MXPA01009079A

MXPA01009079A - Nasal support device for domestic mammals and method.

Info

Publication number: MXPA01009079A
Application number: MXPA01009079A
Authority: MX
Inventors: James R Chiapetta
Original assignee: Winease Llc
Priority date: 1999-03-08
Filing date: 2000-03-07
Publication date: 2002-08-30
Also published as: WO2000053132A2; ATE306882T1; NZ514432A; WO2000053132A3; EP1164980B1; AU3870200A; DE60023275D1; CA2364161A1; CA2364161C; DE60023275T2; EP1164980A2; JP2003523782A; AU771804B2; BR0008830A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device and method for facilitating air flow in the nasal passage of a domestic animal. The nasal support devices (NSD) disclosed herein are useful for facilitating air flow during rest, physical exertion, respiratory ailment, etc. Components and methods to facilitate application of the support device to the nose of an animal are also disclosed.

Description

NASAL SUPPORT DEVICE FOR DOMESTIC MAMMALS AND METHOD TO FACILITATE AIR FLOW IN A NASAL DUCT Field of the invention The present invention is directed to the facilitation of air flow through the passages or nasal passages of a pet animal. Specifically, the invention provides devices and methods for supporting soft tissue structures of the passages or nasal passages of a pet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Portions of the following discussion of the nasal anatomy of domestic mammalian animals are excerpted from R. Nickel et al., The Vi scer of Domesti c Animals, (2nd revised edition), Springer-Verlag, New York, Hiedelberg, Berlin (1979) pages 211-221. This is an excellent text about the comparative anatomy of viscera of domestic mammals. As used herein, the terms "mammal" and "animal" are used synonymously and refer to non-human mammals. The nasal anatomy of domestic animals is considerably different from that of a human. Unlike the human nose that projects differently from the face, in domestic animals the nose is incorporated in the face and forms the large dorsal and lateral areas Ref.132959 rostral to the eyes. Nostrils at the tip of the nose are the entrance to the respiratory system of domestic mammals. Once it passes through the nostrils, the inspired air moves inside the nasal cavities and advances through the nasopharynx, larynx, trachea and lungs. At the apical entrance to the nose the nostrils are divided by the nasal septum to divide the nasal cavity into right and left halves. The caudal portion of the septum is bony, while the septum rostrally consists of cartilage that becomes progressively more flexible towards the tip. The wall of the nose consists of external skin and an intermediate support layer of bone caudally and cartilage rostrally. The nasal cavity is lined by a mucous membrane. The rostral bones that make up the wall of the nose include the nasal bones, maxilla and incisors. The free borders of the nasal and incisor bone provide union for the cartilages that support the nostrils. The supporting bones and cartilages of the nose are associated with the nasal muscles that regulate the size of the nostrils. The dorsal and ventral lateral nasal cartilages are formed by the widening of the rostral part of the nasal septum along its dorsal and ventral margins. At l-, i.-a¡ .-., -. ---------- .- «* - * • -. r-horse, ventral lateral nasal cartilage is small and may be absent. In many domestic animals, there is no lateral support for the soft tissue on the flow of the rostral nasal passage to the nostrilo. An additional difference in the formation of the nasal cartilages of the horse is the presence of alar cartilages. The alar cartilages consist of a ventral horn and a dorsal lamina that supports the nostrils of dorsal, medial and ventral form. The blade of the alar cartilage and the accessory accessory cartilage support the nasal diverticulum, a blind sac in the dorsal aspect of nostril. The muscles of the nose and upper lip act to dilate the nostrils. This is particularly noticeable during forced breathing. In the horse, these muscles are well developed and can transform the normally semilunar nostrils to make them circular.

The lateral dorsal area of the rostral nasal cavity that is caudal to the alar cartilages in the horse nostrils includes a region of unsupported soft tissue that can be pulled into the nasal cavity during air inspiration to the nasal passages. The nasal diverticulum of the horse is a part of the soft tissue structures of the horse which can be pulled into the nasal cavity. When the soft tissue is pulled inward, it can narrow the nasal cavity and reduce the area - afa-M-. - > a «¿- * • - > -. * .. .. i. * -... g-r ^^^^^^^^ A ^ ^ s ^ s ^^? ^ s ^^ ^^ yes ^ Sé ^^ Á for the admission of air, thus reducing the movement of air within the nasal passages and finally to the lungs where the oxygen is transferred into the pulmonary alveoli. The physiological effects of reduced oxygen transfer at rest and during physical exercise are documented. Some experts have the theory that exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in performance horses is triggered by suffocation due to the abnormal resistance of a closed or partially closed upper air passage. The upper air passage is defined as the region of the respiratory tract that is located between the nostrils and the trachea at the level of the first rib. Therefore, the nasal passages are part of this region. Dr. Robert Cook, "EIPH or AIPE? A Tufts University Researcher suggests that bleeding is not caused by EIPH, but by asphyxia (EIPH or AIPE? A Tufts University Researcher) Suggests that the hemorrhage is not caused by EIPH but by suffocation)". The Equine Athlete, pages 22-23 (March / April 1997). Devices for dilation of the outer wall tissue of the nasal passages in humans have been described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,653,224; 5,611,333; 5,533,503; 5,549,103; 5,546,929; 5,553,605; 5,476,091 and RE 35,408. The devices for the support of the.? External tissue from the nasal passages of animals must deal with the only soft tissue and mechanical characteristics of an animal's nose, particularly performance animals such as horses, camels and dogs. Support devices for the nasal passages of animals are well known and are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,913,873 and International Patent Publication WO 98/47451. The full description of the above patent and the patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides support devices and methods for using support devices to support the unsupported nasal tissues of a pet. The invention is directed to providing support in view of the unique structural and physiological characteristics of the nose of a non-human animal, for example a horse. In addition to providing features that improve the function of a support device during use, the invention also provides components to facilitate the ease and precision of placing a device on the nose of an animal. The invention further provides features that allow the reuse of a nasal support device after removing it from ^^^^^^^^^ grtk ^^^^^ j ^^ j ^^ &jltj i the nose of an animal and also addresses some of the needs that arise when using a support device during certain events of competition. It will be appreciated that some of the components or features of the devices described herein may also be applied for use with human nasal dilators. Throughout the specification, a guide can be provided through lists of examples. In each case, the lists cited serve only as a representative group. It does not mean, however, that this list is exclusive. In one embodiment, the invention consists of a nasal support device ("NSD") to be secured to the nose of the animal. In a typical embodiment, the NSD provides support to the left and right side vestibular walls of a pet. The device includes a support layer and a right and left side piece which when secured to the nose of the animal are positioned to provide structural support to the left and right side vestibular walls. The side pieces of the device can be found in the region of the midline of the device. In some modalities, when it is secured to the nose of a pet, the region of the midline of an NSD of the invention is mounted on both sides of the left and right nasal bones of the animal. The sides and the midline region of the NSD each have a rostral end, a caudal end and a rostral-nape dimension. In some modalities, the rostral-nape dimension of the midline region may be equal to or greater than either of the two lateral rostral-nape pieces. In addition, in some embodiments, the device is bilaterally symmetrical through both the longitudinal and transverse axes of the device. In general, a support device according to the invention typically includes a surface layer, a support layer, and a coupling layer. The support devices may also include a carrier layer to facilitate handling and placement of the device over the nose of an animal. In some preferred embodiments, the support device is dark in color. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides for the facilitation of air flow within the nasal passages of an animal by supporting the caudal region of the tip of the vestibular walls of the animal. The devices are suitable for adult and young animals. In general, the structural aspects of an NSD of the invention can be configured and sized to fit the nose of, for example, a dog, a cat, a human, a horse, a camel, etc. The support devices described can be used on an animal that runs freely in a pasture, or carried in a mounted manner, with harnesses or other equipment that can be attached to the animal's nose while performing a physical activity.

The devices and methods of the invention are particularly advantageous for use in horses and are beneficial for use during athletic performance for the reduction of the occurrence, severity or effect (s) of respiratory diseases in an adult or young animal. In some modalities, the NSD can be a reusable device. Methods for reusing an NSD are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of a modality of a nasal support device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a profile view of a bony anatomy of the horse's rostral nasal cavity; Figure 3 is a bottom view with the separate pieces of the nasal support device of Figure 1; Figure 4a is a top view of the nasal support device of Figure 1 with the support layer illustrated in dotted lines; Figure 4b is a top view of a mode of lifting elements according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the nasal support device of Figure 1 having a carrier layer; Figure 6 is a front view of a horse having the modality of a nasal support device of Figure 1 secured to its nose; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the nasal support device of Figure 1 having an alternative embodiment of a carrier layer; Figure 8 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a nasal support device according to the invention; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of an alternative embodiment of a nasal support device according to the invention; and Figure 10 is a diagrammatic representation of another alternative embodiment of a nasal support according to the invention.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic representation of a configuration appearance for an NSD according to the invention having two bilateral axes of symmetry; Figure 12 is a top side view of an appearance of an NSD having two bilateral axes of symmetry; Figure 13 is a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 12; Figure 14 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 13; Figure 15 is an alternative embodiment of a lower side view of the NSD of Figure 13; Figure 16 is an alternative embodiment of a top view of an NSD having two symmetric bilateral axes; Figure 17 is a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 16; Figure 18 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 16; Figure 19 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 16; Figure 20 is an alternative embodiment of a top side view of an NSD having two bilateral axes of symmetry; ! & --- l -ta, A _ ...? J-fcj ---- Figure 21 is a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 20; Figure 22 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 20; Figure 23 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 20; Figure 24 is an alternative embodiment of a top side view of an NSD having two symmetrical bilateral symmetry axes; Figure 25 is a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 24; Figure 26 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 24; Figure 27 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 24; Figure 28 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 24; Figure 29 is an alternative embodiment of a top side view of an NSD having two bilateral axes of symmetry; Figure 30 is a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 29; Figure 31 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 29; ? = -t-t.l-it- t -. ----------to-"--.-..-. -.-.-----.

Figure 32 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 29; Figure 33 is an alternative embodiment of a top side view of an NSD having two bilateral axes of symmetry; Figure 34 is a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 33; Figure 35 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 33; Figure 36 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 33; Figure 37 is an alternative embodiment of a bottom side view of the NSD of Figure 33; Figure 38 is an alternative embodiment of an NSD according to the invention; Figure 39 is a view of the rostral end of the NSD of 1 Figure 38; Figure 40 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an NSD placed on the lateral vestibular walls of a horse; Figure 41 is an alternative embodiment of an NSD according to the invention; and Figure 42 is a bottom plan view of a modality of a therapeutic device in accordance with the invention.

- *** *,., - .. * -.-- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to devices and methods for supporting soft tissue in the rostral aspect of the nasal cavity of domestic mammals. Specifically, the described devices and methods provide support for the unsupported region of the "vestibule" in the rostral nasal cavity. While the components and features of the disclosed devices are particularly advantageous for animal devices, some of the components and features may also be advantageously used with human nasal dilators. As used herein, domestic mammals include the majority of non-human production and performance animals that have a nose incorporated into the face instead of projecting therefrom, which may benefit from a device according to the invention. In such mammals dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, camels, llamas, etc. are included. A device according to the invention can be particularly useful for members of the Equidae family in which horses, donkeys, mules, zebras, etc. are included. As used herein, "performance activities" or "work" include activities such as traction, drive, racing (plane, obstacles, barrel, etc.), events, hunting, jumping, rodeos, track trip, travel resistance, etc. In general, the device can be used at any time as desired to facilitate or improve the nasal air intake. In addition to facilitating airflow, an NSD in accordance with the invention can also be used to treat or prevent respiratory distress in adult or young animals such as foals and calves. The devices and methods of the invention may be particularly beneficial in horses to reduce the severity or effect (s) of respiratory conditions such as laryngeal hemiplegia., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pathologies related to exercise such as myositis, dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) or exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) or "bleeding", etc. As used here, the term "rostral" refers to that aspect of the nose or anatomical structure closest to the tip of the nose. "Flow" refers to that aspect of the nose closest to the nape or caudal aspect of the head in relation to the tip. "Vestibule" refers to the rostral aspect of the nasal cavity that is defined rostrally by the alar cartilages, the incisive bone ventrally, the nasal bone dorsally, the caudal intersection of the incisor and nasal bones caudally and the nasal septum medially. Thus, the supported regions of the vestibule are supported by bones or cartilages.

-A -, --.----- ^ - * - - A -. * -----.. - ...-....... - The region "not supported" The vestibule is also referred to as the "lateral (free) wall" of the vestibule or "vestibular wall". The lateral wall of the vestibule includes the unsupported soft tissue defined by the nostrils rostrally, the lateral free border of the nasal bone dorsally, the dorsal free border of the ventral incisor bone, and the intersection of the nasal and caudal incisors. In the horse, the dorsal border of the unsupported region may include the lateral dorsal nasal cartilage and, in some species, the ventral border may include ventral lateral nasal cartilage. Here, "soft tissue" has its general meaning that includes skin, muscle, fat, connective tissue or associated integumentary structures. Also, for the present purposes, the vestibular wall can be divided into at least two portions, a rostral portion that is that portion closest to the nostril and a caudal portion that is the portion closest to the intersection of the nasal and incisor bone. The region that includes approximately one quarter of the flow to one third of the vestibular wall is referred to as the "caudal tip region" and is described in more detail below. It should be noted that an NSD in accordance with the present invention needs only to be joined with the free side wall of the vestibule, preferably does not join with the nostrils. By visual inspection it will be appreciated that the horse's nostrilo can expand to a cross-sectional area that is greater than an unsupported cross-sectional area measured in the nasal cavity in the region of the lateral vestibular wall. However, it is anticipated that the support of the nostrilo could be provided in certain circumstances. For example, in a horse, the muscles of the nose and upper lip generally provide sufficient widening of the nostril during forced breathing. The configuration and arrangement of an NSD of the invention is determined by the configuration of the tissue to be supported, the amount of support needed and the unique physiology or anatomical characteristics of the animal. Generally, the unique nasal anatomy of domestic animals needs configurations, arrangements or dimensions that are different than those required by a human nose. In addition, the hair, sweat and mobility of the vestibular wall affect the structural arrangement necessary for the functionality of an NSD for animals. In a typical embodiment, an NSD described herein provides support for a portion of the right and left lateral vestibular walls. Generally, a support device includes a right and left piece, each including a support layer, which when it is secured to the animal's nose it is positioned to provide structural support to the left and right lateral vestibular walls. The "right" and "left" pieces may also be referred to as "first" and "second" or "second" and "first" side pieces. In some embodiments, the support device is bilaterally symmetrical and the side pieces of the devices coincide in the region of the midline of the device. According to this embodiment, when the support device is secured to the nose of an animal, the intersection of the region of the right and left side pieces in the midline preferably covers or mounts at the intersection of the left and left nasal bones. right and the right and left side pieces cover the first and second vestibular walls, respectively. Each of the lateral pieces and the region of the midline of an NSD have a rostral end, a caudal end and a rostral-nape dimension. Due to the size and related anatomical features of the surface area of the vestibular free wall of, for example, a horse, to provide sufficient support to benefit the animal, the rostral-nape dimension in the midline region of an NSD of the invention can be substantially equal to or greater than the rostral dimension nape of the side pieces that join with the free wall ta .---- to ---.--- S -.---- f flÜHM M -. ^ ------.- .. "- F -. . . ------ ... -....-. I.-... -'--. *.-... --- _---- Ái.Í --- vestibular. Hence, in one embodiment, the rostral-nape dimension of the midline region is at least as large as the rostral-nape dimension of any of the lateral pieces. In an alternative modality, the rostral-nape dimension of the midline region is larger than the rostral-nape dimension of the right or left lateral piece. As used herein, the term "support" refers to the reduction of the amount of narrowing of the nasal passage that may occur during inspiration or expiration of domestic animals. Consequently, "support" may include a situation in which there is some stretching of the vestibular free wall in the rostral nasal passage during inspiration, but less than would occur without a device of the invention. "Support" also includes maintaining the position of the external soft tissue over the rostral nasal passage in a neutral position. As used herein, "neutral" refers to a state wherein the vestibular tissue is not supported or stretched within the nasal cavity nor projects externally relative to a resting position. In some arrangements, "support" also includes keeping the vestibular free wall in an external "distended" position outward relative to the neutral position.

The configuration, arrangement and components of an animal support device described here take into account the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the vestibular free wall, as well as the bony structures that define the borders of the vestibular free wall, unique problems presented in the application of the device to an animal as well as to the equipment used on or around an animal that carries a nasal support device. In addition, in most large domestic animals, the structural support necessary to support the lateral free wall must also take into account the weight of the supported tissue and the appropriate leverage to distribute the supported weight without causing pressure wounds or other irritation to the animals. surrounding tissues. In addition, due to muscular control of the upper lip of the horse, the support of the vestibular free wall must also direct the active and passive mobility of the structures of the tube. The size of a device of the invention may vary. Properly sized devices will typically correspond to the size of the tube that can vary with the body size, race, age, and sex of the animal. It is anticipated that smaller NSDs for young animals, such as calves and foals, may be beneficial in the treatment, for example, of minor respiratory distress. In some modalities, the dimension of the rostral-nape midline of an NSD for an adult horse of average size is approximately 3 to 16 cm, preferably of 6-14 cm and the rostral dimension nape of the right and left side is of approximately 1 to 12 cm. Also, the transverse dimension of an NSD can vary. The "transverse dimension" is defined as the length of the device from the peripheral edge of one side of the device to the peripheral edge of the second side of the device. The transverse dimension can be approximately equal to the rostral and caudal edge. Alternatively, the transverse dimension can vary in a single device depending on whether it is measured, for example, along the caudal edge, the rostral edge, the narrowest part or the widest part or somewhere between them. In an NSD modality for a horse of average size, the transverse dimension in the narrowest part may be approximately 5-12 cm and approximately 10-17 cm in the widest part. Typically, an NSD in accordance with the invention includes at least one "support layer" and a "coupling layer". A releasable liner can be used which is removably attached to the coupling layer. In some embodiments a "surface layer" may be present to cover the side of the support layer that is outside the nose of the animal when the device is secured to the nose of the animal. Some embodiments may also include a carrier layer which can be removably attached to the surface layer to facilitate handling and proper placement of the support device on the nose of an animal. The outer color of the surface layer is preferably selected to reduce the likelihood that the device will cause interference with the equipment used to determine the results of a particular competitive event. The support layer of the device provides most of the support for the vestibular free wall of the nasal passage of an NSD. usually, sut is provided in the sut layer by the use of one or more "lifting elements". As used herein, a "lifting element" can be prepared from any suitable material that provides the desired sut to the vestibular free wall. Examples of suitable materials for a lifting element include thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, metals with memorized form, alloys, leather, etc. The lifting element can be a unitary open mesh or solid material. An example of a preferred material for a lifting element is a oriented polyester .- ^^ - fc -, ...,. - .-- - biaxially such as MYLAR ® available from Dupont Films, Wilmington DE. Other materials suitable for a lifting element are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,913,873 and International Patent Publication WO 98/47451 which are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the lifting elements are of a generally uniform thickness throughout their length and width. The thickness of the lifting elements will typically be selected based on the support that is needed, and is generally the same throughout the element. However, the lifting elements can also vary in thickness in different regions of the device. In addition, a lifting element does not need to be of the same width along its length. That is, a lifting element may be wider at the lateral ends of the lifting element and narrower near the region of the midline. Alternatively, a lifting element may be wider in the region that will cover the region of the midline of the nose and narrower at the ends. The proper thickness for the lifting element prepared from polyester such as MYLAR® for a large adult animal such as a horse is approximately from .008 to approximately .020 inches (0.2 to 0.5 mm). In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of an element of -'- ..- toe - »-----. »- > - * ^ > Support for an adult horse of average size is .014 inches (0.35 mm). The support layer may include one or more lifting elements. The lifting elements can be placed parallel to the transverse axis and extend partially or completely to the lateral edges of the device. Three to six survey elements are preferred for some animals such as a horse. When more than one lifting element is used, the width, length and spacing of the lifting elements may vary based on the overall dimensions of the particular device. Also, the length of the individual lifting elements can vary in a single device in such a way that it traverses a little or all of the dorsal-ventral dimension of the vestibular free wall. Preferably, the transverse length dimension of the lifting element is sufficient to traverse the midline of the animal's nose and extend to the right and left lateral pieces beyond the dorsal lateral nasal cartilages to support the left and right vestibular free walls. In some embodiments, the lifting elements may extend beyond the ventral edge of the vestibular free wall to a point lateral to the incisor bone. Generally, the lifting elements provide a '* - "*" • - ------- --a --- a --- i- »effect of" lifting "on the vestibular free wall to reduce the stretch of the vestibular free wall within the passage Nasal during breathing However, if the lifting elements extend beyond the ventral edge of the vestibular free wall to the lateral aspect of the incisor bone, the incisor bone may act as the lifting elements to "support" the vestibular free wall and facilitate reduction. of the stretch of the vestibular wall inside the nasal cavity that is provided by the lifting elements. This can be particularly advantageous in large animals during forced breathing. When multiple lifting elements are used, the spacing between individual lifting elements can affect the adhesion and overall operation of the device. When two or more lifting elements are used, the width of the lifting elements and the spacing between the lifting elements are selected so that the NSD to provide the desired support for the vestibular wall with sufficient flexibility to reduce the opportunity for irritation due to to the pressure located in leverage points on the nose of the animal. The use of multiple lifting elements advantageously provides torsional flexibility of the device which facilitates function and reduces A? --- Ja¿aMtt * q.-ii-Éfe3 »afc-- -" i¿ - u ...... the likelihood of detachment of the device when subjected to the unique mobility of the vestibular tissues is that of an animal. In one embodiment of an NSD for an adult horse of average size, the length of the lifting elements can be approximately 4-18 cm, preferably 9-13 cm, the width can be approximately 0.2 to 2 cm and the spacing between the lifting elements approximately 0.2 to 2 cm, preferably approximately 0.3 to 1.0 cm. In one embodiment, the lifting element can be a single element of a previously described solid or mesh material that is shaped to support or support a single vestibular wall. That is, the external contour of the lifting element is configured to follow the peripheral margins of the vestibular wall. Preferably, the perimetral edge of the lifting element extends to allow the lifting element to overlap the borders of the vestibular wall by approximately 0.2-2 cm. According to this embodiment, the lifting element can include a coupling layer and optionally a surface or pad layer, preferably, the coupling layer extends beyond the perimeter of the lifting element to improve the adherence to the nose of a animal. However, instead of connecting in the region of the faith? ' ^ x¡x, at? k ?? middle line of the nose, this modality of an NSD comprises two separate pieces, which act as a support for each vestibular wall. An NSD preferably includes a coupling layer. The coupling layer provides an assurance of the NSD to the nose of the animal. If no surface layer (described below) is present and lifting elements are used, the coupling layer can also be provided to maintain the unit of the device. Typically, the coupling layer can secure the NSD to the nose by the use of an adhesive. Other invasive forms for attachment to the nose, such as suture, are possible, but it is not desirable. Preferably, the adhesive is biocompatible and provides minimal or no contact irritation when applied to the external tissues of an animal. The materials suitable for the adhesive of the coupling layer are medical tapes of single or double coating, transferable adhesives, liquid adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA), etc. Preferably a liner is applied to the adhesive of the coupling layer to cover the surface of the adhesive until the device is applied to an animal. In some embodiments, the release liner may comprise one or more sections that can be removed selectively from the coupling layer to facilitate placement of the support device over the nose. Examples of suitable adhesive systems include double side medical tapes No. 1509, Hydrocolloid Skin Protection Adhesive No. 9942 and transferable adhesive No. 1524 available from 3M Co., St. Paul, MN. A currently preferred adhesive is Dermamed DM-2009, available from Dermamed, 381 Geneva Avenue, Pallmadge. OH 44278. The NSD may include a surface layer. The surface layer is the layer furthest away from the soft tissues of the animal and is visible when the device is applied to the nose of the animal. Therefore, one side of the surface layer confronts the soft tissue on the nose of the animal and a second side confronts the nose. The side of the surface layer near the soft tissue of the animal may include an adhesive for adhering the surface layer to the support layer, on the side of the coupling layer that may be exposed between the lifting elements, or to a pad layer if it is used. The surface layer can provide additional support to the vestibular wall and help maintain the unity of the components of an NSD. A suitable surface material may be aerated or non-aerated and typically includes a biocompatible adhesive. An example of a material with adequate aeration capacity is a surface layer No. 1533 available from 3M Inc., St. Paul, MN. A preferred material without aeration capability is the non-woven medical tape No. 9906T available from 3M Co., St. Paul, MN. Another example of a suitable surface layer is the non-woven medical tape No. 9910 available from 3M Co. St. Paul, MN. The surface layer may include a color of ornamental design, a pattern, logo, etc. if desired Alternatively, an ornamental coating layer may be applied to the exposed surface of a surface layer or backing layer. The color of the surface layer is preferably selected in such a way as to reduce the glare which may interfere with the photographs taken to determine the outcome of an event performed such as a photograph of the final line taken in a horse race. Examples of appropriate colors that can cause glare reduction are dark colors such as black, dark blue, dark green, dark gray, dark brown, etc. The coupling layer can extend only to the peripheral extension of the lifting elements of the support layer. Alternatively, the periphery of the coupling layer may extend beyond the peripheral extent of the coupling elements of the support layer (i.e., laterally, rostrally, and caudally). In some preferred embodiments, the periphery of the coupling layer may extend beyond the support layer to provide improved coupling of the support device to the nose of the animal. In one of those embodiments a region of about 0.5 cm to 4 cm, preferably about 1.0 - 2.0 cm of coupling layer extends beyond the lateral extent of the lifting elements of the support layer and 1.0 - 3.0 cm more beyond the rostral-caudal extent of the support layer, the surface layer typically extends the same distance beyond the lifting elements as does the coupling layer. If present, the surface layer typically has the same perimeter dimensions as the coupling layer. Generally, the overall thickness of the device is uniform. Some variation in thickness may occur due to differences in the thickness of those regions of the device that include the support elements and those regions that have spacing between the support elements. The inventors also recognize that simple or multiple lifting elements can be used without a unification layer (eg, surface layer or coupling layer). According to this embodiment, a coupling layer, such as the previously described adhesive, can be applied to the lifting element.

Subsequently, one or more lifting elements can be applied directly to the nose of the animals. While this modality may address the unique physiological and anatomical aspects of an animal's nose as described herein, the application and removal of support elements may be cumbersome. In addition, the support provided by the surface layer or coupling layer in the regions between the lifting elements can be lost. A support device according to the invention can also include a "carrier layer". The carrier layer can be removably adhered to the side of the surface layer outside the nose of the animal. The carrier layer can be made from any suitable material including paper, sheet metal, plastic, cardboard, etc. The backing layer is preferably adhered to the surface layer using an adhesive system which provides a peel strength which is less than the peel strength between the adhesive of the mating layer and the nose of the animal when the support device adheres to the nose of the animal. Suitable adhesive systems for adhering the carrier layer to the surface layer are known and described, for example, in US Pat. Nos. 3,691,140; 4,994,322; 5,266,402; 5,502,109 and 5,719,247. Whose complete description ^ j g _-- * ----- t-a -? -.. ------- ..- .. -. - ---.-, »-» - - i-A -, - of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. A preferred adhesive is No. 9425 available from 3M Co., St. Paul, MN. This adhesive system is a double-sided tape where a first side of the tape (applied to the carrier layer) has a greater resistance to peel than the second side of the tape (applied to the surface layer) and the peel strength of the tape. second side of the tape is less than the release strength of the adhesive between the coupling layer and the nose of the animal. The perimeter edge of the carrier layer may follow the perimeter edge of the surface layer of the support device or the perimeter edge of the carrier layer may extend beyond the perimeter edge of the surface layer. Alternatively, portions of the carrier layer may extend beyond the perimeter edge of the surface layer and other portions may follow the perimeter edge or not extend to the perimeter edge of the surface layer. The extension of the perimeter edge of the carrier layer beyond the perimeter edge of the surface layer provides a region of the carrier layer that can be held or grasped for handling or removal of the carrier layer of the surface layer without having contact with the surface adhesive. the coupling layer. Alternatively, the carrier layer may have notches to provide a -! «, -. A-A > ^^ - jaA ----- t ^ -_ gjggsa4í --- a * _ ^ g ^^^^^^^ jgsSg ** ^^ internal edge to hold to remove the carrier layer of the surface layer. In a preferred embodiment, the perimeter edge of the carrier layer can be configured to provide a guide for positioning the support device on the nose of an animal. Therefore, after the removal of a little or all of the release liner of the adhesive from the coupling layer, the carrier layer can be held during the application of the device without having contact with the adhesive of the coupling layer. Once attached to the nose, the carrier layer of the support device can be removed by detachment. The carrier layer may also be marked with instructions for proper positioning and orientation of the support device to assist the person applying the device to the animal. In another embodiment of the invention, a support device may comprise two separate pieces, one for supporting a portion of each of the right and left vestibular walls. For example, only the caudal aspect of each of the vestibular walls can be supported by the device. According to such an embodiment, the support device can extend from the nasal bone to the incisive bone, through the "caudal region of the tip" of the vestibular wall near the intersection of &"------ M" .. - .-- -the nasal and incisor bones In an alternative embodiment, the support device may extend rostrally over the caudal tip of the vestibular wall from a caudal position to the intersection of the incisor and nasal bones In another embodiment, the support device can extend from the nasal bone to the incisor bone, through the caudal tip of the vestibular wall, and extend caudally over the intersection of the incisor and nasal bones. In the following, examples of support devices and methods of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following illustrated embodiments.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Modality Anatomical landmarks and modalities of an NSD according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings using the horse as an example. Similar reference numbers represent similar parts and assemblies throughout the various views. The reference to the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the illustrated modes. Figure 1 is a top plan view of the configuration of a modality of a support device m & amp; a-nasal (NSD) 10 according to the invention. The dimensions that can be used to characterize an NSD are shown in which the letters followed by a subscript "T" are transverse dimensions, therefore Ct is the transverse caudal dimension, Rt is the transverse rostral dimension, S is the rostral-nape dimension of the lateral piece and M is the rostral-nape dimension in the midline of the device. The bottom plan view of the NSD 10 is substantially identical to the top plan view of Figure 1 except that the support layer, shown in Figures 3 and 4, may be visible in the bottom plan view. The NSD 10 includes a first side piece la and a second side piece Ib which 'intersect in the middle line 2 of the region of the middle line 2a and 2b. In use, the rostral end 3 is oriented towards the tip of the nose of the animal and the caudal end 4 is oriented towards the eyes of the animal. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the rostral-nape dimension of the median line M is at least equal to the rostral-nape dimension S of the lateral pieces la and Ib. In some embodiments, the rostral-nape dimensions of the NSD in the midline 2 may be greater than the rostral-nape dimension S of the first and second pieces la, Ib. It will be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment, the transverse rostral dimension Rt is smaller than the transverse caudal dimension.

The bony anatomical structures surrounding the buccal free wall which is supported by a support device of the invention is described with reference to Figure 2 which is a profile view of the bone anatomy of the rostral region of the head of a horse, in US Patent No. 5,913,873 of which describes a more complete discussion of the relevant anatomy, the description of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. Briefly, the free lateral wall of the vestibule is defined dorsally by the lateral aspect of the nasal bone 5, ventrally by the incisor bone 6, and caudally by the intersection 7 of the nasal bones 5 and incisor 6. The rostral aspect of the The vestibular free wall is limited by the nostrilo (not shown) The shaded area 8 in Figure 2 illustrates the approximate area under the "caudal region of the tip" of the vestibular wall In some embodiments, a support device of the invention This can be configured to support only the caudal region of the tip of the vestibular wall to facilitate the flow of air through the nasal passages. The caudal region of the tip is close to the nasal valve region of the nasal passages that are particularly vulnerable to narrowing under certain conditions. Figure 3 is a bottom view with the separated parts of an NSD 10 illustrating a surface layer 11, g -THA --- > , "-" *** - "a support layer 12, a coupling layer 13, and a release liner 14. In this view, no carrier layer is shown.Figure 4a is a top plan view of the NSD 10 of Figures 1 and 3 showing rostral lift elements 21, intermediate 22 and flow 23 in dotted lines In this embodiment, the transverse length T2 ?, T22, and T23 of the lifting elements 21, 22, and 23, respectively, they increase from the rostral end 3 to the caudal end 4 of the NSD 10. In addition, the lateral coupling extensions 29, comprise extensions of lateral coupling rostral (30a, 30b), rostral / intermediate (31a, 31b), flow / intermediate (32a / 32b) and flow (33a, 33b). The side engaging extensions 29 comprise a surface layer 11 and a coupling layer 13 extending beyond the transverse length (i.e., lateral extension) of the lifting elements 21, 22, and 23 to facilitate coupling of the NSD 10 to the nose of the animal. The functional aspects of the lateral coupling extensions can be configured in several complete appearances of the devices. Figure 4b is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the NSD survey elements 10. In this view, only survey elements 34, 35, 36 are shown and are in the same relative position as shown in dotted lines in the Figure 4a. In the lateral extension of each of the lifting elements 34, 35, 36, there are pairs of notches 37a-d, 38a-c, 39a-c that can penetrate through a partial or total thickness of each of the elements of lifting 34, 35, 36. In the illustrated embodiment, four pairs of notches 37a-d are present at the lateral end of the rostral lifting member 34 and three pairs 38a-c, 39a-c are present at the lateral end of the element of intermediate lifting 35 and the caudal lifting element 36. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the most lateral notches 37d, 38c, 39, c of each lifting element traverse a greater portion of the width of the lifting elements (i.e. , the smaller region without notches between the notches of a pair) than the notches near the median line ML of the lifting elements 34, 35, 36. The number of notched pairs can be varied. Typically, if additional pairs of notches are added, they are added close to the region of the median line ML of the survey element. The effect of the notches traversing an increasing portion of the dimension of the lifting element from near the median line ML to the lateral end is to gradually decrease the detachment force in the coupling layer between the support device and the j i WfcífÍ? i-f * i - Í - ¿- * -iA? ---. _--. --- -TO. 'I ---. -. » «--- ------ '-" --- "A_k-A - I animal's nose and convert it into a cutting force to facilitate the coupling of the NSD 10 to the nose of the animal. to Figure 3, the release liner 14 may comprise a single section or have a single slit or multiple slits to make a multiple section release liner The release liners suitable for use with an adhesive of the coupling layer are known In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figure 3, the release liner 14 comprises three components, a first side piece 40, a second side piece 41 and an intermediate piece 42. According to this embodiment, when NSD 10 is applied to the nose of an animal, the intermediate piece 42 can be removed first and placed NSD 10 over the nasal bones 5, and the intermediate region 44c of the adhesive 44 of the coupling layer 13 lightly coupled to the skin of the nasal bones. a bit of repositioning before the lateral aspects 44a and 44b of the adhesive 44 are exposed. Once the proper final position of the NSD 10 is determined, the side piece 40 and the second side piece 41 of the release liner 14 can be removed and secured the side aspects 44a and 44b of the adhesive 44 to the nose of the animal. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the lower side 50 of the surface layer 11 (ie, the side in the direction of the nose of the animal, when used) includes an adhesive layer 51 for adhering the surface layer 11 to the upper side 52 of the lifting elements (21, 22, 23) and the upper side 54 of the coupling layer 13. The lower side 53 of the lifting elements (21, 22, 23) may include an adhesive 56 for adhering the lifting elements (21, 22, 23) to the upper side 54 of the coupling layer. The lower side 55 of the coupling layer 13 includes the adhesive 44 for adhering the device to the nose of the animal, each of the adhesives of the NSD 10 can be a coated medical tape, a transferable adhesive, a liquid adhesive, PSA, etc. . In a preferred embodiment, the surface layer 11 is black non-woven medical tape 9910 available from 3M Co., St. Paul, MN, the lifting elements 21, 22, 23 are MYLAR® available from DuPont Films, Wilmington, DE, Coupling layer 13 is DM-2009, available from Dermamed, Pallmadge, OH 44278 and the release liner is DM-2009 release liner, also available from Dermamed. In some embodiments, an NSD may include a carrier layer, Figure 5 is a top view of an NSD 10 that includes a carrier layer 60 that is releasably adhered to the surface layer 11. In this embodiment, the carrier layer 60 follow the perimeter edge 51 of the surface layer 11 except at the rostral end 3 '** í -? * s £. gjg ^ to the NSD 10. At the rostral end 3, the carrier layer 60 includes a rostral extension 61. The rostral extension 61 provides a grip portion 63, for the handling of the NSD 10 with reduced probability of having contact with the adhesive 44. of the coupling layer 13, if the release liner has been removed. Additionally, in the embodiment of the carrier layer 60 of Figure 5, the rostral extension 61 is configured to provide an alignment guide for proper positioning of the NSD 10. on the nose of the animal. Specifically, by aligning the rostral rim 65 of the carrier layer 60 at the tip of the horse nostrils, the side pieces a and Ib will be properly aligned on the lateral vestibular walls. Figure 6 is a front view of an NSD 10 secured to the nose 70 of a horse 71. Figure 7 is an NSD 10 having an alternative embodiment of a carrier layer 80 releasably adhered to the surface layer 11. As with the carrier layer 60 of Figure 5, the Carrier layer 80 includes a rostral extension 81. In addition, the carrier layer 80 also includes a caudal extension 82 to facilitate handling and positioning the device 10. In other embodiments, the carrier layer could be configured to provide lateral extensions or an extension perimeter around the entire device. .. - .--- tti-tta--.

A support layer and a release liner as described herein can also be used with human nasal dilators as well as with animal nasal devices as described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,913,873 and co-pending applications Serial U.S. 09 / 018,603 and 09 / 264,464, the complete descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference. Figure 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an NSD 100 according to the invention. Four lifting elements 101, 102, 103 and 104 are illustrated in dotted lines. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the lifting element 101 at the rostral end 105 of the NSD 100 has the longest transverse dimension and the lifting element 104 at the caudal end 106 has the shortest transverse dimension. The lateral engaging extensions 108a, 108b and 109a, 109b are also present for purposes previously discussed. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a device and method of the support of the invention. For purposes of example, the following description will be made with illustrations of a support device applied to the anatomy of the skeleton of a horse to appreciate the relative positions of the anatomy and the support provided.

The embodiments of Figures 9 and 10 provide a localized support in the caudal region of the tip of the vestibular wall, Figure 9 illustrates the placement, in relation to the shaded area 8, of a support device 150 when applied to the caudal region of the tip of the vestibular wall. As illustrated, the support device 150 has a dorsal edge 151 that covers a portion of the nasal bone 5 and a ventral edge 152 that covers a portion of the incisor bone 6. The amount of the dorsal edge 151 and the ventral edge 152 that covers the nasal bone 5 and incisor bone 6 is preferably at least 0.5 cm and typically approximately 1.0 to 3.0 cm. Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment for supporting the caudal region of the tip of the vestibular wall. In this embodiment, the support device 160 extends caudally beyond the intersection 7 of the nasal bone 5 and the incisive bone 6. Preferably, the support device 160 extends approximately 0.5 cm to approximately 5.0 cm caudal to the intersection 7. The support device 160 also extends dorsally and ventrally over the nasal bone 5 and the incisor bone 6, respectively, as described for the support device 150. It will be appreciated that although the support device 150 is illustrated as a rectangle and the support device IiífíUm.- *., j, fc || --- and ^ |. | [-I¡rjjn ^ t-. > (a ^ _tJ, fc ^ .- j.-t- t - «...., - - JJ ^ J.« J> --8-A - »-" "f ''. *" - - -ffff * - * jtf '^' H 160 as a triangle, other shapes can be used, including, squares, circles, ovals, octagons, etc. to provide the function according to this aspect of the invention. of support 150 and 160 may include a carrier layer, a surface layer, a coupling layer and release liners as described for the other embodiments of the invention.The support layer may comprise one or more elements of lifting made of the materials previously In another embodiment, an NSD in accordance with the invention provides a bilaterally symmetric NSD through two dimensional axes of the device With reference to Figure 11, a general configuration for an NSD in accordance with this embodiment is diagrammatically illustrated. As illustrated, the NSD 200 has a transverse axis At across the dimension n wider cross Wt. NSD 200 also has a longitudinal axis AL through the longer rostral-caudal dimension M. Therefore, although other longitudinal dimensions L and transverse dimensions T are present, the greatest dimension in both the longitudinal and transverse directions is in the axes According to this modality, the NSD is bilaterally symmetric in the opposite aspects of the transverse axis At.

In other words, the upper surface 201 of the NSD 200 is substantially identical with the lower surface 202. Furthermore, the NSD is bilaterally symmetrical on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis AL such that the right surface 204 is substantially identical to the left surface 205. it will be appreciated that each axis At and AL bisects the device in bilaterally symmetrical halves in their respective dimensions. The overall appearance of the NSD 200 of Figure 11 may include any of the structural features or components of the other NSDs described herein, but, in addition to other advantages, this configuration provides ease of application and a reduced likelihood of malfunction due to improper positioning. . Specifically, the device provides structural features in a configuration that can be placed over the nose in the position illustrated in Figure 11 or rotated from there 180 °. In addition, the two bilaterally symmetric axis devices may include all structural aspects, components, or functional characteristics described above for other NSD modalities, but within variations in appearance as illustrated in Figures 12-37 as described below.

Figure 12 illustrates a top side view of an appearance for a two NSD configuration of bilaterally symmetric axes as described above with reference to Figure 11. Figures 13-15 illustrate a bottom side view of the embodiment of Figure 12 with variable numbers of support elements 210 as described above. As described, an intermittent pattern of adhesive can be used. Holes may also be located through the device, preferably not located in or through the lifting elements.

Figure 16 is a top side view and the Figures 17-19 are bottom side views of an alternative appearance of an NSD containing the described configuration features. Figure 20 is a top side view and Figures 21-23 are bottom side views of an alternative appearance mode. Figure 24 is a top side view and Figures 25-28 are bottom side views of another alternative appearance mode. Figure 29 is a top side view and Figures 30-32 are bottom side views of yet another alternative appearance modality. Figure 33 is a top side view and Figures 34-37 are bottom side views of another alternate appearance embodiment of an NSD in accordance with the invention.

Therefore, each of the above embodiments illustrated in Figures 12-37 may include some or all of the structural features or arrangements of other NSDs described herein but with different ornamental appearance. The side view of each of the embodiments is substantially free of any ornamental features. Additionally, the lifting elements can be of the same number, size, shape, material, thickness of the material, etc. as previously described. In addition, construction features, component layers, adhesive characteristics, holes, intermittent adhesive patterns, etc. can be used. In another embodiment, an NSD 300 according to the invention can be provided in component parts, some of which are reusable. Figure 38 is a top plan view of one such embodiment and Figure 39 is a longitudinal view of the embodiment of Figure 38 looking from the rostral aspect R. In accordance with this embodiment, the NSD 300 includes a first side part. 301 for coupling with a first vestibular wall and a second lateral piece 302 for coupling with a second vestibular wall. A coupling layer 303 that includes adhesives and adhesive systems as described above can be applied to the bottom surfaces 304 or 305 of the side pieces 301 and 302, respectively, for the adherence of the side pieces to the side vestibular walls. The bridge piece 306 is configured to pass through the nose of the animal and join a first side region 307 with the first top side 308 of the first side piece 301 and join in a second side region 309 with a second top side 310 of the second piece. 302. The bridge 306 can be attached to the side pieces 301 and 302 using known systems such as sailboat, buckles, zipper fasteners, snaps, hooks, hooks and rings, snap rings, pliers or other similar attachment that provide a reusable joint of the bridge piece 306 with the side pieces. The side pieces 301 and 302 will typically be replaced after each use. It will be appreciated that the bridge piece 306 includes a surface material 320 that maintains individual lifting elements 312 in a fixed array relative to one another. The components of the surface layer and the lifting elements can be as described above. Alternative materials consistent with the functional requirements for an NSD of the invention may also be used. One, two, three, four or more lifting elements 321 may be used as needed. The holes can also pass through the Fc - j_¡ -_-- - .. -ri - * ---- ¿? Tjj-? «Am-M- at-aait-t. bridge piece 306 which preferentially does not pass through the lifting elements 321. The side pieces 301 and 302 may or may not include lifting elements and may or may not include holes. If employed, one or more lifting elements, which are oriented in parallel, perpendicular or oblique, can be used to the lifting elements of the bridge piece 306. Figure 40 illustrates another embodiment of an NSD 350 having a first piece side 351 and a second side piece 352 substantially as described for NSD 300 above. However, in contrast to the bridge piece 306, the bridge piece of the mode 350 comprises at least two, typically three and optionally more, independent lifting elements 353. Each lifting element can be attached at its side region 354, 355 to the side pieces 351 and 352 as described for NSD 300. Figure 41 illustrates another embodiment of an NSD 400 having a first side piece 401 and a second side piece 402 substantially as described by the NSD 300 and 350. However, the bridge piece 403 comprises a single unit piece that traverses the nose and joins its side edges 404 and 405 with the first side piece 401 and the second side piece 402 as described bit_i-i - ÍMfc ---- ... ---- i- .. previously. Hence, for each of the NSD 300, 350 and 400 modes, the first and second side pieces can be discarded after use and the bridge pieces 306, 353 and 403 can be reused. With each use, the operator can apply the lateral regions to the first and second pieces with a selected amount of tension for a desired amount for the lateral vestibular wall. The present invention also provides reusable nasal support devices for animals. The term "reusable" refers to the nasal support device which can be applied to an animal, removed and subsequently reapplied to the same or a different animal. A simple use of a nasal support device is typically considered in use from the moment of adhesion to the nose of an animal until the removal of the device from the nose.

In one embodiment, a reusable nasal support device can be prepared by applying a reuse coupling layer to the worn coupling layer of a previously used nasal support device. As used herein, "worn coupling layer" refers to the coupling layer used to adhere a nasal support device to an animal after the nasal support device has been removed from the animal. The "reuse coupling layer" A ------- m &z provides a layer of adhesive to reattach the nasal support device to the nose of an animal after a previous mesh layer is worn. Nasal support devices that may be used in accordance with this embodiment of the invention include, for example, any of the nasal animal support devices described herein or in the aforementioned patents and patent applications. Suitable re-engagement coupling layers include, for example, double-sided tapes or transferable adhesives such as transferable adhesive No. 1524 available from 3M Co., St. Paul, MN. According to this embodiment, after the application of a support device to an animal, the nasal support device can be removed from the animal and a re-use coupling layer applied to the worn adhesive surface of the coupling layer which previously was in contact with the nose of the animal. The reuse coupling layer is applied to the previously used nasal support device after removal from the animal. However, it will be appreciated that the layer becomes nonfunctional (worn out) because the adhesive surface is worn as a result of adhesion or other contact with something different than the nose of an animal, however, the re-use coupling layers and the it-é-t-f il l? 1? "* - * -'-" "- methods described herein can be used for the preparation of a reusable nasal support. When a double-sided tape is used, the adhesive on each side of the tape may be the same or different. For example, one side of the double-sided tape may include an adhesive that provides a high peel strength of the mating layer of the previously used nose support device and the second side of the double side tape may include an adhesive that provides a resistance to proper detachment from the animal's nose when applied to the nose. In general, the reuse coupling layer can be applied to a nasal support device immediately after removing the nasal support device from the animal. In an alternative embodiment, the nasal support device can be removed from the animal and allow a period of time to pass before application of the reuse coupling layer applied to the nasal support device. In one embodiment, the reuse coupling layer is not applied to the used nasal support device for at least three hours, typically at least 12 hours and in a preferred embodiment at least 24 hours after removing the nasal support device from an animal. . It is envisioned that the nasal support device can be used multiple times and therefore include a plurality < j tJ ** ~ é *,? *? * ¡b * t *? Of re-engagement coupling layers applied to the nasal support device with or without a nasal support device between the application of each subsequent re-use coupling layer. It is also envisaged that in an alternative embodiment, instead of using a transfer adhesive tape or a double-sided tape, a single-sided tape may be used. According to this embodiment, one side of the single-sided tape includes an adhesive for adhering the nasal support device to the nose of an animal. The second side of the single side adhesive tape does not include an adhesive. Therefore, liquid adhesive may be applied to the mating surface of the nasal support device or to the non-adhesive side, or both, and to the single-sided tape mounted on the worn mating layer of the nasal support device. The adhesive side of the single-sided tape has one side was of the worn coupling layer. Preferably, the configuration of a double-sided transfer adhesive tape is pre-cut to substantially the same shape as the nasal support device on which the re-use coupling layer will be applied. For example, in a preferred embodiment of a re-use coupling layer for a device as shown in Figure 3, the re-use coupling layer could be substantially formed as shown in the surface layer 11 or the coupling layer 13. However, the configuration of the re-use coupling layer can alternatively be packaged in rectangular, square, circular, oval, or other form and cut into the desired shape near the time of application of the re-use coupling layer to the supporting device nasal. In an alternative embodiment, a reusable nasal support device for animals may include one or more components as described in the above patents and patent applications with a "reusable docking layer". According to this embodiment, the coupling layer may comprise an adhesive system which allows the reapplication of a nasal support device to an animal after the nasal support device has previously been used on it or a different animal without the addition of a new coupling layer. An example of such a reusable adhesive which is suitable for this embodiment of the invention is a layer of pressure-sensitive fibrous adhesive comprising a tangled web of pressure-sensitive adhesive fibers such as that described in the '599 patent, the entirety of which the description is incorporated herein by reference. Therefore, a support device such as the one described here provides support for the nasal passages of tt ^ -.-- ¿? ^ - í «< M,? Aa -..- < -_-- a - ^ á - * - «-------- i. an animal, particularly soft tissues not supported. The devices can provide reduced resistance to airflow, including reduced turbulence, at rest and during exercise. In addition, support devices 5 can be used to treat or prevent respiratory distress in adult and young animals. The support of unsupported nasal tissues is particularly advantageous for animals such as horses because horses are obligatorily nasal breathing. In preferred embodiments, an NSD described herein can reduce the amount of bleeding that is associated with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in horses. Methods for determining the amount of pulmonary bleeding which occurs during the 5 EIPH are known. One such method includes carrying out post-exercise lung lavage and quantifying the number of red blood cells per microliter (ie RBC / μl) in the lavage fluid. In some embodiments, when a support device described herein is carried by a horse susceptible to EIPH during physical exercise, the red blood cell count of pulmonary blood can be reduced by at least 5%, preferably by at least 10-20%. , in some modalities by 30-40% and in some modalities by at least 50-70% in comparison when the same horse is exercised without the NSD.

Without being limited to a particular theory, the inventors believe that the support of the lateral vestibular wall, or its portions, on a region of an animal decreases the resistance to air flow and increases the efficiency of respiration. That is, when an NSD is used, less energy is consumed by the animal during inspiration or expiration of air within the lungs. The strength of air aspiration / exhalation is reduced by providing a cross-sectional area of the nasal passages that is greater than the cross-sectional area when the support device is not used. It is believed that a decrease in the cross-sectional area of the nasal passages requires an increase in intrapleural pressure (ie, negative pressure) during inspiration to attract the same amount of air into the lungs. The air resistance (R) is related to the pressure (P) through the nasal air passage and the flow (F) of air through the nasal passage through the equation: R = P / F. The inventors believe that negative intrapleural pressure across the pulmonary alveoli combined with high pulmonary blood pressure during exercise can cause the rupture of the pulmonary blood vessels which manifests the EIPH. In some embodiments, wherein a support device described herein is used by a horse during -ií-i--, exercise, the resistance to the nasal passage can be reduced by at least approximately 5-10%, typically 20-30%, and in some animals, by more than 40%. Additionally, by reducing nasal passage resistance, less work is required during breathing resulting in reduced oxygen consumption and reduced CO 2 production for the same amount of exercise. The heart rate can also be reduced in a horse using an NSD when compared to the same horse that performs the same level of exercise with an NSD. In another embodiment, the invention provides therapeutic devices for the treatment of conditions sensitive to the supply of magnetic, electromagnetic, thermal (hot or cold), ultrasonic or other energy emission modes. The device could also be provided for the delivery of a pharmaceutical agent. According to this embodiment, the components and surface layer and coupling layer constructions described herein for an NSD can be used. However, in contrast to the devices previously described, in the present devices, the support layer is supplanted by, or complemented by, a therapeutic layer. Additionally, the appearance of the configuration may vary depending on the size or region of the body to which the therapeutic energy is to be delivered.

According to this embodiment, the therapeutic layer can include disc-shaped magnets, electromagnets, ultrasound transmitters, thermal emitters or other therapeutic modality. For example, in one embodiment, the lifting elements can be supplanted by the placement of thin magnets that supply magnetic energy to a localized region of the body on which the device is placed. In general, the preferred components of the therapeutic layer, such as magnets, are flexible to suit the location of the body where the device will be applied, but lacks significant elasticity or shape memory that would act to conform to the shape of the region of the body. body to the coupling surface of the device. The adhesive surface can be continuous or intermittent on one side of the therapeutic layer. A surface layer can optionally be used.

In some embodiments, the device may include a surface layer, a therapeutic layer and an adhesive layer. The surface layer may be configured to include a boundary that extends sufficiently around the perimeter of the therapeutic layer. The adhesive layer can then be applied over the therapeutic layer to the perimeter boundary to provide adhesive coupling of the device for a selected location of the patient's body. As described for the support layer ^^ - ^^^ fedgj "fe **» - 1 ** "'*" above, an adhesive can be used to adhere the therapeutic layer to the surface layer Examples of the appearance of suitable configurations can be understood by reference to the Figures 3, 12-17 wherein the lifting elements could be replaced by the therapeutic delivery apparatus For example, Figure 42 illustrates a lower plan view embodiment of the therapeutic device 500. As described for an NSD, the layer surface 501 may include a coupling layer 502 (transparent in this view) on the bottom surface 503 of the surface layer 501 and the therapeutic layer 504. In this embodiment, the therapeutic layer 504 may be a 505 disc magnet or other Apparatus for providing a particular therapeutic modality Many of the adhesive systems described herein are advantageous for adherence to the body.In addition, by adjusting the moisture absorption characteristics of the adhesives, As by the addition of a hydrocolloid, such as carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylamide, or a similar composition, the ability to maintain the position in the presence of sweat or other fluids will be increased. In addition to other adhesives, suitable adhesives include adhesives of a type used to maintain EKG patches in a human or animal body. In an alternative embodiment, the therapeutic delivery apparatus may be inserted within a -, - -. 4 »fcA, - - .-« a -. »- * -.,. , & -. pocket made of plastic, PTFE, fabric or other suitable material having a surface coated with a coupling layer as described herein. Examples and conditions that may be treated by placement of a therapeutic device described herein at or near the location of the condition include: acute or chronic inflammation, non-union fractures, splints, muscle pain, tendon injuries, etc. Having described the invention, one skilled in the art will appreciate that changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. All modifications and equivalents of the described invention are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A support device for supporting tissues covering a first and a second passage or nasal passage, the support is characterized in that it comprises: an adhesive layer for securing the tissue support device; a support layer; and a surface layer, the surface layer is configured to include: a first transverse dimension having a first transverse axis therethrough; a central longitudinal dimension having a longitudinal axis which is orthogonal to said transverse axis and bisects said transverse axis; a first and second lateral longitudinal dimension on opposite sides of said central longitudinal dimension said central longitudinal dimension greater than said first and second lateral longitudinal dimensions; said surface layer on opposite sides of said first transverse axis being mirror images of one another. A support device according to claim 1, characterized in that said surface layer on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis are mirror images of one another. 3. A support device according to claim 1, characterized in that said central longitudinal dimension is smaller than said transverse dimension. 4. A support device according to claim 1, characterized in that said support layer includes at least two lifting elements. 5. A support device according to claim 1, characterized in that said support layer includes three or more lifting elements. 6. A support device according to claim 1, characterized in that said surface layer is symmetrically bilateral through said transverse and longitudinal axes. 7. A support device configured to support tissues covering a first and second nasal passage of an animal, characterized in that the support device comprises: a support layer; and a surface layer, the surface layer is configured to include: a first axis which bisects said surface along a first dimension; a second axis bisecting said surface layer along a second dimension; said surface layer being bilaterally symmetrical through said first and second axes. A support device according to claim 7, characterized in that said surface layer is on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis mirror images of one another. 9. A support device according to claim 7, characterized in that said central length dimension is smaller than said first transverse dimension. A support device according to claim 1, characterized in that said support layer includes at least one lifting element. A tissue support device on a first nasal passage, characterized in that said device comprises: a first lateral piece for application on said nasal passage; i-t-ltL-í --.---. .... - »i. _.- lÍ.-i - »B ---- l -.--- J ~~ ^^ '- J ---- fa ----- a second lateral piece for the application on said passage nasal; and a bridge piece having a first side region and a second side region for joining said first side region to said first side piece and said second side region to said second side piece. The support device according to claim 11, characterized in that said first and second side regions of said bridge piece joined to said first and second pieces use sailboat. 13. A therapeutic device characterized in that it comprises: a therapeutic layer; and an adhesive to keep said device in a selected place. 14. A support device for supporting tissues covering a first and second nasal passages, the support is characterized in that it comprises: a coupling layer including an adhesive for coupling the support device to the tissues; a surface layer; a support layer placed between the coupling layer and the surface layer; and a carrier layer releasably mounted to the surface layer. -a-táA-fa 15. The support device according to claim 14, characterized in that it additionally comprises a release liner releasably attached to the adhesive of the coupling layer. The support device according to claim 15, characterized in that the release liner comprises a first side piece, a second side piece, and an intermediate piece. The support device according to claim 14, characterized in that its configuration includes: a transverse axis having a transverse dimension; a central longitudinal axis having a central longitudinal dimension, the longitudinal central axis being orthogonal to the transverse axis and the central longitudinal axis bisects the transverse axis; first and second lateral longitudinal dimensions on opposite sides to the central longitudinal dimension; the central longitudinal dimension is greater than the first and second lateral longitudinal dimensions; the surface layer on the opposite sides of the transverse axis being mirror images of one another. 18. A support device according to claim 17, characterized in that the surface layer on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis are mirror images of one another. 19. A support device according to claim 14, characterized in that the support layer includes at least two lifting elements. 20. A support device according to claim 14, characterized in that the support layer includes at least three lifting elements. 21. A support device according to claim 20, characterized in that it has a coupling extension that extends laterally beyond the lifting elements. 22. A support device according to claim 17, characterized in that the support device is bilaterally symmetrical through both transverse and longitudinal axes. 23. A support device according to claim 14, characterized in that the surface layer is a dark color. 24. A support device according to claim 14, characterized in that the carrier layer includes a rostral extension. t, - fai, t- > .- »---- U.t-1..1 - i», A.L ,, -, -. 25. A support device according to claim 24, characterized in that the rostral extension is an alignment guide. 26. A support device for supporting tissues covering a first and second nasal passages, the support device is characterized in that it comprises: a coupling layer including an adhesive for coupling the support device to the tissues; a surface layer; a support layer placed between the coupling layer and the surface layer; and a release liner releasably attached to the adhesive layer, the release liner comprises a first side piece, a second side piece, and an intermediate piece. 27. A support device according to claim 26, characterized in that it additionally comprises a carrier layer releasably mounted to the surface layer. 28. A support device according to claim 26, characterized in that the support layer includes at least two lifting elements. 29. A support device according to claim 26, characterized in that it has a coupling extension that extends laterally beyond the lifting elements. 30. A support device according to claim 26, characterized in that it is configured to include: a first side piece for coupling a first lateral vestibular wall covering a first nasal passage, the first side piece has a rostral end, a caudal end and a first rostral-nape dimension; a second lateral piece for the coupling of a second lateral vestibular wall covering a second nasal passage; the second side piece has a rostral end, a caudal end and a second rostral-nape dimension; a midline region that includes an intersection of the first and second side pieces, the middle line region has a rostral end, a caudal end and a rostral-nape dimension of midline region that is greater than either of the first rostral-nape dimension and the second rostral-nape dimension. 31. A support device according to claim 26, characterized in that the support device is configured to conform to the nose of a horse. 32. A support device according to claim 26, characterized in that the surface layer is a dark color. A support device for supporting tissues covering a first and second nasal passage, characterized in that the support device comprises: a coupling layer including an adhesive for joining the support device to the tissues; a surface layer; a support layer positioned between the coupling layer and the surface layer; wherein the coupling layer includes a coupling extension extending laterally beyond the support layer. 34. A method for facilitating the flow of air through the nasal passages of an animal, the method is characterized in that it comprises the support of a tip caudal region of a vestibular wall that covers the nasal passages of the animal. 35. A reusable nasal support device characterized in that it comprises: a support layer; a first coupling layer for adhesively securing the nasal support device to the nose of an animal; Y - * aa - i »- > --a? --------- --.-. s-te -------- -ÉS-É-É-. a second coupling layer for adhesively securing the nasal support device to an animal. 36. The reusable nasal support device according to claim 35, characterized in that the second coupling layer is applied to the nasal support device after the first coupling layer has been adhesively secured and removed from the nose of the animal. 37. The reusable nasal support device according to claim 35, characterized in that the first coupling layer is a double-sided tape. 38. The reusable nasal support device according to claim 35, characterized in that the second coupling layer is a double-sided tape. 39. The reusable nasal support device according to claim 35, characterized in that the second coupling layer is a single-sided tape. 40. The reusable nasal support device according to claim 35, characterized in that the second coupling layer is a transferable adhesive tape. 41. The reusable nasal support device according to claim 35, characterized in that it additionally comprises three or more coupling layers. ML ** ~ - - ** «* -, 42. A reusable nasal support device sized for an animal, characterized in that it comprises: a support layer; and a coupling layer, the coupling layer comprises a layer of pressure sensitive fibrous adhesive comprising a tangled web of pressure sensitive adhesive fibers. fa --.- -------.- i-t - > .... --MU -... .- ^^ --.-. I ^ - • * - - ^ .--- i-t-n-f-t-fei - .. l