U.S. patent application number 09/901244 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-16 for ear probe tip.
Invention is credited to Raviv, Gabriel, Rolfsen, Ron, Tarasewicz, Robert.
Application Number | 20020058881 09/901244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22846093 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020058881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Raviv, Gabriel ; et
al. |
May 16, 2002 |
Ear probe tip
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.
Inventors: |
Raviv, Gabriel; (Glenview,
IL) ; Rolfsen, Ron; (Lake Barrington, IL) ;
Tarasewicz, Robert; (Lisle, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, O'TOOLE, GERSTEIN, MURRAY & BORUN
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606-6402
US
|
Family ID: |
22846093 |
Appl. No.: |
09/901244 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09901244 |
Jul 9, 2001 |
|
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|
09225754 |
Jan 5, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/559 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/559 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted
into an ear canal, the 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; and a plurality of flexible annular
flanges disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the
body portion.
2. The ear probe tip of claim 1 wherein the body portion is tube
shaped.
3. The ear probe tip of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of
flanges is located proximal the first end and is disposed on the
body portion at a distance from the first end.
4. The ear probe tip of claim 1 wherein the plurality of flexible
annular flanges have increasingly larger diameters toward the
second end.
5. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the plurality of flanges
are disposed on the body portion at a backward angle toward the
second end.
6. The ear probe tip of claim 4 further comprising a means for
pushing the tip onto the probe.
7. The ear probe tip of claim 6 wherein the means for pushing the
tip onto the probe is a ring disposed on the body portion proximal
the second end.
8. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the body portion outer
surface diameter increases along the length of the body portion
toward the second end.
9. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the second end further
includes a chamfer adjacent the body portion inner surface.
10. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the tube and the flanges
are constructed of a transparent material.
11. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the tube and the flanges
are constructed of alpha gary pvc 3019-40/45.
12. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the body portion inner
surface is dimensioned to receive the probe end.
13. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the body portion first end
outer diameter is between 0.140 and 0.185 inches.
14. The ear probe tip of claim 4 wherein the body portion first end
inner surface further comprises a flange.
15. An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted
into an ear canal, the 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; and a means for creating an acoustical
seal between the ear tip and the ear canal, disposed at spaced
intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.
16. A method for acoustically sealing an ear canal with an ear
probe tip positioned over a probe end which comprises the steps of:
providing the ear probe tip; placing the ear probe tip
substantially over the probe end whereby the probe end does not
extend past the ear probe tip; inserting the probe end with the ear
tip into the ear canal; and flexing the ear probe tip so that an
acoustical seal forms between the ear probe tip and the ear
canal.
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, the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entire
length of the body portion; and at least one flexible annular
flange disposed on the outer surface of the body portion.
18. The ear probe tip of claim 17 wherein the at least one flange
located proximal the first end is disposed on the body portion at a
distance from the first end.
19. The ear probe tip of claim 17 wherein the body portion outer
surface diameter increases along the length of the body portion
toward the second end.
20. The ear probe tip of claim 17 wherein the at least one flange
is disposed on the body portion at a backward angle toward the
second end.
21. The ear probe tip of claim 17 wherein the inner surface
diameter of the body portion increases in size along the length of
the body portion toward the second end.
22. The ear probe tip of claim 17 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 proximal the second end.
23. The ear probe tip of claim 22 further comprising a means for
pushing the tip onto the probe.
24. The ear probe tip of claim 23 wherein the means for pushing the
tip onto the probe is a ring disposed on the body portion proximal
the second end.
25. 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.
26. The ear probe tip of claim 25 wherein the passage has a
diameter which increases from the first end to the second end.
27. The ear probe tip of claim 26 further comprising a means for
pushing the tip onto the probe.
28. The ear probe tip of claim 27 wherein the means for pushing the
tip onto the probe is a ring disposed on the body portion proximal
the second end.
29. The ear probe tip of claim 25 wherein the inner surface
diameter of the body portion increases in size near the second
end.
30. 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 near the second end; and a ring disposed on the
outer surface of the body portion proximal the second end.
31. The ear probe tip of claim 30 further comprising at least one
flexible annular flange disposed on the outer surface of the body
portion at a distance from the first end.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to ear probe tips, and more
particularly to removable ear probe tips that provide for
protection of the ear canal and provide for an enhanced
self-adjusting acoustical seal between the ear probe tip and the
ear canal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ear probe tips of various types are well known in the art.
Such devices are typically used in combination with testing
equipment for clinical evaluation of hearing loss and/or ear
disease. For example, there are procedures for evaluating hearing
loss, ear disease or other ear disorders which are known as
otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing and auditory brain-stem
response (ABR)testing. Such tests, which rely on acoustical
measurements made within the patient's ear canal, include the step
of closing off the ear canal with a probe or a removable probe tip.
The probe tip may form a seal between the ear canal and the probe
tip so that the transmission and receipt of acoustical signals
within the closed cavity may be controlled. Several other hearing
tests use probes with tips.
[0003] However, previous ear probe tips have some inherent
disadvantages. One of the disadvantages with prior art tips is that
they require an acoustical sound passage or else the test procedure
will produce unreliable results. Requiring the tip to include an
acoustical sound passage is undesirable because this adds to the
cost of manufacturing each tip.
[0004] Another disadvantage is that they are not well adapted to
different ears. Persons' ears differ in size and shape and have
outer ear canals of varying configurations. As a result, great
difficulties have been encountered with prior ear probe tips
because in most situations, the tip exerts too great a pressure on
the ear canal, fails to provide a good acoustic seal between it and
the ear canal, or does not prevent the hard inflexible probe end
from extending past the tip thereby increasing the risk of
resulting damage to the person's ear.
[0005] The present invention overcomes these and other problems
inherent in existing ear probe tips. The present invention provides
an ear probe tip that fits around the probe. A feature of an
embodiment of the ear probe tip is that flexible flanges form a
substantial acoustic seal between the probe and the outer ear canal
for a wide range of ear canal size, thereby permitting ear testing
to be done quickly and conveniently without critical adjustments of
the probe or of the probe tip. This is of particular value in the
case of children or other patients who may have a short attention
span or an inability to cooperate in the test procedures. Further,
in one embodiment, the probe tip is designed so that it can receive
the probe, whereby the probe tip can be positioned fully over the
probe while still allowing the probe tip's end to slightly extend
past the end of the probe. This configuration does not require each
probe tip to comprise an acoustical channel, thereby minimizing the
cost to manufacture each probe tip. Further, since the cost is
minimized, the probe tip can be disposed of after one use thereby
eliminating the need for probe cleaning and providing optimal
infection control.
[0006] The principal object of the present invention is to provide
an improved ear probe tip for use with testing apparatus for
hearing loss or other ear problems.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
novel ear probe tip of more efficient form for providing better
sealing between the probe tip and a wide range of ear canal
size.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a novel ear probe tip that protects the ear from the probe when the
probe is inserted into the ear canal.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel ear probe tip that will provide for enhanced retention of the
ear probe tip once the ear probe tip is received by the ear
canal.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel removable ear probe tip that secures easily to a probe
end.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel ear probe tip which is simple in design and inexpensive to
construct, and is durable and rugged in structure.
[0012] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings of the
invention.
[0013] These and other objects are achieved by an ear probe tip of
the present invention. In one form of the invention, an ear probe
tip is provided which 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ear
probe tip of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the ear probe tip of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a view of the ear probe tip of FIG. 1 shown in
place on an ear probe end;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment
of the ear probe tip of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another alternate
embodiment of the ear probe tip of FIG. 1; and
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another alternate
embodiment of the ear probe tip of FIG. 1 shown in place on an ear
probe end.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the ear
probe tip 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
In FIG. 1, the ear probe tip 10 comprises a body portion 20 and a
plurality of flexible annular flanges 23, 24, 25, 26. The body
portion 20 may be tube shaped and hollow (as shown in FIG. 1) and
have a passage 22, a first end 27 and a second end 28. In one
embodiment, the passage 22 extends the entire length of and runs
axially through the body portion 20. The second end 28 of the body
portion 20 has a chamfer 29 (see FIG. 2). The chamfer 29 may, for
example, be cut at a 45 degree angle from the passage 22
longitudinal centerline. The chamfer 29 facilitates the insertion
of the probe 50 into the tip 10. Body portion 20 may, for example,
have an inner diameter of 0.134 inches and an outer diameter of
0.154 inches or any other diameters that provide for proper
operation of the tip 10 for use in a specific application. Passage
22 may, in an alternate embodiment, run the entire length of the
body portion 20 at a distance offset the body portion 20 axis.
[0021] A plurality of flexible annular flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 are
disposed on the exterior of body portion 20. As best seen in FIGS.
2 and 3, in one embodiment the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 are attached
substantially perpendicular to the body portion 20. As an example,
the flange 23 proximal the first end 27 may have an outer diameter
of 0.200 inches, so as to fit securely and sealably into the
internal portion of the ear canal. Also, as measured from the
flange 23 longitudinal centerline, the flange 23 may be offset from
the first aperture 0.096 inches or any other distance that is
necessary for proper performance of the tip 10. In the illustrated
embodiment (FIGS. 1, 2, 3), each flange 23, 24, 25, 26 that is
distal the flange 23, 24, 25, 26 has a progressively greater outer
diameter. Accordingly, flange 24, 25, 26 may have outer diameters
of 0.238, 0.275 and 0.312 inches, respectively, to sealably and
securely fit into the ear canal. Each flange 23, 24, 25, 26 may be
0.112 inches apart from the flange 23, 24, 25, 26 adjacent to it as
measured along the longitudinal centerline of each flange 23, 24,
25, 26 or the flange 23, 24, 25, 26 longitudinal centerline spacing
can be any other distance necessary for proper performance of the
tip 10. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment
the tip 10 has four flanges 23, 24, 25, 26. However, alternate
embodiments can have any number of flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 that
provide for proper operation of the tip 10. Also, an alternate
embodiment may have no flanges 23, 24, 25, 26. In this embodiment,
the body portion 20 provides the necessary seal with the ear canal.
Further, alternate embodiments may provide flanges 23, 24, 25, 26
of varying thickness and shapes. The cross-sectional shape of the
flanges 23, 24, 25, 26, for example, may have virtually any shape
such as a circle, triangle, square, etc. Flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 may
taper as they extend outwardly away from the body portion 20.
[0022] To ensure a comfortable fit and to provide the necessary
seal, in one embodiment the tip 10 may be made of alpha gary pvc
3019-40/45 or some other suitable soft flexible material such as
latex or silicone. This type of material will also prevent the
patient's ear from being scratched or otherwise injured by the tip
10. The material can also be transparent to allow for easy
detection of vernix, cerumen, or wax build-up in the tip 10.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the tip 10 in place
over a probe 50 and positioned adjacent a probe base 48. The probe
base 48 and probe 50 are components of an existing hearing testing
apparatus. When the tip 10 is fully positioned over a probe end 52
(as in FIG. 3), the tip 10 extends past the end of the probe end
52, thereby preventing the probe end 52 from coming into contact
with the ear. This further ensures that the patient's ear will not
be scratched or otherwise injured by the rigid probe end 52. Also,
as can best be seen in FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment the
passage 22 should be adapted and sized to accept the probe end 52
so that substantially the entire length of the passage 22 can
receive the probe end 52 thereby eliminating the need for the
passage 22 to form an acoustic channel. This design feature
considerably reduces the manufacturing costs of the tip 10.
Further, when fully in place over the probe end 52, the second end
28 may rest substantially flush against the probe base 48. This
arrangement further ensures that the tip 10 does not move out of
proper operating position with respect to the probe end 52 when the
tip 10 is inserted into the ear canal.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of an alternate
embodiment of the tip 10 of the present invention. The flanges 23,
24, 25, 26 may be attached to the body portion 20 so that the
flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 extend outwardly and rearwardly toward
second end 28. Depending on the configuration of the ear canal that
the tip 10 is inserted into, this flange 23, 24, 25, 26 arrangement
may further prevent the tip 10 from slipping out of the ear canal.
This flange 23, 24, 25, 26 arrangement may also provide an enhanced
acoustical seal between the ear canal and the tip 10.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of another alternate
embodiment of the tip 10 of the present invention. As shown in the
example of FIG. 5, body portion sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may be
of varying outer diameters, e.g., 0.140, 0.155, 0.165, 0.175, 0.185
inches, respectively. Depending on the configuration of the ear
canal that the tip 10 is inserted into, varied outer diameters of
body portion sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may further provide an
enhanced acoustical seal between the ear canal and the tip 10. This
body portion section 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 configuration may further
prevent the tip 10 from slipping out of the ear canal.
[0026] Also, a ring 30 may be disposed on the body portion 20
between the second end 28 and the flange 26. The ring 30 may be
grasped by hand to facilitate positioning the ear probe tip 10 over
the probe 50. Further, it is desirable to grasp the ring 30 instead
of the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26, because if the flanges 23, 24, 25,
26 are damaged the ear probe tip 10 will not operate properly.
Accordingly, the ring 30 may be located 0.100 inches from the
second end 28 as measured from the ring center line. The ring 30
may have a radius of 0.050 inches or whatever other radius
necessary for proper performance of the ear probe tip 10. The ring
30 cross sectional area may be in the shape of a half circle or any
other shape necessary for proper performance of the ear probe tip
10. The ring 30 may be continuous or non-continuous around the
outer surface of the body portion 20.
[0027] Further, in an alternate embodiment, body portion 20 inner
surface diameter may increase in size along the length of the body
portion 20 toward the second end 28. Body portion inner surface
diameter at the first end 27 and the second end 28 may be, for
example, 0.110 and 0.127 inches, respectively. This configuration
may provide for enhanced positioning of the ear probe tip 10 over
the probe 10.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of still another
alternate embodiment of the tip 10 of the present invention shown
in place on an ear probe end. As illustrated in FIG. 6, body
portion 20 inner surface diameter may increase in size near the
second end 28 so that it is sized to fit snugly over a probe base
extension 49 when the tip 10 is fully in place over the probe end
52 and the second end 28 is substantially flush against probe base
48. This configuration may provide for enhanced positioning of the
ear probe tip 10 over the probe end 52. As shown in FIG. 6, there
may be more than one probe end 52 positioned adjacent each other
that the tip 10 will fit over.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, body portion sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40
may be of varying outer diameters, e.g., 0.140, 0.155, 0.165,
0.175, 0.185 inches, respectively. Depending on the configuration
of the ear canal that the tip 10 is inserted into, varied outer
diameters of body portion sections 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 may further
provide an enhanced acoustical seal between the ear canal and the
tip 10. This body portion section 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 configuration
may further prevent the tip 10 from slipping out of the ear
canal.
[0030] However, alternate embodiments can have any number of
flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 that provide for proper operation of the tip
10. Also, an alternate embodiment may have no flanges 23, 24, 25,
26. In this embodiment, the body portion 20 provides the necessary
seal with the ear canal. Further, alternate embodiments may provide
flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 of varying thickness and shapes. The
cross-sectional shape of the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26, for example,
may have virtually any shape such as a circle, triangle, square,
etc. Flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 may taper as they extend outwardly away
from the body portion 20.
[0031] Also, a ring 30 may be disposed on the body portion end 21
(or body portion 20) between the second end 28 and the flange 26.
The ring 30 may be grasped by hand to facilitate positioning the
ear probe tip 10 over the probe end 52. Further, it is desirable to
grasp the ring 30 instead of the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26, because if
the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 are damaged the ear probe tip 10 may not
operate properly. Accordingly, the ring 30 may be located 0.100
inches from the second end 28 as measured from the ring center
line. The ring 30 may have a radius of 0.050 inches or whatever
other radius necessary for proper performance of the ear probe tip
10. The ring 30 cross sectional area may be in the shape of a half
circle or any other shape necessary for proper performance of the
ear probe tip 10. The ring 30 may be continuous or non-continuous
around the outer surface of the body portion 20.
[0032] Referring back to FIG. 3, when using the tip 10, the tip 10
(or if present the ring 30) is grasped by hand and the tip 10 is
pushed over the probe end 52. The tip 10 is positioned over the
probe end 52 so that tip 10 extends past the probe end 52. When the
probe end 52 with the tip 10 securely in place is inserted into the
patient's ear canal, the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 bend and flex where
necessary so that the plurality of flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 form a
self-adjusting acoustic seal between the tip 10 and the outer ear
canal of the user. The flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 are designed to
ensure that the radial extent of the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26
provides the necessary contact area between each flange 23, 24, 25,
26 and the ear canal to create the required seal. The seal
substantially prevents ambient noise from entering the ear canal.
The flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 also provide for the tip 10 to remain
securely positioned in the ear canal, thereby minimizing the amount
of time necessary to perform the procedure. This is especially
desirable in the case of children and certain other patients who
may have a short attention span or an inability to cooperate during
the test procedures. Further, body portion 20 is designed to
prevent appreciable compression in the longitudinal direction in
order to prevent the probe end 52 from exiting the first aperture
27, extending past the tip 10 and scratching or otherwise injuring
the ear. Also note that it is desirable for the flange 23 to be
offset from the first end 27 because the body portion 20 may by
itself provide a proper seal when it is inserted into an ear canal
that is substantially the same dimension as the outer diameter of
the body portion 20. Therefore, by having the flange 23 offset from
the first end 27, the tip 10 can adapt to fit a larger variety of
ear canal sizes. Provided the tip 10 is secured in the ear canal,
whether by at least one flange 23, 24, 25, 26, or by just the body
portion 20 and the seal is formed, the appropriate testing can
commence.
[0033] For example, one form of clinical test that requires a probe
be inserted into a patient's ear canal is OAE. During OAE testing,
two signals are delivered to the probe 50 and pass through the
probe 50 past the first end 27 and into the patient's ear. The
tones then travel through the patient's ear canal until they come
into the middle ear where they are partially absorbed and partially
result in a return difference signal propagated back toward the
first end 27 whereby they are channeled back into the passage 22
because of the seal created by the flanges 23, 24, 25, 26 and the
users ear canal. The signal channeled back into the passage 22
continues into the probe 50 and is detected by a low noise
microphone which delivers a signal to the OAE testing device being
used during this specific testing procedure. The signal is
subsequently analyzed to determine the condition of the patient's
ear.
[0034] Specific embodiments of novel methods and apparatus for
construction of novel ear probe tips according to the present
invention have been described for the purpose of illustrating the
manner in which the invention is made and used. It should be
understood that the implementation of other variations and
modifications of the invention and its various aspects will be
apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the invention is not
limited by the specific embodiments described. Therefore, it is
contemplated to cover the present invention any and all
modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall within the true
spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and
claimed herein.
* * * * *