/or an expandable membrane or bladder that is expanded to touch and press against the ear canal wall to provide sealing.
- at least one exemplary embodiment includes an earpiece device that seals near the concha or the external auditory meatus.
- the earpiece device can have a concha support piece to which is attached to an ear terminal (portion penetrating into the ear canal), where the ear terminal seals and seats near the external auditory meatus.
- the compression can be driven by a piston, where the piston can be driven by a linear actuator or via a pneumatic system where an incompressible fluid presses against one side of the piston forcing it in a direction compressing the bladder.
- Additional exemplary embodiments can use an expandable bladder as a sealing section where one side of an inner wall moves as driven by actuators, gears, pneumatics or other methods as one of ordinary skill would know, and presses on the bladder expanding the bladder into the ear canal.
- the bladder can be attached to the moveable wall so that retraction of the wall retracts the bladder from the ear canal.
- At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an orifice insertion device comprising: a stent; and a sealing element where the sealing element is operatively attached to the stent, wherein the sealing element includes at least a first expandable section, where the expandable section is configured to exert a pressure on an orifice wall sufficient to seal the orifice without appreciable deformation of the orifice wall.
- the pressure exerted can vary depending upon the orifice wall's material composition and rigidity. For example in flesh the pressure exerted can lie between 1 atmospheres and 5 atmospheres, where an atmosphere is the pressure at sea level.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a Continuation of and claims the priority benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/172,834 filed on 14 Jul. 2008 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This Application further claims the priority benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/949,398 filed on 12 Jul. 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- The invention relates in general to devices and methods of earphone, earpiece, earbud or orifice, fit and sealing technology, and particularly though not exclusively, is related to expandable sealing mechanisms for orifices.
- Present day ear devices are intended to deliver information to the ear via off-the-shelf or custom-molded pieces that present the information primarily in the outer third of the ear canal, often with questionable attention to the actual fit, comfort, and consideration of the ear anatomy and physiology.
- Current systems do not use inflatable or expandable systems to achieve sound isolation and sealing.
- At least one exemplary embodiment is related to an earpiece (e.g., earphone, earbud, or other devices configured to direct acoustic signals to the ear) inserted into the ear canal, where a portion of a sealant section acoustically seals a medial portion of the external auditory canal.
- At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an earpiece that includes: a sealing section, where the sealing section includes an expandable bladder; an ambient sound microphone (ASM); an ear canal receiver (ECR); an ear canal microphone (ECM); a wireless communication module; a power source; and a logic circuit.
- Further areas of applicability of embodiments will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.
- Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an ear canal as a non-limiting example of an orifice that can be sealed with an orifice insertion device such as an earpiece according to at least one exemplary embodiment; -
FIG. 2 illustrates an orifice insertion device according to at least one embodiment; -
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a stent used to inflate an expandable section of the device; -
FIG. 5 illustrates a multiple expandable system where various combinations of expandable systems can be combined on a stent; -
FIG. 6 illustrates an internal piston mechanism that can be used to increase the pressure in the inflatable membrane on a stent. - The following description of exemplary embodiment(s) is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
- Exemplary embodiments are directed to or can be operatively used on various wired or wireless orifice insertion devices such as earpiece devices (e.g., earbuds, headphones, ear terminals, hearing aids, behind the ear devices, or other acoustic devices as known by one of ordinary skill in the art, and equivalents).
- Processes, techniques, apparatus, and materials as known by one of ordinary skill in the art may not be discussed in detail but are intended to be part of the enabling description where appropriate. For example material fabrication may not be disclosed, nor attachment procedures (e.g., adhesive attaching of separate ridge structures), but such, as known by one of ordinary skill in such arts is intended to be included in the discussion herein when necessary.
- Notice that similar reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, it may not be discussed or further defined in the following figures.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a sealed (occluded)ear canal 50, with a sealed volume 30 (sealed from receiving sound from ambient environment 20). Voice can leak 80 into the sealedvolume 30 betweeninsertion element 75 andeardrum 40 fromvarious source paths Source paths bones 10 adjacent toear canal 50.Source path 80C representssounds ear canal 50 from other areas of the ear. In one explanation, the leaked acoustic energy results in an amplification (e.g., by resonance) at certain frequencies within the sealed volume, resulting in the occlusion effect. If the ear canal 50 (a non-limiting example of an orifice) was unsealed then no resonance could build and hence there would be no occlusion effect. While the present example has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments herein not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures and functions of the relevant exemplary embodiments. -
FIG. 1 illustrates at least one exemplary embodiment. Anearpiece 100 can include aninsertion element 75 operatively connected to a sealing section. The sealing section can include an expandable section 70 (e.g., expanding polymers, inflatable systems, mechanically expanded systems). - The
expandable section 70 can be inflatable (e.g., fluid (gas or liquid)) of deformable fillable material. For example the fillable material referred to herein can be viscous and can include silicone-based polymers, gels, vinyl elastomers, or any other material of sufficient properties to allow the deformation of a membrane cavity from user contact. Materials can also be used to provide a slow reformation of the original membrane cavity shape after it has been deformed and released. In this regard, a silicone gel or other non-cross-linked polymer or uncatalyzed materials may be used. It should be appreciated that the composition of the fillable material could be altered for applications in which varied membrane characteristics are desired (i.e. more stiffness, durability, more or less deformability and/or longer-lasting deformation). The fillable material may be elastically deformed or it may be deformed by displacement, which is the actual movement or flow of the fillable material in response to pressure, such as that from a user's fingertips. In addition, the fillable material could be altered for applications in which varied temperature or light conditions would be encountered during the use of particular products on which the membrane cavity is mounted. - The portion of a membrane connected to a structure (base membrane) can be made of any material, rigid or elastic, including various plastic or metal materials, or it can be made of a membrane formed of thin rubber-based material, deformable plastic or silicone-based materials or other elastomeric materials suitable for a given application. If the base is configured as a flexible membrane, the cavity can more easily conform to a product's surface, thereby increasing the ease with which the cavity can be installed, removed, and replaced. Likewise, the outer membrane also can be made of a thin rubber-based material, deformable plastic or silicone polymer materials, or other elastomeric materials suitable for a given application. If the base membrane and outer membrane are made of silicone material, both should be from 0.50 mm to 2.5 mm in thickness. In this regard, the base may be a membrane instead of a piece of rigid material. The edges of the outer membrane and the base membrane can be mechanically fastened or clamped forming the membrane cavity. Additionally, at least a portion of the base membrane can be adhesively attached (e.g., adhesive tape, glue) or mechanically fastened to the support structure.
- The silicone sealant can be of an acetoxy cure type. In particular, upon exposure to moisture, the silicone sealant will give off small amounts of acetic acid while the sealant cures. It is not recommended that the acetic acid vapors be inhaled. The sealant will cure in 24 hours and has a tack free time of 10-20 minutes at 77.degree.F. (25.degree.C.) with 50% relative humidity. The sealant's tensile strength is approximately 350 psi, its elongation property is 450%, and its hardness is approximately 25-30 Shore A. The sealant has temperature stability from −85.degree.F. to 450.degree.F. (−65.degree.C. to 232.degree.C.) and can withstand intermittent exposure to temperatures as high as 500.degree.F. (280.degree.C.). The sealant is believed to have good resistance to various weathering conditions, including UV radiation, rain, snow, etc, without hardening, cracking, or shrinking.
- For optimum adhesion with the above adhesive, the support structure and the lower surface of the base membrane should be clean, dry, and free from oil, grease or other foreign material. If necessary, metal surfaces should be wiped with a non-oily solvent. Rubber surfaces should be abraded to promote adhesion. Depending on environmental conditions, the base and product surface should be joined within 5-10 minutes, before the tack-free time of the sealant passes.
- If the
expandable section 70 includes a fluid (gas or liquid) the fluid can be variable for example H2, O2, air, and water, where the membrane can be designed to vary porosity to the fluid leakage through the membrane. For example for some gases (e.g., H2) the wall thickness can be increased (e.g., 3 times that of air) to decrease the porosity of H2 through an inflatable membrane. - Typical dimensions of the expandable section include a fully expanded dimension that is slightly larger than the orifice (e.g., nose, throat, vein, anal, ear canal) opening.
-
FIG. 2 illustrates anorifice insertion device 200, that has anoptional stop flange 210. Thestop flange 210 can be designed to stop at the opening of an orifice. Thestop flange 210 can be attached to a stent 220 (e.g., multilumen tube, single lumen tube) that can vary in durometer (e.g., 25-80 urethane, steel, wood). As illustrated inFIG. 2 thestent 220 is a multi-lumen tube with various openings (e.g., 250). Anexpandable section 230 can be operatively attached to the stent 220 (e.g., heat bonded, shrink wrapped, glued). Optionally a guide section 240 (e.g., soft foam tip, additional inflatable system) can be attached near the end of thestent 220 to aid in the insertion of the orifice device 200 (e.g., earpiece). - In an embodiment, the
expandable section 230 of the earpiece is an inflatable device. Several methods can be used to inflate theexpandable section 230. For exampleFIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate anorifice insertion device 300 including astent 320, operatively connected to an inflatable membrane 310 (e.g., balloon), where a push mechanism (340 and 360) moves along thestent 320 in direction A1, to compress theinflatable membrane 310 along direction B1. AdditionallyFIG. 6 illustrates anorifice insertion device 600 including aninternal piston mechanism 620 that can be used (e.g., moved along direction D1) to increase the pressure E1 in theinflatable membrane 610 on a stent 630 (via opening 650 in stent 630). -
FIG. 5 illustrates a multiple expandable system where various combinations of expandable systems (e.g., one inflatable the other foam), can be combined on astent 520. Theorifice insertion device 500 illustrated inFIG. 5 shows twoexpandable section orifice insertion device 500 also illustrates stopflange 510. Both can be expanded by methods discussed previously and at different times. For exampleexpandable section 530A can be inflated (if it were an inflatable system) if a trigger event (e.g., excess sound pressure level (e.g., 100 dB)) were reached. - In the examples illustrated above the sealing sections have been illustrated as homogeneous material, which in some cases can expand in response to thermal variations. Additional exemplary embodiments can include expandable sections, that can include temperature expanding materials varying in a sandwich type configuration, and/or an expandable membrane or bladder that is expanded to touch and press against the ear canal wall to provide sealing. In addition to varying penetration into the depths of the ear canal for various devices, at least one exemplary embodiment includes an earpiece device that seals near the concha or the external auditory meatus. For example the earpiece device can have a concha support piece to which is attached to an ear terminal (portion penetrating into the ear canal), where the ear terminal seals and seats near the external auditory meatus.
- In at least one exemplary embodiment the compression can be driven by a piston, where the piston can be driven by a linear actuator or via a pneumatic system where an incompressible fluid presses against one side of the piston forcing it in a direction compressing the bladder.
- Additional exemplary embodiments can use an expandable bladder as a sealing section where one side of an inner wall moves as driven by actuators, gears, pneumatics or other methods as one of ordinary skill would know, and presses on the bladder expanding the bladder into the ear canal. The bladder can be attached to the moveable wall so that retraction of the wall retracts the bladder from the ear canal.
- At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an orifice insertion device comprising: a stent; and a sealing element where the sealing element is operatively attached to the stent, wherein the sealing element includes at least a first expandable section, where the expandable section is configured to exert a pressure on an orifice wall sufficient to seal the orifice without appreciable deformation of the orifice wall. The pressure exerted can vary depending upon the orifice wall's material composition and rigidity. For example in flesh the pressure exerted can lie between 1 atmospheres and 5 atmospheres, where an atmosphere is the pressure at sea level.
- While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/176,184 US20140155688A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2014-02-10 | Expandable sealing devices and methods |
US16/851,896 US11291456B2 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2020-04-17 | Expandable sealing devices and methods |
US17/670,130 US20220160368A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2022-02-11 | Expandable sealing devices and methods |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US94939807P | 2007-07-12 | 2007-07-12 | |
US12/172,834 US8678011B2 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2008-07-14 | Expandable earpiece sealing devices and methods |
US14/176,184 US20140155688A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2014-02-10 | Expandable sealing devices and methods |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/172,834 Continuation US8678011B2 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2008-07-14 | Expandable earpiece sealing devices and methods |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/851,896 Continuation-In-Part US11291456B2 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2020-04-17 | Expandable sealing devices and methods |
Publications (1)
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US14/176,184 Abandoned US20140155688A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 | 2014-02-10 | Expandable sealing devices and methods |
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---|---|---|---|---|
RU2559173C1 (en) * | 2014-08-27 | 2015-08-10 | Алексей Валерьевич Богомолов | Audiometer for investigating sound absorption properties of liquids |
US20170040012A1 (en) * | 2015-05-29 | 2017-02-09 | Steven Wayne Goldstein | Methods and devices for attenuating sound in a conduit or chamber |
US10418016B2 (en) * | 2015-05-29 | 2019-09-17 | Staton Techiya, Llc | Methods and devices for attenuating sound in a conduit or chamber |
US11430422B2 (en) | 2015-05-29 | 2022-08-30 | Staton Techiya Llc | Methods and devices for attenuating sound in a conduit or chamber |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2009009794A1 (en) | 2009-01-15 |
WO2009009794A9 (en) | 2009-02-19 |
US8678011B2 (en) | 2014-03-25 |
US20090022353A1 (en) | 2009-01-22 |
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