Retaining devices, retaining devices for use in reshaping ears and related systems and methods

Abstract

Retaining devices for use with ears of a subject may include a first portion configured to be secured to a subject's head and a second portion configured to position the helix of the subject's ear. Methods of reshaping tissue of a subject's ear may include performing a laser treatment on the tissue of the subject's ear and installing a retaining device on the subject's ear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retaining device structured to assist in permanently altering the shape or position of an ear of a subject, the retaining device comprising:
 a first portion comprising:
 a base formed to fit a shape of the subject's head proximate the ear for at least partial adherence of the retaining device to the subject's head; and 
 a spacer configured for placement between the ear and the head, the spacer being structured to space a portion of the ear from the head while permitting the ear's helix to displace toward the head; and 
   a second portion, coupled to the first portion, comprising a retainer configured in harmony with the first portion to orient and hold the helix of the ear in a desired position relative to the first portion such that the helix is displaced from its natural position to a location closer to the head and to alter the shape of the ear to a predetermined shape; wherein:   all ear-contacting surfaces are blunt and comprise curved edges and gradual transitions between shapes to resist imparting discomfort to the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the spacer and the retainer are collectively structured to impose a bend upon the ear to displace the apex of the helix closer to the head than a distal or intermediate portion of the helix.   
     
     
         3 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the spacer is configured to hold an intermediate portion of the ear's helix away from the head by a first distance; and   the retainer is structured, upon assembly to the ear, to displace the apex of the helix and hold the apex at a second distance from the head, the second distance being smaller than the first distance.   
     
     
         4 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 coupling between the first portion and the second portion is by way of a structural interference.   
     
     
         5 . The retaining device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the structural interference is releasable to permit interchanging alternatively structured second portions with the first portion, or interchanging alternatively structured first portions with the second portion.   
     
     
         6 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the structural interference is created, at least in part, between interlocking members.   
     
     
         7 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first portion and the second portion comprise cooperating slide elements structured to permit a change in anchored position of at least one retainer with respect to the first portion.   
     
     
         8 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of interchangeable spacers configured to couple to the base and individually configured to differently space the ear apart from the head; and   a plurality of differently structured interchangeable retainers configured to couple to at least one of the spacer and the base and configured to orient and hold the helix of the ear at a desired position with respect to the base.   
     
     
         9 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the spacer comprises a proximal edge with a concave shape configured to partially wrap around the base of the ear at the ear-head connection, wherein:   a thickness of the spacer changes with radial distance from the ear canal; and   the retainer is structured in harmony with spacer thickness to bend an intermediate portion of the ear over the spacer to dispose a portion of the helix closer to the head than the intermediate portion of ear.   
     
     
         10 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the spacer exhibits a first thickness at a first end and a second thickness greater than the first thickness at a second, opposing end, that collectively form an angled, side support surface for the ear.   
     
     
         11 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base comprises a plurality of spaced apart tabs that are sufficiently transversely flexible as to conform to a shape of the head for purpose of adhering the device to one of a plurality of differently shaped heads.   
     
     
         12 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second portion further comprises a first arm structured as an element cantilevered with respect to the first portion, the first arm extending laterally across a portion of the helix to carry retaining structure to a lateral side of the ear, the first arm being biased, upon assembly of the device onto the ear, to urge the retaining structure toward the head.   
     
     
         13 . The retaining device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first arm is self-biased upon assembly of the device onto the ear.   
     
     
         14 . The retaining device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the second portion further comprises a second arm structured as an element that is cantilevered with respect to the first portion, the second arm extending laterally across a portion of the helix to carry retaining structure to a lateral side of the ear, the second arm being biased, upon assembly of the device onto the ear, to urge the retaining structure toward the head.   
     
     
         15 . The retaining device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the second arm is self-biased upon installation of the device onto the ear.   
     
     
         16 . The retaining device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the retainer comprises a wire extending therefrom, the wire being configured and arranged to extend across the lateral surface of the ear and to apply a medially-directed force to a portion of the ear.   
     
     
         17 . A method of using the retaining device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 lasing a subject's ear;   applying the retaining device to the subject's lased ear; and   maintaining the retaining device in association with the subject's ear for a period of time to obtain a permanent alteration in the ear's shape.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the retaining device is maintained substantially in association with the ear for about  3  weeks, then overnight for a plurality of additional nights.   
     
     
         19 . A retaining device for shaping a subject's ear, the retaining device comprising:
 a first portion comprising:
 a spacer configured to be disposed between the ear and the head, the spacer being structured to variably space apart portions of the ear by different distances from the head while permitting the ear's helix to displace toward the head; and 
 an adhesive element configured and arranged to attach the first portion to the head; and 
   a second portion comprising a retainer configured in harmony with the spacer to bend an intermediate portion of the ear, using the spacer as a bending form, and to orient and hold the helix of the ear in a desired position relative to the first portion such that, upon installation of the retaining device onto the ear, the helix is displaced from its natural position to a location closer to the head.   
     
     
         20 . A retaining device structured to alter the shape of an ear of a subject, the retaining device comprising:
 a first portion comprising a spacer configured to be disposed between the ear and the subject's head; and   a second portion comprising a retainer configured in harmony with the first portion to orient and hold the helix of the ear in a desired position relative to the first portion such that the helix is displaced from its natural position to a location closer to the head; wherein:
 the first portion is coupled to the second portion by a hinge; and 
 the first portion is biased toward the second portion by a tension spring.