HK1113098B - Apparatus and method for facilitating the transmission of vapour particles directly into a nasal passage - Google Patents

Description

Device and method for facilitating the direct delivery of gaseous particles into a nasal passage

Technical Field

The present invention relates to devices and methods for facilitating the delivery of gaseous particles directly into the nasal passages.

Background

Aromatherapy is the use of treated botanical flavors as essential oils for use in contributing to therapy (e.g., achieving balance in the human body, enhancing the immune system, preventing or minimizing disease, calming nerves, increasing attention span, etc.). It is not advisable to generalize aromatherapy to rely on olfaction alone. This is because each essential oil has a unique combination of ingredients that interact with the body. It is this interaction with these ingredients that provides a beneficial effect to the body.

Currently, well-known techniques for aromatherapy are:

● massaging essential oils to the desired body part(s);

● Hot/Cold compress (compress): applying the compress to the desired body part(s) with the addition of an appropriate amount of essential oil to the compress maintained at the preferred temperature;

● essential oils are inhaled by vaporizing the oil with hot water in a basin or bowl;

● essential oils are inhaled by vaporizing the oil using a fragrance burner;

● bathing under the condition of adding a few drops of essential oil into water;

● direct inhalation of an absorbent material to which a few drops of essential oils are added.

It is generally accepted that direct inhalation of essential oils is the best way to obtain the benefits of aromatherapy. The vaporization methods mentioned above do not maximize the amount of essential oils that are vaporized and thus inhaled. When this method is used, there is a great waste of essential oils. Thus, the amount of essential oil required must be increased, thereby resulting in increased costs. Unfortunately, in order to make aromatherapy more economical, impure essential oils are used which add synthetic ingredients. Such habits are often harmful to health due to inhalation of synthetic substances.

Furthermore, nasal inhalation has a faster effect than oral inhalation or dermal compresses involving digestion, since the active ingredient reaches the lungs directly and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream in the lungs.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a device for facilitating the direct delivery of gaseous particles into a nasal passage, comprising: at least one structural member; and at least one absorbent member located at each end of the at least one structural member for containing a liquid that can evaporate to form the gaseous particles. Preferably, the at least one structural member further comprises at least two protrusions located at intermediate positions between said ends of said at least one structural member.

Preferably, the at least one absorbent member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: sponges, textiles, cotton, paper, wood, absorbent polymers, and the like. More preferably, the structural member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers, and the like. The structural member may preferably be coated with a material selected from the group consisting of: PVC, silicon, latex, vinyl, nitrile, synthetic polymers, and the like.

Preferably, the at least one absorbent member is located within the holder. The holder preferably has a perforated disc in its inner edge. The holder may also have a solid disc in its inner edge. The shape of the absorbent member may be selected from the group consisting of: disc, spherical, conical, polygonal, hemispherical, etc. The absorbent member may be for containing a liquid selected from the group consisting of: essential oils, nicotine, or liquid medicaments. The liquid medicament may be of the type typically introduced via nasal drops/sprays.

The present invention also provides an apparatus for facilitating the delivery of gaseous particles directly into a nasal passage, comprising: at least one structural member; and at least one absorbent member enclosing the at least one structural member for containing a liquid that can be vaporized to form the gaseous particles.

The invention also provides a method of delivering gaseous particles directly into a nasal passage using the above-described device and a method of delivering a medicament directly into a nasal passage using the above-described device.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to make it easier to produce a practical result, the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting preferred embodiments thereof, the description being with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an absorbent member;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a retainer;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially in section, of another alternative embodiment;

FIGS. 7a-7b are perspective views of yet another alternative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the preferred embodiment in use;

FIG. 9 is a view of the last embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2; and

fig. 10 is a partially assembled side view of the embodiment of fig. 9.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, an apparatus 20 is provided for facilitating the delivery of gaseous particles directly into the nasal passage. The device 20 may include a structural member 22 having a retainer 24 at each of a first end 26 and a second end 28 of the structural member 22. In this case, "located" somewhere may refer to being at, adjacent to, and in close proximity to that place. An absorbent member 34 may be located in each holder 24. The structural member 22 may have at least two protrusions 30 at intermediate locations between the first end 26 and the second end 28 of the structural member 22. The structural member 22 may be made of multiple pieces.

The structural member 22 may be flexible and bendable to form a U-shaped structure (as shown). The first and second ends 26 and 28 of the structural member 22 may be bent from proximal locations 40 and 42, respectively. This may improve the fit of the device 20 in the user's nares. The structural member 22 may be made of materials such as copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers, and the like. The structural member 22 may be coated with a material such as PVC, silicon, latex, vinyl, nitrile, synthetic polymer, or the like. The structural member 22 may be coated with the above-mentioned materials, which may increase the comfort of the user of the device 22, since roughness is reduced and contact between the user's skin (which may be allergic/untoward to certain materials) and the material of the structural member 22 is minimized. The material used to coat the structural member 22 may also be skin-colored to disguise the device 20 when used in the user's nostrils. The structural member 22 may be curved in a shape such that the device 20 may securely grip the central nasal bone. Figure 8 shows the apparatus 20 when in use in the nares 32 of a user 100.

The projection 30, which is located at an intermediate position between the first end 26 and the second end 28 of the structural member 22, may be located at a position that is: which may improve the clamping ability of the device 20 for ease of operation.

An exploded perspective view of the retainer 24 is shown in fig. 2. The retainer 24 may have a disc 38 that fits into the inner rim 36 of the retainer 24. The disc 38 may be perforated to allow air to pass through, or the disc 38 may be a solid disc. The illustrated disc-shaped absorbent member 34 is disposed in the holder 24. The absorbent member 34 may fit and conform to the inner edge 36 of the retainer 24 and rest on the disc 38. The absorbent member 34 may be made of a liquid-absorbent material such as sponge, textile, cotton, paper, wood, absorbent polymers, and the like. The absorbent member 34 may be used to contain a liquid, such as essential oils or liquid medicaments. Liquid medicaments can generally be introduced via nasal drops/sprays. A solid disc may be preferred because it allows the absorbent member 34 to reduce its containment by only one surface. This may slow the rate at which the absorbent member 34 dries (i.e., reduces its liquid content). The holder 24 may prevent the liquid content in the absorbent member 34 from escaping from the absorbent member 34, which may cause irritation/allergic reaction to the user.

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the absorbent member 34. The absorbent member 34 may have a plurality of through-holes 44 in the absorbent member 34 and through the absorbent member 34. Apertures 44 may be present in the absorbent member 34 to facilitate the formation of air channels through the absorbent member 34 to facilitate the evaporation of the liquid-containing substance in the absorbent member 34.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the retainer 24 of the present invention. The absorbent member 34 may be attached to the cavity 46 in the structure 22. The cavity 46 may extend through all or a portion of the structural member 22 and serve as a fluid reservoir. The cavity 46 may be used with a sponge, if desired or necessary. The holder 24 may also have a disc (not shown) located in the holder 24 or the inner rim 36. The cavity 46 (with or without the sponge 48) increases the amount of liquid that the absorbent member 34 can store for use. The absorbent member 34 may also have through holes 44.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 20. The device 20 may include a structural member 22 with an absorbent member 50 at a first end 26 and a second end 28 of the structural member 22, respectively. The structural member 22 may be made of materials such as copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers, and the like. The structural member 22 may have at least two protrusions 30 located at an intermediate position between the first end 26 and the second end 28 of the structural member 22. The absorbent member 50 may be formed of materials such as sponges, textiles, cotton, paper, absorbent polymers, and the like; and may be formed in various shapes such as a sphere, a cone, a polygon, a hemisphere, etc. The absorbent member 50 may be impregnated with a liquid content material, such as essential oil or a liquid medicament. Liquid medicaments can generally be introduced via nasal drops/sprays. The device 20 is used in the same way as the above described preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to fig. 6, another alternative embodiment of the apparatus 20 is shown. The device 20 may also include a structural member 22 with the nostril inserts 52 positioned along the length of the structural member 22 from the intermediate position to the first and second ends 26, 28, respectively. The structural member 22 may be made of materials such as copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers, and the like. The structural member 22 may have at least two protrusions 30 located at an intermediate position between the first end 26 and the second end 28 of the structural member 22. The disc-shaped absorbent member 34 may be inserted into the nostril insert 52. The insert 52 may have a disc (not shown) that fits into the inner edge 54 of the insert 52. The disc may be perforated to allow air to pass through, or may be a solid disc. The disc-shaped absorbent member 34 may be placed in the insert 52. The absorbent member 34 may fit to and conform to the inner edge 54 of the insert 52 and rest against the disc. The absorbent member 34 may be formed from materials such as sponges, textiles, cotton, paper, absorbent polymers, and the like. The absorbent member 50 may be impregnated with a liquid content material such as essential oils and liquid medicines. Liquid medicaments can generally be introduced via nasal drops/sprays. The device 20 is used in the same way as the above described preferred embodiment of the invention. However, the device 20 of the present embodiment is not readily acceptable because the user may have the appearance of open nostrils and the user may be uncomfortable.

Referring to fig. 7, yet another alternative embodiment of the apparatus 20 is shown. Figure 7a shows the device 20 bent prior to placement into the user's nares. Fig. 7b shows the device 20 before bending. The device 20 may have a structural member 22, the structural member 22 being enclosed by an absorbent member 56. The structural member 22 may be made of materials such as copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers, and the like. The absorbent member 56 may be saturated with a liquid-containing substance, such as essential oils and liquid medicines. Liquid medicaments can generally be introduced via nasal drops/sprays. The absorbent member 56 may have an adhesive side 58 and a non-adhesive side 60. The adhesive side 58 may be used to adhere the device 20 to the central nasal bone. The device 20 may be bent into a U-shape with each end in each nostril and the adhesive side 58 adhered to the central nasal bone for securement thereto. The non-adhesive side 60 may be exposed for air circulation of the absorbent member 56.

Figure 8 shows the device 20 in use. The second end 28 of the structural member 22 is placed into one nostril 32 of the user 100 and the first end 26 of the structural member 22 is placed into the other nostril of the user 100. The structural member 22 may be bent by pinching a protrusion at an intermediate location (not shown) between the first end 26 and the second end 28 of the structural member 22. This allows it to accommodate different sizes and shapes of noses, as well as different sizes and spacing of nostrils. The structure 22 may be bent so that the retainer 24 does not cause discomfort to the user 100 and the device 20 does not fall off the nose of the user 100. Each holder 24 should have at least one absorbent member 34 saturated with a liquid containing substance, such as essential oils and liquid medicaments. Liquid medicaments can generally be introduced via nasal drops/sprays. When the device 20 is placed in such a position, normal breathing by the user 100 will cause gaseous particles to be delivered into the nasal passages. The device 20 may also be used to reduce the effects of malodorous smells in the environment (e.g., toilet, wet market, vehicle exhaust, smoking area, waste disposal area, garbage disposal area, etc.). Due to the smaller size of the device 20 and the reduction of the waste of essential oils or the reduction of external devices, it can be used anywhere and at anytime. If the gaseous particles are passed directly into the nasal passages of the user 100, discomfort to the user may be reduced that is sensitive to the user's surrounding nose and dislikes the smell of the liquid content of the absorbent member 34.

Most essential oils are preserved to some extent. Thus, when the device 20 is used in the nares 32 of a user 100, air may be purified prior to entering the nasal passages and subsequently the respiratory system.

The device 20 may also be used to introduce a medicament by inhalation. There may be a method of using the device 20 to assist the smoker in quitting smoking by using a suitable essential oil that may mimic the effects of nicotine or nicotine itself.

Fig. 9 and 10 show a modification of the embodiment of fig. 2. Here, the holder 24 has a top edge 92, and the absorbent member 34 may pass through the top edge 92. Each holder 24 also has an arcuate slot 90 extending around a portion of the side wall of the holder 24, and the absorbent member 34 may also pass through the arcuate slot 90. There may be one or more slots 90 around the retainer 24. Depending on the number and location of the slots, the absorbent member 34 may pass through the holder 24 in the direction of one of the arrows a, b, c, or d.

While there has been described in the foregoing specification preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

The scope of the present invention includes both individual disclosed features and all possible permutations and combinations thereof.

Claims (24)

1. A device for facilitating the direct delivery of gaseous particles into the nasal passages of a user, comprising:

a structural member;

a retainer at an end of the structure for insertion into the nasal passage; and

an absorbent member in the holder, wherein the absorbent member is for containing a liquid to be vaporized to form the gaseous particles; and

an aperture in the absorbent member for air in the nasal passage to pass straight therethrough for liquid transfer of the gaseous particles directly into the nasal passage of the user.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the structure further comprises a second end and two protrusions located midway between the ends to clamp the central nasal bone.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the structural member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: copper, aluminum, iron, steel and ductile polymers.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the structural member is coated with a material selected from the group consisting of: PVC, silicon, latex, vinyl, nitrile and synthetic polymers.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the retainer prevents the absorbent member from contacting a nose providing the nasal passage.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the retainer prevents the liquid from spilling over the absorbent member.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the retainer has an inner edge that mates with a disc, the absorbent member mating with and conforming to the inner edge, the absorbent member resting on the disc.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the disc is perforated for air passage within the nasal passage.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the disc is solid and the absorbent member is reduced in its contents by only one surface.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the holder has a sidewall with at least one slot for passing the at least one absorbent member therethrough.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the absorbent member contains the liquid.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the absorbent member has a plurality of holes for passing air within the nasal passage.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the absorbent member includes opposing major surfaces perpendicular to the aperture through which the air within the nasal passage passes.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the absorbent member has a shape selected from the group consisting of: disc, spherical, conical, polygonal, and hemispherical.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the material of the absorbent member is selected from the group consisting of: sponges, textiles, cotton, paper, wood and absorbent polymers.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the aperture is located in the center of the absorbent member.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the apertures facilitate evaporation of the liquid from the absorbent member.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid provides aromatherapy to a user through the nasal passage.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid provides medication to a user through the nasal passage.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of: essential oils, nicotine and liquid medicaments.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

a second retainer at a second end of the structural member for insertion into a second nasal passage; and

a second absorbent member in the second holder, wherein the second absorbent member is for containing the liquid and has a second aperture for passing air within the second nasal passage therethrough.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the structure comprises a cavity extending through all or part of the structure and in fluid communication with the absorbent member and providing a reservoir for the liquid.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the structure is bendable to form a U-shaped structure that clamps against a central nasal bone.

24. A device for facilitating the direct delivery of gaseous particles into the nasal passages of a user, comprising:

a structural member;

a retainer at an end of the structure for insertion into the nasal passage and having a hole for air in the nasal passage to pass straight therethrough for liquid transfer of gaseous particles directly into the nasal passage of the user;

an absorbent member in the holder, wherein the absorbent member is for containing a liquid that is vaporizable to form the gaseous particles; and

a disc, wherein the retainer has an inner edge in which the disc fits.