U.S. patent number 3,847,145 [Application Number 05/350,839] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-12 for nasal irrigation system.
Invention is credited to Murray Grossan.
United States Patent |
3,847,145 |
Grossan |
November 12, 1974 |
NASAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A system for nasal irrigation consisting of the application to
one nostril, while the patient's head, face down, is positioned in
substantially horizontal orientation, of a flow of an isotonic
saline water solution at a temperature of from 100.degree. to
105.degree.F and at a pressure pulsating between about 0 and about
5 psi at a frequency substantially above 100 cycles per minute,
preferably 1,000 cycles per minute or somewhat higher. The flow of
liquid is applied to the nose by means of an applicator having a
nasal fitting provided with a tapering contour terminating at its
smaller end in an outlet opening in liquid communication with a
source of the pulsating liquid through a port having a diameter of
approximately 0.1 inch. The applicator proper consists of a tubular
body having an elongated tube portion and an extension disposed at
substantially 90.degree. to the tube, the nasal fitting being
mounted upon the extension; and the tube has mounted thereon a
fingergrip member for use by the patient, spaced at least several
inches from the juncture with the extension, whereby the user
applies only slight force in inserting the outlet opening of the
nasal fitting into the nostril, to minimize the possibility of harm
if the internal nasal passages are completely clogged by mucous or
foreign matter. The pulsating solution moves past the nasolacrimal
duct, the ostia of the frontal, maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid
sinuses and the eustachian tube into the nasopharynx, thence
outwardly through the other nostril, past the corresponding ducts
and ostia in inverse sequence. The pressure pulsations serve to
enhance drainage of mucopus from the sinuses and also to loosen and
expel crusted formations from the passageways.
Inventors: |
Grossan; Murray (Beverly Hills,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23378409 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/350,839 |
Filed: |
April 13, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
601/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
3/0275 (20130101); A61M 3/0241 (20130101); A61H
35/04 (20130101); A61M 3/025 (20130101); A61M
2210/0618 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
35/00 (20060101); A61H 35/04 (20060101); A61M
3/00 (20060101); A61M 3/02 (20060101); A61h
009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/66,62A,230,245,206,239 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; Lawrence W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Miketta, Glenny, Poms &
Smith
Claims
I claim:
1. In a system for enhancing the draining of mucopus from a
person's sinuses and for expelling it from the nose, the provision
of:
means for supplying to one nostril, the other nostril being open
and the user's face being generally horizontally oriented, a flow
of an isotonic saline solution pulsating in pressure between 0 and
less than 10 psi at a frequency of at least 100 cycles per
minute.
2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the temperature of
said solution is between 100.degree. and 105.degree.F.
3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the maximum pressure
of said flow is about 5 psi.
4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said frequency is
above 1,000 cycles per minute.
5. In a nasal irrigation system the provision of:
irrigating means for applying to a nostril a flow of irrigating
liquid whose pressure pulsates between 0 and 5 psi at a frequency
substantially above 100 cycles per minute comprising:
an applicator including a tubular body having an elongated tube
portion and an extension projecting substantially perpendicularly
to the tube and terminating in an outlet port,
a finger grip member on the tube spaced from the juncture of the
tube and extension,
and a tubular fitting on said extension having a tapering portion
converging to an outlet opening in fluid communication with said
tubular body.
6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein the finger grip
member is spaced from said juncture by at least 2 inches.
7. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said outlet port has
a diameter of approximately 0.1 inch.
8. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein the temperature of
solution is between 100.degree. and 105.degree.F.
9. A system for enhancing the draining of purulent material from
the sinuses and for expelling it from the nose comprising:
placing a fitting in a user's nostril, said fitting having an
external contour of generally frusto-conical shape and provided
with a central passageway therethrough terminating at one end at
the apex of said frusto-conical shape;
supplying to the other end of the fitting passageway a liquid
solution pulsating in pressure below about 10 psi at a frequency of
at least about 1,000 cycles per minute.
Description
BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION
It is known that irrigation of the nose with a warm isotonic saline
solution is beneficial in tending to remove mucous and pus, as well
as the crusted formations that frequently occur in the passageway,
particularly adjacent to the sinus ostia. The present invention is
an improvement over prior techniques for such irrigation, and
contemplates the application to a patient's nostril, while the head
is positioned generally horizontally, face down, of a pulsating
flow of an isotonic saline water solution at a temperature of
100.degree.F or slightly higher. The pressure of the water is
caused to pulsate between about 0 and about 5 psi at a frequency
substantially above 100 cycles per minute, preferably of the order
of 1000 cycles per minute or more. The solution is applied to the
nostril by means of an applicator having a tubular body including
an elongated tube portion, at least several inches long, and a
short extension projecting perpendicularly to the tube and
terminating in an outlet port having a diameter of approximately
0.1 inch. A fitting having a central bore therethrough is mounted
on the extension, and is provided with a tapering outer contour,
desirably frusto-conical in shape, terminating in an outlet opening
in communication with the central bore of the fitting and with the
tubular interior of the applicator itself. A finger grip is mounted
on the applicator tube, spaced at least two inches and preferably
about 3 inches from the juncture of the tube and the extension, and
the end of the tube distant from the extension is attached to a
handle having a passageway connected to a source of the pulsating
saline solution. When the user grasps the handle with his index
finger and thumb on the finger grip, spaced laterally from the
nostril, he can insure that only a light force is imposed upon the
fitting extending into the nostril, and thus avoid risk of damage
to the nose or ears if one or both nostrils are clogged.
The pulsating isotonic saline solution flows past the nasolacrimal
duct, the sinus ostia, and the duct of the eustachian tube, into
the nasopharynx, and thence outwardly through the other nostril.
Some of the solution may exit through the user's mouth,
particularly if the head is inclined somewhat upwardly from the
horizontal, but this is not harmful. The pulsations tend to
withdraw mucopus or other foreign matter from the sinuses. The
effect is enhanced when the solution is somewhat above body
temperature, whereby to slightly heat the sinus cavities and
thereby expand the air and other material therein. The pulsations
also serve to loosen encrusted matter in the nasal passageways, by
imposing on them a sort of rocking force during the flow.
A further advantageous result of the use of a pulsating flow in
accordance with the present system is the resultant gentle massage
of the nasal tissues, which is helpful in alleviating atrophic
rhinitis and cases of partial anosmia.
The source of pulsating flow of saline solution in accordance with
the invention is most conveniently provided by the conventional
device presently being marketed for dental hygiene, using a
pulsating jet of water or desired solution for cleaning the teeth
and invigorating the gums.
It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to
disclose and provide a novel nasal irrigation system using an
isotonic saline solution under a pulsating pressure. Additional
objects of the invention are to provide, in such a system, an
applicator for use by the patient providing a finger grip spaced
laterally from the outlet into the nostril whereby to minimize
possible damage to the nose during use; to provide, in such a
system, an applicator readily attachable to a conventional device
for supplying a pulsating flow of water for dental hygiene; and for
other objects and purposes as will become clear from a reading of
the following description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a person using the system of
the present invention, shown leaning over a lavatory or basin.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the user's head and his left hand,
the latter holding the device for application to the left
nostril.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a preferred
form of applicator in accordance with the invention, shown attached
to a handle, with portions broken away for clarity of
presentation.
FIG. 4 is a right front upper perspective view of the user's head,
showing the approximate location of the sinuses.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In FIG. 1 there is indicated generally at 10 a patient using the
system of the present invention for self treatment. It will be
noted that the patient's body is bent so that his head 12 is
substantially horizontal, face down, over a conventional lavatory
indicated generally at 14 for receiving the drainage during
irrigation. Adjacent to the lavatory 14, and here shown as mounted
on a shelf 16, is a source, indicated generally at 18, of liquid
under pulsating pressure, fed to a flexible hose 20. The device 18
is desirably electrically energized as indicated by the electrical
cord 22, and may be of the type exemplified by that shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,227,158.
FIG. 2 shows the patient's head and left hand in greater detail
during use of the system, and FIG. 3 shows the applicator proper,
indicated generally at 30, connected to a handle indicated
generally at 38. Applicator 30 includes a tubular body having an
elongated tube portion 32 and a short extension 34 projecting
substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the tube, and
terminating in an upper outlet port desirably having a diameter of
approximately 0.1 inch. A central passageway 33 extends the entire
length of the applicator, terminating at the end of the tube in a
male coupler 36, which is detachably engageable with handle 38. An
internal passageway in the handle communicates with hose 20.
Adjacent to handle 38, and spaced substantially from extension 34,
applicator 30 has mounted thereon a finger grip indicated generally
at 40, whose periphery is desirably provided with a series of
cutout portions 42 to facilitate the user's grasping the finger
grip between his thumb and finger, as seen in FIG. 2.
Mounted on the extension 34 at the other end of the applicator is a
tubular fitting indicated generally at 50, and desirably made of
rubber or equivalent material having some resiliency and cleanable
in an autoclave or otherwise after each use. Fitting 50 has an
internal passageway 52 therethrough, the lower end of which
frictionally engages extension 34 and thus retains fitting 50 in
correct position relative to the other parts of the applicator. The
upper portion 54 of the fitting as seen in FIG. 3 is provided with
a tapering contour, desirably frusto-conical, converging upwardly
and terminating at an opening 56 at the upper end of the internal
passageway 52.
In use, as best seen in FIG. 2, the user lightly grasps the finger
grip 40 between the thumb and a finger of his left hand, and holds
handle 38 in any convenient way with his other fingers. He guides
the tapered portion of fitting 50 into his left nostril while he is
bent over with his face substantially horizontal. He then actuates
the source 18 of pulsating flow of an isotonic saline solution at a
temperature of 100.degree.F or a little above, and permits the
solution thus introduced into one nostril to exit either from the
other nostril or from the mouth, into sink or lavatory 14. Under
typical conditions, the solution being discharged will convey
mucous, crusts and other undesirable matter for between a half
minute and a munute. When the discharged liquid appears clear, the
user should shift the applicator so that the fitting 50 is inserted
into his other nostril. This is most conveniently done by changing
the applicator to his other hand.
As the isotonic saline solution moves upwardly in one nostril and
then downwardly and outwardly through the other nostril, the flow
passes the ostia or mouths of the sinuses, whose approximate
location is shown in FIG. 4. Thus, after passing the nasolacrimal
duct, the solution passes, sequentially, the ostia of the frontal
sinus indicated generally at 64, the ethnoids indicated generally
at 62, the maxillary indicated generally at 60 and the sphenoid
indicated generally at 66. It then moves past the outlet of the
eustachian tube (not shown), and thence through the nasopharynx to
the upper posterior portion of the other nostril and outwardly
therethrough, passing the same ducts and ostia in inverse sequence,
before being discharged outwardly of the second nostril. It is to
be especially noted that, using a frequency of pulsation of about
1,000 cycles per minute or higher, and a pressure varying from
about 0 to 5 psi, the pressure relationships at the ostia of the
sinuses are such as to draw out from each sinus a small amount of
purulent matter at each pulsation, for ultimate discharge in the
matter just mentioned. This action is enhanced by the temperature
of the solution, a few degrees above body temperature, by which the
temperature of the sinus cavity is slightly increased, thereby
correspondingly increasing the pressure within that cavity, and
thus assisting in the discharge of purulent matter. Simultaneously,
the pulsations of the flow are effective to gently discharge
crusted formations in the nasal passages, particularly near the
sinus ostia and the pulsations also serve to stimulate the adjacent
tissues.
It is highly desirable that the user of the irrigator in accordance
with the present system be encouraged to insert the tubualr fitting
into his nostril with very little force, to avoid any possibility
of damage in the event that the nasal passageways are clogged
initially. Thus the finger grip 40 is spaced several inches from
the extension 34 and fitting 50 mounted thereon, and the user is
instructed not to apply much force upwardly into the nostril, but
to permit the fitting to only lightly engage the nostril. This is
particularly important at the beginning of a treatment when, as
noted above, the passageways may be clogged.
Accordingly, there is here provided a nasal irrigation system using
an irrigator applicator of specific design, to be used in
connection with a source of isotonic saline solution pulsating at a
rate of about 1,000 cycles per minute or more, with a maximum
pressure of less than about 10 psi, preferably about 5 psi. It has
been found that this desirable pressure is attained, when the
pulsating source 18 has a maximum pressure of about 25 psi, when
the upper outlet port of applicator extension 34 has a diameter of
about 0.1 inch.
* * * * *