CA1066977A - Moisture-expandable prosthesis - Google Patents
Moisture-expandable prosthesisInfo
- Publication number
- CA1066977A CA1066977A CA240,059A CA240059A CA1066977A CA 1066977 A CA1066977 A CA 1066977A CA 240059 A CA240059 A CA 240059A CA 1066977 A CA1066977 A CA 1066977A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ear canal
- medicament
- collapsed
- compressed
- ear
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 210000000613 ear canal Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 210000003454 tympanic membrane Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 5
- 230000000887 hydrating effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000004627 regenerated cellulose Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 4
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241000272534 Struthio camelus Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002674 ointment Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001131 Pulp (paper) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000202 analgesic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001124 body fluid Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000010839 body fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006854 communication Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012377 drug delivery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001821 foam rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000016354 hearing loss disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005201 scrubbing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008223 sterile water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-L sulfite Chemical compound [O-]S([O-])=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
- A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
- A61L15/42—Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
- A61L15/425—Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F11/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/20—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor
- A61F13/2002—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor characterised by the use
- A61F13/2005—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor characterised by the use specially adapted for the nose cavity
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/20—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor
- A61F13/2002—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor characterised by the use
- A61F13/2017—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor characterised by the use specially adapted for the ear cavity
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A hollow-cylintrical tube of dehydrated, regener-ated cellulose sponge material is tightly compressed to provide an elongate member of minimal diameter having sufficient rigidity to be inserted endwise into a body open-ing where it will, when moistened, expand radially whereby to substantially engage the inner peripheral walls of the opening for securing it against accidental or unintentional dislodgement therefrom. When used in association with an ear canal an axial opening through the expanded member permits sound waves to reach the ear drum.
A hollow-cylintrical tube of dehydrated, regener-ated cellulose sponge material is tightly compressed to provide an elongate member of minimal diameter having sufficient rigidity to be inserted endwise into a body open-ing where it will, when moistened, expand radially whereby to substantially engage the inner peripheral walls of the opening for securing it against accidental or unintentional dislodgement therefrom. When used in association with an ear canal an axial opening through the expanded member permits sound waves to reach the ear drum.
Description
1~66977 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a dehydrated wick of -cellular material which, when hydrated, will rapidly expand radially in an effort to assume its dimensions, prior to compression. The dehydrated wick possesses sufficient rigidity to enable it to be inserted endwise into various body cavities and openings, and when so positioned and ;~hydrated it will rapidly expand whereby to snugly engage 10 the inner peripheral walls of the opening for thereby pro-viding an ideal media for the application of medicant to the walls of the body opening.
1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a dehydrated wick of -cellular material which, when hydrated, will rapidly expand radially in an effort to assume its dimensions, prior to compression. The dehydrated wick possesses sufficient rigidity to enable it to be inserted endwise into various body cavities and openings, and when so positioned and ;~hydrated it will rapidly expand whereby to snugly engage 10 the inner peripheral walls of the opening for thereby pro-viding an ideal media for the application of medicant to the walls of the body opening.
2. Description of the Prior Art ; ~The Stephan Patent 1,210,720, dated January 2, i917, discloses a surgical cotton splint fabricated into a substantially projectile-shaped member by feeding one or ~ -. . .. .
more laminae of absorbent cotton to a rewind spindle and playing the cotton toward the axis or along the spindle and beyond the point thereof as the cotton winds upon itself.
Each of the cotton layers become so immeshed with the adjacent layer that there is no possibility of the finished product unwinding. By reason of the thinness of the success-ive layers, the resulting product is a homogenous body of compacted cotton fiber arranged about a center in an elon-gated pointed form and having sufficient stiffness to be utilized ~ithout a handle for use by surgeons, oculists, and nurses for the cleaning of nostrils, ears, etc. The afore-said splint is not adapted to expand or sw~ll when subjected t' to moisture. --Applicant is also aware of the following U. S.
,,'' ~ ~ -.. :
- - . : . -669~7 patents:
Strauss Patent 2,490,168 which discloses a sinus ~` medication applicator which comprises an elongate, hollow . stem having a plurality of lateral openings in open commun-ication with a porous or spongy body member secured to and carried by the stem;
Pietro Patent 3J506~009~ which is directed to a method of making styptic-tipped medical sticks;
Brillant Patent 3,018,778, which discloses a ,î'" 10 pellet fabricated from material which expands when it is wet and becomes soft so as to yield and become distorted -; under light pressure, either to fill or to reach all sur--. faces of a cavity, or to provide a larger wiping surface ~
and to provide more intimate contact with the surface to be . .
, dried or treated, wherein the pellet is fabricated from ... "sponge rubber", and wherein the pellet is secured to and carried by a thin, flexible applicator of wood, metal or plastic;
: Strauss Patent 2,710,222, which discloses a sponge :`
~i 20 applicator which is secured to and carried by a hollow tube through which medicant, and other liquids, is supplied to :~ the interior of the sponge;
:, , Davis Patent 2,510,961, which discloses an ear cleaner which includes a pad of soft, elastic, porous material having good cleansing and scrubbing qualities such :: as sponge or foam rubber;
Negri Patent 2,642,065, which discloses a vial con-taining an analgesic fluid in a protecting container having " a substantially frusto-conical shape, from one end of which an absorbent element projects for the purpose of spreading ":`
~: -4--:
. .
66~7 fluid inside of the auditory meatus;
Hartop Patent 3,865,108, discloses a drug delivery device having a drug containing zone associated ~;- with and partially defined by a material which swells on contact with body fluids. When swelling occurs, the . .
pressure on the drug containing zone expels the drug from -.` the device.
BR~EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wick of the present invention in a fully compressed condition.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the wick of Fig. 1 in a fully expanded condition.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the wick of Fig. 1 inserted into the ear canal of a patient. -~
Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 -~
Fig. S is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the wick in a fully expanded condition.
Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
DE~CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With particular reference to Figs. 1, 3, and 4, the numeral 10 denotes, generally, an elongate, substantially cylindrical wick of compressed, dehydrated, cellular material which is sufficiently rigid to be inserted, endwise, into a body opening, such as, by way of example, an ear canal 12, or the like.
The physical characteristics of the wick are such that when hydrated it will expand radially into an elongate, hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 5 and 6.
In those instances in which the dehydrated wick -:
'. ~ , . .
.,~ .
:.:
has been inserted into an ear canal 12, the outer surface thereof, will, when the wick has been hydrated, expand radially outwardly whereby to substantially fill and engage the interior surface of the ear canal for thereby preclud-ing its accidental or unintentional dislodgement therefrom.
When utilized, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the wick is ideally suited for retaining a medicant in inti-mate contact with an adjacent surface of the ear canal, and since the member, when expanded is hollow, having an axial opening 14 therethrough, the presence of the wick within the ear canal permits the passage of sound waves to the tympanic membrane 16, whereby the presence of the wick will induce but a minimal hearing impairment to the patient.
Uniformly satisfactory results have been obtained in those instances in which the cellular material comprises fine pore regenerated cellulose sponge as manufactured by the O-Cell-O Division of General Mills, Inc. from sulphite wood pulp.
When the subject members are utilized as an ear wick, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the length thereof ,.
may approximate 3/4 inch with an outside diameter of 3/8 inch and an inside diameter of from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch.
` The compressed, dehydrated, substantially cylin-` drical, elongate wick of Figs. l, 3, and 4 is fabricated from a dehydrated, cylindrical, elongate, hollow member as illustrated in Fig. 2, such as, by way of example, by the ` application of a radial, rolling compressive force to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder of Fig. 2 whereby its outer diameter will be radially compressed to about 1/8 inch -- while retaining its overalI length of 3/4 inch.
., '' `'`
. ~ " -- ` 1066~77 -During compression the axial opening 14 is completely closed.
The thus compressed, dehydrated, elongate, sub-stantially cylindrical wick is sufficiently rigid to permit it to not only be handled, but to be inserted endwise into a body opening, such as, by way of example, an ear canal.
After the wick has thus been positioned it will, when sub- ;~
jected to moisture, such as, by way of example, by the appli-cation of a liquid medicant, rapidly expand radially whereby to seek to resume the dimensions, of Fig. 2, which it had before it was compressed to the wick of Fig. 1.
It should, of course, be understood that the fully expanded dimensions of the wick of Fig. 2 will, for any particular application, be determined by the dimensions of the body opening into which the wick is ~o be inserted.
After the fully expanded dimensions have been determined, the fully compressed dimensions of the wick are a function of the wall thickness of the fully expanded cylinder and the degree of compression to which the dehydrated cylinder of Fig. 2 is subjected.
Uniformly satisfactory results have been obtained in those instances in which the outside diameter of the expanded, dehydrated, cellulose sponge material of Fig. 2 : .
approximates 9 mm, and wherein the outside diameter after compression approximates 2 mm. In other words, the diameter after compression is about 20 per cent of the original non-compressed diameter of Fig. 2. In other instances the degree of reduction in diameter may vary from 30 per cent to 80 percent.
An object of the compression is to so reduce the ,' ~: , . - . : ....... ~ ~ : -' :
-. - - : : ~, ~ -` ., 10669~7 outside diameter of the elongate wick or prosthesis such ` that it may be inserted endwise into a body opening, such as, by way of example, an ear canal 12 without contact~ng the inner surface of the opening during insertion, in order to eliminate or at least substantially reduce, contact ,, during insertion and thereby minimize the pain which would ~- result by reason of the insertion of an expanded wick member into an inflamed passage of a body opening. Once in place, the radial expansion which occurs in the prosthesis incident to the application of moisture, causes the prosthesis to rapidly, but gently, expand radially to provide contact between its outer surface and the inner surface of the ear canal.
The expansion of a prosthesis, in situ, may be effected by the application of a liquid medicant to the - ; prosthesis of Fig. 3, in which event the medicant~ per se, will provide the necessary moisture to produce the desired ;~ expansion or, the prosthesis of Fig. 3 may be subjected ~o moisture, such as sterile water for effecting expansion, as illustrated in Fig. 5, after which medicant may be applied . ~ .
to the fully expanded prosthesis. It will be understood that . ...
medicant applied to the prosthesis will be disposed in pro-longed contact with the adjacent surfaces of the ear canal, :
thereby providing a beneficial and prolonged application of medicant to inflamed portions of the ear canal.
It should also be understood that if desired, the outer surface of the compressed prosthesis of Fig. 1 may be suitably coated with a paste-like substance, such as salve, ointment, or cream.
While the prosthesis has been described in associ-:
, .-~
. .
69~7 ation with an ear canal, it should be understood that it may be utilized with any body opening.
After the prosthesis or wick has been fully com-pressed, as in Fig. 1, it should be suitably stored in a - substantially moisture free environment until such time as it is to be used.
more laminae of absorbent cotton to a rewind spindle and playing the cotton toward the axis or along the spindle and beyond the point thereof as the cotton winds upon itself.
Each of the cotton layers become so immeshed with the adjacent layer that there is no possibility of the finished product unwinding. By reason of the thinness of the success-ive layers, the resulting product is a homogenous body of compacted cotton fiber arranged about a center in an elon-gated pointed form and having sufficient stiffness to be utilized ~ithout a handle for use by surgeons, oculists, and nurses for the cleaning of nostrils, ears, etc. The afore-said splint is not adapted to expand or sw~ll when subjected t' to moisture. --Applicant is also aware of the following U. S.
,,'' ~ ~ -.. :
- - . : . -669~7 patents:
Strauss Patent 2,490,168 which discloses a sinus ~` medication applicator which comprises an elongate, hollow . stem having a plurality of lateral openings in open commun-ication with a porous or spongy body member secured to and carried by the stem;
Pietro Patent 3J506~009~ which is directed to a method of making styptic-tipped medical sticks;
Brillant Patent 3,018,778, which discloses a ,î'" 10 pellet fabricated from material which expands when it is wet and becomes soft so as to yield and become distorted -; under light pressure, either to fill or to reach all sur--. faces of a cavity, or to provide a larger wiping surface ~
and to provide more intimate contact with the surface to be . .
, dried or treated, wherein the pellet is fabricated from ... "sponge rubber", and wherein the pellet is secured to and carried by a thin, flexible applicator of wood, metal or plastic;
: Strauss Patent 2,710,222, which discloses a sponge :`
~i 20 applicator which is secured to and carried by a hollow tube through which medicant, and other liquids, is supplied to :~ the interior of the sponge;
:, , Davis Patent 2,510,961, which discloses an ear cleaner which includes a pad of soft, elastic, porous material having good cleansing and scrubbing qualities such :: as sponge or foam rubber;
Negri Patent 2,642,065, which discloses a vial con-taining an analgesic fluid in a protecting container having " a substantially frusto-conical shape, from one end of which an absorbent element projects for the purpose of spreading ":`
~: -4--:
. .
66~7 fluid inside of the auditory meatus;
Hartop Patent 3,865,108, discloses a drug delivery device having a drug containing zone associated ~;- with and partially defined by a material which swells on contact with body fluids. When swelling occurs, the . .
pressure on the drug containing zone expels the drug from -.` the device.
BR~EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wick of the present invention in a fully compressed condition.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the wick of Fig. 1 in a fully expanded condition.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the wick of Fig. 1 inserted into the ear canal of a patient. -~
Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 -~
Fig. S is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the wick in a fully expanded condition.
Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
DE~CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With particular reference to Figs. 1, 3, and 4, the numeral 10 denotes, generally, an elongate, substantially cylindrical wick of compressed, dehydrated, cellular material which is sufficiently rigid to be inserted, endwise, into a body opening, such as, by way of example, an ear canal 12, or the like.
The physical characteristics of the wick are such that when hydrated it will expand radially into an elongate, hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 5 and 6.
In those instances in which the dehydrated wick -:
'. ~ , . .
.,~ .
:.:
has been inserted into an ear canal 12, the outer surface thereof, will, when the wick has been hydrated, expand radially outwardly whereby to substantially fill and engage the interior surface of the ear canal for thereby preclud-ing its accidental or unintentional dislodgement therefrom.
When utilized, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5, the wick is ideally suited for retaining a medicant in inti-mate contact with an adjacent surface of the ear canal, and since the member, when expanded is hollow, having an axial opening 14 therethrough, the presence of the wick within the ear canal permits the passage of sound waves to the tympanic membrane 16, whereby the presence of the wick will induce but a minimal hearing impairment to the patient.
Uniformly satisfactory results have been obtained in those instances in which the cellular material comprises fine pore regenerated cellulose sponge as manufactured by the O-Cell-O Division of General Mills, Inc. from sulphite wood pulp.
When the subject members are utilized as an ear wick, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the length thereof ,.
may approximate 3/4 inch with an outside diameter of 3/8 inch and an inside diameter of from 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch.
` The compressed, dehydrated, substantially cylin-` drical, elongate wick of Figs. l, 3, and 4 is fabricated from a dehydrated, cylindrical, elongate, hollow member as illustrated in Fig. 2, such as, by way of example, by the ` application of a radial, rolling compressive force to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder of Fig. 2 whereby its outer diameter will be radially compressed to about 1/8 inch -- while retaining its overalI length of 3/4 inch.
., '' `'`
. ~ " -- ` 1066~77 -During compression the axial opening 14 is completely closed.
The thus compressed, dehydrated, elongate, sub-stantially cylindrical wick is sufficiently rigid to permit it to not only be handled, but to be inserted endwise into a body opening, such as, by way of example, an ear canal.
After the wick has thus been positioned it will, when sub- ;~
jected to moisture, such as, by way of example, by the appli-cation of a liquid medicant, rapidly expand radially whereby to seek to resume the dimensions, of Fig. 2, which it had before it was compressed to the wick of Fig. 1.
It should, of course, be understood that the fully expanded dimensions of the wick of Fig. 2 will, for any particular application, be determined by the dimensions of the body opening into which the wick is ~o be inserted.
After the fully expanded dimensions have been determined, the fully compressed dimensions of the wick are a function of the wall thickness of the fully expanded cylinder and the degree of compression to which the dehydrated cylinder of Fig. 2 is subjected.
Uniformly satisfactory results have been obtained in those instances in which the outside diameter of the expanded, dehydrated, cellulose sponge material of Fig. 2 : .
approximates 9 mm, and wherein the outside diameter after compression approximates 2 mm. In other words, the diameter after compression is about 20 per cent of the original non-compressed diameter of Fig. 2. In other instances the degree of reduction in diameter may vary from 30 per cent to 80 percent.
An object of the compression is to so reduce the ,' ~: , . - . : ....... ~ ~ : -' :
-. - - : : ~, ~ -` ., 10669~7 outside diameter of the elongate wick or prosthesis such ` that it may be inserted endwise into a body opening, such as, by way of example, an ear canal 12 without contact~ng the inner surface of the opening during insertion, in order to eliminate or at least substantially reduce, contact ,, during insertion and thereby minimize the pain which would ~- result by reason of the insertion of an expanded wick member into an inflamed passage of a body opening. Once in place, the radial expansion which occurs in the prosthesis incident to the application of moisture, causes the prosthesis to rapidly, but gently, expand radially to provide contact between its outer surface and the inner surface of the ear canal.
The expansion of a prosthesis, in situ, may be effected by the application of a liquid medicant to the - ; prosthesis of Fig. 3, in which event the medicant~ per se, will provide the necessary moisture to produce the desired ;~ expansion or, the prosthesis of Fig. 3 may be subjected ~o moisture, such as sterile water for effecting expansion, as illustrated in Fig. 5, after which medicant may be applied . ~ .
to the fully expanded prosthesis. It will be understood that . ...
medicant applied to the prosthesis will be disposed in pro-longed contact with the adjacent surfaces of the ear canal, :
thereby providing a beneficial and prolonged application of medicant to inflamed portions of the ear canal.
It should also be understood that if desired, the outer surface of the compressed prosthesis of Fig. 1 may be suitably coated with a paste-like substance, such as salve, ointment, or cream.
While the prosthesis has been described in associ-:
, .-~
. .
69~7 ation with an ear canal, it should be understood that it may be utilized with any body opening.
After the prosthesis or wick has been fully com-pressed, as in Fig. 1, it should be suitably stored in a - substantially moisture free environment until such time as it is to be used.
Claims (9)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An elongate, compressed, collapsed, tubular, hollow, moisture-expandable ear canal member for applying medicament to an interior surface of an ear canal comprising a radially compressed, hollow cylinder of expanded, dehydrated, cellulose, sponge-like material wherein the outside diameter of said compressed, collapsed member approximates 2 mm, said material when hydrated by a medicament expands radially to the dimensions of the hollow cylinder prior to compression, whereby said member applies medicament to the interior surfaces of the ear canal when expanded, and is characterized by an open, axial passage therethrough.
2. A member as called for in claim 1, which is suffi-ciently rigid for endwise insertion into a body opening without distortion or bending.
3. A member as called for in claim 1, wherein the cellulose sponge material is characterized by a multiplicity of fine pores.
4. A member as called for in claim 1, which, when hydrated, expands to its original pre-compressed dimensions.
5. The method of applying medicament over a prolonged period of time to the inner surface of an ear canal, which comprises the steps of inserting an elongate, compressed, collapsed, hollow, cylindrical member of dehydrated, cellular, sponge-like material into the ear canal, wherein the outer diameter of said collapsed, cylindrical member is less than the inside diameter of the ear canal, and of then hydrating said member in situ with a liquid medicament to cause it to expand radially outward-to dispose its outer surface in contacting relationship with adjacent portions of the inner surface of the ear canal and thereby apply the medicament thereto, said member, when expanded, providing an open passageway through said member for the passage of sound waves to the tympanic membrane of the ear.
6. A method of applying a medicament to an interior surface of an ear canal over a prolonged period of time comprising the steps of:
inserting a compressed, collapsed, cylindrical member of dehydrated, cellular, sponge-like material having a collapsed, axial passage completely through said member into the ear canal, said inserting occurring with only a small amount of contact between said member and the interior surface of the ear canal, for locating said collapsed member entirely within the ear canal;
hydrating said member in situ with a liquid medicament to cause it to expand radially outward into substantial contact with the interior surface of the ear canal and thereby apply the medicament thereto and provide an axial, open, obstruction-free passageway through said expanded member for the passage of sound waves to the tympanic membrane of the ear while said member is in place within the ear canal.
inserting a compressed, collapsed, cylindrical member of dehydrated, cellular, sponge-like material having a collapsed, axial passage completely through said member into the ear canal, said inserting occurring with only a small amount of contact between said member and the interior surface of the ear canal, for locating said collapsed member entirely within the ear canal;
hydrating said member in situ with a liquid medicament to cause it to expand radially outward into substantial contact with the interior surface of the ear canal and thereby apply the medicament thereto and provide an axial, open, obstruction-free passageway through said expanded member for the passage of sound waves to the tympanic membrane of the ear while said member is in place within the ear canal.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said member expands from a diameter of about 2 mm to 9 mm.
8. The method of claim 6, which includes an initial step of storing said compressed collapsed cylindrical member in a moisture-free environment prior to inserting same into an ear canal.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein said member is inserted into the ear canal without distorting said member.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US05/608,148 US4034759A (en) | 1975-08-27 | 1975-08-27 | Moisture-expandable prosthesis |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA1066977A true CA1066977A (en) | 1979-11-27 |
Family
ID=24435264
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA240,059A Expired CA1066977A (en) | 1975-08-27 | 1975-11-19 | Moisture-expandable prosthesis |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US4034759A (en) |
JP (2) | JPS5226791A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1066977A (en) |
DE (1) | DE2554596C3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2321872A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1496751A (en) |
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US20100275931A1 (en) * | 2009-05-01 | 2010-11-04 | Saeed Seyed | Earplug For An Ear Canal |
EP2670456B1 (en) | 2011-02-02 | 2019-12-18 | The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. | Drug delivery apparatus |
CA2848730A1 (en) * | 2011-09-15 | 2013-03-21 | Yoseph Yaacobi | Systems and methods for treating ear disorders |
US20180221208A1 (en) * | 2017-02-08 | 2018-08-09 | Tusker Medical, Inc. | Systems, apparatus, and methods for delivery of therapeutic substance to the tympanic membrane |
JP7273830B2 (en) | 2018-01-16 | 2023-05-15 | タスカー メディカル,インコーポレイテッド | Visualization device for parotid surgery |
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US2603213A (en) * | 1952-07-15 | Post-operative bandage | ||
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GB1210254A (en) * | 1967-07-19 | 1970-10-28 | Sponcel Ltd | Improvements in catamenial or similar tampons |
US3559646A (en) * | 1968-08-16 | 1971-02-02 | Joseph Mullan | Tampon |
GB1374138A (en) * | 1972-06-06 | 1974-11-13 | Cabeceran Marginet P | Tampons |
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US3900030A (en) * | 1974-06-10 | 1975-08-19 | Dow Chemical Co | Catamenial tampons |
-
1975
- 1975-08-27 US US05/608,148 patent/US4034759A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1975-11-19 CA CA240,059A patent/CA1066977A/en not_active Expired
- 1975-12-04 DE DE2554596A patent/DE2554596C3/en not_active Expired
- 1975-12-09 JP JP50145961A patent/JPS5226791A/en active Pending
- 1975-12-17 FR FR7538698A patent/FR2321872A1/en active Granted
-
1976
- 1976-01-07 GB GB530/76A patent/GB1496751A/en not_active Expired
-
1977
- 1977-03-03 US US05/774,128 patent/US4096230A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1984
- 1984-03-05 JP JP1984031580U patent/JPS6033958Y2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS5226791A (en) | 1977-02-28 |
DE2554596B2 (en) | 1980-07-17 |
US4034759A (en) | 1977-07-12 |
FR2321872B3 (en) | 1979-10-05 |
JPS59161836U (en) | 1984-10-30 |
DE2554596A1 (en) | 1977-03-03 |
JPS6033958Y2 (en) | 1985-10-09 |
GB1496751A (en) | 1978-01-05 |
DE2554596C3 (en) | 1981-04-16 |
FR2321872A1 (en) | 1977-03-25 |
US4096230A (en) | 1978-06-20 |
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