IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,672,688
Granted Patent B2
US 11,672,688 · App. 16/855,545 · Granted Jun 13, 2023

Adjustable nasal dilator

Inventor: Tom Wallace (Durham, CT)
Assignee: NASAL DILATOR LLC
A61F5/08
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,672,688
App. No.
16/855,545
Granted
Jun 13, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A nasal dilator includes a first leg and a second leg insertable into a pair of respective nasal openings. The first leg and the second leg are separated by a clearance. A connecting member extends between the first leg and the second leg and an adjustment mechanism is operably coupled to both the first leg and the second leg. The adjustment mechanism includes a tension shaft that is rotatable about an axis to vary the clearance.

Claims (20)

1. A nasal dilator comprising:

a first leg and a second leg insertable into a pair of respective nasal openings, the first leg and the second leg being separated by a clearance and each of the first and second legs having a first end and a second end, an outwardly facing surface of each of the first end of the first and second legs including a contact region configured to contact an interior surface of a nostril, wherein the first leg and the second leg are movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the first leg and the second leg are integrally formed from a resilient material having a bias toward the extended position and a thickness of at least one of the first leg and the second leg tapers from the second end towards the first end;

a connecting member extending between the first leg and the second leg; and

an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to both the first leg and the second leg, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a tension shaft that is rotatable about an axis to oppose the bias of the first and second legs towards the extended position and control an outward pressure configured to be applied to each nostril.

2. The nasal dilator of claim 1 , wherein the tension shaft is threadably coupled to at least one of the first leg and the second leg.

3. The nasal dilator of claim 2 , wherein the first and second legs in combination with the connecting member form a body, wherein lateral movement of the tension shaft is restricted relative to the body.

4. The nasal dilator of claim 3 , wherein the tension shaft includes a head arranged at a first end of the tension shaft and a nut arranged at a second end of the tension shaft, the head being located adjacent a first surface of the body and the nut being arranged adjacent a second, opposite side of the body.

5. The nasal dilator of claim 4 , wherein a first through opening is formed in the first leg and a second through opening is formed in the second leg and the tension shaft extends through both the first through opening and the second opening.

6. The nasal dilator of claim 5 , wherein the second through opening is threaded.

7. The nasal dilator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first leg and the second leg is formed from a high flexure material.

8. The nasal dilator of claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is formed from a medium flexure material.

9. The nasal dilator of claim 1 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the connecting member are integrally formed.

10. The nasal dilator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the contact region of the first and second legs includes a contoured surface for gripping a nasal surface.

11. The nasal dilator of claim 10 , wherein each of the contact region of the first and second legs is formed by a pad mounted to a distal end of the first leg and the second leg, respectively.

12. The nasal dilator of claim 1 , wherein the first and second legs in combination with the connecting member form a body, wherein at least a portion of the body is coated with a layer of soft material.

13. The nasal dilator of claim 1 , wherein the contact region of the first and second legs each includes at least one gripping feature configured to contact the interior surface of the nostril.

14. A nasal dilator comprising:

a first leg and a second leg insertable into a pair of respective nasal openings, the first leg and the second leg each having a first end and a second end an outwardly facing surface of each of the first end of the first and second legs including a contact region configured to contact an interior surface of a nostril, wherein the first leg and the second leg are movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the first leg being arranged at an angle relative to the second leg in the extended position, wherein the first leg and the second leg are integrally formed from a resilient material having a bias toward the extended position;

a connecting member connected to and extending between the second ends of the first leg and the second leg such that a clearance is defined between the connecting member, the first leg, and the second leg; and

an adjustment mechanism receivable within an opening formed adjacent to the second end of both the first leg and the second leg, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a tension shaft that extends through the clearance and is rotatable about an axis to oppose the bias of the first and second legs towards the extended position and control an outward pressure configured to be applied to each nostril.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2022
From: WALLACE, TOM
To: NASAL DILATOR LLC
Reel/Frame 060465/0795 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62837465 · Apr 23, 2019
Related Publication 20200337877A1 · Oct 29, 2020