Patent US4044770A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4044770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ear curette
Assignee: OCELCO Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-04
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1995-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An ear curette which comprises, in combination, a generally resilient self-supporting flexible gripping shaft with a wire loop secured to the distal end thereof. The gripping shaft is fabricated from a substantially continuous solid shaft, with the distal end portion having a diameter which is significantly reduced from that of the proximal end segment so as to provide a generally rigid proximal end segment and a generally flexible distal end segment. Preferably, a tapered step is utilized to separate the proximal end from the distal end.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Ocel
- 👤 Donald J. Ocel
- 👤 Jon A. Mathisrud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320708; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An ear curette means comprising, in combination, a generally resilient self-supporting flexible gripping shaft with distal and proximal ends and having a wire loop means secured to the distal end thereof, and wherein: a. said gripping shaft having a generally rigid proximal end segment and a generally flexible distal end segment and being a generally solid shaft with a certain first diameter at the proximal end segment and a certain reduced diameter at the distal end segment and with a tapered step separating said distal end from said proximal end to provide a generally rigid proximal end segment and a generally flexible distal end segment, and wherein a shaft deflection of 35° is achieved with a load of from between 75 and 125 grams secured to the tip end thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An ear curette means comprising, in combination, a generally resilient self-supporting flexible gripping shaft with distal and proximal ends and having a wire loop means secured to the distal end thereof, and wherein: a. said gripping shaft having a generally rigid proximal end segment and a generally flexible distal end segment and being a generally solid shaft with a certain first diameter at the proximal end segment and a certain reduced diameter at the distal end segment and with a tapered step separating said distal end from said proximal end to provide a generally rigid proximal end segment and a generally flexible distal end segment, and wherein a shaft deflection of 35° is achieved with a load of from between 75 and 125 grams secured to the tip end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The ear curette means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said gripping shaft is fabricated from nylon and wherein said tapered step has an angle of 45°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The ear curette means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said generally solid shaft has a diameter ranging from between about 2 millimeters at the distal end and 4 millimeters at the proximal end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ear curette means as defined in claim 1 wherein said tapered step has an angle of 45°.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |