Patent US3884684A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3749083A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3749083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Middle ear inflator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-14
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A medical device for gently forcing air through the nostrils and eustachian tubes into the middle ear. The middle ear inflator comprises a hollow body portion having a nozzle for insertion into the patient''s nostril at one end and an inflatable balloon attached to the other end. The device provides a steady and gentle stream of air at a pressure sufficient to treat ear disorders without causing injury or unnecessary discomfort to the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 W Mathes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of treating disorders of the ear in a human patient comprising the steps of: providing apparatus comprising a hollow body having a nozzle adapted to fit a human nostril at one end and an inflatable balloon secured to the other end, inflating the balloon with an innocuous gas to distend the balloon to an expanded configuration at a controlled pressure sufficient to treat the ear disorder but insufficient to cause damage or excessive pain to the ear; closing off the inflated balloon to prevent escape of the gas therefrom; fitting the nozzle into one nostril of the patient''s nose; closing off the patient''s other nostril whereby the nose is sealed; releasing the gas from the balloon by permitting the balloon to gradually contract by its own elasticity whereby the gas will be steadily and gently expelled therefrom through the hollow body and the nozzle and through the patient''s nostril, pharynx and eustachian tube into the middle ear of the patient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of treating disorders of the ear in a human patient comprising the steps of: providing apparatus comprising a hollow body having a nozzle adapted to fit a human nostril at one end and an inflatable balloon secured to the other end, inflating the balloon with an innocuous gas to distend the balloon to an expanded configuration at a controlled pressure sufficient to treat the ear disorder but insufficient to cause damage or excessive pain to the ear; closing off the inflated balloon to prevent escape of the gas therefrom; fitting the nozzle into one nostril of the patient''s nose; closing off the patient''s other nostril whereby the nose is sealed; releasing the gas from the balloon by permitting the balloon to gradually contract by its own elasticity whereby the gas will be steadily and gently expelled therefrom through the hollow body and the nozzle and through the patient''s nostril, pharynx and eustachian tube into the middle ear of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of causing the patient to swallow thereby opening the patient''s eustachian tube to receive the gas from the balloon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the patient is caused to swallow a liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inflating is performed orally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said inflating is performed orally.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said inflating is performed orally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said controlled pressure is not greater than about 30 m.m. of mercury.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said controlled pressure is not greater than about 30 m.m. of mercury.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said controlled pressure is not greater than about 30 m.m. of mercury.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said controlled pressure is not greater than about 30 m.m. of mercury.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said controlled pressure is not greater than about 30 m.m. of mercury.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said controlled pressure is not greater than about 30 m.m. of mercury.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |