US-20260124410-A1 - NASAL DEVICES

Abstract

A delivery device capable of being mounted or attached outside the nose to a nasal device, wherein said delivery device is adapted to deliver, spread or emit inhalable compositions or substances such as inhalable fumes from said delivery device to the nasal passages of the nose so as to be inhaled by the user, such as during respiration, when in use. Nasal devices such as nasal dilator devices comprising same, and cases for storing and housing same.

Inventors

• Elizabeth Jane Pepper
• Michael Ralph Burgess Johnson
• Justin Robert Armistead
• Toby James Hartley

Assignees

• ASAP BREATHEASSIST PTY LTD

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20260102

Priority Date

20190125

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A nasal device for facilitating or enhancing respiration of a user, comprising: a delivery device for providing an inhalable composition for inhalation by the user, the delivery device comprising a holder for a source of the inhalable composition to be received and/or supported on a frame member of the nasal device such that the source of the inhalable composition, when provided in the holder in use, is located outside of and adjacent to at least one nostril of the user, wherein the source is configured to emit or diffuse the inhalable composition for inhalation by the user.
2. 2 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the holder is provided on one or more frame member of the nasal device and comprises at least one of: a receptacle configured to be filled with the source of the inhalable composition; a substrate configured to be filled with the source of the inhalable composition; and means for mounting or attaching a receptacle or a substrate configured to be filled with the source of the inhalable composition.
3. 3 . The nasal device according to claim 2 , wherein the substrate is an absorbent substrate.
4. 4 . The nasal device according to claim 2 , wherein the means for mounting or attaching the receptacle or substrate forms a recess for receiving and accommodating or housing the receptacle or substrate on one or more frame members of the nasal device.
5. 5 . The nasal device according to claim 4 , wherein the means for mounting or attaching the receptacle or substrate forms a recess for removably receiving and accommodating or housing the receptacle or substrate on the one or more frame members of the nasal device.
6. 6 . The nasal device according to claim 2 , wherein the receptacle and/or substrate form(s) a cartridge.
7. 7 . The nasal device according to claim 6 , wherein the cartridge is configured to be re-filled with the source of the inhalable composition and/or wherein the cartridge is a replaceable cartridge of the inhalable composition.
8. 8 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the source of the inhalable composition comprises, emits and/or diffuses the inhalable composition, and optionally wherein the source of the inhalable composition comprises a liquid, a gel, a solid, or a semi-solid material that comprises or contains the inhalable composition.
9. 9 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , comprising at least one dilation member for dilating a nasal passage of the user, wherein the dilation member is configured to be at least partially received or inserted within a nostril of the user.
10. 10 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame member is arranged such that the source of the inhalable composition is mounted to extend proximate or adjacent to a septum of the nose of the user.
11. 11 . The nasal device according to claim 10 , wherein the frame member is arranged such that the source of the inhalable composition is mounted to extend proximate or adjacent to a septum of the nose of the user between the nostrils.
12. 12 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame member is part of a substantially U-shaped body including a central member arranged to span a septum of a nose when worn by a user; and wherein the delivery device is located on the U-shaped body external to the user in use.
13. 13 . The nasal device according to claim 12 , wherein the U-shaped body comprises first and second leg members which extend from the central member substantially in a first plane; wherein a first cantilever rib member extends outward from the U-shaped body substantially in a second plane, and wherein a second cantilever rib member extends outward from the U-shaped body substantially in a third plane.
14. 14 . The nasal device according to claim 13 , wherein the first and second cantilever rib members extend away from each other; wherein a first intermediate section connects an end of the first leg member to a proximal end of the first cantilever rib member, the first intermediate section extending between the first plane and the second plane; and wherein a second intermediate section connects an end of the second leg member to a proximal end of the second cantilever rib member, the second intermediate section extending between the first plane and the third plane.
15. 15 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the inhalable composition contains at least one of a medicament, a fragrance, oil and/or aromatic oil.
16. 16 . The nasal device according to claim 15 , wherein the inhalable composition further comprises an excipient, carrier and/or diluent.
17. 17 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the source of the inhalable composition includes any one or more of: peppermint oil; lavender oil; eucalyptus oil; menthol oil; lemon oil; tea-tree oil; rosemary oil; orange peel oil; valerian oil; clary oil; or Pelagonium graveolens oil.
18. 18 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the source of the inhalable composition comprises a liquid, a gel, or a semi-solid composition that includes a therapeutic compound and/or an aromatic compound.
19. 19 . The nasal device according to 18 , wherein the source of the inhalable composition further comprises an excipient, carrier and/or diluent suitable for inhalation.
20. 20 . The nasal device according to claim 1 , wherein the delivery device is configured and arranged to emit the inhalable composition in the form of fumes using at least one of: ultrasonic diffusion; heat diffusion; evaporation; evaporative diffusion; and nebulization.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/423,699, which is a national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2020/050048 filed Jan. 24, 2020, which claims priority from Australian Patent Application No. 2019900241 filed Jan. 25, 2019. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to nasal devices, such as nasal dilator devices, for facilitating or enhancing respiration of a user, and particularly to nasal devices that include a delivery device to provide an inhalable substance for inhalation by a user. The present invention also relates to cases and/or containers for storing such nasal dilator devices. Described embodiments generally relate to nasal devices for facilitating respiration and/or for delivery of agents or compositions such as those containing a medicament and/or fragrance by inhalation during respiration, and to cases for storing and/or recharging or refilling the said devices. Some embodiments relate to an agent delivery device for delivery of inhalable substances or compositions by inhalation through the nose e.g., by inhalation of fumes, vapours, and/or dry or semi-dry compositions from outside the nose during wear of the device. The inhalable compositions may comprise compounds such as fragrances and/or medicaments, and the agent delivery device may be capable of being mounted or attached outside the nose to a nasal device adapted to be fitted within the nose. The agent delivery device may also be rechargeable or refillable with the inhalable compositions. Other embodiments relate to nasal devices to be fitted to the nose to facilitate or improve respiration and/or clear blocked or stuffy nose during sleeping and/or sporting activities and/or for general day-to-day wear. Some embodiments relate to nasal devices including agent delivery mechanisms for delivery of inhalable substances or compositions such as those comprising fragrances and/medicaments (for example, in the form of fumes, vapours, and/or dry or semi-dry compositions) to the nose such as by inhalation of the inhalable substances or compositions through the nose (e.g., by inhalation of fumes) during respiration from a location outside the nose. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION All references, including any patents or patent applications, cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or worldwide. Some nasal devices such as nasal dilator devices are worn by users to dilate their nasal cavities when sleeping and/or participating in sporting activities to thereby facilitate or improve respiration. However, many nasal devices are uncomfortable to wear and/or become easily dislodged from a user's nose during such activities. For example, a person with rhinitis or nasal congestion who uses such nasal devices e.g., during their sleep, may particularly find existing nasal devices uncomfortable to wear, especially if those nasal device do nothing by way of contributing to alleviating the symptoms of the rhinitis or nasal congestions. Rhinitis and nasal congestion are commonly associated with irritated, runny, blocked and/or stuffy nose, and may be caused due to many different factors such as viral infection and/or bacterial infection and/or allergic reaction and/or inflammation or physical bruising to the nasal passages. For example nasal congestion or nasal irritation is often associated in users who have or are suffering from allergic rhinitis such as seasonal or non-seasonal hay fever and/or non-allergic rhinitis and/or when the user is suffering or having cold or flu symptoms which result in irritated, runny, blocked or stuffy nose such as during the night when the user is asleep and attempts wear the nasal device. Furthermore, activities that are percussive, such as running, can cause nasal dilator devices to move from their intended position, requiring readjustment by the user. In the field of professional sports, such adjustments are a physical and mental distraction that can negate any benefits of such a device. Similarly, comfort and positioning of nasal devices are important factors during sleeping, especially if the user is suffering from rhinitis and/or nasal congestion, such as associated with irritated, runny, blocked and/or stuffy nose. Other existing ways to assist in clearing nasal passageways or dilating the nasal passageways or facilitating better respiration include inhaling substances that provide this function. Certain medicaments, such as those associa