DISPOSABLE EAR SYRINGE

SERINGUE OTIQUE JETABLE

English Abstract

A hand-held device for syringing wax or other foreign
material from ears consisting of a tip, pump mechanism
activated by a trigger, and a length of tubing to be immersed
in any suitable container of water.

Claims

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1 A hand-held and operated device of generally pistol-
shaped configuration which is used for syringing wax
from ears by ejecting water from the nozzle and
actuated by a trigger mechanism.
1(a) A device in Claim 1 which can be disposed of after one
several uses.
1(b) A device in Claim 1 where the tip can be removed and
disposed of after one use separately from the main
apparatus.
2 A device which uses a separate suitable container as a
source of water used in the syringing. Connection to
the source of water is by a tube attached to the
device.

Description

2126~1 6



Disposable Ear Syringe
Specification
This invention relates to a hand-operated pump for syringing
wax from ears.
Devices presently used for this purpose in medical practice
consist of syringes which are manually filled from suitable
containers of water or by means of a one-way valve drawing
water up from an adjacent container. All are meant for long-
term use, are relatively expensive, made from metal, prone to
leakage after extensive use and need to be disinfected
between uses.
These devices are awkward to use with one hand either because
of excessive size or the inability of the practitioner to
exert enough water pressure by using only one hand.
The Disposable Ear Syringe is small, made of plastic, is
light in wei~ht and can be disposed of after one or several
uses when contaminated or when loss or leakage of pumping
action is noted.
The main body (1) is generally pistol-shaped. Activation of
the trigger (3) activates the piston (6) in the cylinder l5)
and will cause suction of water through the tubing (4) and
ejection of same under pressure through the nozzle (2).
Trigger return is by means of the spring (12) in the
cylinder.
Exact design of the mechanism can vary but consists of the
trigger, piston, cylinder, pre-iniection storage (7) and two
one-way valves (8,9). Design of the one-way valves may vary
but as shown consist of a spring-activated diaphragm which
opens and allows water to pass in only one direction. Ball
valves or fluted reed valves may also be suitable.
The fluid is ejected through the tip (2). The tip and shield
(11) may ~e constructed of clear plastic for visibility into
the ear by the operator.
The entire tip may be removed from the main body at (10) and
disposed of after one use. The remainder of the apparatus
(1~ may be disposed of after one or a number of uses
dependin~ on the circumstances.
The entire ~echanism can be made by thermo-forming with the
exception of the one-way valve springs and main piston
chamber spring.

Representative Drawing