BABY/INFANT/TODDLER NASAL ASPIRATOR

Abstract

Provided is a manually operated nasal aspirator having an elongated cylinder body and a piston. The cylinder body has a sidewall, a nozzle at a forward end, and an elongated slot extending longitudinally in the sidewall to a rearward end. The piston is configured to slide within the cylinder body between first and second positions and has an actuator laterally extending therefrom through the elongated slot. The piston is manually movable between the first and second positions by a user and is not biased by any other means so that it will rest at all positions between the first and second positions when not being manually manipulated. The cylinder has a length sufficient to fully contain the piston therein in both the first and second positions.

Claims

1. A manually operated nasal aspirator, comprising: an elongated cylinder body having a sidewall and a nozzle at a forward end, an elongated slot extending longitudinally in the sidewall to a rearward end; a piston configured to slide within the cylinder body between first and second positions and having an actuator laterally extending therefrom through the elongated slot, the piston being manually movable between the first and second positions by a user and not biased by any other means so that it will rest at all positions between the first and second positions when not being manually manipulated; and the cylinder having a length sufficient to fully contain the piston therein in both the first and second positions.

2. The nasal aspirator of claim 1, wherein the piston includes an annular seal bearing adjacent the forward end of the piston and in contact with an inner surface of the cylinder body.

3. The nasal aspirator of claim 3, wherein the piston includes at least one annular guide bearing in contact with the inner surface of the cylinder body.

4. The nasal aspirator of claim 1, wherein the cylinder body has an open rearward end and further comprising a removeable cylinder body end cap configured to close the open end and retain the piston within the cylinder body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various drawing figures, wherein:

[0037] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a nasal aspirator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view thereof with an internal piston in a first position;

[0039] FIG. 2B is a similar view with the piston in a second position; and

[0040] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] This invention is a multi-purpose newborn, infant, toddler nasal aspirator. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, one embodiment of the invention has three main components: an inner piston 10 with a thumb-rest 12 and at least one end wall 14a, 14b, an outer cylinder 20, which may be made of clear material, such as plastic; and an end cap 30.

[0042] The three components can be made of, for example, polypropylene, which is compliant with Federal Drug Administration (FDA) standards for biocompatibility. The thumb rest 12 can extend through a longitudinal slot 22 in the wall of the outer cylinder 20 to allow control of the piston 10. The outer cylinder 20 can have a conical nozzle 24 with a central opening 26 that is smaller in cross-section that the piston 10. This increases the flow thought the opening 26 as the piston 10 is withdrawn to create an internal vacuum. Changeable nozzles (not shown) may be used to adjust size, but the illustrated embodiment provides simplicity. Unlike a typical syringe whose plunger is operated from the end, the manner in which this device is gripped, with the thumb moving the thumb rest 12 protruding through the side wall of the cylinder 20, provides a more natural grip and controlled movement.

[0043] The invention is assembled by sliding the inner piston 10 into the outer cylinder 20. Referring now in particular to FIG. 3, the inner piston 10 can have one or more O-ring type annular protrusions 16, 17, 18 that can create and seal at least a partial vacuum. A first annular protrusion 16 is located at or adjacent to one end of the inner piston 10 nearest the nozzle 24. A second annular protrusion 17 may be located at or adjacent the thumb rest 12 and a third annular protrusion 17 may be located at or adjacent the end of the piston 10 opposite the first annular protrusion 16. In addition to creating a vacuum (primarily by the first annular protrusion 16), these three O-ring type protrusions 16, 17, 18 also stabilize movement of the inner piston 10 within the outer cylinder 20 by providing bearing surfaces. The end cap 30 is then attached to retain the piston 10, if desired.

[0044] With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the invention is used by placing the tip 24 in the nasal passage of the child to create a seal between the tip 24 and the nasal passage. The operator then uses the thumb-rest 12 on the inner piston 10 to slide the inner piston 10 away from the child (toward the operator or rear end of the cylinder 20) and, in doing so, suctions the child's mucus. The mucus is collected in the space 28 created within the outer cylinder 20 and forward end wall 14a of the inner piston 10 as the inner piston 10 is slid away from the nozzle 24. If the outer cylinder 20 is clear plastic, the operator can monitor the amount of mucus collected. If the aspirator is filled with collected mucus, the operator can discharge the collected mucus by sliding the inner piston 10 toward the nozzle 24 of the aspirator. The operator can then collect additional mucus by placing the nozzle 24 into the child's nasal passage and repeating the process.

[0045] Because the slot 22 extends to the rear end of the cylinder 20, the device can be easily cleaned by removing the end cap 30 and sliding the inner piston 10 out of the outer cylinder 20. Once disassembled, all three components can be thoroughly cleaned and easily reassembled.

[0046] While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing is intended only to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be included and considered to fall within the scope of the invention, defined by the claim or claims.