Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
NA5AL PROTECTIVE ~ETHOD AND DEVICE
Cross-Re~erence to Related Application
This application is an improvement over that of
Applicant's U.S. Patent No. ~,033,342 issued on July 5,
1977 and entitled "Nasal Protective Splint".
Back~r_nd of the Invention
Fie~ld of the Invention
This invention relates to an improvement in nasal
protectors for the protection of the mucous membranes of
the nasal passages.
Descri~t on of the Prior Art
The Prior art teaches that use of numerous nasal
protective devices, but does not teach the use of a device
that closes off the nasal passages for the purpose of creat-
ing in the nose nasal passage a condition substantiallyequivalent to inflammation, the natural defensive reaction
to irritation.
U.S. Patent No. 2,317,236 is typical of the prior
art wherein a nose clip closes the nasal passages but under
conditions that will not develop the na-tural defensive reaction
of inflammation.
Summar~ of the Invention
The apparatus of the invention is a nasal splint having
a U-shaped wire spring with an ellipsoidal-like shaped nub
on each leg of the spring. Each nub is rotationally and
longitudinally adjustable with regard to each leg of the
spring to adjust the splint to human noses of different sizes.
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The method of using the inventive device above
requires that the splint be positioned on the nose to close
off the nasal passages and exert a firm pressure on the
septum for a period of 30 minutes or more causing the nasal
temperature to rise sufficiently to create a condition in
the nose substantially equivalent to inflammation, the natural
defensive reaction to ~rr~tation but without the ~in and
suffering of inflamed and swollen membranes.
Brief Description of the Drawing
Figure 1 illustrates the nasal splint in use.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the nasal splint, and
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ends of the
nasal splint.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
This invention relates to an improvement in nasal
protectors and has for its object the protection of the mucous
membranes of the nasal passages. To this end inhalation of
airborne irritants entering the nose are trapped and minimized;
reactions to a stimulus (which are manifested by snee~ing) are
inhibited, and "inflammation" (the natural defensive reaction
to irritation~ is simulated.
Toward this objective (1) the nose of the human is
closed to a degree sufficient to trap and minimize inhalation
of airborne irritants entering the nose but insufficient to
block breathing and watery secretions therefrom, ~2~ the nose
is wholly closed off by exerting a firm pressure on its
sides for 30 minutes or more (during which time forceful
attempts to inhale through nose should be exarcised) to
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inhibit the explosive actions of sneezing by control of
voluntary muscles of the nose, and (3) the nasal temperature
is caused to rise sufficient to create a condition substant-
ially equivalent to inflammation (inflamed and swollen
membranes), the natural defensive mechanism of the nose.
Thus precluding or abating the inflammatory process whereby
the evils therefrom are arrested or alleviated.
The means employed for implementing this invention is
a small improved nasal splint comprising a resilient and
adjustable music wire spring 2 (ranging in diameter 0.030 of
an inch) each leg 4 and 6 of which is embedded along the
central axis holding by fric-tion an ellipsoidal-like nub
8 and 10, preferably of polyethylene, having a certain elastic
quality to permit adjustment of each nub along and around
each leg of the spring, thus adapting the nasal splint to
conform with comfort to the size ancl shape of the nose.
This invention has two unique improvements over that
of my previous Patent No. 4,033,342, issued July 5, 1977.
In that patent, each le~ of the U-shaped spring was rigidly
embedded in a different one of the nubs, whereas in this
improved invention, each nub is held to a dif~erent leg of
the spring only by friction but with sufficient gripping
power thus providing for easy adjustment, more comfort to
the wearer and adaptability to conform with the shape and
size of nose.
The second and major improvement in this invention
is the period of time of closing off the nasal passages.
In my previous Patent No. 4,033,342, the time period of
closing the nose was only two or three minutes for the
purpose of inhibiting sneezing. Whereas this improved
invention requires closing off the nose for a period of
30 minutes or more causing a rise in nasal temperature and
thus creating a temporary condition in the nose substantially
equivalent to inflammation, the natural defensive mechanism
of the nose.
During the fall, winter and spring seasons particularly,
the nasal mucous membranes of the individual are subjected
to attack by countless airborne irritants which are constantly
being breathed into the nose, some of which are often in-
fectious. Many of these agents, after entering the nose,
are conveyed by the mucous blanket back to the throat where
they are s~allowed and rendered harmless. But, unfortunately,
some succeed in escaping this movement to the throat and,
instead, land in and attack the membranes. Irritation then
begins and evils generate and develop. When this condition
is reached, the individual soon succumbs to the explosive
~OhS of sneezing -- and as sneezing is well known to
irritate the nasal mucous membranes -- the problem then
becomes compounded, causing a rapid development of the in-
flammatory process which results in nasal blockage and in
other complications. When an irritating agent attacks the
nasal mucosa, irritation therefrom ensues. Two things then
promptly occur, (1) the small vessels of the nasal membranes
dilate and watery secretions therefrom are increased, and
(2) nature reacts to this irritation by sneezing which appears
to be nature's way of removing the agent that is causing
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the irritation. If the causative agent is non-infectious,
sneezing will often dislodge i-t and the secretions, which
are part of nature's defense cycle, can wash it back in the
throat to be swallowed. However, the non-infectious invader
can often become so entrenched in the nasal mucosa that
sneezin~ will fail to dislodge it, and along with its continued
irritation coupled with that from sneezing, complications
can surely be expected to follow. If, on the other hand,
the irritation is being caused by an infectious agent, a
different situation develops~ that is, the agent has succeeded
in gaining entrance to a living cell from which it gains
protection :Erom being dislodged by sneezing. So here again,
an invader is inflicting irr.itation and setting the stage
for complications to follow, which in this case are perhaps
more serious. In both of these cases, irritation of the nasal
passages causes the inflammatory process to develop, resulting
in nasal blockage and inflamed membranes, but when the inflam-
matory process is caused by an infectious agent, favorable
conditions are thereby created under which this infectious
agent may multiply and produce results that are injurious.
An object of this invention first of all is to (1)
reduce to a minimum the inhalation of irritating agents
entering the nose, (2) inhibit the reactions of sneezing to
these irritants which escape the mucous blanket and initiate
irritation in the nasal mucosa, and (3) simulate i.nflammation,
the natural defensive reaction to irritation.
From my own observations and clinical studies by re-
search scientists, .he average nasal disorder generally called
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a common he~ad cold or hay Eever is diagnosed usually only
by guess. But one thing is ~uite certain, the symptoms are
virtually the same. The disorder is generally sensed by
repeated spells of sneezing, water dropping from nose and,
at times, a slight scratchy feeling in the throat. During
the first 36 to 48 hours, all the usual painful symptoms
are developing until the peak of nasal obstruction is finally
reached and then something significant happens. That is,
all symptoms are brought to a halt and begin shortly there-
after to subside progressively toward zero, but it takesfive or more days for all symptoms to disappear.
What brought about this pehnomenon? It cannot be
credited to antibodies because more than one clinical study
has discovered that the antibodies present in such cases
are not due to the infecting virus. So the overcoming of
such illnesses is left in the hands of mother nature to
develop inflammation (heat and swelling) as the last resort
to end such disorders. And those two vital conditions,
heat (increased nasal temperature~ and swelling (nasal
blocka~e~, provide the defensive action which ultimately
overcomes nasal disorders such as hay fever and common
head colds. Thus, when the nose is closed with this nasal
splint, nasal blockage occurs and the nasal temperature
rises, thereby simulating or mimicking inflammation, the
natural defensive mechanism, of the nose.
In brief, this improved method of prolonging the time
of closing off the nasal passages is precisely the differ-
ence between failure and success in preventing the
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inflammatory process and arresting nasal disorders. Hence,
when repeated spells of sneezing occur, the nasal splint
should be adjusted and applied to close off the nasal passages
and to exert a firm pressure on the nasal septum (position
l, Fig. l); and while holding this position for a period
of 30 minutes or more, forceful attempts to inhale through
the nose should be exercised. At the end of the said period,
adjust the splint to a degree only sufficient to braathe
comfortably through the nose, yet retain a degree of con-
striction in the nasal passages (position 1', Fig. 1).In this adjusted position of the nasal splint, it will trap
and minimize inhalation of irritants entering the nose and
enhance its filtering system. It can be worn in this
position as long as desired with safety and little or no
discomfort.
It should be noted that when the nasal mucous membranes
are under attack, watery secretions of the nose occur.
By actual experience, I have discovered that blotting these
secretions rather than blowing the nose has proved most
helpful toward achieving the objective of the invention.
Furthermore, use of this nasal splint will operate as a
deterrent to nose blowing.
This invention resides not merely in using a nasal
clip, but in making a nasal protective splint adaptable for
a new and inventive use. The prime object of the invention
is to fulfill a health need long desired but never attained
which fact is manifested by its absence of availability
for public benefit. ~y invention is novel since it is out
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of the ordinary and unobvious because it is insufficientl~
e~ident as to arres-t attention.
The nasal splint has striking properties over conventional
nasal protective devices, namely, (1) practicabilit~ (more
acceptable for public use); (2) less unsightl~ to wear;
t3) comfortable to wear; (4) no health hazard; (5) manu-
facturing costs will be at a minimum since it comprises
only two simple parts; (6~ a lower price level can be
created by making volume production easier.
10 In two tests to determine rise in temperature in the
nasal passages, the ~ollowing temperature/times were recorded:
Test 1
Time
Nose Closed Off Temperature
= (mins.) in Nasal Passage
15 0 33.5C. (92.3F.)
35.8C. (96.4F.)
36.4C. (97.5F.)
36.5C. (97.7F.)
36.5C. (97.7F.)
36.7C. (98.06F.)
36.7C. (98.06F.)
Test II
20Time
Nose Closed Off Temperature
(mins.) in Nasal Passage
_
0 33C. (91.4F.)
35.8C. (96.4F.)
36.4C, (97.5F~)
36.6C. (97.8F.)
36.6C. (97.8F.)
During both tests, the temperature in the mouth was 97.~F.
The average normal temperature in the nose is 33C. (91.4F.).
The higher temperatures are in the range of inflamed nasal
mucous membranes, a vital condition of inflammation.
