Abstract:
The present invention provides a nostril plug which can reduce functional articulatory disorder by closing a nostril thereby preventing the leaking of exhalation from the nostril and can be used with substantially no discomfort. 
     The nostril plug being inserted into a nostril for suppressing the leaking of exhalation from a nose includes a valve unit for suppressing only passage of exhalation in breathing and support bodies for supporting the valve unit mounting the valve unit thereon and being arranged in the nostrils. The support body is formed of a tubular body inscribed in the nostril, and the valve unit is removably fitted in the support bodies. When the pressure in the nostril reaches a predetermined level or more through exhalation, the valve unit can be separated from the support bodies by the pressure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a nostril plug for reducing functional articulatory disorder by suppressing the leaking of exhalation from a nose by the insertion of the nostril plug into the inside of nostril. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Usually, when a person utters a sound, air vibrations corresponding to vibrations generated in exhalation by vocal cords are generated, and the air vibrations are discharged from a mouth with the exhalation. Here, as can be understood from  FIG. 29  which is an explanatory view of the structure in the vicinity of a nose and a throat of a person, a velum  100  prevents the exhalation from being leaked to a nasal-cavity- 200  side and hence, the exhalation is mainly discharged from the mouth  300  thus allowing the person to utter sounds clearly. 
         [0005]    However, when the closure of the rhinopharynx  400  becomes incomplete due to cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, myasthenia, congenital anomaly, abnormal growth, external wound or the like, in uttering a sound, a portion of the exhalation is leaked into the nasal-cavity- 200  side thus making it difficult for a person to utter sounds clearly. This phenomenon is referred to as functional articulatory disorder. 
         [0006]    In such a case, there has been known a technique which can reduce functional articulatory disorder by accelerating the closure of the rhinopharynx  400 . Such a technique mainly adopts a method which narrows the rhinopharynx  400  by an operation, a method which mounts a velum lifting device for lifting the velum  100  in a sagging state due to flaccidity of the velopharyngeal muscles, or a method which uses a speech aid arranging a plug behind a velum  100 . In  FIG. 29 , numeral  500  indicates an opening of Eustachian tube and numeral  600  indicates a nostril. 
         [0007]    As shown in  FIG. 29 , when a cannula  800  is mounted in a respiratory tract  700 , the exhalation leaks from a portion of the cannula  800  and hence, the discharge of a sufficient quantity of exhalation from a mouth becomes difficult thus causing articulatory disorder. In such a case, a check valve  900  referred to as a speaking valve is mounted in the cannula  800  thus forming a passage of inhaled air from a respiratory organ and preventing passing of exhalation thus discharging the exhalation through a mouth whereby the articulatory disorder is minimally generated. As the check valve  900  used in such a case, a filter-mounted valve, trachea narrow hole valve and the like have been proposed (see patent document 1 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,378) and patent document 2 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,607), for example). 
         [0008]    Further, as a method for reducing articulatory disorder, there has been reported an example where an utter-sound treatment is applied to a patient who is considered to be suffering from articulatory disorder caused by muscle flaccidity attributed to traumatic brain injury particularly. In this method, a nostril plug is tightly inserted into the inside of nostrils  600  to completely stop nasal breathing thus stopping leaking of the exhalation from the nostrils and hence, leaking of the exhalation to the nasal-cavity- 200  side can be prevented (see non-patent document 1 (Paper “A Device for the Management of Velopharyngeal Incompetence” written by Stewart D S and Rieger W J described on pages 149 to 155, No. 2, Vol. 2, Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology published in 1994), for example). 
         [0009]    Here, as an instrument used in a state where the instrument is inserted into the nostrils  600 , there has been known a nasal plug which is provided for preventing the intrusion of pollens from the nostrils  600  (see patent document 3 (JP-A-09-239047), for example). This nasal plug is configured to incorporate a porous film made of plastic fibers and a filter made of non-woven fabric therein. The nasal plug can remove fine particles such as pollens while possessing air permeability which does not interrupt breathing. However, the nasal plug is not configured to prevent leaking of the exhalation and hence, the nasal plug cannot reduce the articulatory disorder. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Although the functional articulatory disorder can be reduced by an operation which narrows the rhinopharynx or the mounting of the velum lifting device, a physical burden imposed on a physically handicapped person suffering from the functional articulatory disorder is large and hence, there has been a demand for a method which can reduce such a physical burden of the physically handicapped person. 
         [0011]    The method which inserts the nostril plug into the nostrils is a method which can reduce the physical burden. However, when the nostril plug is inserted into the nostrils, there arise following drawbacks. That is, breathing through the nose can be completely interrupted. Further, due to a pressure change in the inside of the nasal cavity frequently generated when a patient swallows saliva due to closing of the nostrils by the nostril plug, the patient is liable to easily feel sense of incongruity or pains in ears which are communicated with the nose through eustachians and hence, the patient is liable to easily feel extreme discomfort. 
         [0012]    On the other hand, the nasal plug maintaining the air permeability is hardly effective in the reduction of functional articulatory disorder. 
         [0013]    In view of the above-mentioned circumstance, the inventor of the present invention has made researches and developments for providing functional-articulatory-disorder reducing equipment which can reduce functional articulatory disorder by preventing leakage of exhalation from nostrils by the closure of the nostrils and, at the same time, can make a patient hardly feel discomfort in use, and has arrived at the present invention. 
         [0014]    The present invention is directed to a nostril plug nostril plug for suppressing leakage of exhalation from a nose by insertion of the nostril plug into a nostril which includes a valve unit for suppressing only passage of exhalation in breathing, and a support body for supporting the valve unit, the support body mounting the valve unit thereon and configured to be arranged in the inside of the nostril. 
         [0015]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the support body is formed of a tubular body inscribed in the nostril, and the valve unit is removably fitted in the support body. 
         [0016]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the valve unit is configured to be separated from the support body by pressure when the pressure inside the nostril reaches a predetermined level or more by exhalation. 
         [0017]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the nostril plug includes a first support body inserted into a left nostril, a second support body inserted into a right nostril, and a connecting bar which connects the first support body and the second support body, and the connecting bar which is arranged at a position where the connecting bar is brought into contact with a philtrum when the first support body is inserted into the left nostril and the second support body is inserted into the right nostril. 
         [0018]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the nostril plug includes a first support body inserted into a left nostril, a second support body inserted into a right nostril, and a connecting bar which connects the first support body and the second support body, and the valve unit mounted on either one of the support bodies is configured to be more easily separated from the support body than the other valve unit. 
         [0019]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the valve unit includes a valve seat formed with a ventilation opening and a valve element which closes the ventilation opening, and the valve element is configured to partially close the ventilation opening. 
         [0020]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the valve unit includes a valve seat formed with a plurality of ventilation openings and a valve element which closes the ventilation openings, and the valve element is configured to close only a portion of the ventilation openings. 
         [0021]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that a ventilation passage which allows a predetermined flow rate of air to pass therethrough is formed in the valve unit. 
         [0022]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that a ventilation passage which allows a predetermined flow rate of air to pass therethrough is formed in the support body. 
         [0023]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the valve unit includes a tubular frame having both ends thereof opened, a planar valve seat which is mounted on one opening end side of the frame and is configured to close the opening end, and a valve element which is mounted on a side surface of the valve seat facing the inside of the frame and is configured to close a ventilation opening formed in the valve seat, on a surface side of the valve seat on which the valve element is arranged, a guide arm having a hook which is engaged with a projecting portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the frame is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame, and the valve seat is configured to be advanced or retracted in the longitudinal direction of the frame by restricting the guide arm with the frame, and in a state that a pressure inside the nostril reaches a predetermined level or more through exhalation, the valve seat is advanced from the frame due to the pressure to form a gap thus releasing the pressure. 
         [0024]    Further, the present invention is characterized in that the support body is formed of a rod-shaped body which is configured to be inserted into a through hole formed in a nasal septum, and has one end portion thereof arranged in the inside of the left nostril and the other end portion thereof arranged in the inside of the right nostril, and the valve unit includes a valve seat formed of a resilient body mounted on an end portion of the support body and a valve element which is configured to close a ventilation opening formed in the valve seat, and in a state that a pressure inside the nostril reaches a predetermined level or more through exhalation, the valve seat is configured to be resiliently deformed due to the pressure to form a gap between the valve seat and the nostril thus releasing the pressure. 
         [0025]    According to the nostril plug described in claim  1 , the nostril plug nostril plug for suppressing leakage of exhalation from a nose by insertion of the nostril plug into the nostril includes a valve unit for suppressing only passage of exhalation in breathing, and a support body for supporting the valve unit, the support body mounting the valve unit thereon and configured to be arranged in the inside of the nostril. 
         [0026]    Further, with the use of the nostril plug according to claim  1 , the patient can inhale air from a nose and hence, it is unnecessary for the patient to inhale air through a mouth thus allowing the patient to perform breathing in an approximately natural state. Accordingly, the patient inserting the nostril plug of the present invention can use the nostril plug without feeling discomfort. 
         [0027]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  2 , in the nostril plug described in claim  1 , the support body is formed of a tubular body inscribed in the nostril, and the valve unit is removably fitted in the support body. Due to such a constitution, the support body can be formed in conformity with a shape of the nostril which differs for every individual at a relatively low cost, and can enhance wearing feeling and stability of the support body. Further, by allowing the common use of the valve unit, a manufacturing cost of the support body can be reduced. Still further, when the support body is degraded or the valve unit is degraded, only the support body or the valve unit needs to be exchanged thus realizing the reduction of a maintenance cost. 
         [0028]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  3 , in the nostril plug described in claim  2 , the valve unit is configured to be separated from the support body by pressure when the pressure inside the nostril reaches a predetermined level or more through exhalation. Due to such a constitution, when a pressure inside the nostril is sharply increased due to sneezing or the like, only the valve unit is removed from the support body to alleviate the pressure inside the nostril thus preventing the removal of the support body from the nostril. Accordingly, the valve unit can be easily mounted again. 
         [0029]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  4 , in the nostril plug described in claim  3 , the nostril plug includes the first support body inserted into the left nostril, the second support body inserted into the right nostril, and a connecting bar which connects the first support body and the second support body, and the connecting bar is arranged at a position where the connecting bar is brought into contact with a philtrum when the first support body is inserted into the left nostril and the second support body is inserted into the right nostril. Due to such a constitution, when the nostril plug is inserted into the nostril, it is possible to make the connecting bar inconspicuous. Further, in removing the nostril plug, the nostril plug can be easily removed by making use of the connecting bar as a grip. 
         [0030]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  5 , in the nostril plug described in claim  3 , the nostril plug includes the first support body inserted into the left nostril, the second support body inserted into the right nostril, and a connecting bar which connects the first support body and the second support body, and the valve unit mounted on either one of the support bodies is configured to be more easily separated from the support body than the other valve unit. Due to such a constitution, when a pressure inside the nostril is sharply increased due to sneezing or the like, only the valve unit which is liable to be easily separated is removed from the support body for alleviating the pressure inside the nostril and, thereafter, only one separated valve unit may be mounted again thus facilitating the re-mounting of the valve unit. 
         [0031]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  6 , in the nostril plug described in any one of claims  1  to  5 , the valve unit includes a valve seat formed with a ventilation opening and a valve element which closes the ventilation opening, and the valve element is configured to partially close the ventilation opening. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to leak a portion of the exhalation from the valve unit thus improving the tone of “m” or “n” which constitutes a nasal consonant. 
         [0032]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  7 , in the nostril plug described in any one of claims  1  to  5 , the valve unit includes a valve seat formed with a plurality of ventilation openings and a valve element which closes the ventilation openings, and the valve element is configured to close only a portion of the ventilation openings. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to leak a portion of the exhalation from the valve unit thus improving the tone of “m” or “n” which constitutes a nasal consonant. 
         [0033]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  8 , in the nostril plug described in any one of claims  1  to  5 , a ventilation passage which allows a predetermined flow rate of air to pass therethrough is formed in the valve unit. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to leak a portion of the exhalation from the valve unit thus improving the tone of “m” or “n” which constitutes a nasal consonant. 
         [0034]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  9 , in the nostril plug described in any one of claims  1  to  5 , a ventilation passage allowing a predetermined flow rate of air to pass therethrough is formed in the support body. Due to such a constitution, it is possible to leak a portion of the exhalation from the valve unit thus improving the tone of “m” or “n” which constitutes a nasal consonant. 
         [0035]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  10 , in the nostril plug described in claim  1 , the valve unit includes a tubular frame having both ends thereof opened, a planar valve seat which is mounted on one opening end side of the frame and is configured to close the opening end, and a valve element which is mounted on a side surface of the valve seat facing the inside of the frame and is configured to close a ventilation opening formed in the valve seat, on a surface side of the valve seat on which the valve element is arranged, a guide arm having a hook which is engaged with a projecting portion formed on an inner peripheral surface of the frame is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame, and the valve seat is configured to be advanced or retracted in the longitudinal direction of the frame by restricting the guide arm with the frame, and in a state that a pressure inside the nostril reaches a predetermined level or more through exhalation, the valve seat is advanced from the frame due to the pressure to form a gap thus releasing the pressure. Due to such a constitution, when a pressure inside the nostril is sharply increased due to sneezing or the like, the pressure can be released while preventing the removal of the valve unit. 
         [0036]    Further, according to the nostril plug described in claim  11 , in the nostril plug described in claim  1 , the support body is formed of a rod-shaped body which is configured to be inserted into a hole piercing the nasal septum, and has one end portion thereof arranged in the inside of the left nostril and the other end portion thereof arranged in the inside of the right nostril, and the valve unit includes a valve seat formed of a resilient body mounted on an end portion of the support body and a valve element which is configured to close a ventilation opening formed in the valve seat, and in a state that a pressure inside the nostril reaches a predetermined level or more through exhalation, the valve seat is configured to be resiliently deformed due to the pressure to form a gap between the valve seat and the nostril thus releasing the pressure. Due to such a constitution, the valve unit and the support body can be miniaturized thus largely reducing discomfort attributed to insertion of the nostril plug. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a nostril plug of a first embodiment as viewed from an oblique front position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the nostril plug of the first embodiment as viewed from an oblique rear position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the nostril plug of the first embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the nostril plug of the first embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug of the first embodiment; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is an explanatory view of an inserted state of the nostril plug of the first embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  is a back view of a nostril plug of a modification of the first embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is a graph showing a test result of a monosyllable articulation test using the nostril plug of the first embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  is an explanatory view of an inserted state of a nostril plug of the modification; 
           [0046]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a nostril plug of a second embodiment as viewed from an oblique front position; 
           [0047]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug of the second embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a nostril plug of a modification of the second embodiment as viewed from an oblique front position; 
           [0049]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug of the second embodiment; 
           [0050]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a modification of a valve unit of the nostril plug of the second embodiment; 
           [0051]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the modification of the valve unit of the nostril plug of the second embodiment; 
           [0052]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the modification of the valve unit of the nostril plug of the second embodiment; 
           [0053]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a nostril plug of the modification of the second embodiment; 
           [0054]      FIG. 18  is an explanatory view showing an inserted state of the nostril plug of the modification of the second embodiment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug of the modification of the second embodiment; 
           [0056]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug of the modification of the second embodiment; 
           [0057]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug of the modification of the second embodiment; 
           [0058]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the nostril plug of the modification of the second embodiment; 
           [0059]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a nostril plug of a third embodiment as viewed from an oblique front position; 
           [0060]      FIG. 24  is an explanatory view of an inserted state of a support body of the nostril plug of the third embodiment; 
           [0061]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug of a modification of the third embodiment; 
           [0062]      FIG. 26  is an operational explanatory view of the nostril plug of the modification of the third embodiment; 
           [0063]      FIG. 27  is an operational explanatory view of the nostril plug of the modification of the third embodiment; 
           [0064]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the nostril plug of the modification as viewed from an oblique front position of the third embodiment; and 
           [0065]      FIG. 29  is an explanatory view showing the structure in the vicinity of a nose and a throat of a person. 
       
    
    
     LEGENDS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             A 1  nostril plug 
               11  left housing 
               12  right housing 
               13  connecting bar 
               14  valve unit 
               14   a  valve element 
               14   b  valve seat 
               14   c  ventilation opening 
               14   d  auxiliary bar 
               15  prevention wall 
           
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0076]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a nostril plug A 1  of a first embodiment as viewed from an oblique front position.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the nostril plug A 1  of the first embodiment as viewed from an oblique rear position.  FIG. 3  is a front view of the nostril plug A 1  of the first embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a back view of the nostril plug A 1  of the first embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug A 1  of the first embodiment. 
         [0077]    The nostril plug A 1  of the first embodiment includes a tubular left housing  11  inserted into a left nostril, a tubular right housing  12  inserted into a right nostril, a connecting bar  13  connecting a front end of the left housing  11  and a front end of the right housing  12 , a valve unit  14  formed in the inside of the left housing  11  using the left housing  11  as a support body, and a valve unit  14  formed in the inside of the right housing the right housing  12  as a support body. 
         [0078]    The left housing  11  and the right housing  12  are respectively formed in a tubular shape inscribed in the nostrils of a user having an articulatory disorder. The left housing and the right housing  12  are formed by taking molds from the left and right nostrils of the user using the nostril plug A 1  respectively and forming the left housing  11  and the right housing in conformity with shapes of nostrils of the user using soft plastic. Here, the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  may be formed in plural kinds of representative shapes obtained by taking molds from nostrils of a plurality of persons, and the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  which conform to the user may be used. 
         [0079]    Particularly, the left housing  11  and the right housing are formed in a tapered shape which gradually decreases a diameter thereof toward a depth of each nostril thus allowing close fitting of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  in the inside of the nostrils of the user. 
         [0080]    The connecting bar  13  is made of hard plastic and connects the respective front ends of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  while setting a distance between the left housing and the right housing  12  smaller than a thickness of nasal septum of the user. Due to such a constitution, the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  clamps the nasal septum thus preventing the removal of the nostril plug A 1  due to exhalation at the time of performing usual breathing. 
         [0081]    Particularly, by arranging the connecting bar  13 , as can be understood from an inserted state of the nostril plug A 1  shown in  FIG. 6 , at a position where the connecting bar  13  is brought into contact with a philtrum P of the user during mounting, the connecting bar  13  can be concealed by a nose when the nostril plug A 1  is inserted thus making the nostril plug A 1  inconspicuous. 
         [0082]    Further, when the connecting bar  13  is arranged at the position where the connecting bar  13  is brought into contact with the philtrum P, the nostril plug A 1  can be easily removed by using the connecting bar  13  as a grip. That is, with respect to the nostril of a Japanese in general, a recessed space is often formed on a back-side portion of a nasal apex and hence, by fitting nasal-apex-side end portions of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  in these recessed portions, it is possible to hold the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  in the inside of the nostrils in a stable manner. Further, in removing the nostril plug A 1 , by pinching the connecting bar  13  and pulling out the nostril plug A 1 , the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  can be rotated using the nasal-apex-side end portions of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  fitted in the recessed portions of the nostrils as fulcrums and hence, the user can easily remove the nostril plug A 1  without having feeling that the nostril plug A 1  is caught by the nasal apex. 
         [0083]    The valve units  14  formed in the inside of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  are respectively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , constituted of a valve element  14   a  formed of an extremely thin rubber film or a plastic film which is resiliently deformable by warping, and a valve seat  14   b  having a ventilation opening  14   c  closed by the valve element  14   a . In the nostril plug A 1  of this embodiment, the valve seat  14   b  is formed in a nasal-apex-side opening portion of each of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12 , and the valve element  14   a  is mounted on a side surface of the valve seat  14   b  facing the inside of each of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12 . 
         [0084]    Particularly, in this embodiment, the valve elements  14   a  are fixedly respectively mounted portions of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  at positions close to the nasal septum. However, provided that the valve elements  14   a  can close the ventilation opening  14   c  formed in the valve seat  14   b , the valve element  14   a  may be mounted at any positions. 
         [0085]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment, the valve seats  14   b  are formed in a ring shape having the ventilation opening  14   c  of a round-cornered triangular shape which conforms to an opening shape of a distal end side of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12 , wherein two parallel auxiliary bars  14   d  extend over each valve seat  14   b  such that the auxiliary bars  14   d  traverse the ventilation opening  14   c  thus preventing the valve element  14   a  from being removed to the outside from the ventilation opening  14   c.    
         [0086]    By mounting the valve element  14   a  on the side surfaces of the valve seats  14   b  which form the inside of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12 , when the user inhales air in breathing, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the valve elements  14   a  are deformed by warping and hence, the ventilation openings  14   c  are largely opened thus allowing the user to inhale air. 
         [0087]    On the other hand, when the user performs exhalation, the valve element  14   a  closes the ventilation openings  14   c  and hence, leaking of exhalation from the nostrils can be suppressed whereby the articulatory disorder can be reduced. That is, the valve unit  14  constitutes a so-called one-directional valve. 
         [0088]    In  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , numeral  15  indicates scattering prevention walls which are mounted on rear-end side opening portion of the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  and prevent scattering of the broken valve elements  14   a . When the valve element  14   a  is broken by any chance, the scattering prevention wall  15  receives such a valve element  14   a . The scattering prevention walls  15  may be formed in any shape provided that the scattering prevention wall  15  has air permeability to an extent that the scattering prevention wall  15  does not impede breathing. Besides a shape shown in  FIG. 4  which is similar to a shape of the valve seat  14   b , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the scattering prevention wall  15  may be formed by extending a plate body  15   b  having circular ventilation openings over a frame  15   a  having a round-cornered triangular ring shape. 
         [0089]    A result of a monosyllable articulation test using the nostril plug A 1  having such a constitution is shown in  FIG. 8 . Here, the articulation means a degree of audibility of a sound (mainly spoken voice) and is used as one of criteria for determining whether or not a sound is properly uttered. 
         [0090]    In the monosyllable articulation test, an examinee is asked to utter 100 pieces of monosyllables such as “a”, “ga”, “gyu”, and it is determined how accurately an examiner can listen to these monosyllables. A result of the monosyllable articulation test is determined based on a rate obtained by dividing the total number of syllables accurately listened with the total number of syllables in a chord chart as expressed by a following formula. 
         [0000]        PA (%)=(total number of syllables accurately listened/total number of syllables in chord chart)×100 
         [0091]    In general, the articulation is considered favorable when the rate is 85% or more and defective when the rate is 70% or less. 
         [0092]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , although the articulation is approximately 65% in a state that the nostril plug A 1  of this embodiment is not inserted, the articulation becomes approximately 83% when the nostril plug A 1  is inserted and hence; there is no impression that the examiner has difficulty in listening. Further, when the velum lifting device is used in place of the nostril plug A 1 , the articulation is approximately 68% and no remarkable improvement of articulation is recognized. 
         [0093]    In the nostril plug A 1  of the above-mentioned embodiment, the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  are connected to each other using the connecting bar  13 . However, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  may be respectively inserted into the nostrils without using the connecting bar  13 . 
         [0094]    In this case, particularly, it is desirable to form the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  in conformity with shapes of nostrils of a user such that the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  are fitted in the nostrils as close as possible. 
         [0095]    In the inserted state of the nostril plug A 1  of this embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 9 , a distal end of the left housing  11  inserted into the left nostril and the distal end of the right housing  12  inserted into the right nostril are arranged at positions substantially equal to front end peripheries of the respective nostrils. However, by mounting the left housing  11  and the right housing  12  by positioning the distal end of the left housing  11  and the distal end of the right housing  12  inserted into the right nostril approximately several mm deeper than front end peripheries of the nostrils, it is possible to bring the nostril plug A 1  into a state where a person who faces the user of the nostril plug A 1  cannot observe the nostril plug A 1  thus making the person who faces the user hardly recognize the presence of the nostril plug A 1 . 
         [0096]    Next, a nostril plug of a second embodiment is explained.  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a nostril plug A 2  of the second embodiment as viewed from an oblique front position.  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the nostril plug A 2  of the second embodiment. 
         [0097]    The nostril plug A 2  of the second embodiment also includes a tubular housing  21  inserted into a nostril, and a valve unit  24  which is arranged in the inside of the housing  21  constituting a support body. 
         [0098]    In this embodiment, the housing  21  is formed of a tubular body made of soft plastic and is formed in a general shape which allows the easy insertion of the nostril. That is, an end portion of the housing  21  which forms a nasal apex side when the nostril plug A 2  is inserted into the nostril has a diameter larger than a diameter of an end portion of the housing  21  which forms a depth side of the nostril. Here, the housing  21  may be formed by taking a mold from a left nostril or a right nostril of a user suffering from the articulatory disorder. 
         [0099]    The valve unit  24  is constituted of a valve element  24   a  formed of an extremely thin rubber film or a plastic film which is resiliently deformable by warping, and a valve seat  24   b  having a ventilation opening  24   c  closed by the valve element  24   a.    
         [0100]    Particularly, in this embodiment, the valve seat  24   b  is constituted of a circular plate body  24   b - 1  in which the ventilation opening  24   c  is formed and a cylindrical tubular wall  24   b - 2  formed on an outer periphery of the plate body  24   b - 1 , wherein the plate body  24   b - 1  is formed on one end periphery of the tubular wall  24   b - 2 . A plurality of ventilation openings  24   c  having a slit shape are formed in the plate body  24   b - 1  in parallel to each other. Here, the shape of the ventilation opening  24   c  is not limited to a slit shape and may be formed in a proper shape including a ventilation opening  24   c ′ having a circular shape shown in  FIG. 12 , for example. 
         [0101]    The valve element  24   a  is mounted on a side surface of the plate body  24   b - 1  facing the inside of the tubular wall  24   b - 2  so as to close the ventilation opening  24   c.    
         [0102]    Further, a scattering prevention wall  25  for preventing scattering of the broken valve element  24   a  is mounted on an end portion of the tubular wall  24   b - 2  facing the plate body  24   b - 1 . When the valve element  24   a  is broken by any chance, the valve element  24   a  is received by the scattering prevention wall  25 . In this embodiment, the scattering prevention wall  25  is formed of a circular plate body which is mountable on the tubular wall  24   b - 2 , and forms a plurality of slit-shaped ventilation openings  25   c  therein for preventing the scattering prevention wall  25  from constituting an obstacle of breathing. 
         [0103]    By inserting the nostril plug A 2  having such a constitution into a nostril, when the user inhales air in breathing, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the valve elements  24   a  are deformed by warping and hence, the ventilation openings  24   c  are largely opened thus allowing the user to inhale air. On the other hand, when the user performs exhalation, the valve element  24   a  closes the ventilation openings  24   c  and hence, leaking of exhalation from the nostrils can be suppressed whereby the articulatory disorder can be reduced. 
         [0104]    Particularly, in the nostril plug A 2  of this embodiment, a mounting recessed portion  21   b  formed in a recessed shape to be fitted on the tubular wall  24   b - 2  of the valve seat  24   b  is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the tubular housing  21  on a nasal apex side, and the valve unit  24  is removably mounted in the mounting recessed portion  21   b . The mounting recessed portion  21   b  is formed in an expanded manner toward the nasal apex side to facilitate fitting of the valve unit  24  into the mounting recessed portion  21   b.    
         [0105]    The valve unit  24  is fitted in the mounting recessed portion  21   b  to an extent that, when the valve unit  24  is fitted in the mounting recessed portion  21   b , the valve unit  24  is not removed due to usual breathing, while when a large quantity of air flows in a nasal cavity side at the time of sneezing or the like and the pressure in the inside of the nostril is elevated to a predetermined level or more, the valve unit  24  is removed from the mounting recessed portion  21   b  due to the pressure as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0106]    The pressure at which the valve unit  24  is removed from the housing  21  is adjusted by a fitting strength between the valve unit  24  and the mounting recessed portion  21   b . To be more specific, the fitting strength is adjusted by setting a diameter size of the tubular wall  24   b - 2  of the valve unit  24  slightly larger than a diameter size of the corresponding mounting recessed portion  21   b . Alternatively, the fitting strength between the valve unit  24  and the mounting recessed portion  21   b  can be also adjusted by adjusting a size of a contact area between the tubular wall  24   b - 2  of the valve unit  24  and the mounting recessed portion  21   b . For example, the fitting strength between the valve unit  24  and the mounting recessed portion  21   b  may also be adjusted by forming a non-contact surface on an outer peripheral surface of the tubular wall  24   b - 2  where the tubular wall  24   b - 2  is not brought into contact with the mounting recessed portion  21   b  by cutting a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular wall  24   b - 2 . 
         [0107]    In this manner, according to the nostril plug A 2  of this embodiment, by removably mounting the valve unit  24  in the housing  21 , by forming an outer peripheral shape of the housing  21  into a proper shape which conforms to a shape of a nostril of a user and, at the same time, by forming an inner peripheral shape of the housing  21  into a standardized predetermined shape, the valve unit  24  can be used in common and hence, a manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, depending on the degradation of the housing  21  and the degradation of the valve unit  24 , only the housing  21  or only the valve unit  24  can be exchanged thus realizing the reduction of a maintenance cost. 
         [0108]    Further, when a pressure inside the nostril is sharply increased due to sneezing or the like, the valve unit  24  is removed from the housing  21  due to the pressure for alleviating the pressure inside the nostril thus preventing the removal of the housing  21  from the nostril. Accordingly, the valve unit  24  can be easily mounted again after the sneeze. 
         [0109]    When the pressure in the inside of the nostril is sharply increased due to sneezing or the like, instead of alleviating the pressure by removing the valve unit  24  from the housing  21 , a ventilation means for alleviating the pressure may be mounted on the valve unit per se. 
         [0110]    To be more specific, as shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , the valve unit  30  includes a tubular frame  31  having both ends thereof opened, a planar valve seat  32  which is mounted on one opening end portion of the frame  31  and is configured to close the opening end, and a valve element  33  which is mounted on a side surface of the valve seat  32  facing the inside of the frame  31  and is configured to close a ventilation opening  32   c  formed in the valve seat  32 , on a surface side of the valve seat  32  on which the valve element  33  is arranged, a guide arm  34  brought into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the frame  31  is arranged in a projecting manner, and the valve seat  32  is configured to be advanced or retracted in the longitudinal direction of the frame  31 . 
         [0111]    Particularly, on a distal end of the guide arm  34 , a hook  35  which is engaged with a bulging projecting portion  36  formed on an inner peripheral surface of the frame  31  is formed. By engaging the hook  35  with the projecting portion  36 , the removal of the valve seat  32  from the frame  31  can be prevented. 
         [0112]    Further, the guide groove  37  in which the guide arm  34  is fitted is formed in the projecting portion  36  and hence, the guide arm  34  is extendible and retractable in the longitudinal direction of the frame  31  while being restricted by the guide groove  37 . 
         [0113]    Further, on an inner peripheral surface of the frame  31 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , an engaging member  38  which is engaged with the hook  35  of the guide arm  34 , in a state that the valve seat  32  is most retracted, is formed. Due to the engagement of the hook  35  with the engaging member  38 , the guide arm  34  prevents the valve seat  32  from advancing due to a pressure of exhalation in usual breathing. On the other hand, when a pressure in the inside of the nostril reaches a predetermined value or more due to sneezing or the like, the valve seat  32  is pushed by the pressure so that an engagement state between the hook  35  and the engaging member  38  is released and hence, the valve seat  32  is advanced. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 16 , a gap S is formed between the valve seat  32  and the frame  31  thus releasing the pressure from the gap S. In  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 , numeral  39  indicates a scattering prevention wall for preventing scattering of the valve element  33  formed on the frame  31 . 
         [0114]    Due to the engagement of the hook  35  of the guide arm  34  with the projecting portion  36 , there is no possibility that the valve seat  32  is removed from the frame  31 . When the gap S is generated between the valve seat  32  and the frame  31 , the valve seat  32  is pushed to the frame  31  side thus engaging the hook  35  of the guide arm  34  with the engaging member  38  of the frame  31  thus returning the valve seat  32  to a state where the articulatory disorder can be reduced. 
         [0115]    Accordingly, the pressure inside the nostril can be alleviated without removing the valve unit  30  from the housing  21  and hence, missing of the valve unit  30  removed from the housing  21  can be prevented whereby a user can sneeze without embarrassment in sneezing. 
         [0116]    The housing  21  may not be always made of the above-mentioned soft plastic, and may be formed using low-repulsive resilient urethane foam.  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a nostril plug A 2 ′ using a housing  21 ′ made of low-repulsive resilient urethane foam. Since the low-repulsive resilient urethane foam can be depressed into a small piece using fingertips and can gradually restore an original shape when depressing is stopped and hence, it is possible to bring the urethane foam into close contact with the nostril whereby the housing  21 ′ can be shortened compared to the housing  21  made of soft plastic. 
         [0117]    In the nostril plug A 2 ′ using the housing  21 ′ made of low-repulsive resilient urethane foam, the housing  21 ′ per se is easily deformed. Accordingly, to firmly hold a valve unit  24  by the housing  21 ′, a mortise  26  is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a tubular wall  24   b - 2  in the valve unit  24  along the circumferential direction, a dowel  27  which is fitted in the mortise  26  is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the housing  21 ′, and the valve unit  24  is firmly mounted in the housing  21 ′ due to the fitting engagement of the dowel  27  and the mortise  26 . 
         [0118]    The nostril plug A 2 ′ using the housing  21 ′ made of low-repulsive resilient urethane foam can be inserted into the nostril as shown in  FIG. 18  by depressing the housing  21 ′ portion with fingers before inserting the nostril plug A 2 ′ into the nostril and by inserting the nostril plug A 2 ′ into the nostril before the housing  21 ′ is restored to an original shape. The nostril plug A 2 ′ conforms to a shape of the nostril which differs for every individual by properly deforming the housing  21 ′ and hence, it is unnecessary to take a mold of the nostril. Further, there is no difference in use of the nostril plug A 2 ′ between the left nostril and the right nostril and hence, it is sufficient to preliminarily prepare plural kinds of housings  21 ′ which differ in size of outer peripheral diameter corresponding to sizes of the nostrils whereby it is possible to further reduce a manufacturing cost. 
         [0119]    In the above-mentioned embodiment, the valve element  24   a  is mounted such that the valve element  24   a  of the valve unit  24  is configured to substantially completely close the ventilation opening  24   c  formed in the valve seat  24   b . However, it is not always necessary for the valve element  24   a  to substantially completely close the ventilation opening  24   c . For example, as shown in  FIG. 19 , a valve unit  44  may be configured such that a plurality of ventilation openings  44   c  are formed in a valve seat  44   b , and a size or a shape of a valve element  44   a  is set to close some ventilation openings  44   c  with the valve element  44   a  thus forming the ventilation openings  44   c  always in an opened state. 
         [0120]    In this manner, by forming the ventilation openings  44   c  always in an opened state, it is possible to leak a portion of exhalation from the ventilation openings  44   c  in an opened state thus improving a tone of “m” or “n” which constitutes nasal consonant. 
         [0121]    Here, instead of dividing the plurality of ventilation openings  44   c  into the ventilation openings  44   c  which are closed by the valve element  24   a  and the ventilation openings  44   c  which are not closed by the valve element  24   a , one ventilation opening  44   c  may be partially closed by the valve element  24   a  thus forming a region closed by the valve element  24   a  and a region which is not closed by the valve element  24   a . In  FIG. 19 , numeral  46  indicates a mortise in which a dowel  27  of a housing  21 ′ made of low-repulsive resilient urethane foam is fitted. 
         [0122]    Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 20 , with respect to the nostril plug A 2  shown in  FIG. 11 , a ventilation passage  24   e  which allows a predetermined flow rate of air to pass therethrough may be formed in the valve seat  24   b  thus leaking a portion of the exhalation or, as shown in  FIG. 21 , a ventilation passage  21   e  which allows a predetermined flow rate of air to pass therethrough may be formed in the housing  21  thus leaking a portion of the exhalation. Also in such cases, it is possible to leak a portion of the exhalation from the ventilation passages  21   e ,  24   e  thus improving a tone of “m” or “n” which constitutes a nasal consonant. 
         [0123]    The above-mentioned nostril plug A 2  of the second embodiment may be individually inserted into the left nostril or the right nostril or, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the housing  21  of the first nostril plug A 2  inserted into the left nostril and the housing  21  of the second nostril plug A 2  inserted into the right nostril may be integrally formed by connecting these housings  21  using a connecting bar  23 . 
         [0124]    Particularly, the connecting bar  23  performs not only the function of connecting a distal end of the housing  21  of the first nostril plugs A 2  and a distal end of the housing  21  of the second nostril plugs A 2  but also a function of making the connecting bar  23  inconspicuous in the same manner as the nostril plugs A 1  of the first embodiment by arranging the connecting bar  23  at a position where the connecting bar  23  is brought into contact with a philtrum at the time of inserting the first nostril plugs A 2  into the left nostril and the second nostril plugs A 2  into the right nostril. 
         [0125]    Further, using the connecting bar  23  as a grip, handling of the nostril plug A 2  can be enhanced. Particularly, the nostril plug A 2  can be extremely easily removed from the nostril using the connecting bar  23  as the grip. 
         [0126]    Further, in connecting the housing  21  of the first nostril plug A 2  inserted into the left nostril and the housing  21  of the second nostril plug A 2  inserted into the right nostril using the connecting bar  23 , out of the valve unit  24  of the first nostril plug A 2  and the valve unit  24  of the second nostril plug A 2 , one valve unit may be configured to be more easily removed from the housing  21  than the other valve unit  24  and hence, when the valve unit  24  is removed by sneezing or the like, only one valve unit  24  is removed thus facilitating re-mounting of the valve unit  24 . 
         [0127]    In general, the smoothness of air flow often differs between the left nostril and the right nostril of a person. Accordingly, it is desirable to adjust the easiness of removal of the valve units  24  by selecting either one of left and right nostril plugs A 2  in response to a state of a user who uses the nostril plugs A 2  connected by the connecting bar  23 . The adjustment of easiness of removal of the valve units  24  can be easily performed by adjusting a contact area between a mounting recessed portion  21   b  of the housing  21  and the valve unit  24 . 
         [0128]    Next, a nostril plug of a third embodiment is explained.  FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a nostril plug A 3  of the third embodiment as viewed from an oblique front position. 
         [0129]    The nostril plug A 3  of the third embodiment is also constituted of a valve unit  54  and a support body  51  on which the valve unit  54  is mounted. Particularly, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the support body  51  is formed of a rod-shaped body which has one end portion thereof arranged in the inside of a left nostril L after being made to pass through a through hole formed in a nasal septum Q and the other end portion thereof arranged in the inside of a right nostril R after being made to pass through the through hole formed in the nasal septum Q. 
         [0130]    A first flange  51   a  and a second flange  51   b  are respectively formed on both ends of the support body  51 , and the support body  51  is prevented from being removed through the through holes formed in the nasal septum Q due to the first flange  51   a  and the second flange  51   b . Here, in this embodiment, the first flange  51   a  is integrally formed with the support body  51  and, at the same time, the second flange  51   b  can be threadedly mounted on the support body  51 . In mounting the support body  51  in a nasal septum Q, the support body  51  is inserted into the through hole formed in the nasal septum Q and, thereafter, the second flange  51   b  is threadedly mounted on an end portion of the support body  51 . 
         [0131]    The valve unit  54  is constituted of the above-mentioned valve unit  24  of the above-mentioned second embodiment and a tubular connecting jig  55  in which the valve unit  24  is fitted. The valve unit  24  is removably mounted in the connecting jig  55 . To obviate the duplication of explanation, the explanation of the valve unit  24  of the second embodiment is omitted. 
         [0132]    The connecting jig  55  is made of soft plastic and is formed in a tubular shape inscribed in a left nostril L and a right nostril R of a user having an articulatory disorder. On an outer peripheral surface of the connecting jig  55 , a rod  56  which is inserted into a fitting hole  51   c  formed in an end portion of the support body  51  is mounted. 
         [0133]    By inserting the valve unit  54  into the left nostril L or the right nostril R while inserting the rod  56  into the fitting hole  51   c  of the support body  51  mounted in the nasal septum Q, the nostril plug A 3  is formed. 
         [0134]    By constituting the nostril plug A 3  using the support body  51  mounted in the nasal septum Q and the valve unit  54  mounted on the support body in this manner, this embodiment can provide the relatively light-weighted nostril plug A 3 . 
         [0135]    As shown in  FIG. 25  and  FIG. 26 , a valve unit  54 ′ may be constituted of a ring-shaped valve seat  54   b ′ having a rod  56 ′ to be inserted into a fitting hole  51   c  of a support body  51 , and a valve element  54   a ′ mounted on a valve seat  54   b ′ for closing a ventilation opening  54   c′.    
         [0136]    The valve seat  54   b ′ is formed of a planar body having resiliency such as a plastic plate, and the rod  56 ′ is mounted on an outer periphery of the ring-shaped valve seat  54   b ′ in place. Here, the valve seat  54   b ′ may be formed of a planar plate made of shape memory alloy. When the valve seat  54   b ′ is made of shape memory alloy, in removing the valve unit  54 ′ from the support body  51 , the valve unit  54 ′ can be easily removed by properly deflecting and removing the valve seat  54   b ′. Further, after removing the valve unit  54 ′, the valve seat  54   b ′ is immersed in hot water of a predetermined temperature so that the valve seat  54   b ′ can easily restore an original shape and can be used again. 
         [0137]    The valve element  54   a ′ is configured to overlap the ring-shaped valve seat  54   b ′ to close the ventilation opening  54   c ′. Particularly, by connecting one end of the valve element  54   a ′ to a hinge  57  mounted on the rod  56 ′, the valve element  54   a ′ is rotatable by the hinge  57 . In this embodiment, the valve element  54   a ′ is rotatable using the hinge  57  and hence, the valve element  54   a ′ is not always required to possess resiliency. In this embodiment, the valve element  54   a ′ is formed of a plastic plate in the same manner as the valve seat  54   b ′. Here, the valve element  54   a ′ may be formed of a rubber film or a plastic film which is resiliently deformable by warping. 
         [0138]    As shown in  FIG. 26 , the valve unit  54 ′ having such a constitution can, at the time of inhaling air in breathing, inhale air by bringing the ventilation opening  54   c ′ into an opened state with the rotation of the valve element  54   a ′ and, at the same time, in inhaling air, the valve element  54   a ′ close the ventilation opening  54   c ′ thus preventing leaking of exhalation from the left nostril L and the right nostril R. Accordingly, the nostril plug can reduce the articulatory disorder. 
         [0139]    Further, when a pressure inside the nostril reaches a predetermined pressure or more due to sneezing or the like, as shown in  FIG. 27 , the valve seat  54   b ′ and the valve element  54   a ′ are resiliently deformed due to such a pressure and are deflected toward a nasal apex side and hence, a gap can be formed between the valve seat  54   b ′ and the left nostril L or the right nostril R whereby the pressure can be rapidly released through the gap. 
         [0140]    As another embodiment, in place of using the ring-shaped valve seat  54   b ′, for example, as shown in  FIG. 28 , a valve element  54   a ″ may be supported in a closed state using an arm-shaped valve seat  54   b ″. Particularly, by forming the valve seat  54   b ″ into a bifurcated arm shape, the valve element  54   a ″ can be supported in a stable manner and, at the same time, when a pressure in the inside of a nostril reaches a predetermined pressure or more by sneezing or the like, the valve seat  54   b ″ can be easily deflected to facilitate releasing of the pressure.