Nasal congestion, obstruction relief, and drug delivery
First Claim
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1. A nasal insert for insertion into a nostril of a user to improve airflow through the user'"'"'s nasal passages, comprising:
- a circular first end defining a first circular opening having a first diameter;
a second end defining a second opening having a second diameter that, when the nasal insert is in an unflexed state, is larger than the first diameter;
a passage defined between the first and second ends;
a central axis extending through the passage between the first and second ends;
a side wall connecting the first and second ends and tapering outwardly from the first diameter to the larger second diameter;
a length from the second end to the first end that is sufficient to extend from an opening to a nasal valve in the nostril of the user;
a plurality of passages formed through the side wall, the passages being elongated in the direction of the central axis; and
a break formed in the second end, the break being aligned with one of the plurality of passages formed in the side wall while leaving the first end intact, the break increasing the flexibility of the second end;
wherein the circular first end of the nasal insert is sized to, and sufficiently stiff to, alter the anatomy of the user'"'"'s nasal valve.
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Abstract
A nasal insert may include a wall in the shape of a tube, the wall including a first end defining a first orifice and a second end defining a second orifice. The first end may have a diameter, diagonal measurement, or cross-sectional area larger than that of the second end. The first end may define at least one break in the wall, so that the first end incompletely encircles the first orifice. The second end may completely encircle the second orifice.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A nasal insert for insertion into a nostril of a user to improve airflow through the user'"'"'s nasal passages, comprising:
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a circular first end defining a first circular opening having a first diameter; a second end defining a second opening having a second diameter that, when the nasal insert is in an unflexed state, is larger than the first diameter; a passage defined between the first and second ends; a central axis extending through the passage between the first and second ends; a side wall connecting the first and second ends and tapering outwardly from the first diameter to the larger second diameter; a length from the second end to the first end that is sufficient to extend from an opening to a nasal valve in the nostril of the user; a plurality of passages formed through the side wall, the passages being elongated in the direction of the central axis; and a break formed in the second end, the break being aligned with one of the plurality of passages formed in the side wall while leaving the first end intact, the break increasing the flexibility of the second end; wherein the circular first end of the nasal insert is sized to, and sufficiently stiff to, alter the anatomy of the user'"'"'s nasal valve. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for increasing airflow through a user'"'"'s nasal passages, comprising:
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(a) inserting a first end of nasal insert into a user'"'"'s nostril, the nasal insert having a substantially frustoconical shape and including; a circular first end defining a first circular opening having a first diameter; a second end defining a second opening having a second diameter that, when the nasal insert is in an unflexed state, is larger than the first diameter; a passage defined between the first and second ends; a central axis extending through the passage between the first and second ends; a side wall connecting the first and second ends and tapering outwardly from the first diameter to the larger second diameter; a length from the second end to the first end that is sufficient to extend from an opening to a nasal valve in the nostril of the user; a plurality of passages formed in the side wall, the passages being elongated in the direction of the central axis; and a break formed in the second end, the break being aligned with one of the plurality of passages formed in the side wall while leaving the first end intact, the break increasing the flexibility of the second end; wherein the circular first end of the nasal insert is sized to, and is sufficiently stiff to, alter the anatomy of the user'"'"'s nasal valve; (b) flexing the nasal insert, at least about the break formed in the second end in order to ease insertion; and (c) continuing to insert the nasal insert into the user'"'"'s nostril at least until the circular first end reaches the nasal valve to thereby alter the patient'"'"'s anatomy to improve airflow through the user'"'"'s nasal passages. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification