Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21 95046
Patent Application Of
2 Francis J. McCall
3 For
4 Ear Mold For Stimulating Acupuncture Points
s Background Of The Invention
6 1. Field Of The Invention:
7 This invention relates generally to acupuncture, specifically to an ear mold for stimulating
8 acupuncture points or zones.
9 2. Prior Art:
o Acupuncture is a technique that involves stimulating certain points or zones on the human body.
A large number of such acupuncture points are known to be located throughout the body,
2 including the face, ears, torso, arms, hands, legs, and feet. Each acupuncture point, when
3 stimulated, produces a therapeutic effect on a particular aspect of health and well being. For
4 example, separate acupuncture points are known to influence throat movement, mouth
movement, stomach activity, etc. Acupuncture has been widely used to treat a great variety of
6 conditions, including obesity, alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking, etc.
17 The stimulation of acupuncture points or zones is typically achieved by inserting needles therein.
8 Many acupuncture points may be stimulated at the same time with separate needles. However,
19 acupuncture by needles can only be performed by trained practitioners. Therefore, the length and
frequency of treatment is limited to how long and how often a patient visits a practitioner.
21 An alternative method of stimulation involves the application of pressure on the acupuncture
22 points, i.e., the technique of acupressure. My U.S. patent 4,073,296 (1978) discloses an
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acupressure device that includes an ear mold with protruding nubs arranged at predetermined
2 points. When the mold is placed in an ear, the nubs are in contact with desired acupressure
3 points. Pressing the mold against the ear causes the nubs to apply localized pressure against the
4 acupressure points for producing therapeutic effects. However, the user must apply constant
pressure against the mold.
6 It is also known that stimulation of acupuncture points may also be achieved by electrical
7 impulses. My U.S. patents 4,450,846 (1984); 4,319,584 (1982); 4,267,838 (1981); and D273,706
8 (1984) disclose electrical acupuncture devices that each include an ear mold with electrodes
g arranged thereon to correspond with desired acupuncture points. An impulse generator is
0 connected to the electrodes by a cable. The generator transmits electrical impulses through the
cable and electrodes to stimulate the acupuncture points. My U.S. patent D273,707 (1984)
2 discloses a self-contained electrical acupuncture ear mold that includes a built-in impulse
generator. However, these devices are relatively bulky, because of the connected or self-
4 contained impulse generator. Furthermore, the batteries need periodic replacement.
Objects Of The Invention
6 Accordingly the primary object of the present invention is to provide an ear mold that stimulates
7 acupuncture points on the ear.
18 Another object of the present invention is to provide an ear mold that does not require batteries.
19 Another object of the present invention is to provide an ear mold that automatically provides
continuous stimulation for as long as it is worn in the ear.
21 Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an ear mold that is compact.
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Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the
2 drawings and ensuing description.
3 Sl-mm~ry Of The Invention
4 An ear mold for stimulating acupuncture points includes a mold shaped to fit snugly in the
s concha of an ear. Compact, high energy magnets are arranged on the inner side of the mold at
6 positions that correspond with acupuncture points or zones on the ear. When the mold is worn,
7 the magnetic fields penetrate the skin and stimulate the acupuncture points. In another
8 embodiment, the mold includes an electrode arranged on the inner side thereof for making
9 contact with an acupuncture point or zone on the ear. The electrode may be a permanent magnet
o or a conductor. A hole extends between the outer side of the mold and the back side of the
electrode. The tip of a hand-held, impulse generator is inserted into the hole to make contact with
2 the electrode, so as to apply electrical stimulation to the acupuncture point.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
4 Fig. 1 is an outer side view of an ear mold for stimulating acupuncture points in accordance with
a first embodiment of the invention.
6 Fig. 2 is an inner side view of the ear mold.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the ear mold, taken along line 3 - 3 in Fig. 2.
8 Fig. 4 is a top view of an alternative magnet for the ear mold.
9 Fig. 5 is a side view of the magnet of Fig. 4.
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Fig. 6 is an outer side view of an ear mold for stimulating acupuncture points in accordance with
2 a second embodiment of the invention.
3 Fig. 7 is an inner side view of the ear mold of Fig. 6.
4 Fig. 8 is a partial sectional view of the ear mold of Fig. 7, taken along line 8 - 8 in Fig. 7.
Drawing Reference Numerals
6 10. Mold 11. Concha
7 12. Ear 13. Magnet
8 14. Magnet 15. Magnet
9 16. Inner Side 17. Acupuncture Point
0 18. Acupuncture Point 19. Acupuncture Point
Il 20. Sound Channel 21. Ear Canal Tip
12 22. Outer Side 23. Magnet
3 24. Pole Piece 25. Pole Piece
4 30. Mold 31. Outer Side
32. Inner Side 33. Electrode
6 34. Hole 35. Sound Channel
7 36. Ear Canal Tip 37. Electrical Impulse Generator
18 38. Pen-Shaped Housing 39. Metal Tip
19 40. Flexible Magnetic Sheet 41. Acupuncture Point
42. Acupuncture Point
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Description--Figs. 1-3
2 In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention shown in the outer side view in Fig. 1 and
3 the inner side view in Fig. 2, an ear mold for stimulating acupuncture points includes a mold 10
4 shaped to fit snugly inside a concha 11 (central depression) of an ear 12. Compact magnets 13-15
each having about 200- 1,000 kilogauss energy density are attached to an inner side 16 of mold
6 10. Magnets 13-15 are arranged in positions that correspond to desired acupuncture points or
7 zones 17- 19, respectively, on ear 12. A sound channel 20 extends between an ear canal tip 21 and
8 an outer side 22 of mold 10. As shown in the sectional view in Fig. 3, magnets 13-15 are
9 partially recessed into mold 10, so that they protrude slightly. A self-adhesive, flexible magnetic
o sheet 40 is attached on an area of mold 10 where the surface contour is too curved for rigid
I l magnets. Magnetic sheet 40 is flexible enough to easily conform to even the most curved
12 contours.
13 To use, mold 10 is seated into concha 11, so that magnets 13-15 are positioned against
14 corresponding acupuncture points 17-19, respectively, and magnetic sheet 40 is positioned
against corresponding acupuncture points 41 and 42. The strong magnetic fields penetrate the
16 skin and stimulate the acupuncture points. Ear canal tip 21 is positioned in an ear canal 26.
Sound channel 20 provides a pathway for sound to travel through mold 10, so as to enable the
8 user to m~int~in normal hearing. Mold 10 is compact, and requires no electrical power.
19 Magnets 13-15 are preferably arranged so that similar poles are oriented toward concha 11. For
example, they may be arranged so that their north poles are all directed toward concha 11, or vice
21 versa. Alternatively, magnets 13-15 may be arranged so that a pair of them direct dissimilar poles
22 toward concha 11. For example, magnet 13 may be positioned with its north pole directed toward
23 concha 11, and magnet 14 may be positioned with its south pole directed toward concha 11, so
24 that the flux lines link the opposite poles between magnets 13 and 14. When two magnets are
thus arranged, the flux lines penetrate deeper into the skin for increased stimulation. Magnetic
26 sheet 40 may be arranged so that either its north or south pole faces the ear.
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The acupuncture ear mold may be used to provide treatment between visits to a clinic for
2 conventional needle acupuncture, or it may replace needle acupuncture entirely. Therefore, a
3 patient may conveniently receive treatment 24 hours a day.
4 Description--Figs. 4-5
An alternative magnet 23 for mold 10 (Fig. 1) is shown in a front view in Fig. 4 and a side view
6 in Fig. 5. Magnet 23 is substantially flat, with protruding pole pieces 24 and 25 that make contact
7 with the skin.
8 Description--Figs. 6-8
g In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention shown in the outer side view in Fig. 6
o and the inner side view in Fig. 7, an ear mold for stimulating acupuncture points includes a mold
I l 30 with an outer side 31 and an inner side 32. A slightly protruding electrode 33 is arranged on
2 inner side 32 at a position that corresponds with a desired acupuncture point on the ear (not
3 shown). A hole 34 extends between outer side 31 and the back of electrode 33. Mold 10 also
includes a sound channel 35 extending between an ear canal tip 36 and outer side 31 for enabling
a user to m~int~in normal hearing. An electrical impulse generator 37 is also provided. Impulse
6 generator 37 includes an elongated, pen-shaped housing 38, a metal tip 39, a six volt battery (not
17 shown), and user controls (not shown). Impulse generator 37 includes conventional waveform
8 generating circuitry (not shown) for preferably generating a square wave, which is preferably
19 selectable to be either 8 Hz or 30 Hz via a slide switch (not shown), and which is preferably
variable between 10-70 ~lA via a thumb wheel (not shown).
21 When treatment is desired, a user inserts tip 39 into hole 34 until tip 39 makes contact with
22 electrode 33 to stimulate the acupuncture point. Withdrawing tip 39 from hole 34 discontinues
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treatment. Electrode 33 may simply be a conductive piece of metal, or an electrically conductive
2 permanent magnet which provides simultaneous electrical and magnetic stimulation, and which
3 provides continuous magnetic stimulation when impulse generator 37 is not used.
4 Mold 10 is compact and unobtrusive, because impulse generator 37 is provided as a separate unit
5 that may be stored in a convenient location when not needed.
6 Summary, Substitutes, And Scope
7 Accordingly, I have provided an ear mold that stimulates acupuncture points on the ear. In its
8 first embodiment, it is compact and unobtrusive. It does not require an electrical power source or
9 manual control, so that it automatically stimulates the acupuncture points continuously for as
o long as it is worn. In its second embodiment, it is also compact, and it conveniently provides
simultaneous electrical and magnetic treatment whenever the user desires.
12 Although the above descriptions are specific, they should not be considered as limitations on the
scope of the invention, but only as examples of the embodiments. Many substitutes and
4 variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. For example, more or fewer
magnets may be used. The magnets may be arranged in other positions for stimulating other
acupuncture points. A larger or smaller magnetic sheet may be provided for stimulating more or
7 fewer acupuncture points simultaneously. More electrodes, which may be interconnected, may
8 also be provided for stimulating more acupuncture points. The shape of the magnets and
19 electrodes may be varied. Magnets with a higher or lower energy density may be used. The shape
20 of the mold may vary greatly, depending on the particular ear for which it is made. The mold
21 may be shaped for being attached to other parts of the ear, including the outer side and the inner
22 side of the pinna (the protruding external portion). The impulse generator may use other types of
23 batteries or power supplies, and it may be arranged for producing waveforms other than a square
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wave, and at other frequencies and current levels. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be
2 determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples given.
