107 results about "Nasal dilators" patented technology

A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating stresses in nasal outer wall tissues has a truss of a single body with a resilient member secured therein and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which, when forced toward one another from initial positions to substantially reduce direct spacing therebetween by a spacing reducing force external to said truss, results in restoring forces in the truss tending to return to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. A resilient member, which is symmetrical with respect to a centerline of the truss that is perpendicular to the long axis of the truss, has a spring rate which continuously diminishes from the centerline to the end surfaces. An adhesive on the end surfaces adhesively engages exposed surfaces of nasal outer wall tissues sufficiently to keep the truss attached to the nasal wall surfaces while subjecting them to the restoring forces.

A nasal dilator that prevents the outer wall tissue of the nasal passages of the nose from drawing in during breathing includes a flexible strip of material having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate segment. The dilator further includes first and second resilient bands secured to one surface of the strip the first and second end regions, and a third resilient band secured to a second surface of the flexible strip adjacent the intermediate segment. The ends of the third resilient band overlie the inward ends of the first and second resilient bands whereby the third resilient band extends over and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge of the nose. A first adhesive surface covers the first surface of the strip of material so that there is a perimeter of space formed around and between the first and second resilient bands which are inset centrally on the strip. Adhesive or auxiliary supports can be used to secure the ends of the third band to the second surface of the strip.

An internal nasal dilator and compound delivery method presents an improved dilator including a U-shaped clip having septum engaging pads, first and second nasal expanders, and first and second delivery elements. The pads engage the septum along planar surfaces. Each of the expanders further include a conforming nostril engaging element and a flexible arm interconnecting the engaging element and clip. The delivery elements are each adapted to receive and retain a quantity of a compound and to discharge the compound over a period of time.

A dilator / insert internally support the lateral nasal walls and securely stay in place without discomfort. It stays inserted by a pair of ledges (9a and 10a) and / or catches (7a and 8a), each resting behind a respective: limen nasi ridge (a somewhat vertical central protuberance on a lateral nasal wall); and / or a foot of the columella (the "meaty' protuberance peripherally off the base of the columella). The insert is confined from shifting off those protuberances by being tall (distance between 1a and 2a); almost as tall near the entrances of the nose as the entrances themselves. When worn, the bridge (1a and 2a) / leg (3a, 4a an 5a, 6a) assemblies look like two central nose rings. The peripheral rigidity of the bridge / leg assemblies braces the lateral walls of the nose apart and keeps the ledges in position. Catches can position midway rearward on bottom legs; and they extend centrally enough to rest behind, without engaging, the feet of the columella. The function of the described embodiment is to improve nostril breathing. It, or a similarly functioning embodiment, assembled by incorporating nasal tubing can be used to keep nasal tubing in the nostrils and prevent such tubing from scraping the nasal walls. An embodiment of the insert can be used as comfortable nasal jewelry.

A nasal dilator with improved functionality by virtue of a resilient element comprised of at least three resilient bands, a first outer resilient band that is secured to run along the length of the nasal dilator truss member, a second outer resilient band that is spaced apart from the first resilient band and is secured to run along the length of the nasal dilator truss member and at least one intermediate resilient band positioned between said first and second outer resilient bands that is spaced apart from both first and second outer resilient bands and is also secured to run along the length of the nasal dilator truss member. The intermediate resilient band or bands alters the force vector characteristics of the nasal strip as a whole, thereby providing targeted spring force to a more concentrated area of the nose when in use.

A adjustable nasal dilator filter incorporating unique insertable symmetrical loops with electrical and mechanical design features for improving breathing, air filtration, sleep and snoring which is adjustable, self adjusting, re-useable, comfortable, safe, economical and uses no drugs or adhesives. The device consists of two symmetric polymer loops formed by a retaining tube. The, material, size, configuration, and electrical characteristics of these loops was designed to improve nasal air filtration as well as reshape and strengthen the internal nasal breathing passageways in order to provide the stated positive benefits. The interface with the nostrils and combined functionality of this device including the air filtration feature and universal adjustability makes this device unique and superior to prior art.

A nasal dilator comprises a laminate of vertically stacked layers forming a unitary, or single body, truss where each layer includes at least one member. The truss features horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages and to traverse the bridge of a nose therebetween. When in use the dilator acts to stabilize and / or expand the nasal outer wall tissues and prevent said tissues from drawing inward during breathing. Manufacturing methods produce dilator layers and / or finished nasal dilator devices efficiently at the same or lower cost as traditional methods by fabricating dilator elements in whole or part along common lines or edges. Said common lines define peripheral dimensions and form spaced apart relationships between dilator layers, members and finished dilator devices without sacrificing usable material to do so. Manufacturing steps include cutting through a fabrication laminate along lines defining at least portions of one or more layers, members, and the truss's peripheral edges. Manufacturing methods further maximize material usage by incorporating waste material into a subsequent fabrication process. Dilator embodiments further include means for providing disparate dilating force to opposing nasal passages, and means for incorporating promotional printing into the dilator fabrication process.

A nasal dilator that includes an upper resilient member for dilating the nasal valve and a lower resilient member for dilating the nostrils. The upper resilient member and lower resilient member may be attached to one another by a flexible substrate having a middle portion that is narrower in length than the upper or lower resilient members. The nasal dilator also may have adhesive tabs extending downwardly from the lower portion of the substrate on either side of the nose and towards the nostril entry, for temporary attachment to the side of the nasal vestibule to reduce nostril collapse. The nasal dilator also may include bendable or configurable hooks extending downwardly from the lower portion of the substrate and towards the nostril entrance for insertion into the nostril to reduce nostril collapse.

A nasal dilator includes a contact pad attachable to a user's facial region below the user's eye and outboard from the user's nose. A tugging device is coupled with the contact pad and urges the contact pad in a direction away from the user's nose. With this structure, effective dilation of the nasal passages can be achieved in a comfortable manner. The dilator may also be incorporated into a CPAP mask and / or form part of an automated control system.

A nasal dilator comprises a laminate of vertical layers each consisting of one or more members or components. The laminated layers form a unitary, or single body, truss featuring horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages and to traverse the bridge of a nose therebetween. When in use the dilator acts to stabilize and / or expand the nasal outer wall tissues and prevent said tissues from drawing inward during breathing. The dilator includes means to direct its resilient properties comprising one or more interior or exterior material separations, or discontinuity of shape of material, formed in at least one region of the truss and extending through at least one layer of the dilator. Said material separation or discontinuity of shape may comprise an opening, relief cut, slit or notch, and which may be configured to separate or vertically protrude, in part, from the truss when the dilator is in use on the nose of a wearer. Said separation or vertical protrusion changes the angle of focused delaminating spring biasing forces generated by the resilient layer, transforming said forces, at least in part, from primarily peel forces into primarily shear forces, and further redistributing or imparting said transformed forces to tissue engaging surface areas extending outward and beyond said material separation.

The anti-snoring invention comprises as internal nasal dilator having a combination of elements constructed and arranged to provide near-normal breathing for the wearer, while preventing the dilator from falling out of the nose, and without annoyance or discomfort for the wearer. To carry out the inventive concept, the internal dilator comprises a combination of several elements. First a V-shaped member, such as a flat spring is provided, with resilient pad means attached at each end thereof. A flexible nasal strip is then attached by the wearer at the central portion (outside bottom) of the V-shaped spring by adhesive means in one form of the invention, or by clamping means in another form; the nasal strip has two adhesive portions at or near the free unattached strip-ends. The spring-ends with the pad means are inserted by the wearer inside the two nostrils so the spring can spread the outer walls of the nose to increase the nasal opening for improved breathing. The adhesive portions at the free strip-ends are then pressed against the outer surfaces of the nose by the wearer to be attached thereto, for retaining the pad means in place inside the nose, so the spring and pad means do not fall out; the soft resilient pad means then prevent discomfort for the wearer. The used nasal strips are replaced daily for good hygiene, and the two pads are replaced once every 20-30 days.

A nasal dilator is formed as a unitary truss of laminated, vertically-stacked layers. A resilient layer provides stabilization and expansion of nasal wall outer tissues, while an adhesive layer attaches the dilator to the user's skin. Dilator component shapes are designed to facilitate manufacture with reduced material waste. Some embodiments can be assembled by the user to customize the size or configuration to personal preference.

A nasal dilator consisting of an elongated elastically flexible element of plastic material having a layer of dermocompatible adhesive material applied onto a first surface thereof at each of its ends.

A nasal dilator, having a spring force that can be activated after the dilator is applied to the nose, is described. The nasal dilator has a spring force component and an adhesive component, which together act to dilate nasal tissues to help open or keep open the nasal valve to alleviate snoring and other breathing-related disorders.

One embodiment of a nasal dilator comprises a pair of pads (100), supported by arms (110, 112) surrounding an air passage (115). Each arm has a bend portion (120) and a pad (121) that grips a wearer's septum (615). Leg portions (125, 125′) extend down from the arms and are connected by a bight that surrounds the wearer's columella (620). The dilator is installed by gripping an optional handle (130) or the bight and inserting the pads and the arms into both nostrils. The dilator is urged upward and inward until the inner side of the bight touches the wearer's columella. To remove the dilator, the user grips the handle or bight and gently pulls downward until the dilator is removed. In an alternative embodiment, optional cushions (102, 122) soften the contact points between the dilator and the user's nasal structures and can supply medications through the user's nasal membranes.

A nasal dilator strip and methods, the strip including a first layer including a cover having adhesive on a surface thereof, the cover having a first edge with a convex locating feature and a second edge opposite the first edge, the second edge being an uninterrupted edge, and a second layer having opposite surfaces, one opposite surface of the second layer being secured to the first layer, at least a portion of the other opposite surface of the second layer having adhesive to hold the two-layer nasal dilator strip in place on a user's nose, the second layer including a substantially planar resilient member, the resilient member having a constant thickness and longitudinal sides which converge from a center of the resilient member to a pair of spaced apart ends.

A nasal dilator and method of making nasal dilators are provided. The dilator may havea composite base element of at least two regions, the base element having an outer surface and an inner surface,the inner surface of the base element having a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon;the base element further including a spring element which imparts return memory into the base element so that the base element returns towards a planar conformation during use. The spring element has elastic memory effected by differential properties in the at least two regions.

A nasal dilator comprises a laminate of vertically stacked layers each comprising at least one member or component. The layers form a unitary, or single body, truss. The truss features horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages and to traverse the bridge of a nose therebetween. The dilator acts to stabilize and / or expand the nasal outer wall tissues and prevent said tissues from drawing inward during breathing. Dilator members, including components thereof, are configured to dimensional criteria suitable to engage and provide effective dilation to nasal passages, that create lateral and longitudinal registration of dilator members or components during manufacture, and that facilitate manufacture with minimal material waste. Methods of manufacture further include progressive steps that fabricate and assemble components into finished devices, including user assembly thereof. Embodiments further include a user-adjustable truss length, a truss which features a resilient member with divergent extensions and / or enlarged terminal ends, and a plurality of resilient members joined together at their end portions.

A nasal dilator includes a contact pad attachable to a user's facial region below the user's eye and outboard from the user's nose. A tugging device is coupled with the contact pad and urges the contact pad in a direction away from the user's nose. With this structure, effective dilation of the nasal passages can be achieved in a comfortable manner. The dilator may also be incorporated into a CPAP mask and / or form part of an automated control system.

A nasal dilator adapted to stretch facial skin, including a resilient layer and attachment means. The resilient layer has an equilibrium configuration and a plurality of nonequilibrium configurations. Portions of the resilient layer are disposed upon a plurality of points upon the facial skin. The facial skin may be stretched by attaching the nasal dilator in a nonequilibrium configuration to the facial skin by the attachment means and allowing the nasal dilator to stretch the facial skin as the resilient layer moves towards the equilibrium.

A device combining internal nasal filtration and internal nasal dilation operating synchronously provides air filtration by retaining particulate in a single piece foam nasal filter during inhalation through the nose. Internal nasal dilation is provided by the effect of a resilient member adhesively affixed to the nasal foam filter and which when bent from a planar surface applies outward biasing forces to each nostril so that breathing is facilitated. The soft, gentle foam of the nasal filter distributes the biasing forces over a large area and protects the inside of the nose from irritation. An improved internal nasal dilator filter functions to provide increased air flow through dilation while removing various sizes of particulate through filtration.

A nasal therapeutic system comprising a nasal dilator that prevents the outer wall tissue of the nasal passages of the nose from drawing in during breathing having a truss member with an aromatherapy means, which includes a flexible strip of material having a plurality of regions, and an intermediate segment, the regions are adapted to engage the outer wall tissue of nasal passages of the nose, wherein the intermediate segment is configured to traverse a portion of a nose located between the first and second nasal passages, and a pad can be provided to prevent and / or limit adhesion of the intermediate segment to the nose, wherein the truss member further includes resilient bands secured to the strip of material adjacent opposite edges of the intermediate segment, to stabilize the outer wall tissue and thereby prevent the outer wall tissue of the nasal passages from drawing in.

A nasal dilator comprises a laminate of vertical layers that form a unitary, or single body, truss having horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages and to traverse the bridge of a nose therebetween. When in use the dilator acts to stabilize and / or expand the nasal outer wall tissues and prevent said tissues from drawing inward during breathing. The dilator includes multiple parallel resilient members or a resilient member having a plurality of component spring fingers extending from a common center. The dilator may further include material separations, or discontinuity of shape of material, formed in at least one region of the truss and extending through at least one layer of the dilator.

The present invention integrates a decorative design element into the functional elements of a nasal dilator. The design element includes a predetermined artistic, aesthetic, shape defined by at least a portion of a periphery of at least one layer of the dilator. The nasal dilator thus may decoratively express or represent teams, programs, sports, organizations, sponsors, institutions, clubs, schools, companies, product or service brands, legal entities, individuals, etc. In use the nasal dilator stabilizes and / or expands the nasal outer wall tissues and prevents said tissues from drawing inward during breathing.

A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating forces in the nasal outer wall tissue, has a resilient member, and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which can be forced toward one another from an initial flat position of the dilator to thereby substantially reduce the direct spacing therebetween by an external spacing reducing force. This results in restoring forces in the dilator tending to return it to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. The resilient member, which is asymmetrical with respect to a centerline of the dilator that is parallel to the long axis of the dilator, has an extended surface at each end surface of the dilator which increases the adhesive surface area. The extended surface is located at each end surface of the resilient member on the side opposite the nose ala (wings) and above the alar furrow. An adhesive on the bottom surface of the resilient member adhesively engages exposed surfaces of the nasal outer wall tissues known as the lateral surface sufficiently to keep the dilator attached to the lateral wall while subjecting them to the restoring forces.

A nasal dilator comprises a laminate of vertically stacked layers each comprising at least one member or component. The layers form a unitary, or single body, truss. The truss features horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages and to traverse the bridge of a nose therebetween. The dilator acts to stabilize and / or expand the nasal outer wall tissues and prevent said tissues from drawing inward during breathing. Dilator members, including components thereof, are configured to dimensional criteria suitable to engage and provide effective dilation to nasal passages, that create lateral and longitudinal registration of dilator members or components during manufacture, and that facilitate manufacture with minimal material waste. Methods of manufacture further include progressive steps that fabricate and assemble components into finished devices, including user assembly thereof. Embodiments further include a user-adjustable truss length, a truss which features a resilient member with divergent extensions and / or enlarged terminal ends, and a plurality of resilient members joined together at their end portions.