External nasal dilators

Abstract

External nasal dilators and methods for using and manufacturing the same are provided. An external nasal dilator assembly may include a spring element (e.g., a shape-memory alloy wire) having first and second ends and a central portion. A resilient tubular cushion may encapsulate at least a portion of the spring element. First and second adhesive patches may be coupled to respective ends of the spring element and configured to adhere to lateral nasal walls of a user. At least one tactile positioning element may be coupled to at least one adhesive patch to facilitate positioning of the assembly during application. The spring element may be flat for user-customized bending or pre-formed to a curved state. A non-adhesive central zone may be provided between the adhesive patches. When applied, the assembly may exert outward mechanical force on the lateral nasal walls to enlarge the nasal valve region.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.