Patent ID: 7055523

Claim:
An internal nasal dilator for use within a nose having first and second nostrils separated by a septum, each of the nostrils defining in part an internal nasal passageway and an interior outer wall surface generally opposite the septum, the dilator comprising: a clip configured to contact and apply an inward force to the septum when the dilator is donned, wherein the clip contacts the septum along first and second planar engaging surfaces; and first and second nostril expanders, each of the nostril expanders including— a nostril engaging element configured to overlay a portion of the interior outer wall surface of a respective nostril when the dilator is donned, and a compressible arm interconnecting the nostril engaging element and the clip, the compressible arm presenting pairs of opposite major and minor surfaces, and the arm being oriented such that the major surfaces are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the internal nasal passageway when the dilator is donned, wherein the compressed arm causes the nostril engaging element to exert an outward force upon the portion of the interior outer wall surface.