Abstract:
There is provided an apparatus for facilitating the transmission of vapour particles directly into a nasal passage, including: at least one structural member; and at least one absorbent member at each end of the at least one structural member for containing a liquid able to be evaporated to form the vapour particles. Preferably, there are at least two studs positioned at intermediate positions between the ends of the at least one structural member. A method for transmission of vapour particles/medication directly into a nasal passage using the apparatus is also provided.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating the transmission of vapour particles directly into a nasal passage.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Aromatherapy is the use of essences of plants processed as essential oils for therapeutic benefits such as, for example, attaining balance in a human body, enhancing the immunity system, preventing or minimizing illnesses, calming nerves, enhancing attention spans, and so forth. It is incorrect to generalise aromatherapy to be solely reliant on the sense of smell. This is because each essential oil has a unique combination of constituents which interact with the body. It is this interaction with the constituents that provides the beneficial efforts for the body.  
         [0003]     At the moment, common techniques used for aromatherapy are: 
        Massaging of essential oil onto desired body part(s);     HotCold Compress: Application of a compress to the desired body part(s) with appropriate amounts of essential oils added to the compress maintained at a preferred temperature;     Inhaling essential oils by vaporizing the oils using hot water in a basin or bowl;     Inhaling essential oils by vaporizing the oils using aroma burners;     Taking baths with drops of essential oils added to the water; and     Direct inhalation from an absorbent material with drops of essential oils added.        
 
         [0010]     It is widely acknowledged that direct inhalation of essential oils is the best way of reaping the benefits of aromatherapy. Methods of vaporization mentioned above do not maximize the amount of essential oils being vaporized and, consequently, inhaled. There is significant wastage of essential oils when such methods are employed. As such, the amount of essential oils required must be increased, consequently increasing the cost incurred. Unfortunately, in order to make aromatherapy more economical, impure essential oils augmented with synthetic ingredients are used. Such practices are more often than not detrimental to health due to the inhalation of synthetic substances.  
         [0011]     Furthermore, nasal inhalation provides more rapid effectiveness as compared to digestive, oral inhalation or dermal compress as the active ingredients are passed straight to the lungs where they are absorbed directly into the blood stream.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     There is provided an apparatus for facilitating the transmission of vapour particles directly into a nasal passage, including: at least one structural member; and at least one absorbent member at each end of the at least one structural member for containing a liquid able to be evaporated to form the vapour particles. Preferably, there are at least two studs positioned at intermediate positions between the ends of the at least one structural member.  
         [0013]     Preferably, the at least one absorbent member is made from a material selected from: sponge, fabric, cotton, paper, wood, absorbent polymers and so forth. It is most preferable that the structural member is made from a material selected from: copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers and so forth. The structural member may preferably be coated with a material selected from: PVC, silicon, latex, vinyl, nitrile, synthetic polymer, and so forth.  
         [0014]     It is preferable that the at least one absorbent member is located within a holder. The holder may preferably have a perforated disc in its inner rim. The holder may also have a solid disc in its inner rim. The absorbent member may be in a shape selected from: disc-shaped, spherical-shaped, pyramid-shaped, polygonal-shaped, hemispherical-shaped, and so forth. The absorbent member may be used to contain liquid selected from: essential oils, or liquid medication. The liquid medication may be of the type typically introduced via nasal drops/sprays.  
         [0015]     There is also provided an apparatus for facilitating the transmission of vapour particles directly into a nasal passage, including: at least one structural member; and at least one absorbent member enveloping the at least one structural member for containing a liquid able to be evaporated to form the vapour particles.  
         [0016]     There is also provided a method for the transmission of vapour particles directly into a nasal passage using the aforementioned apparatus, and a method for the transmission of medication directly into a nasal passage using the aforementioned apparatus. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     In order that the invention may be better understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being in reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a holder of a preferred embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is top view of an absorbent member;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the holder;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment in partial section;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a preferred embodiment when in use; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 2  of a final embodiment; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a partial side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  when assembled.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is provided an apparatus  20  for facilitating the transmission of vapour particles directly into a nasal passage. The apparatus  20  may include a structural member  22  with a holder  24  at each of a first end  26 , and a second end  28 , respectively, of the structural member  22 . “At” in the case, may mean at, adjacent to, and in close proximity with. Absorbent members  34  may be located within each holder  24 . The structural member  22  may have at least two studs  30  positioned at intermediate positions between the first  26  and second  28  ends of the structural member  22 . The structural member  22  may be made of a plurality of components.  
         [0029]     The structural member  22  may be flexible and bendable to form a U-shaped structure (as shown). The first  26  and second  28  ends of the structural member  22  may be bent from proximal positions  40  and  42  respectively. This may enhance the fit of the apparatus  20  in the nostrils of a user. The structural member  22  may be made from materials such as, for example, copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers, and so forth. The structural member  22  may be coated with materials, such as, for example, PVC, silicon, latex, vinyl, nitrile, synthetic polymers, and so forth. The structural member  22  may be coated with the said materials as it may add comfort to a user of the apparatus  20  by being less abrasive, and by minimizing contact between the skin of the user (which may react adversely/allergically to some materials) and the material of the structural member  22 . The material used to coat the structural member  22  may also be skin coloured to camouflage the apparatus  20  when being used in the users&#39; nostrils. The structural member  22  may be bent into a shape whereby the apparatus  20  may securely grip the central nasal bone.  FIG. 8  shows the apparatus  20  when in use in the nostrils  32  of a user  100 .  
         [0030]     The studs  30  positioned at intermediate positions between the first  26  and second  28  ends of the structural member  22  may be located at positions that may enhance the grip-ability of the apparatus  20  for ease of handling.  
         [0031]     An exploded perspective view of the holder  24  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The holder  24  may have a disc  38  fitted in the inner rim  36  of the holder  24 . The disc  38  may be perforated to allow the passage of air or it may be a solid disc. A disc-like absorbent member  34  is shown being placed into the holder  24 . The absorbent member  34  may fit and conform to the inner rim  36  of the holder  24  and rest against the disc  38 . The absorbent member  34  may be made from a liquid absorbing material such as, for example, sponge, fabric, cotton, paper, wood, absorbent polymers and so forth. The absorbent member  34  may be used to contain liquids, such as, for example, essential oils, or liquid medication. The liquid medication may be typically introduced via nasal drops/sprays. A solid disc may be preferred as it allows the absorbent member  34  to lose its contents through only one surface. This may slow the rate at which the absorbent member  34  dries (ie. loses its liquid content). The holder  24  may prevent the liquid content in the absorbent member  34  from escaping from the absorbent member  34  as this may cause irritation/an allergic reaction to the user.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the absorbent member  34 . The absorbent member  34  may have a plurality of through holes  44  in and through the absorbent member  34 . The holes  44  may be present in the absorbent member  34  to facilitate the passage of air through the absorbent member  34  to aid in the evaporation of the liquid content in the absorbent member  34 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment of the holder  24  of the present invention. The absorbent member  34  may be connected to a cavity  46  in the structural member  22 . The cavity  46  may extend through all or part of the structural member  22  and acts as reservoir for the liquid. The cavity  46  may be used with a sponge  48  if desired or required. The holder  24  may also have a disc (not shown) located in the inner rim  36  or the holder  24 . The cavity  46  (with or without the sponge  48 ) increases the amount of liquid that may be stored for use by the absorbent member  34 . The absorbent member  34  may also have through holes  44 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of the apparatus  20 . The apparatus  20  may include a structural member  22  with absorbent members  50  located at a first end  26  and a second end  28  respectively of the structural member  22 . The structural member  22  may be made from materials such as, for example, copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers, and so forth. The structural member  22  may have at least two studs  30  positioned at intermediate positions between the first  26  and second  28  ends of the structural member  22 . The absorbent members  50  may be formed from materials, such as, for example, sponge, fabric, cotton, paper, absorbent polymers and so forth; and in different shapes, such as, for example, spherical-shaped, pyramid-shaped, polygonal-shaped, hemispherical-shaped, and so forth. The absorbent members  50  may be soaked with liquid content such as, for example, essential oils, and liquid medication. The liquid medication may be typically introduced via nasal drops/sprays. The apparatus  20  is used in an identical manner as the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown another alternative embodiment of the apparatus  20 . The apparatus  20  may also include a structural member  22  with nostril plugs  52  located along a length of the structural member  22  from an intermediate position to the first end  26  and a second end  28  respectively. The structural member  22  may be made from materials such as, for example, copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers and so forth. The structural member  22  may have at least two studs  30  positioned at intermediate positions between the first  26  and second  28  ends of the structural member  22 . Disc-like absorbent members  34  may be inserted into the nostril plugs  52 . Plug  52  may have a disc (not shown) fitted in the inner rim  54  of the plug  52 . The disc may be perforated to allow the passage of air or it may be a solid disc. The disc-like absorbent member  34  may be placed into the plug  52 . The absorbent member  34  may fit and conform to the inner rim  54  of the plug  52  and rest against the disc. The absorbent members  34  may be formed from materials, such as, for example, sponge, fabric, cotton, paper, absorbent polymers and so forth. The absorbent members  50  may be soaked with liquid content such as, for example, essential oils, and liquid medication. The liquid medication may be typically introduced via nasal drops/sprays. The apparatus  20  is used in an identical manner as the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, this embodiment of the apparatus  20  may be less readily accepted as the users&#39; would have the appearance of flared nostrils, and may be uncomfortable to the user.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown yet another alternative embodiment of the apparatus  20 .  FIG. 7   a  shows the apparatus  20  being bent prior to being placed into the nostrils of a user.  FIG. 7   b  shows the apparatus  20  prior to being bent. The apparatus  20  may have a structural member  22  enveloped by an absorbent member  56 . The structural member  22  may be made from materials such as, for example, copper, aluminum, iron, steel, ductile polymers and so forth. The absorbent member  56  may be soaked with liquid content such as, for example, essential oils, and liquid medication. The liquid medication may be typically introduced via nasal drops/sprays. The absorbent member  56  may have an adhesive side  58  and a non-adhesive side  60 . The adhesive side  58  may be used to adhere the apparatus  20  to the central nasal bone. The apparatus  20  may be bent into a U-shape with each end in each nostril with the adhesive side  58  adhering to the central nasal bone for anchorage to the central nasal bone. The non-adhesive side  60  may be exposed for the circulation of air on the absorbent member  56 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows the apparatus  20  when in use. A second end  28  of the structural member  22  is placed in one nostril  32  of a user  100  and the first end  26  of the structural member  22  is placed in the other nostril of the user  100 . The structural member  22  may be bent by gripping studs at intermediate positions (not shown) between the first  26  and second  28  ends of the structural member  22 . This allows for various sizes and shapes of noses, and for various sizes and separation of nostrils. The structural member  22  may be bent such that holder  24  does not cause discomfort to the user  100 , and the apparatus  20  does not fall out from the nose of the user  100 . Each holder  24  should have at least one absorbent member  34  soaked with liquid content such as, for example, essential oils, and liquid medication. The liquid medication may be typically introduced via nasal drops/sprays. When the apparatus  20  is placed in such a position, the normal breathing of the user  100  would allow for the transmission of vapour particles into a nasal passage. The apparatus  20  may also be used to reduce the effect of foul smells in environments such as, for example, in washrooms, wet markets, vehicle exhaust emissions, smoking areas, sewage areas, rubbish clearing areas, and so forth. Due to the small size of the apparatus  20 , coupled with the eliminating of the burning of essential oils, or external devices, it can be used anywhere and at any time. Given that the transmission of vapour particles is directly into the nasal passage of the user  100 , discomfort is minimized to people surrounding the user  100  with sensitive noses, and who dislike the smell of the liquid content in the absorbent members  34 .  
         [0038]     Most essential oils are anti-septic to some degree. Hence, when the apparatus  20  is employed in the nostril  32  of the user  100 , air may be cleansed before entering the nasal passage and, subsequently, the respiratory system.  
         [0039]     Apparatus  20  may also be used to introduce medication through inhalation. There may be a way to use the apparatus  20  to aid smokers trying to quit smoking through the use of appropriate essential oils that may simulate the effects of nicotine or nicotine itself.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show a variant of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . Here, the holder  24  has a top rim  92  through which the absorbent member  34  may pass. Each holder  24  also has an arcuate slot  90  extending around a part of the side wall of the holder  24 , and through which the absorbent member  34  may also pass. There may be one or more slots  90  around the holder  24 . Depending on the number and location of the slots, the absorbent member  34  may be passed into the holder  24  in the direction of one of the arrows a, b, c, or d.  
         [0041]     Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications may be made to details of design or construction without departing from the present invention.  
         [0042]     The present invention extends to all features disclosed either individually, or in all possible permutations and combinations.