INTERNAL NOSTRIL OR NASAL AIRWAY SIZING GAUGE

• US 20090062694A1
• Filed: 08/25/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanostec Corp.
• Original Assignee: Sanostec Corp.
• Inventors: MacDonald, Louise
• Granted Patent: US 7,998,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

Methods of sizing a nasal airway by using certain measurements of digits.

Claims

1. A method of sizing a nasal airway comprising:

so pressing a distal portion of a digit of a hand against a resilient, flat surface, such that flesh of the distal portion of the digit spreads laterally on the surface;

measuring the digit'"'"'s width at a digit measuring level, the measuring level being the widest part of the digit distal to a distal-most interphalangeal joint of the digit; and

identifying a nasal airway size as that size which correlates most closely to the digit'"'"'s width as measured at the digit measuring level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the digit is a thumb.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple overlaid width sizing lines corresponding to widths different from one another are marked on the surface, the digit is pressed against the surface where the lines are marked, and the nasal airway size is identified as correlating to the sizing line indicating the narrowest width that is not obscured by the digit.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a proximal-distal line is marked on the surface, relative to which the sizing lines are marked, and the method further comprises positioning the digit relative to the proximal-distal line.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sizing lines are positioned so that they are centered on the proximal-distal line, and the digit is positioned so that it is centered on the proximal-distal line.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the sizing lines are all positioned to one side of the proximal-distal line, and the method further comprises positioning the digit so that the flesh at the digit measuring level extends to the proximal-distal line.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising a base line orthogonal to the proximal-distal line, and the method further comprises positioned the digit relative to the base line.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the digit is positioned so that the digit measuring level overlies the base line.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the digit is positioned so that the distal-most interphalangeal joint overlies the base line.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising measuring a digit length from the base line to a distal tip of the digit.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the digit is a fifth digit.

12. A method of sizing a nasal airway comprising:

providing a card in which has been formed holes of various sizes that are shaped to approximate a digit cross-section;

inserting a digit into one or more of the holes; and

identifying a nasal airway size as that size which correlates most closely to the smallest of the holes through which the digit can be inserted no further than the digit'"'"'s nail base.

inserting a digit through a sizing hole formed in a resilient, flat sheet

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the digit is a thumb.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the digit is a fifth digit.