Patent US3882848A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3882848A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Test probe for an impedance audiometer
Assignee: AMERICAN ELECTROMEDICS CORP
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Filing: 1974-01-24
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1994-01-24
Abstract
Abstract An improved test probe is disclosed for use in a clinical evaluation of hearing loss. There are a number of increasingly important acoustic impedance tests for providing an evaluation of hearing system losses which involve the use of impedance audiometry measurements in patients'' external ear canals. A probe is described for use in these tests which is inserted in the patient''s ear and which includes a number of tubes for transmitting audio signals and air for the tests. The inner end of the probe is constructed to assure a satisfactory closed test cavity of adequate size in the ear canal and to form an air-tight seal for the closed cavity using a cooperating resilient cuff.
Inventors
- 👤 Irwin Klar
- 👤 Erwin H Rock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12; A61B5/121; A61B1/00; A61B1/227; A61B1/2275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An improved ear test probe for use in evaluating hearing losses comprising the combination of: a hollow casing including an open inner end portion for insertion into a patient''s outer ear canal, means at the casing inner end to seal the casing and said outer ear canal, a plurality of hollow tubes extending through said casing from an outer end, potting material within said casing and surrounding said tubes, and said hollow tubes having inner ends spaced inwardly from the inner end of said casing whereby a substantial cavity is provided at the inner end of said probe between said tube ends and said casing inner end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An improved ear test probe for use in evaluating hearing losses comprising the combination of: a hollow casing including an open inner end portion for insertion into a patient''s outer ear canal, means at the casing inner end to seal the casing and said outer ear canal, a plurality of hollow tubes extending through said casing from an outer end, potting material within said casing and surrounding said tubes, and said hollow tubes having inner ends spaced inwardly from the inner end of said casing whereby a substantial cavity is provided at the inner end of said probe between said tube ends and said casing inner end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The probe as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises means for attaching said sealing means to said probe comprising a first projecting flange having a planar surface normal to the axis of said probe and spaced outwardly of the inner end of said probe, and a locking flange projecting outwardly of said probe container at a position intermediate of said first named flange surface and the said inner end of said probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The probe as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises coupling means for the outer ends of said tubes comprising a header member engaging said tubes and being embedded in said potting material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
159 words
An improved ear test probe for use in evaluating hearing losses comprising the combination of: a hollow casing including a circular open inner end portion of relatively small diameter, means at the casing inner end portion to form a seal with an ear under test, said casing having an outer end portion of relatively greater diameter, a plurality of hollow tubes extending through said casing from said outer end to a point spaced from said inner end, potting material within said casing and surrounding said tubes, means at said inner end of said casing extending outwardly from said casing for releasably engaging said sealing means, and said tubes having their ends adjacent the inner end of said casing in a common transverse plane with said plane being positioned inwardly of the open inner end of said casing whereby a substantial cavity is provided at the inner end of said probe between said tube ends and said casing inner end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
159 words
An improved ear test probe for use in evaluating hearing losses comprising the combination of: a hollow casing including a circular open inner end portion of relatively small diameter, means at the casing inner end portion to form a seal with an ear under test, said casing having an outer end portion of relatively greater diameter, a plurality of hollow tubes extending through said casing from said outer end to a point spaced from said inner end, potting material within said casing and surrounding said tubes, means at said inner end of said casing extending outwardly from said casing for releasably engaging said sealing means, and said tubes having their ends adjacent the inner end of said casing in a common transverse plane with said plane being positioned inwardly of the open inner end of said casing whereby a substantial cavity is provided at the inner end of said probe between said tube ends and said casing inner end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The probe as claimed in claim 4 in which said means for engaging said sealing means comprises a first projecting flange having a planar surface normal to the axis of said probe and spaced outwardly of the inner end of said probe, and a locking flange projecting outwardly of said probe container at a position intermediate of said first named flange surface and the said inner end of said probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The probe as claimed in claim 4 which further comprises coupling means for the outer ends of said tubes comprising a header member engaging said tubes and being embedded in said potting material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
178 words
An improved ear test probe for use in evaluating hearing losses comprising the combination of: a hollow casing including a cylindrical open inner end portion of relatively smAll diameter, means at the casing inner end portion to form a seal with an ear under test, said casing having a cylindrical outer end portion of relatively greater diameter, a cylindrical connecting portion coupling said end portions, a plurality of hollow tubes extending through said casing from said outer end to a point adjacent to said inner end, potting material within said casing and surrounding said tubes, means at said inner end of said casing extending outwardly from said casing for releasably engaging said sealing means, and said tubes having their ends adjacent the inner end of said casing in a common transverse plane with said plane being positioned inwardly of the open inner end of said casing a distance about as great as said inner end diameter whereby a substantial cavity is provided at the inner end of said probe between said tube ends and said casing inner end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
178 words
An improved ear test probe for use in evaluating hearing losses comprising the combination of: a hollow casing including a cylindrical open inner end portion of relatively smAll diameter, means at the casing inner end portion to form a seal with an ear under test, said casing having a cylindrical outer end portion of relatively greater diameter, a cylindrical connecting portion coupling said end portions, a plurality of hollow tubes extending through said casing from said outer end to a point adjacent to said inner end, potting material within said casing and surrounding said tubes, means at said inner end of said casing extending outwardly from said casing for releasably engaging said sealing means, and said tubes having their ends adjacent the inner end of said casing in a common transverse plane with said plane being positioned inwardly of the open inner end of said casing a distance about as great as said inner end diameter whereby a substantial cavity is provided at the inner end of said probe between said tube ends and said casing inner end.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |