Device and method for removing earwax

Abstract

The present invention describes an earwax removal device having varying structures to provide different earwax removal capabilities. In all designs, the overall contour of the earwax-extracting member resembles the dimensions of the external auditory canal and is flexible enough to conform to it during insertion. Each engages and collects wax using the pressure of insertion and rotation effects. Embodiments include a club-like member having multiple protrusions and extractions to collect wax along its sides, and an opening in the tip that leads to a channel to collect wax; a flexible spiral member to compress when the device is inserted in an ear and thereby extract wax as it expands when the device is removed; a screw-like structure to laterally move wax and grind as it rotates; a multi-channel structure to cut and collect wax simultaneously; and a shovel-like structure to effectively shear and scrape wax from an ear canal.

1 . An earwax removal device comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal axis; and   an earwax-extracting member comprising a body portion and a tip portion, the body portion having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the body portion located opposite each other, the tip portion located at the first end of the body portion, the shaft connected to the second end of the body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The earwax removal device of  claim 1 , the body portion comprising multiple protrusions and multiple recesses formed on the body portion, the tip portion comprising multiple protrusions formed on the tip portion, the body portion having widths perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein widths of the body portion at two different distances from the second end of the body portion are different from each other. 
     
     
         3 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the protrusions of the body portion and the recesses of the body portion are arranged alternately. 
     
     
         4 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2 , wherein an opening is formed in the tip portion, a hole is formed in at least one of the recesses of the body portion, and a tunnel is formed inside the earwax-extracting member such that the opening of the tip portion and the hole of the body portion are connected to the tunnel. 
     
     
         5 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the recesses of the body portion and the protrusions of the tip portion are substantially round or oval in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the tip portion is slanted in a conical manner such that an angle between a tangent plane to a central surface of one of the protrusions of the tip portion and a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is approximately 15°. 
     
     
         7 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2  further comprising a guard member surrounding the body portion at the second end of the body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the earwax-extracting member has a length in a range of between about 5 mm and about 7 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the multiple protrusions of the body portion comprise a first group of protrusions and a second group of protrusions, the first group of protrusions being smaller in size than the second group of protrusions. 
     
     
         10 . The earwax removal device of  claim 2 , wherein the body portion comprises an upper section and a lower section, the upper section located between the lower section and the tip portion, a width of the lower section being larger than a width of the upper section. 
     
     
         11 . The earwax removal device of  claim 10 , further comprising three extension members, a first extension member surrounding the perimeter of the tip portion, a second extension member surrounding the perimeter of the body portion and located between the upper section and the lower section, and a third extension member surrounding the perimeter of the body portion and located proximate to the second end of the body portion. 
     
     
         12 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 2 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         13 . The earwax removal device of  claim 1 , the body portion comprising multiple bristles protruding substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The earwax removal device of  claim 13 , the tip portion comprising a cone-shaped spiral. 
     
     
         15 . The earwax removal device of  claim 14 , wherein the bristles are substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         16 . The earwax removal device of  claim 14 , wherein at least two of the bristles are different in size. 
     
     
         17 . The earwax removal device of  claim 13 , wherein an opening is formed in the tip portion, a hole is formed in the body portion, and a tunnel is formed inside the earwax-extracting member such that the opening of the tip portion and the hole of the body portion are connected to the tunnel. 
     
     
         18 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 13 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         19 . The earwax removal device of  claim 13 , wherein the tip portion comprises multiple elongated protrusions extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         20 . The earwax removal device of  claim 19 , wherein at least two of the bristles are different in shape. 
     
     
         21 . The earwax removal device of  claim 19 , wherein an opening is formed in the tip portion, a hole is formed in the body portion, and a tunnel is formed inside the earwax-extracting member such that the opening of the tip portion and the hole of the body portion are connected to the tunnel. 
     
     
         22 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 19 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         23 . An earwax removal device comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal axis; and   an earwax-extracting member comprising a flexible body, the flexible body connected to an end of the shaft, the flexible body capable of contracting and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.   
     
     
         24 . The earwax removal device of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible body comprises a plurality of rings, the rings connected and stacked in a zigzag manner. 
     
     
         25 . The earwax removal device of  claim 23 , the rings having widths perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein widths of the rings at two different distances from the end of the shaft to which the flexible body is connected are different from each other. 
     
     
         26 . The earwax removal device of  claim 23  further comprising a guard member surrounding the device in proximity to the end of the shaft to which the flexible body is connected. 
     
     
         27 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 23 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising: rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal. 
     
     
         29 . The earwax removal device of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible body comprises a spiral member, the spiral member having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the spiral member located opposite each other, the earwax-extracting member further comprising a tip portion, the tip portion comprising a cross-shaped element and a bar, the bar connected to the cross-shaped element and extending from the first end of the spiral member in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the shaft connected to the second end of the spiral member. 
     
     
         30 . The earwax removal device of  claim 29  further comprising a guard member surrounding the device in proximity to the second end of the spiral member. 
     
     
         31 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 29 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         32 . The earwax removal device of  claim 23 , wherein the flexible body comprises a first spiral section, an intermediate section, and a second spiral section, the second spiral section connected to the shaft, the intermediate section connected to the first spiral section and to the second spiral section and located between the first spiral section and the second spiral section, the intermediate section having a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the first spiral section having a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the second spiral section having a width perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the width of the intermediate section being larger than the width of the first spiral section and larger than the width of the second spiral section. 
     
     
         33 . The earwax removal device of  claim 32  further comprising a tip portion, the tip portion comprising a vertical bar, a first pair of horizontal bars and a second pair of horizontal bars, the vertical bar extending from the first spiral section in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, the first pair of horizontal bars extending from a first location of the vertical bar such that the first pair of horizontal bars cross each other, the second pair of horizontal bars extending from a second location of the vertical bar such that the second pair of horizontal bars cross each other, the first location of the vertical bar more distant from the first spiral section than the second location of the vertical bar, the first pair of horizontal bars and the second pair of horizontal bars substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         34 . The earwax removal device of  claim 32 , wherein the intermediate section comprises multiple protrusions and multiple recesses formed on the intermediate section. 
     
     
         35 . The earwax removal device of  claim 34 , wherein the protrusions and the recesses of the intermediate section are substantially curved. 
     
     
         36 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 33 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         37 . An earwax removal device comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal axis;   an earwax-extracting member comprising a central rod having a first end and a second end, the second end connected to an end of the shaft, the central rod extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and   a helical ridge member extending about the central rod.   
     
     
         38 . The earwax removal device of  claim 37 , the helical ridge member having widths perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein widths of the helical ridge member at two different distances from the end of the shaft to which the flexible body is connected are different from each other. 
     
     
         39 . The earwax removal device of  claim 37 , wherein an opening is formed in the first end of the central rod, a hole is formed in the central rod, and a tunnel is formed inside the central rod such that the opening of the central rod and the hole of the central rod are connected to the tunnel. 
     
     
         40 . The earwax removal device of  claim 37 , the helical ridge member having at least one notch therethrough. 
     
     
         41 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 37 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         42 . An earwax removal device comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal axis; and   an earwax-extracting member, the earwax-extracting member comprising a body portion having a first end and a second end, the shaft connected to the second end of the body portion, the body portion further comprising a set of two interconnected and overlapping helical structures.   
     
     
         43 . The earwax removal device of  claim 42 , the body portion having a second set of two interconnected and overlapping helical structures connected to the first set of two interconnected and overlapping helical structures, a width of the first set of two interconnected and overlapping helical structures being larger than a width of the second set of two interconnected and overlapping helical structures. 
     
     
         44 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 42 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         45 . An earwax removal device comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal axis;   an earwax-extracting member comprising a body portion, the body portion having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the body portion located opposite each other, the shaft extending from the second end of the body portion, the body portion comprising a curved elongated member extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and forming an interior space; and   an elongated cross-bar member extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis within the interior space, wherein a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant are formed between the curved elongated member and the elongated cross-bar.   
     
     
         46 . The earwax removal device of  claim 45 , the curved elongated member having at least one slit extending from the first end to the second end of the body portion. 
     
     
         47 . The earwax removal device of  claim 46 , the at least one slit having a pointed lip along a longitudinal edge of the slit. 
     
     
         48 . The earwax removal device of  claim 46  further comprising a plurality of holes along the curved elongated member and into at least one channel, wherein each hole further comprises a projecting member capable of guiding earwax into the hole and into the channel. 
     
     
         49 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 47 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         50 . The earwax removal device of  claim 45 , said curved elongated member further comprises a first flag member and a second flag member, said first flag member and said second flag member attached to a pair of opposing ends of said elongated cross-bar member. 
     
     
         51 . The earwax removal device of  claim 50 , said first and second flag members each comprising a wedge portion extending therefrom, said wedge portions each comprising a pointed longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         52 . The earwax removal device of  claim 51 , said first and second flag members further comprising at least one aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         53 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 51 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.   
     
     
         54 . An earwax removal device comprising:
 a shaft having a longitudinal axis;   an earwax-extracting member comprising a body portion having a first and second elongated member, each extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and each having a curved exterior surface.   
     
     
         55 . The earwax removal device of  claim 54 , further comprising an elongated vertical bar member extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and connecting the first elongated member and second elongated member. 
     
     
         56 . The earwax removal device of  claim 54 , each first and second elongated member having a sloped interior surface. 
     
     
         57 . The earwax removal device of  claim 54 , further comprising at least one curved horizontal member substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and connecting the first elongated member and second elongated member. 
     
     
         58 . The earwax removal device of  claim 57 , further comprising a third elongated member connected to the curved horizontal member between the first and second elongated members, the third elongated member is connected to an end of the shaft. 
     
     
         59 . The earwax removal device of  claim 54 , wherein each of said elongated members is connected to an end of the shaft. 
     
     
         60 . A method for removing earwax from an ear canal, the method comprising:
 providing an earwax removal device according to  claim 54 ;   inserting the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device into the ear canal;   rotating the earwax removal device while the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device is located in the ear canal; and   pulling out the earwax-extracting member of the earwax removal device from the ear canal.