Patent ID: 8491622

Claim:
An internal nasal dilator adapted for use within a nose, wherein the nose defines first and second nostrils separated by a septum, and each nostril defines in part an internal nasal passageway having a longitudinal axis, a ridged outlet, and an internal wall surface generally opposite the septum, said dilator comprising: a holding element configured to contact and apply a holding force to the septum so as to secure the dilator at least partially within the first and second nostrils when the dilator is donned; and first and second internal nostril expanders each consisting essentially of a bent tubular member attached to and laterally emanating away from the holding element and cooperatively forming a closed loop with the holding element, wherein each member is curved to form generally superjacent layers with the internal wall surface of the nose when the dilator is donned, wherein the closed loop is oriented such that when the dilator is donned, a line can be drawn intersecting a first point on the closed loop and a second point on the closed loop, the second point being generally opposite the first point on the closed loop, wherein said line is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nasal passageway; and wherein the holding element and nostril expanders are cooperative configured to exert an expansive force upon the internal wall surfaces, so as to expand the nasal passageways.