Ear cleaning apparatus, tip and a method for cleaning an ear

Abstract

An ear cleaning apparatus, a tip and a method for cleaning an ear are provided. The ear cleaning apparatus may have a tip having protrusions. The protrusions may be made of a pliable material to assist in removing wax, dirt and/or other build-up from within an ear canal. Additionally, the tip may be removable from the apparatus for cleaning and/or replacement.

1 . An apparatus for cleaning a body orifice, the apparatus comprising: 
 a body having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the body has a maximum diameter between the first end and the second end;    a tip having a first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion has a length defined between a distal end and a proximate end wherein the distal end of the second portion is removably attached to the first end of the body wherein the second portion has a maximum diameter located between the distal end and the proximate end and further wherein the first portion is integrally formed with the second portion wherein the first portion has a length defined between a first side and a second side wherein the second side of the first portion is adjacent to the proximate end of the second portion wherein the first portion has a maximum diameter located between the first side and the second side wherein the maximum diameter of the first portion is greater than the maximum diameter of the second portion and the maximum diameter of the body wherein the diameter of the first portion parabolically decreases from the maximum diameter toward the first side and the second side and further wherein a plurality of protrusions extend outward from the first portion of the tip.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first protrusion of the plurality of protrusions is located a first distance from a second protrusion of the plurality of protrusions wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a threaded connector at the distal end of the second portion.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of protrusions vary in height.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a threaded connector at the first end of the body.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first portion is hollow.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second portion tapers from a first diameter at the distal end to a second diameter wherein the second diameter is located between the maximum diameter and the first diameter wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the protrusions are integrally formed with the second portion.  
   
   
       9 . A tip comprising: 
 a body having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the body has a peripheral surface wherein the peripheral surface has a major diameter at a point intermediate to the first end and the second end and further wherein the diameter of the peripheral surface parabolically decreases away from the major diameter towards the first end and towards the second end wherein the second end is rounded; and    protrusions on the peripheral surface of the body wherein a first protrusion is adjacent to a second protrusion wherein the first protrusion is separated from the second protrusion by a first distance across the peripheral surface and further wherein a third protrusion is adjacent to the second protrusion wherein the third protrusion is separated from the second protrusion by a second distance across the peripheral surface wherein the first distance is larger than the second distance and further wherein the first protrusion is defined by a first perimeter that abuts the peripheral surface and further wherein the second protrusion is defined by a second perimeter that abuts the peripheral surface wherein the second perimeter is greater than the first perimeter.    
   
   
       10 . The tip of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 a threaded connector at the first end of the body.    
   
   
       11 . The tip of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 a base associated with the body wherein the base has no protrusions.    
   
   
       12 . The tip of  claim 9  wherein the protrusions on the tip vary in shape.  
   
   
       13 . The tip of  claim 9  wherein the protrusions on the tip vary in size.  
   
   
       14 . The tip of  claim 9  wherein the protrusions are integrally formed with the tip.  
   
   
       15 . A method of cleaning an ear, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a body having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the body has a diameter;    connecting a tip to the first end of the body wherein the tip has a peripheral surface having a length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the tip removably attaches to the body wherein the peripheral surface of the tip has a maximum diameter located between the first end and the second end wherein the diameter of the peripheral surface parabolically decreases to the second end wherein the diameter of the peripheral surface decreases toward the second end to a first diameter wherein the first diameter is smaller than the maximum diameter wherein the diameter of the peripheral surface increases from the first diameter to a second diameter at the second end wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter;    providing a first protrusion, a second protrusion and a third protrusion to the peripheral surface of the tip wherein the protrusions extend outward from the peripheral surface wherein the first protrusion is located a first distance from the second protrusion and the second protrusion is located a second distance from the third protrusion wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and    inserting the tip into the ear.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 removing the tip from the body.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of: 
 integrally forming the protrusions with the tip.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the first protrusion extends a first distance outward with respect to the peripheral surface wherein the second protrusion extends a second distance outward with respect to the peripheral surface wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the length of the body is at least twice the length of the tip.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 screwing the tip into the body.