A method is provided that includes intranasally dispensing nasal wash fluid into a nasal cavity of a subject such that the nasal wash fluid washes biological material into an oropharynx of the subject from (a) the nasal cavity, (b) a nasopharynx of the subject, or (c) the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx. The method further includes, thereafter, collecting a specimen sample that passed out of an anterior opening of an oral cavity of the subject and contains at least a portion of the biological material washed into the oropharynx by the nasal wash fluid. Thereafter, information is derived from extracellular vesicles present in the specimen sample. Other embodiments are also described.

A nozzle (10) for a container for the intranasal administration of a liquid formulation comprises a nozzle body (12) with an upper end (18) and a lower end (16), a channel (40) traversing the nozzle body (12) and ending with an orifice (17) in the upper end (18), and a nozzle cover (14) covering an area of the outer surface of the nozzle body (12) which is designed to be introduced into a user's nostril, wherein the nozzle body (12) is made out of a first material and the nozzle cover (14) is made out of a second material, said first material being a rigid plastic material, and said second material being an elastic plastic material, and wherein the nozzle cover (14) is not in contact with the orifice (17). A packaging for a liquid formulation for intranasal administration comprises a container and such nozzle (10). A product comprises such a packaging and a liquid formulation in said packaging.

A nozzle (10) for a container for the intranasal administration of a liquid formulation comprises a nozzle body (12) with an upper end (18) and a lower end (16), a channel (40) traversing the nozzle body (12) and ending with an orifice (17) in the upper end (18), and a nozzle cover (14) covering an area of the outer surface of the nozzle body (12) which is designed to be introduced into a user's nostril, wherein the nozzle body (12) is made out of a first material and the nozzle cover (14) is made out of a second material, said first material being a rigid plastic material, and said second material being an elastic plastic material, and wherein the nozzle cover (14) is not in contact with the orifice (17). A packaging for a liquid formulation for intranasal administration comprises a container and such nozzle (10). A product comprises such a packaging and a liquid formulation in said packaging.

Methods and devices for providing liquids to nasal and/or paranasal cavities are disclosed. Probe portions of a first and of a second probe are introduced to a user's first and second nostril, respectively. Each probe has a primary channel and a secondary channel. Fluid is provided to the secondary channels to expand the expandable portions of the secondary channels, seal the nostril openings and expand alar sidewalls of the nostrils. This may reveal ducts that lead to the paranasal cavities. The liquid is provided through the primary channels to the nasal cavity, the liquid being disposed to reach and stimulate the soft palate, and may trigger a swallow reflex to raise the soft palate and exert pressure to the liquid, the liquid may find an escape route through the ducts and into the paranasal cavities.

A method is provided that includes intranasally dispensing nasal wash fluid (26) into a nasal cavity (22) of a subject such that the nasal wash fluid (26) washes biological material into an oropharynx (30) of the subject from (a) the nasal cavity (22), (b) a nasopharynx (32) of the subject, or (c) the nasal cavity (22) and the nasopharynx (32). Thereafter, a specimen sample (24) is collected that passed out of an anterior opening (34) of an oral cavity (36) of the subject and contains at least a portion of the biological material washed into the oropharynx (30) by the nasal wash fluid (26). Other embodiments are also described.

A method is provided that includes intranasally dispensing nasal wash fluid (26) into a nasal cavity (22) of a subject such that the nasal wash fluid (26) washes biological material into an oropharynx (30) of the subject from (a) the nasal cavity (22), (b) a nasopharynx (32) of the subject, or (c) the nasal cavity (22) and the nasopharynx (32). Thereafter, a specimen sample (24) is collected that passed out of an anterior opening (34) of an oral cavity (36) of the subject and contains at least a portion of the biological material washed into the oropharynx (30) by the nasal wash fluid (26). Other embodiments are also described.

A respiratory device of negative pressure type comprising a shell fastened to the user's chest and/or abdomen with minimal dead space, one or more vacuum and compressed air chambers attached to the shell; vacuum generating and compressed air generating sources connected to the vacuum and compressed air chambers respectively, one or more openings on the shell to allow exchange of the air enclosed between shell and user's body, with the vacuum and compressed air chambers; a valve shuttling between the vacuum and compressed air chambers. By having low dead space, pre-generated vacuum and compressed air close to the user, and the use of fast acting valves in some embodiments, the power requirement, weight, and size are reduced, making the device low cost and portable. In some embodiments, the vacuum and compressed air generating sources can be mounted on the shell itself, making the device ambulatory.

A therapeutic device for treating one or more conditions associated with a user's nasal cavities, sinuses, and/or ear canals includes a housing having an opening, an acoustic vibrator within the housing that is operable to provide an acoustic vibration to the user, a fan within the housing that is operable to provide a pressure to the user and a power supply that provides power to the acoustic vibrator and the fan. A mask is connected to the housing at the opening and includes a nasal interface appliable around the nose of the user, a nasal chamber in which the user's nostrils are located and an aperture through which the fan delivers the pressure.

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.

For the treatment of the upper respiratory system is used sea water due to its due to its anaplastic, healing and hypertonic (osmosis) characteristics, deriving if it stays for adequate time inside the nasal conchas and nose cavities. This invention for its accomplishment, guarantees a stable column of water for adequate period of time in the nasal cavities and by the ingestion (Valsava) the water is pushed in the nasal conchas and the ducts of the nose sinuses and cavities and is consisted of Central storehouses (1) having a movable pin (4) with manually-operated provides water via the pipe (5) in the mouth (8). The central pipe (5a) provides the water to the nose and the small pipe (5b) to the periphery of the mouth (8) that expands it for its sealed application and is based in two edges (10). Alternatively the pipes (5) and the mouths are joined by one (5c) which is adapted in the entrance (12) of the bag (1a) with a pin (13), moved by electricity (13) or manually-operated.