GB2429157A

GB2429157A - Nostril cleaning swab

Info

Publication number: GB2429157A
Application number: GB0516839A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mike Coventry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-17
Filing date: 2005-08-17
Publication date: 2007-02-21
Also published as: GB0516839D0

Abstract

A shaped, pre-moistened swab which comprises a head A, safety flange B and a handle C for cleaning or introducing therapeutic substances into the nostrils. Preferably the head A is shaped to conform to the nostrils and it may be made of compressible material with a pattern of grooves or pockets to capture and retain debris. The swab may be moistened with a solution or substance to clear the nasal passages or sinuses, provide a particular smell, mask external smells or provide a therapeutic action. A flange B with a greater diameter than the swab head A may be fixed to the base of the head A to prevent the swab being inserted too deeply. The swab may be made of foam, sponge, plastic, wood, metal, natural or man-made fibre or any combination of these materials.

Description

1 2429157 Device For Cleaning Nostrils

Introduction

This item was invented to solve the day to day problem of removing nasal detritus from the nostrils, whether dried or moist, from adults, children or babies. This detritus may include, but not be limited to, mucus, dust, blood, pollen, hair trimmings and nasally inhaled powders. The item can also provide a delivery method for substances designed to either clear nasal passages and/or sinuses by nature of their fumes or provide a particular smell or mask external smells.

Description

The device comprises four distinct parts; a shaped soft head, a moistening solution pre- charged into the head material, a safety flange and a handle (see Figures 1 and 2).

The head material (part A) is permanently fixed to the handle (part C) such that the device can be rotated by turning the handle during the cleaning operation without risk of the head material becoming detached. In the highly unlikely event of a detachment, the safety flange (part B) will prevent the need for medical intervention as it is too large to be inserted into a nostril.

It is envisaged that the device or nasal swab will be supplied in a number of sizes to allow for use with nostrils of all sizes.

The head material is shaped to approximate the internal shape of the nostril and the beginning of the nasal tract. The head material density shall be such as to allow compression of the head material during insertion into the nostril to allow maximum contact with the interior while releasing a quantity of the moistening solution.

The swab is inserted until the safety flange (B) comes into contact with the external surface of the nostril.

The head's surface texture will be designed to allow capture of any detritus and maximise the cleaning action if the swab is rotated alternately, clock- wise and anti- clockwise and/or pushed-in and pulled-out of the nostril. The texture may be grooves or pockets positioned around the head. One or more spiral patterns may also be used.

Figure 2 shows the vertical grooves example.

The moistening solution can be varied. The basic swab can be premoistened with a simple saline solution for the purpose of cleaning only. It is envisaged that alternate solutions may be used to provide, for example, a pleasant smell in the nostrils after cleaning or provide a delivery method for substances designed to clear nasal passages and/or sinuses by nature of their fumes or provide a particular smell or mask external smells or provide a theraputic action.

A safety flange (B), having a larger diameter than the head, is included to help prevent a user inserting the swab too far into the nostril and to prevent insertion of the entire swab head into the nasal tract.

The handle (C) allows the user to manipulate the device, insert it and facilitates rotation.

For this reason, the handle would probably be cylindrical and of sufficient length to provide comfortable holding.

The swab will most likely be supplied in a sealed blister pack to ensure retention of the moisture in the head material.

For ease of use, and because these items will most likely be used in pairs, the swab may be supplied as double-ended with a deliberate weakness manufactured halfway between the heads to allow easy breaking and seperation into individual swabs, (see Figure 3) Materials The material density of the head shall be such as to allow compression of the head material during insertion into the nostril. The head material is also required to be absorbent to be able to be charged with moistening solution. The head material is likely to be an open-celled, medium density foam but other materials including natural substances can be used.

The flange will most likely be manufactured as an integral part of the handle but this is not critical. The handle and/or flange material will most likely be a hard plastic.

Safety It is important that this device is safe to use when it is used for it's intended purpose and also if it is reasonably misused. It is therefore vital that the head material can not become detached from the safety flange when in use so that the safety flange can prevent the need for medical intervention.

There shall be no sharp edges at the flange that could cause injury.

Further, the method of anchoring the head material to the flange and/or to the handle must be such that vigorous use can not result in the anchoring method causing injury through the head material.

Environmental It is envisaged that the device will most probably be disposable. The recommended disposal method would be to place into a bin and not reuse. In the eventuality of the used swab being disposed of by flushing down a toilet it is hoped that the cleaner will be biodegradeable.

Figures Figure 1 shows a side view of the device identifying parts: A Head, B - Flange and C - Handle.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the device as seen from the head end. This is an example of one head material surface texture.

Figure 3 shows the dual headed swab configuration with easy-snap joint.

Claims

Claims 1. A pre-moistened, shaped swab with handle and safety device

designed to allow nostril cleaning or the introduction of theraputic substances by non-medical personnel and/or self.
2. A swab head as claimed in Claim 1 where the head has been shaped to conform to an average nostril.
3. A swab head as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the head has been made of compressible material.
4. A swab head as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 where the head has a pattern of grooves and/or pockets on the surface to capture and retain detritus from inside the nostril.
5. A swab head as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 where the head has been pre-moistened with a solution or substances designed to clear nasal passages and/or sinuses by nature of their fumes or provide a particular smell or mask external smells or provide a theraputic action.
6. A swab as claimed in any preceding claim having a flange affixed to the base of the swab head of a diameter greater than the swab head.
7. A swab as claimed in any preceding claim having a handle fitted at right angles to the centre of the flange.
8. A swab as claimed in any preceding claim which is made of foam, sponge, plastics material, wood, metal, natural or man-made fibre or from a combination of these materials.
9. A swab substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.