Device and Method of Controlled Provision of Therapeutic Liquid in the Nose

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method of providing liquid to one or both of nasal and paranasal cavities, comprising: introducing first and second probe portions respectively of a first probe and of a second probe, into a user's first and second nostril, respectively, wherein each probe comprises a primary channel and a secondary channel; flowing fluid to and through each secondary channel to expand an expandable portion of the secondary channel, and seal each nostril opening; flowing one or more quantities of liquid through the primary channels to the nasal cavity.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing for one or more of the following: the flowing of fluid to and through the secondary channels providing one or more of: expanding alar sidewalls; revealing conchae and revealing ducts that lead to the paranasal cavities; the flowing of one or more quantities of liquid through the primary channels to the nasal cavity providing the liquid to be disposed to one or more of: reach the soft palate; stimulate the soft palate, and trigger a swallow reflex that one or more of: raises the soft palate and exerts pressure to the liquid, whereby some of the liquid finds an escape route through the ducts and into the user's paranasal cavities.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing repeatedly one or more additional quantities of liquid until an effective amount of liquid is present in the paranasal cavities.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises saline.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a medicinal liquid.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises extracts of herbal plants.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises an antibiotic solution.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein fluid is provided to the secondary channels by activating a fluid pump.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the fluid pump comprises an air pump and air is provided to the secondary channels by exerting pressure to a piston of the air pump.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the fluid pump comprises a liquid pump and liquid is provided to the secondary channels by exerting pressure to a piston of the liquid pump.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more quantities of liquid are provided to the nasal cavity by activating a primary liquid pump.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising attaching the primary liquid pump to the primary channels.

13. A device to provide one or more quantities of intranasal liquid into one or both the nasal and paranasal cavities through both nostrils of a nose, the device comprising: a primary dispenser for dispensing intranasal liquid; a secondary dispenser for dispensing fluid; a first and a second probe, each probe comprising an expandable portion to be fitted into the respective nostril of the nose, each probe comprising a primary channel attached to the primary dispenser and a secondary channel attached to the secondary dispenser at one end and the expandable portion at an other end thereof.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein each of the expandable portions is a closed portion in the end to be fitted into the respective nostril and each secondary channel is attached to the secondary dispenser on the other end, wherein the secondary dispenser is configured to provide one or more quantities of fluid to the expandable portions of the secondary channels to one or more of: expand the expandable portions in the nostrils, seal the nostrils, push the alar sidewalls of the nostrils outwards and reveal conchae; and reveal ducts leading to the paranasal sinuses.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein each of the primary channels of the first and second probes are attached to the primary dispenser, the primary dispenser being configured to provide the quantities of intranasal liquid to the primary channels upon actuation of the primary dispenser during the secondary channels sealing the nostrils.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the intranasal liquid is disposed to stimulate, upon provision, the soft palate and trigger the swallowing reflex that causes the soft palate to move upwards and exert pressure to a surface of the intranasal liquid causing a portion of the intranasal liquid to penetrate the ducts leading to the paranasal cavities.

17. A device according to claim 13, wherein the primary dispenser comprises: a dose dispensing cartridge, the dose dispensing cartridge configured to provide a dose of intranasal liquid to the primary channels upon activation.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the dose dispensing cartridge comprises an output, wherein a single tube is coupled to the output of the dispensing cartridge, the single tube leading to a bifurcated tube, wherein a first branch of the bifurcated tube comprises the first primary channel and the second branch of the bifurcated tube comprises the second primary channel.

19. A device according to claim 13, wherein the secondary dispenser comprises a fluid pump, configured to provide fluid to the secondary channels.

20. A device according to claim 19, wherein a single tube is coupled to the output of the fluid pump, the single tube leading to a bifurcated tube, wherein a first branch of the bifurcated tube comprises the first secondary channel and the second branch of the bifurcated tube comprises the second secondary channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1a is a schematic depiction of a device for providing intranasal liquid to nasal and/or paranasal cavities according to an example hereof;

[0044] FIG. 1b is a schematic depiction of intranasal portions in respectively an unexpanded and an expanded state;

[0045] FIG. 1c is a schematic depiction of intranasal probes according to an example, applied to a user;

[0046] FIGS. 1d, 1 e and 1f show a non-limiting example of a device hereof;

[0047] FIG. 1g shows another non-limiting example of a device hereof;

[0048] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of providing intranasal liquid to nasal and/or paranasal cavities;

[0049] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates nasal and paranasal cavities; and,

[0050] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are section views of an inclined head during application of a method according to an example hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0051] FIG. 1a is a schematic depiction of a device for providing intranasal liquid to nasal and/or paranasal cavities and/or sinuses according to examples hereof. The device 100 may include two intranasal probes. In the example of FIG. 1a only one intranasal probe 105 is shown. Each intranasal probe may include a primary channel 110 and a secondary channel 115. A distal portion 117 of each of the probes may be configured to be inserted in a respective nostril, one distal portion for each of the nostrils, respectively. The primary channels 110 may be connected to a liquid dispenser 120. The liquid dispenser may include a pump or a dose dispensing cartridge. The primary channel may be open at one end of the probe and may be configured to provide liquid from the liquid dispenser 120 into the respective one of the nostrils in which that probe is inserted. The secondary channel may lead to a closed expandable portion 119 of the probe and may be used to provide fluid from fluid pump 125 to the expandable portion 119 of the probe. The expandable portion 119 may be an end portion of the secondary channel 115 and may be arranged around the distal end and/or opening of the primary channel 110.

[0052] FIG. 1b is a schematic depiction of exemplar intranasal portions 117 in an unexpanded and an expanded state. In an unexpanded state (U) no fluid has been forced in the secondary channel 115 and the expandable portion 119 remains unexpanded. Then fluid (e.g., air or other gas or liquid) may be inserted (e.g. using a fluid pump) into and moved through the secondary channel 115 and into the expandable portion 119 so that the expandable portion 119 may then expand as shown in the expanded state (E). If the expandable portion has been inserted in a nostril then it may seal the nostril as it expands. The choice of fluid may depend on the material of the expandable portion. Air or other gas may be softer and more suitable for more gentle nostrils (e.g. for infants) whereas liquid may provide a more firm sealing and may be suitable for children or adults that may exhale with a higher force. FIG. 1c is a schematic depiction of intranasal probes 105 according to an example, applied to a user. The expandable portions of the distal portions 117 of two intranasal probes 105 are shown inserted in the nostrils of a user (e.g. a patient). As may be seen, the expansion of the expandable portions may expand the alar sidewalls of the nostrils. As will be explained later, this may assist in allowing for the opening or revealing of ducts leading to paranasal sinuses.

[0053] In a further non-limiting example hereof, a device hereof may include as shown in FIG. 1d, two relatively serial tubular central storehouses (1), of four departments (2) each, with, in some non-limiting examples, 2 or 3 or 4 cc of sea water in each department (e.g., infants-childrens-adults). In the outer end (3) each storehouse may have a movable pin (4) which with simple pressure with the fingers of the hands may provide to the pipe (5) the content of each department, e.g., namely 2-4 cc of water. Each stage of promotion of the pin may be guided by a trolling pin (6) that may be disposed to move on an interruptible driver (7). Each tubular storehouse may have or otherwise connect to a respective channel pipe (5) (a channel pipe (5) corresponding with intranasal probe 105 of FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c) that ends in an edge with mouth or expandable portion (8) (a mouth (8) corresponding with expandable portion 119 of FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c). Each channel pipe (5) may have a primary and a secondary channel defined therein. The central or primary channel (5a) (corresponding to primary channel 110 in the examples of FIGS. 1a and 1b) provides the water or other liquid of the tubular storehouse to the nose while the small or secondary channel (5b) (see FIGS. 1e and 1g, e.g.) (corresponding to the secondary channel 115 of FIGS. 1a and 1b) transfers the fluid, gas, water or otherwise from the small storehouse (9) disposed between the pipes to the periphery of the mouth (8) (mouth 8 being/corresponding to the expandable portion 119 of FIGS. 1a and 1b) which expands (see FIG. 1f, e.g.) for the elevation of the wing or alar sidewall of the nose and for sealed application for the facilitation of the water's entrance into the nasal cavity that fills the nasal cavity and the nasal conchas. The mouth or expandable portion (8) may have the anatomic shape of and/or matching the exit of the nasal cavity in order to achieve sealed application when the periphery of the mouth of the expandable portion (8) is expanding. It may have two points (10) out frontal and lower, so the mouth will be impacted in and based in the last upper-out and lower-out notch of the exit of the nasal cavity of the user.

[0054] In a further non-limiting alternative form the device may have as shown in FIG. 1g two channel pipes (5) which by their mouths (8) are joined in one connecting pipe (5c). At the confluence of the channel pipes there may be a small storehouse (9a) that contains the fluid for expanding the periphery of the mouths or expandable portions (8). The connecting one pipe (5c) may end at and may be adapted to be in communication with an entrance (12) to/in a container (1a) of sufficient content of sea water or other useful fluid for therapeutic use herein. The container (1a) may bear in its base a pin (13) that may be moved by a thin mechanism supplied from a battery of 12 volt (14) and may be activated by simple pressure of a surface switch (15) providing movement of water or other therapeutic liquid therefrom to the nostrils (in some non-limiting examples, this may be 4, 6, and/or 8 cc of liquid). In a further non-limiting application as for example with this alternative device, the container (1a) may be of a multiple use or re-use type, for one person or for other users too, by the ability of refilling of the sea water or other therapeutic liquid. It may then be in some such examples that the connecting one pipe (5c) may be a personal consumable spare part attachable to the container 1a the part (5c) in some alternatives being of relatively fewer uses.

[0055] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of providing intranasal liquid to nasal and/or paranasal cavities and/or sinuses. In a first step 205, the intranasal probes may be inserted in the nostrils. Each probe may include a primary channel and a secondary channel. Then, in a next step 210, an expandable portion of the intranasal probes may be expanded (as by using a fluid, such as liquid or air) to block and/or seal both nostrils, respectively, the blocking or sealing being achieved typically by expanding the expandable portion until the user is not able to inhale or exhale from the nose. The primary channel may be open and may be configured to provide liquid to the interior of the nostrils. The secondary channel may be closed and may be used to provide fluid to the expandable portion of the probe. The expandable portion may be an end portion of the secondary channel and may be arranged around the distal opening of the primary channel. With the bilateral obstruction of the nostrils the user may still breathe from the mouth (see e.g., Rf in FIG. 4b) while at the same time the alar sidewalls of the nostrils may be pushed outwards by the expandable portion of the secondary channel. This may result in an expansion of the nostrils, which may free the nasal conchae and reveal the orifices of the ducts leading to the sinuses. In a next step 215, there may be subsequent or simultaneous provision of therapeutic solution through the main or primary channels of the intranasal parts to both nostrils that are expanded. The provision may be performed with one dose or many smaller doses so that both nostrils may be filled equally, slowly and softly to avoid irritation of the user and so that the level of the therapeutic solution in the nostrils may be maintained substantially equal all the time.

[0056] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates nasal and paranasal cavities (Rw, Re, Rs, Rg). FIG. 4a is a section view of an inclined head during the first step of an application of a method and/or device hereof. That is, the probes have been inserted into the nostrils but no liquid has yet been provided. Thus the soft palate Ra is in a relaxed unstimulated state. The head is in this implementation inclined to avoid passage of the liquid to the pharynx. FIG. 4b is a section view of an inclined head during a second step of an application of a method hereof. When the level of the provided solution reaches slowly to the plane of the soft palate (Cb), then the reflex of swallowing may be triggered. The reflex movement of swallowing may be complete due to the stimulation of the soft palate (Ra) by the intranasal therapeutic solution even though there is no bolus in the mouth for swallowing. To perform the swallowing reflex the soft palate may move upwards and frontwards. This is shown in FIG. 4c. The available space may be reduced and the level of the solution (Cb2) may be raised and cover the orifices of the ducts of the paranasal sinuses (Rw, Re, Rs, Rg (see FIG. 4a)). At the same time, the forward movement of the soft palate may push air towards the surface of the solution. Consequently, pressure may be exerted on the solution to push it towards the nostrils' openings. Because the nostrils' openings are blocked by the intranasal parts of the device, the solution may seek escape through the orifices of the ducts of the paranasal sinuses (Rw, Re, Rs, Rg (FIG. 4a)). In repetition of the swallowing movement the solution may find an escape route through the paranasal sinuses' ducts, while the device may slowly replenish the quantity of the solution so that the level of the solution remains at the level of the soft palate and maintains the stimulation of the soft palate. In some non-limiting implementations, the whole process, blocking of the nostrils, expansion of the alar sidewalls of the nostrils, revealing of the duct orifices of both nostrils with the expanding intranasal portions of the device, the simultaneous provision of solution to both nostrils, the stimulation or triggering of the automatic reflex of swallowing, the pressure to the surface of the solution from the forward moving air caused by the upward movement of the soft palate and the introduction of the solution to the paranasal sinuses—a process performed slowly and softly, at a pace acceptable by any user even by small children—provides a complete solution.

[0057] The perfectly tolerable use of the device may give the user the possibility to use the therapeutic process with ease, even when at work or while sitting on a couch (e.g. while watching TV), for as long as a user wants, providing an effective method. The friendliness of a prolonged therapeutic use provides the necessary time for the therapeutic solution to act during a necessary time to maximize the therapeutic result in the nasal and paranasal chambers. The time may range between five (5) and fifteen (15) minutes. However, in some cases even longer periods of half an hour may be beneficial so that the therapeutic effect of the liquid may take place.

[0058] The end result may provide an effective solution desired and long sought after by the medical community and users. It may be made possible by the combination of characteristics of the proposed devices and/or methods. That is, the devices may provide a complete sealing of the nostrils, in some implementations thus provoking the swallowing reflex when sufficient liquid is introduced in the nostrils. In some implementations in turn, the swallowing reflex may trigger a variation of the Valsalva maneuver. Without this succession of events there may be no pressure exerted to the surface of the solution and there may be no infusion of liquid in the ducts of the paranasal sinuses.

[0059] Furthermore, the way that the nasal cavities are sealed may not be a simple sealing but may produce some further effects: The expansion of the intranasal part of the device in the nostril may be disposed to push outwards the alar sidewalls of the nostrils which results in a widening of the nasal vestibule, and in some implementations thus freeing the nasal conchae and revealing the ducts of the paranasal sinuses which may facilitate the introduction of liquid to the paranasal sinuses.

[0060] Moreover, proper obstruction of both nostrils provided by the use of the proposed devices and/or methods, may allow the solution to remain in the nostrils and in the paranasal sinuses for as long as the user may wish, thereby providing the necessary time so that the therapeutic and/or cell-regenerative and/or healing properties of the medicine or of the saline (sea water) or of the extracts of aromatic plants to give results.

[0061] Therefore, the therapeutic result for the user or patient may depend on the proper application of the process that is provided by the proposed devices. It is also mentioned that an application of the solution to the nostrils may be performed in a soft and totally controllable manner and in small doses. This may in some applications be achieved by the small compartment that may provide solution under pressure which may be attached to the body of the device in such a way that with an application (pressure) only a small controlled quantity may be provided to both nostrils. The devices may be purely mechanical. The controlled and soft manner of providing the solution may create the conditions so that the devices and processes may be tolerable perfectly by the user and even by small children.

[0062] By the present developments a variation of the Valsalva exercise may successfully by achieved. A Valsalva movement increases the air pressure in the whole cavity of the upper respiratory tract when trying to expire with closed mouth and nostrils. A Valsalva exercise, as well as its variants, where a human swallows with his nose closed, is known to be applied for pressure equalization for airplane travelers, and this is why chewing gum is suggested during flight. When using a device hereof, the outer ducts of nostrils may be totally closed and the gentle application of the device pushes gently and without any pain its fluid contents, which are either sea water or an antibiotic or other therapeutic solution, or a solution with extracts of herbal plants towards the nasal cavities. When the cavities are filled, then the liquid moves backwards to the epipharynx and the swallowing reflex may be substantially automatically generated. For the swallowing to happen the soft palate is elevated and pushes the therapeutic liquid towards the nostrils exits. Since the nostrils are closed by the device, the content water is pressed and can find an escape route through the nasal concha and the foramens (apertures) of the excretory ducts of paranasal sinuses, gradually enters into the sinuses and a therapeutic result may be achieved.

[0063] Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents hereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow. If reference signs related to drawings are placed in parentheses in a claim, they are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim.