AU723990B2

AU723990B2 - Improved nasal appliance

Info

Publication number: AU723990B2
Application number: AU31274/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Abder Rahman Kharbat
Original assignee: BELCHAMLY Pty Ltd
Current assignee: BELCHAMLY Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1998-03-30
Filing date: 1999-03-25
Publication date: 2000-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-25
Also published as: AU3127499A

Description

.e 1 IMPROVED NASAL APPLIANCE Field of the Invention This invention relates to nasal appliances for easing breathing through the nose and for reducing snoring.

Background of the Invention Numerous devices have been proposed for insertion into the nasal passages to maintain an air passage for easing breathing through the nose and to reduce snoring. Few of these proposals are available commercially and their effectiveness is therefore untested. Such devices include resilient appliances, such as EP 824015 and DE 1961875 which resiliently maintain the nostrils open, and devices such as DE 29616121U, WO 9629034 and WO 87/05798, each of which includes a o generally cylindrical body for insertion into the nasal passage for maintaining an S 15 open airway. Many of the devices described require substantial engagement between the device and the nasal passage, which is consequently uncomfortable for the user.

Summary of the Invention and Object :o 20 It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved nasal appliance which maintains the nasal airway open and which is comfortable when inserted in the nasal passage.

The invention provides a nasal appliance comprises a hollow body dimensioned to be received within the nasal passage of the user, said body having a first end adapted to engage the inside of the nostril near the tip of the nose, an air inlet opening into said hollow body extending for a substantial portion of the length of the body, said air inlet opening extending into the sides of the body, said body having an air outlet opening at the other end.

The air inlet opening extending into the sides of the body serves to maximise the passage of air into the hollow body.

The body is preferably generally tubular, and the air inlet opening preferably TNB:TOC:40415247.RSI 5 June 2000 r la extends for at least 75% of the length of the body. In most cases the opening will extend for substantially the whole of the length of the body. The appliance preferably includes a pair of hollow bodies, one for each nasal passage, connected by a flexible tie.

Brief Description of the Drawings s..

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0* ft eg f TNB:TOC:40415247.RS 5 June 2000 WO 99/49820 PCT/AU99/00217 -2- In order that the invention may be more readily understood, one preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a nasal appliance embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a nasal passage showing one of the nasal devices in position within the nasal passage, and Figure 3 is a front elevation similar to Figure 1 showing a smaller embodiment of the nasal appliance.

Description of Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, then nasal appliance 1 embodying the invention includes a pair of tubular body portions 2,3 dimensioned to engage the nasal passage P of the user, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, and joined by a flexible tie 4.

Each body portion 2,3 has a first end 5, which is open by virtue of the tubular configuration, although it can be closed, a central air passage 6 defined by each tubular body 2,3, a second end 7 through which the air passage 6 discharges, and an enlarged air inlet opening 8 formed in each body portion 2,3 and extending for a substantial portion of the length of each body portion 2,3.

It will be evident from Figures 1 and 2, that the air inlet opening 8 is shaped to extend into the sides of the body 2, 3 to maximise the size of the opening and in turn maximise the flow of air into the air passage and through the outlet end 7. The shape of the opening 8 leaves a narrow band 9 near the outlet opening 7 and narrows adjacent the first end 5 to maximise the area of the tubular body portion 2,3 which is able to contact the nasal passage P to ensure that substantially the only passage for air through the nasal passage P is through the central air passage 6 and the outlet end 7.

The first end 5 engages the inside of the nasal passage P near the tip of the nose, the back wall of each tubular body portion 2,3 engages the front of the nasal passage P, and the narrow band 9 engages the rear of the nasal passage P.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the body portions 2, 3 are shorter to fit smaller or differently shaped nasal passages, and there is no narrowing of the opening 8 near the first end 5. The tie 4 connects to either side of each body portion 2, 3 by means of WO 99/49820 PCT/AU99/00217 -3connecting elements 10. In all other respects, the appliance is functionally the same as the appliance of Figure 1 and provides similar benefits.

The nasal appliance is preferably moulded from a suitable soft plastics material which may be comfortably manipulated into position in the nasal passage P, and is therefore able to be comfortably worn at night, or during the day, to maintain the nasal airway open and to reduce snoring. Tests have shown that the nasal appliance embodying the invention functions adequately in each of these respects.

Claims

1. A nasal appliance comprising a hollow body dimensioned to be received with in the nasal passage of the user, said body having a first end adapted to engage the inside of the nostril near the tip of the nose, an air inlet opening into said hollow body extending for a substantial portion of the length of the body, said air inlet opening extending into the sides of the body, said body having an air outlet opening at the other end.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said body is generally tubular.

3. The appliance of claim 1 or 2, wherein said air inlet opening extends for at least 75% of the length of the body. 15

4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the air inlet opening extends for substantially the whole length of the body.

The appliance of any preceding claim, wherein the air inlet opening is shaped to leave a narrow band at the other end of the body.

6. The appliance of the preceding claim, comprising a pair of said hollow bodies connected by a flexible tie. S. DATED 5 June 2000 FREEHILLS CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: BELCHAMLY PTY LTD TNB:TOC:40415247.RS1 5 June 2000