Middle Ear Pressure Equalizing Device With Improved Pressure Control

Abstract

An apparatus for equalizing pressure in a middle ear includes a hand-held air source for providing a continuous flow of air at a predetermined rate and a tapered sealing nostril plug adapted to be sealed against a nostril. The tapered nostril plug has a channel there through for delivering the continuous flow of air. The channel of the tapered plug is adapted to be placed in communication with the air source through an adjustable valve assembly for selecting a pressure limit for the air in the channel of the nostril plug.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . In a hand held apparatus for equalizing pressure in the middle ear having an electric powered air source for providing a continuous flow of air through an exit port for positioning into a nostril, the improvement comprising:
 a valve positioned between the air source and the exit port wherein the valve is adjustable to provide the flow of air at a selected pressure to the exit port.   
   
   
       11 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 10  and wherein the valve comprises a pressure sensitive vent for allowing air to vent from the valve once the selected pressure is attained with the valve. 
   
   
       12 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 11  and wherein the valve further comprises:
 a valve having a housing with a through bore in fluid communication with the air source and the exit port, an exhaust port in fluid communication with the through bore for exhausting air to the ambient; and   a pressure relief mechanism positioned within the exhaust port wherein when air pressure within the through bore attains the selected pressure, the pressure relief mechanism vents air to maintain the selected pressure.   
   
   
       13 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 12  and wherein the pressure relief mechanism comprises a spring biased ball that engages a seat within the exit port and wherein the bias force of the spring is manipulated to adjust the selected pressure. 
   
   
       14 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 12  and wherein the pressure relief mechanism comprises:
 a ball engaging the seat;   a compression spring having a first end engaging the ball and a second end; and   a pressure adjusting mechanism having a surface engaging the second end of the compression spring and wherein the pressure adjusting mechanism is manipulated to adjust the distance between the surface and the ball and thereby adjust the amount of force on the ball by the compression spring.   
   
   
       15 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 14  and wherein the pressure adjusting mechanism comprises:
 a threaded surface on the valve; and   a nut having the surface wherein the nut threadably engages the threaded surface to adjust the distance between the surface and the ball and thereby adjust the amount of pressure required to lift the ball from the seat to vent air.   
   
   
       16 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 15  and wherein the nut includes markings on an exterior surface such that the user can adjust the selected pressure by utilizing the markings. 
   
   
       17 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 10  and wherein the selected pressure is in a range from about 1 psi to about 10 psi. 
   
   
       18 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 10  and wherein the continuous flow is in a range from about 0.1 liters/minute to about 3.5 liters/minute. 
   
   
       19 . The hand held apparatus of  claim 10  and further comprising a one-way valve disposed proximate the exit port for blocking body fluids from entering an interior of the hand held device. 
   
   
       20 . The hand held device of  claim 19  and wherein the one-way valve comprises a duck bill valve. 
   
   
       21 . A method for equalizing pressure in a middle ear of a patient comprising:
 inserting a sealing nostril plug having a channel there-through into a first nostril;   sealing a second nostril;   providing a continuous flow of air from a hand held air source through the channel at a selected pressure by adjusting a pressure sensitive valve on the device such that air enters the first nostril at the selected pressure; and   causing the patient to swallow during the air providing step until pressure equalization is achieved.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  and wherein the selected pressure is in a range from about 1 psi to about 10 psi. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  and wherein the continuous flow is in a range from about 0.1 liters/minute to about 3.5 liters/minute.