Vibrating device for treating nasal congestion and sinusitis symptoms and method thereof

Abstract

A device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient comprises: a vibration generator, a fastener configured to attach the vibrator to a location adjacent to the patient's nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses and a generator of a fluid stream which delivers the fluid stream to the respiratory tract of the patient. The vibration includes a motor, an eccentric member rotatable by the motor and an impact member mechanically linked to the eccentric member such that the impact member is vibratable by the eccentric member.

Claims

1. A device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient, comprising: a) means for generating vibrations; b) attaching means configured to attach said means for generating vibrations to a location adjacent to said patient's nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses; and c) a generator for generating a fluid stream and delivering said fluid stream to the respiratory tract of said patient; said means for generating vibrations comprises a motor, a first eccentric member rotatable by said motor, and an impact member mechanically linked to said first eccentric member such that said impact member is vibratable by said first eccentric member; wherein said attaching means is selected from a group consisting of clips, fasteners, a vacuum means and any combination thereof.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating vibrations generates vibrations at frequency ranging from 0.5 Hz to 1,000 Hz.

3. The device according to claim 1 comprising a medicament dispenser configured to dispense predetermined doses of a medicament into said fluid stream.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said medicament is adapted to treat a respiratory disorder selected from a group consisting of nasal congestion, sinusitis symptoms, mucociliary clearance of secretions and any combination thereof.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device is adapted to deliver said vibrations to said nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses, selected from the group consisting of nasal passageway, sinus, sinuses, nasal bone, root of the nose, dorsum of the nose, bridge of the nose, nostrils, frontal bone, temporal bone, maxilla bone, superciliary arch and any combination thereof.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating and delivering said fluid stream to the respiratory tract of said patient comprises a chamber and a fluid propelling means.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said propelling means comprises a piston reciprocatively movable therewithin; said piston is mechanically driven by an eccentric member rotatable by an electric motor.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said propelling means comprises an air turbine wheel driven by an electric motor.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein said chamber is provided with a medicament capsule configured for gradually dispensing a medicament contained therewithin.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein said chamber is in fluid communication with a nebulizer.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein said nebulizer is adapted for atomizing medicaments in liquid and powder form; said nebulizer is selected from a group consisting of a dry powder nebulizer, a soft mist inhaler, a human powered nebulizer, a vibrating mesh nebulizer, a jet nebulizer, an ultrasonic wave nebulizer, a powder medicament capsule and any combination thereof.

12. The device according to claim 6, wherein said means for generating and delivering said fluid stream to the respiratory tract comprises at least one pipe member configured to provide said fluid stream to a patient's nostril.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for generating and delivering said fluid stream to the respiratory tract comprises a receptacle configured for receiving a patient's nose.

14. The device according to claim 1 comprising a second rotatable eccentric member; wherein rotation axes of said first and second eccentric members are orthogonal to each other.

15. A method of treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient, comprising: a) providing a device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms; said device comprising: (i) means for generating vibrations; (ii) attaching means configured to attach said generating means to a location adjacent to said patient's nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses; and (iii) a generator of a fluid stream and delivering said fluid stream to the respiratory tract of said patient; said vibration generating means comprises a motor, an eccentric member rotatable by said motor and an impact member mechanically linked to said eccentric member; b) attaching said impact member to said patient's nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses; c) vibrating said impact member; said step of vibrating said impact member is performed by rotating said eccentric member mechanically linked to said impact member; wherein said attaching means is selected from a group consisting of clips, fasteners, a vacuum means and any combination thereof.

16. The method according to claim 15 comprising a step of dispensing a medicament into said fluid stream.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a preferred embodiment is now described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vibrational inhaler provided with a turbine wheel;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an eccentric vibrating mechanism;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of a medicament dispenser;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of a vibrational inhaler provided with a piston pneumatic vibrator.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view of an eccentric drive of the piston;

(7) FIGS. 6-8 are schematic cross sectional views of the vibrational inhaler adapted for applying vibrations to superciliary arch, nasal bone and maxillary arch, respectively;

(8) FIG. 9 is a schematic cross sectional view of the vibrational inhaler provided with a medicament capsule;

(9) FIG. 10 is a schematic cross sectional view of the vibrational inhaler fluidly connected to a nebulizer;

(10) FIG. 11 is a schematic cross sectional view of the vibrational inhaler provided with a lashing strap;

(11) FIG. 12 is a schematic cross sectional view of the vibrational inhaler provided with two independent eccentric mechanisms;

(12) FIG. 13 is a schematic cross sectional view of the vibrational inhaler provided with three independent eccentric mechanisms; and

(13) FIG. 14 is a schematic cross sectional view of the vibrational inhaler provided with pipe members for connection to a patient's nostril.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(14) The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying-out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide means and method of treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in the patient, comprising attaching a vibration generating means to the patient head, at a location adjacent to sinuses to be treated, generating vibrations by the vibration generating means, and delivering the vibrations to the patient.

(15) The term body portions adjacent to nasal cavity, nasal passageways sinus or sinuses refers hereinafter to any location on the head of the patient, and especially to locations selected from the nasal bone, root-, dorsum- or bridge- of the nose, nostrils, frontal bone, temporal bone, maxilla bone, superciliary arch and any combination thereof. The term is further related to the pulmonary system.

(16) It is according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hereto-disclosed method additionally comprises forcing a stream of fluid towards the patient's respiration tract. The term forcing a stream of fluid refers hereinafter to the generation of a flowing fluid and its direction-flow, either as a continuous flow of fluid or as pulses of the flowing fluid, generated by means of vents, fans, jets, injectors, compressors, pumping means or other means known in the art adapted to force a fluid towards at least one predetermined location. Preferably, the aforesaid fluid is air. Alternatively, the aforesaid fluid is a mixture of air and at least a liquid or a gas other than air.

(17) It is according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hereto defined method additionally comprising vaporizing (and/or inhaling) at least one of the group of Braochodilators, especially sympatic mimetics, alfa antagonists, anti cholinergics; nasal decongestants, such as pseudoehedrines, ephedrines; steroids; anti histamines; anti prostaglandins, alternative or homeopathic medicaments; vaso constrictors; local anesthetics; mast cell stabilizers; antibiotics, such as biocides, fungicides etc; pleasant odor; pheromones; hormone treatments, such as ADH, insulin, growth hormones; vapors, humidifiers; drying compositions; hot or cold vapors; hyper-, iso- or hypotonic vapors or any combination thereof, and/or essential oils, volatile compounds, etheric oils, terepenes, terpanols and either water miscible or water-immiscible extracts, especially oils or extracts obtained from Amyris, Balsam, Bay Rum, Black Pepper, bornyl acetate, Cajeput, Camphor, Cedarwood, Cedarleaf oil, Chamomile, chlorbutanol, Cinnamon, Clary Sage Rosewood, Clove, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon essential oils, levomenthol, Lime, Menthol, Mint, Myrrh, nutmeg oil Orange, Patchouli, Peppermint, Pine Needle, Rose Eucalyptus, rosemary, Rosewood, Sage, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Tea Tree, terpinol, turpentine oil, thymol, Ylang Ylang or any combination thereof.

(18) Dry powder nebulizers are also in the scope of the invention.

(19) Otherwise, and yet in a non-limiting manner, the aforesaid method comprises vaporizing (and/or inhaling) of at least one of the group of compositions and commercial available medicaments, their derivatived, or by-products provided thereof, selected from: Acrivastine, Aller-Eze Clemastine, Aller-Eze nasal spray, Azatadine maleate, Azelastine nasal spray, Beclometasone nasal spray, Beclometasone nasal spray, Beconase hayfever nasal spray, Beconase hayfever relief for adults, Beconase nasal spray, Benadryl allergy relief, Benadryl, Benadryl, Benadryl plus, Brompheniramine maleate, Budesonide nasal spray, Calimal Antihistamine, Cetirizine, Chlorphenamine, Clarityn, Clemastine, Cyproheptadine hydrochloride, Desloratadine, Dexa-Rhinaspray Duo. Dimotane elixir, Dimotane plus, Dimotapp elixir, Dimotapp elixir paediatric. Dimotapp LA, Flixonase allergy nasal spray, Flixonase aqueous nasal spray, Fluticasone propionate nasal spray, Galpharm hayfever and allergy relief, Galpseud Plus, Haymine, Histafen, Ipratropium bromide nasal spray, Levocabastine nasal spray, Levocetirizine dihydrochloride, Livostin direct nasal spray, Livostin nasal spray, Loratadine, Medised, Medised, Mistamine, Mizolastine, Mizollen, Mometasone furoate nasal spray, Nasacort, Nasobec nasal spray, Nasonex nasal spray, Neoclarityn tablets/syrup, Optimine syrup, Periactin, Phenergan, Piriteze, Piriton, Pollenase hayfever nasal spray, Promethazine hydrochloride elixir, Promethazine hydrochloride, Rhinocort Aqua, Rhinolast allergy nasal spray, Rhinolast nasal spray, Rinatec nasal spray, Rino clenil nasal spray, Rynacrom allergy nasal spray, Rynacrom nasal spray, Semprex, Sodium cromoglicate nasal spray, Sudafed Plus, Syntaris nasal spray, Tavegil, Telfast 120, Terfenadine, Terfinax, Triamcinolone acetonide, Vista-Methasone, Xyzal tablets, Zirtek allergy relief tablets, Zirtek allergy tablets/solution, Afrazine, Anadin, Beechams all-in-one, Beechams products, Benylin products, Contac, Day Nurse, Dimotapp elixir, Dimotapp elixir paediatric, Dimotapp products, Galpseud, Karvol decongestant products, Lemsip products, Meggezones, Merocets Plus lozenges, Nurofen Cold and Flu, Otrivine Menthol Nasal Spray, Otrivine Metered Dose Sinusitis Spray, Otrivine prducts, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, Sterwin real lemon cold powders and other products, Strepsils Menthol and Eucalyptus and other products, Sudafed and its products, Xylometazoline nasal drops, Bactroban Nasal, Fusafungine, Locabiotal, Naseptin nasal cream, Ipratropium bromide nasal spray, Rinatec nasal spray, pseudoephedrine, propylhexedrine, L-Desoxyephedrine, xylometazoline hydrochloride or any combination thereof. Inhaling of a dispersed medicament while vibrating the respiratory tracks is thus the core of the present invention.

(20) It is according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the medicament is introduced into the dispenser by means of a disposable capsule or the like. The capsule comprises an envelope adapted to be punctured, such that at least a limited measure of the medicament contained in the capsule is forced to flow towards the pulsed column of fluid with a predetermined flux.

(21) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the medicament is contained into an envelope (capsule). The insertion of this capsule initiates the medicament delivery by means of a micro-switch triggered by the insertion of the medicament capsule into the container. The capsule provides coded information for activating the dispensing of the medicament. It is another embodiment of the present invention in which the medicament delivery is provided by two dimensional or three dimensional specific and predetermined fitting mechanism, e.g., fitting by means of shape and size. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the capsule inside the inhaler envelope provides lock-in-key information for activating the inhaler.

(22) It is according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the method additionally comprises heating the fluid before or in the process of forcing it towards the respiratory tract. Such a heating step provides for an effective dispersion or evaporation of the fluid and/or the medicaments. It is further acknowledged in this respect that the method may also comprise a step or steps of physical or chemical activation of a medicament by reacting it with one or more reactants before or during the process of forcing the same towards the respiratory tract.

(23) A device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient is further presented. This novel device is comprised of both an attaching means and a vibration generating means being either incorporated therein or interconnected therewith.

(24) While the description sets forth various embodiment specific details, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative only and should not be construed in any way as limiting the invention. Furthermore, various applications of the invention, and modifications thereto, which may occur to those who are skilled in the art, are also encompassed by the general concepts described herein.

(25) Reference is now made to FIG. 1, presenting a turbine embodiment of a vibrating inhaler 100. The aforesaid inhaler 100 comprises a housing 110 accommodating a battery 120, control unit 130 and an electric motor 140. A sliding cover 115 is shown in the disengaged position serves for battery replacement. Dashed lines 116/117 and arrow 118 indicate the trajectory of mounting sliding cover 115 onto inhaler 100. The electric motor 140 is mechanically connected with a turbine wheel 160 and an eccentric member 147 by means of shafts 143 and 145, respectively. Attaching means (applicator) 150 providing vibrations to a patient body 200 (for example, to the nasal bone) is mechanically interconnected with the eccentric member 147 by means of a drag link 149. Vibration frequency ranging between 0.5 and 1000 Hz is defined by rotation speed of the electric motor 140.

(26) A turbine wheel 160 is disposed within turbine chamber 165 having an input opening 163 and an output opening 166. A medicament container 175 is configured for dispensing an accommodated medicament. The container 175 is actuated by a button 170 such that the medicament is dispensed into a chamber 167. The dispensed medicament is blown out through the output opening 169 into the patient's nostrils.

(27) Reference is now made to FIG. 2, presenting an enlarged view of an arrangement which comprises a fluid propelling mechanism and an eccentric vibrating mechanism driven by the common electric motor 140. Specifically, the turbine wheel 160 is mechanically connected to the electric motor 140 by means of the shaft 143. The eccentric member 147 connected to the motor 140 by means of shaft 145. The applicator 150 is mechanically connected to the eccentric member 147 by the means of drag link 149.

(28) Reference is now made to FIG. 3, presenting a medicament dispensing arrangement. The turbine wheel 160 sucks in an ambient air through the input opening 163 into the chamber 165 and propels the air through the opening 166 into the chamber 167. The medicament dispensed from the container 175 by means of the actuating button 170 is blown out by pneumatic pressure created by the turbine wheel 160 into the patient nostrils.

(29) Reference is now made to FIG. 4, presenting a piston-based embodiment of the vibrating inhaler 300. The aforesaid inhaler comprises an on-off switch 310, a control unit 320, a battery 330 and an electric motor 340. The inhaler 300 includes two vibrators. An off-axis mass 345 is mechanically connected to the electric motor 340 by means of a shaft 343a. Vibrations created by the off-axis mass 345 are applied to any location mentioned above.

(30) The fluid propelling means is embodied by means of a piston 347 driven by an eccentric mechanism comprising a shaft 343b, an eccentric member 343c, levers 343d and 343e. In FIG. 5, an operation mode of the eccentric mechanism is depicted. Specifically, the eccentric member 343c reciprocatively moves the piston 347 by means of the levers 343d and 343e (not shown).

(31) A numeral 360 refers to a direction of medicament injection into a chamber 350. The reciprocative movement of the piston 347 within the chamber 350 creates pneumatic pulses which are provided into the patient's nostrils. An area marked by a dashed line 350 refers to a receptacle configured for receiving a patient's nose.

(32) Reference is now made to FIGS. 6-8 presenting alternative embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 6 presents an embodiment 300a configured for applying the vibrations to the superciliary arch by means of an applicator 370a. Alternatively, an embodiment 300b in FIG. 7 is provided with an applicator 370b designed for the nose bone. The embodiment 300c in FIG. 8 includes an applicator 370c designed for the maxillary arch.

(33) Reference is now made to FIG. 9, presenting an embodiment 300d of the present invention comprising a medicament capsule 380. The aforesaid capsule 380 gradually dispenses the medicament into pneumatic pulses created within the chamber 350 by the reciprocatively moving piston 347.

(34) Reference is now made to FIG. 10, presenting an embodiment 300e of the present invention. According to a specific embodiment, a nebulizer 390 is fluidly connected to the chamber 350, and aerosol droplets are injected into the chamber 350.

(35) Reference is now made to FIG. 11, presenting an embodiment 300f of the present invention. For patient convenience, the vibrating inhaler 300f is secured to the patient's head by means of a lashing strap 370d.

(36) Reference is now made to FIG. 12, presenting an embodiment 300i of the present invention. The reciprocating piston 347 and off-axis mass 345 are driven by independent electric motors 340a and 340b, respectively. Thus, frequencies of nasal vibration stimulation and pneumatic pulses provided into the nasal nostrils can be controlled independently.

(37) Reference is now made to FIG. 13, presenting an embodiment 300j of the present invention comprising at least two off-axis masses 345a and 345b driven by 340b and 340c, respectively. The off-axis masses 345a and 345b rotate around rotation axes which are orthogonal in an exemplary manner.

(38) Reference is now made to FIG. 14, presenting an embodiment 300g of the present invention provided with pipe members 350a for connection to a patient's nostril.

(39) According to the present invention, a device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient is disclosed. The aforesaid device comprises: (a) means for generating vibrations; (b) attaching means configured attach the generating means to a location adjacent to the patient's nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses; and (c) means for generating a fluid stream and delivering the fluid stream to the respiratory tract of the patient.

(40) It is a core feature of the invention to provide the vibration generating means comprising a motor, an eccentric member rotatable by the motor and an impact member mechanically linked to the eccentric member such that the impact member is vibratable by the eccentric member.

(41) According to one embodiment of the present invention, the attaching means is selected from a group consisting of clips, fasteners, a vacuum means and any combination thereof.

(42) According to one embodiment of the present invention, the generating means generates vibrations at frequency ranging from 0.5 Hz to 1,000 Hz.

(43) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a medicament dispenser configured to dispense predetermined doses a medicament into the fluid stream.

(44) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the medicament is adapted to treat a respiratory disorder selected from a group consisting of nasal congestion, sinusitis symptoms, mucociliary clearance of secretions and any combination thereof.

(45) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the medicament dispenser comprises a medicament container accommodating the medicament and a medicament releasing mechanism configured to release the medicament from the container.

(46) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises means for conditioning the mixture prior to or during delivering the mixture to the patient's respiratory tract; the conditioning means is selected from a group consisting of a heating labyrinth adapted to heat the mixture and a cooling Peltier device adapted to cool the mixture.

(47) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the device is adapted to deliver the vibrations to the nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses, selected from a group consisting of nasal passageway, sinus, sinuses, nasal bone, root of the nose, dorsum of the nose, bridge of the nose, nostrils, frontal bone, temporal bone, maxilla bone, superciliary arch and any combination thereof.

(48) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the heating labyrinth is configured to vaporize the medicament.

(49) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the means for generating and delivering the fluid stream to the respiratory tract of the patient comprises a chamber and a fluid propelling means.

(50) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the propelling means comprises a piston reciprocatively movable therewithin; the piston is mechanically driven by an eccentric member rotatable by an electric motor.

(51) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the propelling means comprises an air turbine wheel driven by an electric motor.

(52) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the chamber is provided with a medicament capsule configured for gradually dispensing the medicament.

(53) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the chamber is in fluid communication with a nebulizer.

(54) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, nebulizer is adapted for atomizing medicaments in liquid and powder form. The nebulizer is selected from a group consisting of a dry powder nebulizer, a soft mist inhaler, a human powered nebulizer, a vibrating mesh nebulizer, a jet nebulizer, an ultrasonic wave nebulizer, a powder medicament capsule and any combination thereof.

(55) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the means for generating and delivering the fluid stream to the respiratory tract comprises a receptacle configured for receiving a patient's nose.

(56) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the means for generating and delivering the fluid stream to the respiratory tract comprises at least one pipe member configured to connect the chamber with a patient's nostril.

(57) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises at least one additional eccentric vibrator; rotation axes of the eccentric vibrators are orthogonal to each other.

(58) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient is disclosed. The aforesaid method comprises: (a) providing a device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in the patient further comprising: (i) means for generating vibrations; (ii) attaching means configured attach the generating means to a location adjacent to the patient's nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses; and (iii) means for generating a fluid stream and delivering the fluid stream to the respiratory tract of the patient; the vibration generating means comprises a motor, an eccentric member rotatable by the motor and an impact member mechanically linked to the eccentric member; (b) attaching the impact member to the patient's nasal cavity, nasal passageway or sinuses; and (c) vibrating the impact member.

(59) It is another feature purpose of the invention to provide the wherein the step of vibrating the impact member is performed by means rotating the eccentric member mechanically linked to the impact member.

(60) According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises a step of dispensing a medicament into the fluid stream.