Patent Description:
Ear wax, also known as cerumen, naturally forms in the outer portion of a person's auditory canal, and serves to protect and lubricate the auditory canal. The motion of a person's jaw assists in moving old ear wax towards the outside of the auditory canal where it dries up and falls away. Unfortunately, ear wax may build up in the auditory canal to the point that it impacts a person's hearing. Moreover, some people attempt to clean their ears with devices, such as cotton swabs, that generally push ear wax deeper into the auditory canal towards the ear drum. For this reason, attempting to clean the auditory canal with a cotton swab may actually harm a person's hearing without providing any substantial benefit.

<CIT> discloses an ear medication delivery device for delivering a treatment liquid and retaining the treatment liquid within an ear canal of a patient including a unitary, one piece earplug formed of a soft resilient material including an ear canal engaging portion and an external portion and defining a single internal passage therethrough. The external portion includes a major disk and an annular medication applicator receiving portion in fluid communication with the internal passage. The ear canal engaging portion includes at least two minor disks of progressively different size extending outwardly in a generally radial direction. The ear canal engaging portion defines a molded resilient valve unitary with the earplug that is shiftable from a closed position to an open position in either direction under a preselected fluid pressure and that resiliently returns to the closed position below the preselected fluid pressure.

<CIT> relates to a debridement extension providing irrigation and mechanical scrubbing for removal of dead, devitalized, or contaminated tissue from a wound.

<CIT> discloses a system for accessing a body orifice.

<CIT> discloses an irrigation device for use in an ear canal, in which a main body of substantially conical shape has a central axis. There is at least one input duct connecting to a lavage liquid delivery apparatus for injecting the lavage liquid into the ear canal. There is at least one output duct allowing the continuous drainage of used lavage liquid. At least a part of the input duct has an axis which is inclined relative to the central axis of the main body. This directs impingement of the lavage liquid against wall surfaces and not against the eardrum.

To clean the auditory canal, a mixture of saline, hydrogen peroxide, and/or water is used to irrigate the auditory canal and remove an excessive build-up of ear wax. Irrigating the auditory canal, however, may require a visit to a physician and the use of devices that require multiple people to operate. In addition, devices and techniques that are used to irrigate the auditory canal may result in used cleaning agent or cleaning fluid, usually carrying flushed ear wax, to exit the auditory canal and impact the patient.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a cannula according to claim <NUM>. Optional features are defined by the dependent claims.

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not necessarily intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed implementations. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that implementations may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, structures and solutions associated with ear cleaning, including the various components and ratios of such components in cleaning solutions, have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the implementations.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as "comprises" and "comprising," are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as "including, but not limited to.

Reference throughout this specification to "one implementation" or "an implementation" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the implementation or implementations is included in at least one implementation or implementations. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one implementation" or "in an implementation" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementation or implementations.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the implementations.

<FIG> shows an irrigation device <NUM> that can be worn on a head of a human, according to at least one illustrated implementation not according to the invention. The irrigation device <NUM> includes a first and a second over-ear earpiece 101a, 101b (generically, "over-ear earpiece <NUM>"), an adjustable head strap <NUM>, and a first and a second cannula 105a, 105b (generically, "cannula <NUM>") connected to respective cannula coupler interfaces 106a, 106b (only one visible in <FIG>). <FIG> shows the over-ear earpiece <NUM> in more detail.

In some implementations, the irrigation device <NUM> may be sized and shaped such that the first over-ear earpiece 101a fits over a user's right ear, and the second over-ear earpiece 101b fits over the user's left ear. Each over-ear earpiece may have a vertical axis <NUM> that is substantially perpendicular to the ground when a user wearing the irrigation device <NUM> is in an upright position, and a horizontal axis <NUM> that that is substantially parallel to the ground when the user wearing the irrigation device <NUM> is in the upright position is. While discussed with respect to an upright positon for ease of reference, it is noted that a user does not necessarily need to be in an upright position during use of the irrigation device <NUM>.

Each over-ear earpiece <NUM> may include an interior side <NUM> and an opposing exterior side <NUM> in which the interior side <NUM> is directed towards and is adjacent the side of the user's head when the user wears the irrigation device <NUM>. Each over-ear earpiece <NUM> may have a perimeter <NUM> that extends between the interior side <NUM> and the exterior side <NUM>. The perimeter <NUM> may be sized and shaped so that the over-ear earpiece <NUM> can enclose a range of ear shapes. In some implementations, the perimeter <NUM> of the over-ear earpiece <NUM> may be substantially circular, oval, and/or elliptical in shape. In some implementations, the over-ear earpiece <NUM> may include a port <NUM> that may be used to provide power and/or communications to the irrigation device <NUM>. The charging may be accomplished, for example, by connecting one or more physical connectors (e.g., a USB connector) to thereby charge in internal battery within the irrigation device. In some implementations, the port <NUM> may enable inductive coupling to charge an internal battery. In some implementations, only one of the over-ear earpieces <NUM> may include a port <NUM>. In some implementations, each of the over-ear earpieces <NUM> may be electrically coupled via, for example, one or more electrical connections running through the adjustable head strap <NUM>.

The over-ear earpiece <NUM> may include an annular membrane <NUM> positioned on the interior side <NUM> at or proximate the perimeter <NUM> of the over-ear earpiece <NUM>. In some implementations, the annular membrane <NUM> has an interior wall <NUM> and an exterior wall <NUM> that are separated by a distance <NUM> such that the interior wall <NUM> is concentric with, and completely enclosed by, the exterior wall <NUM>. The interior wall <NUM> and the exterior wall <NUM> may be connected by a rim <NUM> that traverses the distance <NUM>. In some implementations, the rim <NUM> may be a surface that curves outward, away from the over-ear earpiece <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. In some implementations, the annular membrane <NUM> may be sized and shaped to resemble a portion of a solid torus (e.g., the top half of a doughnut). Such a curved or partially toroidal surface may be used to increase the user's comfort when wearing the over-ear earpiece <NUM>. In some implementations, the rim <NUM> may form a substantially flat surface that is perpendicular to one or both of the interior wall <NUM> and the exterior wall <NUM>.

In some implementations, the annular membrane <NUM> may be made of cushioned material that compresses when a force is applied against it. Such material may include, for example, an elastomer, closed-cell foam (e.g., polyurethane), open cell foam, gel in a pouch, silicone, and/or rubber which may include an outer cover of plastic, leather, or leatherette material. In some implementations, the annular membrane <NUM> may be comprised of resilient material to increase its longevity and durability. Such cushioned and/or resilient material may be used to provide a more comfortable fit for the user when wearing the irrigation device <NUM>. In some implementations, the cushioned material may conform to the shape of the side of the user's head when the irrigation device <NUM> is in use. As such, the cushioned material may thereby form a seal against the user's head to trap cleaning agent that escapes from the cannula <NUM> and/or the user's auditory canal during an irrigation procedure. The annular membrane <NUM> may be comprised, for example, of elastomer-based materials. In some implementations, the annular membrane <NUM> may be formed of a core composed at least in part of elastomer-based materials and a corresponding cover that may be composed of material that protects the core from the surrounding environment, such as a plastic or other synthetic material that does not degrade when wet. In some implementations, the annular membrane <NUM> may be detachably removed from the over-ear earpiece <NUM>, and thus may be replaced after each use of the irrigation device <NUM>.

The interior wall <NUM> of the annular membrane <NUM> forms a cavity <NUM> that is sized and shaped to enclose and receive one of the user's ears. The size and shape of the annular membrane <NUM> and the cavity <NUM> may further be used to position the cannula <NUM> within the user's auditory canal when the user is wearing the irrigation device <NUM>. In some implementations, the cavity <NUM> may be cylindrical in shape and have the cannula <NUM> oriented along a central axis <NUM> of the cavity <NUM>. In some implementations, the cavity <NUM> may be elongated such that the perimeter of the interior wall <NUM> forms a substantially elliptical or oval shape. In such an implementation, the cavity may be relatively longer along the vertical axis <NUM>, and relatively shorter along the horizontal axis <NUM>. Elongating the cavity <NUM> in such a way may provide for a better, more comfortable fit for the user. The cavity <NUM> may further be sized and dimensioned to receive ears of various sizes.

The cavity <NUM> may have a depth formed by a height <NUM> of the interior wall <NUM>. In some implementations, the depth of the cavity <NUM> may be less than a height of the cannula <NUM>, enabling the cannula <NUM> to extend past the rim <NUM> of the annular membrane <NUM> and thereby enter the user's auditory canal when the user wears the irrigation device <NUM>. In some implementations, as discussed below, the cannula <NUM> may further be tapered, with a tip that is narrower than a base of the cannula <NUM>, to assist in inserting and positioning the tip of the cannula <NUM> into the user's auditory canal. The tapering of the cannula <NUM>, however, can be designed such that a portion of the cannula <NUM> between the tip and the base impacts the outside opening of the user's auditory canal before the tip of the cannula <NUM> impacts the user's ear drum, thereby preventing injury to the ear drum.

In some implementations, the irrigation device <NUM> includes an adjustable head strap <NUM> that adjustably connects the first over-ear earpiece 101a and the second over-ear earpiece 101b in a spaced apart relation along a lateral axis <NUM> that extends between the two opposing cannula coupler interfaces 106a and 106b. The adjustable head strap <NUM> may be sized and shaped to fit over the user's head, thereby concurrently positioning the first over-ear earpiece 101a over a user's first ear and the second over-ear earpiece 101b over the user's second ear. The adjustable head strap <NUM> may be flexible such that the first over-ear earpiece 101a and the second over-ear earpiece 101b may be moved or flexed laterally along the lateral axis <NUM>. In some implementations, one or both of the over-ear earpieces 101a, 101b may include vertical adjustors <NUM> that allow the over-ear earpieces <NUM> to move along the vertical axis <NUM> with respect to the adjustable head strap <NUM> when a user is wearing the irrigation device <NUM>. The vertical adjustors <NUM> may be used, for example, to adjust the irrigation device to accommodate different circumferential distances between various users' ears (e.g., from one ear of a user, over the top of the user's head, and to the other ear of the user). Thus, one or both of the vertical adjustors <NUM> may be extended to accommodate users having relatively larger heads.

The adjustable head strap <NUM> may connect to each of the over-ear earpieces <NUM> via one or more pivot couplers <NUM>. The pivot couplers <NUM> may enable each of the over-ear earpieces 101a, 101b to independently pivot around respective axes 131a, 131b that run between the pivot couplers <NUM> on each respective over-ear earpieces 101a, 101b; the respective axes 131a, 131b may be perpendicular to the lateral axis <NUM> that extends between the first cannula coupler interface 106a and the second cannula coupler interface 106b. Such pivot couplers <NUM> enable each of the over-ear earpieces 101a, 101b to more comfortably fit the contours and shape of a user's head when the user operates the irrigation device <NUM>.

In some implementations, the over-ear earpieces 101a, 101b may include respective annular brackets 133a and 133b. The annular brackets 133a, 133b may be sized and shaped to be slightly larger than a portion of the perimeter <NUM> of the respective over-ear earpiece 101a, 101b. For example, the annular brackets 133a, 133b may be sized and shaped to run along the top half of the perimeters <NUM> of the respective over-ear earpieces 101a, 101b. In such implementations, the annular brackets 133a, 133b may be pivotally coupled to the adjustable head strap <NUM> at junctions 135a and 135b, thus enabling each of the over-ear earpieces <NUM> to independently pivot relative to the junctions 135a and 135b.

<FIG> shows the components of one of the over-ear earpieces <NUM> of the irrigation device <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not in accordance with the invention. The components of the over-ear earpiece <NUM> may include a cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>, a cannula coupler interface <NUM>, and a discharge
collection reservoir <NUM>. Components of the over-ear earpiece <NUM> may also include a pump assembly 207a that may have a pressure pump and/or manifold to couple to the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and operable to generate a positive pressure (e.g., greater than one atmosphere or greater than ambient pressure) and a vacuum assembly 207b that may have a vacuum pump and/or manifold to couple to the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> and operable to generate a negative pressure (e.g., less than one atmosphere or less than ambient pressure), a housing <NUM> that includes a lid <NUM> and a pan <NUM>, controller circuitry <NUM>, one or more power supplies <NUM>, and a set of user-actable selectable controls <NUM>.

The cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> holds cleaning agents that are to be used to clean the user's auditory canal. Such a cleaning agent may include, for example, one or more of saline, hydrogen peroxide, and/or water. In some implementations, the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be filled with cleaning agent that is heated to a temperature at, or slightly above or below, the user's body temperature for the user's comfort. In some implementations, the cleaning agent may be reservoir <NUM> may be filled with cleaning agent at or around body temperature or slightly warmer. In some implementations, the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may include or be physically coupled to a heating component (e.g., heater or resistive element) positioned to heat the contained cleaning agent to and/or maintain the contained cleaning agent at a temperature at or around the user's body temperature. Such a heating component may be electrically and communicatively coupled to the controller circuitry <NUM>, which may transmit control signals to the heating component. In some implementations, the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may include an internal thermometer to measure the temperature of the cleaning agent contained within the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. In such an implementation, the thermometer may by electrically and communicatively coupled to the controller circuitry <NUM>. In such an implementation, the thermometer may transmit to the controller circuitry <NUM> electrical signals indicative of the temperature within the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller circuitry <NUM> may use the signals from the thermometer as feedback to control the heating component. In some implementations, the controller circuitry <NUM> may use the signals from the thermometer to provide for the safety and/or comfort of the user by preventing an irrigation procedure from being performed when the cleaning agent held within the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> is either too hot or too cold.

The cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be in fluid communication with the cannula coupler interface <NUM> using a cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> may proceed through an opening in the lid <NUM>, through a cleaning agent passage <NUM> in the housing <NUM>, to the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. When an irrigation procedure begins, cleaning agent exits the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and proceeds through the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> to the cannula <NUM>. Air or liquid pressure from the pump assembly 207a may be applied to the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> to facilitate the flow of the cleaning agent from the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. In some implementations, the pump assembly 207a may be a water or liquid pump that is used to draw the cleaning agent from the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and discharge the cleaning agent towards the cannula <NUM> at a desired positive pressure. The cleaning agent may proceed into the cannula to be discharged through one or more irrigation outlet apertures, as discussed further below.

In some implementations, the irrigation device <NUM> may leave the cleaning agent in the user's auditory canal for a period of time (e.g., at least one minute) before removing the cleaning agent. In some implementations, this time period may be set by the user via the user-actable selectable controls <NUM>. In some implementations, the controller circuitry <NUM> may store processor-executable instructions that define one or more pre-set time periods for the cleaning agent to remain in the user's auditory canal. The user may choose one of these pre-set time periods via the user-actable selectable controls <NUM> such that the associated processor-executable instructions are executed by a processor included in the controller circuitry <NUM>. This time period between introducing the cleaning agent into and removing it from the auditory canal may enable the cleaning agent to further soften buildup in the user's auditory canal and thus enhance the cleaning capabilities of the irrigation device <NUM> and the user's experience.

When the time period ends, the discharge from the irrigation is removed from the user's auditory canal via a discharge collection inlet port located on the cannula <NUM>, as discussed below. The discharge exits the cannula <NUM> to a discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM> that proceeds from the cannula coupler interface <NUM>, through a discharge passage <NUM> in the housing <NUM>, and through one or more openings in the lid <NUM>, to the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. In some implementations, the vacuum assembly or vacuum pump 207b is used to create a vacuum or area of low pressure (i.e., lower than ambient environmental pressure, e.g., lower than <NUM> atmosphere) within the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> to facilitate the removal of the discharge from the auditory canal. References to vacuum herein and in the claims refer to a pressure that is lower than ambient environmental pressure (e.g., lower than <NUM> atmosphere) rather than an absolute vacuum.

In some implementations, the irrigation device <NUM> may pulse cleaning agent into the user's auditory canal for a period of time (e.g., up to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, up to a one minute, or longer). Such pulses may occur, for example, every couple of seconds. In such an implementation, the vacuum assembly 207b may be actuated before the cleaning agent is first pulsed into the user's auditory canal and remain actuated during the entire time period. The vacuum assembly 207b may be deactivated after the time period ends.

<FIG> shows an implementation of an irrigation device <NUM> with a rectangular over-ear earpiece 101c, according to one illustrated implementation not in accordance with the invention. Such a rectangular over-ear earpiece 101c may have a width <NUM>, a height <NUM>, and a depth <NUM> with an interior side <NUM> and an exterior side <NUM> that are connected by one or more side walls <NUM>. In some implementations, the depth <NUM> may be less than the width <NUM>, and the width <NUM> may be less than the height <NUM>. Such dimensions may provide a more streamlined fit and appearance when compared to over-ear earpieces <NUM> of other shapes. When placed over an ear of a user, the height <NUM> may be oriented vertically with the interior side <NUM> adjacent to the side of the face of the user, perpendicular to the ground when the user wearing the irrigation device <NUM> is in an upright position. The cannula <NUM> may be located substantially in the center of the interior side <NUM> of the rectangular over-ear earpiece 101c to position the cannula <NUM> within the auditory canal of the user when the user is wearing the irrigation device <NUM> with the rectangular over-ear earpiece 101c. The rectangular over-ear earpiece 101c may include an annular membrane <NUM> that extends around the perimeter of the interior side <NUM>. As discussed above, the annular membrane may form a cavity <NUM> that may be sized and dimensioned to receive ears of various sizes. The cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and a discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be enclosed within one or more containers attached to the rectangular over-ear earpiece 101c along the exterior side <NUM>. A set of set of user-actable selectable controls <NUM> may be located along one of the side walls <NUM>. In some implementations, the set of user-actable selectable controls <NUM> may include one or more buttons, switches, and/or a touch screen pad for entering commands to, and receiving status updates and feedback from, the irrigation device <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are isometric views of the a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM> of the pan <NUM>, respectively, and <FIG> is an isometric view of the lid <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not in accordance with the invention. As previously noted, the pan <NUM> and the lid <NUM> may together form the housing <NUM>. The first side <NUM> of the pan <NUM> faces the interior side <NUM> of the over-ear earpiece <NUM> towards the cannula <NUM>. The second side <NUM> of the pan <NUM> faces the exterior side <NUM> of the over-ear earpiece <NUM> towards the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The lid <NUM> attaches to the second side <NUM> of the pan <NUM> via one or more coupling features, e.g., screws <NUM>. The lid <NUM> (when attached to the pan <NUM>) and the first side <NUM> of the pan <NUM> are separated by a distance <NUM> that forms the depth of the housing <NUM>. A side wall <NUM> bridges the distance <NUM> between the lid <NUM> and the first side <NUM> of the pan <NUM>. The attached lid <NUM>, the first side <NUM> of the pan <NUM>, and the side wall <NUM> define an interior <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the cannula coupler interface <NUM> may include a cleaning agent port <NUM>, a vacuum port <NUM>, and one or more interfaces <NUM>. The cleaning agent port <NUM> may be part of the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> for the cleaning agent and may mate with a corresponding irrigation inlet port located on the cannula <NUM>. For example, the cleaning agent port <NUM> may be a male connector or fastener, and the irrigation inlet port located on the cannula <NUM> may be a corresponding female connector or fastener. Mating the cleaning agent port <NUM> with the irrigation inlet port may be used to form part of a fluid path for the cleaning agent to travel from the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> to the cannula <NUM>. The vacuum port <NUM> may be part of the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM> for the discharge and may mate with a corresponding discharge collection outlet port located on the cannula <NUM>. For example, the vacuum port <NUM> may be a male connector or fastener, and the discharge collection outlet port located on the cannula <NUM> may be a corresponding female connector or fastener. Mating the vacuum port <NUM> with the discharge collection outlet port may be used to form part of a fluid path for the discharge to travel from the cannula <NUM> to the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>.

The cannula coupler interface <NUM> may have one or more interfaces <NUM> that physically couple to one or more corresponding interfaces on the cannula <NUM>. These complementary interfaces may enable the cannula <NUM> to be selectively detachable and physically coupled to the cannula coupler interface <NUM> on the over-ear earpieces <NUM>. In some implementations, the interface <NUM> for the cannula coupler interface <NUM> may be in the form of an annular wall <NUM> with an interior diameter <NUM>, an exterior diameter <NUM>, and a height <NUM>. The interior diameter <NUM> and the exterior diameter <NUM> may form concentric shapes (e.g., circles, ovals, squares, etc.) that encompass the cleaning agent port <NUM> and the vacuum port <NUM>. The annular wall <NUM> may physically engage and be coupled with a corresponding interface on the cannula <NUM>, such as, for example, a slot or opening that is sized and shaped to be only slightly larger than the annular wall <NUM>. As such, the frictional forces may keep the cannula <NUM> physically coupled to the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. In such an implementation, one or more flexible, compressible features, such as an O-ring, may be used to form an air-tight and/or water-tight seal between the coupling interfaces on the cannula coupler interface <NUM> and the cannula <NUM>. In some implementations, the interface <NUM> may have one or more registration features that serve to properly align the cleaning agent port <NUM> and the vacuum port <NUM> of the cannula coupler interface <NUM> with the corresponding irrigation inlet port and discharge collection outlet port located on the cannula <NUM> when the interface <NUM> is engaged with the corresponding interface on the cannula <NUM>. For example, the annular wall <NUM> may have a slot <NUM> that is sized and shaped to receive a corresponding tab that extends from the corresponding interface on the cannula <NUM>. Aligning the slot <NUM> and the tab may be used to ensure that the cleaning agent port <NUM> and the vacuum port <NUM> of the cannula coupler interface <NUM> are properly aligned with the irrigation inlet port and discharge collection outlet port, respectively, located on the cannula <NUM>.

In some implementations, the cannula coupler interface <NUM> may include other or additional types of interfaces <NUM> to physically detachably couple with the cannula <NUM>. For example, the cannula coupler interface <NUM> and the cannula <NUM> may include complementary threads that enable the cannula <NUM> to be screwed onto the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. In some implementations, the cannula <NUM> may be attached to the cannula coupler interface <NUM> using a bayonet-style coupler. In some implementations, the cannula <NUM> is sized and shaped to fit tightly over and couple to the cannula coupler interface <NUM> using one or more latches or other coupling features.

<FIG> is an isometric view of a second side <NUM> of the pan <NUM>, which may include a cleaning agent passage <NUM> and a discharge passage <NUM>. The cleaning agent passage <NUM> may provide a first passage through the housing <NUM> from the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> to the cannula coupler interface <NUM>, thereby forming part of the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM>. The opening 212a of the cleaning agent passage <NUM> directed towards the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be size, shaped, and positioned to mate with a port on the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. For example, the opening 212a may form a male connector or fastener that mates with a female connector or fastener that forms a port on the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. The pan <NUM> may include a discharge passage <NUM> that provides a second passage through the housing <NUM> from the cannula coupler interface <NUM> to the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>, thereby forming part of the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM>. The opening 214a of the discharge passage <NUM> directed towards the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be size, shaped, and positioned to mate with a port on the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. For example, the opening 214a may form a male connector or fastener that mates with a female connector or fastener that forms a port on the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. In some implementations, either or both of the cleaning agent passage <NUM> and the discharge passage <NUM> may be part of the cannula <NUM>. In such an implementation, each cannula <NUM> will provides its own cleaning agent passage <NUM> to the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and/or its own discharge passage <NUM> to the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>.

In some implementations, one or both of the cleaning agent passage <NUM> and the discharge passage <NUM> are sealed from the remaining part of the interior <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Thus, the cleaning agent and the discharge proceed through the cleaning agent passage <NUM> and the discharge passage <NUM>, respectively, without leaking into the interior <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In some implementations, the interior <NUM> of the housing <NUM> may enclose and be used to secure one or more additional components, such as for example the pressure pump assembly 207a, the vacuum pump assembly 207b, the controller circuitry <NUM>, and/or the power supplies <NUM>.

The pan <NUM> may include one or more coupling apertures <NUM> located on the side wall <NUM> to enable the pan <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> to be coupled to the annular bracket <NUM>. In some implementations, for example, the annular bracket <NUM> may have complementary coupling features (e.g., tabs) that correspond to the one or more coupling apertures <NUM> located on the side wall <NUM>. As such, the housing <NUM>, and by extension the over-ear earpieces <NUM>, may be selectively detachably coupled to the annular bracket <NUM> via the corresponding coupling features on the pan <NUM> and the annular bracket <NUM>. The coupling features on the annular bracket <NUM> and the corresponding coupling apertures <NUM> in the housing <NUM> may form a set of pivot couplers <NUM> that, as discussed above, enable the over-ear earpieces <NUM> to pivot relative to the axis <NUM> that runs between the coupling features.

<FIG> shows the lid <NUM>, which has a first side <NUM> and an opposing second side <NUM> separated by a distance <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not in accordance with the invention. The first side faces the exterior side <NUM> of the <NUM> over-ear earpiece <NUM> towards the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The second side <NUM> faces the interior side <NUM> of the over-ear earpiece <NUM> towards the pan <NUM> and the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may include a cleaning agent aperture <NUM> that enables the cleaning agent to pass from the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> to the cannula <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may include a discharge aperture <NUM> that enables the discharge to pass from the cannula <NUM> to the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may include a pump aperture <NUM> that enables the output of the pump assembly 207a, located on the second side <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, to be physically coupled to the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>, located on the first side <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. The pump assembly 207a may include a pressure pump and/or manifold operable to generate a positive pressure (e.g., greater than one atmosphere or greater than ambient pressure) within the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the pump aperture <NUM> may be located proximate the edge of the lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may include a vacuum aperture <NUM> that enables the vacuum assembly 207b, located on the second side <NUM> of the lid <NUM>, to be physically mated with the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>, located on the first side <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. The vacuum assembly 207b may include a vacuum pump and/or manifold operable to generate a negative pressure (e.g., less than one atmosphere or less than ambient pressure) within the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> to draw discharge from the cannula <NUM> out of the auditory canal and into the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> may include one or more coupling features <NUM>. The coupling features <NUM> may be used to secure one or both of the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> to the lid <NUM>. In some implementations, the coupling features <NUM> may be magnets and/or ferromagnetic pieces, such as magnets <NUM>, that have corresponding magnets of opposite polarity in either the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> or the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The use of magnets <NUM> as the coupling feature <NUM> may advantageously enable a user to quickly and easily remove the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> for filling and/or the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> for emptying while also ensuring that both the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> and the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> can be securely coupled to the over-ear earpiece <NUM>.

<FIG> is an isometric view of the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not according to the invention. The cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may include a shell <NUM> having a plurality of sides that define an enclosed space <NUM> in which the cleaning agent is held. In some implementations, the enclosed space <NUM> may have a volume that holds sufficient cleaning agent for performing one or more irrigation procedures. In some implementations, for example, the enclosed space <NUM> may hold up to <NUM> of cleaning agent. The shell <NUM> may include multiple apertures, including a loading aperture <NUM>, a cleaning agent port <NUM>, and a pressure aperture <NUM>.

The loading aperture <NUM> may be used to load the cleaning agent into the enclosed space <NUM>. In some implementations, the loading aperture <NUM> may be mated with and sealed by a cleaning agent cover <NUM>. In some implementations, the cover <NUM> may include one or more magnets 513a, 513b, and 513c that magnetically couple to corresponding magnets 515a, 515b, and 515c of the opposite polarity, thus providing multiple pairs of ferromagnetic couplers spaced proximate the edge of the loading aperture <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, in some implementations, the loading aperture <NUM> and the cleaning agent cover <NUM> may have complementary threads that enable the cleaning agent cover <NUM> to be screwed into the loading aperture <NUM>. In some implementations, the cover <NUM> may include a protrusion that is sized and shaped to fit tightly with a corresponding slot or opening proximate the edge of the loading aperture <NUM>. In some implementations, such a protrusion for the cover <NUM> may be sized and shaped to fit tightly inside the loading aperture <NUM> itself. A flexible, water-tight material (e.g., an O-ring) may be placed to go around the portion of the cover <NUM> that is adjacent to the edge of the loading aperture <NUM> for a water-tight and air-tight seal. As such, in some implementations, the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be formed by the shell <NUM> and the cleaning agent cover <NUM>.

In some implementations, the cleaning agent port <NUM> is sized and shaped to mate with the opening 212a of the cleaning agent passage <NUM> that extends through the housing <NUM>, thus providing an exit for the cleaning agent from the enclosed space <NUM>. In some implementations, the pressure aperture <NUM> is mated to an output of the pump assembly 207a. In such implementations, the pump assembly 207a may be used to increase the pressure inside the enclosed space <NUM>, thus forcing the cleaning agent through the cleaning agent port <NUM> at increased pressure. In some implementations, the pump assembly 207a may be a water or liquid pump that draws cleaning agent directly from the cleaning agent port <NUM> and dispenses it through the cleaning agent passage <NUM> at a specified positive pressure. In such an implementation, the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may not include the pressure aperture <NUM>. The pressure for the pump assembly 207a may be set so as to not cause discomfort to the user when the cleaning agent exits the cannula <NUM>. In some implementations, for example, the pressure for the pump assembly 207a may be less than about <NUM> kPa.

The shell <NUM> may include one or more coupling features <NUM> that couple with the corresponding coupling features <NUM> located on the lid <NUM> and or the housing <NUM>, thereby securing the shell <NUM> to the housing <NUM> as discussed above. In some implementations, the coupling features <NUM> may include magnets <NUM> that magnetically couple with the corresponding magnets <NUM> of opposite polarity located on the housing <NUM>. Each magnetic pair may thereby form a pair of ferromagnetic couplers <NUM>. The ferromagnetic couplers <NUM> may be used to selectively, detachably, magnetically couple the shell <NUM> and the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>.

In some implementations, the loading aperture <NUM> may be inside a depression or well <NUM> placed into the shell <NUM>. Accordingly, when the cleaning agent cover <NUM> is secured in the shell <NUM>, the cleaning agent cover <NUM> may be at or below a plane formed by the side of the shell <NUM> to which the cleaning agent cover <NUM> attaches. As such, the cover <NUM> may not impede or interfere with the magnetic coupling of the ferromagnetic couplers <NUM>. <FIG> is an isometric view of the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not according to the invention. As shown in <FIG>,
the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may include a shell <NUM> having a plurality of sides that define an enclosed space <NUM> in which the discharge from the irrigation is held. In some implementations, the enclosed space <NUM> may have a volume that is slightly larger than the volume of cleaning agent held by the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. The shell <NUM> may include multiple apertures, including a discharge removal aperture <NUM>, a discharge port <NUM>, and a vacuum aperture <NUM>.

The discharge removal aperture <NUM> may be used to remove the discharge from the enclosed space <NUM>. In some implementations, the discharge removal aperture <NUM> may be mated with and sealed by a discharge cover <NUM>. In some implementations, for example, the discharge cover <NUM> may include one or more magnets 613a, 613b, and 613c that magnetically couple to corresponding magnets 615a, 615b, and 615c of the opposite polarity, thus providing multiple pairs of ferromagnetic couplers spaced proximate the edge of the discharge removal aperture <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, the discharge removal aperture <NUM> and the discharge cover <NUM> may have complementary threads that enable the discharge cover <NUM> to be screwed into the discharge removal aperture <NUM>. In some implementations, the discharge cover <NUM> may include a protrusion that is sized and shaped to fit tightly with a corresponding slot or opening proximate to the edge of the discharge removal aperture <NUM>. In some implementations, such a protrusion for the discharge cover <NUM> may be sized and shaped to fit tightly inside the discharge removal aperture <NUM> itself. A flexible, water-tight material (e.g., an elastomeric O-ring) may go around the portion of the discharge cover <NUM> that is adjacent to the edge of the discharge removal aperture <NUM> to form a water-tight and air-tight seal. As such, in some implementations, the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be formed by the shell <NUM> and the discharge cover <NUM>.

In some implementations, the discharge port <NUM> is sized and shaped to mate with the opening 214a of the discharge passage <NUM> that extends through the housing <NUM>, thus providing an exit for the discharge to travel to the enclosed space <NUM>. In some implementations, the vacuum aperture <NUM> is mated to an output of the vacuum assembly 207b. In such implementations, the vacuum assembly 207b may be used to form an area of low pressure inside the enclosed space <NUM>, thus drawing discharge from the discharge port <NUM> into the enclosed space <NUM>. The vacuum pressure for the vacuum assembly 207b may be set for the comfort and/or safety of the user. In some implementations, for example, the vacuum pressure for the vacuum assembly 207b may be less than about <NUM> kPa.

The shell <NUM> may include one or more coupling features <NUM> that couple with corresponding coupling features <NUM> located on the housing <NUM>, thereby securing the shell <NUM> to the housing <NUM> as discussed above. In some implementations, the coupling features <NUM> may include magnets <NUM> that magnetically couple with corresponding magnets <NUM> of opposite polarity located on the housing <NUM>, thereby forming a pair of ferromagnetic couplers <NUM>. The ferromagnetic couplers <NUM> may be used to detachably, magnetically couple the shell <NUM> and the discharge collection reservoir <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. Further, in some implementations, the shell <NUM> for the cleaning agent and the shell <NUM> for the discharge may be independently coupled to the housing <NUM>. In such implementations, each of the cleaning agent shell <NUM> and the discharge shell <NUM> may be selectively and independently detached from the housing <NUM> with respect to the other.

In some implementations, the removal aperture <NUM> may be inside a depression or well <NUM> placed into the shell <NUM>. Accordingly, when the discharge cover <NUM> is secured in the shell <NUM>, it may be at or below a plane formed by the side of the shell <NUM> to which the discharge cover <NUM> attaches. As such, the discharge cover <NUM> may not impede or interfere with the magnetic coupling of the ferromagnetic couplers <NUM>.

<FIG> is an isometric view of a disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> of an over-ear earpiece <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not according to the invention. The disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may include a front face <NUM> and a back face <NUM>. In some implementations, the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM> may be substantially parallel to each other. In such implementations, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may include the one or more side walls <NUM> that bridge the distance between the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM>. In some implementations, the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM> may meet at an edge such that the back face <NUM> curves outward from the front face <NUM> and/or the front face <NUM> curves outward from the back face <NUM>. In such an implementation, a cross-sectional area of the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may include an arc along one or both of the sides associated with the back face <NUM> and the front face <NUM>.

The front face <NUM>, the back face <NUM>, and the side walls <NUM> (when present) may define a hollow space <NUM> for the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>, with each of the front face <NUM>, the back face <NUM>, and the side walls <NUM> delineating a boundary for the hollow space. In some implementations, the hollow space <NUM> may be accessible via a disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> located within a depression <NUM> located on the front face <NUM> of the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. The disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to selectively, detachably, physically mate with the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> at an end opposite the cannula <NUM>, e.g., at the opening 212a of the cleaning agent passage <NUM>. When the disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> is mated with the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM>, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may provide cleaning agent for one or more irrigation procedures. In some implementations, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> may be fluidly coupled to a pump assembly 207a that is a water pump that draws cleaning agent out of the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> towards the cannula <NUM>. In some implementations, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> may be sealed with a flexible membrane during a manufacturing and/or assembly process after cleaning agent has been placed into the hollow space <NUM> of the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>. In some implementations, the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> (e.g., the tip of the cleaning agent passage <NUM>) may puncture the membrane thereby accessing the cleaning fluid when the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> is mounted onto an over-ear earpiece <NUM>.

The disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be made of any suitable plastic materials, such as, for example, plastic material that is approved for use in medical procedures. In some implementations, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may hold sufficient cleaning agent to perform one (<NUM>) irrigation cycle of an irrigation routine. Such an irrigation cycle may be sufficient for cleaning one ear of a human user, for example. Accordingly, such a disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be changed out after every use, thereby reducing the number of components of the irrigation device <NUM> exposed to multiple users. In some implementations, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be mounted directly onto the over-ear earpiece <NUM> using one or more fasteners or physical couplers. In some implementations, as discussed below, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be loaded into a shell and mounted on the over-ear earpiece <NUM> when the shell is attached to the over-ear earpiece.

<FIG> is an isometric view of a disposable discharge collection reservoir of an over-ear earpiece <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not according to the invention. The disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may include a front face <NUM> and a back face <NUM>. In some implementations, the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM> may be substantially parallel to each other. In such implementations, the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may include the one or more side walls <NUM> that bridge the distance between the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM>. In some implementations, the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM> may meet at an edge such that the back face <NUM> curves outward from the front face <NUM> and/or the front face <NUM> curves outward from the back face <NUM>. In such an implementation, a cross-sectional area of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may include an arc along one or both of the sides associated with the back face <NUM> and the front face <NUM>.

The front face <NUM>, the back face <NUM>, and the side walls <NUM> (when present) may define a hollow space <NUM> for the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM>, with each of the front face <NUM>, the back face <NUM>, and the side walls <NUM> delineating a boundary for the hollow space <NUM>. In some implementations, the hollow space <NUM> may be accessible via a disposable discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> located within a first depression <NUM> located on the front face <NUM> of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The disposable discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to selectively, detachably, physically mate with the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM> at an end opposite the cannula <NUM>, e.g., at the opening 214a of the discharge passage <NUM>. When the disposable discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> is mated with the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM>, the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be used to collect discharge during one or more irrigation procedures. In some implementations, the disposable discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> may be sealed with a flexible membrane during a manufacturing and/or assembly process. In some implementations, the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM> (e.g., the tip of the discharge passage <NUM>) may puncture the membrane thereby providing access to the hollow space <NUM> of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> when the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> is mounted onto an over-ear earpiece <NUM>.

The front face <NUM> of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may include a vacuum assembly port <NUM> that may provide access to the hollow space <NUM> of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The vacuum assembly port <NUM> may be located within a second depression <NUM> on the front face <NUM> of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The vacuum assembly port <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to physically, fluidly couple with the vacuum assembly 207b when the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> is mounted onto an over-ear earpiece <NUM>. The vacuum assembly or vacuum pump 207b may be used to create a vacuum or area of low pressure (i.e., lower than ambient environmental pressure, e.g., lower than <NUM> atmosphere) within the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> to facilitate the removal of the discharge from the auditory canal during and/or after an irrigation procedure.

The disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be made of any suitable plastic materials, such as, for example, plastic material that is approved for use in medical procedures. In some implementations, the hollow space <NUM> of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may hold sufficient volume to contain discharge from at least one (<NUM>) irrigation cycle of an irrigation routine. Such an irrigation cycle may be sufficient for cleaning one ear of a human user, for example. Accordingly, such a disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be changed out after every use, thereby reducing the number of components of the irrigation device <NUM> exposed to multiple users. In some implementations, the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be mounted directly onto the over-ear earpiece <NUM> using one or more fasteners or physical couplers. In some implementations, as discussed below, the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be loaded into a shell and mounted on the over-ear earpiece <NUM> when the shell is attached to the over-ear earpiece.

<FIG> is an isometric view of a reservoir shell <NUM> broken into two reservoir cavities, a first cavity <NUM> which is sized and dimensioned to hold a disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>, and a second cavity <NUM> is sized and dimensioned to hold a disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not according to the invention. The reservoir shell <NUM> may have a length <NUM>, a width <NUM>, and a height <NUM>, and may be sized and dimensioned to fit over an exposed portion of an over-ear earpiece <NUM>. The
reservoir shell <NUM> includes an interior wall <NUM> that runs across the length <NUM> of the reservoir shell <NUM> and separates the first cavity <NUM> from the second cavity <NUM>. A first collar <NUM> may be attached to the interior wall <NUM> and extend perpendicularly to the interior wall <NUM> towards the first cavity <NUM>. The first collar <NUM> may have an annular shape with an interior opening 788a. In some implementations, the interior opening 788a may align with the disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> when the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> is loaded into the first cavity <NUM>. Such alignment may facilitate the mating of the disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> with the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM>.

In some implementations, the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be loaded into the first cavity <NUM> by sliding the end of the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> that has the disposable cleaning agent reservoir port <NUM> into the first cavity <NUM> towards the interior wall <NUM> and behind the first collar <NUM>. In some implementations, the reservoir shell <NUM> may optionally have a latch <NUM> or other similar securing feature located along the edge of the first cavity <NUM> opposite the interior wall <NUM>. The corresponding end of the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> may be pressed into first cavity <NUM> behind the latch <NUM> to thereby secure the disposable cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> into the first cavity <NUM>.

A second collar <NUM> and a third collar <NUM> may be attached to the interior wall <NUM> and extend perpendicularly to the interior wall <NUM> towards the second cavity <NUM>. The second collar <NUM> may have an annular shape with an interior opening 790a. In some implementations, the interior opening 790a may align with the disposable discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> when the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> is loaded into the second cavity <NUM>. Such alignment may facilitate the mating of the disposable discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> with the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM>. The third collar <NUM> may have an annular shape with an interior opening 792a. In some implementations, the interior opening 792a may align with an output from the vacuum assembly 207b when the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> is loaded into the second cavity <NUM>. Such alignment may facilitate the mating of the vacuum assembly port <NUM> with the vacuum assembly 207b.

In some implementations, the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be loaded into the second cavity <NUM> by sliding the end of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> that has the disposable discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> into the second cavity <NUM> towards the interior wall <NUM> and behind the second collar <NUM> and/or third collar <NUM>. In some implementations, the reservoir shell <NUM> may optionally have a latch <NUM> or other similar securing feature located along the edge of the second cavity <NUM> opposite the interior wall <NUM>. The corresponding end of the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> may be pressed into second cavity <NUM> behind the latch <NUM> to thereby secure the disposable discharge collection reservoir <NUM> into the second cavity <NUM>.

<FIG> is an isometric view of a disposable container <NUM> that includes separate sections for a cleaning agent section <NUM> and a discharge collection section <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not according to the invention. The disposable container <NUM> may include a front face <NUM> and a back face <NUM>, and potentially one or more side walls <NUM>, that form a unitary body <NUM>. In some implementations, the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM> may be substantially parallel to each other. In such implementations, disposable container <NUM> may include one or more side walls <NUM> that bridge the distance between the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM>. In some implementations, the front face <NUM> and the back face <NUM> may meet at an edge such that the back face <NUM> curves outward from the front face <NUM> and/or the front face <NUM> curves outward from the back face <NUM>. In such an implementation, a cross-sectional area of the disposable container <NUM> may include an arc along one or both of the sides associated with the back face <NUM> and the front face <NUM>.

The front face <NUM>, the back face <NUM>, and the side walls <NUM> (when present) may define a hollow space <NUM> for the disposable container <NUM>, with each of the front face <NUM>, the back space <NUM>, and the side walls <NUM> delineating a boundary for the hollow space <NUM>. In some implementations, a partition <NUM> may divide the hollow space <NUM> into multiple sections. In such implementations, the different sections may be fluidly separated from each other such that the fluid contents of one section would not be able to travel directly within the disposable container <NUM> to another section. For example, in some implementations, the hollow space <NUM> may be divided into a cleaning agent reservoir section <NUM> and a discharge collection reservoir section <NUM>, with such sections fluidly separated from the other within the disposable container <NUM>.

In some implementations, the cleaning agent reservoir section <NUM> of the hollow space <NUM> may be accessible via a cleaning agent port <NUM> located within a first depression <NUM> on the front face <NUM> of the disposable container <NUM>. The cleaning agent port <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to selectively, detachably, physically mate with the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> at an end opposite the cannula <NUM>, e.g., at the opening 212a of the cleaning agent passage <NUM>. When the disposable container <NUM> is mated with the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM>, the cleaning agent reservoir section <NUM> may provide cleaning agent for one or more irrigation procedures. In some implementations, the cleaning agent port <NUM> may be sealed with a flexible membrane during a manufacturing and/or assembly process after cleaning agent has been placed into the cleaning agent reservoir section <NUM> of the disposable container <NUM>. In some implementations, the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> (e.g., the tip of the cleaning agent passage <NUM>) may puncture the membrane thereby accessing the cleaning fluid when the disposable container <NUM> is mounted onto an over-ear earpiece <NUM>.

In some implementations, the discharge collection reservoir section <NUM> may be accessible via a discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> located within a second depression <NUM> on the front face <NUM> of the disposable container <NUM>. The discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to selectively, detachably, physically mate with the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM> at an end opposite the cannula <NUM>, e.g., at the opening 214a of the discharge passage <NUM>. When the discharge collection reservoir port <NUM> is mated with the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM>, the discharge collection reservoir section <NUM> may be used to collect discharge during one or more irrigation procedures. In some implementations, the discharge collection reservoir section <NUM> may be sealed with a flexible membrane during a manufacturing and/or assembly process. In some implementations, the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM> (e.g., the tip of the discharge passage <NUM>) may puncture the membrane thereby providing access to the discharge collection reservoir section <NUM> when the disposable container <NUM> is mounted onto an over-ear earpiece <NUM>.

The front face <NUM> of the disposable container <NUM> may include a vacuum assembly port <NUM> that may provide access to the discharge collection reservoir section <NUM> of the disposable container <NUM>. The vacuum assembly port <NUM> may be located within a third depression <NUM> on the front face <NUM> of the disposable container <NUM>. The vacuum assembly port <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to physically, fluidly couple with the vacuum assembly 207b when the disposable container <NUM> is mounted onto an over-ear earpiece <NUM>. The vacuum assembly or vacuum pump 207b may be used to create a vacuum or area of low pressure (i.e., lower than ambient environmental pressure, e.g., lower than <NUM> atmosphere) within the discharge collection reservoir section <NUM> to facilitate the removal of the discharge from the auditory canal during and/or after an irrigation procedure.

The disposable container <NUM> may be made of any suitable plastic materials, such as, for example, plastic material that is approved for use in medical procedures. In some implementations, the cleaning agent reservoir section <NUM> of the disposable container <NUM> may hold sufficient volume to contain discharge from at least one (<NUM>) irrigation cycle of an irrigation routine. In some implementations, the discharge collection reservoir section <NUM> may hold sufficient volume to contain discharge from at least one (<NUM>) irrigation cycle of an irrigation routine. Such an irrigation cycle may be sufficient for cleaning one ear of a human user, for example. Accordingly, such a disposable container <NUM> may be changed out after every use, thereby reducing the number of components of the irrigation device <NUM> exposed to multiple users. In some implementations, the disposable container <NUM> may be mounted directly onto the over-ear earpiece <NUM> using one or more fasteners or physical couplers. In some implementations, the disposable container <NUM> may be loaded into a shell (e.g., reservoir shell <NUM> without interior wall <NUM>) and mounted on the over-ear earpiece <NUM> when the shell is attached to the over-ear earpiece.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show a cannula <NUM> from various perspectives, according to one implementation. The cannula <NUM> includes a body <NUM> having a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM> separated by and opposing each other across a length <NUM>. The body <NUM> may taper from the proximal end <NUM> towards the distal end <NUM>, such that a cross-sectional area of the proximal end <NUM> is greater than a cross-sectional area of the distal end <NUM>, which is inserted into the user's auditory canal. In such an implementation, the tapering of the cannula <NUM> may protect a user's ear drum by having a relatively larger portion of the body <NUM> impact a side wall of the user's auditory canal before the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> impacts the user's ear drum. In some implementations, the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> may have a partially conical shape, such as a frustro-conical shape in which the tapered end of the cone has been truncated. In some implementations, the tapering of the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> may be linear. In some implementations, the tapering of the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> may be non-linear, with a curve and/or steps in the profile as traversed from base to tip. In some implementations, the tapering may be linear over some portion of the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> and non-linear over other portions of the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM>. In some implementations, the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> may be formed of a unitary single-piece of plastic. In some implementations, alternatively, the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> may be formed of a plurality of pieces that have been joined together. In some implementations, the body <NUM> may have a form that is a body of rotation about a central axis <NUM>. In some implementations, the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> may not be in the form of a body of rotation.

One or more irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> may be located proximate the distal end <NUM>. In some implementations, one or more of the irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> may be set back a short distance (e.g., up to <NUM>) from the edge at the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM>. The irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> may be used to direct an outward flow of cleaning agent that is exiting from the cannula <NUM>. In some implementations, multiple irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> may be radially spaced around the body <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> proximate the distal end <NUM>. The irrigation outlet aperture <NUM> may be located at the end of an irrigation passage <NUM> that provides an irrigation flow path <NUM> between an irrigation inlet port <NUM> located at the proximal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> and the irrigation outlet aperture <NUM> located relatively towards the distal end <NUM> with respect to the irrigation inlet port <NUM>. The irrigation inlet port <NUM> may be substantially cylindrical in shape, or may have other shapes, for instance oval or elliptical.

A discharge collection inlet port <NUM> may be located at, or at least proximate, the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM>. The discharge collection inlet port <NUM> may be used to collect the discharge from the user's auditory canal during an irrigation procedure. In some implementations, a suction force may be created at the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> via a vacuum or area of relatively low or negative air pressure created by the vacuum assembly 207b within the discharge collection reservoir <NUM>. The suction force may assist in collecting the discharge. The discharge collection inlet port <NUM> may be located at the end of a discharge flow path <NUM> that provides a flow path for the discharge between the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> located relatively towards the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> and the discharge collection outlet port <NUM> located at the proximal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM>. The discharge collection outlet port <NUM> may be substantially cylindrical in shape. In some implementations, the discharge collection outlet port <NUM> may take other shapes (e.g., oval, elliptical, etc.).

In some implementations, the irrigation inlet port <NUM> is radially offset from the discharge collection outlet port <NUM>. In some implementations, the irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> may be radially offset outwardly from the central axis <NUM>; such placement may result in the irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> forming an arc. In some implementations, the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> may be disposed about the central axis <NUM>.

A trap <NUM> may be located along the discharge flow path <NUM>. In some implementations, for example, the trap <NUM> may be located proximate the proximal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM>. In some implementations, the trap <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to trap physical debris of at least one defined dimension while passing at least one of a quantity of a liquid and air. For example, the trap <NUM> may be sized and dimensioned to trap ear wax being carried in the discharge. In some implementations, the trap <NUM> may be, for example, a filter 833a, for instance a mesh filter, woven filter, or non-woven filter, that extends across discharge flow path <NUM> and is oriented to be perpendicular to the direction of flow of the discharge in the discharge flow path <NUM>. In some implementations, the trap <NUM> may include a plurality of fingers or projections 833b that extend radially inward from an inside perimeter <NUM> of the discharge collection passage <NUM>. While a plurality of fingers or projections 833b are illustrated, the trap can comprise a single bar or rod or elongated member that extends all the way or at least partially across the discharge collection passage <NUM>.

According to the claimed invention, the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> includes a beveled portion <NUM> that overhangs at least a portion of the discharge collection inlet port <NUM>. In such implementations, the beveled portion <NUM> may position the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> such that it is directed at an angle with respect to the central axis <NUM>, lying in a plane that is neither perpendicular nor parallel with the central axis <NUM>. In some implementations, the beveled portion <NUM> may be shaped to orient the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> at a downward angle with respect to the horizontal axis <NUM> when a user in an upright position wears the irrigation device <NUM>. Such an orientation may improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the suction introduced at the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> to collect the discharge of the irrigation procedure. In some implementations, the beveled portion <NUM> may include one or a plurality of the irrigation outlet apertures <NUM>.

The proximal end <NUM> may include a flanged portion <NUM>. In some implementations, the flanged portion <NUM> may include one or more interfaces to securely engage the cannula <NUM> to complementary interfaces on the cannula coupler interface <NUM>, thereby securing the cannula <NUM> to the over-ear earpiece <NUM>. In some implementations, the flanged portion <NUM> may include an interface <NUM> formed by an interior wall <NUM> that has an exterior diameter <NUM>, an exterior wall <NUM> that has an interior diameter <NUM>, and an open space <NUM> between the exterior diameter <NUM> and the interior diameter <NUM>. In such an implementation, the cannula coupler interface <NUM> may include a corresponding, complementary interface <NUM>, such as the annular wall <NUM>, that is designed and shaped to fit tightly into the open space <NUM> and make contact with the exterior wall <NUM> and the interior wall <NUM>. The cannula coupler interface <NUM> may securely hold the cannula <NUM> in place via frictional forces that will oppose movement of the cannula <NUM> when the annular wall <NUM> on the cannula coupler interface <NUM> is engaged between the interior wall <NUM> and the exterior wall <NUM>. Such frictional forces, though, may not be so great as to prevent a user from removing the cannula <NUM> from the cannula coupler interface <NUM> when desired. Accordingly, such an interface <NUM> removably, securely engages the cannula <NUM> with the complementary interface <NUM> on the cannula coupler interface <NUM>.

The flanged portion <NUM> may include other types of interfaces (e.g., a threaded screw, a bayonet connector (e.g., lugs and complementary recesses) that enable the cannula <NUM> to be removably, securely engaged with the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. The flanged portion <NUM> may include one or more flexible, conformable materials (e.g., rubber O-rings) that provide for a water tight and/or airtight seal between the cannula <NUM> and the cannula coupler interface <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may align the irrigation inlet port <NUM> located on the proximal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> with the cleaning agent port <NUM> located on the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. The interface <NUM> may align the discharge collection outlet port <NUM> located on the proximal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> with the vacuum port <NUM> located on the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. In such an implementation, when the cannula <NUM> is secured to the cannula coupler interface <NUM>, the interface may provide that the irrigation inlet port <NUM> securely mates with the cleaning agent port <NUM>, and that the discharge collection outlet port <NUM> securely mates with the vacuum port <NUM>. One or more flexible, conformable seals may further be used to provide an air-tight and/or water-tight seal between irrigation inlet port <NUM> and the cleaning agent port <NUM>, and/or the discharge collection outlet port <NUM> and the vacuum port <NUM>.

<FIG> shows cannula <NUM> and better illustrates the paths of the irrigation passage <NUM> and the discharge collection passage <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation. The irrigation passage <NUM> connects the irrigation inlet port <NUM> located at the proximal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> with one or more irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> located proximate the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM>. The irrigation inlet port <NUM> may be substantially cylindrical, and sized and shaped to mate with the cleaning agent port <NUM> on the cannula coupler interface <NUM> when the cannula <NUM> is physically coupled with the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. For example, the irrigation inlet port <NUM> may be a female connector or fastener, and the corresponding cleaning agent port <NUM> on the cannula coupler interface <NUM> may be a complementary male connector or fastener. The irrigation passage <NUM> may flatten as it progresses past the flanged portion <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> and goes towards the distal end <NUM> of the cannula. Such flattening may cause the irrigation passage <NUM> to form an arc shape that runs proximate the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> and extends between the various irrigation outlet apertures <NUM>.

The discharge collection passage <NUM> provides a discharge flow path <NUM> between the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> and the discharge collection outlet port <NUM>, and may be sized and shaped to mate with the vacuum port <NUM> on the cannula coupler interface <NUM> when the cannula <NUM> is physically coupled with the cannula coupler interface <NUM>. For example, the discharge collection outlet port <NUM> may be a female connector or fastener, and the corresponding vacuum port <NUM> on the cannula coupler interface <NUM> may be a complementary male connector or fastener. The discharge collection passage <NUM> may have a smaller diameter at the distal end <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> compared to the diameter of the discharge collection passage <NUM> at the proximal end <NUM>. Such narrowing may be gradual, such that the discharge collection passage <NUM> gradually tapers along the length of the cannula <NUM>. Such narrowing may be abrupt and occur, for example, at a point where the discharge collection passage <NUM> moves out of the flanged portion <NUM> of the cannula. As discussed previously, a trap <NUM> may be located within the discharge collection passage <NUM>, and sized, shaped, and oriented to capture particles of a specified size being carried within the discharge.

<FIG> shows the controller circuitry <NUM> and the one or more power supplies <NUM>, according to one illustrated implementation not in accordance with the invention. The controller circuitry <NUM> includes at least one processor <NUM>, a connection <NUM> to a power supply <NUM> (e.g., the one or more batteries), and one or more memories <NUM> that store one or more sets of processor-executable instructions <NUM>, an input interface <NUM> and an output interface <NUM>. Each of these components may be communicatively connected by bus(es) <NUM>, which can provide bidirectional communication between the various components of the controller circuitry <NUM>. Bus(es) <NUM> may take, for example, the form of a plurality of buses (e.g., data buses, instruction buses, power buses) included in at least one body.

The input interface <NUM> may be electrically and communicatively coupled to the user-actable selectable controls <NUM> and be used to receive user inputs in the form of electrical signals. Such user inputs may include, for example, selecting between a plurality of irrigation programs stored as sets of processor-executable instructions <NUM> by the one or more memories <NUM>. The output interface <NUM> may be electrically and communicatively coupled to one or both of the pump assembly 207a and the vacuum assembly 207b. The output interface <NUM> may be used to transmit electrical signals generated by the processor <NUM> and that result in activating or deactivating the pump assembly 207a and/or vacuum assembly 207b.

The processor <NUM> may be any logic processing unit, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. The power supply <NUM> may include one or more power supplies <NUM>, which provide electrical power to the various components of the irrigation device <NUM> via power connections <NUM>. The power supplies <NUM> may be an internal power supply, such as a battery, energy source, fuel cell, or the like.

The one or more memories <NUM> may include read-only memory ("ROM") and random access memory ("RAM"). The one or more memories <NUM> may comprise a flash drive to store data and/or processor-executable instructions. In some implementations, the one or more memories <NUM> may include a hard disk drive for reading from and writing to a hard disk, an optical disk drive for reading from and writing to removable optical disks, and/or a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to magnetic disks. The one or more memories <NUM> may communicate with the processor <NUM> via the system bus <NUM>. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that other types of computer-readable media that can store data accessible by a computer may be employed, such as WORM drives, RAID drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks ("DVD"), Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, smart cards, etc..

The one or more sets of processor-executable instructions <NUM>, when executed, cause the irrigation device <NUM> to perform one or more irrigation routines. Such irrigation routines, when executed, may cause the processor <NUM> to transmit a first signal to the vacuum assembly 207b via the output interface <NUM> at a specified time that results in the vacuum assembly 207b being turned on, thereby creating a vacuum force to cause discharge to move into the discharge collection inlet port <NUM> of the cannula <NUM> through the discharge fluidly communicative path <NUM> and into the discharge reservoir <NUM>. Such irrigation routines, when executed, may cause the processor <NUM> to transmit a second signal to the pump assembly 207a via the output interface <NUM> at a specified time that results in the pump assembly 207a being turned on, thereby forcing cleaning agent to move from or exit the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> through the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> to the cannula <NUM>, where it exits through the irrigation outlet apertures <NUM> at pressure. The processor <NUM> may activate the pump assembly 207a using a plurality of pulses in which the pump assembly 207a is activated and deactivated for short time durations (e.g., about two seconds) during the irrigation routine before the pump assembly 207a is turned off. The set of processor-executable instructions <NUM> may provide for irrigation procedures of different time periods (e.g., up to <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, one minute, or more than one minute).

<FIG> shows the user-actable selectable controls <NUM>, according to at least one illustrated implementation not in accordance with the invention. The user-actable selectable controls <NUM> include an ear selection button <NUM> and a program selection button <NUM>, a start button <NUM>, a set of LEDs <NUM>, an ear activation indicator <NUM>, a power indicator <NUM>, and a charging indicator <NUM>. The ear selection button <NUM> may be used to turn on the irrigation device <NUM> and select the ear to be cleaned. In some implementations, the ear selection may be performed by touching a touch-sensitive or touch-responsive (e.g., resistance, inductive or capacitance touch sensors) area of the irrigation device <NUM> over or proximate the desired ear (e.g., on or around junctions 135a and 135b). The program selection button <NUM> may be used to select between a plurality of irrigation routines that may correspond to a plurality of sets of process-executable instructions <NUM> stored within the one or more memories <NUM>. For example, the program selection button <NUM> may be used to toggle or cycle through the plurality of irrigation routines. The set of LEDs <NUM> may be used to show which routine is currently selected by the user. Thus, in some implementations, each LED may correspond to a location within the memory <NUM> that stores instructions <NUM> for a specific irrigation routine. The LED corresponding to the currently selected irrigation routine may be lit up. The start button <NUM> may be used to start the currently selected irrigation routine.

In some implementations, the ear activation indicator <NUM> may indicate which over-ear earpiece <NUM> is currently in operation, with the "R" corresponding to the over-ear earpiece 101a designed to fit over the user's right ear and the "L" corresponding to the over-ear earpiece 101b designed to fit over the user's left ear. The power indicator <NUM> indicates whether the irrigation device <NUM> is currently powered on and running a cleaning cycle. The charging indicator <NUM> indicates whether the irrigation device <NUM> is currently electrically coupled to a power source such that the battery <NUM> is being charged. The amount of charge that the battery <NUM> currently holds may be directly related to the amount of the charging indicator <NUM> that is lit up. In addition, or alternatively, a fully charged battery <NUM> may cause the charging indicator <NUM> to switch from one color (e.g., red) that corresponds to the battery charging to a second color (e.g., green) that indicates that the battery is fully charged. Some implementations may include other signal and indicators. For example, one or more indicators may be used to signify that the pump assembly 207a is providing cleaning agent at too high of a pressure, that the vacuum assembly 207b is providing too strong of a vacuum, that the discharge passage <NUM> is blocked, etc. In some instances, the irrigation device <NUM> may automatically shutdown to prevent injury to the user or damage to the irrigation device <NUM>. In some implementations, at least one of the user-actable selectable controls <NUM> may be used as a "kill" switch to automatically shut down the irrigation device <NUM>.

In some implementations, the irrigation device <NUM> may include touch screen controls to control the operation of and provide feedback regarding the irrigation device <NUM>. Such touch screen controls may be incorporated into a portion of the irrigation device <NUM>. In some implementations, the irrigation device <NUM> may have wireless communication capabilities (e.g., via Bluetooth®, WiFi®, near field communications) such that the touch screen controls may be displayed via a wireless device, such as the user's smartphone/tablet or a dedicated tablet device).

<FIG> shows a method of operation <NUM> of the irrigation device to perform an irrigation procedure, according to one illustrated implementation not in accordance with the invention. At <NUM>, a signal is received that selects between the various irrigation procedures stored within the one or more memories <NUM> of the controller circuitry <NUM>.

At <NUM>, a signal is received that initiates the currently selected irrigation procedure.

At <NUM>, vacuum assembly 207b is activated via a signal generated by controller circuitry <NUM> and transmitted through the output interface <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the pump assembly 207a is activated for a pulsing cycle. As noted before, activating the pump assembly 207a results in cleaning agent being dispensed from the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM> via the cleaning fluid fluidly communicative path <NUM> towards the cannula <NUM>, where the cleaning agent exits under pressure. Thus, sending the signal to activate the pump assembly 207a causes a certain quantity of cleaning agent to be dispensed from the cleaning agent reservoir <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the pump assembly 207a is deactivated after a time-delay is observed, thus providing one pulse of cleaning agent. The time delay and resulting pulse duration may be up to <NUM> seconds, for example. In some implementations, the time delay may be more or less than <NUM> seconds.

At <NUM>, a determination is made if the pulse cycle is complete. If the pulse cycle is not complete, then the operation <NUM> goes to <NUM> to activate the pump assembly 207a. In some implementations, each successive pulse may serve to soften and dislodge ear wax within the user's auditory canal. Each pulse cycle may be, for example, up to <NUM> seconds, one minute, <NUM> seconds, or longer. If the pulse cycle is complete, then the operation <NUM> proceeds to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the vacuum assembly 207b is deactivated to end the irrigation procedure.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various implementations of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Those of skill in the art will recognize that many of the methods or algorithms set out herein may employ additional acts, may omit some acts, and/or may execute acts in a different order than specified.

The various implementations described above can be combined to provide further implementations. In addition, all of the U. patents, U. patent application publications, U. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including <CIT> are mentioned.

Changes can be made to the implementations in light of the above-detailed description.

Claim 1:
A cannula, comprising:
a body (<NUM>) having a length, a proximal end (<NUM>), and a distal end (<NUM>), the distal end (<NUM>) opposite the proximal end (<NUM>) across the length of the body (<NUM>), the body (<NUM>) tapering from the proximal end (<NUM>) toward the distal end (<NUM>) and sized and shaped such that it can be inserted into an auditory canal, the body (<NUM>) positionable within one human ear such that the body (<NUM>) impacts a side wall of an auditory canal of the ear before the distal end (<NUM>) impacts an ear drum of the ear;
wherein the body (<NUM>) includes:
an irrigation inlet port (<NUM>) positioned at the proximal end (<NUM>);
a discharge collection outlet port (<NUM>) positioned at the proximal end (<NUM>);
a plurality of irrigation outlet apertures (<NUM>) positioned relatively toward the distal end (<NUM>) with respect to the irrigation inlet port (<NUM>);
a discharge collection inlet port (<NUM>) positioned at the distal end (<NUM>);at least one irrigation passage (<NUM>) that provides at least one irrigation flow path (<NUM>) between the irrigation inlet port (<NUM>) and the plurality of irrigation outlet apertures (<NUM>); and
at least one discharge collection passage (<NUM>) that provides at least one discharge flow path (<NUM>) that extends between the discharge collection inlet port (<NUM>) and the discharge collection outlet port (<NUM>); and
characterized in that
the distal end of the body includes a bevelled portion (<NUM>) that overhangs the discharge collection inlet port (<NUM>) and that includes the plurality of irrigation outlet apertures (<NUM>).