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-12364801-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-22
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 disclosed invention is directed to a nasal irrigation device/controller that includes a mechanics module and a disposable saline concentrate capsule. Operation is enabled when a lid assembly closes and pierces a foil-sealed cartridge/capsule, allowing saline concentrate to be released into an upper reservoir.
After release into the upper reservoir, irrigant is delivered through the nasal interface/nozzles by a miniature pump that produces differential negative pressure (vacuum) and subsequent vacuum/negative-pressure evacuation through the nasal cavity. The device includes lockout actuators that control whether the pump and associated functions are permitted to operate.
The invention further discloses anti-non-authentic-capsule lockout actuators using multi-stage mechanical linkage that disables on/off switch actuation and interrupts a normally open electrical circuit to control pump power. The lockout arrangements include switch actuator/linkage, a circuit interrupt (including bellows covers), and mechanically cooperating members that prevent proper actuation unless the correct structure/capsule geometry is present.
To support verification prior to use of authentic capsules, the document discloses a faux collapsible cartridge for testing. The faux collapsible cartridge mimics capsule interaction with the trigger assembly and actuating rod, including a spring-biased rod and a flange simulator wall, to verify device operation by simulating the capsule’s button and flange interactions with the trigger assembly.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set includes three independent claims. Across these independent claims, the coverage focuses on three inventive features: a structure that mechanically triggers multiple lockout actuators, a method of using a nasal irrigation device by inserting such a structure to permit operation after filling an upper reservoir, and a delivery system structure with spaced first and second portions that must both operatively engage corresponding actuation devices to enable irrigant flow through the nasal irrigation device.
Structure with protrusion and lower wall flange for engaging lockout actuators
A structure including a flat sidewall, a protrusion extending away from an upper perimeter of the flat sidewall for triggering a first lockout actuator with a portion of the flat sidewall forming a portion of the protrusion, and a lower wall flange extending away from a lower perimeter of the flat sidewall for engaging a second lockout actuator.
Using mechanics module with upper and lower reservoirs and inserting structure to permit operation
A method comprising receiving a nasal irrigation device having a mechanics module with a tower assembly comprising a lid, an upper reservoir disposed around the tower assembly, and a lower reservoir below the mechanics module; filling the upper reservoir with an irrigant; and inserting a structure into the tower assembly that engages a plurality of lockout actuators to permit operation, wherein the structure comprises a flat sidewall, a protrusion extending away from an upper perimeter of the flat sidewall for triggering a first lockout actuator, and a lower wall flange extending away from a lower perimeter of the flat sidewall for engaging a second lockout actuator.
Delivery system with spaced first and second portions for enabling irrigant flow
A delivery system having a structure with a flat sidewall, a first portion extending from the flat sidewall and configured to operatively engage a first actuation device (where a part of the flat sidewall forms a part of the first portion), and a second portion extending from the flat sidewall and located in spaced relation to the first portion and configured to operatively engage a second actuation device located in spaced relation to the first actuation device, such that the associated irrigant can flow through the associated nasal irrigation device upon operative engagement of both the first and second portions of the structure.
The independent claim coverage centers on inserting or cooperating with a structured element that mechanically engages multiple actuation/lockout features in a nasal irrigation device, where operation, including delivery, is enabled only when the appropriate set of spaced and interacting actuation portions are properly engaged.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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