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-12178953-B1
Publication Date
2024-12-31
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
A nasal irrigation device communicates an irrigant to a device user by routing irrigant from a first reservoir to a second reservoir through a fluid passageway via a nasal cavity. An openable lid is disposed about the first reservoir, and a valve releases the irrigant from the first reservoir to the fluid passageway. A vacuum source forms a relative vacuum in at least a portion of the fluid passageway to support the communicating of the irrigant to the device user.
The described device includes a mechanics module housing and a reservoir assembly with an openable lid assembly surrounded by the first reservoir. The fluid passageway passes through a portion of the mechanics module housing, and the vacuum source and the valve are controlled by a switch or switch assembly. The nasal interface is configured to engage the nasal cavity of the device user, including nozzle-based engagement, and the fluid passageway can be defined with an irrigant supply channel and an irrigant effluent channel.
The disclosure further provides capsule-related features including an anti-non-authentic capsule lockout system using multiple independent electrical/mechanical interlocks tied to lid closure and capsule presence/authenticity verification members. A faux collapsible cartridge is described for testing operability, where the faux cartridge housing includes a spring biased rod and a flange to actuate the same trigger/linkage features as an authentic capsule while maintaining the described lockout logic.
Claims Coverage
The provided claim set contains two independent claims. Each independent claim covers a nasal irrigation device that communicates irrigant from a first reservoir to a second reservoir through a nasal-cavity fluid passageway using a valve and a switch-controlled vacuum source, with one independent claim additionally requiring a mechanics module housing and its fluid-passageway relationship.
Nasal-cavity irrigant communication with first and second reservoirs
A nasal irrigation device includes a first reservoir for receiving the irrigant and a second reservoir; an openable lid wherein the first reservoir is disposed about the lid; and a fluid passageway for communicating the irrigant from the first reservoir to the second reservoir via a nasal cavity of the device user.
Relative vacuum formation in the fluid passageway with valve release
The device includes a vacuum source for forming a relative vacuum in at least a portion of the fluid passageway; and a valve for releasing the irrigant from the first reservoir to the fluid passageway.
Switch controlling vacuum source
The device includes a switch for controlling at least the vacuum source.
Mechanics module housing fluid-passageway arrangement
A nasal irrigation device includes a mechanics module housing; an openable lid assembly surrounded by the first reservoir; and a fluid passageway to communicate the irrigant from the first reservoir to the second reservoir via a nasal cavity of the device user, the fluid passageway passing through a portion of the mechanics module housing.
Switch assembly controlling vacuum source for communicating irrigant
The device includes a vacuum source for forming a relative vacuum in at least a portion of the fluid passageway; a valve for releasing the irrigant from the first reservoir to the fluid passageway; and a switch assembly for controlling at least the vacuum source for the communicating of the irrigant to the device user.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is a nasal irrigation device with first and second reservoirs and an openable lid, a nasal-cavity fluid passageway, a vacuum source that forms a relative vacuum in at least a portion of the passageway, a valve that releases irrigant to the passageway, and switch or switch-assembly control of at least the vacuum source, with one independent claim further specifying a mechanics module housing portion through which the fluid passageway passes.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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