Abstract:
A nasal opening device. The nasal opening device includes a vertical splint configured to extend from an upper portion of a nose to a lower level of nasal bones and a horizontal splint configured to extend from a first lateral wall to a second lateral wall of a nose. A vertical flexible member is integrated with said vertical splint and positioned such that upon attachment of the vertical splint to a nose the flexible member is adjacent to a nose tip and assists with maintaining a nose tip in an elevated position, said vertical splint having an adhesive layer for attachment to a nose. A flexible member is integrated with said horizontal splint and extends from said first lateral wall to said second lateral wall of a nose.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to a nasal splint system utilizing both vertical and horizontal splints to open the nasal passage of a wearer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Nasal splints have become ubiquitous in the marketplace. Numerous companies make and sell over-the-counter nasal splints designed to improve the intake of oxygen. In one instance, the nasal splints are marketed as a remedy to snoring. In other instances, athletes wear the nasal splints during strenuous activities such as games to increase oxygen intake and therefore stamina and performance. While both horizontal and vertical nasal splints have been marketed, the marketed versions suffer from drawbacks. Primarily, the marketed nasal splints are generally not as effective as needed and tend to disengage from a nose to which they are attached. 
         [0003]    Thus, there is a need for more effective system of nasal splints which stay attached during strenuous activities. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention comprise a nasal splint having a horizontal and vertical component. The horizontal component expands the connective tissue laterally and the external area of the nasal valves generally. The vertical component elevates the nasal columella and the nasal tip. In this manner, the width of the lumens of the lower portion of the nose are increased significantly to improve oxygen intake. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the horizontal splint includes a center strip extending to oppositely positioned triangular ends which, when the horizontal splint is worn, attach to the outer sides of the wearer&#39;s nose. In one embodiment, the vertical splint extends from an upper portion of the nose to the lip portion below the nose. The horizontal and vertical splints may be individual components or a single component. 
         [0006]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of the skeletal anatomy of the human nose; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an underside or base view of the anatomy associated with the human nose; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate a front view of a vertical splint attached to a nose according to the embodiments of the present invention and the nose without the vertical splint, respectively; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  illustrate a side view of a vertical splint attached to a nose according to the embodiments of the present invention and the nose without the vertical splint in place, respectively; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate an underneath view of a vertical splint attached to a nose according to the embodiments of the present invention and the nose without the vertical splint in place, respectively; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of a vertical splint according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate exemplary horizontal splint designs according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of a horizontal splint attached to a nose according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of a horizontal splint attached to a nose according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a horizontal splint according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrate a front view and side view, respectively, of a vertical and horizontal splints attached to a nose according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of a singular vertical/horizontal splint attached to a nose according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
         [0020]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to nasal splints configured to improve the oxygen intake via a wearer&#39;s nose. The increase in oxygen provides extended stamina during strenuous activities and may also reduce or eliminate episodes of snoring and sleep apnea during periods of sleep. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1-2  show the internal structure of the nose area. In general, the nose area consists of a nasal bone  105  and a lower cartilaginous area  110 . The nasal bone  105  is covered by a single nasal muscle laterally positioned and minimal soft fatty tissue under the skin resulting in skin that is substantially fixed. The lower cartilaginous area  110  is comprised of multiple pieces of cartilage held together by connective tissue  115 . The objective of the splint(s) of the present invention is to reduce the size of the connective tissue between the nasal cartilages  110  thereby enlarging (in a manner akin to a diaphragm) the vertical and horizontal diameters  120 ,  125 , respectively, of the nostrils or lumens as identified by the dotted lines in  FIG. 2 . The nose columella  130  is also shown in  FIG. 2   
         [0022]    The most common cause of nasal valve obstruction relate to rhinoplasty, nasal trauma, and congenital anomalies. 
         [0023]    Now referring to  FIGS. 3   a - 5   b , a vertical nasal splint  200  extends from an upper portion  205  of the nose near the nasal bone  105  to a lower level  210  of the nose near the columella  130 . In this manner, the vertical splint  200  elevates the nasal columella  130  (from the base) and the nasal tip. Such a configuration assists patients with high noses, collapsed nasal tips common in Caucasian adults and/or congenital abnormalities. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the vertical splint  200  is fabricated of a hypoallergenic adhesive tape surrounding a plastic or combination of silicone and plastic (known as Silastic®) forming a flexible section. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other flexible materials may be used as well. In one exemplary version, the vertical splint  200  comprises three layers. In one exemplary version, as shown in  FIG. 6  detailing a cross-sectional view along the length of the vertical splint  200 , an outermost layer  201  comprises waterproof pliable material such as plastic, vinyl, latex rubber or the like. A second intermediate layer comprises a more rigid flexible section  202  made of rigid plastic, Silastic® or the like forming the flexible section. In one embodiment, the flexible section is ½ inch by ⅛ inch. However, the flexible section may be larger or smaller as needed. The flexible section is positioned near a portion of the vertical splint  200  intended to extend over the tip of a wearer&#39;s nose at the level of the columella  130 . A third layer  203  is an adhesive layer comprising a non-allergenic glue. The vertical splint  200  may be packaged with a fourth layer comprising wax-paper  204  or similar non-stick materials positioned over the adhesive layer  203  to protect the same until application. 
         [0025]    As shown, the vertical splint  200  is I-shaped to maintain the vertical splint  200  in place. The I-shaped vertical splint  200  can be made of three individual members comprising two horizontal members  205  and a single vertical member  206  extending therebetween, or a single member with an I-shape configuration. It is conceivable that the vertical splint  200  may take on other shapes. In one embodiment, the vertical portion of the vertical splint  200  measures approximately 2 inches in length by ¼ inch in width. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical portion of the vertical splint  200  measures 3 inches in length by ¼ inch in width. The vertical splint  200  may take on other dimensions to accommodate other nose sizes. 
         [0026]    Application of the vertical splint  200  comprises: 1) removal of the wax-paper adhesive protective layer to expose the adhesive; 2) application of the end of the vertical splint  200  including the flexible section at the base of the columella; 3) extension of the vertical splint  200  up to the nasal tip  206 ; 4) elevation of the nasal tip  206  with a finger on a first hand; and 5) extension of the vertical splint  200  with a finger on a second hand onto the nasal bony area. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3   b ,  4   b  and  5   b  show the effect of the vertical splint  200  on the nose.  FIGS. 3   b  and  4   b  show that the nasal tip  207  is elevated with the vertical splint  200  in place relative to the nose without the splint  200  in place as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  4   a .  FIG. 5   b  shows the nostrils or lumens  208  expanded. 
         [0028]    Now referring to  FIGS. 7   a - 9  the horizontal splint  300  is configured to expand the connective tissue laterally and the external area of the nasal valves generally. In so doing, the horizontal diameter is increased preventing the collapse of nasal soft tissues during breathing. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the horizontal splint  300  may take on many shapes and dimensions. Horizontal splints  300 - 1  and  300 - 2  comprise tear drop configurations; horizontal splints  300 - 3  and  300 - 4  comprise quadrilateral configurations; horizontal splints  300 - 5  and  300 - 6  comprise circumferential configurations; and horizontal splints  300 - 7  and  300 - 8  comprise triangular configurations. The various configurations are designed pursuant to anatomy, histology and physiology of the nose to contact the weakest points on the lateral walls of the nose to prevent collapse of the nasal soft tissues during breathing. Simultaneously, the horizontal splints  300  attach to the nasal bone area to maintain resistance which also assists in preventing the collapse of the nasal tissues. 
         [0030]    The horizontal splint  300  may comprise four or five layers. As shown in  FIG. 10  detailing a cross-sectional view along the length of the horizontal splint  300 , an outermost layer  301  comprises waterproof pliable material such as plastic, vinyl, latex rubber or the like. An adjacent layer comprises a more rigid flexible section  302  made of rigid plastic, Silastic® or the like forming a flexible section acting as a spring. The flexible section  302  may or may not extend the length of the horizontal splint  300 . That is, the flexible section  302  may only extend outward in both directions from a center portion to a point prior to the outer edges of the triangular portions. A third layer  303  comprises a non-allergenic clear glue. An optional fourth layer  304  comprises a porous membrane configured to absorb humidity. A fifth layer  305  (or fourth layer if the porous membrane is not used) comprises wax-paper or similar non-stick materials positioned over the adhesive layer  303  to protect the same until application. 
         [0031]    Application of the horizontal splint  300  comprises: 1) removal of the first section of the wax-paper to expose the hypoallergenic glue; 2) application of one triangular member with the base (wider portion) of the triangular portion facing inferiorly; 3) application of the apex of the triangular portion at the nasal bone  105  with the base of the triangular portion near the level of the nasal rim; and 4) removal of the second section to allow application of the second triangular portion to the opposite side of the nose.  FIGS. 8 and 9  show the horizontal splints  300  having triangular regions  310  positioned on a nose. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show the vertical splint  200  and horizontal splint  300  being worn by a user. As shown, the vertical splint  200  and horizontal splint  300  are individual, separate items. Alternatively, the vertical splint  200  and horizontal splint  300  may be a single unit  350  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The combination of the vertical splint  200  and horizontal splint  300  increases the vertical and horizontal diameters in the lumen of the lower portion of the nose thereby improving the flow of oxygen into the nose. 
         [0033]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.