Method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion
First Claim
1. A method for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient, the method comprising:
- providing an instrument for insertion into the nostril of a patient for probing the nasal mucosa of a patient, the instrument having;
a handle portion for gripping the instrument;
a work tip portion carried on the handle portion, the work tip portion provided with a tuft of bristles; and
a stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion, the stop being configured to limit insertion of the work tip portion into the nasal passages of the patient to thereby mitigate the risk of impalement injury;
while the head of the patient is bent forward, inserting the tuft of bristles into the nostril of the patient no further than the stop;
probing the nasal mucosa of the patient with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex; and
causing the patient to sneeze with the patient'"'"'s mouth closed to urge at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to the field of treatments for nasal congestion, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient by mechanically stimulating the sneezing reflex in the patient to urge drainage of the nasal passageways. The method includes inserting an instrument having a work tip portion provided with at least one filament into the nostril of the patient. The nasal mucosa of the patient is then probed with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex. This probing action causes the patient to sneeze. With the patient'"'"'s mouth closed, the sneeze urges at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient. The instrument used in the performance of this method includes a handle portion upon which the work tip portion is carried. The handle portion may be integrally formed with the work tip portion or releasably attachable thereto. The instrument is further provided with a physical stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion to prevent injury resulting from the working tip portion being inserted too deeply into the nasal passages of the patient.
35 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method for alleviating nasal congestion in a patient, the method comprising:
-
providing an instrument for insertion into the nostril of a patient for probing the nasal mucosa of a patient, the instrument having; a handle portion for gripping the instrument; a work tip portion carried on the handle portion, the work tip portion provided with a tuft of bristles; and a stop associated with one of the work tip portion and the handle portion, the stop being configured to limit insertion of the work tip portion into the nasal passages of the patient to thereby mitigate the risk of impalement injury; while the head of the patient is bent forward, inserting the tuft of bristles into the nostril of the patient no further than the stop; probing the nasal mucosa of the patient with the at least one filament to stimulate in the patient the sneeze reflex; and causing the patient to sneeze with the patient'"'"'s mouth closed to urge at least one of mucus, fluid and debris in the nasal passages of the patient to be forcibly expelled through the nostrils of the patient thereby draining the nasal cavity of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification