GB2330079A - Nasal breathing aid - Google Patents

Nasal breathing aid Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2330079A
GB2330079A GB9721597A GB9721597A GB2330079A GB 2330079 A GB2330079 A GB 2330079A GB 9721597 A GB9721597 A GB 9721597A GB 9721597 A GB9721597 A GB 9721597A GB 2330079 A GB2330079 A GB 2330079A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
nostril
dilator
nasal
bridge
limb
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9721597A
Other versions
GB9721597D0 (en
Inventor
Bernard Victor Cadman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9721597A priority Critical patent/GB2330079A/en
Publication of GB9721597D0 publication Critical patent/GB9721597D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB1998/003031 priority patent/WO1999018899A1/en
Priority to AU93597/98A priority patent/AU9359798A/en
Publication of GB2330079A publication Critical patent/GB2330079A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F5/00Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
    • A61F5/01Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
    • A61F5/08Devices for correcting deformities of the nose ; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

A nasal dilator 12, to serve as a nasal breathing aid, has a pair of opposed nostril limbs 13, with respective flow passages (18) and joined at one end by a resiliently deformable bridge (14), into a slightly flared 'U'-section profile; requiring an inward squeeze (21) for nostril insertion alignment and with a revisionary span, creating an outward nostril dilation bias (22), to help preserve nasal airway passages (23).

Description

(Nasal) Breathing Aid The present invention relates to breathing aids and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with apparatus, appliances or devices to promote nasal breathing.
Breathing inhalation is normally nasal, ie through the nose, with exhalation through the mouth.
Breathing difficulties are commonly arise from obstruction or blockage of delicate nasal passages, as with colds and chronic sinus conditions.
Nasal blockage leads to mouth inhalation and is a factor in generating snoring noise from vibration of olfactory membranes.
Snoring noise can hinder sleep of the sufferer and companions.
Thus nasal blockage can lead to discomfort and disrupted breathing patterns, interfering with sleep and engendering a poor oxygen intake.
Various devices have been developed to ease or aid breathing - and so prevent snoring.
Some aids are intemal, ie are inserted into either one or both nostrils - whilst others are external, ie attached to the outside of the nose.
Nasal dilation is also known for aerobic exercise and sporting activities to enhance breathing flow and thus oxygen intake.
This can be achieved, for example, by external adhesive kin tape, to stretch or distend the nostrils.
According to one aspect of the invention, a nostril dilator comprises a nasal insertion limb, with a sectional profile, defining an airway passage.
Desirably, the limb is profiled for conformity with nasal passage - for example in a shallow longitudinal curvature, with a curved (say, 'U'-) sectional form, and smooth progressive overall surface contours.
A limb per nostril is preferable, to clear both associated nasal airways together.
Multiple such nostril limbs are conveniently linked at one (common) end, by a bridge.
Desirably, the bridge is resiliently deformable, to accommodate (independent) lateral limb deflection.
The 'relaxed' or undeformed bridge profile is desirably such as to bias apart opposed limbs - in a slightly splayed or outwardly flared 'U'-section.
In order to preserve unobstructed air flow, the bridge desirably has apertures aligned with respective individual limb through-passages.
In practice, the overall nostril dilator device can be integrally-moulded from synthetic plastics material.
Suitable such materials included nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene and fibre-reinforced plastics.
Generally, in overall shape, size and configuration, for 'universal fit' of nostril diversity, the lateral spacing of limbs is marginally greater than that required for nostril alignment and insertion.
Thus, for nostril insertion, the limbs must be slightly squeezed together about the bridge.
Once released, the resiliently deformable bridge section biases the limbs apart - in turn applying a modest outward force to the nostrils.
The nostril dilation force applied by the device is modest - and generally insufficient to damage, inflame or irritate the delicate internal wall tissue, or trigger an allergic (eg sneezing or watering) reaction.
This opposed limb 'spreading' action widens or dilates the nostrils, restoring the otherwise obstructed nasal air flow passages.
The outward force will also reduce the likelihood of the apparatus slipping out of the nose, by frictional interaction with the nose tissue.
The outer surfaces of the curved limbs have a progressive curvature and smooth surface contour and finish - for wearer comfort and to obviate injury.
The bridge is shaped so that it does not protrude unduly when the device has been fully inserted into the nostrils.
The bridge thus acts a guide or indicator upon how far the device should be inserted - preventing damage by inserting the remote ends of the limbs too far into the upper olfactory tract.
The bridge also minimise the risk of further insertion, or force in other directions, by accidentally or casually knocking the bridge.
This is of particular importance when the device is used while sleeping.
A preferred limb sectional form is an inwardly-turned 'U'-section, bounded by longitudinal marginal rib walls on the inner surface of the curved limbs, to impart local strength and stiffness.
This hollow limb form thus resists limb deflection or bending upon insertion and relative limb splay under the resistance of the bridge to resilient deformation.
Nevertheless, some resilient deformability may be embodied in the limbs themselves.
The 'splay' force thus 'spreads', 'expands' or dilates the nostrils, rather than simply deforming the limbs.
There now follows a description of a particular embodiment of the nostril dilator of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a nostril dilator; Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the dilator shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a top plan view of the dilator shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows an underside view of the dilator shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a sectional view, taken along the line a,a' of the dilator shown in Figure 1; and Figures 6A through 6E show progressive stages of nostril insertion of the dilator shown in Figures 1 through 5.
Referring to the drawings, a nostril dilator 12 comprises a (laterally-opposed) pair of limbs 13, joined at one common end by a bridge 14.
The limbs 13 each have a curved 'U'-section profile bounded by longitudinal stiffening wall ribs 16.
Apertures 15 are provided in the bridge at the junctures of the limbs 13 and bridge 14, aligned with respective limb through-passages 18.
The bridge 14 generally corresponds to the internostril nasal bridge of the wearer's nose - and so does not obstruct the air flow.
Fitting of the nostril dilator is depicted in progressive steps of in Figures 6A through 6E.
The limbs 13 are inserted into the nostrils 19, while squeezed together somewhat into respective individual nostril 19 alignment.
Upon the release of this squeeze 21, the bridge 14 will tend to revert to its original, undeformed configuration.
This creates an outward bias 22 on the limbs 13 within respective nostrils 19 - which are in turn dilated, helping preserve nasal airway passages 23.
Co-operative alignment of the limb throughpassages 18 with the bridge apertures 15, creates an in-line routing to these nasal passages 23.
Component List 11 nose 1 2 nostril dilator 13 limb 14 bridge 15 aperture 16 rib 18 through-passage (limb 13) 1 9 nostril 21 squeeze 22 outward bias 23 nasal airway passage

Claims (10)

  1. Claims 1.
    A nostril dilator (12), as a nasal breathing aid, for nostril dilation upon nasal insertion, the dilator comprising a nasal insertion limb (13), with a sectional profile defining a through-passage (18).
  2. 2.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the limb is profiled for nasal passage conformity, in a shallow longitudinal curvature, with a curved (say, 'U'-) sectional form, and smooth progressive overall surface contours.
  3. 3.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in either of the preceding claims, comprising multiple spaced limbs, with a limb per nostril, to preserve associated nasal airway passages.
  4. 4.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising multiple such nostril limbs, linked at one (common) end, by a bridge.
  5. 5.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the bridge is resiliently deformable, to accommodate (independent) lateral limb deflection.
  6. 6.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in Claims 4 or 5, wherein the 'relaxed' or undeformed bridge profile is such as to bias apart opposed limbs, in a slightly splayed or outwardly flared 'U'-section.
  7. 7.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in any of Claims 4 through 6, wherein the bridge has apertures (15), aligned with respective limb through-passages (18), to preserve unobstructed air flow.
  8. 8.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in any of Claims 3 through 7, wherein, in overall shape, size and configuration, for 'universal fit' of nostril diversity, the lateral spacing of limbs is marginally greater than that required for nostril alignment and insertion.
  9. 9.
    A nostril dilator, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, integrally-moulded from synthetic plastics material, such as nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene.
  10. 10.
    A nostril dilator, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
GB9721597A 1997-10-13 1997-10-13 Nasal breathing aid Withdrawn GB2330079A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9721597A GB2330079A (en) 1997-10-13 1997-10-13 Nasal breathing aid
PCT/GB1998/003031 WO1999018899A1 (en) 1997-10-13 1998-10-09 (nasal) breathing aid
AU93597/98A AU9359798A (en) 1997-10-13 1998-10-09 (nasal) breathing aid

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9721597A GB2330079A (en) 1997-10-13 1997-10-13 Nasal breathing aid

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9721597D0 GB9721597D0 (en) 1997-12-10
GB2330079A true GB2330079A (en) 1999-04-14

Family

ID=10820416

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9721597A Withdrawn GB2330079A (en) 1997-10-13 1997-10-13 Nasal breathing aid

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU9359798A (en)
GB (1) GB2330079A (en)
WO (1) WO1999018899A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009124567A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Adactive Marketing Ab Nose-dilating device with recess
ITBO20100103A1 (en) * 2010-02-24 2011-08-25 Mistro Ilario NASAL ANATOMICAL DILATOR.

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100455035B1 (en) * 2001-07-20 2004-11-12 김창선 non nose clogger

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4201217A (en) * 1978-07-12 1980-05-06 Slater Robert L Nostril expander
WO1996029034A1 (en) * 1995-03-03 1996-09-26 Owe Edmark Device for facilitating breathing
US5601594A (en) * 1995-09-14 1997-02-11 Best; Barry D. Nasal stent
US5665104A (en) * 1996-08-20 1997-09-09 Lee; Chi Hao Edwin Breathing enhancer
GB2313313A (en) * 1996-05-23 1997-11-26 Niekerk Jacobus Frederik Van Equine nostril-flaring device

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1256188A (en) * 1915-12-22 1918-02-12 George H Wilson Antisnoring device.
US2010485A (en) * 1934-06-19 1935-08-06 Heath Webster Lafe Antisnoring device
GB469626A (en) * 1937-02-02 1937-07-29 Stanley Charles Dexter Improvements in or relating to nasal appliances
AU6432265A (en) * 1966-09-07 1968-03-07 A breathing aid device
CH477874A (en) * 1968-08-07 1969-09-15 Fritz Leuenberger Graphischer Device for preventing snoring

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4201217A (en) * 1978-07-12 1980-05-06 Slater Robert L Nostril expander
WO1996029034A1 (en) * 1995-03-03 1996-09-26 Owe Edmark Device for facilitating breathing
US5601594A (en) * 1995-09-14 1997-02-11 Best; Barry D. Nasal stent
GB2313313A (en) * 1996-05-23 1997-11-26 Niekerk Jacobus Frederik Van Equine nostril-flaring device
US5665104A (en) * 1996-08-20 1997-09-09 Lee; Chi Hao Edwin Breathing enhancer

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009124567A1 (en) * 2008-04-11 2009-10-15 Adactive Marketing Ab Nose-dilating device with recess
ITBO20100103A1 (en) * 2010-02-24 2011-08-25 Mistro Ilario NASAL ANATOMICAL DILATOR.
WO2011104660A3 (en) * 2010-02-24 2011-11-17 Mistro, Ilario Nasal dilator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU9359798A (en) 1999-05-03
WO1999018899A1 (en) 1999-04-22
GB9721597D0 (en) 1997-12-10

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)