Patent ID: 7822219
Filing Date: 2010-10-26
Classification: H04R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A non symmetrically collapsible in the circumferential direction in-the-ear-canal device comprising: an insertion element; and at least one non-circumferential protrusion, where the at least one non-circumferential protrusion is operatively connected to a surface of the insertion element, where the at least one non-circumferential protrusion extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the insertion element, where the at least one non-circumferential protrusion is configured upon insertion to be positionable against the flesh of a user's outer, cartilaginous portion of the ear canal, said flesh covering an underlying subdermal cartilaginous region; where the at least one non-circumferential protrusion includes a material that is sufficiently incompressible with a volumetric dimension to displace said cartilage such that cartilage deforms and takes on the approximate geometric shape of the at least one non-circumferential protrusion; and where the at least one non-circumferential protrusion exerts a stabilizing force that facilitates insertion element maintaining a fixed position against said cartilaginous region.