US 11,986,375 B2
Inflatable earplug system
Anthony Dietz, Phoenix, AZ (US); and Marc C. Ramsey, Meriden, NH (US)
Assigned to CREARE LLC, Hanover, NH (US)
Filed by CREARE LLC, Hanover, NH (US)
Filed on Jul. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/223,007.
Application 18/223,007 is a continuation of application No. 17/576,941, filed on Jan. 15, 2022, granted, now 11,723,807.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/138,433, filed on Jan. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0363952 A1, Nov. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 11/10 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 11/10 (2013.01) 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inflatable earplug device, comprising:
an expandable sheath including a proximal portion in fluid communication with a distal portion; and
a bistable element including an elastic hinge region connected to the proximal portion of the expandable sheath to form a fluid-fillable cavity, wherein the bistable element is configured to invert into the fluid-fillable cavity from a first shape to a second shape to displace fluid from the fluid-fillable cavity to inflate the distal portion of the expandable sheath to facilitate an acoustic ear canal seal.