Granted Patent B2

US 9,185,481 · App. 13/863,821 · Granted Nov 10, 2015

Abstract

Claims (10)

1. A method of forming an earpiece, the method comprising steps of:

a) introducing into an ear canal of a user adjacent to the tympanic membrane a first layer forming a temporary foam layer;

b) introducing into the ear canal adjacent to the first layer a second layer in liquefied form which comprises pigment particles and one or more polymer precursors;

c) introducing into the ear canal adjacent to the second layer a third layer in liquefied form which comprises one or more polymer precursors; and

d) curing the second layer and the third layer, simultaneously or sequentially, to form from the second layer a thermal activator layer comprised of a first polymer and pigment particles and to form from the third layer an acoustical reflector layer comprised of a second polymer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temporary foam layer is comprised of a biodegradable biopolymer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the temporary foam layer is formed using a two part mix of alginate and calcium solution or alginate and hyaluronate.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the curing is achieved by light curing.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the second layer and the third layer further comprises a catalyst accelerating the curing.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the second layer and the third layer comprises at least one polymer precursor containing a functional group capable of being cleaved by contact with an enzyme.

Assignments (15)