Apparatus for manipulation of ear devices

Abstract

Disclosed herein are apparatuses for manipulation of an ear device within the ear canal of a subject. Also disclosed herein are methods of using said apparatuses for the insertion, removal, or other manipulations of the ear device. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the apparatuses, and kits containing the apparatus with instructions for use.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus comprising:
 (i) an elongated section;   (ii) a stop section associated with the elongated section; wherein the stop section is configured to contact a portion of an ear of a subject when the elongated section is inserted into the ear of the subject, thereby preventing further insertion of the elongated section into the ear of the subject; and   (iii) a magnet associated with a first end of the elongated section; wherein the magnet is magnetically attracted to a magnetic element associated with an ear device,
 wherein the apparatus is configured to hold the ear device via at least a magnetic attraction between the magnet and the magnetic element of the ear device during the insertion of the apparatus into the ear, thereby inserting the ear device into the ear; and 
 wherein the ear device is sized to the ear of the subject, such that when the ear device is inserted in the ear at a predetermined position and the apparatus is removed from the ear of the subject, a friction between the ear and the ear device overcomes the magnetic attraction to detach the ear device from the apparatus, thereby retaining the ear device at the predetermined position. 
   
     
     
         3 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the ear device further comprises a noise canceling element, wherein the noise canceling element transmits destructive interference when engaged. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the ear device further comprises a magnetic field generator. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the magnetic field generator at least partially ameliorates a disorder when engaged. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of a migraine; a loss of taste; a loss of smell; Parkinson disease; a depression disorder; major depression disorder; and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         34 - 80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises an array of magnets. 
     
     
         82 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein the array of magnets is configured to actuate sequentially. 
     
     
         83 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises an orientation restriction section that is configured to maintain an orientation of the ear device consistent with an orientation of the apparatus during insertion of the ear device into the ear. 
     
     
         84 . The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein the orientation restriction section restricts the orientation of the ear device at least in part by mechanical force, electrostatic force, magnetic force, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         85 - 167 . (canceled) 
     
     
         168 . A method of manipulating an ear device in an ear of a subject, wherein the ear device comprises a magnetic element, comprising:
 (i) inserting the apparatus, of  claim 2 , that comprises the magnet into the ear of the subject;   (ii) activating the magnet; thereby providing a magnetic attraction between the magnetic element of the ear device and the magnet; and   (iii) manipulating the apparatus; thereby manipulating the ear device in the ear of the subject.   
     
     
         169 . The method of  claim 168 , wherein the manipulating of the ear device is a rotation of the ear device. 
     
     
         170 . The method of  claim 168 , wherein the manipulating of the ear device is a distal translation of ear device. 
     
     
         171 . The method of  claim 168 , wherein the manipulating of the ear device is a proximal translation of the ear device. 
     
     
         172 . A method of concealing an ear device comprising a magnetic element deep into an ear of a subject comprising:
 (i) inserting the apparatus, of  claim 2 , that comprises the magnet into the ear of the subject, wherein the apparatus is in contact with the ear device through a magnetic attraction to the magnetic element;   (ii) deactivating the magnet; thereby removing the magnetic attraction between the magnetic element of the ear device and the magnet; and   (iii) removing the apparatus;
 wherein the ear device, when inserted, is not visible to unaided human eyes from the outside of the ear; thereby concealing the ear device within the ear of the subject. 
   
     
     
         173 . The method of  claim 172 , further comprising activating a switch on the apparatus prior to (b). 
     
     
         174 - 211 . (canceled) 
     
     
         212 . A kit comprising the apparatus of  claim 2  and an ear device that comprises a magnetic switch, the magnetic switch being maneuverable by a magnetic force to switch the ear device between different work modes. 
     
     
         213 . The kit of  claim 212 , wherein at the different work modes, the ear device regulates pressure or acoustic waves transmitted therethrough at different efficiencies. 
     
     
         214 . (canceled) 
     
     
         215 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the magnet is an electromagnet. 
     
     
         216 . The method of  claim 168 , wherein the magnet is an electromagnet. 
     
     
         217 . The method of  claim 172 , wherein the magnet is an electromagnet.