Patent Description:
Presence of the cerumen glands in the human ear canal is important to maintain the overall health of the ear canal and thus protects the ear from various common disorders. The cerumen glands secretes a waxy material known as cerumen or ear wax which acts as a trapping agent for various outside agents such as airborne debris. Further, the cerumen also acts as a water repellent and also acidifies the epithelial surface of the canal, thus reducing the chances of bacterial and fungal infections within the ear canal.

Further, the fine hair present within the outer ear canal impels the ear wax gradually outwardly, and this process also helps in removing any dirt particles that has been trapped inside the ear canal. Finally, the ear wax is expelled out of the outer ear canal, which slowly dries and thus falls out of the ear. This whole process removes the foreign particles from the ear canal and naturally cleans the ear.

Commonly Otitis externa is referred to as "swimmer's ear", which occurs due to repeated exposure of ear canal to water during swimming and related water activities. The condition makes the ear canal more vulnerable to inflammation and leads to disorders caused by bacteria and fungi. Moreover, during humid conditions, the water trapped in the ear canal also contracts a swimmer's ear, and further worsens the inflammation and disorders.

It is always difficult to remove the trapped water as it stays in the ear and defies gravity by refusing to flow outside of the ear. Thus, the trapped water in the ear provides ambient condition (moist and warm environment) which is perfect for bacteria to grow. As a result, bacteria and fungi use water as the primary vehicle for the beginning of bacterial and fungus growth resulting in the Swimmer's Ear disorders (Otitis Externae).

It is found that the particular bacteria causing otitis externa are Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Staphylococcus Aureus, and other gram-positive and gram-negative species of bacteria. Moreover, Candida Albicans and Aspergillus species are the most common fungal pathogens responsible for the ear disorder.

Otitis externa causes inflammation (redness and swelling) of the external ear canal. Several other symptoms relating to this condition are ear pain, itching and irritation in and around the ear canal, redness and swelling of the outer ear and ear canal, a feeling of pressure and fullness inside the ear, scaly skin in and around the ear canal, which may peel off, discharge from the ear, which can be either thin and watery or thick and pus-like, tenderness when the ear or jaw is moved, swollen and sore glands in the throat, hearing loss and the like symptoms.

Another ear related condition is "Surfer's ear", which is the common name for an exostosis or abnormal bone growth within the ear canal.

In earlier times, the solution to the problem of the above conditions has been approached by various methods directed at removal of water after swimming. Other approaches are directed towards medicinal treatment after the condition has occurred.

Typical medicinal treatments of prior art involve myriad over-the-counter and prescription-only pharmaceutical agents available for symptomatic relief of the symptoms of otitis externa and surfer's ear. Usually, the treatment involves prescribing either antibiotic or antifungal ear drops or other forms of ear drops and therapies which either contain active medicinal ingredients and/or preservatives which in many cases can cause further allergies or sensitivities to some users.

However, regular use of antibiotic or antifungal compounds is not considered safe for the human body. Especially, when the person is regularly going for water related activities such person can't avoid the threat of continuous and longtime use of antibiotic or antifungal compounds.

Moreover, sometimes treatment of surfer's ear becomes far more complex and often involves surgery under anesthesia to remove the obstructing ear canal bone by the use of a binocular microscope. Most ear surgeons use a drill to remove the bone. Depending on the condition of the ear canal and the surgical technique used, the ear canal may require several weeks to several months to heal. Unprotected exposure of ear canals to cold water and wind after treatment can lead to regrowth of bone and the need for repeated operations on the same ear.

Options available until now to help prevent water penetration into the ear involve use of ear plugs when swimming or wear a swimming cap to cover ears and protect them from water ingress.

Other prevention methods are to use waterproofing (water repellent and water drying), ear sprays/drops applied before or after exposure to water creating waterproof barriers or post-water exposure drying in the ear canal which facilitates the flow of water out of the ear. These barriers prevent ear discomfort and infections by reducing exposure to trapped water. Further, other prevention method includes use of hairdryer to dry the ear after the trapping of water inside the ear canal.

There are other methods to prevent water penetration into the ear, such as disclosed in European patent no. <CIT>, which provides a dispensing device for dispensing a pre-defined quantity of oil. The oil comprises a mineral oil and vegetable oil, which is introduced into ears to avoid water entrapment. These devices prevent water borne bacterial ear infections as well as protect the ears from dirty pool water, reducing itchy and irritable ears and hearing loss after swimming.

Further, US patent no. <CIT> focuses on preventative compositions for preventing Otitis externa by eliminating discomfort of water remaining in the external canal, by applying a liquid to the skin surface of the external auditory canal of a user's ear.

It is evident there are a number of formulations which act as a barrier to reduce water entrapment in the ears and reduce infection and discomfort.

As discussed above there are several water barrier systems and compositions to prevent the onset of ear conditions such as otitis externa, surfer's ear, other common ear canal disorders and infections. Therefore, it is important to note the effectiveness, side effects and risk of these known systems and compositions.

Most of these systems and compositions as known do not ensure complete ear protection as well as are cumbersome for some users to use due to specific shape of their ear, and/or specific skin type, and/or user's specific requirements.

Therefore, there is a need for developing ear protection compositions and systems which are cosmeceutical in nature, and free from side effects associated with pharmaceutical compositions.

Although there are several water repelling ear protection systems and compositions available in the market, still there is a need to develop an easy to use and effective system and composition for protecting the ear from such water related problems.

There is also a need of a system and composition which can be used by every user despite of their age group, their ear shape, and/or ear skin type. There is also a need of a system and/or composition which can be applied by the user himself/herself before entering into water during swimming or surfing activities. Accordingly, the system and composition as disclosed in the present invention confer the benefits which outweigh the previously identified systems and compositions.

The following presents a simplified summary of the claimed subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview of the claimed subject matter. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter nor delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the claimed subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In view of the aforesaid needs and shortcoming of the state of the art in an aspect, the present invention provides a composition and a device to prevent the problem of trapping of water in the ear canal of a person and preventing ear from water borne infections.

Various embodiments of the present invention disclose a composition for use in preventing water related ear canal disorders, a preventing ear spray comprising said composition for the defined use, and a spray device for dispensing a pre-defined quantity of said composition for the defined use. The scope of the present invention is limited by the appended claims.

In accordance with the present invention, the ear protection composition includes a mineral oil within the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v, and a vegetable oil within the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v. Preferably, the mineral oil is <NUM> percent w/v and the vegetable oil is <NUM> percent w/v,.

The mineral oil is Paraffinum Liquidum and the vegetable oil is an Oreganum Oil. Moreover, the Oreganum Oil is an essential oil selected from at least one of the species of the Oreganum family selected from Oreganum Compactum, Oreganum Vulgare, and a combination thereof.

The ear protection composition forms a thin water repellent layer topically to an external ear canal of the user. The Oreganum Oil is an antimicrobial agent, a natural antibacterial agent, an antifungal agent and an antiseptic agent effective against a plurality of bacteria, a plurality of fungi, a plurality of viruses and alike microbes responsible for disorders of human ear canal.

In the present invention, the ear protection composition is for use in the prevention of water-related ear canal disorders, wherein the said composition is applied in an ear canal before a user enters into water.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an ear spray is also disclosed for protecting the ear from water entrapment. The said ear spray comprises a water repellent agent, and an antimicrobial agent, wherein the said ear spray is applied in the ear canal by a metered dosage of <NUM> to <NUM> before the user enters in the water. The said ear spray is characterized in that the water repellent agent is Paraffinum Liquidum in the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v, and the antimicrobial agent is an Oreganum Oil in the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further discloses an ear spray device dispensing a pre-defined quantity of the ear protection composition in the ear canal of the user.

The said ear protection device includes a reservoir containing the said ear protection composition, a spray nozzle and a pump mechanism. The ear protection composition comprises a water repellent agent, and an antimicrobial agent.

The water repellent agent is Paraffinum Liquidum within the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v, and the antimicrobial agent is an Oreganum Oil within the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v. Preferably, the Paraffinum Liquidum <NUM> percent w/v and the Oreganum Oil is <NUM> percent w/v.

The spray nozzle of the present invention is operatively coupled to the reservoir, and adapted to spray the ear protection composition inside the ear canal of the user when the said ear spray device is in either a substantially upright or a substantially inverted position. Furthermore, the device includes a pump mechanism connecting the reservoir with the spray nozzle, and is adapted to draw the ear protection composition from the reservoir and spray the said composition in metered dosage via the spray nozzle inside the ear canal of the user. In a specific embodiment, the ear protection composition includes <NUM> percent w/v of Paraffinum Liquidum and <NUM> percent w/v of an Oreganum Oil, forming a thin water repellent layer inside the ear canal of the user.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pre-defined quantity of said ear protection composition applied topically inside the ear canal of the user has a metered dosage of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The ear spray device is easily used by the user itself to apply a metered dosage of the ear spray before entering into the water.

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention is to be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention may admit other equally effective embodiments as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings. Moreover, the advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a composition for use in preventing water-related ear canal disorders, a preventing ear spray comprising said composition for the defined use, and a spray device for dispensing a pre-defined quantity of said composition for the defined use. The scope of these embodiments is determined by the appended claims. Moreover, the principles of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to <FIG>.

In the following detailed description of illustrative or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosed embodiments. For example, specific details such as specific method steps, structures, compositions, elements, and connections are presented herein. However, it is to be understood that the specific details presented need not be utilized to practice the embodiments of the present disclosure. The scope of the present invention is limited by the appended claims. Embodiments not covered by the claims are not according to the invention.

The invention will now be described with respect to various embodiments. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding of, and enabling description for, these embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions are not shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the invention.

It is intended that the terminology used in the description presented be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The terms "having", "comprising", "including", and variations thereof signify the presence of a component.

References within the specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "embodiments," or "one or more embodiments" are intended to indicate that a particular feature, composition, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of such phrases in various places within the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments. Embodiments not falling within the claimed subject-matter are not part of the invention.

The present invention discloses a composition for use in the prevention of water-related ear canal disorders, a preventing ear spray comprising said composition for the defined use, and a spray device for dispensing a pre-defined quantity of said composition for the defined use, according to the claims.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of the ear spray device having the ear protection composition for preventing waterborne ear canal disorders in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Particularly, the device is an ear spray device useful in preventing common ear canal disorders caused due to trapping of water in the ear canal of the user.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the ear protection composition includes <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v of Paraffinum Liquidum and <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v of an Oreganum Oil.

Preferably, the Paraffinum Liquidum <NUM> percent w/v and the Oreganum Oil <NUM> percent w/v.

The said liquid paraffin used in the said composition is an oily, transparent and colorless liquid obtained in the process of petroleum distillation. At room temperature it is odorless and tasteless although if heated it will exert a petroleum smell. Due to its chemical properties, it has many uses including industrial, medical as well as cosmetics.

Furthermore, due to its oily (emollient) properties and water resistance, the said liquid paraffin can coat skin surfaces and membranes to naturally repel and dissipate water, which makes it an essential ingredient in the composition to form a waterproof barrier in the ear canal. The other advantage is that it is not readily absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes into the body and is non-toxic.

Moreover, the said Oreganum Oil is an essential oil selected from at least one of the species of the Oreganum family selected from an Oreganum Compactum, an Oreganum Vulgare, or combination thereof.

The said oregano oil is usually derived from the leaves and flowers of Oregano (Origanum Vulgare), a hardy perennial herb, and a member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family. The oil contains compounds called phenols, terpenes and terpenoids which are known to have powerful antioxidant properties and are responsible for its distinctive fragrance. Some of the key components of the said oil are as follows: -.

The said composition of the present invention forms a thin water repellent layer topically to an external ear canal of the user. Also, Oreganum Oil is an antimicrobial agent, a natural antibacterial agent, an antifungal agent and an antiseptic agent effective against a plurality of bacteria, a plurality of fungi, a plurality of viruses and microbes responsible for problems of said ear canal.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the ear protection composition is applied in a metered dose in the ear canal before entering into water. The said metered dosage of the ear protection composition is of at least <NUM> to1.

Particularly, as described above, the composition has a combination of oils comprising a water repellent agent and an antimicrobial agent. The water repellent agent is Paraffinum Liquidum in the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v, and the antimicrobial agent is an Oreganum Oil in the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v. Subsequently, the ear protection composition forms a thin water repellent layer topically to an external ear canal of a user.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention further discloses an ear spray device dispensing a pre-defined quantity of the ear spray to the ear canal of the user. Particularly, referring to <FIG>, the said ear spray device includes a reservoir (<NUM>) comprising the ear protection composition, and a spray nozzle (<NUM>) having a pump mechanism.

In particular, the ear protection composition includes a combination of oils as defined in the claims.

Moreover, the spray nozzle (<NUM>) is adapted to spray the combination of oils inside the ear canal of the user when the ear spray device is in either a substantially upright or a substantially inverted position.

The pump mechanism as provided herein includes a pipette (<NUM>) enclosed in a housing (<NUM>). The said pipette (<NUM>) extends into the said reservoir (<NUM>), wherein the said ear protection composition is stored.

Further, the said pump mechanism also includes a spring (<NUM>), a secondary piston (<NUM>), a piston (<NUM>), a collar (<NUM>), a gasket (<NUM>), an actuator (<NUM>), and a closure (<NUM>) adapted to close the opening mouth of the said reservoir (<NUM>).

In various embodiments, the spring (<NUM>), the secondary piston (<NUM>), the piston (<NUM>), the collar (<NUM>), the gasket (<NUM>), the actuator (<NUM>), and a closure (<NUM>) are arranged to form the pump mechanism and are covered by the dust cap (<NUM>).

Further, a rod (<NUM>) and a rotating block (<NUM>) operatively couples the pump mechanism with the spray nozzle (<NUM>) in such a form that the said ear protection composition is applied inside the ear canal when the said ear spray is in a substantially upright or a substantially inverted position.

As such, the pump mechanism operatively couples the reservoir (<NUM>) with the spray nozzle (<NUM>) and is adapted to draw the combination of oils from the reservoir (<NUM>) spraying the combination of oils via the spray nozzle (<NUM>) inside the ear canal of the user.

As described hereinabove, the combination of oils preferably includes <NUM>% w/v of Paraffinum Liquidum and <NUM>% w/v of Oreganum Oil, forming a thin water repellent layer inside the ear canal of the user. The liquid coating applied to the outer ear canal specifically avoids over-pressure in the ear, and assures that bacterial formation is limited in the ear.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pre-defined quantity of ear protection composition as applied topically inside the ear canal is in a metered dosage of <NUM> to <NUM>. However, other metered dosages may also be used in combination with the spray device of the present invention.

Table <NUM> illustrates the preferred composition for preventing water related ear canal disorders in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Table <NUM> illustrates general technical characteristics/parameters of the composition and ear spray device for preventing water related ear canal disorders in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Paraffinum Liquidum is a mixture of hydrocarbons having the general formula CnHn and is obtained from petroleum oil before being highly refined to a very pure form using filtration and acid treatment. Paraffinum Liquidum is odorless and tasteless, translucent, and colorless. Paraffin is stable and should be stored below <NUM> in a well closed container.

Paraffinum Liquidum is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and non-irritant material when used in topical ointments and as a coating for tablets and capsules. However, granulomatous reactions may occur following injection of paraffin into tissue for cosmetic purposes or to relieve pain. Long-term inhalation of aerosolized paraffin may lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Ingestion of a substantial amount of white soft paraffin is known to cause intestinal obstruction.

Oregano oil is known to be an irritant rather than an allergen, and a topical maximum has been set at <NUM>% after which irritation can occur in some people. An adverse skin reaction study using undiluted oregano oil was severely irritating to mice, and moderately irritating to rabbits. In usual tests, the said oil tested at <NUM>% on <NUM> volunteers was neither irritating nor sensitizing. Oregano oil is non-phototoxic.

In a CAM (chorioallantoic membrane of the fertile chicken egg) assay, a model for detecting irritants, Origanum Onites Oil with <NUM>% carvacrol and <NUM>% thymol is strongly irritating. The level of Oregano Oil incorporated in the formulation is well below that noted to cause irritation or adverse skin reactions.

Origanum Vulgare oil inhibits platelet aggregation, an essential step in the blood clotting cascade.

When Origanum Vulgare oil was fed to pregnant mice for two weeks at <NUM>,<NUM> ppm (equivalent to ~<NUM>/kg), studies show there was a related increase in the rate of embryonic cell death.

Another study investigated the use of micronucleus and comet assay to evaluate the genotoxicity of oregano oil in rats orally exposed for <NUM> days. The results obtained in the genotoxicity assays indicated a lack of effect in MN and standard comet assay under the conditions tested. Furthermore, no apparent oxidative damage was observed in the enzyme-modified comet assay in any of the tissues examined of rats exposed to oregano essential oil for <NUM> days. Therefore, this oregano essential oil appears to be safe in Wistar rats.

A subchronic <NUM>-day oral toxicity study of Oregano oil was conducted in rats. Data revealed no mortality and no treatment-related adverse effects of the OEO in food/water consumption, body weight, haematology, biochemistry, necropsy, organ weight and histopathology. These findings suggest that the oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of this OEO is <NUM>/kg bw in Wistar rats, the highest dose tested. In conclusion, the use of this OEO in food packaging appears to be safe based on the lack of toxicity during the sub-chronic study at doses <NUM>-fold higher than those expected to be in contact consumers in the worst scenario of exposure.

Table <NUM> illustrates the clinical properties of the composition and ear spray for preventing water borne ear canal disorders in accordance with one or more embodiments of present invention.

As per the evidence gathered and presented, it can be concluded that there are no known side-effects associated with the use of the ear protection composition and ear spray as disclosed in the present invention, and the said composition and spray are safe for users of all ages.

Based on the product stability studies, the ear protection composition and ear spray have been assigned a <NUM>-year shelf-life.

The ear protection composition and ear spray are unique and have no equivalent devices available. However, the clinical, biological and technical characteristics of the product will be discussed based on the composition and properties of the ingredients used in the product.

Thus, the ear protection composition and ear spray as disclosed in the present invention have many advantages. At first, the composition is mainly cosmetic in nature. Accordingly, the composition is considered as safe and effective for preventing waterborne ear canal disorders.

The said composition does not pose any undue safety concerns to the end-users. This has been demonstrated from the study and literature reviewed on the basic ingredients as used in the said ear protection composition.

Claim 1:
An ear protection composition for use in the prevention of water-related ear canal disorders, wherein the said composition is applied in an ear canal before the user enters in the water, and wherein the said composition comprises:
at least one mineral oil present in the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v, wherein the said mineral oil is Paraffinum Liquidum; and at least one vegetable oil present in the range of <NUM> percent w/v to <NUM> percent w/v, wherein the said vegetable oil is an Oreganum Oil.