Nasal breathing apparatus and methods

• US 6,561,188 B1
• Filed: 08/21/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan D. Ellis
• Original Assignee: Alan D. Ellis
• Inventors: Ellis, Alan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MITAL B
• Application Number:
  US09/643,022
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.18, 128/204.18, 128/203.22, 128/200.26, 128/848-867, 128/206.11, 128/204.12, 128/204.13
• US Class Current: 128/206.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/105 Filters A61M16/047, A61M16/22 take precedence; water traps A61M16/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0262 manually, e.g. by squeezing a bulb
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 23/06 Nose filters

Abstract

The apparatus is configured to provide improved nasal breathing to persons requiring a range of respiratory based remedies ranging from opening collapsed nasal passages to treating allergic reaction to delivery of immediate dosage or controlled release medication. The apparatus includes connected nasal inserts which provide nodules to open the nasal passage and which directly align with the nasal air channel. For a preferred embodiment which provides a means to delivery of breathable gas mixtures or nasal and sinus rinse solutions, the inserts contain cannula which receive and connect to the source of the gas or rinse. For another embodiment using filtration, the inserts receive disposable filtration pacs. Sustained release of predetermined medical dosages is obtained by a further embodiment wherein the inserts receive medication inserts.

Claims

1. An improved nasal breathing device comprising:

a nasal insert which serves to open collapsed nasal breathing passages while replicating the utilitarian function of the natural nasal air channel of the nostril and which further comprises;

semi-rigid polymeric dual cylindrical nasal inserts each comprising a dome end having an anterior end, a posterior end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, and an open annular flanged end having an anterior end, a posterior end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, and which open annular flanged end is adapted to form a seal with the lower external portion of the nostril, and a cavity located between the dome end and the open annular flanged end;

a rigid polymeric nodule affixed to the anterior exterior of each nasal insert dome end, and which is adapted to engage the nasal tissue to lift the tissue away from the natural nasal air channel;

an elliptical opening in the posterior of each nasal insert dome end aligned with the natural nasal air channel;

a rigid polymeric cannula having two ends longitudinally affixed to the posterior interior of each nasal insert open annular flanged end with one cannula end aligned with the open annular flanged end and the other cannula end aligned with the elliptical opening; and

a rigid elongated flex affixed to the posterior exterior of each nasal insert open annular flanged end, the rigid elongated flex serving to insert, position, seal, align and secure the nasal inserts within the nostrils and to remove the inserts from the nostrils.

2. The nasal breathing device of claim 1 further comprising means for delivering breathable gas mixtures to the nose through the rigid polymeric cannula.

3. The nasal breathing device of claim 1 further comprising means for delivering a nasal rinse solution to the nose through the rigid polymeric cannula.

9. The nasal breathing device according to either of claims 1 or 4 wherein the rigid elongated flex further comprises means for displaying embossed logos.

10. The nasal breathing device according to either of claims 1 or 4 wherein the rigid elongated flex further comprises means for attaching jewelry.

11. The nasal breathing device according to either of claims 1 or 4 wherein the rigid elongated flex further comprises means for attaching gems.

12. A method for inhaling a breathable mixture of gas according to a prescribed application comprising:

inserting the nasal breathing apparatus of claim 2 into the nostrils;

affixing the nasal breathing apparatus to means for supplying breathable air;

turning on the means for supplying breathable air;

adjusting the air flow on the means for supplying breathable air to suit the prescribed application;

inhaling the air flow from the means for supplying breathable air through the nostrils; and

exhaling through the mouth.

13. A method for rinsing the sinus cavities according to a prescribed application comprising:

inserting the nasal breathing apparatus of claim 3 into the nostrils;

affixing the nasal breathing apparatus to means for supplying a nasal rinse solution;

turning on the means for supplying a nasal rinse solution;

adjusting the flow on the means for supplying a nasal rinse solution to suit the prescribed application;

inhaling the rinse solution into the sinuses from the means for supplying a nasal rinse solution through the nostrils; and

expectorating the rinse solution through the mouth.

4. An improved nasal breathing device comprising:

a nasal insert which serves to open collapsed nasal breathing passages while replicating the utilitarian function of the natural nasal air channel of the nostril and which further comprises;

semi-rigid polymeric dual cylindrical nasal inserts each comprising a dome end having an anterior end, a posterior end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, and an open annular flanged end having an anterior end, a posterior end, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, and which open annular flanged end is adapted to form a seal with the lower external portion of the nostril, and a cavity located between the dome end and the open annular flanged end;

a rigid polymeric nodule affixed to the anterior exterior of each nasal insert dome end, and which is adapted to engage the nasal tissue to lift the tissue away from the natural nasal air channel;

an elliptical opening in the posterior of each nasal insert dome end aligned with the natural nasal air channel;

internally fitted means disposed within the nasal insert to filter nasally inhaled air; and

a rigid elongated flex affixed to the posterior exterior of each nasal insert open annular flanged end, the rigid elongated flex serving to insert, position, seal, align and secure the nasal inserts within the nostrils and to remove the inserts from the nostrils.

5. The nasal breathing device of claim 4 wherein the internally fitted means disposed within the nasal insert to filter nasally inhaled air further comprises:

a cylindrical plug insert having an external micron fiber layer, a middle charcoal filter layer, and an internal timed release anti-histamine layer, an anterior end, a posterior end, a plug dome end and a plug open annular end, and a cavity located between the plug dome end and the plug open annular end;

an elliptical opening in the posterior of the plug nasal insert plug dome end aligned with the elliptical opening in the posterior end of the nasal insert dome; and

means for interconnecting the plug assembly to the nasal insert open annular, flanged end.

6. The nasal breathing device of claim 4 wherein each nasal insert to filter nasally inhaled air further comprises internally fitted means disposed within the cylindrical nasal insert to deliver medication.

7. The nasal breathing device of claim 6 wherein the internally fitted means disposed within the cylindrical nasal insert to deliver medication further comprises a synthetic fiber disc membrane bonded to a dissolvable layer containing chitosan.

8. The nasal breathing device of claim 6 wherein the internally fitted means disposed within the nasal insert to deliver medication further comprises a cap comprising a center and containing a plurality of holes concentrically located around the center of the cap in three varying radiuses providing concentric rings of holes, each hole in the center concentric ring of the holes being twice the diameter of each hole of the inner radius and half the diameter of each hole of the outer radius, the cap communicating with and connectedly disposed within the open annular end.