US4098277A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fitted, integrally molded device for stimulating auricular acupuncture points and method of making the device
Assignee: ORIGINAL MARKETING Inc
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Filing: 1977-01-28
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1997-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for making a device for selectively applying pressure to discrete selected acupuncture pressure points on the auricular surface of the ear without penetrating skin. The selected acupuncture points are first marked with a marking substance, and then an impression is made by inserting malleable material into the ear. When the impression is removed from the ear, it has a surface which is complementary to the auricular surface and is marked by the marking substance to identify the selected acupuncture points. Projections are provided to the surface of the impression, and a mold is then formed from the projection bearing impression. The mold is filled with a moldable substance, which is hardened; and thereafter removed from the mold and polished as the device of the present invention. This device is preferably polished, provided with an earhole to allow unimpeded hearing, and may be worn in fitted, self-retaining pressure on the selected acupuncture points.
Inventors
- 👤 Sherwin Mendell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H39/00; A61H39/04; A61H2205/00; A61H2205/02; A61H2205/027; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for forming a device for selectively applying pressure to discrete selected auricular acupuncture pressure points without penetrating skin, comprising: marking selected acupuncture points on the auricular surface by depositing thereon a transferable marking substance; forming an impression of the auricular surface of the ear by impressing on the auricular surface a malleable material capable of being marked by contact with the marking substance deposited on the selected acupuncture points, and applying pressure to the malleable material to form a surface of complementary configuration to the auricular surface, the points on the complementary surface of the malleable material contacting the marked pressure points being marked by the marking substance; removing the marked impression from the auricular surface and supplying projections to the marked points on the complementary surface to form a projection-bearing surface; forming a mold having a molding surface complementary to the projection-bearing surface of the impression; filling the mold with a moldable substance; hardening the moldable substance to form a solid device having a surface generally complementary to the auricular surface and having projections located in correspondence with the selected acupuncture pressure points; and removing the solid device from the mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for forming a device for selectively applying pressure to discrete selected auricular acupuncture pressure points without penetrating skin, comprising: marking selected acupuncture points on the auricular surface by depositing thereon a transferable marking substance; forming an impression of the auricular surface of the ear by impressing on the auricular surface a malleable material capable of being marked by contact with the marking substance deposited on the selected acupuncture points, and applying pressure to the malleable material to form a surface of complementary configuration to the auricular surface, the points on the complementary surface of the malleable material contacting the marked pressure points being marked by the marking substance; removing the marked impression from the auricular surface and supplying projections to the marked points on the complementary surface to form a projection-bearing surface; forming a mold having a molding surface complementary to the projection-bearing surface of the impression; filling the mold with a moldable substance; hardening the moldable substance to form a solid device having a surface generally complementary to the auricular surface and having projections located in correspondence with the selected acupuncture pressure points; and removing the solid device from the mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one hearing canal is provided in the area of the solid device which is situated opposite the ear canal when the device is disposed in fitted relationship in the auricular cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the malleable material is a thermoplastic substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid substance with which the mold is filled is an acrylic resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mold is formed by placing the projection-bearing impression in semi-solid plaster of paris, hardening the plaster of paris, and removing the projection-bearing impression therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the marking substance is ink.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each projection is sized to apply pressure to a single acupuncture point on the auricular surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the moldable substance is capable of forming a solid mass in the mold, which solid mass has a surface substantially identical to the surface of the projection bearing impression.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for forming a device for selectively applying pressure to discreet selected auricular acupuncture pressure points without penetrating skin, comprising: marking selected acupuncture points on the auricular surface by depositing thereon a transferable marking substance: forming an impression of the auricular cavity of the ear, by impressing on the auricular surface of the ear a malleable material, and applying pressure to the malleable material to form a surface of complementary configuration to the auricular surface, the points on the complementary configuration to the auricular surface, the points on the complementary surface of the malleable material contacting the marked pressure points being marked by the marking substance; removing the marked impression from the auricular cavity and supplying projections to the marked points on the surface of the impression complementary to the auricular surface to form a projection-bearing surface; forming a mold having a molding surface complementary to the projection-bearing surface of the impression; filling the mold with a moldable substance capable of forming a solid mass in the mold, which solid mass has a surface substantially identical to the surface of the projection-bearing impression; hardening the moldable substance to form a solid device having a surface generally complementary to the auricular surface and having projections located in correspondence with the selected acupuncture pressure points; and, removing the solid device from the mold.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for forming a device for selectively applying pressure to discreet selected auricular acupuncture pressure points without penetrating skin, comprising: marking selected acupuncture points on the auricular surface by depositing thereon a transferable marking substance: forming an impression of the auricular cavity of the ear, by impressing on the auricular surface of the ear a malleable material, and applying pressure to the malleable material to form a surface of complementary configuration to the auricular surface, the points on the complementary configuration to the auricular surface, the points on the complementary surface of the malleable material contacting the marked pressure points being marked by the marking substance; removing the marked impression from the auricular cavity and supplying projections to the marked points on the surface of the impression complementary to the auricular surface to form a projection-bearing surface; forming a mold having a molding surface complementary to the projection-bearing surface of the impression; filling the mold with a moldable substance capable of forming a solid mass in the mold, which solid mass has a surface substantially identical to the surface of the projection-bearing impression; hardening the moldable substance to form a solid device having a surface generally complementary to the auricular surface and having projections located in correspondence with the selected acupuncture pressure points; and, removing the solid device from the mold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A fitted, self-retaining integrally molded device for stimulating auricular acupuncture points, (a) the device having a surface generally conformable with the auricular surface of a human ear; (b) the surface of the device having one or more integrally molded projections disposed thereon in an arrangement such that when the device is in fitted, self-retaining disposition in an ear, each projection exerts stimulating pressure on a selected acupuncture point without penetrating the skin of the ear.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
A fitted, self-retaining integrally molded device for stimulating auricular acupuncture points, (a) the device having a surface generally conformable with the auricular surface of a human ear; (b) the surface of the device having one or more integrally molded projections disposed thereon in an arrangement such that when the device is in fitted, self-retaining disposition in an ear, each projection exerts stimulating pressure on a selected acupuncture point without penetrating the skin of the ear.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device in accordance with claim 10 wherein at least one hearing canal is provided in the area of the device which is situated opposite the ear canal when the device is disposed in fitted relationship in the auricular cavity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
8 words
The product of the process of claim 1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
8 words
The product of the process of claim 9.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |