Improvements in Devices for Applying Remedial Agents or Medical. Compounds for the Treatment of Catarrh and similar Diseases.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Feb., 1890
CONDI hun
CIUITATAIId"
Improvements in Devices for Applying Remedial Agents or Medical.
Compounds for the Treatment of Catarrh and similar Diseases.
A communication from abroad by JOSEPH MAYHEW HARDING, M.D., of Oil City,
Venango County, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool and 6 Bank Street Manchester both.
in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of devices used for applying remedial agents or
medical compounds to the nasal passages for the treatment of catarrh and similar
diseases, and the invention consists in the novel construction of an implement which
is termed an insufflator, as hereinafter more fully described.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the insufflator.
Figure 2 is a sectional view of a portion somewhat enlarged.
Figure 3 is a view illustrating the manner of using the insufflator; and
Figure 4 is a view of a modified form of the bowl of the insufflator.
In the application of medicines for the treatment of nasal catarrh two methods are
in use, one in which the medicine, usually in the form of a vapour or liquid, is drawn
into the nasal passages by inhalation, the instruments used for this purpose being
termed inhalers, the other method consisting in forcing the medicines into the passages
by a syringe or blast of air from without.
The invention is designed to enable the persons affected to make the applications
themselves, and to do it in a most effectual manner.
To accomplish this result, the insufflator is constructed as follows:-—
A small flexible tube A, preferably of rubber, is provided, and to one end a mouth
piece C is secured, of hard rubber, ivory or any similar material, which can be held
in the mouth without collapsing or being pressed together in such manner as to
prevent the passage of air through it.
To the opposite end of the tube A, a funnel shaped bowl B is secured, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2, this bowl being made of soft rubber or similar suitable material,
and of such a size that when inserted in the outer opening of the nostril it will
fill the same, so as to prevent the escape of air around its edges under a moderate
pressure.
This flexible bowl B is made sufficiently soft and thin to enable it to be pressed or
varied in shape as may be necessary to cause it to adapt itself readily to the interior
of the opening of the nostril to which it is applied, and yet be sufficiently rigid to
cause it to expand so as to fill the nostril and form a contact therewith all around,
when slightly inserted therein. By experiment my correspondent has ascertained
that by making this bowl B of thin soft rubber, it fulfils these conditions admirably,
and he prefers to thus make it.
It is, however, obvious that the bowl may be made of metal or other rigid material,
in which case it is preferable to make it with its walls inclined in the opposite direction,
as shown at B', Figure 4. When so made the tapering point only will be inserted far
enough to close the nostril, and by holding it there prevent the escape of air.
The method of using the insufflator is as follows:-
The medical compound usually in the form of a fine powder is placed in the bowl B
and the latter is then inserted into the nostril, as represented in Figure 3. The mouth
piece C is then placed in the mouth when the patient blows through the tube and
thereby forces or blows the compound from the bowl B up the nostril.

page_text: As in the act of blowing with the breath from the mouth there is no pressure of
the breath in the nostril, it follows that there is a comparative vacuum therein, which
greatly facilitates the distribution of the finely powdered medicine therein, thereby
enabling it to be distributed over the entire surface of the nasal passages, whereby it
is brought into direct contact with the affected portions, and on the upper as well as
on the lower walls.
The device is simple and cheap of construction, and being small and flexible, can
.be conveniently carried in a suitable case, and thus enable persons, whether at home
or abroad, to apply the remedy wherever and whenever desired.
It is obvious that the mouth piece C may be dispensed with, by merely making the
tube a, at that end, sufficiently thick or rigid to keep its shape and prevent it from
collapsing, it is preferable, however, to make them with the mouth piece attached.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The herein described device for applying remedial agents for the treatment of
catarrh and similar diseases, consisting of a flexible tube with a bowl adapted to
contain the medicament and be applied to the nostril, substantially as described.
2. A device for the purpose set forth, consisting of a flexible tube having a flexible
bowl secured to one end, with or without a mouth piece at its opposite end.
Dated this 90th day of JANUARY 1900
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.