Patent Publication Number: US-2021185462-A1

Title: Ear tip designs

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/866,866, filed May 5, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/178,450, filed Nov. 1, 2018; which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/593,120, filed Nov. 30, 2017; the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to improvements in devices for positioning components in the ear canal of a user and, more particularly, to ear tips used to position hearing aid components in the lateral end of a user&#39;s ear canal. 
     Background 
     The present invention is intended to improve a number of the characteristics of ear tips. In particular, the inventions described are intended to improve characteristics such as: cerumen management; ear tip comfort; ear tip migration; and ease of insertion. In addition, the present invention may be used to improve ear tip stability during anatomical changes to the ear canal caused by, for example jaw movement and smiling. Further, the present invention may be used to improve alignment between, for example, a laser affixed to the ear tip and a photodetector positioned on the eardrum of a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present inventive concepts will be apparent from the more particular description of preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same or like elements. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an ear tip according to the present invention including multiple ear tip features. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an ear tip according to the present invention including multiple ear tip features. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an ear tip according to the present invention including multiple ear tip regions. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of an engagement feature according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of an engagement feature according to the present invention, wherein the engagement feature is in contact with the wall of an ear canal. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of the medial end of an ear tip including flutes according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of the medial end of an ear tip including flutes according to the present invention wherein the flutes have biological material, such as cerumen in them. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of the medial end of an ear tip including an alternative design for the flutes according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of the medial end of an ear tip including flutes according to the present invention wherein the flutes have varying lengths and widths. 
         FIGS. 10-14  are side cut away views of an ear tip including a modified central region according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of an ear tip according to the present invention wherein the ear tip has a stiff lateral end and a flexible medial end. 
         FIG. 16  is an illustration of an ear tip according to the present invention wherein the ear tip has a stiff superior edge and a flexible inferior edge. 
         FIG. 17  is an illustration of an ear tip according to the present invention wherein the ear tip has a diagonal rigidity transition. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a processor and ear tip according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of an ear tip  100  according to the present invention wherein ear tip  100  includes multiple ear tip features. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , such ear tip features may include engagement features  102 , flutes  104 , and carve outs  110 . In embodiments of the invention, engagement features  102  may be antiskid bumps or scales. In embodiments of the invention, ear tip  100  may include spines  122  separating flutes  104 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of an ear tip  100  according to the present invention including multiple ear tip features. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , flutes  104  may include micro-protrusions  104 . In embodiments of the invention, micro-protrusions  104  may be micro-bumps. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of an ear tip  100  according to the present invention including multiple ear tip regions. In embodiments of the invention, ear tip  100  may include a lateral region  112 . In embodiments of the invention, lateral region  112  may be a retention feature region. In embodiments of the invention, ear tip  100  may include a central region  114 . In embodiments of the invention, central region  114  may be a stability feature region. In embodiments of the invention, ear tip  100  may include a medial region  116 . In embodiments of the invention, medial region  116  may be a comfort feature region. 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of an engagement feature  102  according to the present invention. In embodiments of the invention, engagement feature  102  may include a hollow region  124 . 
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of an engagement feature 102  according to the present invention, wherein the engagement feature is in contact with wall  126  of ear canal  128 . In embodiments of the invention, engagement feature  102  deforms when ear tip  100  is in position in ear canal  128 . 
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of medial end  134  of ear tip  100  including flutes  104  according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of medial end  134  of ear tip  100  including flutes  104  according to the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , one or more of flutes  104  may have biological material  118  such as cerumen in them. In embodiments of the invention, flutes  104  may be designed to collect biological material  118  as ear tip  100  is inserted into the ear canal of a user. 
       FIG. 8  is an illustration of the medial end of ear tip  100  including an alternative design for the flutes according to the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , flutes  104  are designed to have a thin leading edge  136 . In embodiments of the invention, leading edge  136  facilitates the collection of biological material  118 . 
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of medial end  134  of ear tip  100  including flutes  104  according to the present invention wherein flutes  104  have varying lengths and widths. In  FIG. 9 , dimension AA is the width of a wide flute  104  at medial end  134 . In  FIG. 9 , dimension BB is the width of a narrow flute  104 . In  FIG. 9 , dimension CC is the length of a long flute  104  measured from medial end  134 . In  FIG. 9 , dimension DD is the length of a short flute  104  measured from the medial end  134  of flute  104 . 
       FIGS. 10-14  are side cut away views of an ear tip including a modified central region according to the present invention. In  FIG. 10 , dimension EE represents the length of lateral region  112 , dimension FF represents the length of central region  114 , and dimension GG represents the length of medial region  116 . In  FIG. 10 , dimension HH represents the thickness of wall  138  of ear tip  100  at its thinnest while dimension II represents the thickness of wall  138  at its thickest. In the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , wall  138  is thinner in central region  114  than in lateral region  112  or medial region  116 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , wall  138  is thinner in central region  114  than in lateral region  112  or medial region  116 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , carve outs  110  are used to thin wall  138  in central region  114 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , carve outs  110  are used to thin portions of wall  138  in central region  114  on one side of ear tip  100 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , wall  138  is thinned and carve outs are included in central region  114 . In embodiments of the invention, the features included in central region, including thinned portions of wall  138  and carve outs  110  may be referred to as stability features. In embodiments of the invention, stability features may be used to decouple movements of the lateral  112  and/or central  114  regions of light from movements of the medial  116  region of ear tip  100 . When such movements are decoupled, movement of lateral  112  or central  114  regions will result in little or no movement of medial region  116 , maintaining alignment between medial region  116  and components (not shown) positioned in the medial end of the ear canal (not shown). 
       FIG. 15  is an illustration of ear tip  100  according to the present invention wherein ear tip  100  has a stiff lateral end  140  and a flexible medial end  134 . 
       FIG. 16  is an illustration of ear tip  100  according to the present invention wherein ear tip  100  has a stiff superior edge  142  and a flexible inferior edge  144 . 
       FIG. 17  is an illustration of an ear tip according to the present invention wherein ear tip  100  has a diagonal rigidity transition. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an audio processor  332  and ear tip  100  according to the present invention. Ear tip  100  may, in some embodiments of the invention, be referred to as a mag tip or magnetic tip. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , audio processor  332  may include external microphones  310  and volume/control switch  314 . In embodiments of the invention ear tip  120  may include a transmit coil  290  which may include ferrite core  318 . In embodiments of the invention ear tip  120  may include an acoustic vent  338  which may pass through transmit coil  132  and/or through ferrite core  318 . In embodiments of the invention ear tip  100  may include one or more of the features described herein with respect to the other Figures. 
     A structure designed to be placed into and reside in the ear canal of a user, where the structure is adapted to receive signals from an audio processor and transmit signals to the user&#39;s tympanic membrane or to a device positioned on or near the user&#39;s tympanic membrane (such as, for example, a contact hearing device). In one embodiment of the invention, the signals may be transmitted by light, using, for example, a laser positioned in the light tip. In one embodiment of the invention, the signals may be transmitted using radio frequency, using, for example, an antenna connected to the Ear Tip. In one embodiment of the invention the signal may be transmitted using inductive coupling, using, for example, a coil connected to the ear tip. The ear tip may also be referred to as a light tip, magnetic tip or mag tip. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the ear tip may be a structure designed to be placed into and reside in the ear canal of a user, where the structure is adapted to receive signals from an audio processor and transmit signals to the user&#39;s tympanic membrane or to a device positioned on or near the user&#39;s tympanic membrane (such as, for example, a contact hearing device). In one embodiment of the invention, the signals may be transmitted by light, using, for example, a laser positioned in the light tip. In one embodiment of the invention, the signals may be transmitted using radio frequency, using, for example, an antenna connected to the Ear Tip. In one embodiment of the invention, the signal may be transmitted using inductive coupling, using, for example, a coil connected to the ear tip. The ear tip may also be referred to as a light tip, magnetic tip or mag tip. 
     Features which may be included in ear tips to improve their performance include an ear tip having a variable hardness from the medial to the lateral end of the ear tip. As an example, the medial end of the ear tip may be manufactured from a low durometer (soft) material and the lateral end of the ear tip may be manufactured from a higher durometer (harder) material. 
     The soft material at the medial end of the ear tip prevents the medial end of the ear tip from damaging or irritating the ear canal. The harder material at the lateral end of the ear tip makes it easier for the user to insert the ear tip into the ear. The change in durometer may come ⅓ to ½ the length of the ear tip. The ear tip may be manufactured out of a single material having multiple durometers or out of multiple materials, each material having a different durometer. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the rigidity varies with position on the Ear tip shell. In one embodiment, the shell rigidity would vary in the lateral-medial direction (e.g., more rigid toward the lateral end and less rigid toward the medial end). In another embodiment, the shell rigidity would vary circumferentially (e.g., more rigid toward the superior edge and less rigid toward the inferior edge). In embodiments of the invention, the ear tip may have a stiff lateral end and a flexible medial end. In embodiments of the invention, the ear tip may have a stiff superior edge and a flexible inferior edge. In embodiments of the invention, the ear tip may have a diagonal rigidity transition. In embodiments of the invention, the rigidity may be varied by combining materials of different durometers. In embodiments of the invention, the rigidity may be varied by tailoring the shell wall thickness. In embodiments of the invention, the shell wall thickness may be tailored either uniformly or by introducing grooves. 
     A further feature which may be included in an ear tip is the presence of carve outs (i.e., indentations in the outer surface of the ear tip). These carve outs may take the form of, for example, a half moon and may be used to, for example, collect cerumen as the ear tip is pushed into and removed from the ear canal of a user. Carve outs may also be used to, for example, weaken the surface of the ear tip in order to make it more flexible. Positioning and orientation of the carve outs will enhance their function either as cerumen collectors or flexibility aids. 
     Further features which may be included in an ear tip include engagement features such as anti-skid bumps. The size, number, and location of these engagement features may be selected to ensure that the ear tip stays in the patient&#39;s ear. Other characteristics of the engagement features which may be adapted to a particular patient or ear tip design include the diameter, height, geometry of arrangement, and pattern of placement. The engagement features are generally positioned on the lateral end (e.g., within the lateral feature Region) of the ear tip to engage the soft tissue at that end of the ear canal. They are generally not used at the medial end of the ear tip where the skin covering the boney canal is thinner and tight to the bone. These features can create a significant resistance to lateral migration. 
     Additional engagement features may include micro-protrusions (e.g., micro-bumps) included in the flutes to engage biological tissue (e.g., cerumen) and hold it in the flutes. This added texture will enhance the ability of the flutes to engage wax in the flutes and to hold it there as the ear tip moves around (for example, when it is removed from the patient&#39;s ear). 
     Further features which may be included in an ear tip include flutes. Flutes are generally positioned at the medial end of the ear tip. Flutes may be used to collect biological material, including cerumen. The flutes add flexibility to the medial end of the ear tip while the spines (between the flutes) provide stability as the ear tip is pushed into the ear canal. Flutes may also be used to hold a lubricant, such as mineral oil. The lubricant would be distributed along the ear canal as the ear tip is pushed into position. Putting oil on flutes spreads oil on skin and distributes over surface of ear canal. 
     Flutes may be designed to have specific sizes and arrangements. For example, long flutes may be interspersed with short flutes around the outer perimeter of the medial end of the ear tip. The long flutes may be, for example, 40% of the length of the ear tip. The short flutes may be, for example 30% of the length of the ear tip. Width may also be varied from flute to flute. In one example, the wide flutes, which may also correspond to the long flutes, are approximately 2 mm wide at the medial end of the flute. In this example, the narrow flutes, which may also correspond to the short flutes, may be approximately 1 MM wide at the medial end of the ear tip. The spine between flutes may be thicker at the lateral end of the spine than at the medial end. This thickness change creates a blunted nose and softer medial tip, enhancing comfort for the wearer. The flutes may be designed to have an accordion effect, collapsing the medial end of the ear tip as the ear tip is inserted into the ear canal and expanding once the ear tip is properly positioned. 
     Further features which may be included in an ear tip include flexibility features which enable portions of the ear tip to bend or move in response to the movement of elements of the patient&#39;s ear canal anatomy. By allowing certain elements of the ear tip to bend or move in response to movements in the patient&#39;s ear canal, the overall stability of the ear tip, particularly at the medial end, may be enhanced. In one example, the outer wall in the central region of the ear tip may be thinned either all around the circumference or in a predetermined region to allow the central region to move in response to movement of components of the ear canal anatomy without translating that movement to the medial end of the ear tip. In another example, the thinned portion may comprise the portion of the central region of the ear tip which is positioned against the anterior wall of the patient&#39;s ear canal when the ear tip is properly positioned in the ear canal. In another example, the posterior wall may be thickened opposite the thinned anterior wall. These features allow the ear tip to bend in response to movements of anatomical elements of the patient&#39;s ear canal. 
     In an example, the ear tip may be divided into three Regions. A retention feature Region comprising approximately ⅓ of the length of the ear tip and starting at the lateral end. A stability feature Region comprising approximately ⅓ of the length of the ear tip and being located in the center of the ear tip. A comfort feature Region comprising approximately ⅓ of the length of the ear tip may be located at the medial end of the ear tip. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the present inventive concepts. Modification or combinations of the above-described assemblies, other embodiments, configurations, and methods for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims. In addition, where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedure claim set forth herebelow not be construed as being order-specific unless such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMBERS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Number 
                 Element 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 AA 
                 Width of Large Flute 
               
               
                   
                 BB 
                 Width of Small Flute 
               
               
                   
                 CC 
                 Depth of Large Flute 
               
               
                   
                 DD 
                 Depth of Small Flute 
               
               
                   
                 EE 
                 Length of Lateral Region 
               
               
                   
                 FF 
                 Length of Central Region 
               
               
                   
                 GG 
                 Length of Medial Region 
               
               
                   
                 HH 
                 Thickness of Ear Tip Wall (thickest) 
               
               
                   
                 II 
                 Thickness of Ear Tip Wall (thinnest) 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 Ear Tip 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 Engagement Features (Anti-Skid Bumps, scales) 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 Flutes 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 Medial End 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 Lateral End 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 Carve Out 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 Lateral Region/Retention Feature Region 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 Central Region/Stability Feature Region 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 Medial Region/Comfort Feature Region 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 Biological Material (Cerumen) 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 Micro-Protrusions (Micro Bumps) 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 Spine 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 Hollow Region 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 Ear Canal Wall 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 Ear Canal 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 Anterior Wall 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 Posterior Wall 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 Medial End 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 Leading Edge 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 Ear tip Wall 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 Lateral End 
               
               
                   
                 142 
                 Superior Edge 
               
               
                   
                 144 
                 Inferior Edge 
               
               
                   
                 260 
                 Cable 
               
               
                   
                 290 
                 Transmit Coil 
               
               
                   
                 310 
                 External Microphone 
               
               
                   
                 314 
                 Volume/Control Switch 
               
               
                   
                 318 
                 Ferrite Core 
               
               
                   
                 332 
                 Audio Processor 
               
               
                   
                 338 
                 Acoustic Vent