Nasal irrigation device and system with faux collapsible cartridge element

Inventors

Hoke, Martin R. • Schilling, Robert D. • Brown, Patrick W. • Taggart, Jeffrey S.

Assignees

RhinoSystems Inc

Abstract

A nasal irrigation device communicates an irrigant to a device user and comprises a mechanics module and a reservoir assembly wherein a source of saline comprising a cartridge is disposed within the mechanics module adjacent a lid assembly for piercing the cartridge upon closing of a lid for releasing the cartridge contents into the reservoir assembly. A faux collapsible cartridge for testing operability of a nasal irrigation device comprises a housing including a shaft, a spring biased rod extending from the housing shaft, and a flange depending from a housing wall whereby the rod and flange are disposed to actuate a trigger assembly of the nasal irrigation device.

Core Innovation

A portable nasal irrigation device/controller communicates an irrigant to a device user using a mechanics module and a reservoir assembly. The mechanics module includes a lid assembly configured to receive a source of saline comprising a capsule, and the lid assembly opens the capsule upon closing of the lid to release capsule contents into a reservoir. The released saline is delivered to the device user through a fluid passageway to a nasal cavity using a valve and a pump under controlled negative pressure via a vacuum source and/or differential negative pressure.

The device/controller includes a lockout actuator having a lid engaging member within the lid assembly that cooperates with the capsule to authenticate the capsule for releasing a contents of the capsule to the device user. The lid engaging member also engages a switch actuator, so capsule authentication controls releasing of reservoir contents to the device user. Authentication is tied to switching behavior, including switch actuation that controls electrical circuit interruption and electrical circuit contact for enabling operation of components including the pump and/or valve.

The document also describes capsule-related authentication/lockout mechanisms that prevent pump operation and valve actuation unless an authentic capsule is present, and it further describes a faux collapsible cartridge element for testing capsule authentication/lockout and lid/trigger and flange/rod actuations without using an authentic capsule. The mechanics module is described as including a hinged lid, capsule piercing by lid closing, capsule tower assembly, and capsule engagement elements that interact with lockout actuators and switch actuation members.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims define three core inventive claim groupings covering a nasal irrigation device architecture with capsule lid lockout authentication controlling release, capsule-to-reservoir release into an upper reservoir coupled to authenticated enabling of downstream delivery, and vacuum/valve controlled delivery coupled to authenticated capsule release. Across the independent claims, at least one inventive feature is explicitly linked to capsule authentication via a lid engaging member and a switch actuator, and at least one inventive feature explicitly ties authentication to enabling a vacuum source and/or pump and valve operation through a switch assembly and controlled switching behavior.

Across the independent claims, the central claimed coverage is the combination of a lid assembly that opens a saline capsule into a reservoir and a lockout actuator where a lid engaging member engages a switch actuator to authenticate the capsule before permitting release of capsule contents to the device user, with authentication used to control downstream delivery components via a switch assembly and controlled switching behavior.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications