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Inventors
Muchin, Jerome D.
Application #
698002
Filed
Aug-16-1996
Published
Feb-17-1998
Current US Class
128/200.24
606/199
606/204.45
International Classes
A61F 005/08; A61M 029/00; A61M 015/08; A62B 007/00
Field of Search
128/200.24 128/204.12 128/206.18 128/207.18 128/912 128/848 128/DIG. 606/191 606/196 606/199 606/204.45 602/54 602/56 602/58
Examiners
Asher; Kimberly L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm
Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell, Welter & Schmidt
US Patent References
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Surgical nasal splint |
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Compound splint a... |
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Balanced environ... |
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| 4201217 |
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Nostril expander |
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Compound splint a... |
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| 4220150 |
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Nasal dust filter |
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| 4221217 |
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Nasal device |
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| 4267831 |
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Nasal air filter and... |
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| 4274402 |
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Nose splint |
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| 4324237 |
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Intravenous cathete... |
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| 4327719 |
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Nose filter |
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| 4340040 |
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Nose splint |
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| 4341207 |
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Wound dressing |
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| 4341208 |
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Moisture-retentive c... |
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| 4402314 |
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Surgical nasal sept... |
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| 4414977 |
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Nasal dilator |
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| 4485809 |
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Film window dressi... |
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| 4534342 |
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Nose bandage |
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| 4592357 |
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Septal splint |
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| 4669458 |
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I.V. holder |
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| 4674133 |
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Ultraviolet nose pro... |
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| 4744355 |
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Hinged end wound... |
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| 4823789 |
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Nose tube anchorin... |
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| 4917112 |
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Universal bandage... |
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| 4932943 |
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Nasogastric tube h... |
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| 4971282 |
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Clip |
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| 4984302 |
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Nose-worn air filter |
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| 4995114 |
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Universal eye patch |
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| 5003971 |
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Expansion system f... |
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| 5022389 |
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Nasal splint device |
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| 5067482 |
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Concealed facial s... |
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| 5101837 |
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Bandage elevation... |
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| 5116675 |
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Disposable, elastici... |
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Method of forming... |
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| 5284469 |
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Nasal dressing hol... |
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| 5383891 |
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Nose bleed kid |
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| 5466456 |
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Facial cleanser |
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| 5476091 |
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Dilator for anatomi... |
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| 5479944 |
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Nasal devices |
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| 5533499 |
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Nasal dilator |
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| 5533503 |
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Nasal dilator |
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| 5546929 |
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Nasal dilator |
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| 5549103 |
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Nasal dilator havin... |
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| 5553605 |
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Transparent extern... |
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Referenced by:
View Backward References
Other References
Petruson, Bjorn; "Improvement of the Nasal Airflow by the Nasal Dilator Nozovent", Rhinology, vol. 26, pp. 289-292 (1988). Petruson, Bjorn; Letter to the Editor, "Better Sleep with Dilated Nose", Rhinology, pp. 27, 211-213, (1989). Petruson, Bjorn; "Decreased Nasal Resistance by the Nasal Dilator Nozovent.RTM. can Reduce Snoring", World Congress on Chronic Rhonchopathy, pp. see entire document, (May 1989). Hoijer, Ulf; "The Effects of Nasal Dilation on Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea", Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery, vol. 118, pp. 281-284, (Mar. 1992). Petruson, Bjorn; "Snoring Can be Reduced When the Nasal Airflow is Increased by the Nasal Dilator Nozovent", Archives of Ortolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery, vol. 116, pp. 462-464, (Apr. 1990). Petruson, Bjorn et al.; "The Importance of Nose-breathing for the Systolic Blood Pressure Rise During Exercise", Acta Otolaryngol, Stockholm, 109: 461-466, (1990). E.N.T. Spring Symposium; "Report of a Symposium at the Royal Society of Medicine, London, May 21, 1991" pp. 1-4. Petruson, Bjorn; "Two New Ways for Nasal Administration of Drugs with the Nasal Dilator Nozovent", Abstract, ENT-Department, University of Goteborg, Sahlgrens's Hospital, 413, 45 Goteborg, Sweden. C.N. Ford, S. Rezakhany, & S. Ewanowski, "A Nasal Prosthesis for Treatment of Nasal Airway Obstruction", Rhinology, vol. 23, pp. 223-229 (1985). J.M. Lancer and A.S. Jones, "The Francis Alae Nasi Prop and Nasal Resistance to Airflow," Journal of Laryngol. Otol., vol. 100, pp. 539-541 (1986). Four English translations of Spanish reference No. 28956 (noted above). Copy of Search Report cited in European counterpart application Serial No. 97100799.2 (our ref. 30704.33-EP-D1).
Citation
Cite This Patent
More From Subclass 200.24
More From Class 128
|
Abstract
A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a nose from drawing in during breathing. There is a spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member extending over the bridge and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge. A pad with an adhesive surface covers the spring member and extends around the spring member so that there is a perimeter of space formed between the spring member and the pad member. The spring is inset centrally in the pad. An adhesive between the spring member and the pad wholly connects the spring member on its entire engaging surface with the pad. The dilator can be formed of transparent or clear material so as to enhance its cosmetic appearance on the nose, and there can be printing on one or more members of the dilator.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose and being for engaging the user's nose;
a single substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, the spring being inset from the peripheral edge of the pad substantially around the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; and
a substantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member on one of its flat surfaces adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surface of the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, the arrangement being such that, in use, there is only the spring member, the single pad and the adhesive.
2. A dilator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose is effected by having the spring member occupy between about 25% to about 50% of the surface area of the pad.
3. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose is effected by having the spring member be centrally located in the surface area of the pad, and the surface of the spring member be between about one-quarter to about half of the surface area of the pad.
4. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose is effected by having the spring member define a length and the pad define a length, the spring member being centrally located along the length of the pad, and the length of the spring member being between about one-half to about three-quarters of the length of the pad.
5. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose is effected by having the pad define a narrow width and a broad width, the narrow width being substantially for location over the bridge of a nose, and the broad width being substantially for location centrally over a nostril portion of the nose, the spring member defining a width, and the width of the spring member being about one-half to about three-quarters of the width of narrow width of the pad.
6. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring member is formed of a resilient, synthetic resinous material, and the spring member and pad, when unattached to the nose, has a natural position contrary to a curvature formed by location of the spring member over the bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages, the contrary curvature being non-planar.
7. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring member is a resilient member, the spring member having being die cut and located as an island within the surface area of the pad.
8. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pad is an elongated element with rounded ends, such ends being substantially cone-shaped.
9. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring is formed of a material die cut from a first ribbon, and the pad is die cut from a second ribbon, and the ribbons are adhesively joined together in a webbing operation, and wherein non-adhering materials removed from the die cuts are removed as ribbons of waste material.
10. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
a substantially transparent elongated spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose and being for engaging the user's nose;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, the spring being inset from the peripheral edge of the pad substantially around the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member on one of its flat surfaces adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surface of the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, the arrangement being such that, in use, there is only the spring member, the pad and the adhesive; and
wherein, in use on the nose, there are the spring member, the adhesive pad, the adhesive between the pad and the spring member, and means for adhering such spring member directly to the user's nose including an adhesive on the spring member.
11. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose and being for engaging the user's nose;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, the spring being inset from the peripheral edge of the pad substantially around the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member on one of its flat surfaces adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surface of the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, the arrangement being such that, in use, there is only the spring member, the pad and the adhesive; and
wherein, when in position on the nose, a flat surface of the spring member engages directly on the nose.
12. A dilator as claimed in claim 11 wherein the spring member and pad have a position, when non-adhering to the nose, with a curvature contrary to the shape of the curvature formed from one nasal passage over the bridge to the second nasal passage, such contrary curvature being non-planar.
13. A dilator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the spring member is formed of a resilient, synthetic resinous material, and the spring member and pad, when unattached to the nose, has a natural position contrary to a curvature formed by location of the spring member over the bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages, and wherein the position of contrary curvature is obtained by relatively stretching the pad longitudinally prior to affixation with the spring member.
14. A dilator as claimed in claim 12 including locating the dilator in a package for developing the contrary curvature.
15. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose and being for engaging the user's nose;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, the spring being inset from the peripheral edge of the pad substantially around the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member on one of its flat surfaces adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surface of the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, the arrangement being such that, in use, there is only the spring member, the pad and the adhesive; and wherein the spring member and the pad respectively include ends, the ends of the spring member being located inwardly from the ends of the pad member such that when the pad member is located on the nose of a wearer, the ends of the spring are urged outwardly and separate from skin covering the nasal passages of the wearer, such that the pad is lifted in part from the nasal passages in the vicinity of the ends of the spring member.
16. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad whereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the pad substantially around the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose and for adhering the spring member to the pad; and
wherein there is only the spring member, the pad and the adhesive.
17. A system for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing comprising:
a nasal dilator acting in operative position to adopt a curvature formed by location over a bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages, and
the dilator including an elongated substantially transparent spring member bridging a human nose, and a substantially transparent flexible pad being for engaging the spring member, the pad including a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose and for adhering the spring member to the pad; and the spring being for engaging the skin of the nose, the arrangement being such that there is only the spring, the pad and the adhesive.
18. A nasal dilator comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose and for engaging a user's nose;
a flexible substantially transparent pad having a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; and
a substantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, the arrangement being such that there is only the spring, the pad and the adhesive.
19. A nasal dilator comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose;
a single flexible substantially transparent pad having a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member so that them is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and
wherein, when in position on the nose, there is only the spring member, the single pad and the adhesive.
20. A nasal dilator comprising:
only a single elongated spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member being substantially transparent;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad;
substantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge; and
wherein the adhesive means permits the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose, and is effected by having the spring member define a length and the pad define a length, and wherein the spring member is centrally located along the length of the pad, and the length of the spring member is between about one-half to about three-quarters of the length of the pad.
21. A nasal dilator comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose;
a single substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and
wherein in use on the nose there are only the spring member, the single pad, the adhesive between the pad and the spring member.
22. A nasal dilator comprising:
a substantially transparent elongated spring member for bridging a human nose;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and
wherein, when in position on the nose, there is only the spring member, the pad and the adhesive.
23. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
a substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad, the spring member adhering to the pad and the surface of the spring being visible through the pad, such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surfaces of the spring member extend over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, the surface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and
there being only the spring, the pad and adhesive.
24. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the spring member occupies between about 25% to about 50% of the surface area of the pad.
25. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the spring member is centrally located in the surface area of the pad, and the surface of the spring member is between about one-quarter to half of the surface area of the pad.
26. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the spring member defines a length and the pad defines a length, and wherein the spring member is centrally located along the length of the pad, and the length of the spring member is between about one-half to three-quarters of the length of the pad.
27. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the pad defines a narrow width and a broad width, the narrow width being substantially for location over the bridge of a nose, and the broad width being substantially for location centrally over a nostril portion of the nose, and wherein the spring member defines a width, the width of the spring member being about one-half to three-quarters of the width of narrow width of the pad.
28. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein, when in position on the nose, a flat surface of the spring member engages directly on the nose, and an opposite surface is visible through the pad, the opposite surface having an ornamentation visible through the pad.
29. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the spring member is a resilient member, the spring member having being die cut and located as an island within the surface area of the pad.
30. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the pad is an elongated element and is ornamented.
31. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the ornamentation on the surface of the pad is effected by imprintation.
32. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the spring is formed of a material die cut from a first ribbon, and the pad is die cut from a second ribbon, and the ribbons are adhesively joined together in a webbing operation, and wherein non-adhering materials removed from the die cuts are removed as ribbons of waste material.
33. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
a substantially elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member being for extending over a bridge of the nose and wherein the spring member is a resilient member;
a substantially transparent pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending with spring member;
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad and extends over and beyond the bridge of the nose on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad on one surface adhering to the skin of the nose, and on the opposite surface being ornamented;
there being only the spring, the pad and the adhesive, and
wherein, when in position on the nose, a flat surface of the spring member with adhesive engages directly on the nose.
34. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
a substantially transparent elongated spring member of a first resilience for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose and being for engaging the nose; and
a substantially transparent flexible section of a relatively lesser resilience having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section being for engaging the spring member and extending from the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the section formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the section whereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section, and wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering directly to skin of the nose.
35. A system for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing comprising:
a nasal dilator acting in operative position to adopt a curvature formed by location over a bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages, and
the dilator including an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, and a flexible flat substantially transparent section engaging the spring member, the section including a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; the arrangement being such that, in use, the spring is located directly on the nose, and the flexible adhesive section is adhesively located directly on the skin of the nose.
36. A nasal dilator comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose;
a flexible substantially transparent pad having a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and
wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, the pad, the adhesive on the pad.
37. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
a substantially elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member being for extending over a bridge of the nose and wherein the spring member is a resilient member;
a substantially transparent pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending with spring member; and
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad and extends over and beyond the bridge of the nose on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad on one surface adhering to the skin of the nose, and on the opposite surface being ornamented, the spring member being between the nose and the pad.
38. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose; and
a flexible section being substantially transparent having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the section whereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section, wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose, and wherein the surface perimeter area directly adheres to the skin of the nose.
39. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member of a first resilience for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose; and
a flexible substantially transparent section of a lesser resilience having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the section formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the section whereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose and wherein the surface perimeter area directly adheres to the nose through the adhesive.
40. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member of a first resilience for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose;
a single substantially transparent flexible section of a relatively lesser resilience having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section being for adhesively engaging the spring member and extending from the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the section formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the section whereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section, and wherein the section includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering directly to skin of the nose, and
wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, the single flexible section, and the adhesive.
41. A system for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing comprising:
a nasal dilator acting in operative position to adopt a curvature formed by location over a bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages,
the dilator including an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, and a single substantially transparent flexible flat section engaging the spring member, the section including a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; the arrangement being such that, in use, the flexible section is adhesively located directly on the skin of the nose, and
wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, the single flexible section, and the adhesive.
42. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
a substantially elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member being for extending over a bridge of the nose and wherein the spring member is a resilient member;
a single substantially transparent pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending with spring member over the bridge of the nose;
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad and extends over and beyond the bridge of the nose on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad on one surface adhering to the skin of the nose, and on the opposite surface being ornamented, and
wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, the single pad, and the adhesive.
43. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose;
a single flexible section being substantially transparent having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section being for adhesively engaging the spring member and extending with the spring member over the bridge of the nose, and a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose, and wherein the flexible section adheres to the skin of the nose; and
wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, the single flexible section, and the adhesive.
44. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member of a first resilience for bridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the nose;
a single substantially transparent flexible section of a lesser resilience having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section being for engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeter area of the section formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the section whereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section, wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose, the flexible section being selectively at least one of ornate or colored on a surface area, and wherein the surface perimeter area directly adheres to the nose through the adhesive; and
wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, the single flexible section, and the adhesive.
45. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
at least a substantially transparent flexible pad, a substantially transparent resilient member for bridging a human nose, and a substantially transparent adhesive, the arrangement being such that the pad adhesively engages skin of the nose and is entirely on the outside of the nose thereby effecting dilation of the nasal passages.
46. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose is effected by having the spring member define a length and the pad define a length, the spring member being centrally located along the length of the pad, and the length of the spring member between about one-half to about three-quarters of the length of the pad.
47. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the spring member is a resilient member, the spring member having being die cut and located as an island within a surface area of the pad.
48. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the pad is an elongated element with rounded ends.
49. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the spring is formed of a material die cut from a first ribbon, and the pad is die cut from a second ribbon, and the ribbons are adhesively joined together in a webbing operation, and wherein non-adhering materials removed from the die cuts are removed as ribbons of waste material.
50. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the spring member occupies between about 25% to about 50% of a surface area of the pad.
51. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the spring member is centrally located in a surface area of a pad, and a surface of the spring member is between about one-quarter to half of the surface area of the pad.
52. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the pad defines a narrow width and a broad width, the narrow width being substantially for location over the bridge of a nose, and the broad width being substantially for location centrally over a nostril portion of the nose, and wherein the spring member defines a width, the width of the spring member being about one-half to three-quarters of the width of narrow width of the pad.
53. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein there is a single pad, the resilient member and the adhesive.
54. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the pad defines a narrow first portion, and two portions of broader width, the narrow width being substantially intermediate the broader width portions.
55. A nasal dilator comprising:
an elongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose;
a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area, the pad engaging the spring member, and wherein the surface area includes a substantially transparent adhesive means for adhering to skin of the nose; and
a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the pad, the spring member adhered to the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, and wherein the spring member and the pad, in use, substantially conform to the skin of the nose.
56. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:
a substantially transparent member defining a first end region and a second end region, each adapted to be releasably secured to the outer wall tissue of first and second nasal passages respectively and an intermediate segment coupling the first end region to the second region and configured to transverse a portion of a nose located between the first and second nasal passages,
a resilient substantially transparent means adapted to bias the first and second end regions apart at least, when secured to first and second nasal passages,
the first and second end regions including a layer of a substantially transparent adhesive substance thereby to enable said regions to engage the respective outer wall tissues, and
the intermediate segment being of narrower width than the first and second end regions.
57. The nasal dilator of claim 56 wherein the resilient means is formed of plastic.
58. The nasal dilator of claim 56 wherein the member is formed of an interwoven piece of fabric.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This invention relates to application Ser. No. 08/499,636, filed Jul. 7, 1995; and Ser. No. 08/521,631, filed Aug. 31, 1995; and Ser. No. 08/580,127, filed Dec. 28, 1995. The contents of these applications are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to dilators for the nose. In particular, the invention is concerned with a dilator to urge the nasal passages of the nose open during breathing.
One known form of dilator used for this purpose is in the nature of a band for extension over the nose from one nasal passage, over the bridge of the nose, to the other nasal passage. This pad is formed of a flexible material which has sandwiched with it a resilient spring material. Both the flexible material and the spring are normally planar. When the pad is placed on the nose, it sticks to the skin of the nose, and the action of the spring causes the nasal passages to be urged open.
In the Applicant's experience, the known dilator is not as effective as it could be. In particular, the nasal passages are not urged open as much or as little as they could usefully and safely be opened. Also, the currently known device consists of multiple components forming the pad in a sandwich relationship with the spring. Therefore, the fabrication of such a dilator arrangement is unduly complicated.
There is a need to provide a pad system for a dilator for location over the nose which minimizes the disadvantages of known systems.
SUMMARY
By this invention there is provided a dilator which has advantages over known dilators.
According to the invention, there is provided a nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing. The dilator includes an elongated resilient spring member for bridging a human nose, and there is also a flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge. The pad, which is made of a breathable material, engages the spring member, which is a polyflex material, and extends around the spring member.
There is an adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the spring member on one of its entire engaging surface wholly adheres with the pad. A surface perimeter area of the pad is formed between the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad. The surface perimeter area includes an adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose.
When the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surfaces of the spring member extend over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge of the nose. In this manner, the spring extends over the nasal passages on both sides of the bridge.
In some embodiments, when in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, the adhesive pad, and the adhesive between the pad and the spring member. When in position on the nose, a flat surface of the spring member engages directly on the nose. In some other embodiments, there is also an adhesive on the surface area of the spring adjacent to the bridge of the nose, so the spring member adheres to the nose.
In different embodiments, there are situations where at least one of, and preferably all of the components, namely pad, adhesive and spring are substantially transparent or clear, a flesh-like color or shade so as to effectively blend with the skin of wearer, or translucent. In other preferred situations the pad is effectively colored or rendered ornate or patterned, at least on its surface removed from the nose.
The dilator can be at least partly formed of transparent or clear material so as to enhance its cosmetic appearance on the nose. Ornamentation can be provided to one surface of the spring thereby to be visible through a transparent pad. Alternatively or additionally, the pad can be imprinted with ornamentation.
In yet other preferred forms of the invention, the pad is substantially transparent, and the spring is colored or patterned on its surface removed from the nose. The pattern can be a product logo. Coloring can represent a team color. The spring can be at least partly visible through the pad.
When unattached to the nose, the spring member and pad, has a natural position contrary to a curvature formed by location of the spring member over the bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages. Preferably, the natural position is with a curvature contrary to the shape of the curvature formed from one nasal passage over the bridge to the second nasal passage. The contrary curvature acts to place an increased amount of spring action on the dilator so that the dilation action on the nasal passages is enhanced when in use.
In one form of the invention, the dilator is located in a package before usage on the nose, and the interaction of the package on the dilator develops the contrary curvature. In another form of the invention, the pad is stretched prior to adhering to the spring, and that stretch acts to place the contrary curvature onto the dilator.
The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an underview of the dilator showing adhesive on the pad and on the spring.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the top of the dilator before being placed on the nose.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the dilator on the nose.
FIG. 4 is a view of multiple dilators in a package to effect the curvature contrary to the position of the dilator on the nose.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective top view of the components making up the dilator.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the nose showing a dilator in a relative position before usage and the nasal passages closed.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the nose showing a dilator in position on the nose and the nasal passages opened.
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a construction procedure for manufacturing the dilator where a stretch is placed on the pad to effect the contrary curvature.
FIG. 8A illustrates side views of the dilator respectively at two different die positions in the construction procedure.
FIG. 9 is a top view of the dilator showing ornamentation on the pad, and wherein there is adhesive on the underside of the pad and on the underside of the spring, the undersides being for engagement on the skin of the nose.
FIG. 10A is a perspective view from the top of the dilator before being placed on the nose, namely a counter-curved dilator, with an ornamentation on a surface of a spring being visible through the transparent pad.
FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a second form of the dilator namely a flat substantially planar dilator before being placed on the nose. There is ornamentation on the spring visible through a transparent pad.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective top view of the components making up the dilator.
DESCRIPTION
A nasal dilator 10 prevents the outer wall tissue 11 of first and second nasal pass |