Nasal irrigation device and system with faux collapsible cartridge element
Inventors
Hoke, Martin R. • Schilling, Robert D. • Brown, Patrick W. • Taggart, Jeffrey S.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12121646-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-22
Expiration Date
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
The invention relates to a nasal irrigation device for communicating an irrigant to a device user using a reservoir assembly and a mechanics module. The reservoir assembly includes an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir, and a lid for pouring irrigant into the upper reservoir. The upper reservoir is disposed about the lid and is configured to communicate irrigant to a fluid passageway.
The mechanics module includes a vacuum source for forming a relative vacuum in the lower reservoir. The mechanics module further includes a fluid passageway for communicating the irrigant from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir via a nasal cavity of the device user. A valve releases the irrigant from the upper reservoir to the fluid passageway, and a switch controls the valve and the vacuum source.
The device further describes the upper reservoir as covering a greater surface area of the mechanics module than the lid assembly and surrounding the lid assembly. The fluid passageway includes an irrigant supply channel and an irrigant effluent channel, and the device includes a nasal interface positioned to engage the nasal cavity of the device user.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. The inventive features center on a reservoir assembly with an upper reservoir and lower reservoir, a vacuum source in a mechanics module, a valve releasing irrigant into a fluid passageway, and a switch controlling the valve and the vacuum source.
Vacuum-driven nasal irrigant communication with reservoir assembly
A nasal irrigation device comprising a reservoir assembly including an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir; a lid for pouring irrigant into the upper reservoir with the upper reservoir disposed about the lid; a mechanics module comprising a vacuum source forming a relative vacuum in the lower reservoir; a fluid passageway communicating irrigant from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir via a nasal cavity of the device user; a valve releasing irrigant from the upper reservoir to the fluid passageway; and a switch controlling the valve and the vacuum source.
Upper reservoir surrounding lid assembly with saline source mechanics module
A nasal irrigation device comprising a mechanics module comprising a lid assembly, configured to receive a source of saline, with the lid assembly covering a portion of the mechanics module; a reservoir assembly including an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir, wherein the upper reservoir covers a greater surface area of the mechanics module than the lid assembly and surrounds the lid assembly; a vacuum source forming a relative vacuum in the lower reservoir; a fluid passageway communicating irrigant from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir via a nasal cavity of the device user; a valve releasing irrigant from the upper reservoir to the fluid passageway; and a switch assembly controlling the valve and the vacuum source.
The independent claims broadly cover a nasal irrigation device that uses a vacuum source to form relative vacuum in a lower reservoir, a valve releasing irrigant from an upper reservoir into a fluid passageway, and a switch or switch assembly controlling both the valve and the vacuum source. One claim further specifies a lid assembly configured to receive saline and an upper reservoir that covers a greater surface area of the mechanics module and surrounds the lid assembly.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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