IP Library Granted Patent US 12,364,801
Granted Patent B2
US 12,364,801 · App. 17/968,673 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Nasal irrigation device and system with faux collapsible cartridge element

Inventors: Martin R Hoke (Estero, FL); Robert D. Schilling (Olmsted Township, OH); Patrick W. Brown (Auburn, OH); Jeffrey S. Taggart (Cleveland Heights, OH)
Assignee: RhinoSystems, Inc.
A61M1/77A61H35/04A61M15/0091B65D75/326A61H2033/048A61H2201/105A61H2205/023A61M15/009A61M2210/0618
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,364,801
App. No.
17/968,673
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
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 (29)

1. A structure for use in association with a nasal irrigation device having a plurality of lockout actuators, the structure comprising:

a flat sidewall;

a protrusion extending away from an upper perimeter of the flat sidewall, for triggering a first lockout actuator, wherein a portion of the flat sidewall forms a portion of the protrusion; and

a lower wall flange extending away from a lower perimeter of the flat sidewall, for engaging a second lockout actuator.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the lower wall flange is buttressed by a housing buttress.

3. A method for using a nasal irrigation device, comprising:

receiving the nasal irrigation device which comprises:

a mechanics module including a tower assembly comprising a lid;

an upper reservoir disposed around the tower assembly; and

a lower reservoir below the mechanics module;

filling the upper reservoir with an irrigant; and

inserting a structure into the tower assembly that engages a plurality of lockout actuators to permit operation of the nasal irrigation device, the structure comprising:

a flat sidewall;

a protrusion extending away from an upper perimeter of the flat sidewall, for triggering a first lockout actuator of the plurality of lockout actuators, wherein a portion of the flat sidewall forms a portion of the protrusion; and

a lower wall flange extending away from a lower perimeter of the flat sidewall, for engaging a second lockout actuator of the plurality of lockout actuators.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first lockout actuator includes a switch actuator which engages a lockout member that precludes a user from pushing in an on/off switch.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the nasal irrigation device further includes a pump within the mechanics module, and wherein the switch actuator also closes a first circuit interrupt to enable an electrical circuit contact in the mechanics module, permitting activation of the pump.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second lockout actuator includes a switch rod which engages a billows cover of a second circuit interrupt to permit activation of the pump.

7. A delivery system configured to deliver an associated irrigant as used in an associated nasal irrigation device from an associated device reservoir to an associated device mechanics module, the associated nasal irrigation device including an associated first actuation device and an associated second actuation device in spaced relation thereto so that irrigant delivery is enabled in response to selective actuation of the associated first actuation device and the associated second actuation device operatively associated with first and second operative conditions of the associated nasal irrigation device, the delivery system comprising:

a structure having:

a flat sidewall;

a first portion extending from the flat sidewall and configured to operatively engage the associated first actuation device, wherein a part of the flat sidewall forms a part of the first portion, and

a second portion extending from the flat sidewall, the second portion located in spaced relation to the first portion and configured to operatively engage the associated second actuation device that is located in spaced relation to the associated first actuation device such that the associated irrigant can flow through the associated nasal irrigation device upon operative engagement of both the first and second portions of the structure.

8. The delivery system of claim 7 , wherein the structure is a capsule.

9. The delivery system of claim 8 , wherein the capsule includes a reservoir that is configured to house at least a portion of the associated irrigant therein.

10. The delivery system of claim 7 , wherein the first portion protrudes from the flat sidewall and is a button configured to engage the associated first actuation device.

11. The delivery system of claim 10 , wherein the second portion includes a flange configured to engage the associated second actuation device.

12. The delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the flange is buttressed by a housing buttress.

13. The delivery system of claim 7 , wherein the structure cooperates with the associated nasal irrigation device so that the first and second portions can enable both an associated on/off switch and an associated pump of the associated nasal irrigation device upon insertion of the structure into the associated nasal irrigation device.

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 Oct 18, 2022
From: HOKE, MARTIN R.; SCHILLING, ROBERT D.; BROWN, PATRICK W.; TAGGART, JEFFREY S.
To: RHINOSYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 061460/0973 →
Continuity (6)
Division 17860601 · Jul 8, 2022
Continuation In Part 16543920 · Aug 19, 2019
Continuation 15783730 · Oct 13, 2017
Division 13551274 · Jul 17, 2012
Provisional Application 61508767 · Jul 18, 2011
Related Publication 20230039082A1 · Feb 9, 2023
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