WO2017079783A1

WO2017079783A1 - A medical device to relieve symptoms of migraines

Info

Publication number: WO2017079783A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/000376
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam MEREDITH
Original assignee: Migraine Stopper Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-11-10
Filing date: 2016-11-10
Publication date: 2017-05-18
Also published as: AU2016102382A4; AU2016351641A1; USD915606S1

Abstract

A medical device (1) to relieve symptoms of migraines; including an elongate handle (2) having an air passage (11) extending between its first and second ends; a head (7) secured to said second end and having an opening (8) to be connected to said passage (11) and a nozzle (10). A valve (15) to moderate air flowing through said device. The nozzle having means (20) to secure an ear bud (30) to form a seal in an ear canal. An elongate tube (40) having an insufflator (42) connected at one end and connected to the handle. Air can be pumped by a user or migraine sufferer themselves from said insufflator through said passages of said device at an ear drum of a patient.

Description

A MEDICAL DEVICE TO RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINES

Field of the Invention

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a medical device and in particular to a medical device to assist with the treatment of migraines.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Mi graines and other types of headache related problems are common throughout the world. A migraine is a neurological condition causing an aura, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to a patient's senses. Though substantial research has been conducted into migraines, the typical medical response has been to treat migraines simply by dosing patients with pharmaceutical products such as pain killers, anti-nausea medicines or the like. A pain killer numbs the neurons in the body. Such a treatment can be dangerous to patients who have adverse reactions to the pharmaceuticals, over time build up addictions or immunities to the pharmaceuticals or simply delay the illness for a few short hours. It is rare for the medical profession to treat migraines in any way other than with pharmaceuticals.

[0003] To relieve the pain of migraine most doctors will treat it with pain killers and antinausea medications. Pain killers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) e.g.

Ibuprofen^rM are used and may help in mild migraines, but are considered non effective for moderate to severe migraine. NSAIDs taken over time can lead to stomach upsets, nausea, gastric bleeds and medication over use headaches.

I I

[0004] Drugs marketed specifically for migraines, such as Excedrin Migraine ¹ , which is a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine may help to ease moderate migraine pain, but are not effective alone for severe migraines. Common side effects of this drug are insomnia, nausea, vomiting, heart bum and stomach cramps, and medication over use headaches.

[0005] Triptans are another type of drug used by many people suffering migraines. By promoting constriction of blood vessels and blocking pain pathways in the brain this drug effectively relieves the pain of migraine and associated migraine symptoms, such as light sensitivity and nausea.

[0006] Other medications include sumatriptan (Imitrex)^{I M}, rizatriptan (Maxalt)^1M, almotriptan (Axert)^1M, zolmitriptan (Zomig)™, and eletriptan (Relpax)™.

[0007] Side effects of triptans include nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness and muscle weakness. They aren't recommended for the elderly, the young, or people at risk of strokes and heart attacks. Other side effects include: feeling of tingling, heat and tightness in the body including chest or throat, vomiting and dry mouth.

[0008] When vomiting is associated with migraine, Triptans can be given as an injection. People can be taught to self-administer these injections at home but it is an expensive home option and often people will not administer the injection to themselves, after being shown how to.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a better treatment of migraines. Object of the Invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

[001 1 ] It has been discovered that there is a link between migraines and the ear. Typical analysis of the ear is by way of an otoscope. A pneumatic bulb, called an insufflator can be fitted to most otoscope's to gently move the ear drum of a patient. The insufflator pump's air through a tube in the head of a specula to puff air against the ear drum to see how it moves. If the ear drum does not move, then the doctor assumes that there is fluid behind the ear drum and possibly an ear infection or the like.

[0012] A standard otoscope includes a handle (sometimes with a battery component) connected to a head, a tube connecting to one side of the head at one end and an infufflator at the other end. At another side of the head the ear specula is typically of an angled projection to create a seal in an ear canal. That is, the device is a sealed unit, in use.

[0013] It has been found that by using a modified device successful relief from migraines can be obtained in patients.

[0014] There is disclosed herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 is a partial end view of an otoscope device of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a partial side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the present inventi on with a cany case;

[0019] Figure 4 is a further partial end view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 is a further parti al embodiment of a side view of the present invention;

[0021 ] Figures 6a, b, c, d, e, f and g disclose a further embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] Figures 7a and 7b show a further embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0023] There is disclosed herein a medical device 1 adapted in use to relieve the symptoms of migraines. Though the discussion herein is in respect of migraines it is considered that the medical device 1 could be utilised for the treatment of other ailments, such as headaches and other similar conditions. [0024] Migraine headaches are considered in the literature as a continuum, rather than a discrete pathology unto itself. That is, a tension type headache shares similar etiology to migraines, it's just that with migraines the mechanisms are more out of control than with tension type headaches. The use of this medical device 1 has applications in non-migraine headache treatment, not just those considered to be a classic migraine.

[0025] The device 1 in a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, includes an elongate handle 2 having a first end 3 and a second end 4. The handle 2 may be of any particular length or cross section. The handle 2 can have a fixed ring 6 for support or the like at each end. The handle 2 includes at least one air passage 11 extending between the first and second ends 3, 4. The ends 3, 4 of the handle 2 would also include fastening means 12 to attach to various items. These fastening means 12 could be of any particular type. A head 7 is secured in use to the second end 4 by way of one of the discussed fastening means 12. The head 7 in a preferred form would have an opening 8 at one end to be connected in use to the passage 11 of the handle 2 and a nozzle 10 at the other end. One or more further air passages 11 extend between the opening 8 and the nozzle 10 to permit air flow therebetween. A valve 15 is adapted in use to moderate air flowing through the device 1. The valve 15 could be located anywhere on the device 1 for example on or in the head 7, nozzle 10, handle 2 or the like. The nozzle 2 includes nozzle means 20 to secure in use an ear bud 30 to the device 1. The ear bud 30 in use is to be inserted into a patient's ear in use to form a seal in an ear canal. An elongate tube 40 has an insufflator 42 connected at one end and is adapted to connect to the first end 3 of the handle 2 at the other end. In this way, in use, air can be pumped by a user from the insufflator 42 through the passages 1 1 of the device 1 at an ear drum of a patient, the valve 15 being actuated by a user to moderate the air pressure within the ear canal to relieve migraines or the like.

[0026] In preferred embodiments, the handle 2 can include a gripping surface 50 to assist a user in holding the device 1. The gripping surface 50 could include rubber, knurling, or other such common gripping materials and/or patterns.

[0027] In a preferred form, the head 7 could be of various shapes and sizes and in the figures shown as a circular shape. Accordingly, the valve 15 in a preferred form includes a button or panel on the head 7 that can be pressed or actuated by a user to permit air to be released from said device 1. The ear buds 30 can be of various shapes however should include an air passage 60 therethrough to allow air to progress into the ear. The ear bud 30 must include one or more sealing surfaces 65 to ensure a tight seal in a patient's ear canal. The air flow must be sufficient to go into and out of the ear, not so much as to cause damage but not so little as to not flex the ear drum sufficiently to stop the pain of the migraine.

[0028] As best seen in Figure 2, the nozzle connection means 20 is in the form of a flange 70 on the end of a boss 71. The different diameters creates a step for the end of an ear bud 30 to be secured. It should however be noted that the nozzle 10 can come in various shapes and sizes such as a pyramid shape, frustoconical shape or the like. In each case, a connection piece able to attach an ear bud 30 is required.

[0029] In the preferred form, the rubber grip 50 is contoured to help the user align the ear piece for correct insertion into the ear canal. The use of a standard otoscope type head removes the requirement for research and testing streamlining the time to market the product. The pneumatic pump also removes the requirement for research and testing and again streamlines time to market. The carry case 100 (as shown in Figure 3) ensures a user can easily organize and carry all the required components for therapy.

[0030] In a preferred form, the device 1 would fit into a square area of about 30mm x 60mm. However, it should be understood that other dimensions or sized devices 1 could be utilised. The device 1 could be manufactured of a high quality precision metallic-like material or any other type of material. The device 1 could include aluminium or the like trims and textured rubber grips 50 given the user confidence that they are using an engineered device. Laser etched or the like logos could be placed on the finger indent 15 (Figures 1, 4) which could act as advertising as well as the valve 15. A range of flexible ear buds can be utilised to fit ear canals of all shaped and sized patients. This will ensure a proper seal in the ear canal. The ear buds 30 also could in various colors.

[0031] A further embodiment is shown in Figures 7a and 7b where the button is static. There is no o-ring seal or spring. This creates a permanent pressure release vent 90.

[0032] As mentioned migraine headaches are a considered in the literature as a continuum, rather than a discrete pathology unto itself. That is, tension type headache shares similar etiology to migraines, it's just that with migraines the mechanisms are more out of control than with tension type headaches. The use of the medical device of an embodiment of the present invention could have applications in headache treatment, of various degrees, not just those considered to be a classic migraine.

[0033] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A medical device adapted in use to relieve the symptoms of migraines, the device including:

an elongate handle having a first end and a second end; said handle having an air passage extending between said first and second ends;

a head to be secured in use to said second end;

said head having an opening to be connected in use to said passage of said handle and a nozzle;

an air passage extending between said opening and said nozzle to permit air flow therebetween;

a valve adapted in use to moderate air flowing through said device;

said nozzle having means to secure in use an ear bud to said device, said ear bud to be inserted into a patient's ear in use to form a seal in an ear canal;

an elongate tube having an insufflator connected at one end and being adapted to connect to said first end of said handle at said other end;

so that, in use, air can be pumped by a user or migraine sufferer themselves from said insufflator through said passages of said device at an ear drum of a patient, the valve being activated by a user to moderate the air pressure within the ear canal to relieve migraines.

2. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the handle includes a grip to assist a user in holding the device.

3. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is located on the head.

4. The medical device according to claim 3, wherein the valve is located in the head.

5. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is located on the handle.

6. The medical device according to claim 5, wherein the valve is located in the handle.

7. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is located on the nozzle.

8. The medical device according to claim 7, wherein the valve is located in the nozzle.

9. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the valve is located on the ear bud.

10. The medical device according to claim 9, wherein the valve is located in the ear bud.

1 1. The medical device according to claim 1 , wherein the head is ball shaped.

12. The medical device according to claim 2, wherein the grip includes knurling.

13. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the valve includes an actuation means that when depressed permits air to be released from said device.

14. The medical device according to claim 13, wherein the actuation means includes a button mounted to said head.

15. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle means includes a flange extending from a shaft of said nozzle to secure and capture an ear bud.

16. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein said ear bud includes an air passage extending therethrough.

17. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein said ear bud is disposable.