Patent ID: 8229128

Claim:
An expandable device configured to occlude an ear canal comprising: a support structure having a first input port and a second input port; a deformable element operatively connected to at least a portion of the support structure, the first input port of the support structure being pneumatically coupled to the deformable element, the deformable element including a further port coupled to an ambient environment; a valve disposed in and operatively connected to a flexible housing, the valve being operatively connected to the first input port by a channel, the valve being configured to open responsive to deformation of the flexible housing; and a membrane having a distal end and a proximal end, where the distal end and the proximal end are circumferentially attached to the support structure forming an expandable element, the expandable element being coupled to the second input port of the support structure, where the expandable element is configured to be in an un-expanded state and an expanded state, such that, in the un-expanded state, the expandable element is adjacent to the support structure, an extent of the expandable element in the un-expanded state being configured to minimize an insert profile of the expandable device, where reducing an internal volume of the deformable element while the further port of the deformable element is closed delivers a medium in the internal volume through the valve to expand the expandable element, and where the deformable element returns to a quiescent volume when a reducing force is removed from the deformable element and the further port of the deformable element is open.