Internal nasal dilator and medicine delivery method

• US 7,461,651 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brown Innovations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thomas Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R
• Assistant Examiner(s): OSTRUP, CLINTON T
• Application Number:
  US11/111,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20060185676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.26, 128/206.11, 128/204.12, 128/206.12, 128/206.18, 128/206.27, 128/207.13, 128/207.18, 128/848, 128/200.24, 128/203.12, 128/203.22, 128/205.27, 128/205.29, 128/206.16, 606/198, 606/199, 606/204.45, 604/93.01, 604/94.01, 604/48
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/08 Devices for correcting deformities of the nose ; Devices for enlarging the nostril, e.g. for breathing improvement

Abstract

A method of making an internal nasal apparatus (10) configured to retain and deliver a quantity of compound within the nose of a user over a minimum period.

Claims

1. A method of making an internal nasal apparatus for retaining and delivering a solid compound within a nose of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining the internal nasal apparatus having a delivery element configured to be inserted within the nose of the user;

(b) providing a mold cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the delivery element and the compound;

(c) positioning the at least a portion of the delivery element within the mold cavity;

(d) heating the compound past its melting point;

(e) introducing the heated compound into the mold cavity;

(f) allowing the compound to re-solidify and adhere to the at least a portion of the delivery element; and

(g) removing the at least a portion of the delivery element from the mold cavity once the compound has re-solidified and adhered.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein steps (a) through (g) are performed sequentially.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of exposing the compound to a cooling source in order to accelerate resolidification of the compound.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, said apparatus further having a holding element configured to apply a holding force to the nose of the user, so as to secure the apparatus in a fixed position, wherein said delivery element is located within the nose of the user.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound releases into an airflow within the nose.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compound functions to extract a material from an airflow within the nose.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further including the steps of applying a primer on said portion, so as to increase a connection strength between the compound and portion.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further including the steps of applying a releasing agent on the mold, so as to decrease a connection strength between the compound and mold.

9. A method of making an internal nasal apparatus for locating a compound within a nose of a user, wherein the compound is released over time into an airflow within the nose, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining the internal nasal apparatus having a delivery element configured to be inserted within the nose of the user;

(b) providing a mold cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the delivery element and the compound;

(c) positioning the at least a portion of the delivery element within the mold cavity;

(d) heating the compound past its melting point;

(e) introducing the heated compound into the mold cavity;

(f) allowing the compound to re-solidify and adhere to the at least a portion of the delivery element; and

(g) removing the at least a portion of the delivery element from the mold cavity once the compound has re-solidified and adhered.

10. A method of making an internal nasal apparatus for locating a compound within a nose of a user, wherein the compound is released over time into an airflow within the nose, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining the internal nasal apparatus having a delivery element configured to be inserted within the nose of the user;

(b) providing a mold cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the delivery element and the compound;

(c) positioning the at least a portion of the delivery element within the mold cavity;

(d) applying a primer on the at least a portion of the delivery element, so as to increase a connection strength between the compound and portion;

(e) heating the compound past its melting point;

(f) introducing the heated compound into the mold cavity;

(g) allowing the compound to re-solidify and adhere to the at least a portion of the delivery element; and

(h) removing the at least a portion of the delivery element from the mold cavity once the compound has re-solidified and adhered.