Attachment For a Device for Delivering Fluid into an Ear Canal

Abstract

An attachment for a device for generating an airflow or for dispensing a fluid, which attachment is adapted to be inserted at least in sections into an external ear canal of a human or animal ear. The attachment has a connecting piece for connecting the attachment to the device for generating an airflow, and has a guide vane of tongue-like design with a guide vane base for guiding air flowing out of the device for generating an airflow via the connecting piece.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An attachment for a device for delivering fluid into an ear canal, comprising:
 a connecting piece adapted to be connected to the device;   a guide vane projecting from the connecting piece adapted to guide a fluid flowing out of the device;   a first section of the guide vane adjacent the connecting piece has a longitudinal cross-sectional profile curved in a first direction, a second section of the guide vane extending longitudinally from the first section has a longitudinal cross-sectional profile curved in a second direction, and the two curved sections extend in a curved manner opposite to one another.   
     
     
         21 . The attachment of  claim 20 , further comprising an ear funnel projecting from the connecting piece and at least partially enveloping the guide vane. 
     
     
         22 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein a cross-section of the guide vane is U-shaped. 
     
     
         23 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the guide vane has a first guide vane cheek and a second guide vane cheek that form a guide channel for the fluid flowing out of the device;   the first guide vane cheek projects from a first longitudinal edge of a base of the guide vane and the second guide vane cheek projects from a second longitudinal edge of the base of the guide vane opposite the first longitudinal edge.   
     
     
         24 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein the guide vane has an end section extending inside the connecting piece. 
     
     
         25 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein the guide vane has a curved cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         26 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein the guide vane has a curved cross-sectional profile over the entire length of the guide vane. 
     
     
         27 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein the first section and the second section merge into each other. 
     
     
         28 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein the guide vane intersects a longitudinal axis of the attachment, which longitudinal axis passes through a center point of a cross-section of the connecting piece normal to the longitudinal cross-sectional profiles. 
     
     
         29 . An ear drying apparatus, comprising:
 a device for delivering fluid into an ear canal;   the attachment of  claim 20 ;   wherein the fluid comprises air for drying the ear canal.   
     
     
         30 . An ear cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a device for delivering fluid into an ear canal;   the attachment of  claim 20 ;   wherein the fluid comprises liquid for cleaning the ear canal.   
     
     
         31 . The attachment of  claim 20 , wherein the attachment is adapted to be connected to different ear funnels having different sizes or shapes, such that the attachment can be used with ear canals having different sizes or shapes. 
     
     
         32 . An attachment for a device for delivering fluid into an ear canal, comprising:
 a connecting piece adapted to be connected to the device;   a guide vane having a guide vane base projecting from the connecting piece to guide a fluid flowing out of the device, the guide vane base being formed by a concave surface of the guide vane;   a first section of the guide vane base adjacent the connecting piece has a longitudinal cross-sectional profile curved in a first direction, a second section of the guide vane base extending longitudinally from the first section has a longitudinal cross-sectional profile curved in a second direction, and the two curved sections extend in a curved manner opposite to one another.   
     
     
         33 . The attachment of  claim 32 , wherein the guide vane base has an end section extending inside the connecting piece. 
     
     
         34 . The attachment of  claim 32 , wherein the guide vane has a curved cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         35 . The attachment of  claim 32 , wherein the first section and the second section merge into each other. 
     
     
         36 . The attachment of  claim 32 , wherein the guide vane base intersects a longitudinal axis of the attachment, which longitudinal axis passes through a center point of a cross-section of the connecting piece normal to the longitudinal cross-sectional profiles. 
     
     
         37 . An attachment for a device for dispensing a fluid, which attachment is adapted to be introduced into an ear canal, wherein the attachment comprises:
 a connecting piece adapted to be connected to the device, and   a guide vane having a guide vane base projecting from the connecting piece to guide fluid flowing out of the device,   wherein, viewed from the connecting piece, the gradient of a tangent to the guide vane base:
 decreases with the distance from the connecting piece in a first longitudinal section of the guide vane base, and 
 increases with the distance from the connecting piece in a second longitudinal section of the guide vane base, 
   wherein the second section of the guide vane extends longitudinally from the first section.   
     
     
         38 . The attachment of  claim 37 , wherein the guide vane base has an end section extending inside the connecting piece. 
     
     
         39 . The attachment of  claim 37 , wherein the first section and the second section of the guide vane merge into each other.