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Publication Number
US-9682010-B2
Publication Date
2017-06-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for nasal irrigation are provided in which a nasal irrigation device includes a source of saline, an effluent receptacle, a nasal interface, a vacuum source, a fluid passageway to communicate the source of saline 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 through the fluid passageway. The saline source is disposed relative to the device to provide gravitational inducement of saline 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 the user. The entire device is assembled as a hand-held device for convenient lifting and disposal against the user's nostrils.
Core Innovation
A method for irrigating a nasal cavity includes sealing nares of a user to a hand-held device via first and second nozzles to form an associated closed fluid passageway in communication with a saline solution source and an effluent receptacle. The passageway, source and receptacle are integrally assembled in the hand-held device, with the source disposed above the nasal cavity and the receptacle disposed below the nasal cavity to define a gravitationally induced flowpath through the fluid passageway.
A continuous flow of saline solution is released through the nares and around a posterior margin of a nasal septum, irrigating the nasal cavity as the saline passes through the closed fluid passageway. The flow is induced by gravity in a gravity-induced version, and by a combination of gravity and a relative vacuum in a version that applies a relative vacuum to the effluent receptacle with a powered suction source also included in the hand-held device.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes two independent claims, each directed to a nasal irrigation method using a sealed nozzle interface forming a closed fluid passageway, an integrally assembled saline source and effluent receptacle in a hand-held device, and an induced flow mechanism via gravity, with one claim additionally using powered suction relative vacuum.
Gravity-induced flow combined with relative vacuum in an integrally assembled handheld device
Sealing nares of a user to a hand-held device via first and second nozzles to form an associated closed fluid passageway in communication with a saline solution source and an effluent receptacle, wherein the passageway, source and receptacle are integrally assembled in the hand-held device, the source being disposed above the nasal cavity and the receptacle being disposed below the nasal cavity to define a gravitationally induced flowpath through the fluid passageway; applying a relative vacuum to the effluent receptacle with a powered suction source also included in the hand-held device; and releasing saline solution from the source into the passageway and the nasal cavity whereby a continuous flow of the saline solution through the nares and around a posterior margin of a nasal septum irrigates the nasal cavity, the flow being induced by a combination of gravity and the relative vacuum.
Gravity-induced nasal irrigation through a sealed closed passageway formed by first and second nozzles
Sealing nares of a user to a hand-held device via first and second nozzles to form an associated closed fluid passageway in communication with a saline solution source and an effluent receptacle, wherein the passageway, source and receptacle are integrally assembled in the hand-held device and the source is disposed above the nasal cavity and the receptacle for defining a gravitationally induced flowpath through the fluid passageway; and releasing saline solution from the source into the passageway and the nasal cavity whereby a flow of the saline solution through the nares and around a posterior margin of a nasal septum irrigates the nasal cavity, the flow being induced by gravity.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a sealed nozzle interface using first and second nozzles to create a closed fluid passageway to an integrally assembled saline source and effluent receptacle in a hand-held device. Irrigation is achieved by directing flow through the nares and around a posterior margin of a nasal septum, with one claim further inducing continuous flow by combining gravity with a relative vacuum applied to the effluent receptacle using powered suction.
Stated Advantages
Irrigates the nasal cavity, including continuous flow through the nares and around a posterior margin of a nasal septum.
Induces flow using a combination of gravity and relative vacuum.
Induces irrigation flow by gravity.
Documented Applications
Irrigating a nasal cavity of a user using a hand-held nasal irrigation approach that seals the nares and directs saline flow through the nares and around a posterior margin of a nasal septum.
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