Method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion

• US 20090056709A1
• Filed: 09/05/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maya Worsoff
• Original Assignee: Maya Worsoff
• Inventors: Worsoff, Maya
• Granted Patent: US 8,088,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.240
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/405 Brush used for purposes that are not conventional brushing, e.g. holder or support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of treatments for nasal congestion, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient by mechanically stimulating the sneezing reflex in the patient to urge drainage of the nasal passageways. The method includes inserting an instrument having a work tip portion provided with at least one filament into the nostril of the patient. The nasal mucosa of the patient is then probed with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex. This probing action causes the patient to sneeze. With the patient'"'"'s mouth closed, the sneeze urges at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient. The instrument used in the performance of this method includes a handle portion upon which the work tip portion is carried. The handle portion may be integrally formed with the work tip portion or releasably attachable thereto. The instrument is further provided with a physical stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion to prevent injury resulting from the working tip portion being inserted too deeply into the nasal passages of the patient.

Claims

1. A method for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient, the method comprising:

inserting an instrument into the nostril of the patient, the instrument having a work tip portion provided with at least one filament;

probing the nasal mucosa of the patient with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex; and

causing the patient to sneeze with the patient'"'"'s mouth closed to urge at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 further including clearing the patient'"'"'s nasal passages of mucus and debris prior to inserting the instrument into the nostril of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the instrument includes a handle portion and the work tip portion is releasably attachable to the handle portion; and

the method further includes attaching the work tip portion to the handle portion prior to inserting the instrument into the nostril of the patient.

4. The method of claim 1 further including one of cleaning and sterilizing the work tip portion prior to inserting the instrument into the nostril of the patient.

5. The method of claim 1 further including moistening the at least one filament of the work tip portion prior to inserting the instrument into the nostril of the patient.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inserting includes inserting the instrument into the nostril of the patient with the patient'"'"'s head inclined forward.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein further including repeating the steps of inserting, probing and causing until such time as breathing through the nostril has improved.

8. The method of claim 7 further including drying out the patient'"'"'s nasal passages after performing the repeating step.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of drying includes applying saline solution to the nasal mucosa of the patient.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the nostril is a first nostril; and

the method further includes;

inserting the instrument into the second nostril of the patient;

probing the nasal mucosa of the patient with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex; and

causing the patient to sneeze while maintaining the patient'"'"'s mouth shut to urge at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of inserting and probing are performed on the patient by a caregiver.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of inserting and probing are performed on the patient by the patient himself/herself.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient is human.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the patient is an animal.

15. An instrument for insertion into the nostril of a patient for probing the nasal mucosa of a patient to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex, the instrument comprising:

a handle portion for gripping the instrument;

a work tip portion carried on the handle portion, the work tip portion having at least one filament; and

a stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion, the stop being configured to limit insertion of the work tip portion into the nasal passages of the patient to thereby mitigate the risk of impalement injury.

16. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the work tip portion is integrally formed with the handle portion.

17. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the work tip portion is releasably attached to the handle portion.

18. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the work tip portion is intended for single use.

19. The instrument of claim 18 wherein the handle portion has a generally cylindrical body provided with a proximal end and a distal end, the work tip portion is mounted to the proximal end of the handle portion.

20. The instrument of claim 18 wherein the at least one filament is mounted to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

21. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the handle portion is fabricated from one of plastic, rubber or stainless steel.

22. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the work tip portion includes a filament retaining portion to which is secured the at least one filament.

23. The instrument of claim 22 wherein the at least one filament includes a plurality of filaments arranged in a tuft;

the tuft being secured to the filament retaining portion.

24. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the at least one filament measures between about ¼

inch and 1½

inch.

25. The instrument of claim 24 wherein the at least one filament measures between about ½

inch and 1 inch.

26. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the at least one filament is chosen from the group consisting of a synthetic fiber and a natural fiber.

27. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the at least one filament is a natural fiber and the natural fiber is selected from the group consisting of human hair and animal hair.

28. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the stop is provided on the work tip portion.

29. The instrument of claim 28 wherein the stop is integrally formed with the work tip portion.

30. The instrument of claim 28 wherein:

the work tip portion includes a filament retaining portion to which is secured the at least one filament; and

the stop is defined by a flange projecting outwardly from the filament retaining portion, the flange being sized larger than the nostril of a patient.

31. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the stop is provided on the handle portion.

32. The instrument of claim 31 wherein the stop is formed on the proximal end of the handle portion.

33. An instrument for insertion into the nostril of a patient for probing the nasal mucosa of a patient to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex, the instrument comprising:

a handle portion for gripping the instrument;

a work tip portion mountable on the handle portion, the work tip portion having at least one filament; and

a stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion, the stop being configured to limit insertion of the work tip portion into the nasal passages of the patient to thereby mitigate the risk of impalement injury.