Olfactory activator
First Claim
1. A method to stimulate appetite, for activating olfactory sensation in a person having insufficient airflow over olfactory nerves in a person'"'"'s nasal cavity to produce such sensation, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) inserting a mouthpiece of a suction device into a mouth of a person,b) activating said suction device to draw air inwardly through a nose of a person and outwardly through a person'"'"'s mouth through said mouthpiece,thereby accordingly drawing air and air born aromas over a person'"'"'s olfactory nerves in a person'"'"'s nasal cavity to stimulate olfactory sensation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for activating olfactory senses by drawing air and air-born aroma across the olfactory nerves. Creating airflow to activate olfactory sensation by pulling air and aromas over the olfactory nerves is accomplished by drawing air out throw a patient'"'"'s mouth. Since the oral cavity and the nasal cavity are connected, this effectively draws air through the a person'"'"'s nose in a manner simulative of natural breathing. A device has a mouthpiece with an air conduit therethrough, and a mechanism for drawing air through the mouthpiece. The mechanism may be an impeller driven by a motor, which may be locally powered by batteries. A filter may be provided in the mouthpiece or interposed between the mouthpiece and the air drawing mechanism to catch saliva drawn through the mouthpiece. The method and device allows patients with insufficient airflow, such as due to a tracheotomy, to experience olfactory sensations. These sensations, namely smell and taste, improve appetite and overall quality of life.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method to stimulate appetite, for activating olfactory sensation in a person having insufficient airflow over olfactory nerves in a person'"'"'s nasal cavity to produce such sensation, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) inserting a mouthpiece of a suction device into a mouth of a person, b) activating said suction device to draw air inwardly through a nose of a person and outwardly through a person'"'"'s mouth through said mouthpiece, thereby accordingly drawing air and air born aromas over a person'"'"'s olfactory nerves in a person'"'"'s nasal cavity to stimulate olfactory sensation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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- 6. A device for stimulating appetite by activating olfactory sensation in a person having insufficient airflow over olfactory nerves in a person'"'"'s nasal cavity to produce such sensation, said device comprising a mouthpiece having a conduit therethrough and suction means in communication with said conduit for drawing air in through a nose of a person and outwardly through a person'"'"'s mouth through said mouthpiece and accordingly drawing air and air born aromas over a person'"'"'s olfactory nerves in a nasal cavity.
Specification