| CPC A61F 11/08 (2013.01) [A61F 11/12 (2013.01); A61F 11/14 (2013.01); B63C 11/06 (2013.01); A61F 11/085 (2022.01); B63C 11/26 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
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1. A pressure-regulating earplug comprising:
an earplug body having an external surface adapted for sealingly engaging an ear canal, the earplug body comprising a conduit configured to provide fluid communication with an external atmosphere and the ear canal; and
a pressure regulator affixed to the earplug body in-line with the conduit, configured to be normally closed, preventing fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, and selectively open, comprises:
a first normally-closed passive valve configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when pressure within the ear canal exceeds pressure within the external atmosphere by a first opening threshold; and
a second normally-closed passive valve disposed substantially concentric to the first passive valve and configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when the pressure within the external atmosphere exceeds the pressure within the ear canal by a second opening threshold; and wherein:
the first and second normally-closed passive valves form a valve assembly that comprises:
a conically shaped body; and
a valve conduit located within the conically shaped body having an opening on a first side of the conically shaped body and a reversibly sealable opening on a second side of the conically shaped body; and
at least an orifice parallel with the valve conduit; and
an umbrella around the opening on the first side of the valve conduit and configured to reversibly seal the at least an orifice.
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