Nose clip

• US 10,188,812 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2015
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dean M. Toriumi
• Original Assignee: Dean M. Toriumi
• Inventors: Toriumi, Dean M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, (Jackie) Tan-Uyen T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boecker, Joseph D
• Application Number:
  US14/816,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20150335462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 63 12, 63 13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/08 Devices for correcting deformities of the nose ; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/08 Inhaling devices inserted into the nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/085 Fixing means therefor

Abstract

A nose clip includes an outer support member adapted to contact an outside surface of a nose; a bridge connected at a first end to the outer support member; and an inner support member connected to a second end of the bridge and adapted to be inserted into the nostril and to contact an inner surface of the nostril. When inserted, tension generated between the outer support member and the inner support member causes lateral movement of a surface within the nostril and opens a nasal airway. Additionally, the inner support can be curved to create an outward movement of the lateral wall of the nose. This in turn enables improved breathing. The nose clip may be made of a malleable material. The inner support member may include extensions that are malleable. The inner support members may be bent so that they create a convex contour of an interior surface of the nasal cavity. A different embodiment of the nose clip can be used to deliver drugs via a fluid filled cavity and porous surface that allows evaporation of the fluid and drug into the nasal cavity as air is drawn over the inner support member.

Claims

1. A nose clip for clipping to a nose, the nose clip comprising:

an outer support member configured to overlay a contour of an outside surface of the nose;

a pin connected to the outer support member and configured to pierce a side of the nose;

an inner support member configured to engage the pin and press against an outer lateral sidewall of the nasal cavity and distribute a force against the outer lateral sidewall to shape a contour of the outer lateral sidewall of the nasal cavity of the nose, wherein in a longitudinal direction, the inner support member follows a portion of an inner circumference of the nasal cavity defined between the outer lateral sidewall and the nasal septum; and

the outer support member, inner support member and pin member cooperating to increase a width of the nasal cavity to allow more air to flow through the nasal cavity.

2. The nose clip according to claim 1, further comprising jewelry attached to an outer surface of the outer support member.