Nasal band and method for improved breathing
First Claim
1. A nasal band, comprising:
- a flexible nasal dilator for extending above a tip of a nose;
said flexible nasal dilator having a lower end comprising a base for detachably engaging the tip of the nose and upper end positioned in registration with and operatively connected to said base for detachably engaging a portion of a patient'"'"'s face above the tip of the nose; and
said upper end cooperating with said base for lifting the tip of the nose to enlarge the patient'"'"'s nostrils and decrease nasal resistance so as to enhance breathing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A user friendly nasal band and method are provided which lifts up the tip of the nose, enlarges the nostrils and shortens the effective length of the nasal passageways. The light weight nasal band provides a comfortable sleep band and dilator strip which improves sleep and makes breathing easier for many patients. Advantageously, the sleep band and method also reduces or eliminates snoring for many patients. This is accomplished by improving the nasal airway. An improved nasal airway minimizes mouth breathing which prevents vibration of the palate, tongue, and pharyngeal walls thus reducing the noise of snoring. Air passing through the mouth during sleep causes vibration of the relaxed tongue, palate, and pharyngeal wall resulting in the noise of snoring. The nasal band also provides an attractive sports band which minimizes collapse of the nasal sidewalls during jogging or other strenuous exercise so that athletes can continue to breathe through their nose rather than breather through their open mouth. The nasal band is preferably worn vertically and stretches along the bridge of the nose from the tip of the nose to the upper part of the nasal bridge or forehead. The nasal band can comprise a waterproof adhesive tape with a lower tip portion, a bridge portion, and a top portion.
177 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A nasal band, comprising:
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a flexible nasal dilator for extending above a tip of a nose; said flexible nasal dilator having a lower end comprising a base for detachably engaging the tip of the nose and upper end positioned in registration with and operatively connected to said base for detachably engaging a portion of a patient'"'"'s face above the tip of the nose; and said upper end cooperating with said base for lifting the tip of the nose to enlarge the patient'"'"'s nostrils and decrease nasal resistance so as to enhance breathing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for improved breathing, comprising the steps of:
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detachably securing a lower end of a flexible nasal band to the tip of a nose; lifting the tip of the nose with said nasal band with sufficient force to enlarge the cross-sectional area of the anterior nares providing increased inlet nasal openings for increased air flow and capacity without the use of wire, springs, metal or rods; and detachably securing an upper end of said nasal band above the tip of the nose. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A nasal band, comprising:
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a flexible composite elongated nasal dilator for positioning upwardly and lengthwise along a bridge of a nose, said flexible composite elongated nasal dilator comprising an upper membrane layer comprising flexible nasal tape with a front exterior surface and back surface; an intermediate adhesive layer comprising a self-sticking adhesive coating disposed on a substantial portion of said back surface of said flexible tape for detachably securing said flexible tape to said nose; a lower peelable layer comprising at least one removable strip detachably covering said adhesive layer; said flexible composite elongated nasal dilator comprising a lower end providing a base comprising a flexible tip portion having a shape substantially similar, complementing and conforming to a substantial portion of the tip of the nose for detachably engaging and securing attaching to the tip of the said nose, said tip portion having upwardly flared concave sections providing curved edges for positioning adjacent to but not blocking anterior nares of the nose; an upper end providing an upper enlarged anchor section comprising a flexible forehead portion for detachably engaging and securing attaching to a forehead above the nose, said forehead section being substantially positioned in upright alignment with and above said tip portion; an elongated intermediate central connecting section providing a bight comprising an upright flexible bridge portion extending between and integrally connecting said tip portion and said forehead portion, said bridge portion extending substantially along the entire length of a bridge of the nose, said bridge portion defining an upright crossbar for detachably connecting and securing attaching to the bridge of the nose, said bridge portion spanning a width narrower than said tip portion, forehead portion and nasal sidewalls comprising a margin covering upper nasal cartilage adjacent the bridge and alae nasi providing outer flared cartilaginous walls of the nostrils, to avoid completely covering the margin of the nasal sidewalls and contacting the cheeks; and said forehead portion, bridge portion and tip portion cooperating with each other and having sufficient compressive strength for lifting the tip of the nose to enlarge the anterior nares providing the inlet nasal openings of the nostrils, shortening the effective length of the nasal passageways, thickening the nasal sidewalls, and decreasing nasal air resistance, to substantially enhance breathing, diminish nasal sidewall collapse and reduce snoring. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification