Abstract:
An ear pipe used as an alternative medicine practice to remove excess ear wax, debris, and other undesirable contaminants from the ear canal. The ear pipe includes a generally hollow body, wherein the hollow body includes a bowl, a midsection, and a proximal end. The ear pipe may be used by bringing a unit of ear pipe fuel to a smoldering state within the bowl, holding the ear pipe with a user&#39;s hand, and inserting the proximal end of the pipe into a user&#39;s ear to allow warm air/smoke to enter the ear canal and create temperatures high enough to cause the excess ear wax, debris, and other undesirable contaminants to drain from the ear canal.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Ear candling, also known as thermal-auricular therapy or ear coning, is an alternative medicine practice that has been used for thousands of years to remove excess ear wax, debris, and other undesirable contaminants from the ear canal. It is believed that this practice may date back to the ancient cultures of pre-Columbian Native Americans, Tibetans, Chinese, and Egyptians. 
         [0002]    Use of ear candles to remove excess ear wax and other debris from the ear canal may help to maintain and/or improve the quality of a person&#39;s hearing. Over time, the effects of allergies and sicknesses (colds, flu, sinus problems, etc.) can cause a buildup of wax and other debris in the ear canal. Also, extensive use of various appliances, including telephones and hearing appliances (hearing aids), can induce build up of wax in the ear canal. Eventually, the buildup of wax and other debris can be so great as to cause a natural “ear plug” that can alter a person&#39;s hearing capabilities. In many instances, an effective cleaning of the ear canal using ear candles can lead to a larger range of hearing frequency. Ear candles are also used to enhance drainage of toxins exiting the body through the ear canal. For instance, the Eustachian tube connects the middle ear with the nose and throat. When the Eustachian tube becomes clogged with excessive ear wax, an infection may develop. Infection can also occur when one of the body&#39;s systems is trying to purge toxins, in liquid form, through the ear canal. 
         [0003]    When using conventional ear candles, the top end of the ear candle is lit, and as it burns, smoke begins to billow out of the bottom of the cone-shaped ear candle. The bottom end is then placed snugly into the ear canal to form an air tight seal between the open bottom end of the ear candle and the ear canal. As the ear candle continues to burn, air is forced back up through the hollow, cone-shaped ear candle, creating a warm air current through the ear candle towards the top burning end. This results in a warm vacuum, creating suction at the bottom end of the ear candle and within the ear canal. The warm air melts the ear wax and the created suction pulls the wax and other debris from within the ear canal and through the bottom end of the ear candle. The liquid wax hits the sides of the cooler candle, solidifying on the inside surface of the candle. As the ear candle continues to burn, some of the ear wax may burn off while the remainder collects within the hollow candle, particularly near the bottom end. 
         [0004]    Ear candling may prove (or is generally believed) to be more effective than other conventional methods of cleaning the ears. For instance, repeated water cleansings can create a prolonged moist environment that can invite growth of bacteria and fungus which may lead to an infection of the middle and/or inner ear. Also, because wax is a natural repellant of water, cleaning the ear canal with water is not entirely effective in removing ear wax and other debris. Moreover, water can become trapped in the ears after cleansing, causing an annoying noise and minor discomfort. Other physical removal methods, such as swabbing with a cotton swab, may also not be effective. 
         [0005]    While ear candling is an effective method for cleaning the ear canal, there are some drawbacks to using conventional ear candles. For example, as the ear candle burns down and becomes shorter, the flame on the end of the candle burns close to the ear and hair of the user. This creates a concern for both the comfort and safety of the user. For this reason, users of ear candles may extinguish them early, leaving a significant portion of the ear candle unused. This in turn requires use of a greater number of ear candles to accomplish a complete ear cleaning Additionally, improper usage of conventional ear candles has been known to result in injuries caused by the flame or the smoldering tip of the candle. 
         [0006]    For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a device that provides greater ease of use, convenience, safety, and efficiency. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for a safer and more efficient apparatus that can be used in place of a conventional candle for ear candling. In one embodiment, the presently claimed invention comprises a generally hollow body, wherein the generally hollow body includes a bowl disposed at a distal end of the pipe, a midsection, and a proximal end, wherein the midsection extends upward from at least a portion of an upper surface of the bowl to the proximal end of the generally hollow body, wherein the proximal end is open. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the presently claimed invention comprises a generally hollow body, wherein the generally hollow body includes a bowl disposed at a distal end of the pipe, a midsection, and a proximal end, wherein the midsection extends upward from at least a portion of an upper surface of the bowl to the proximal end of the generally hollow body, wherein the proximal end is open, and an ear tip positioned adjacent to the proximal end of the generally hollow body, wherein the ear tip includes an axially aligned pass-through opening, an ear contact portion, and an ear contact end. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, the presently claimed invention may be part of a kit wherein the kit comprises a pipe, the pipe comprising a generally hollow body with an external and an internal surface, wherein the generally hollow body includes, a bowl disposed at a distal end of the pipe, a midsection extended upward from at least a portion of an upper surface of the bowl to a proximal end of the generally hollow body wherein the proximal end is open, a fuel cover arching over the upper surface of the bowl and covering the bowl, and at least one support member positioned within and supported by the bowl, at least one ear tip, wherein the tip is positioned adjacent to the proximal end of the generally hollow body, and at least one unit of ear pipe fuel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presently claimed invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the presently claimed invention in an embodiment where the presently claimed invention is separable along the transverse plane; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention showing an alignment hook and a corresponding notch in a fuel cover; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention showing ventilation holes in the fuel cover; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the presently claimed invention in an embodiment where the presently claimed invention is separable along the transverse plane and the fuel cover is integrated into a top portion; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the presently claimed invention in an embodiment where an ear tip is an integral portion a generally hollow body; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment where the ear tip is integrated into the generally hollow body; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 10 ,  10 B, and  11  show cross-sectional views of embodiments where the ear tip is removable and capable of attachment/detachment to/from the generally hollow body; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  shows a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention as it appears when the presently claimed invention is in use; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 11B and 11C  show a perspective and cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a support member having an indentation. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  shows a lower perspective view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention showing support legs on the bottom of the bowl; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  shows a side view of an embodiment of the presently claimed invention in use. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The following description and examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Pipe 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Generally hollow body 
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 Bowl 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Distal end 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 Midsection 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Open proximal end 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 Body side portion A 
                   40A 
               
               
                   
                 Body side portion B 
                   40B 
               
               
                   
                 Body top portion (no integrated fuel cover) 
                   41A 
               
               
                   
                 Body bottom portion 
                   41B 
               
               
                   
                 Body top portion (integrated fuel cover) 
                   42A 
               
               
                   
                 Body bottom portion 
                   42B 
               
               
                   
                 Fastening post(s) on side portion 40A 
                   45A 
               
               
                   
                 Receiving opening(s) on side portion 40B 
                   45B 
               
               
                   
                 Fastening post(s) on bottom portion 41B 
                   46A 
               
               
                   
                 Receiving opening(s) on top portion 41A 
                   46B 
               
               
                   
                 Fastening post(s) on bottom portion 42B 
                   47A 
               
               
                   
                 Receiving opening(s) on top portion 42A 
                   47B 
               
               
                   
                 Fuel cover 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 Fuel cover fastening post(s) 
                   55A 
               
               
                   
                 Fuel cover receiving opening(s) 
                   55B 
               
               
                   
                 Alignment hook receiving notch 
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 Alignment hook 
                 65 
               
               
                   
                 Vent holes (ventilation openings) 
                 70 
               
               
                   
                 Support leg(s) 
                 72 
               
               
                   
                 Support member (mesh) 
                 75 
               
               
                   
                 Support ledge 
                 77 
               
               
                   
                 Ear pipe fuel 
                 80 
               
               
                   
                 Elongated outward-facing opening 
                 85 
               
               
                   
                 Support member indentation 
                 90 
               
               
                   
                 Ear tip 
                 95 
               
               
                   
                 Ear tip opening 
                 100  
               
               
                   
                 Ear contact portion 
                 105  
               
               
                   
                 Ear contact end 
                 110  
               
               
                   
                 Transitional region 
                 115  
               
               
                   
                 Ear tip stem 
                 120  
               
               
                   
                 Stem base 
                 125  
               
               
                   
                 Stem end 
                 130  
               
               
                   
                 Ear tip skirt/flange 
                 135  
               
               
                   
                 Curve 
                 C 
               
               
                   
                 User 
                 200  
               
               
                   
                 User&#39;s ear 
                 210  
               
               
                   
                 Ear canal 
                 220  
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]    Referring to the drawings, the ear pipe is shown and generally indicated as device  10 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , Pipe  10  is generally defined by a generally hollow body  15  having a generally curved shape (“C”) with internal and external surfaces, the generally hollow body  15  having a bowl  20  disposed at a distal end  25 , and a midsection  30 . The midsection  30  extends upwards from at least a portion of an upper surface of the bowl  20  to an open proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15 . The angle and the shape of the curve C of the generally hollow body  15  may be adjusted as needed for various embodiments with the shape of the curve C ranging from a smooth bend to a sharp elbow (i.e. angular). 
         [0026]    Preferably, the generally hollow body  15  is curved and the radius and shape of said curve C are optimized to provide a path of least resistance for any gas moving from the distal end  25  to the proximal end  35 . The pipe&#39;s midsection  30  may further include a flexible section which may allow the user to adjust the curvature and/or angle between the proximal and the distal ends ( 25 ,  35 ). 
         [0027]    The generally hollow body  15  may be made from any commercially available material that can sustain an elevated temperature without substantial degradation and/or combustion. Preferably, such material possesses superior insulation and low heat transfer properties so as to allow a user to handle the device without the risk of injury such as a burn. In one embodiment, the material used for construction of the generally hollow body  15  may be selected from materials including, but not limited to, wood, plastic, polycarbonate, metal, stone, clay, glass, ceramic, rubber, or the like, and any combination thereof. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, the generally hollow body  15  has an overall tapered shape from the distal end  25  to the proximal end  35 , wherein the outer diameter of the distal end is greater than the outer diameter of the proximal end. In another embodiment, there is a substantially constant decrease of the outer diameter from the distal end  25  to the proximal end  35 . For example, in an embodiment, the outer diameter of the distal end  25  ranges from about 100 millimeters (mm) to about 40 mm, and the outer diameter of the proximal end  35  ranges from about 15 mm to about 8 mm. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in a separate embodiment, the generally hollow body  15  may be dismantled into two or more portions to allow the user to remove any debris and clean the internal surface of the pipe  10 . The generally hollow body  15  may be separated along at least a portion of a sagittal and/or a transverse plane into two separate portions  40 A and  40 B (or, alternatively,  41 A and  41 B) to reveal the internal surface of the pipe. The two portions  40 A and  40 B (or, alternatively,  41 A and  41 B) may be fastened together using any conventional means that can join them together to prevent said portions from coming apart unintentionally. In one embodiment, the fastening means are achieved by implementing fastening clips and/or fastening snaps where the fastening clips and/or fastening snaps include a fastening post(s)  45 A disposed on or in the first portion  40 A of the generally hollow body  15  and a corresponding receiving opening(s)  45 B disposed on or in the second portion  40 B of the generally hollow body  15  (or, alternatively, fastening post(s)  46 A disposed on or in the bottom portion  41 B of the generally hollow body  15  and a corresponding receiving opening(s)  46 B disposed on or in the top portion  41 A of the generally hollow body  15 ). When both portions  40 A and  40 B (or, alternatively,  41 A and  41 B) are joined together, each fastening post  45 A (or, alternatively,  46 A) enters a corresponding receiving opening  45 B (or, alternatively,  46 B), thereby providing a locking mechanism that prevents both portions  40 A and  40 B (or, alternatively,  41 A and  41 B) from separating without the application of some force or disassembly. In other embodiments, the fastening means may be accomplished by using split pin(s), buckle(s), clamp(s), clasp(s), nut(s) and bolt(s), screw(s), clip(s), clutch(s), flange(s), band(s) of elastic or non elastic material(s), strap(s), hook-and-loop strip(s), magnet(s), or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the fastening posts  45 A (or, alternatively,  46 A) can be affixed using glue, cement, adhesive, solder, and the like. In this manner, the portions  40 A and  40 B (or, alternatively,  41 A and  41 B) can be firmly affixed or joined, either temporarily or permanently as needed. 
         [0030]    The ear pipe may further comprise an optionally removable fuel cover  50  disposed adjacent to at least a part of the upper surface of the bowl  20 . Preferably the fuel cover may follow the overall shape, together with the internal and external surfaces, of the generally hollow body  15 . Similar to the generally hollow body  15 , the fuel cover  50  may be made from any commercially available material that can sustain an elevated temperature or a direct flame without substantial degradation and/or combustion. Preferably, such material possesses superior insulation and low heat transfer properties to allow a user to handle the pipe and cover without the risk of injury such as a burn. In one embodiment, the material used for construction of the fuel cover  50  may be selected from wood, plastic, polycarbonate, metal, stone, clay, glass, ceramic, rubber, or the like, and any combination thereof. The fuel cover  50  may be removable and/or may be joined or affixed to the generally hollow body  15  using any conventional means that can prevent unintentional separation. In one embodiment, the fuel cover may be placed onto guide post(s) that are disposed on or in the generally hollow body, allowing the fuel cover to rest on said post(s) under its own weight when said post(s) enter corresponding opening(s) disposed on or in the fuel cover. In another embodiment, the fastening means are achieved by implementing fastening clip(s) and/or fastening snap(s) where the fastening clip(s) and/or fastening snap(s) include a fastening post(s)  55 A is disposed on or in the generally hollow body  15  and a corresponding receiving opening(s)  55 B is disposed on or in the fuel cover  50 . Said posts and openings configured and spread in such manner that a precise mating of complementary parts is achieved. For example, a removable fuel cover  50  having receiving openings  55 B, could be affixed to fastening posts  55 A in lower portion  41 B, as shown in  FIG. 3 . When the optionally removable fuel cover  50  is joined to the generally hollow body  15 , each fastening post  55 A enters a corresponding receiving opening  55 B, thereby providing a securing mechanism that prevents the fuel cover  50  and the generally hollow body  15  from separating without application of some force or disassembly. In yet other embodiments the fastening means may be accomplished by using split pin(s), buckle(s), clamp(s), clasp(s), nut(s) and bolt(s), clip(s), clutch(s), nut(s) and bolt(s), screw(s), flange(s), band(s) of elastic or non elastic material, strap(s), hook-and-loop strip(s), magnet(s), and a combination thereof. Referring to  FIG. 4 , optionally, an alignment hook  65  is placed in or on the generally hollow body  15  with a corresponding receiving notch  60  cut into the fuel cover  50 , for example, on its interior surface. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the fuel cover may optionally include a ventilation opening(s)  70  (or vent holes) which may provides a pathway for air to be drawn into the pipe and aid in the smoldering of ear pipe fuel. In one embodiment, the ventilation opening(s)  70  have a diameter ranging from about 1 mm to about 6 mm. There may be a multiplicity of ventilation openings  70 , configured and spread in such manner that adequate ventilation and/or movement of air is achieved. 
         [0032]    While the removability of the fuel cover  50  may be desired by the need to place ear pipe fuel inside the pipe, depending on the embodiment of the presently claimed invention, the fuel cover  50  is optional. For example, in one embodiment of the presently claimed invention which allows for the separation of the generally hollow body  15  along the transverse plane (as described above and shown in  FIG. 6 ) the complete top portion  42 A of the ear pipe  10  may be removed. In such embodiment, the fuel cover is an integral part of the top portion  42 A of the generally hollow body  15 . Thus, top portion  42 A is connected, joined, or affixed to lower portion  42 B as described above in previous embodiments using fastening post(s)  47 A and corresponding receiving opening(s)  47 B. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the generally hollow body  15  comprises a bowl  20  that is made to receive ear pipe fuel  80 . In one embodiment, the bowl is an integral part of the generally hollow body  15 . In another embodiment, bowl  20  may comprise any generally concave shape. In another embodiment, the bowl  20  can be fixed or attached to the generally hollow body  15 . In such embodiment, a variety of means may be used to attach the bowl  20  to the generally hollow body  15 , including thread(s), bolt and nut, split pin(s), buckle(s), clamp(s), clasp(s), clip(s), nut(s) and bolt(s), screw(s), clutch(es), flange(s), band(s) of elastic or non elastic material, strap(s), hook-and-loop strip(s), magnet(s), and a combination thereof. Preferably, the lower portion of the bowl  20  has a substantially flat shape which may allow the pipe  10  to be placed on a flat surface (e.g., table, desk, or counter) without tipping and/or falling over. Since it may be desirable for the ear pipe  10 , or some substantial portion thereof, to stand or sit on a flat surface, the various parts of the ear pipe, as described herein, will be made of appropriate materials having a weight, thickness, and/or density such that it will remain upright when placed on a flat surface. In addition, the bowl portion  20  of the generally hollow body  15  may optionally include short support legs, feet, or other small flattened protrusions on which the substantially flat bowl  20  may rest when in contact with a flat surface. In an embodiment, support legs(s)  72  are shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  11 , and  12 . 
         [0034]    The bowl  20  further comprises a support member  75  for supporting ear pipe fuel. Said support member may be an integral part of the generally hollow body  15 , it may be an integral part of the bowl  20 , or it may be a separate removable component. In one embodiment, the support member  75  comprises a wire mesh which can support a burning and/or smoldering quantity of ear pipe fuel  80 . In another embodiment, the support member  75  has a diameter ranging from about 30 mm to about 90 mm. If the support member  75  is removable, it may be placed into the ear pipe  10  through an elongated outward-facing opening  85  that is located in the bowl  20  at its distal end and is substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis. In an embodiment, the angle of the elongated outward-facing opening  85  to the vertical axis ranges from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees. Referring to  FIG. 11 , support member  75  can rest on a support ledge  77  in order to remain in place. The support ledge  77  can be generally circular or semi-circular within the bowl  20 . The length of the elongated outward-facing opening  85  is approximately equal to the diameter or width of the of the support member  75  allowing the support member to securely slide into the bowl  20  of the ear pipe. For example, the width of the elongated outward-facing opening  85  may range from about 30 mm to about 90 mm. Furthermore, the elongated outward-facing opening  85  may serve as a means for ventilation required for the ear pipe fuel to properly burn and/or smolder. However, additional and/or separate ventilation opening(s) may be provided in or adjacent to the bowl  20  to change the characteristics of the air flow through the ear pipe. 
         [0035]    In other embodiments, the support member  75  may be placed inside the ear pipe  10  through an opening left by the fuel cover  50  when said cover is removed, or in case of the pipe being separable along the transverse plane (as described above), directly from the top when the top portion is removed. 
         [0036]    In yet another embodiment, the support member  75  may be a non-mesh, solid surface capable of supporting the burning and/or smoldering fuel. However, using a wire mesh as the support member  75  provides the advantage of supplying sufficient air flow to all parts of the ear pipe fuel so as to allow for a uniform burn and or smolder. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 ,  11 B, and  11 C, preferably the support member  75  has a non-flat surface with an indentation(s)  90  towards the center. Such indentation allows the fuel to stay in the center of the support member  75  during pipe&#39;s movement, promoting a uniform and efficient burn and/or smolder. 
         [0038]    The ear pipe  10  further comprises an ear tip  95  disposed of at the proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15 . The ear tip  95  may be an integral part of the generally hollow body  15  as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , or it may be a separate component capable of removal or exchange as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The ear tip  95  comprises an axially aligned pass-through opening  100  which allows for a flow of air and/or smoke from the smoldering ear pipe fuel  80  to pass from the generally hollow body  15  into the user&#39;s ear. The ear tip  95  further allows any and all debris drawn from the user&#39;s ear  210  to pass from the ear canal  220  back into the ear pipe for removal at a later time upon cleaning as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the axially aligned pass-through opening  100  ranges from about 1 mm to about 6 mm. 
         [0039]    Now turning to  FIGS. 9 and 9B , the ear tip  95  further comprises an ear contact portion  105  and an ear contact end  110 . In one embodiment, the ear contact portion  105  is cone-shaped having a substantially flat outer surface that is tapered towards the axially aligned opening  100 . In another embodiment, the ear contact portion  105  comprises a transitional region  115  which provides a smooth transition from the ear contact portion  105  to the ear contact end  110 , thereby forming a smooth, outwardly convex annular rim. The smooth edge may allow the user to press the ear pipe against the ear canal creating a seal without much discomfort and/or pain. In yet another embodiment, the outer diameter of the ear contact portion ranges from about 8 mm to about 15 mm. 
         [0040]    The ear tip  95  may further comprise a stem  120  distal to the ear contact end  110 , wherein the stem can include a base  125  and an end  130 . The stem  120  is intended to sealably connect the tip  95  to the open proximal end  35  in an embodiment where the tip is not an integral component of the generally hollow body  15 . In one embodiment, the stem  120  has a substantially cylindrical shape with its outer diameter equal to or less than the inner diameter of the open proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15 . In another embodiment, the outer diameter of the stem  120  ranges from about 2 mm to about 8 mm. Preferably, the outer diameter of the stem  120  is less than the inner diameter of the proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15 , with the stem  120  comprising one or more elastomeric flange(s) or skirt(s)  135  angled towards the ear contact portion  105 . Said elastomeric flange(s)  135  encircles the stem  120  and may be integral therewith. Having said flange(s)  135  angled towards the ear contact portion  105  allows the user to sealably attach the ear tip  95  to the generally hollow body  15  with relative ease while at the same time preventing unintentional displacement of said tip as some amount of force would be required to displace it. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of the presently claimed invention wherein an elastomeric protrusion(s) and/or a bump(s) may replace the flange(s)  135  to accomplish the same goal of preventing unintentional displacement of the ear tip  95  from the generally hollow body  15 . 
         [0042]    In yet another embodiment, the stem  120  is tapered from the stem base  125  towards the stem end  130 . In this embodiment, the outer diameter at the stem base  125  is greater than the inner diameter of the proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15 . The outer diameter of the stem  120  decreases towards the stem end  130 , wherein the outer diameter at the stem end  130  is less than the inner diameter of the proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15 . This embodiment may prevent the ear tip  95  from unintentional displacement from the generally hollow body  15  by having the outer surface of the stem  120  exert frictional force on the internal surface of the proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15 . 
         [0043]    Whereas the above-described embodiments describe the ear tip  95  fitting into the generally hollow body  15 , other embodiments may include the generally hollow body  15  fitting into the ear tip  95 . This may be accomplished by having the outer diameter of the proximal end  35  of the generally hollow body  15  be equal to or less than the internal diameter of the axially aligned opening  100 . 
         [0044]    In yet other embodiments, the ear tip  95  and the generally hollow body  15  may be joined together using any conventional means, including but not limited to using thread(s). 
         [0045]    The tip may be made of any commercially available material that can be inserted into a human ear. In an embodiment, the material from which the tip is made is selected from wood, plastic, polycarbonate, metal, stone, clay, glass, ceramic, rubber, and any combination thereof. Preferably the ear tip  95  is disposable. In another embodiment, the ear tip  95  is made from hypoallergenic material. 
         [0046]    The above-described and presently claimed invention may be used in various embodiments. For example,  FIG. 13  illustrates the use of the ear pipe  10  by a user  200  and the correct orientation of the ear pipe  10  when inserted into the ear  210  of the user  200 . Once the ear pipe fuel has been lit and has reached a smoldering state, and the fuel cover has been placed into a closed position, the proximal end  35  with the ear tip  95  of the ear pipe  10  is generally inserted into the ear canal  220  or in close proximity to the ear canal  220 . Once the séance has been completed, the fuel cover may be removed and ear pipe fuel discarded. Depending on the embodiment, the ear pipe  10  may further be taken apart for cleaning any debris that may have collected on the internal surfaces thereof. 
         [0047]    The ear pipe  10  may further be a part of a kit that comprises a generally hollow body, a fuel cover, one or more wire mesh fuel support members, one or more unit(s) of ear pipe fuel, and one or more ear tip(s). Optionally the ear tips may be of varying size and/or material to allow for better fitting and improved comfort depending on the user. In another embodiment, the kit may further comprise a cleaning device and/or solution that may aid in cleaning and/or removing the debris collected and/or left over inside the ear pipe after the use thereof. 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, the above-described and presently claimed invention may be used comprising the following steps:
       a. removing the fuel cover  50  from the pipe  10 ;   b. placing the support member  75  inside the ear pipe;   c. placing the ear pipe fuel  80  on top of fuel support member  75 ;   d. providing an ignition source to ignite the ear pipe fuel;   e. allowing the fuel to remain lit for a period of time that is sufficient to permit the fuel to begin and sustain a smoldering process;   f. extinguish the flame on the fuel by blowing it out or by replacing the fuel cover  50  into its intended position, thereby causing the fuel to smolder and produce smoke and/or warm air that will travel in the upward direction along the generally hollow body  15  and exit from the proximal end  35  and the ear tip  95 ;   g. while keeping the pipe substantially level, pressing the ear tip  95  to the ear canal  220  to allow the smoke and/or warm air to enter the canal  220 ; and   h. continuing step (g) for a period of time that is sufficient to realize the benefits of using the device such as drawing ear wax, pathogens, and other debris from the ear  210  outward through and away from the canal  220  into and through the generally hollow body  15  of the ear pipe  10 .       
 
         [0057]    It must be remembered, that the various embodiments described above may include, in addition to the parts of the presently claimed invention, addition shapes, forms, materials, finishes, and fuels suitable for use in these embodiments. Furthermore, these embodiments are non-limiting, and therefore variations of these embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the description. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. 
         [0058]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference was individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and was set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0059]    The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and similar referents in the context of describing the presently claimed invention (especially in the context of the claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
         [0060]    As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are the equivalent of a stated value+/−10%. Thus a value of about 5 centimeters (cm) refers to the range of values from and including 4.5 cm to and including 5.5 cm. 
         [0061]    While some potential advantages and objects are being expressly identified herein, it should be understood that some embodiments of the invention may not provide all, or any, of the expressly identified advantages and objects.