Surgery – Respiratory method or device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-08-21
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
C128S204130, C128S207140, C606S199000, C606S204450
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276360
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to dilators for easing the breathing of patients, and more particularly to medicated nasal dilators for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages from drawing in during breathing while providing medication to the patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Nasal dilators have been suggested for aiding breathing through the nose. There have been traditionally two types of dilators which have been effective in humans. One type uses small rings or cages connected to a resilient structure. The rings are inserted into each nasal passage while the resilient structure spreads to provide unobstructed breathing. These dilators have been criticized because they are often uncomfortable to wear. Since the cages or rings are inserted into contact with sensitive nasal tissue, they have been known to cause irritation and itching. Such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,799 to Caballero and the NOZOVENT dilator disclosed in Petruson D310,565.
More recently, advancements have been made in nasal dilators which attach to the outer wall tissue of the nose and aide in preventing the inner nasal tissue from drawing in during breathing. Such dilators include a flexible strip of material adhesively attached to a substrate. The dilator is fastened to the nose and the resilient material acts to keep the left and right nasal passages from drawing in or collapsing during inhalation. This usually occurs due to a malformation, such as a deviated septum or due to swelling during allergic reactions and the like. Examples of nasal dilators which are adhesively attached to the outer skin of a human nose are disclosed in Doubek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,503 and Muchin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,929.
While conventional nasal dilators are being used by a greater number of people, there is still a need to further improve the breathing of those individuals to a greater degree than can be established by mere mechanical manipulation of their nasal tissue.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Nasal dilators and methods of easing breathing are provided by this invention. The first group of preferred dilators include an elongated substrate having a pair longitudinal sides, a pair of transverse ends and top and bottom surfaces. Disposed on the bottom surface of the substrate is a pressure sensitive adhesive. The substrate also includes a resilient member bonded to its surface to provide a gentle expanding force to a nasal wall tissue when the dilator is adhesively attached to a nose. In an important improvement over the prior art, an aromatic medication is disposed on a portion of the dilator so that it can be inhaled through the nose of the wearer during breathing.
This invention combines the spring action of adhesively applied nasal dilators with inhaleable aromatics. Such an accommodation has the potential to produce synergistic benefits for patients who have not been entirely satisfied by either non-medicated dilators, or over-the counter decongestant medication, some of which can cause drowsiness.
In another embodiment of this invention, a method of substantially preventing the wall tissue of a nose from drawing in during breathing is provided. The method includes providing a nasal dilator including a substrate having disposed thereon a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on a first surface and a resilient member bonded to a second surface. Impregnated into the substrate is an aromatic medication for helping the patient breathe easier. The method further includes applying the pressure sensitive adhesive layer across a nose whereby the resilient member provides a gentle expanding force to the nasal wall tissue while the aromatic medication is being inhaled.
Further embodiments of this invention include transdermal medications and resilient scrims or sheet layers bonded to the substrate for minimizing the expense of continuous processing of the dilators of this invention.
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Cronk Kristen
Cronk Peter J.
Brown Michael A.
Duane Morris & Heckscher LLP
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