Abstract:
The present invention relates to a semi-removable nasal air cleaning system comprising of a surgically implanted portion including three sleeves implanted into the movable septum, a pair of stabilizer plates to distribute the stresses, and a septum stud deposed within the septum to support and orient the filter mediums. The septum supports a filtration means comprising of a connection component and a filter adapter component. The filters are easily retrievable when removal is necessary for cleaning or replacement.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based on Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/083,643 filed Apr. 30, 1998. 
    
    
     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&#39;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&#39;s easily positioned and removed. It&#39;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 that the user can easily remove the filter element for either cleaning or replacement. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide a system that allows for implantation at various positions of the movable septum. Also, a system which is both readily adjustable to fit the particular contours of various patients while also being easily retrievable. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a nasal filter that is made of non-toxic, non-irritating parts which can be inserted and allowed to be in contact with the mucous membranes; without fear of damage or harm thereto and which will not impede with the volume of air that the person inhales. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved filter system that is adapted to be inserted within the nostril whereby it will be fully seated, and for cosmetic reasons, concealed from view. 
     It is yet another object of the invention that the placement site for the system will allow the continuous free expressions of the nose for laughter, facial expression, flexibility of motion as well as the processes of sneezing and blowing of the nose. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specifications and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the nasal filtration system installed in the nasal passages of a person. 
     FIG. 2 is a prospective view of the nasal filtration system. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational cross sectional view of the retention sleeve assembly. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a side view of the retention sleeve assembly shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational cross sectional view of the stabilizer device. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a side view of the stabilizer device. 
     FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the septum stud. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connection means having an oval connector. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the connection means, one having a male-female connection. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an embodiment having a connection means comprising a concave connection. 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view of another embodiment, wherein the connection means comprises a U-shaped connector with corresponding filter element. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention, as referred to in FIG. 1, shows an internally inserted nasal filtration system  25  which is surgically implanted into the movable septum  24  of a person&#39;s nose  23 . The system  25  is surgically and semi-permanently implanted and is easily retrievable by the user. 
     Prior to the device being implanted, the surgeon will make three perforations into the septum  24 . These consists of two small and relatively round holes plus a larger, generally hexagonally shaped hole interposed between the two smaller ones. FIG. 2 shows the system  25  fully seated into the septum  24 . The system  25  comprises a retention sleeve assembly  26 , a stabilizer device  27 , a septum stud  28 , a connecting component  29  and a filtering component  30 . 
     The retention sleeve assembly  26 , depicted by FIGS. 3 and 3 a , includes two relatively small hollow sleeves  31 , each having an interior surface defining a circularly shaped passage  34 . The sleeves  31  have circular apertures  36  which have their outer edges beveled to allow easy insertion and retention. Also included is a larger hollow sleeve  32  which has an inner surface defining a hexagonally shaped passage  35  and open ends  37  which are beveled. The sleeves  31  and  32  fit transversely through the surgical perforations and extend slightly beyond (on both sides) the dimensions of the septum  24 . The sleeves  31  each have a circular recessed cavity  90  located at about the midpoint of the interior passage  34 . To avoid any “drifting” of the sleeves  31  and  32  while in the septum  24 , they are held together in a spatial relationship, fixed to each other by an orientation bar  33 . The larger sleeve  32  has a pair of retention clips  89  at each opening  37 . These clips  89  are located on the upper and lower sides of the hexagon opening  37 . The sleeves  31  and  32  will be made of materials such as gold or titanium. Other materials known to be compatible with human tissue, may be used to avoid irritation and infection. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, which shows the stabilizer device  27  to include a pair of stabilizer plates  38 . The plates  38  are generally round, each having a hexagonally shaped opening  39  in their center areas for housing the passage of the septum stud  28 . Located on two outer sides of the opening  39  and on the external surface of the plates  38  are stabilizing clips  91  which are similar to the retention clips  89  on the retention sleeve assembly  26 . The plates  38  have an interior surface  40  and each plate  38  has, extending transversely in a perpendicular direction from the plate  38 , a round securing rod  41 . Each securing rod  41  having opposing ends, a proximal end  42  integral with the internal surface  40  and a distal end  43 . A circular depressed groove  44  is located in close proximity to each distal end  43 . The securing rods  41  each have a circular node  92  protruding at approximately the midpoints of the rods  41 . The plates  38  each have an insertion hole  45  defined within their internal surface  40 . The insertion holes  45  further having a crevice containing a raised ring  46  seated therein. The stabilizer device  27  is complete when the two plates  38  are manually pushed together with the securing rods  41  each passing through the small sleeves  31 , whereby the circular nodes  92  slip-fit into the circular recessed cavities  90  of the sleeve channels  34  and the raised rings  46  are deposed into the depressed grooves  44 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5 for a description of the septum stud  28 , which includes a male member  47  and a female member  48 . The male member  47  comprising two ends; one end having a tapered portion  49  and the other end a hexagonally faceted end  50 . The tapered portion  49  having an insertion end  51  with five raised lips, a first lip  52   a , a second lip  52   b , a third lip  52   c , a fourth lip  52   d  and a fifth  52   e  thereupon. The female member  48  of the stud  28  comprises one end having a tapered opening with five concave and circular channels a first channel  54   a , a second channel  54   c , a fourth channel  54   d  and a fifth channel  54   e  which are defined within the interior surface of the opening. The opposite end of the female member  48  is a hexagonal faceted section  50   a , identical to the faceted end section  50  of the male member  47 . Both members of the septum stud  28  are snap-fitted together and are deposed within the large hexagonal shaped passage  35  of the large sleeve  32 . They are joined together by snapping the lips  52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d  and  52   e  into the channels  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c ,  54   d  and  54   e , thereby forming the stud  28  with an exterior surface comprising one unitary hexagonal surface. To insure that the stud  28  is correctly centered are four pair of notches, two pair of retention notches  93  and two pair of stabilizer notches  94 , both deposed on two surfaces of the male and female members  47  and  48 . When the members  47  and  48  are snapped together the two pair of retention notches  93  are mated with the clips  89  of the retention sleeve assembly  26  and the two pair of stabilizer notches  94  are mated with the stabilizing clips  91 . Once in place within the larger sleeve  32 , the septum stud  28  forms the basis of a central support for the system  25 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the connecting components  29  of the preferred embodiment, each having a cylindrical extension arm  55  with a hexagonal slip-on opening  56  that is just large enough to slip over the hexagonal faceted ends  50  and  50   a  of the septum stud  28 . The opposite end of the extension arm  55  is an elliptical shaped connector element  57 . The connecting components  29  offer the most flexibility as relating to size, depth and angulation, which generally will be determined by the nose and filtration requirements of the user. The longer the extension arm  55 , the closer the filter will be to the outer opening of the nose. 
     With the application of the filtering components  30  to the connector elements  57 , which is shown in FIG. 6, the system  25  is in a completely functional mode. The filtering components  30  include adapter portions  58  which are located approximately at the center of an elliptically shaped filter  61 . The adapter portions  58  have adaptor openings  59  which contain internally deposed adapter O-Rings slots  60 . The user can slip-fit the filtering components  30  over the elliptical connector elements  57 . The filtering components  30  generally will be of a measured size and will be retrievable and removable for cleaning or disposal. The materials can be plastic, rubber, titanium or gold. It is important that the filtering components do not impede the breathing process and that the material be compatible with the nasal tissues. The Ear, Nose and Throat specialist would measure and custom fit the patient. To aid in the cleaning of the air and killing of viral or bacterial invaders, the filter grids may be sprayed with surfactants which attract and also destroy these bacteria and antiviral agents. The filtering components  30  will be easily retrievable for cleaning and replacement. 
     Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 7, whereby the elliptical shaped connector elements  57  are replaced in the connecting components  29  with female connector section  63  which include tapered openings  64 . Defined within the tapered openings  64  are three concave circumferential grooves a first groove  65   a , a second groove  65   b  and a third groove  65   c . This embodiment teaches another method for connecting the filtering components  30  to the connecting components  29 . The filter elements  30 , each have a male adapter portion  66 , which includes a tapered adapter insertion part  67  comprising three raised ridges a first ridge  68   a , second ridge  68   b  and a third ridge  68   c . This embodiment is completed by snapping the insertion parts  67  into the tapered openings  64  to create a friction fit which is easily removable. This embodiment would appear to offer a more compact connection than that of the preferred embodiment. It still offers a very easy insertion and removal by the user. The materials of the connector sections  63  and adapters  66  can be metal, plastic or rubber. 
     FIG. 8 depicts yet another embodiment. This would allow the filtering components  30  to be further into the nasal passages. This embodiment shows connecting components  29  that utilize concave connector elements  69  comprising of a convex upper surface  70  and a concave lower surface  71 . The convex surface  70  being slightly higher than the concave wall  71  for easy insertion. Within the surfaces  70  and  71  are defined hollow concave conduits  72  made of materials that allow for easy penetration. The filtering components  30  include generally round adapter elements  73  that have a physical structure which is capable of being snapped into the hollow cancave conduits  72 . The rounded adapters  73  can be metal or a hard plastic and must be able to maintain a rigid structure when being seated into position. 
     FIG. 9 shows a fourth option to the preferred embodiment, whereby the connecting components include horseshoe shaped connector elements  74 , having a convex outer surface  75  and a concave inner surface  76 . The surfaces  75  and  76  defining between them a horseshoe shaped conduit  77 . The filtering components  30  have generally round adapter parts  79  capable of being snap-fitted into the conduits  77 . The  79  contain replacable grids  80  which can be removed without the need to remove the entire filtration system  25 . This embodiment provides the nose with rigid support for those who need it. It will also give the nose shape and help to keep the naris more open, which also increases the volume of air to the lungs. The horseshoe shaped connector elements  74  have soft pads  78  affixed at their distal ends to provide protection for the inner nose membranes. 
     It is to be appreciated that all the above connections could also be accomplished by using magnetized components. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 LEGEND 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 23 
                 Human nose 
               
               
                 24 
                 Septum 
               
               
                 25 
                 Nasal filtration system 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 26 
                 Retention sleeve assembly 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 Stabilizer device 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 Septum stud 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 Connecting component 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 Filtering component 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 Retention sleeve assembly 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 31 
                 Small hollow sleeves (2) 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 Large hollow sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 Orientation bar 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 Circular interior passage of small sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 Hexagonal interior passage of large sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 Open ends of small sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 Beveled open ends of large sleeve 
               
               
                   
                 89 
                 Retaining clips 
               
               
                   
                 90 
                 Circular recessed cavity 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 27 
                 Stabilizer device 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 38 
                 Round Stabilizer plates 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 Hex opening in plates 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 Internal surface of plates 
               
               
                   
                 81 
                 External surface of plates 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 Securing rod 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 Proximal end of rod 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 Distal end of rod 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 Depressed groove at distal end of rods 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 Insertion hole 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 Raised ring deposed within insertion hole 
               
               
                   
                 91 
                 Stabilizer clips 
               
               
                   
                 92 
                 Circular nodes 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 28 
                 Septum stud 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 47 
                 Male member of stud 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 Female member of stud 
               
               
                   
                 49 
                 Tapered portion of male member 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 Hexagonally faceted end of male member 
               
               
                   
                 50a 
                 Hexagonally faceted end of female member 
               
               
                   
                 51 
                 Insertion end 
               
               
                   
                 52a 
                 Raised lip on insertion end 
               
               
                   
                 52b 
                 Raised lip on insertion end 
               
               
                   
                 52c 
                 Raised lip on insertion end 
               
               
                   
                 52d 
                 Raised lip on insertion end 
               
               
                   
                 52e 
                 Raised lip on insertion end 
               
               
                   
                 53 
                 Tapered opening in female member 
               
               
                   
                 54a 
                 Circular channels inside the tapered opening 
               
               
                   
                 54b 
                 Circular channels inside the tapered opening 
               
               
                   
                 54c 
                 Circular channels inside the tapered opening 
               
               
                   
                 54d 
                 Circular channels inside the tapered opening 
               
               
                   
                 54e 
                 Circular channels inside the tapered opening 
               
               
                   
                 93 
                 Retention notches on septum stud 
               
               
                   
                 94 
                 Stabilizer notches of septum stud 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 29 
                 Connecting component 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 55 
                 Extension arm 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 Hexagon sleeve opening to fit over 50 and 50a 
               
               
                   
                 57 
                 Elliptical connector element 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 30 
                 Filtering component 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 58 
                 Adapter portion 
               
               
                   
                 59 
                 Adapter opening 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 Adapter O-ring slot 
               
               
                   
                 61 
                 Elliptical shaped filter 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 Filter grids for holding the filters 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Embodiments 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 63 
                 Female connector element 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 Tapered opening in female member 
               
               
                   
                 65a 
                 Concave circumferential groove 
               
               
                   
                 65b 
                 Concave circumferential groove 
               
               
                   
                 65c 
                 Concave circumferential groove 
               
               
                   
                 66 
                 Male adapter portion 
               
               
                   
                 67 
                 Tapered insertion part 
               
               
                   
                 68a 
                 Raised ridge 
               
               
                   
                 68b 
                 Raised ridge 
               
               
                   
                 68c 
                 Raised ridge 
               
               
                   
                 69 
                 Concave connector element 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 Convex surface 
               
               
                   
                 71 
                 Concave surface 
               
               
                   
                 72 
                 Concave conduit 
               
               
                   
                 73 
                 Rounded adapter element 
               
               
                   
                 74 
                 Horseshoe shaped connector element 
               
               
                   
                 75 
                 Convex outer surface 
               
               
                   
                 76 
                 Concave inner surface 
               
               
                   
                 77 
                 Horseshoe shaped conduit 
               
               
                   
                 78 
                 Soft pad affixed to distal end 
               
               
                   
                 79 
                 Rounded adapter to fit into U-shaped connecter 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 Horseshoe shaped removable filter