NOSE CLIP

• US 20150335462A1
• Filed: 08/03/2015
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dean M. Toriumi
• Original Assignee: Dean M. Toriumi
• Inventors: Toriumi, Dean M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,188,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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;

an inner support member configured to fit to a contour of the inner surface of a nasal cavity of the nose, said inner support member being shaped to distribute a force against the inner surface;

a bridge member connected between the outer support and the inner support member, the bridge member positioned around an outer edge portion of a rim of a nostril, the outer support member, inner support member and bridge 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, wherein the bridge is made of a malleable material.

3. The nose clip according to claim 1, further comprising inner support member extensions extending from the inner support member adapted to create an outward contour of the inner surface of the nostril.

4. The nose clip according to claim 3, wherein the inner support member extensions are made of a malleable material.

5. The nose clip according to claim 1, wherein the outer support member, bridge, and inner support member are made of a malleable material surrounded by a plastic material.

6. The nose clip according to claim 1, wherein the outer support member is defined by a loop that is open in a center region.

7. The nose clip according to claim 1, wherein the outer support member, bridge, and inner support member are sized to fit different size noses.

8. The nose clip according to claim 1, further comprising a logo printed on the outer support member.

9. The nose clip according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow region between first and second surfaces of the inner support member defining a drug-dispensing portion for storage of drugs, at least one of the first and second surfaces includes one or more perforations for dispensing drugs into a nasal airway.

10. The nose clip according to claim 9, further comprising a hollow region defined between first and second surfaces on the outer support member for storage of drugs.

11. The nose clip according to claim 10, further comprising a channel defined in the bridge that allows for fluid communication of drugs stored in the hollow region of the outer support member to the drug-dispensing portion.

12. The nose clip according to claim 9, further comprising a bulb and tubing that allows for fluid communication of drugs stored in the bulb to the drug dispensing portion.

13. The nose clip according to claim 1, further comprising support member extensions extending from the drug-dispensing portion adapted to follow a contour of the inner surface of the nasal airway.

14. A method for improving airflow in the nasal airway, the method comprising:

positioning a bridge member of a nose clip around an outer edge portion of a rim of a nostril;

positioning an outer support member of the nose clip against an outside surface of the nose; and

positioning an inner support member of the nose clip against the lateral sidewall of the nasal cavity, the inner support member being configured to reshape a lateral sidewall of the nasal cavity,

wherein spring force between the inner support member and the outer support member operates to increase a width of the nasal cavity so that airflow through the nasal cavity is increased.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising bending inner support member extensions extending from the inner support member so that the inner support member extensions create a contour of the inner surface of the nostril that is convex and bent outwardly.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising printing artwork on the outer support member.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising defining a hollow region between first and second surfaces of the inner support member for storage of drugs, at least one of the first and second surfaces includes one or more perforations for dispensing drugs into a nasal airway.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising communicating drugs from a bulb to the inner support member via a tube.

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

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

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

an inner support member adapted to engage the pin and to fit to a contour of the inner surface of a nasal cavity of the nose, said inner support member being shaped to distribute a force against the inner surface; 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.

20. The nose clip according to claim 19, further comprising jewelry attached to an outer surface of the outer support member.