Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Means for removing substance from respiratory gas
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-29
2001-04-10
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Means for removing substance from respiratory gas
C128S206110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213121
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a filtration system designed to be surgically implanted within the movable septum of the nasal passages. A system that allows the user to easily remove the filtering elements for cleaning or replacement. The system will purify the air before the air can reach the lungs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Our lungs have drawn into them a huge volume of air during a lifetime. Along with the air come all manner of dusts, fumes, pollens, pollutants, viruses and gases. These often produce disease. There is a growing trend today whereby people are experiencing difficulty with their breathing, basically due to the poor quality of air. The quality of air is not improving and is extremely bad in the industrial regions of the world, especially Germany, Japan and the United States. Many inventions have focused on concerns of the air we breathe and the need to protect our respiratory systems. The nose is the primary portal for airborne transmission, especially viruses. While the nose is a remarkable organ and has always been a very efficient expeller of unwanted invaders, it has reached the point where it could use some additional help.
As air passes through the nose, three distinct functions are performed by the nasal cavities. First, the air is warmed by the extensive surfaces of the turbinates and septum; secondly, the air is moistened to a considerable extent, even before it passes beyond the nose; and thirdly, the air is filtered. For instance, if air was taken directly into the trachea without passing through the nose, the lungs would have to both cool and dry the air. This can lead to lung infection. We see the importance or the nose and its role in protecting the lungs. The hairs at the entrance to the nostrils are important because they remove the large particles. Much more important though is the removal of particles by turbulent precipitations which take care of particles down to the 4-6 micron range. Even though everyone is aware of the critical function of nose hairs, the public generally views them as unesthetic and thus cosmetically removes them which further adds to the problem.
The prior art is inundated with patents teaching of various ways to filter the air prior to its reaching the lungs. The prior art approaches this problem in two ways. One area of the prior art teaches the use of filtering and breathing devices that are used on the outside of the nose while another group discloses the utilization within the nose itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,629 issued to Paterson, Jr. on Jun. 10, 1997 discloses the use of a nasal glove. One that fits tightly on the exterior of the nose. Part of the device consists of a filter material that is porous and permeable to air, but not to small particles. The device is easily removed and carried on the user's person. Patterson, Jr. also teaches that the filter can be fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, plastic components, fiberglass, plexiglass and other materials. Unlike the present invention, this invention is not designed to be used inside the nose.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,333 issued to Johnson on Mar. 18, 1997, is part of a large art field which teaches the use of a dilator which is attached to the outside of the nose much like affixing a bandaid. These dilators work by separating outer wall tissues from inner structural tissues to dilate the nasal passages of the nose. While many athletes feel that these aid their breathing, they do not help in the filtration of particles before they reach the lungs, as does the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,808 issued to Rimkus on Oct. 29, 1996, teaches the use of a nose filter which is inserted into the nostril. It's easily positioned and removed. It's main function is to seal the nose so that all air must pass through the filtering element. This filter is kept in place by friction. It is not a permanently installed filter device as is the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,836 issued to Lincoln on Jan. 23, 1996, teaches of an air filter worn on the nose and affixed by an adhesive strip.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,773 issued to Bertrand on Feb. 28, 1995 teaches the use of a respiratory particulate filter which is adhered to the nose by an adhesive and the filter covers the opening to the nostrils.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,461 issued to Lake on Mar. 4, 1986 teaches of a nasal sealer and filter. The device is ellipsoidal in shape and made of a soft pliable impervious material when it is to be used as a sealer but, of a porous material when used as a filter. This device is strictly designed for temporary use.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,711 issued to Beber on Aug. 25, 1964, teaches a disposable nasal filter which easily is inserted into the nostril but is not semi-permanently implanted as is the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,192,093 to Moore, U.S. Pat. No. 2,151,227 to Pawelek, U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,015 to Adler, U.S. Pat. No. 390,027 to Locke and U.S. Pat. No. 142,477 to James are all shown as examples of how long a period of time inventors have been trying to filter air prior to its reaching our lungs.
None of the above inventions and patents taken either singly or in combination is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a filtration system which is designed to be surgically implanted into the movable septum of the nose to aid in filtering the air we breathe. The present invention provides for a semi-permanent, removable and retrievable fixture having expendable filters. These may be removed by the user for cleaning or replacement and can be used for prolonged periods without discomfort. They can even be worn in the workplace, and also for routine daily activities in and out of the home. There is no need to remove them while sleeping.
The present invention has trans-septal cartilagenous components surgically implanted into the anterior-vestibular area of the movable septum. Depending on the size and angulation of the naris opening, the systems can be vary in size. The implanted portion, which is in permanent contact with the tissue, will be preferably gold or titanium, however other materials that are compatible with the tissue may be used.
The trans-septal cartilagenous components include a retention sleeve assembly, which is comprised of one large hexagonal shaped sleeve and two smaller circular shaped sleeves. These sleeves are maintained in a spatial relationship to each other by an orientation bar which orients all three sleeves to one another.
A septum stud is passed through the larger hexagonal sleeve, this stud comprising of two parts. The two parts are snap-fitted together and have outer extremities which are hexagonal in shape. A stabilizer device reinforces the septum, while maintaining the septum stud in the desired position. This stabilizer device is comprised of a pair of stabilizer plates which are locked together by securing rods that pass through the smaller sleeves of the retention sleve assembly. Slip-fitted over the ends of the septum stud are a pair of connecting components with a variety of arm lengths and angulations. These connecting components support filtering components which include grids and filters that are removably connected to the grids. The filters can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement by the user.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a nasal filtration system which may be inserted directly into the nostril passages to prevent the flow of dust, viruses, bacteria, pollens or other foreign floating particles from entering the lungs upon inhalation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a breathing aid for sufferers of asthma, hay fever and other sinus problems.
It is a yet another object of the invention to provide a system that is professionally and surgically implanted by the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist or other trained specialist.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a nasal filter which is simple in construction, so
Burns D. Michael
Patel Mital
Weiss John G.
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