IP Library Granted Patent US 11,413,377
Granted Patent B2
US 11,413,377 · App. 16/543,920 · Granted Aug 16, 2022

Nasal irrigation device and system with faux collapsible cartridge element

Inventors: Martin R. Hoke (Lakewood, OH); Robert D. Schilling (Olmsted Township, OH); Patrick W. Brown (Auburn, OH); Jeffrey S. Taggart (Cleveland Heights, OH)
Assignee: RHINOSYSTEMS, INC.
A61M1/0058A61H35/04A61M15/0091B65D75/326A61H2033/048A61H2201/105A61H2205/023A61M15/009A61M2210/0618
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,413,377
App. No.
16/543,920
Granted
Aug 16, 2022
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (28)

1. A nasal irrigation device for communicating an irrigant to a device user comprising:

a mechanics module comprising a lid assembly, wherein the mechanics module is configured to receive a source of saline comprising a capsule;

a reservoir assembly;

a lockout actuator comprising a lid engaging member within the lid assembly to cooperate with the capsule, wherein the lid engagement member also engages a switch actuator to authenticate the capsule for releasing a contents of the capsule to the device user.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the switch actuator triggers a lockout switch of the mechanics module, which switch precludes a releasing of a contents of the reservoir assembly absent presence of an authenticated capsule in the mechanics module.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the reservoir assembly includes a supply tank and an effluent tank and the mechanics module further includes a fluid release valve associated with the lockout switch for controlling fluid flow from the supply tank into the mechanics module.

4. The device of claim 2 further including a pump and wherein the switch actuator also closes a circuit interrupt upon the authenticating of the capsule for enabling an electrical circuit contact in the mechanics module permitting activation of the pump.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the lid engaging member is disposed to engage a primary actuation button of the capsule.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the lockout actuator further includes a switch rod disposed to engage a secondary actuation flange of the capsule.

7. A nasal irrigation device for communicating an irrigant to a device user comprising:

a mechanics module;

a reservoir assembly which includes an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir;

a source of saline comprising a capsule;

wherein the capsule is disposed within the mechanics module adjacent to a lid assembly that opens the capsule upon closing of a lid for releasing the capsule contents into the upper reservoir, and

a lockout actuator comprising a lid engaging member within the lid assembly to cooperate with the capsule, wherein the lid engagement member also engages a switch actuator to authenticate the capsule for releasing a contents of the upper reservoir to the device user.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the reservoir assembly includes a supply tank and an effluent tank and the mechanics module further includes a fluid release valve for controlling fluid flow from the supply tank through the mechanics module and into the effluent tank.

9. The device of claim 8 further including a pump, and wherein the switch actuator closes a circuit interrupt upon the authenticating of the capsule for enabling an electrical circuit contact in the mechanics module permitting activation of the pump.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the mechanics module includes a trigger disposed to engage a primary actuation button of the capsule.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the mechanics module includes a switch rod disposed to engage a secondary actuation flange of the capsule.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the lid engaging member engages the switch actuator through a slide and a lever.

13. A nasal irrigation device for communicating an irrigant to a device user comprising:

a mechanics module comprising a lid assembly, wherein the mechanics module is configured to receive a source of saline comprising a capsule;

a reservoir assembly which includes an upper reservoir and a lower reservoir;

a vacuum source for forming a relative vacuum in the lower reservoir;

a fluid passageway to communicate saline from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir via a nasal cavity of the device user;

a valve for releasing the saline from the upper reservoir to the fluid passageway; and

a switch assembly for controlling the valve and the vacuum source for the communicating of irrigant to the device user; and

a lockout actuator comprising a lid engaging member within the lid assembly to cooperate with the capsule, wherein the lid engagement member also engages a switch actuator to authenticate the capsule for releasing a contents of the capsule to the device user.

Assignments (2)
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Apr 4, 2023
From: RHINOSYSTEMS, INC.
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 063252/0551 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2019
From: HOKE, MARTIN R.; SCHILLING, ROBERT D.; BROWN, PATRICK W.; TAGGART, JEFFREY S.
To: RHINOSYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051377/0675 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 15783730 · Oct 13, 2017
Division 13551274 · Jul 17, 2012
Continuation In Part 13276448 · Oct 19, 2011
Continuation 12042906 · Mar 5, 2008
Provisional Application 61508767 · Jul 18, 2011
Provisional Application 60895180 · Mar 16, 2007
Provisional Application 60893191 · Mar 6, 2007
Related Publication 20190365965A1 · Dec 5, 2019
Cited By (5)
US 1,117,790 US 1,136,174 US 1,137,631 US 1,141,113 US 1,142,949