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US 5,479,944 AGranted
Nasal devices
AssigneePatent Development & Investment S.A.
InventorBjorn Petruson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices for improving nasal breathing and to nasal drug delivery devices having two end portions of a resilient material in the form of relatively thin tabs, perferably having a gentle curvature, interconnected by a resilient member. Upon bending of the connecting member, the two end tabs can be positioned in respective nostrils where they will be biased outwardly against the nasal side walls, the outward biasing force being sufficient to locate the device in the nose and to dilate the anterior part of each nasal cavity by an amount to improve nasal breathing. No part of the device is grippingly engaged with the septum and a substantial free passage for air flow remains between the septum wall and the nasal side wall-contacting face of each end tab.
Claims28
A one-piece device for positioning in the nose comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) an elongate connecting member resiliently interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin se as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril and is formed from a resilient, relatively soft material whereby said surface may conform to the contours of said respective side wall;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- and
- (d) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly.
6 more elements
A one-piece device for positioning in the nose comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) a resilient elongated connecting member interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose, and comprises a relatively thick main portion connected at its end to said tabs by thinner hinge portions;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- (d) the arrangement of said relatively thick main portion and the said thinner hinge portions of said connecting member being such that in said operative condition, bending of the said main portion is minimized and most of the bending movement is taken by said hinge portions;
- and
- (e) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side wall, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly.
7 more elements
A one-piece device for positioning in the nose comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) a resilient elongated connecting member interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is resilient and has a surface for engaging, the outer side wall of the respective nostril, and is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose, and comprises a main portion connected at its ends to said tabs by hinge portions;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration in which said main portion is generally straight, into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils and in which said main portion is bowed, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- and
- (d) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side walls, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly.
6 more elements
A one-piece device for positioning in the nose comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) a resilient elongated connecting member interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is elongated, resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril, extends transversely to the axis of the connecting member and is formed from a relatively soft material whereby said surface may conform to the contours of the respective outer side wall;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose, and comprises a relatively thick main portion connected at its ends to said tabs by relatively thin hinge portions;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration in which said main portion is generally straight, into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils and in which said main portion is bowed, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- (d) the arrangement of said relatively thick main portion and the said thinner hinge portions of said connecting member being such that in said operative condition, bending of the said main portion is minimized and most of the bending movement is taken by said hinge regions and such that said tabs are offset from the axis of said main portion by said hinge portions;
- and
- (e) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side walls, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly.
7 more elements
A device for positioning in the nose to administer medication comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) an elongated connecting member resiliently interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril and is formed from a resilient, relatively soft material whereby said surface may conform to the contours of said respective side wall;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils, the connecting member follows said path over the septem, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- and
- (d) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side walls, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly;
- and
- (e) said tabs are provided with means for retaining a medication to be administered.
8 more elements
A method for improving nasal breathing comprising the step of positioning in the nose a device comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) an elongated connecting member resiliently interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril and is formed from a resilient, relatively soft material whereby said surface may conform to the contours of said respective side wall;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- and
- (d) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side walls, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly.
6 more elements
A method for improving nasal breathing comprising the step of positioning in the nose a device comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) a resilient elongated connecting member interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is elongated, resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril, extends transversely to the axis of the connecting member and is formed from a relatively soft material whereby said surface may conform to the contours of the respective side wall;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose, and comprises a relatively thick main portion connected at its ends to said tabs by relatively thin hinge portions;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration in which said main portion is generally straight, into an operative configuration in which tabs are positioned within the nostrils and in which said main portion is bowed, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- (d) the arrangement of said relatively thick main portion and the said thinner hinge portions of said connecting member being such that in said operative condition, bending of the said main portion is minimized and most of the bending movement is taken by said hinge regions and such that said tabs are offset from the axis of said main portion by said hinge portions;
- and
- (e) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side walls, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly.
7 more elements
A method of reducing or preventing snoring comprising the step of positioning in the nose a device comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) an elongated connecting member resiliently interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril and is formed from a resilient, relatively soft material whereby said surface may conform to the contours of said respective side wall;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- and
- (d) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side walls, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly.
6 more elements
A method of administering a medication nasally comprising the step of positioning in the nose a device comprising:
- (i) a pair of tabs for positioning in respective nostrils;
- and
- (ii) an elongated connecting member resiliently interconnecting the tabs;
- wherein:
- (a) each tab is resilient and has a surface for engaging the outer side wall of the respective nostril, is relatively thin so as to project a relatively small distance from the outer side wall into the passage of the respective nostril and is formed from a resilient, relatively soft material whereby said surface may conform to the contours of said respective side wall;
- (b) the connecting member is of a length sufficient to follow a path from one tab to the other over the septum of the nose;
- (c) said connecting member is resiliently bendable from an inoperative configuration into an operative configuration in which the tabs are positioned within the nostrils, the connecting member follows said path over the septum, and there is a restoring force tending to return said connecting member to the inoperative configuration;
- (d) the restoring force is sufficient to maintain the device in the nose of a user by means of engagement of the tabs with their respective nostril outer side walls, and to dilate the nostrils by means of the tabs urging the respective side walls outwardly;
- and
- (3) said tabs are provided with means retaining a medication to be administered.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.