US4297748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Middle ear balloon
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-01-02
•
Granted: 1981-11-03
•
Expires: 2000-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A device adapted to be implanted in the middle ear to block displacement of a tympanic membrane toward the round window membrane comprises: (a) a resiliently yieldable pillow, (b) the pillow having external configuration adapted to fit within the natural hollow of the hypotympanum.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Moloy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/18; A61F2002/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of reducing blockage of air wave induced motion of the round window membrane in the inner ear, and employing a pillow, that includes (a) sizing the pillow for reception in the hypotympanum recess, and (b) implanting the pillow in said recess in a location to yieldably block displacement of the tympanic membrane toward the round window membrane, thereby to prevent undesired interference with motion of the round window membrane by motion of the tympanic membrane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of reducing blockage of air wave induced motion of the round window membrane in the inner ear, and employing a pillow, that includes (a) sizing the pillow for reception in the hypotympanum recess, and (b) implanting the pillow in said recess in a location to yieldably block displacement of the tympanic membrane toward the round window membrane, thereby to prevent undesired interference with motion of the round window membrane by motion of the tympanic membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 that includes forming said pillow as a sac and to contain a gas or gasses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the gas in said sac consists of air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 that includes the step of locating said pillow directly between a tympanic membrane and a round window membrane, but without contacting the round window membrane to block the approach of the tympanic membrane into close proximity to said round window membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pillow is resiliently yieldable, said implanting causing the pillow to resiliently yield.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
64 words
A device adapted to be implanted in the middle ear to block displacement of a tympanic membrane toward the round window membrane, comprising (a) a pillow, (b) the pillow having external configuration adapted to fit within the natural hollow of the hypotympanum, the pillow being elongated and having one elongated side that is outwardly convex and an opposite elongated side that is outwardly concave.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
64 words
A device adapted to be implanted in the middle ear to block displacement of a tympanic membrane toward the round window membrane, comprising (a) a pillow, (b) the pillow having external configuration adapted to fit within the natural hollow of the hypotympanum, the pillow being elongated and having one elongated side that is outwardly convex and an opposite elongated side that is outwardly concave.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said pillow comprises a sac containing a gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the gas consists of air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the pillow overall length dimension along said convex side is about 11 millimeters, and the maximum width dimension between said elongated sides is about 5 millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the pillow is resiliently yieldable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The structure that includes (a) an elongated pillow adapted for implantation in the middle ear between the tympanic membrane and the round window membrane to yieldably block displacement of the tympanic membrane toward the round window membrane, (b) the pillow sized to be out of contact with the round window membrane and to be located to prevent undesired interference with the motion of the round window membrane by motion of the tympanic membrane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
The structure that includes (a) an elongated pillow adapted for implantation in the middle ear between the tympanic membrane and the round window membrane to yieldably block displacement of the tympanic membrane toward the round window membrane, (b) the pillow sized to be out of contact with the round window membrane and to be located to prevent undesired interference with the motion of the round window membrane by motion of the tympanic membrane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein the pillow has a convex side adapted to face said tympanic membrane to be engaged thereby.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1045917A
Cited
US3875595A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-02 | 1985-05-04 | 1985-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-02 | 1989-05-04 | 1989-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-02 | 1993-05-04 | 1993-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |