WO1999018899A1

WO1999018899A1 - (nasal) breathing aid

Info

Publication number: WO1999018899A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/003031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Cadman
Original assignee: Bernard Cadman
Priority date: 1997-10-13
Filing date: 1998-10-09
Publication date: 1999-04-22
Also published as: AU9359798A; GB2330079A; GB9721597D0

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 reversionary 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, le through the nose, with exhalation through the mouth.

Breathing difficulties 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 internal, le are inserted into either one or both nostrils - whilst others are external, le 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 resihently 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 as 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 minimises 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,a1 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 inter-nostril 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 through-passages 18 with the bridge apertures 15, creates an in-line routing to these nasal passages 23.

Component List

1 1 nose

1 2 nostril dilator

13 limb

14 bridge

1 5 aperture

1 6 rib

1 8 through-passage (limb 13)

1 9 nostril

21 squeeze

22 outward bias

23 nasal airway passage

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.

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.

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.

A nostril dilator, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising multiple such nostril limbs, linked at one (common) end, by a bridge.

A nostril dilator, as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the bridge is resiliently deformable, to accommodate (independent) lateral limb deflection.

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.

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. 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.

A nostril dilator, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, integrally-moulded from synthetic plastics material, such as nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene.