Ear probe tip

Abstract

An improved ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal. The ear probe tip comprises a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end. The body portion inner surface defines a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion. The ear probe tip also has a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, the ear probe tip comprising: 
 a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion; and    a plurality of flexible annular flanges disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.    
     
     
         2 . The ear probe tip of  claim 1  wherein the body portion is tube shaped.  
     
     
         3 . The ear probe tip of  claim 1  wherein one of the plurality of flanges is located proximal the first end and is disposed on the body portion at a distance from the first end.  
     
     
         4 . The ear probe tip of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of flexible annular flanges have increasingly larger diameters toward the second end.  
     
     
         5 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of flanges are disposed on the body portion at a backward angle toward the second end.  
     
     
         6 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  further comprising a means for pushing the tip onto the probe.  
     
     
         7 . The ear probe tip of  claim 6  wherein the means for pushing the tip onto the probe is a ring disposed on the body portion proximal the second end.  
     
     
         8 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the body portion outer surface diameter increases along the length of the body portion toward the second end.  
     
     
         9 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the second end further includes a chamfer adjacent the body portion inner surface.  
     
     
         10 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the tube and the flanges are constructed of a transparent material.  
     
     
         11 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the tube and the flanges are constructed of alpha gary pvc 3019-40/45.  
     
     
         12 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the body portion inner surface is dimensioned to receive the probe end.  
     
     
         13 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the body portion first end outer diameter is between 0.140 and 0.185 inches.  
     
     
         14 . The ear probe tip of  claim 4  wherein the body portion first end inner surface further comprises a flange.  
     
     
         15 . An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, the ear probe tip comprising: 
 a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion; and    a means for creating an acoustical seal between the ear tip and the ear canal, disposed at spaced intervals on the outer surface of the body portion.    
     
     
         16 . A method for acoustically sealing an ear canal with an ear probe tip positioned over a probe end which comprises the steps of: 
 providing the ear probe tip;    placing the ear probe tip substantially over the probe end whereby the probe end does not extend past the ear probe tip;    inserting the probe end with the ear tip into the ear canal; and    flexing the ear probe tip so that an acoustical seal forms between the ear probe tip and the ear canal.    
     
     
         17 . An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising: 
 a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, the inner surface defining a passage that extends the entire length of the body portion; and    at least one flexible annular flange disposed on the outer surface of the body portion.    
     
     
         18 . The ear probe tip of  claim 17  wherein the at least one flange located proximal the first end is disposed on the body portion at a distance from the first end.  
     
     
         19 . The ear probe tip of  claim 17  wherein the body portion outer surface diameter increases along the length of the body portion toward the second end.  
     
     
         20 . The ear probe tip of  claim 17  wherein the at least one flange is disposed on the body portion at a backward angle toward the second end.  
     
     
         21 . The ear probe tip of  claim 17  wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size along the length of the body portion toward the second end.  
     
     
         22 . The ear probe tip of  claim 17  wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size along the length of the body portion toward the second end and communicates with a cavity located proximal the second end.  
     
     
         23 . The ear probe tip of  claim 22  further comprising a means for pushing the tip onto the probe.  
     
     
         24 . The ear probe tip of  claim 23  wherein the means for pushing the tip onto the probe is a ring disposed on the body portion proximal the second end.  
     
     
         25 . An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising: 
 a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the outer surface has a diameter which increases along the antecedent length of the body portion toward the second end; and    a passage defined by the inner surface that extends substantially the length of the body portion.    
     
     
         26 . The ear probe tip of  claim 25  wherein the passage has a diameter which increases from the first end to the second end.  
     
     
         27 . The ear probe tip of  claim 26  further comprising a means for pushing the tip onto the probe.  
     
     
         28 . The ear probe tip of  claim 27  wherein the means for pushing the tip onto the probe is a ring disposed on the body portion proximal the second end.  
     
     
         29 . The ear probe tip of  claim 25  wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size near the second end.  
     
     
         30 . An ear probe tip for the end of a probe which can be inserted into an ear canal, said ear probe tip comprising: 
 a body portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end, wherein the inner surface diameter of the body portion increases in size near the second end; and    a ring disposed on the outer surface of the body portion proximal the second end.    
     
     
         31 . The ear probe tip of claim  30  further comprising at least one flexible annular flange disposed on the outer surface of the body portion at a distance from the first end.