Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR IRRIGATING AND CLEANING NASAL CAVITIES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[101] The present invention relates generally to respiratory equipment but
more particularly to a
system and device for irrigating and cleaning nasal cavities.
2. Description of Related Art
[102] The use of nasal irrigation, like neti pots and similar devices for
pouring saline water into
the nose and through the sinuses has been known for centuries. The benefits of
doing so has also
been studied for some time now and is gaining in popularity among people
interested in alternative
medicine. More recently, this nasal irrigation technique has even been
accepted as effective by
western medicine as a way to prevent or treat symptoms of allergies, colds,
and nasal congestion.
There are even studies suggesting that various medications can be used when
performing irrigation
to treat various diseases. Although relatively simple to perform, nasal
irrigation and cleaning does
require a little getting used to and may not always be performed in the best
way. They are designed
to be used while standing up, which limits their efficiency. There is a need
for a better way of
performing that task. Consequently, a system and device for irrigating and
cleaning nasal cavities is
provided.
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BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[103] The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the
invention in
order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not
an extensive overview
of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the
invention or to delineate
the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of
the invention in a
simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is
presented later.
[104] It is a main object of the present invention to provide for a device for
using proven scientific
processes for irrigating and cleaning nasal cavities by allowing liquid to go
deep into the sinuses
cavities by immersing them, while the user is lying down. It is another object
of the present
invention to confine the solution used and the liquid discharges which result
therefrom by way of
confinement in the watertight face mask and the conduits towards the
collection container. It is yet
another object of the present invention, to enhance the experience during a
treatment.
[105] In order to do so, a face mask device for irrigating and cleaning nasal
cavities is provided,
the face mask comprising an incoming supply port configured to receive an
incoming supply tube
configured to flow aqueous solution through the incoming supply port; a pair
of supply tubes
connected to the incoming supply port, wherein the pair of supply tubes lead
into a pair of nostrils
of a user; a pair of drain tubes leading from the pair of nostrils to an
outlet positioned on the
facemask; and, a three way valve positioned to control the flow through the
incoming supply port
and to direct the flow to a supply tube of the pair of supply tubes such that
flow of aqueous solution
is enabled to be directed to a nostril of the pair of nostrils.
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[106] In one embodiment, a pair of holding baskets is provided, wherein the
pair of supply tubes
feed into the pair of holding baskets, wherein each holding basket of the pair
of holding baskets are
configured to be positioned in each nostril of the user. In one embodiment,
the pair of drain tubes
are connected to the pair of holding baskets. In another embodiment, each
holding basket is
configured to bring in the aqueous solution into a nasal cavity of the pair of
nostrils while letting out
excretion flow to the pair of drain tubes from each holding basket. In yet
another embodiment, the
pair of drain tubes are shaped and configured to pass around a mouth of the
user. In one
embodiment, a sleeve is positioned at a bottom portion of the face mask, such
that the pair of drain
tubes pass through the sleeve to the outlet. In one embodiment, the sleeve
includes at least one
passageway enabling excretions evacuation coming from a mouth of the user. In
another
embodiment, a threaded ring configured to receive and connect a drain line to
the outlet is provided.
In yet another embodiment, head straps configured to secure the face mask to
the user during use
are provided.
[107] In another aspect of the invention the face mask is watertight to allow
for full immersion of
nasal cavities while allowing for circulation of fresh air by way of at least
one air outlet valve and at
least one air inlet valve.
[108] In another aspect of the invention, a system for irrigating and cleaning
nasal cavities of a
user is provided, comprising a stand configured to hold an aqueous solution
container; a primary
incoming tube connected to the aqueous solution container; a face mask device
comprising: an
incoming supply port configured to receive the primary incoming supply tube; a
pair of supply
tubes connected to the incoming supply port, wherein the pair of supply tubes
lead into a pair of
nostrils of the user; a pair of drain tubes leading from the pair of nostrils
to an outlet positioned on
the facemask; and, a three way valve positioned to control the flow through
the incoming supply
port and to direct the flow to a supply tube of the pair of supply tubes such
that flow of aqueous
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solution is enabled to be directed to a nostril of the pair of nostrils; a
drain line connected to the
outlet in fluid communication with the pair of drain tubes; and, a collection
container configured to
receive the waste from the drain line.
[109] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and
important features of the
present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention that
follows may be better
understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully
appreciated. Additional
features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject
of the claims of the
invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
conception and the disclosed
specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for
modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It
should be realized by
those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[1010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent when the
following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[1011] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for irrigating and cleaning nasal cavities
in use according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[1012] FIG. 2A is a rear view of the mask component of the device according to
an embodiment of
the present invention.
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[1013] FIG. 2B is a detail view of the tubes and baskets according to an
embodiment of the present
invention.
[1014] FIG. 2C is a top view of the drain tubes according to an embodiment of
the present
invention.
[1015] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the mask according to an embodiment of
the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[1016] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in
the art to make and use
the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of
carrying out his
invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to
those skilled in the art,
since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein
to specifically provide
a system and device for irrigating and cleaning nasal cavities.
[1017] Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 10 for irrigating and cleaning nasal
cavities in use is
shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some
embodiments, the system
comprises a stand 12 configured to hold an aqueous solution container 14. The
system further
comprises a primary incoming tube 16 leading to a water tight face mask device
18 configured to be
worn by a user 20. In one embodiment, the solution is gravity fed directed
through the primary
incoming tube into at least one port 22 of the face mask 18. A drain line 24
leads from the face
mask 18 to a collection container 28. Further details of the device and use
will be described in
greater detail below.
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[1018] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-C and FIG. 3, the face mask device 18
comprises a three way
valve 21 to control flow from the primary incoming tube 16 through the at
least one port 22. In
some embodiments, two ports are provided to direct a pair of secondary
incoming tubes 17 to each
nostril of the user. More specifically, the pair of secondary incoming tubes
17 feed into a pair of
holding baskets 30, one for each nostril, wherein each holding basket is
configured to bring in the
solution into the nasal passages while letting out the excretion flow to a
pair of drain tubes 23 from
each holding basket 30. The pair of drain tubes 23 functioning as outlets for
the waste, wherein the
pair of drain tubes lead to drain line 24.
[1019] Advantageously, the drain tubes 23 are shaped and configured to pass
around the mouth of
the intended user. In some embodiments, a sleeve 26 is provided at a bottom
portion of the face
mask 18, such that the drain tubes pass through the sleeve 26. Further, in
some embodiments, the
sleeve 26 contains two additional passageways 29 for possible excretions
evacuation coming from
the mouth enabling these excretions to be evacuated towards and into the drain
line 24. In one
embodiment, the drain line 24 is secured to the face mask 18 via a threaded
ring 27.
[1020] In some embodiments, the face mask 18 further comprises at least one
head strap 32 for
securing the face mask 18 to the user during use. In some embodiments, at
least one air outlet valve
33 and at least one air inlet valve 34 is provided for the circulation of
fresh air. In some
embodiments, a means for retaining and keeping proper alignment between the
drain tubes 23 and
the drain line 24 is provided, which allows for the proper placement and angle
of the holding
baskets 30 as well. In some embodiments, the retaining means is the sleeve 26
as previously
discussed or a collar.
[1021] In use, the user 20 is instructed to place the three way valve 21 in
the closed position, put the
aqueous solution in the solution container 14, and install the container on
the stand 12. Next, the
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user is instructed to secure the face mask device 18 to their face and lie
down on a bed or couch.
The user then selects, by way of the three way valve 21, towards which nostril
is desired to receive
the incoming solution via the primary incoming tube 16, wherein the solution
travels through the
incoming tube 16, then into the face mask device 18 and through a secondary
incoming tube 17 via
port 22 to the desired nostril and nasal cavity. Then, out drain tube 23 to
the drain line 24, and into
the collection container 28. The solution can go from the right nostril into
the left nostril or vice
versa. The nasal cavities are immersed for the time required for the treatment
so that the active
ingredients can take effect. Usually, the solution does not travel down to the
throat unless the user
20 has a malformation of the mouth or palate. In order to completely drain the
solution, the user 20
needs to stand up, or at least turn his head sideways and blow through his
nose.
[1022] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in
language specific to
structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the
appended claims is not
necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific
features are disclosed as
exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated
otherwise, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as
the abstract, are for
the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore,
while exemplary
illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous
variations and alternative
embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and
alternate embodiments are
contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
[1023] It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the
labels such as left, right,
front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up,
down, or other similar
terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique,
proximal, distal, parallel,
perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience
purposes only and are
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not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead,
they are used to reflect
relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of
an object.
[1024] In addition, reference to "first," "second," "third," and etc. members
throughout the
disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or
numerical limitation but
instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-07
