US2602449A - Device for treating the ear - Google Patents

Description

y 8, 1952 A. RUZSITS DEVICE FOR TREATING THE EAR Filed July 2, 1951 ATTORNEY Patented July 8, I952 UNITED srA'rEs- PATENT 2,602,449 1 I DEVICE FOR TREATING THEEAB I I Alexander Buzsits, St. Louis, Mo. 2 Application July 2, 1951, Serial No. 234,768

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and the means for treating abnormal conditions of the ear. In particular the treatment and apparatus is helpful in cases of weakened ear muscles, humming and ringing in the ears and is useful in treating thickened ear drums and various other disorders which tend to interfere with the normal functioning of the human hearing system.

The apparatus includes a small, tubular element which, during treatment, is carried in the ear the element being electrically energized by a small battery which may be carried conveniently in the pocket and connected thereto by a pair of wires. Treatment does not require the services of a physician and is painless. Prolonged and very severe chronic cases of impaired hearing respond to treatment in a short period of time, in some instances in from 20 to 30 days. In severe cases the electrical input may be increased to 3 volts, more or less, following a period of relaxation before retiring. Preferably the element is worn in the ear substantially constantly during treatment.

Among the objects is to provide a simple, inexpensive means whereby a person may treat himself in the overcoming of ear defects. Further objects and the advantages of the method and apparatus will be recognized as the specification is read in conjunction with the drawings which form a part thereof and in which:

Figure 1 shows a person receiving treatment from my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective side view of my ear element.

Figure 3 is a left end view of the ear element.

Figure 4 is a side elevation in section of a complete ear element.

Figure 5 is a right end view of Fig. 4.

Figure 6 is an exploded view showing the parts composing my hearing aid element.

Referring to' the drawings, in Figure 1, 1 is the ear element as worn during treatment, the wire cable 8, leading therefrom to the battery 9 carried in the coat pocket H). In the sectional view Fig. 4, of the complete assembly, which compose same are shown in their respective places. These parts, see Fig.6 comprise a small, thin walled tube preferably of silver;

a threaded closure member l2, adapted to be I screwed into the inner end portion of tube H, and having a shoulder l3 and perforations H; a small diameter rubber washer l5, adaptedto the several parts fit snugly into. the ear passage and adapted to be secured in place on the end portion of the tube.

2 by the shoulder I3, as shown in Fig. 4. A thin walled tubular member l6, closed at I! by the wall in which is an opening l8. Within the tubular member I6 is a wad of cotton l9 or other suitable absorbant matter which has embedded therein an electrode 20. A suitable carbon button 2| having a perforation 22 therethrough is encased in a rubber tubular member 23 closed at 24 and centrally perforated at 25. An outer, suitably shaped washer 26 of rubber is adapted to be retained in place on the outer end portion of tube H by the closure cap 2! which is provided with a shoulder 28 said cap being adapted to be screwed into the end portion of said tube l, as shown in Fig. 4. Upon the assembly of these parts to form the element shown in Fig. 2 and in section Fig. 4, one wire connected to the electrode 20 and another wire connected to the carbon button 2| pass centrally through the element and out through the perforation 29 in the cap 21, said wires as shown in Fig. 2 being represented as 30 and 3|.

From the above it will be seen that when the parts are assembled as described a small, compact unit is provided which may be placed into the earpassage and retained therein by the soft washer elements l5 and 26. When the cotton wad is moistened by a suitable liquid, which may be a medication and adapted to permit the passage of a current of electricity, a current will flow through the circuit which includes a battery, the carbon button 2| and the electrode 20, the current flow generating heat for producing a sensation of warmth within the ear while at the same time aiding in the vaporization of the moisture carried by the cotton wad, the vapors passing through the perforations l4 into the inner ear portions. Accordingly it will be seen that by means of my invention I provide a novel means for treating the ear by mild thermal effect while at the same time utilizing the generated heat to effectively apply a suitable medication in a manner to reach all portions of the inner ear.

Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention I desire it to be understood that changes and modifications may be resorted to to accomplish the desired end results without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for treating the ear, an elongated hollow heating element adapted for insertion into the ear passage, electrical heating means within the heating element and electrical conductors leading to the outer end of the heating element and communicating with the heating means within the same, a washer fixed upon the outer end of said heating element serving as a stop to prevent entry of said outer end of the heating element into the ear passage, the heating element being adapted to fit in the passage with the outer end flush with the ear, and a resilient washer upon the inner end of said heating element adapted to fit snugly within the ear passage and center the heating element within said passage in yielding manner. 7

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the hollow heating element is a tubular member having retaining shoulders at the ends thereof to retain the washers in place and within the same has a soft stuffing of absorbent material independently of the heating means but adjacent thereto for receiving a medicinal fluid adapted to be evaporated therefrom into the ear passage, the inner end of said tube being closed and having perforations therein for escape of medical vapors 5 from said stufling into said ear passage.

ALEXANDER RUZSITS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent: 1

UNITED sTATEsPA'rEN'rs

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