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Publication Number
US-11547628-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for nasal irrigation are provided in which a nasal irrigation device includes a source of saline solution, an effluent receptacle, a nasal interface, a vacuum source, a fluid passageway to communicate the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through the nasal interface and a nasal cavity of a user, and a switch and valve assembly for selectively controlling the vacuum source and flow of the saline solution through the fluid passageway. The source of saline solution is disposed relative to the device to provide gravitational inducement of the saline solution to the nasal interface in engagement to the device user's nostrils. A combination of the gravitational inducement and a relative vacuum from the effluent receptacle generates a fluid flow for irrigating, cleansing and massaging the nasal cavity and ostia of the user. The entire device is assembled as a hand-held device for convenient lifting and disposal against the user's nostrils.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a hand-held nasal irrigation device that includes a source of saline solution positioned above an effluent receptacle and a nasal interface disposed above the effluent receptacle. The nasal interface engages a device user’s first and second nostrils with first and second nozzles, each mounted to first and second fluid conduits.
A fluid passageway communicates the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through the first and second fluid conduits and a nasal cavity of the user. The device includes a powered pressure source that forms a negative relative pressure in the effluent receptacle, and the flow of the saline solution into the fluid passageway and the nasal cavity is effected by the negative relative pressure created in the effluent receptacle.
A switch and valve assembly selectively controls vacuum and saline flow through a fluid passageway into the nasal cavity, including around the posterior margin of the nasal septum and ostia. Multiple embodiments are described, including a gravity+vacuum arrangement, a gravity-only version lacking the vacuum pump, and an alternative configuration with a mug-like configuration, a removable effluent chamber, and variable flow.
Claims Coverage
The document explicitly provides one independent claim, supported by dependent claims, with five main inventive features: saline source positioning relative to the effluent receptacle, a nasal interface engaging first and second nostrils with first and second nozzles, a powered pressure source creating negative relative pressure in the effluent receptacle, a fluid passageway communicating saline from the source through fluid conduits into the nasal cavity, and flow effected by the negative relative pressure.
Saline source positioned above effluent receptacle
The device includes a source of saline solution positioned above the effluent receptacle.
Nasal interface disposed above effluent receptacle with first and second nozzles
The device includes a nasal interface disposed above the effluent receptacle for engaging a user’s first and second nostrils with first and second nozzles.
Powered pressure source forming negative relative pressure in effluent receptacle
The device includes a powered pressure source for forming a negative relative pressure in the effluent receptacle.
Fluid passageway communicating saline source with nasal cavity through fluid conduits
The device includes a fluid passageway to communicate the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through first and second fluid conduits and a nasal cavity of the user.
Nozzles mounted to fluid conduits and flow effected by negative relative pressure
The first and second nozzles are respectively mounted to the first and second fluid conduits, and a flow of the saline solution into the fluid passageway and the nasal cavity is effected by the negative relative pressure.
Overall claim coverage centers on driving saline flow through a nasal cavity using negative relative pressure formed in an effluent receptacle by a powered pressure source, while the saline source is positioned above the effluent receptacle and delivered to first and second nostrils via first and second nozzles connected to first and second fluid conduits.
Stated Advantages
Cleaner and neater nasal irrigation.
Safe gentle suction avoids harmful pressure to Eustachian tube ostia.
Documented Applications
A method of irrigating by sealing the nares, applying relative vacuum to an effluent receptacle, releasing saline by gravity, and drawing fluid through the nasal cavity to the effluent receptacle.
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