Abstract:
A sinus passage expansion device includes a pair of protruding tubular members connected to a base member. Each tubular member is split into hollow half portions each providing outwardly bulging forms which emulate an inner profile of a nasal cavity. The members are preferably made using a material having shape changing temperature sensitive properties. The base provides screen-covered apertures.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/968,591, filed Mar. 21, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an expansion device configured to be insertable into nasal cavities to expand the sinuses in order to reduce the occurrence of snoring. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People that suffer from asthma, allergies, or sinus problems know all too well of the difficulties that they face in trying to get a good night&#39;s sleep. Oftentimes, when these people sleep, their nasal passages may become blocked due to swelling thereby making it difficult to breathe. This breathing difficulty frequently results in periodic disruptions of sound sleep. The blockage of nasal passages may also lead to snoring. Therefore, a variety of products have been developed, ranging from inhalers and medicines, to adhesive strips that are applied across the outer surface of the nose, that are intended to relieve these symptoms. However, all of these products suffer from inherent shortcomings. Inhalers and medicines are time dependant and do not tend to last throughout the desired period of sleep. Adhesive strips can irritate the skin and do not open nasal passages as fully. Surgery is another option, but carries inherent risks and other complications and thus is typically the solution of last resort. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which air flow through the nose and nasal cavities can be optimized, without the disadvantages of the aforementioned commonly available treatments. The use of the expansion device apparatus provides enhanced breathing ability which facilities sound and uninterrupted sleep while reducing snoring, in a manner which is quick, easy, effective, non-pharmacological and most importantly, safe. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventors have recognized the aforementioned issues and inherent problems and observed that there is a lack in the prior art for a means to efficiently and safely expand a nasal sinuses. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an expansion device including a pair of cylindrical tubular structures with an open top and curved shape. Each tubular structure has a slit longitudinally running along the length of the tube and a cylindrical mounting ring which is connected to its bottom end. Each mounting ring is connected to a planar base. Each tubular structure has a transformation temperature at which point the device changes shape. The length of the longitudinal slit does not equal or exceed that of the tubular structures. 
     The tubular structures are each composed of a nickel-titanium alloy or other composite materials having temperature sensitive shape memory properties to that of a nickel-titanium alloy. Each tubular structure is configured to emulate an internal profile of a nasal cavity when at or above the transformation temperature and configured to maintain a tubular profile when below the transformation temperature. 
     The tubular structures are adhered to the cylindrical mounting rings which are likewise adhered to the planar base. The planar base is made of a semi-rigid plastic material. The planar base has at least one base aperture covered by a screen mesh. 
     An expansion limiting ring provides a tensile force against an upper intermediate portion of each tubular structure. The expansion limiting ring is comprised of rubber, latex, or a similar elastic material. The expansion limiting ring is sized to provide proportional expansion resistance to said tubular structures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of a sinus passage expansion device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the sinus passage expansion device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the sinus passage expansion device  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the sinus passage expansion device  10  depicting a deformed and collapsed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5 a    is an environmental view of the sinus passage expansion device  10  depicting insertion into a user&#39;s  100  nasal cavity  110  while in a deformed and collapsed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5 b    is an environmental view of the sinus passage expansion device  10  depicting an installed in-use state within the user&#39;s  100  nasal cavity  110 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the sinus passage expansion device  10  depicting utilization of optional expansion limiting rings  50 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  sinus passage expansion device 
               20   a  first tubular structure 
               20   b  second tubular structure 
               22   a  first half-tube 
               22   b  second half-tube 
               24  slit 
               25  opening 
               26  mounting ring 
               40  base 
               42  base aperture 
               44  screen mesh 
               50  expansion limiting ring 
               100  user/nose 
               110  nasal cavity 
               112  nostril opening 
               120  superior concha 
               122  inferior concha 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5   b , and in terms of an alternate embodiment, herein depicted in  FIG. 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a sinus passage expansion device (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a device designed to improve nighttime breathing, and reduce snoring by internally expanding a user&#39;s nasal cavity  110 , thereby increasing air flow. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , perspective and sectional views of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  includes of a pair of cylindrical tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  having a top opening  25  and a curved shape which emulates an internal profile of a normal nasal cavity  110 . The tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  are arranged in a vertical parallel manner, each being split into mirror-image first half tube  22   a  and second half tube  22   b  portions which are separated by a vertical slits  24  which extend down both side surfaces of each tubular structure  20   a ,  20   b . The tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  are preferably made of a nickel-titanium alloy, or other composite material having similar expansion properties, which provides specific temperature sensitive physical properties which cause the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  to expand when inserted into a user&#39;s nasal cavity  110  to provide enhanced breathing capability (also see  FIGS. 4, 5   a , and  5   b ). 
     The first half-tube  22   a  and second half-tube  22   b  portions are separated by the slit  24  from a top edge downward, and are joined together at a bottom end by an integral cylindrical mounting ring portion  26 . The mounting ring portions  26  of each tubular structure  20   a ,  20   b  are mounted adjacent to each other, and to a subjacent planar base  40  using adhesives or other equivalent methods of attachment. The base  40  provides a generally oval-shaped platform envisioned to be made of a semi-rigid plastic material. The base  40  covers over a user&#39;s nostril openings  112  and includes a pair of integral circular base apertures  42  which enable air to flow through. Each base aperture  42  is aligned with a respective mounting ring  26  and covered by a circular screen mesh portion  44 . The screen mesh  44  provides sufficient open area to enable normal breathing through the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the device  10  depicting a deformed and collapsed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The tubular structure portions  20   a ,  20   b  of the device  10  are made using a nickel-titanium alloy material to produce temperature sensitive malleability and expanding properties. When the nickel-titanium alloy is placed within a cool temperature, the alloy becomes temporarily pliable and flexible. As the nickel-titanium alloy is exposed to a higher body temperature, the alloy expands and retains its original shape, and returns to its original hardness. The expansion properties of the nickel-titanium alloy are controlled by creating a particular original form as well as changing the thickness of the material. Although the preferred material for the tubular structure portions  20   a ,  20   b  is nickel-titanium alloy, other composite materials having similar expansion properties may be utilized, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device  10 . 
     The device  10  is prepared for use by being placed within a refrigerator or other cooling means resulting in a softening of the nickel-titanium alloy, thereby allowing for temporary manipulation of the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  into a narrowed collapsed state by pressing the half-tube portions  22   a ,  22   b  together and reducing a width of the slits  24 . 
     When placed onto the nasal cavity portion  110  of a user&#39;s nose  100 , the expanding properties of the nickel-titanium alloy, or other composite material having similar expansion properties, causes the previously collapsed half-tubes  22   a ,  22   b  to expand, thereby separating from each other and then becoming rigid. This expansion of each tubular structure  20   a ,  20   b  opens up the nasal cavity  110 , and provides a sufficient amount of air to pass through for proper breathing. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , environmental views of the device  10  depicting insertion and installation within a user&#39;s  100  nasal cavity  110 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is cooled and pressed into a narrowed collapsed state by pressing the half-tube portions  22   a ,  22   b  together. In this state the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  are easily inserted upwardly into the user&#39;s  100  nasal cavity  110 . 
     As the user&#39;s  100  body temperature warms the device  10 , the properties of the nickel-titanium alloy causes the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  to expand and return to their original split and outwardly curving shape, thereby pressing against and expanding internal superior concha  120  and inferior concha  122  tissues within the nasal cavity  110 . 
     Removal of the device  10  is accomplished by pulling downwardly upon the base  40  and extracting the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  from the nasal cavity  110 . The device  10  may then be cleaned for subsequent repeated use. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of the device  10  depicting utilization of optional expansion limiting rings  50 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The expansion limiting rings  50  help control a diameter of the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  when expanded. 
     The device  10  is illustrated here having expansion limiting rings  50  installed upon respective tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b . The expansion limiting rings  50  provide circular elastic bands which are in tension around an upper intermediate portion of each tubular structure  20   a ,  20   b . The expansion limiting rings  50  are envisioned to be made using rubber, latex, or a similar elastic material. During expansion of the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  within the nasal cavity  110 , the expansion limiting rings  50  provide proportional resistance as the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  are heated. Therefore, the expansion limiting rings  50  provide additional control of the fit and feel of the device  10  within the nasal cavity  110 . 
     It is understood that different models of the expansion limiting rings  50  may be introduced by varying the material and/or cross-sectional area of the expansion limiting rings  50  to provide a desired tensile resistance, and a corresponding diameter of each tubular structure  20   a ,  20   b.    
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 5 a    and  5   b.    
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the device  10 ; placing the device  10  within a refrigerator or other cooling means allowing the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  to soften; collapsing the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  in a temporary manner by pressing the half-tube portions  22   a ,  22   b  together and reducing a width of the slits  24 ; inserting the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  upwardly into the user&#39;s  100  nasal cavity  110  in a coincidental manner until the base  40  covers the nostril openings  112 ; allowing the half-tube portions  22   a ,  22   b  to be warmed by the user&#39;s  100  body temperature; allowing the half-tube portions  22   a ,  22   b  to expand, separate, and return to their original split and outwardly curving shape; allowing the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  to press against and expand internal superior concha  120  and inferior concha  122  tissues within the nasal cavity  110 ; and, enabling increased airflow through a user&#39;s  100  nasal cavity  110 , thereby improving nighttime breathing while also reducing snoring, afforded a user of the person&#39;s invention  10 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the optional expansion limiting rings  50  upon the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following additional steps: inserting each tubular structure  20   a ,  20   b  through a respective expansion limiting ring  50 ; positioning each expansion limiting ring  50  at an upper intermediate portion of each tubular structure  20   a ,  20   b ; allowing the expansion limiting rings  50  to provide proportional resistance to the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b  as they are heated within the nasal cavity  110 ; and, allowing the expansion limiting rings  50  to provide additional control of an expanded diameter of the tubular structures  20   a ,  20   b , and correspondingly, the fit and feel of the device  10  during use. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.