WO1997002000A1 - Septum nerve stimulator - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (10) to stimulate the nerves on the septum of one's nose without causing any abnormal irritating effects on same. The nerve stimulator could open passages to help one breathe easier, sleep more quietly and extend one's physical endeavors.

Description

SEPTUM NERVE STIMULATOR

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

THE PRESENT INVENTION RELATES TO RELIEVING PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NERVES ON THE SEPTUM. THE TRIGEMINAL NERVE PROVIDES BOT SENSORY AND MOTOR FIBERS. THE NERVE RECEIVES CUTANEOUS,

TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE SENSATIONS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE FACE, HEAD, NASAL AND ORAL CAVITIES. THE NASAL SEPTUM NERVES ARE ONE OF THE RECEIVERS. STIMULATION OF THESE NERVES BY CONTROLLED PRESSURE COULD:

1) REDUCE SWELLING OF NASAL PASSAGE.

2) REDUCE DILATION OF ARTERIES SUPPLYING NASAL CAVITIES.

3) CONTROL SECRETION FROM THE LACRIMAL GLAND ABOVE THE EYE, THE PALATE, MANDIBULAP AND SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND OF

THE MOUTH AND NASAL MUCOSA.

APPLICATION OF A PRESSURE TO THE SEPTUM NERVE MUST BE CONTROLLED AUTOMATICALLY SO AS NOT TO CAUSE IRRITATION, CUTTING OP ADVERSE DEBILITATING PRESSURES. THIS DEVICE ALLOWS ANYONE (WITHOUT A MEDICAL BACKGROUND) TO ADMINISTER THE STIMULATOR ON THE SEPTUM. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

IT IS THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION TO PROVIDE A DEVICE TO SAFELV APPLY CONTROLLED PRESSURE TO THE NERVES ON THE SEPTUM. THE

CONTROLLED PRESSURE WOULD BE DESIGNED TO CONFORM AND DISTRIBUTE SAID FORCE ONTO THE NOSE SEPTUM NERVES. THIS STIMULATION COULD OFFER RELIEF TO BREATHING AND SECRETION PROBLEMS. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

THESE AND FURTHER FEATURES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION ARE DESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS IN WHICH

FIG. 1 IS A PICTORIAL (FRONT VIEW) OF A SEPTUM NERVE STIMULATOR

WHICH EMPLOYS THE FEATURES OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION AT REST.

FIG. 2 IS A PICTORIAL (SIDE VIEW) OF FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 IS A PICTORIAL (FRONT VIEW) OF FIG. 1 IN THE FLEXED MODE. FIG 4. IS A PICTORIAL (FRONT VIEW) OF A SEPTUM NERVE STIMULATOR.

FIG 4. DIFFERS FROM FIG. 1 IN THAT THE FORCE PRODUCING

MEMBER 13 IS COMPLETELY ENCOMPASSED BY A SOFT MATERIAL 14.

DESCRIPTION

THE DEVICE AS SHOWN IN FIG. 1 SHOWS THE DEVICE IN ITS NORMAL NON-FLEXED MODE. FIG. 3 SHOWS THE DEVICE OPENED AT THE TOP, CONFORMING ON EITHER SIDE TO A SUBSTRATE (SEPTUM) 12. THE DEVICE AS SHOWN IN FIG. 3 SHOWS THE ARMS 10 FLEXED PRODUCING A FORCE (F) (FROM THE FLEXUPAL MODULUS OF THE MEMBERS) ON THE SUBSTRATE

(SEPTUM) 12. THE SOFT BALL MATERIAL 11 (HEAD) IN CONTACT WITH THE SUBSTRATE (SEPTUM) 12 DISTRIBUTES THE FORCE (F) AND CONFORMS TO IRREGULAR SURFACES. THIS ELIMINATES ANY POINT CONTACT FORCES THAT COULD BE IRRITATING AND CAUSE DEBILITATING EFFECTS. THE SOFT BALL MATERIAL 11 CAN BE EITHER CROSS LINKED-MOLECULARLY, BONDED WITH AN ADHESIVE OR MECHANICALLY FIXED TO THE FORCE PRODUCING ARMS 10. THE FORCE (F) PRODUCED BY THE ARMS 10 AND DISTRIBUTED BY THE SOFT BALL 13 CONFORMS TO ALMOST ANV REGULAR OR IRREGULAR SURFACES SUCH AS THE SFPTUM AND CAUSES A STIMULATION ON THE NERVES OF SAME.

THIS STIMULATION FORCE (F) COULD RELIEVE PROBLEMS WITH BREATHING, SLEEPING, SNORING AND NASAL AND EYE SECRETIONS. FIG. 4 SHOWS A CONFIGURATION WHERE THE SAME ATTRIBUTES COULD BE ACHIEVED BY COMPLETELY ENCOMPASSING THE PRESSURE PRODUCING ARMS 13 WITH A SOFT MATERIAL 14. THE SOFT MATERIAL 14 IS THE SAME MATERIAL AS 11 OF FIG. 1 AND 2 ABOVE.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED

1) A DEVICE WHICH PROVIDES A CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM THE FLEXURAL

MODULUS OF A MATERIAL TO STIMULATE NERVES ON THE SEPTUM. OTHER

CONFIGURATION (SHAPES) OF SAME COULD BE USED.

2) A SOFT PLASTIC MATERIAL BONDED, CROSS LINKED OP MECHANICALLY

FIXED TO THE ENDS OF THE PRESSURE PRODUCING MATERIAL TO DISTRIBUTE

THE FORCE EVENLY ON THE SEPTUM AND CONFORM TO IRREGULAR SURFACES.

3) A SOFT PLASTIC MATERIAL ENCOMPASSING THE PRESSURE PRODUCING

MEMBER (PLASTIC, METAL, ETC.) TO ACCOMPLISH 1 AND 2 ABOVE.