NL1019779C2 - Clamp is for widening nostrils of human beings and comprises U-shaped part placed around septum nasi, of which each of both legs is provided with pressure part for widening nostril - Google Patents

Abstract

The clamp is for widening the nostrils of human beings and comprises a U-shaped part (4) placed around the septum nasi, of which each of both legs is provided with a pressure part (2) for widening a nostril. The pressure parts in relation to the U-shaped part runs outwards, forming an angle (A) with the respective leg which is smaller preferably than 90 degrees. The distance (C) between the locations (7) where the legs evolve into the pressure parts is less than or equal to the distance between the insides of the left and right nostrils. This distance (C) is preferably less than 2.5 cm. When the clamp is fitted in a nose, the pressure parts contribute significantly to the clamping force with which the clamp is fixed in the nose.

Description

Clip for widening the nose wings of a human.

The invention relates to a clamp for widening the nose wings of a human, comprising a U-shaped part to be placed around a nasal septum, each of the two legs of which is provided with a pressure part for spreading a nose wing.

Such a clamp is also referred to as a nose (cavity) widening device. Figures 1 and 2 associated with this description show an example of a clamp according to the prior art, in this case Dutch patent 1010730. This clamp 1 'comprises an intermediate part 3', 4 'which extends between two end parts 2' with oval supporting surfaces 6 '. The intermediate part is composed of a U-shaped middle piece 4 'and arms 3' connecting to the ends of the legs 5 'of the U-shaped middle piece 4', which point outwards and carry the respective end parts 2 '. The U-shaped center piece 4 'is designed such that it can enclose the bottom 12 of the nasal septum, also referred to as septum nasi.

The clamp 1 'can be inserted into the nose by bringing the arms 3' together with one hand and then with both hands bringing the end parts 2 'into a nostril and pushing the clamp 1' inwards. The transition areas 7 ', where the legs 5' of the U-shaped center piece merge with the arms 3 ', are designed in such a way that they are pressed clampingly against the nasal partition 11 (in Figure 2) under the influence of those in the clamp 1' accumulated resilience. The wide lower edge 12 of the nasal septum forms a stop which prevents the clamp 1 'from sliding down the nose 11 from the nose.

Although the human nose can be effectively widened by means of the clamp according to NL 1010730 and, when inserted into the nose, it comes to lie almost completely in the nose, that is to say almost entirely to the nose.

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• With a view that is obscured, there is a need for a clip that is easier to place in the nose, preferably with one hand.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a clamp as referred to in the first paragraph, which meets this need.

To this end, the clamp according to the invention is characterized in that the pressure parts extend outwards relative to the U-shaped part and make an angle with the respective legs that is smaller than 120, preferably smaller than 90 degrees. Thus, the clamp does not have to be deformed or only slightly deformed by hand before being introduced into the nose and the pressure parts contribute to the guidance of the clamp in the nose during the application.

It is preferable that the distance between the places where the legs of the U-shaped part merge with the pressure parts, or where the pressure parts are attached to the legs, is less than or equal to the distance between the inner sides of the left - and right-hand nose wing of 20 people in the group for which the clamp is intended. The clamp is then shaped so that it can be inserted directly into the nose.

Although the aforementioned distance between the insides of the left and right nostrils differs from person to person and from (target) group to (target) group, and for example for persons with an African origin will generally be larger than for persons with a European origin, it is generally preferred that said distance is less than 3 cm and preferably less than 2.5 cm or even less than 2 cm.

The clamp is furthermore preferably designed such that when this clamp is arranged in the nose, the pressure parts contribute significantly to the clamping force with which the clamp is attached in the nose. It then becomes possible, for example, to make the U-shaped part lighter or less clamping and / or there is less chance of the clamp shifting, also in the case of considerable efforts by the carrier and the relatively high air speeds along the clamp which thereof the result.

It is also preferred that the pressure parts become wider in a direction away from the U-shaped part. Thus it is achieved that the pressure parts are thinner at the air flow, whereby less resistance is generated, and are thicker at the support, whereby they contribute better to a stable attachment.

The invention further relates to a clamp as referred to in the first paragraph, at least the pressure parts of which have a shape at least approximately corresponding to the shape shown in figures 3 to 6. This preferably also applies to the U -shaped part. The present shape is stable and comfortable to attach to most people.

In the context of the invention, the term U-shaped basically comprises any shape that comprises two legs which are connected to each other and can be arranged around a nasal partition. The words "clamp" and "nose (cavity) expansion device" are to be considered synonymous.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the figures, in which an embodiment according to the present invention is shown to scale.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a section through a human nose 30 in which the clamp of Figure 1 is mounted.

Figures 3 to 6 show a widening clamp according to the present invention in top view, perspective and side and bottom view, respectively.

Figures 1 and 2 have already been described above.

Figures 3 to 6 show a preferred embodiment of the clip 1 according to the present invention for widening a human nose. The clamp 1 comprises two pressure parts 2 which are connected to each other by and form a whole with a U-shaped part 4 which comprises two legs 5. From the underside of the U the legs 5 initially converge and then diverge, so that the lower part of the U can be clamped around a nasal partition 11, 12, while the pressure parts 2 are thus positioned more outwards. As a result, the contact between the pressure parts and the inner sides of the left and right nose wing 13, 14 (in Figure 2) is improved.

The cross-section of the lower part of the legs 5 is relatively thick so as to be able to generate more clamping force around the underside of the nasal septum. The upper part of each of the legs 5, on the other hand, is relatively thin in order to generate as little resistance as possible for the air flowing along it. The angle "A" between each of the pressure parts 2 and the respective leg 5 is approximately 70 degrees in this example, so that the terminal 1 has a W or Ω-like shape.

As this angle A becomes smaller, the clamp 1 will be easier to insert into the nose. As this angle A is larger, a greater clamping force can be generated in the transition region 7 between each of the pressure parts 2 and the respective leg 5.

For the clamp according to the present invention, it generally holds that the angle A is preferably between 40 and 90 degrees. Where it concerns the other dimensions of the clamp according to the invention, it is preferred that the clamp has a total width ('B' in the specific embodiment according to figures 3 to 6) between 30 and 45 mm, while the distance (C) between the places where the legs merge with the pressure parts, or where the pressure parts are attached to the legs, is preferably between 10 and 30 mm, or 10 and 25 mm. The dimensions for the thickness (D) and length (L) are preferably between 4 and 9 -1, respectively. η ΐ; i ··; · Ί 5 mm and 25 and 35 mm. The maximum width of the pressure parts is preferably in a range between 8 and 12 mm.

It is preferable that each radius of those surfaces of at least the pressure parts, but preferably also of the U-shaped part, which, during wear, may come into contact with the skin or the mucous membrane in the nose is larger then 1 mm. Thus, there are no sharp edges and the comfort during wearing is increased. Moreover, the risk of irritation in the nose is smaller.

The clamp according to the invention is preferably made from an elastic material, such as "pharmacopea S.E.B.S." and / or by injection molding. The material preferably releases as few fragrances and / or flavorings as possible and is preferably not allergenic.

Furthermore, the material of the clamp according to the invention can be colored, for instance because a colorant has been added thereto. Some people may wish to use a nose clip in a fashionable color. Moreover, the use of different colors reduces the risk of confusion, which may be desirable from a hygienic point of view.

The ability to apply the clamp in a simple manner is also important in medical applications because many patients, because of the nature of their disorders, have problems with their hands and / or their motor skills, for example. In such applications, at least the pressure parts of the clamp can be provided with means on which or in which an active substance can be applied or an active substance can be mixed or dissolved in the material of the pressure parts.

The invention is of course not limited to the embodiments described above and can be varied in various ways within the scope of the claims. This clamp is thus also suitable for suppressing snoring.

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Claims (10)

A clip (1) for widening the nose wings (13, 14) of a human, comprising a U-shaped part (4) for placing a nasal septum (11), each of the two legs (5) of which is provided with a pressure part (2) for spreading a nose wing (13, 14), characterized in that the pressure parts (2) extend outwards with respect to the U-shaped part (4) and make an angle (A) with the respective legs (5) being less than 120, preferably less than 90 degrees. Clamp (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance (C) between the places (7) where the legs (5) merge with the pressure parts (2), or where the pressure parts (2) meet the legs (5) are smaller than or equal to the distance between the inner sides of the left and right nose wing 15 (13, 14) of persons in the group for which the clamp (1) is intended. The clamp (1) according to claim 2, wherein said distance (C) is smaller than 3 cm and preferably smaller than 2.5 cm. Clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed such that when the clamp (1) is arranged in a nose, the pressure parts (2) contribute significantly to the clamping force with which the clamp (1) in the nose is attached. 2 5 Clamp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure parts (2) become wider in a direction away from the U-shaped part (4). 6. Clamp (1) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, which is manufactured from a colored material or from a material to which a colorant has been added. A clamp (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, of which each radius of at least the pressure parts is greater than 1 mm. A clamp (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is made from an elastomer. 9. Clamp (1) for widening the nose wings (13, 14) of a human, comprising a U-shaped part (4) for receiving a nasal septum (11), each of which is provided with both legs (5) of a pressure part (2) for spreading a nose wing (13, 14), characterized in that at least the pressure parts (2) have a shape that at least approximately corresponds to the shape shown in figures 3 to 6 . 10. Clamp (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein also the U-shaped (4) part has a shape which at least approximately corresponds to the shape shown in figures 3 to 6.