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Publication Number
US-8048023-B2
Publication Date
2011-11-01
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 the user, and a switch and valve assembly for selectively controlling the vacuum source and flow of the saline solution through the fluid passageway. The saline solution source is disposed relative to the device to provide gravitational inducement of saline solution to the nasal interface in engagement to the device user's nostrils. A combination of the gravitational inducement and the relative vacuum from the effluent receptacle generates a fluid flow for irrigating, cleansing and massaging the nasal cavity and ostia of a 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 is a hand-held nasal irrigation device that includes a source of irrigant and an effluent receptacle. A nasal interface within the controller includes first and second nozzles respectively mounted to first and second fluid conduits, spaced to simultaneously engage a first and a second nostril of an associated user. The nasal interface is disposed below the source of irrigant and above the effluent receptacle to provide gravitational inducement of irrigant from the source, into the first nostril, around a posterior margin of the nasal septum, out of the second nostril, and into the effluent receptacle.
The device further includes a vacuum source for forming a relative vacuum in the effluent receptacle. A fluid passageway communicates a stream of the irrigant from the source to the effluent receptacle through the nasal interface upon sealing engagement of the nasal interface to the nostrils for forming a closed system. The irrigant is urged from the source to the effluent receptacle by a combination of gravitational inducement and the relative vacuum, under selective control by a switch and valve assembly.
The vacuum source, the fluid passageway, the nasal interface, and the switch and valve assembly are self-contained within the controller. The disclosed device also provides embodiments including delivery that can be gravity-only without vacuum, and embodiments including vacuum with different bottle or handle placements, together with control options such as alternate pump speeds and a pressure relief/venting arrangement.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim. It specifies a hand-held, self-contained nasal irrigation device that uses a sealed closed system in which gravitational inducement and a vacuum-forming relative pressure act together to urge irrigant through a dual-nozzle nasal interface around a posterior margin of the nasal septum into an effluent receptacle.
Hand-held dual-nozzle nasal interface for simultaneous nostril engagement
A nasal interface comprising first and second nozzles respectively mounted to first and second fluid conduits, spaced to simultaneously engage a first and a second nostril of an associated user.
Gravitational inducement positioning for irrigant routing around posterior margin
The nasal interface is disposed below the source of irrigant and above the effluent receptacle for gravitational inducement of the irrigant from the source into the first nostril, around a posterior margin of the nasal septum, out of the second nostril, and into the effluent receptacle.
Relative vacuum in effluent receptacle
A vacuum source for forming a relative vacuum in the effluent receptacle.
Sealed closed system fluid passageway combining gravity and vacuum
A fluid passageway disposed to communicate a stream of the irrigant from the source to the effluent receptacle through the nasal interface upon sealing engagement of the nasal interface to the nostrils for forming a closed system, and upon urging of the irrigant from the source to the effluent receptacle by a combination of gravitational inducement and the relative vacuum.
Self-contained controller with switch and valve assembly
A switch and valve assembly for selectively controlling the vacuum source and the stream of the irrigant through the fluid passageway, wherein the vacuum source, the fluid passageway, the nasal interface and the switch and valve assembly are self-contained within the controller.
Across the independent claim, the inventive structure combines a dual-nozzle nasal interface positioned for gravitational inducement around a posterior margin of the nasal septum with a vacuum source that forms relative vacuum in the effluent receptacle, with flow controlled by a switch and valve assembly within a self-contained controller.
Stated Advantages
Avoids painful pressure to the Eustachian tube.
Forms a closed system for irrigating and massage of the nasal cavity and ostia using a combination of gravitational inducement and relative vacuum.
Documented Applications
Irrigating and massaging the nasal cavity and ostia while avoiding painful pressure to the Eustachian tube.
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