Patent ID: 7766858
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: A61F,A61M,F16K

Abstract:
1. A hand-held and hand-operable device for creating a change in pressure in an external ear canal of a person, said device comprising: a body having an interior space forming an air chamber; within the air chamber, a plunger and a valve means frictionally engaged with said plunger; a flexible tube in fluid communication at a first of its ends with said air chamber and, at the second of its ends, with an ear-piece adapted for insertion in said ear canal; a finger-actuated diaphragm in an external wall of the air chamber which: a spring means for returning the plunger, in a second direction, to said resting position when said finger depression on the diaphragm is removed; wherein: initial movement of the plunger in said first direction from said resting position displaces said valve means from a first position to a second position at which the valve means is stopped from further movement in said first direction, further movement of the plunger in said first direction causes the plunger to slide relative to the valve means, initial said return movement of the plunger in said second direction displaces said valve means from said second position to said first position at which the valve means is stopped from further movement in said second direction, further movement of the plunger in said second direction causes the plunger to slide relative to the valve means, and either: whereby, when the ear-piece is inserted in said ear canal, actuation of the diaphragm causes said increase or decrease of air pressure, generated at the air chamber, to be transmitted through the tube and delivered to the ear canal.