Apparatus and method for inhibiting nasal secretions
First Claim
1. A method for inhibiting nasal secretions, comprising the steps of placing in the oral cavity of the user on opposite sides of the frenulum and beneath the philtrum a pair of electrodes, and generating and applying to said electrodes a stimulating signal, wherein, said step of generating a stimulating signal is performed by generating a series of positive pulses having pulse widths of about one second, and spacing said pulses by about one second.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for inhibiting nasal secretions by selective neural stimulation applies an electrical signal to a selected neurally sensitive area of the oral cavity. A method for inhibiting nasal secretions includes the steps of applying an electrical signal to a neurally sensitive area in the oral cavity, such as on opposite sides of the frenulum and beneath the philtrum.
52 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A method for inhibiting nasal secretions, comprising the steps of placing in the oral cavity of the user on opposite sides of the frenulum and beneath the philtrum a pair of electrodes, and generating and applying to said electrodes a stimulating signal, wherein, said step of generating a stimulating signal is performed by generating a series of positive pulses having pulse widths of about one second, and spacing said pulses by about one second.
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4. Apparatus for inhibiting nasal secretions by selective neural stimulation, comprising:
- a pair of means for placement beneath the upper lip of a user of the apparatus and adjacent to the philtrum;
hand-holdable mounting means coupled to said electrode means for supporting said electrode means and spacing said electrodes relative to each other, the spacing of said electrode means being such as to facilitate placement of said electrode means at respective opposite side of the frenulum, and an electrical signal generator electrically coupled to said electrode means, said electrode means and portions of said mounting means being selectively placeable in the oral cavity of a user so as to apply a signal generated by said signal generator to the region of the oral cavity beneath the upper lip of a user adjacent to the philtrum and on opposite sides of the frenulum. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- a pair of means for placement beneath the upper lip of a user of the apparatus and adjacent to the philtrum;
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14. For use in apparatus for inhibiting nasal secretions by selective neural stimulation comprising a signal generator and electrode means for applying to a user a signal generated by said signal generator, said electrode means comprising:
- a spaced pair of electrodes shaped for placement beneath the upper lip of a user of the apparatus adjacent to the philtrum, mounting means coupled to said electrodes for supporting said electrodes and spacing said electrodes relative to each other, said mounting means comprising support members coupled to respective electrodes of said pair, means coupled to and interconnecting said support members to maintain said respective electrodes and said rod members in spaced relation with respect to each other, the spacing of said electrodes being such as to facilitate placement of said electrodes at respective opposite sides of the frenulum of a user, and electrical connector means operatively associated with said last-mentioned means for selectively electrically coupling said electrodes to a signal generator.
Specification