Abstract:
Blocked fluid passages in the head are cleared by applying vibratory forces through the jawbone using a handheld appliance supporting a battery powered vibratory mechanism at one end of a handle and a mouthpiece at the other end.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a method of clearing blocked fluid passages in the head, such as Eustachian tubes and sinus cavities, by inducing vibrations into the areas and more particularly, to an appliance for inducing such vibrations into the head through the dental cavity. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The Eustachian tubes can be blocked or obstructed for a variety of reasons, most often colds, sinus infections and nasal allergies. When a Eustachian tube is blocked, the middle ear pressure cannot be equalized and pressures are exerted on the eardrum. These pressures stretch the eardrum to prevent it from vibrating naturally, so sounds are blocked or muffled. A vacuum will often form behind the eardrum and draw fluids into the ear which can create potentially injurious ear infections. 
         [0003]    Pain most often results from blocked Eustachian tubes when experiencing extreme pressure changes, such as occur in airplanes during take-off or landing, in elevators, or in diving. Even at constant air pressures, the blocked ears produce a very uncomfortable feeling. 
         [0004]    Blocked ears may often be cleared by swallowing so as to activate the muscle that opens the Eustachian tube, or by chewing gum to constantly flex the ear muscles. Certain medications will dry up the ear so as to minimize Eustachian tube blockage, but they often have undesirable side effects. Similar problems result when the ostium of a sinus cavity is blocked. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is accordingly directed toward a method of clearing blocked fluid passages in the head, including Eustachian tubes and sinus cavities, by applying vibratory forces into the head area and more particularly, to a device which may be inserted into the oral cavity so as to induce vibrations into the head and unblock the Eustachian tubes and sinus cavities. 
         [0006]    The method of the present invention can be practiced through use of a novel device appliance which incorporates an elongated handle to allow insertion of a mouthpiece, supported at one end, into the oral cavity, where it may be pressed against the teeth or forced between the upper and lower jaws with a biting action. The device incorporates an electrically powered vibratory mechanism which is preferably adjustable in terms of both vibratory frequency and intensity. The device may include manual controls for adjusting the amplitude or frequency of the vibrating waves, or alternatively, energizing circuitry which automatically scans a variety of frequencies and intensities. 
         [0007]    The device is preferably battery powered and in one embodiment, is used with a recharging stand in which the device may be supported when not in use. 
         [0008]    The mouthpiece formed at one end of the elongated handle preferably extends laterally to the end of the handle so that it may be moved into an optimum location for inducing vibrations into the affected ear. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will be made clear by the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The description makes reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a handheld device operative to be disposed in a user&#39;s oral cavity to impose vibratory forces onto one or both jaws and thus induce vibrations into the Eustachian tube adapted to clear blockages in the Eustachian tube; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the user applying the device to the jaw bone in order to induce vibrations into the head; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the circuitry of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Referring to the drawings, a device formed in accordance with the present invention for practice of the present method is generally indicated at  10  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The device incorporates an elongated stem  12  having a hand grip  14  formed at one end and a mouthpiece  16  affixed to the other end. Mouthpiece  16  performs the function imparting vibrations generated by the device  10 , through a vibrator  20  ( FIG. 3 ) supported in the handle  14 , into the teeth and thus the jawbone of a user and may take any of a variety of forms. In the preferred form, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mouthpiece  16  constitutes a substantially rigid elongated member, curved in the same manner as a typical dental arch. Its upper and lower surfaces are formed with grooves  22  and  24 , respectively, which are adapted to engage these teeth. Either one may be brought into contact with one set of teeth, or the user may bite on the device  16  so the dental arch is resting in the grooves  22  or  24 . The surfaces of the grooves  22  and  24  which contact the teeth are preferably aligned with a resilient material  26  to allow firm contact between the mouthpiece and the teeth without harming the teeth. 
         [0014]    The stem  12  is affixed at one end of the mouthpiece  16  so that vibrations induced into the stem cause similar vibrations of the mouthpiece. 
         [0015]    The handle member, formed at the other end of the stem  12 , incorporates an electrically powered vibratory mechanism  20  which may be of any conventional design, such as an electromagnet contacting an armature as in a conventional vibrator. The stem  12  is affixed to the vibratory mechanism  20  so that the motions of the vibratory mechanism are induced into the stem. The unit is preferably powered by a battery  30  through a switch mechanism  32 . The switch  32  may be accessed by the user through the handle. It may be placed in an on or off position, or in a position in which the vibratory mechanism  20  undergoes a cyclical vibration which may vary in frequency, intensity, or both. The handle  14  may incorporate dials  34  and  36 , which control rheostats  38  and  40 , connected to the vibratory mechanism so as to adjust the vibratory frequency and/or intensity. The user may vary these controls until an intensity and a frequency which achieves maximum relief of the pressure in the Eustachian tubes is noted. 
         [0016]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the user holds the device by the handle  14  with the mouthpiece in the oral cavity and adjusts the control so as to induce vibrations into the Eustachian tubes or sinus cavities through the jawbone. 
         [0017]    The battery  30  is preferably rechargeable and is recharged between uses by supporting the handle  14  in a recharging stand  42 .