Patent ID: 6182660
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A non-invasive sinus pain relieving assembly comprising:a) a mask including a body portion having a substantially hollow interior and structured to be removably mounted on a face of a user, said body portion further including an outer end and an inner end disposed in spaced relation to one another,b) a seal disposed at said outer end of said body portion of said mask and extending substantially continuously about a periphery thereof,c) said seal being structured and disposed to form a sealing engagement with the face of the user, and being cooperatively dimensioned and configured with said body portion of said mask so as to surround a nose of the user in outwardly spaced relation to nostrils thereof,d) a pressure regulating assembly cooperatively coupled with said body portion generally at said inner end, said pressure regulating assembly including a vacuum chamber disposed in fluid communication with said hollow interior of said body portion,e) said pressure regulating assembly being selectively positionable between a collapsed position, defined by a reduced volume of air present within said vacuum chamber, and an expanded position, defined by an increased volume of air present within said vacuum chamber,f) said mask and vacuum chamber disposable in an operative position defined by said seal forming said sealing engagement with the face of the user and said vacuum chamber and hollow interior of said body portion concurrently being disposed in fluid communication with a nasal cavity and nasopharynx of the user so as to equalize pressure between the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx, and a middle ear and sinus cavities of the user, thereby relieving sinus pain and middle ear pressure,g) a disposition of said pressure regulating assembly from said collapsed position to said expanded position while the user swallows, defining a flow of air from said hollow interior of said body portion to said vacuum chamber and a reduction of pressure within the nasal cavity and nasopharynx,h) said pressure regulating assembly comprising a bellows formed of flexible material and including said vacuum chamber formed on an interior thereof, said bellows structured for selective positioning between said collapsed position and said expanded position, andi) said bellows removably coupled with said inner end of said body portion and being selectively positionable into a stored position; said stored position being defined by said pressure regulating assembly attached to said inner end of said body portion and extending inwardly therefrom into said hollow interior of said body portion.