EXTERNAL NASAL DILATOR
A nasal dilator with improved functionality by virtue of a resilient element comprised of at least three resilient bands, a first outer resilient band that is secured to run along the length of the nasal dilator truss member, a second outer resilient band that is spaced apart from the first resilient band and is secured to run along the length of the nasal dilator truss member and at least one intermediate resilient band positioned between said first and second outer resilient bands that is spaced apart from both first and second outer resilient bands and is also secured to run along the length of the nasal dilator truss member. The intermediate resilient band or bands alters the force vector characteristics of the nasal strip as a whole, thereby providing targeted spring force to a more concentrated area of the nose when in use.
1 . An external nasal dilator comprising a truss, said truss comprising:
a. a first end region adapted to engage the outer wall tissues of a first nasal passage and a second end region adapted to engage the outer wall tissues of a second nasal passage;
b. an intermediate segment connecting the first and second end regions and configured to traverse the bridge of the nose located between the first and second nasal passages;
c. a flexible strip of base material defining the first and second end regions and the intermediate segment;
d. a resilient element comprising a first outer resilient band secured along the length of the truss, a second outer resilient band spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first outer resilient band and secured along the length of the truss member and at least one intermediate resilient band positioned between said first and second outer resilient bands secured along the length of the truss member and substantially parallel to said first and second outer resilient bands; and
e. an adhesive material at the first and second end regions and the intermediate segment of the truss such that the nasal dilator can be removably affixed to the nose of the user.
2 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 wherein the resilient element comprises 3 to 7 resilient bands.
3 . The nasal dilator of claim 2 wherein the resilient element comprises 3 to 5 resilient bands.
4 . The nasal dilator of claim 3 wherein the resilient element comprises three resilient bands.
5 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 wherein all the resilient bands are the same length.
6 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 wherein the lengths of the resilient bands differ by no more then 20%.
7 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 wherein the first outer resilient band and the second outer resilient band are the same length or no more than 20% different in length and the at least one intermediate band is 20-35% shorter than said first and second outer resilient bands.
8 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 wherein the first outer resilient band and the at least one intermediate resilient band are the same length and the second outer resilient band is 20-35% shorter than the first outer resilient band and the at least one intermediate resilient band.
9 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 wherein the resilient element is placed on a first side of the truss and the adhesive material is placed on a second side of the truss.
10 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 further comprising a strip of backing material such that the resilient element is disposed between the strip of backing material and the flexible strip of base material.
11 . The nasal dilator of claim 1 wherein:
a. the resilient element comprises three resilient bands all of equal length;
b. the resilient element is placed on a first side of the truss and the adhesive is placed on a second side of the truss; and
c. the truss further comprises a strip of backing material such that the resilient element is disposed between the strip of backing material and the flexible strip of base material.