Patent ID: 8002829
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: A61F,A61H

Abstract:
1. A prosthesis adapted to be inserted into an ear canal in an ear having a tragus for treating discomfort in a joint between a mandible and a corresponding temporal bone, wherein the ear canal includes an isthmus, the prosthesis comprising: a substantially rigid structural body having a predefined shape substantially conforming to a contour of a portion of the ear canal which extends approximately between an entrance to the ear canal and the isthmus when a jaw is in an open position, the structural body having a rigidity such that it does not compressibly deform upon insertion into the ear canal or when the jaw is in a closed position, the structural body being hollow along its length to facilitate sound transmission, the structural body including a proximal base portion adapted for positioning adjacent to the entrance of the ear canal, the proximal base portion having a boundary edge, the structural body further including a distal end portion adapted to extend an effective distance into the ear canal, the structural body having a scalloped indenture that is a cutout in a wall of the structural body beginning at the boundary edge and extending in a longitudinal direction away from the boundary edge of the proximal base portion, the scalloped indenture including a length dimension extending in the longitudinal direction of the structural body from the proximal base portion towards the distal end portion with the wall of the structural body disposed at least partially about the perimeter of the scalloped indenture, the scalloped indenture being adapted for positioning behind the tragus of the ear.