Nasal Inhaler Band
20220193351 ยท 2022-06-23
Inventors
Cpc classification
B32B2535/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2405/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B3/263
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B1/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A61L2209/15
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61F5/08
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61K9/703
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B32B27/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2260/021
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B5/18
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2307/724
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A61M15/0001
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A61K9/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
An exemplary nasal inhaler band is fitted on the upper lip below the nasal openings of a user. The device provides minimal restriction of ambient airflow into the nostrils during inhalation, while also providing a flow of beneficial vapors into such airflow. A main body of the device has an outer layer adapted to hold vapor-releasing solids, liquids or gels. The outer layer is air-permeable and absorbent. The main body also has a base layer contacting the upper lip. The base layer is impermeable, so that volatile solids, liquids or gels do not come into contact with the user's skin. The main body is held in position in contact with the nose and upper lip by elastic straps extending back from ends of the main body to wrap around the user's ears.
Claims
1. A nasal inhaler band for releasing vapors to a user's nasal openings and allowing inhalation of the vapors along with ambient atmosphere, the nasal inhaler band comprising; a main body comprising; a base layer for applying to the user's upper lip, sized to fit flush on the user's upper lip below the user's nostrils, and in contact with the user's comella and both nasal wings at the nasal crease, the base layer being in the form of an elongated sheet and being made of flexible impermeable material; and an outer layer parallel to and attached to the base layer, the outer layer being in the form of a sheet and comprising air-permeable and absorbent material for storing a vapor releasing substance and allowing vapor produced by the vapor releasing substance to exit the outer layer in the vicinity of the user's nasal openings and wherein each of the base layer and the outer layer are elongated to extend horizontally beyond the user's nasal wings; and wherein the width of the base layer is larger than the width of the outer layer; and wherein the outer layer is attached to the base layer leaving an exposure of the base layer below the point of contact between the base layer and the user's comella and nasal wings; and wherein the main body is fitted with a pair of elastic retaining straps attached to opposite ends of the main body respectively and configured for fitting around the user's ears.
2. (canceled)
3. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein the base layer is uniform in thickness as taken along an entire width and horizontal length of the base layer, and a variable thickness of the outer layer as measured at any point across the width is uniform along at least a majority of a horizontal length of the outer layer.
4. The nasal inhaler band of claim 3, wherein the maximum thickness of the outer layer taken along at least a majority of the horizontal length of the outer layer is the same thickness as or less than the maximum thickness of the base layer.
5. The nasal inhaler band of claim 3, wherein the maximum thickness measured along at least a majority of the horizontal length of the outer layer is in the range of between 2 mm and 6 mm, and the thickness of the base layer is in the range of between 2 mm and 5 mm.
6. (canceled)
7. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the base layer, showing thickness and width taken along a front thereof to a back thereof, is substantially rectangular with a width larger than the width of a attached outer layer; and wherein a cross section of taken along at least a majority of the horizontal length of the outer layer, taken along a front thereof to a back thereof is, using geometric terms for non-classical shapes, a closed curve incorporating one or more straight lines, or a rectangle; and wherein a cross section taken along at least a majority of the horizontal length of the main body of combined outer and base layers, as taken along a front thereof to a back thereof, is never in the shape of a rectangle but always a composite of two or more geometric shapes such as an irregular octagon or a closed curve consisting of one curved line connected at both ends at the side of a rectangular shape.
8. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein a material of the base layer is selected from the group consisting of plastic, silicone or closed cell foam; and a material of the outer layer is selected from the group consisting of absorbent woven fabric, non-woven fabric, felt, or open cell foam.
9. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a plurality of sublayers stacked one on the other. wherein a material of each of the sublayers is selected from a group consisting of woven fabric, non-woven fabric, felt, or open cell foam
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein each of the base layer and the outer layer are elongated in length to extend beyond both sides of nasal wings and the base layer is held in contact with the user's comella and underside of the user's nasal wings at the nasal crease when retained by elastic retaining straps.
13. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein each of opposite end portions of the outer layer are attached to the base layer, a main central portion of the outer layer is spaced from the base layer, the main central portion of the outer layer and the base layer cooperatively define a horizontal pocket, having an opening at top, located under the user's nose and the bottom of the pocket may be sealed and the pocket is configured to fittingly and removably hold a matching cartridge, an air permeable container, containing vapor releasing substance that can be inserted by the end user.
14. The nasal inhaler band of claim 13, further comprising the matching cartridge.
15. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein the outer layers consist of a removable adhesive strip and an air-permeable and absorbent patch that is dimensionally smaller than the size of the adhesive strip in both width and length attached to a middle of a front face of said strip, the patch constituting the outermost layer of the outer layer of the inhaler band when attached; and wherein the adhesive strip is removably adhered to the base layer of said device.
16. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, wherein the main body is elongated and substantially straight when not applied to a user, the base layer consisting of flexible plastic or silicone material and includes flexible tabs at opposite ends thereof, the tabs extend obliquely outward from a body of the base layer toward each other, and the tabs grip the outer layer such that the outer layer is resiliently and firmly held in place against the base layer.
17. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, the base layer consisting of flexible plastic or silicone material and wherein the main body is elongated and curved when not applied to a user; the base layer is curved so that a concave side of the base layer matches an overall convex curvature of a user's upper lip; the base layer includes flexible tabs at opposite ends thereof; the tabs extend obliquely outward from a body of the base layer toward each other; and the tabs grip the outer layer such that the outer layer is resiliently and firmly held in place in a middle of a front face of the base layer.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1, comprising a pair of elastic retaining straps attached to opposite ends of the main body respectively and configured for fitting around the user's ears; wherein when the nasal inhaler band is worn by the user, the retaining straps apply inward and upward tension, and the flexing and skin contact fitting of the impermeable base layer against the user's upper lip cooperatively and resiliently retain the nasal inhaler main body in a position holding the base layer in contact with the user's comella and nasal wings at the nasal crease whereby any blockage or interruption of airflow to and from the user's nostrils is restricted at only external portions of entrances to the nostrils corresponding in amount of restriction to a thickness of the base layer along the horizontal length of the nasal inhaler base layer positioned below the nostrils.
21. The nasal inhaler of claim 1 wherein the elastic ear loops are attached to the main body of this device utilizing through holes located at opposing ends of said device.
22. The nasal inhaler of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional shape of the absorbent outer layer taken along the horizontal length of the main body has an exposed and shaped surface profile formed by the outer layer joining with the base layer proximate to the vertical upper edge of the base layer, upper edge related to the user's upper lip when fitted, and moves outwards from the base layer in a downward curve, away from the user's nose and then inward towards the base layer in either a curve or a right-angled change of direction inwards and joins at the lower edge of the base layer; and wherein this shape performs the function of providing the flow of ambient air into the user's nostrils during inhalation.
23. The nasal inhaler band of claim 1 wherein the cross sectional shape of the exterior surface of the absorbent outer layer taken along the horizontal length of the outer layer is formed by contact with the base layer proximate to the upper vertical edge of the base layer, as fitted to the user's upper lip, moving outwards from the base layer at a right angle for a distance range of between 2 mm and 6 mm then curving or making a right angle downwards and continuing downwards before turning back towards the base layer and contacting the lower edge of the base layer completing the shape and; wherein this shape is functional as variable thickness of the absorbent layer in combination with a junction with the base layer at a point below the top edge of the base layer which contacts the user's comella and nasal wings below the nasal entrances provides a clear pathway for ambient air to move into the user's nostrils during inhalation.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
[0022]
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[0025]
[0026]
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring to
[0030] In this description, unless the context indicates otherwise, air-permeable is defined as permitting penetration and absorption of liquids or volatile vapors as well as air. Absorbent is defined as the ability of material to not only permit the penetration of air, liquids or volatile vapors, but also hold and contain some quantities of liquids, gels or solid forms of volatile substances. Fabric (woven or non-woven), felt and open cell foams are all considered to be air-permeable materials as well as being absorbent. Impermeable is defined as not permitting the penetration or absorption of liquids, air or vapors arising from volatile materials. Plastics, silicones and closed cell foams are all considered to be materials impermeable to liquids, air or vapors.
[0031] Each of the base layer (1) and outer layer (2) is made of flexible material, such as woven or non-woven fabric, plastics or silicones. Any such material may be in solid form, or in the form of open cell foam or closed cell foam, as required. For example, the base layer (1) is made of neoprene and the outer layer (2) can be made of terrycloth. Each of the base layer (1) and outer layer (2) can be considered to be in the shape or form of a tape, sheet, plate, board, band, or panel. In this embodiment, the base layer (1) and outer layer (2) are each approximately rectangular, are substantially parallel to each other, and are directly bonded to each other. Typically, the base layer (1) has a uniform thickness. Front ends of the elastic straps (3) are fastened to opposite ends of the base layer (1), by being passed through holes (10) in the opposite ends of the base layer (1) and then being fastened in place.
[0032] In alternative embodiments, the outer layer (2) comprises a plurality of sublayers stacked one on the other. Each sublayer is made of a selected air-permeable and absorbent material.
[0033] The Inhaler band (20) is positioned on a user's upper lip. This part of the human body is also known as the cutaneous upper lip. The main body (25) can bend or flex to follow the contours of the user's upper lip. Further or alternatively, the base layer (1) may be contoured or curved to match the overall convex shape of a human upper lip (see below). Typically, the base layer (1) is in contact with the columella (septum) of the nose and the alas (flares) of the two sides of the nose, with the inhaler band (20) centered on the philtrum (nasal crease). Thus the outer layer (2) is held directly below the user's nostrils, with substantially the full length of the base layer (1) in contact with the upper lip. In this way, the main body (25) is held in place by the elastic straps (3) extending back from the main body (25) to wrap around the ears of the user. Accordingly, unwanted upward movement of the main body (25) is prevented; and the solids, liquids or gel substances are prevented from contacting the user's skin.
[0034] With the inhaler band (20) in this position, the base layer (1) is slightly curved but not folded. In particular, the elongated base layer (1) snugly fits on the user's upper lip at the philtrum and at opposite left and right sides of the philtrum. Accordingly, blockage of air pathways below the nostrils, especially air pathways in the vicinity of a leftmost underside of the left nostril and a rightmost underside of the right nostril, is avoided or at least minimized. The main body (25) is thus shaped, sized, configured and positioned to prevent or at least minimize any obstruction of airflow into and out of the user's nostrils when the user breathes ambient air. Furthermore, the elastic straps (3) and the flexing and close fitting of the main body (25) on the user's upper lip cooperatively and resiliently retain the main body (25) in a position whereby any blockage or interruption of airflow to and from the user's nostrils is restricted to only inmost portions of entrances to the nostrils adjacent and corresponding in size to a thickness of the main body (25) along a horizontal length of the main body (25) below the nostrils.
[0035]
[0036]
[0037] As shown in
[0038] In other embodiments, the bulge of the outer layer (2) is uniform along a majority of the horizontal length of the outer layer (2) except for opposite endmost portions of the outer layer (2). At these endmost portions, the outer layer (2) is thinner than at the majority portion.
[0039] It is known that the philtrum of an average person is in the range of approximately 11-13 mm in females and approximately 13-15 mm in males. In
[0040] The above-described dimensions are provided to avoid restricting airflow into and out from the user's nose during inhalation and exhalation. In addition, the sheet-like configuration and thinness of the main body (25) together with appropriate tension of the elastic straps (3) help prevent unwanted rolling up of the main body (25). Thereby, restriction of breathing airflow, and contact of the nose with volatile substances, are both avoided.
[0041] As shown in
[0042] In one example, when the base layer (1) is made of neoprene and the outer layer (2) is made of terrycloth, the thickness of the base layer is approximately 4 mm, and the thickness of the outer layer(2) is approximately 1 mm to 1.5 mm.
[0043] In other embodiments, the rectangular configuration of the outer layer (2) is uniform along a majority of the horizontal length of the outer layer (2), except for opposite endmost portions of the outer layer (2). At these endmost portions, the outer layer (2) is thinner than at the majority portion.
[0044] As shown in
[0045] In other embodiments, the triangular configuration of the outer layer (2) is uniform along a majority of the horizontal length of the outer layer (2), except for opposite endmost portions of the outer layer (2). At these endmost portions, the outer layer (2) is thinner than at the majority portion.
[0046] As shown in
[0047] In other embodiments, the slightly bulged block configuration of the outer layer (2) is uniform along a majority of the horizontal length of the outer layer (2), except for opposite endmost portions of the outer layer (2). At these endmost portions, the outer layer (2) is thinner than at the majority portion.
[0048] The various shapes and contours of the outer layer (2) as shown in
[0049] Referring to
[0050] In another alternative embodiment shown in
[0051] Referring to
[0052] In other embodiments, the tabs (9) may be shaped such that the outer layer (2) may be installed and held in the sockets (17) without having to flex the base layer (11). Furthermore, the tabs (9) may be made of flexible material. In such case, the outer layer (2) can be installed and held in the sockets (17) without having to flex the base layer (11). The outer layer (2) can have a uniform thickness of approximately 6 mm, for example. Referring to
[0053] Referring to
[0054] Any vapor-emitting TRPM8 agonist ligands or mixture of agonist ligands (suitable for human use) can be used as the active ingredient(s) for the inhaler band (20). For example, crystals, powder, flakes, particles, wax, liquids, pellets, blocks, powders, gels, films, sachets, and the like may be used. These substances and materials can be contained in a suitable carrier medium or vehicle, such as a solution, a suspension, a dispersion, an emulsion, a gel, liquids impregnated in a patch(es), pad(s) or sponge(s), crystals dissolved in eucalyptus oil or in other oil(s), liquids with solvent/gelling properties, or the like. For example, such media or carriers may be suitable for storing solid or liquid TRPM8 agonist ligands and for releasing vapors of such stored TRPM8 agonist ligands. Moreover, the TRPM8 agonist ligands may be releasably contained in microcapsules, an absorbent material, a cell, an adhesive, an emollient-containing composition, a solid support, a nanophase particulate structure, or the like.
[0055] Typical TRPM8 agonist ligands used are: menthol, cineole, geraniol, and any other similar volatile substances known to activate TRPM8 receptors.
[0056] For example, menthol is a volatile substance. Menthol crystals have a melting point of about 41-44 degrees Centigrade (deg. C.), and they sublimate even at room temperature. The rate of evaporation or 10 sublimation increases dramatically with temperature. The vapor pressure of menthol crystals at 20 deg. C. (room temperature) is 0.083 millimeters mercury (mm Hg). In contrast, when menthol crystals are heated to 34 deg. C. (a typical radiant temperature according to the present invention, achieved due to heat from the skin and exhaled air), the vapor pressure is 0.2385626 mm Hg. 1,8-Cineole, the principal ingredient of eucalyptol, has an even higher vapor pressure.
[0057] In the present invention, the nasal inhaler band is fitted on a user's upper lip just below the nasal openings. Thus the inhaler band can absorb heat from both the skin of the upper lip and air exhaled from the nostrils. Such absorbed heat raises the temperature of the inhaler band and the vapor-releasing material contained therein. This in turn generates a higher release rate of the vapor-releasing material, such as menthol or other TRPM8 agonist ligands. It may be assumed that the temperature of the vapor-releasing material approaches the temperature of the human body when the inhaler band is worn by a user. In such case, this may enable an approximate calculation of the vapor pressure of the TRPM8 agonist ligand at that temperature. Therefor at the time of manufacture of the inhaler band, a rough or even an accurate calculation of the quantity of TRPM8 agonist ligand to be preloaded in the inhaler band can be made. Accordingly, rough or even accurate control of the amount of vapor introduced over various time periods to the nasal passages can be achieved.
[0058] The nasal inhaler band of the present invention is lightweight and can be packaged in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container for ease of storage and carriage. Storage in an airtight container at temperatures below 35 deg. C. is expected to give a minimum of a two-year shelf life for the inhaler band.
[0059] While the foregoing written description of exemplary and preferred embodiments enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present invention, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations and equivalents of the specific embodiments, systems, methods and examples herein. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited by the described embodiments, systems, methods and examples herein, and should include all embodiments, systems and methods within the scope and spirit of the claims herein.