DEVICE TO PROMOTE NASAL BREATHING AND TO PREVENT SNORING

Abstract: A nasal insert device comprising a pair of hollow, offset, frusto-conical nasal tubes (2, 4) capable of insertion into the nostrils of the human nose (8). The tubes are sized and oriented to prevent the formation of gaps or pockets between the nostril walls and the inserted tubes such that free nasal breathing is promoted and snoring caused by obstructed nostrils is prevented. The device is further provided with a pair of filter members (30, 32) which may be disposed within the nasal tubes, the filter members being provided to remove dust, odors, and other irritants from the air as it passes through the nasal tubes.

Description: . ^ The present invention is directed to a device to aid breathing and to prevent snoring in a sleeping individual. Specifically, this invention is directed to a pair of nasal inserts capable of being inserted into the nostrils of a human being that will keep the nostrils and nasal passages open to provide unobstructed nasal breathing and which will eliminate snoring caused by nasal obstruction. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Snoring is a term used generally to describe the rough, hoarse noise often emanating from a sleeping individual- It is well known that the act of snoring is discomforting to the snorer (it may continually wake him or her up), as well as anyone sl-eeping in close proximity to the snorer. In addition, excessive snoring may have harmful side effects such as excessive drying of the nasal cavity, throat, trachea, etc. In addition, snoring may have harmful emotional and psychological effects caused by disturbed and/or lost sleep. It is believed that snoring is caused by the interference with the free flow of air through the mouth, nose ' and/or trachea (windpipe) into the lungs of a human being. The sources of this interference are many and include relaxed muscle or tissue within the lingual compartment (eg. the tongue, soft palate, etc.), constricted or obstructed nostrils or nasal passages, an obstructed wind pipe and the like. Snoring caused by constrictions or obstructions within the nose is of particular interest as most people breathe through their nose when they are asleep and are therefore more susceptible to obstructed nose related snoring. In addition to snoring, clogged, stuffed-up or otherwise restricted nostril and nasal passages may cause breathing problems whether the individual is asleep or awake. These breathing problems may make sleep difficult and may also interfere with wake-time activities such as work, manual labor, exercise and the like. Attempts to prevent snoring and promote free nasal breathing have included insertion of tubes and cones into the nostrils of the human nose. However, in addition to being uncomfortable, many of these cures appear to exacerbate rather than remedy the problem. The tubes and cones are typically not properly shaped to contact the nostril or nasal passage walls along their (i.e. the tube's) entire inserted length and around their entire circumference. Therefore, pockets are formed between the inserts and the nostril lining. During nasal breathing, passage of air in and out of the nose may create a vacuum within these pockets. This may have the effect of drawing the nostril walls in and out, obstructing or further obstructing already obstructed nasal passages. In addition, air moving in and out of these pockets further interferes with the smooth passage of air through the nose. These conditions, whether seperately or in combination, tend to increase rather than diminish the occurrence of nasal blockage-related snoring and, in certain circumstances, will interfere with rather than promote free nasal breathing. Finally, in the case of the cylindrical tube inserts, there is the danger that the tubes may be inhaled into the nasal passages, causing damage to the passages and potentially obstructing nasal breathing. It is therefore an object of the present invention, to - . provide a nasal insert device which may be comfortably and safely inserted into the nostrils of the human nose and which will prevent snoring caused by nasal obstructions or blockage. It is another object of the present invention to provide a nasal insert device which will promote free, unobstructed nasal breathing. It is still another object to provide a nasal insert device which will filter the air that passes therethrough. These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent for the following specification and claims in combination with the drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a nasal insert device is provided which is capable of insertion into the nostrils of the human nose, the device promoting free nasal breathing (whether the user is awake or asleep) in an individual and preventing nasal obstruction-induced snoring during sleep periods. The nasal insert device of the present invention is comprised of a pair of hollow, offset, frusto-conical tubes, which may be inserted into the nostrils of the human nose such that the nostrils are slightly expanded and air may pass only through the tubes and not therearound, thereby promoting free nasal breathing and preventing nasal blockage-related snoring. Each tube defines an offset portion along one side thereof which, when the tubes are inserted into the nostrils of the human nose, is positioned within the lobe portion of the nostril opposite the side of the tube adjacent to the nostril septum such that each tube contacts the nostril walls along the entire inserted length and around the entire circumference of the tube. 4 In a preferred embodiment, the nasal insert device i further provided with filter means which may be used to filter the air as it passes through the inserted tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention inserted within the human nose; FIG. 2 is a side cut away view of the device inserted into human nose; FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the device inserted into the human nose, the device being further provided with filter means; FIG. 4 is partial cut-away view of one of the nasal insert tubes of the present invention and a nasal filter in unassembled relation; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the tube and filter of the FIG. 4; ' and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the tube and filter of the present invention showing further means for • engaging the filter within the tube and engaging the tube -. within the nostrils. DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings, the nasal insert device of the present invention is comprised of a pair of hollow, offset, frusto-conical nasal tubes, 2 and 4 respec¬ tively, capable of insertion into the nostrils, 6 and 1 , of the human nose 8, each tube having a first end 10 and a second end 12. The first end 10 has a relatively smaller diameter as compared to the diameter of the second larger end 12. Each tube, 2 and 4, further defines a bore 14 passing from the first end 10 to the second end 12. A first side 16 of each tube, 2 and 4, has a generally constant positive slope as it extends from the first end 10 to the second end 12 of each tube, while the second opposite side 17 of each tube is provided with an offset portion 18 formed where two side- portions 20 and 22 of this second opposite side 17 come together. The first side portion 20 extends from first end 10 to offset portion 18 with a position slope which is less than the positive slope of second side portion 22, which extends from offset portion 18 to the second end 12. The nasal tubes, 2 and 4, of the present invention are positioned in the nostrils of the human nose 8 by inserting the first smaller end 10 of each tube into each nostril, 6 and 7, until end 10 comes to rest in the upper end of the nostrils with the second end 12 of each tube 2 and 4 extending out of each nostril. Each tube, when inserted, is oriented so that the constant sloping side 16 rests against the nose septum 17 (i.e., the divider between the nostrils of the nose) and the offset portion-containing side 17 rests against the opposite side (i.e. the lobe portion) of each nostril. The offset portion 18 provided in each nasal tube, 2 and 4, is oriented within each nostril and each tube is sized such that the nostril walls contact each tube along the entire inserted length and around the entire circumference of each tube. The offset portion 18 also facilitates maintenance of the tubes within the nose even during period of heavy nasal breathing, coughing or sneezing. In a further embodiment of the present invention, engaging means such as pins 50 may be provided around the exterior of tubes 2 and 4 to further engage the tubes within the nostrils, the pins 50 engaging the nostril walls. The diameter of each frusto-conical tube, 2 and 4, that forms the nasal insert device of the present invention, as well as the position and size Of offset portion 18 are selected so that the nasal insert device fits within the nostrils comfortably and the nostril passages are expanded slightly so that any air passing through the nose will pass only through the inserted tubes. In this arrangement no pockets or spaces are provided between the tubes and the nostril walls, thereby preventing the flow of air around the tubes and preventing any areas or vacuum being created within the nose 8. In a preferred embodiment the nasal insert device of the present invention is further provided with means for filtering the air that passes through the device. When the nasal insert device of the present invention is to be used in an area of heavy pollution or where there are high concen¬ trations of smoke, odors, dust or the like it is recommended that filter means be used in combination with the device to prevent these contaminates from entering and damaging or otherwise irritating the respiratory system of the device user. The filter means of the present invention is comprised of a pair of hollow, frusto-conical members, 30 and 32 respectively, having a filter 34 covering the smaller end 36 of each filter member. The filter members, 30 and 32, are sized for insertion into the larger end 12 of each nasal insert to be, 2 and 4, the filter containing end 36 being inserted first. The filter members, 30 and 32, are inserted entirely within the nasal inserts, 2 and 4, and may be held therein by frictional engagement between the inner surface 3 of the nasal insert tubes, 2 and 4, and the outer surface 31 of members 30 and 32. Additionally, surface 3 or surface 31 may be provided with a rough or abrasive texture such that the frictional engagement between the nasal tubes, 2 and 4, and the filter members, 30 and 32, is enhanced. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface 31 of the filter members, 30 and 32, may be provided with a plurality of pins 42 which will engage cooperating openings 44 provided in the tubes 2 and 4 to more effectively maintain the filter members, 30 and 32, within the nasal insert tubes, 2 and 4. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the pins 42 may be provided on tubes 2 and 4 with the cooperating openings 44 being provided in filter members 30 and 32 with equally satisfactory results. The nasal insert device and filter tubes of the present invention are suitably formed from any defor able, flexible, thermoplastic polymer material which is chemically inerted and free from health or medical hazards. For example the devices may be adequately formed from polyethylene, nylon, pclyformaldehyde, polycarbonate, a vinyl polymer, polystyrene and the like. The device of the present invention is formed using any of the plastic forming techniques known in the art with injection molding and/or casting being preferred. The filter 34 used over end 36 of each of the filter members, 30 and 32, is formed of any suitable material which will adequately filter particles, dust, odors and other irritants or contaminants from the air while at the same time being chemically inert and free of medical or health hazard. Suitable filter materials include cloth, gauze, wire screens and the like, as well as composites of these materials. The nasal insert device of the present invention may be provided in various sizes depending on the size of the nose in which the device is to be used, the age of the user and so on. in addition, it is envisioned that the nasal insert device of the present invention may be provided with several sets of filter members, 30 and 32, so that the user will have the option of employing different filters depending on where and when the device is to be used. While the device of the present invention has been described mainly in relation to snore prevention and the promotion of free nasal breathing during sleep, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that the device may also be employed in such wake-time activities as exercising, working and the like. The device may also be provided in an emergency or home medical kit so that individuals experiencing obstructed nasal breathing may be aided quickly. It will be clear that such uses are not beyond the scope of this disclosure and the invention described herein.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS; 1. A nasal insert device capable of insertion into a human nose, for promoting nasal breathing and preventing nasal obstruction-induced snoring, said nose comprising a pair of nostrils separated by a septum, each nostril defining an interior nostril surface, a lobe portion being defined in said interior surface opposite said septum, said device comprising: a frusto-conical nasal tube having an outer surface, further having a first smaller end and a second larger end, the tube defining a bore passing from said first end to said second end of said tube forming an interior surface therein, said outer tube surface having a first side portion and a second opposite side portion; and an offset area defined on said first side portion, such that upon insertion of said tube within each of said nostrils said outer tube surface is contacted along its entire inserted length and circumference by said interior nasal surface, said second side portion abbutting said septum and said offset area contacting said lobe portion such that no air pockets may be formed between said interior nasal surface and said outer tube surface. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is comprised of a pair of hollow, offset-containing frusto-conical nasal tubes, one such tube being insertable into each nostril. 3. The device of claim 2 wherein each nasal tube has a first relatively straight side of generally constant positive slope as it extends from said first end to said second end, and a second offset portion-containing side having a first and • second side portion, the first side portion extending from said first end to said offset portion at one positive slope and the second portion extending from said offset portion to said second end at a second greater .positive slope. 4. The device of claim 3 further comprising filter means removably disposed within each of said nasal tubes. 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said filter means is comprised of: a hollow, frusto-conical, filter member having an exterior surface said filter member defining a first smaller end and a second larger end, said members fitting completely within said nasal tubes; a filter disposed over said first end; and means for removably engaging said filter means within said nasal tubes. 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said engaging means comprises a rough abrasive surface provided between said filter member and said nasal tube such that said filter member may frictionally engage said nasal tube when inserted therein. 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said rough abrasive surface is provided on said exterior surface of said filter member. 8. The device of claim 5 wherein said engaging means comprises: a plurality of pins disposed on one of either said exterior surface of said filter member or said interior surface of said nasal tube; and a plurality of cooperating openings provided in the surface which does not contain said pins, such that when the pins engage the openings each filter member will be removably maintained within each nasal tubes. 9. The device of claim 5 wherein the filter is comprised of a material selected from the group gauze, wire screening, cloth and composites thereof. 10. The device of claim 4 further comprising nostril engaging means. 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the nostril engaging means is comprised of a plurality of pins provided on the said outer surface of said nasal insert tubes, said pins engaging said interior nasal surface. 12. A method of promoting free nasal breathing and preventing snoring comprising inserting a hollow, offset, frusto-conical nasal tube into each of the nostrils of the human nose, said tubes contacting said nostrils along the entire inserted length and the entire circumference of each said tube, each tube slighty expanding said nostrils thereby promoting free nasal breathing and preventing nasal obstruc- tion-induced snoring. 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of filtering the air that passes through said nasal tubes.

Inventors: DRAGADZE PETER, DRAGADZE, PETER
Applicants: DRAGADZE PETER, DRAGADZE, PETER
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5