WO2009090290A1 - Device providing protection against cerumen - Google Patents

Device providing protection against cerumen Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009090290A1
WO2009090290A1 PCT/ES2009/000029 ES2009000029W WO2009090290A1 WO 2009090290 A1 WO2009090290 A1 WO 2009090290A1 ES 2009000029 W ES2009000029 W ES 2009000029W WO 2009090290 A1 WO2009090290 A1 WO 2009090290A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wax
perforated membrane
less
acoustic
protection device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ES2009/000029
Other languages
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
Lluis Gomez Valencia
Original Assignee
Lluis Gomez Valencia
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lluis Gomez Valencia filed Critical Lluis Gomez Valencia
Publication of WO2009090290A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009090290A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders

Definitions

  • the purpose of this application is to register an anti-wax protection device that incorporates notable innovations and advantages over the current wax filter configurations used for the same purpose.
  • the device of the invention significantly increases the half-life of the filters known until now; facilitates the cleaning of the device by the user avoiding continuous movement to hearing centers; and considerably reduces the failures of acoustic prostheses.
  • wax is one of the biggest drawbacks.
  • the problems caused by the secretion of wax in the hearing aid can cause damage to the earpiece, loss in the acoustic signal that can render the operation of the prosthesis useless, etc.
  • wax filters are known whose purpose is to minimize the problems caused by wax in hearing aids.
  • the aforementioned filters have a low average life, between 2 and 4 weeks, in addition to, losses in the quality of the acoustic signal, and decrease of the effective sound pressure in the channel auditory.
  • the anti-wax protection device object of the present registry resolves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be apparent from the description that follows.
  • said device applicable to acoustic prostheses, is characterized by the fact that it comprises a body of substantially cylindrical hollow configuration, which has a perimeter widening in its upper base in which a perforated membrane is housed, and which has at least one hole in its lower base that allows the acoustic signal to pass through the device; and that, in addition, along the outer surface of the body there are ribs, by way of threading, which facilitate the insertion of the device into the acoustic prosthesis.
  • the body has a protective element inside it, preferably a protective foam, which allows hearing aid protection in the case of excess earwax.
  • the perforated membrane has a surface roughness of less than 1.5 microns that minimizes the adhesion of the wax, and a thickness of less than 50 microns that prevents the earwax from blocking the sound outlet.
  • the cylindrical configuration of the body allows to increase the bandwidth up to 8KHz, which makes the device acoustically transparent for the hearing aid. This is due to the minimization of the acoustic mass caused by the section of the perforations that make up the membrane.
  • both the body and the perforated membrane are made of metal, preferably a stainless steel alloy.
  • the average life of the wax guard increases significantly with respect to the filters known until now.
  • the durability of the device of the invention is up to 16 weeks.
  • the cleaning and maintenance of the device is easy for the user, it is enough to clean with a simple brush and alcohol or similar product. Thanks to this, the user will avoid continuous movement to the auditory center.
  • Figure 1 corresponds to a perspective view of the wax protection device according to the features of the invention
  • Figure 2 corresponds to an elevation and sectional view of the device represented in the previous figure.
  • the device is characterized by the fact that it comprises a body (1) of substantially cylindrical hollow configuration, which has a perimeter widening in its upper base in which a perforated membrane (2), and which has at least one hole (3) at its lower base that allows the acoustic signal to pass through the device; and that, in addition, along the outer surface of the body (1) there are ribs (4), by way of threading, which facilitate the insertion of the device into the acoustic prosthesis.
  • the body (1) has a protective element (5) inside it, preferably a protective foam, which allows hearing aid protection in the case of excess earwax.
  • the perforated membrane (2) has a surface roughness of less than 1.5 microns that minimizes the adhesion of the wax, and a thickness of less than 50 microns that prevents the earwax from blocking the sound outlet.
  • both the body (1) and the perforated membrane are made of metal, preferably, a stainless steel alloy.
  • the average life of the wax protection device increases markedly with respect to the filters known until now.
  • the cleaning and maintenance of the device is easy for the user, it is enough to clean with a simple brush and alcohol, so that the user will avoid the continuous movement to the auditory center.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device providing protection against cerumen, which is suitable for hearing aids. The invention is characterised in that it comprises a body (1) having a substantially hollow cylindrical configuration, the top of which includes a peripheral flared segment in which a perforated membrane (2) is housed. Said perforated membrane has a roughness of less than 1.5 micrometres on the inner surface thereof and a thickness of less than 50 micrometres. The lower base of the body (1) includes at least one hole (3) enabling the acoustic signal to pass through the device. In addition, screw ribs (4) are provided along the length of the outer surface of the body (1), which facilitate the insertion of the device into the hearing aid. Furthermore, a protective element (5) is housed inside the body (1), which protects the hearing aid in the event of excess cerumen.

Description

Dispositivo de protección anticerumen Wax protection device
Memoria Descriptiva Objeto de la invenciónDescriptive Memory Object of the invention
La presente solicitud tiene por objeto el registro de un dispositivo de protección anticerumen que incorpora notables innovaciones y ventajas frente a las actuales configuraciones de filtros anticerumen empleados para un mismo fin.The purpose of this application is to register an anti-wax protection device that incorporates notable innovations and advantages over the current wax filter configurations used for the same purpose.
Más concretamente, el dispositivo de la invención aumenta notablemente Ia vida media de los filtros hasta ahora conocidos; facilita Ia limpieza del dispositivo por parte del usuario evitando el desplazamiento continuo a centros auditivos; y reduce considerablemente las averías de las prótesis acústicas.More specifically, the device of the invention significantly increases the half-life of the filters known until now; facilitates the cleaning of the device by the user avoiding continuous movement to hearing centers; and considerably reduces the failures of acoustic prostheses.
Antecedentes de Ia invenciónBackground of the invention
En el campo de las prótesis auditivas, Ia cera resulta uno de los mayores inconvenientes. Los problemas originados por Ia secreción de cera en el audífono pueden causar daños en el auricular, perdida en Ia señal acústica que puede llegar a inutilizar el funcionamiento de Ia prótesis, etc.In the field of hearing aids, wax is one of the biggest drawbacks. The problems caused by the secretion of wax in the hearing aid can cause damage to the earpiece, loss in the acoustic signal that can render the operation of the prosthesis useless, etc.
Actualmente, se conocen los comúnmente llamados filtros anticerumen cuya finalidad es Ia de minimizar los problemas que ocasiona Ia cera en las prótesis auditivas.Currently, the so-called wax filters are known whose purpose is to minimize the problems caused by wax in hearing aids.
No obstante, a pesar de evitar el daño del auricular los citados filtros presentan una media de vida baja, de entre 2 y 4 semanas, además de, pérdidas en Ia calidad de Ia señal acústica, y decremento de Ia presión sonora eficaz en el canal auditivo.However, in spite of avoiding the damage of the earpiece, the aforementioned filters have a low average life, between 2 and 4 weeks, in addition to, losses in the quality of the acoustic signal, and decrease of the effective sound pressure in the channel auditory.
En consecuencia, el usurario debe cambiar el filtro anticerumen por uno de nuevo con cierta asiduidad. Esta operación resulta engorrosa y laboriosa por el usuario o hipoacúsico, que debe acabar acudiendo a un centro auditivo especializado. Descripción de Ia invenciónConsequently, the user must change the wax filter for one again with some frequency. This operation is cumbersome and laborious by the user or hearing impaired, who must end up going to a specialized hearing center. Description of the invention
El dispositivo de protección anticerumen objeto del presente registro, resuelve los inconvenientes anteriormente citados, aportando, además, otras ventajas adicionales que serán evidentes a partir de Ia descripción que se acompaña a continuación.The anti-wax protection device object of the present registry, resolves the aforementioned drawbacks, also providing other additional advantages that will be apparent from the description that follows.
Para ello, y de forma más concreta, dicho dispositivo, aplicable a prótesis acústicas, se caracteriza por el hecho de comprender un cuerpo de configuración sensiblemente cilindrica hueca, que presenta en su base superior un ensanchamiento perimetral en el que se aloja una membrana perforada, y que presenta en su base inferior al menos un orifico que permite el paso de la señal acústica a través del dispositivo; y que, además, presenta a Io largo de Ia superficie exterior del cuerpo unas nervaduras, a modo de roscado, que facilitan Ia inserción del dispositivo en la prótesis acústica.To do this, and more specifically, said device, applicable to acoustic prostheses, is characterized by the fact that it comprises a body of substantially cylindrical hollow configuration, which has a perimeter widening in its upper base in which a perforated membrane is housed, and which has at least one hole in its lower base that allows the acoustic signal to pass through the device; and that, in addition, along the outer surface of the body there are ribs, by way of threading, which facilitate the insertion of the device into the acoustic prosthesis.
Y adicionalmente, el cuerpo presenta alojado en su interior un elemento de protección, preferentemente, una espuma de protección, que permite Ia protección del audífono en el caso de exceso de cerumen.And additionally, the body has a protective element inside it, preferably a protective foam, which allows hearing aid protection in the case of excess earwax.
La membrana perforada presenta una rugosidad en su superficie inferior a 1,5 mieras que minimiza la adherencia de Ia cera, y un grosor inferior a 50 mieras que evita que el cerumen bloquee Ia salida sonora. La configuración cilindrica del cuerpo permite aumentar el ancho de banda hasta 8KHz, Io cual hace al dispositivo acústicamente transparente para Ia prótesis auditiva. Ello es debido a Ia minimización de Ia masa acústica provocada por Ia sección de las perforaciones que componen Ia membrana.The perforated membrane has a surface roughness of less than 1.5 microns that minimizes the adhesion of the wax, and a thickness of less than 50 microns that prevents the earwax from blocking the sound outlet. The cylindrical configuration of the body allows to increase the bandwidth up to 8KHz, which makes the device acoustically transparent for the hearing aid. This is due to the minimization of the acoustic mass caused by the section of the perforations that make up the membrane.
Según otro aspecto de Ia invención, tanto el cuerpo como Ia membrana perforada son de metal, preferentemente, una aleación de acero inoxidable. Ventajosamente, y gracias a las características del dispositivo descrito, Ia media de vida del protector anticerumen aumenta notablemente respecto a los filtros hasta ahora conocidos. La durabilidad del dispositivo de Ia invención es de hasta 16 semanas. Asimismo, Ia limpieza y mantenimiento del dispositivo es fácil para el usuario, basta con limpiar con un cepillo simple y alcohol o producto similar. Gracias a ello, el usuario evitará el desplazamiento continuo al centro auditivo.According to another aspect of the invention, both the body and the perforated membrane are made of metal, preferably a stainless steel alloy. Advantageously, and thanks to the characteristics of the described device, the average life of the wax guard increases significantly with respect to the filters known until now. The durability of the device of the invention is up to 16 weeks. Also, the cleaning and maintenance of the device is easy for the user, it is enough to clean with a simple brush and alcohol or similar product. Thanks to this, the user will avoid continuous movement to the auditory center.
Además, gracias al uso del dispositivo existe una reducción considerable de las averías del audífono. Para completar Ia descripción que seguidamente se va a realizar y con objeto de ayudar a una mejor comprensión de sus características, se acompaña a Ia presente memoria descriptiva, de un juego de planos en cuyas figuras, de forma ilustrativa y no limitativa, se representan los detalles más significativos de Ia invención.In addition, thanks to the use of the device there is a considerable reduction in the hearing aid's failures. To complete the description that is going to be carried out below and in order to help a better understanding of its characteristics, the present descriptive report is accompanied by a set of drawings in whose figures, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the most significant details of the invention.
Breve descripción de los diseños La figura 1 corresponde a una vista en perspectiva del dispositivo de protección anticerumen de acuerdo con las características de Ia invención; yBrief description of the designs Figure 1 corresponds to a perspective view of the wax protection device according to the features of the invention; Y
La figura 2 corresponde a una vista en alzado y en sección del dispositivo representado en Ia figura anterior.Figure 2 corresponds to an elevation and sectional view of the device represented in the previous figure.
Descripción de una realización preferente A Ia vista de las comentadas figuras y de acuerdo con Ia numeración adoptada, se puede observar en las mismas una realización preferente aunque no limitativa de Ia invención, Ia cual consiste en un dispositivo de protección anticerumen aplicable a prótesis acústicas, comúnmente conocidas como audífonos.Description of a preferred embodiment In view of the aforementioned figures and in accordance with the numbering adopted, a preferred but not limiting embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which consists of an anti-wax protection device applicable to acoustic prostheses, commonly known as hearing aids.
Tal y como se muestra en las figuras 1 y 2, el dispositivo se caracteriza por el hecho de comprender un cuerpo (1) de configuración sensiblemente cilindrica hueca, que presenta en su base superior un ensanchamiento perimetral en el que se aloja una membrana perforada (2), y que presenta en su base inferior al menos un orifico (3) que permite el paso de Ia señal acústica a través del dispositivo; y que, además, presenta a Io largo de Ia superficie exterior del cuerpo (1) unas nervaduras (4), a modo de roscado, que facilitan Ia inserción del dispositivo en Ia prótesis acústica. Adicionalmente, el cuerpo (1 ) presenta alojado en su interior un elemento de protección (5), preferentemente, una espuma de protección, que permite Ia protección del audífono en el caso de exceso de cerumen.As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device is characterized by the fact that it comprises a body (1) of substantially cylindrical hollow configuration, which has a perimeter widening in its upper base in which a perforated membrane (2), and which has at least one hole (3) at its lower base that allows the acoustic signal to pass through the device; and that, in addition, along the outer surface of the body (1) there are ribs (4), by way of threading, which facilitate the insertion of the device into the acoustic prosthesis. Additionally, the body (1) has a protective element (5) inside it, preferably a protective foam, which allows hearing aid protection in the case of excess earwax.
La membrana perforada (2) presenta una rugosidad en su superficie inferior a 1,5 mieras que minimiza Ia adherencia de Ia cera, y un grosor inferior a 50 mieras que evita que el cerumen bloquee Ia salida sonora.The perforated membrane (2) has a surface roughness of less than 1.5 microns that minimizes the adhesion of the wax, and a thickness of less than 50 microns that prevents the earwax from blocking the sound outlet.
La configuración cilindrica del cuerpo (1 ) permite aumentar el ancho de banda hasta 8KHz, Io cual hace al dispositivo acústicamente transparente para Ia prótesis auditiva. Ello es debido a Ia minimización de Ia masa acústica provocada por Ia sección de las perforaciones que componen Ia membrana. Según otro aspecto de Ia invención, tanto el cuerpo (1) como Ia membrana perforada son de metal, preferentemente, una aleación de acero inoxidable.The cylindrical configuration of the body (1) allows to increase the bandwidth up to 8KHz, which makes the device acoustically transparent for the hearing aid. This is due to the minimization of the acoustic mass caused by the section of the perforations that make up the membrane. According to another aspect of the invention, both the body (1) and the perforated membrane are made of metal, preferably, a stainless steel alloy.
Ventajosamente, y de conformidad con las características descritas, Ia media de vida del dispositivo de protección anticerumen aumenta notablemente respecto a los filtros hasta ahora conocidos. Asimismo, Ia limpieza y mantenimiento del dispositivo es fácil para el usuario, basta con limpiar con un cepillo simple y alcohol, por Io que el usuario evitará el desplazamiento continuo al centro auditivo.Advantageously, and in accordance with the described characteristics, the average life of the wax protection device increases markedly with respect to the filters known until now. Likewise, the cleaning and maintenance of the device is easy for the user, it is enough to clean with a simple brush and alcohol, so that the user will avoid the continuous movement to the auditory center.
Además, gracias al uso del dispositivo existe una reducción considerable de las averías del audífono.In addition, thanks to the use of the device there is a considerable reduction in the hearing aid's failures.
Los detalles, las formas, las dimensiones y demás elementos accesorios, así como los materiales empleados en Ia fabricación del dispositivo de Ia invención podrán ser convenientemente sustituidos por otros que sean técnicamente equivalentes y no se aparten de Ia esencialidad de la invención ni del ámbito definido por las reivindicaciones que se incluyen a continuación. The details, shapes, dimensions and other accessory elements, as well as the materials used in the manufacture of the device of the invention may be conveniently replaced by others that are technically equivalent and not they depart from the essentiality of the invention or the scope defined by the claims that are included below.

Claims

Reivindicaciones Claims
1. Dispositivo de protección anticerumen, aplicable a prótesis acústicas, comúnmente, audífonos, caracterizado por el hecho de comprender un cuerpo (1) de configuración sensiblemente cilindrica hueca, que presenta en su base superior un ensanchamiento perimetral en el que se aloja una membrana perforada (2) con una rugosidad en su superficie inferior a 1 ,5 mieras y un grosor inferior a 50 mieras; y que presenta, el citado cuerpo (1 ), en su base inferior al menos un orificio (3) que permite el paso de Ia señal acústica a través del dispositivo; y estando provisto el cuerpo (1) a Io largo de su superficie exterior de unas nervaduras (4), a modo de roscado, que facilitan Ia inserción del dispositivo en Ia prótesis acústica; y en el que en el interior del cuerpo (1) está alojado un elemento de protección (5) que permite Ia protección del audífono en el caso de exceso de cerumen.1. Anti-wax protection device, applicable to acoustic prostheses, commonly hearing aids, characterized by the fact that it comprises a body (1) of substantially cylindrical hollow configuration, which has a perimeter widening in its upper base in which a perforated membrane is housed (2) with a surface roughness of less than 1.5 microns and a thickness of less than 50 microns; and presenting, said body (1), in its lower base at least one hole (3) that allows the passage of the acoustic signal through the device; and the body (1) being provided along its outer surface with ribs (4), by way of threading, which facilitate the insertion of the device into the acoustic prosthesis; and in which inside the body (1) is housed a protection element (5) that allows hearing aid protection in the case of excess earwax.
2. Dispositivo de protección anticerumen, según reivindicación anterior, caracterizado por el hecho de que el cuerpo (1 ) y Ia membrana perforada (2) son de metal.2. Anti-wax protection device, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the body (1) and the perforated membrane (2) are made of metal.
3. Dispositivo de protección anticerumen, según reivindicación segunda, caracterizado por el hecho de que el metal es una aleación de acero inoxidable.3. Anti-wax protection device, according to claim two, characterized in that the metal is a stainless steel alloy.
4. Dispositivo de protección anticerumen, según reivindicación primera, caracterizado por el hecho de que el elemento de protección (5) es una espuma protectora. 4. Anti-wax protection device according to claim one, characterized in that the protection element (5) is a protective foam.
PCT/ES2009/000029 2008-01-16 2009-01-16 Device providing protection against cerumen WO2009090290A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ESU200800085 2008-01-16
ES200800085U ES1066993Y (en) 2008-01-16 2008-01-16 ANTI-SUMMARY PROTECTION DEVICE

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009090290A1 true WO2009090290A1 (en) 2009-07-23

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WO (1) WO2009090290A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5278360A (en) * 1991-09-26 1994-01-11 Unitron Industries Ltd. Hearing aid wax guard with integral bridge
EP1097606B1 (en) * 1998-07-10 2005-10-19 Widex A/S An ear wax guard for an in-the-ear hearing aid and a means for use at insertion and removal of the ear wax guard
US7013016B2 (en) * 2003-05-09 2006-03-14 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Ear wax guard
DE102004062279A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-05-11 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hearing aid earwax protection unit has contamination repellent coating on non skin contacting surface

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5278360A (en) * 1991-09-26 1994-01-11 Unitron Industries Ltd. Hearing aid wax guard with integral bridge
EP1097606B1 (en) * 1998-07-10 2005-10-19 Widex A/S An ear wax guard for an in-the-ear hearing aid and a means for use at insertion and removal of the ear wax guard
US7013016B2 (en) * 2003-05-09 2006-03-14 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Ear wax guard
DE102004062279A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-05-11 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hearing aid earwax protection unit has contamination repellent coating on non skin contacting surface

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES1066993U (en) 2008-04-01
ES1066993Y (en) 2008-07-01

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