RU2841970C1 - Nasal filter - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: breathing masks or helmets.

SUBSTANCE: nasal filter is intended for protection of human respiratory organs against harmful environmental factors. Nasal filter comprises one flexible U-shaped element and two rigid elongated support elements whereon elliptic filtration segments are mounted. Each filtering elliptical segment has cutouts. Cutouts of each filtering elliptical segment are arranged with exclusion of overlapping of cutouts of the previous or next filtering elliptical segment. Cutouts on the filtering elliptical segments form the direction of the air flow entering the nasal canal, along the spiral path. Flexible U-element is configured to be integrated into the nasal canal. Flexible U-shaped element further comprises at least one solid filter element arranged between filtering elliptical segments. Cutouts of each filtering elliptical segment are located on diametrically opposite sides of each filtering elliptical segment.

EFFECT: more effective protection of the nasal cavity from negative environmental factors.

3 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of healthcare, namely to individual means of protecting human respiratory organs from the effects of negative environmental factors: dust, gas, plant pollen, pathogenic bacteria and viruses, from dust particles carrying allergens, and also from harmful toxic gaseous air pollutants, and for eliminating odors, and can be used as a miniature purifier of inhaled air for concealed wear: for civilian use in polluted cities; for allergy sufferers during periods of exacerbation, flowering; as a means of preventing influenza and acute respiratory viral infections; in various smoke formations (peat combustion, fires, etc.); as well as at enterprises associated with the manufacture and bottling of harmful liquids with pungent odors, and other industries where they deal with harmful substances.

The state of the art provides various technical solutions for protecting human respiratory organs from the harmful effects of the environment using nasal air filters:

One of the simplest solutions is to use cotton swabs, dry or soaked in an antibacterial agent to protect against viruses, and placed in the sinuses. Such swabs are impractical, greatly impede breathing, and are uncomfortable to use.

For example, a nasal filter in the form of capsules for the nose is known, containing filter elements with holes for air passage. The capsules are placed in the nasal passage and are equipped with a U-shaped element connecting them, ensuring the convenience of replacing the filter elements and removing the capsules from the nasal canal.

(WO/1986/004249, IPC: A62B 23/06).

The disadvantage of this nasal filter is its low efficiency in protecting the nasal cavity from the effects of negative environmental factors due to its design in the form of capsules with holes through which polluted air passes directly into the nasal cavity.

Also known is a reusable nasal filter produced in Japan, known in Russia as "Dobronos", which is an original device made of soft rubber, consisting of: a perforated base, cast from soft rubber in the form of a flat disk with radial holes and a hole in the center for fastening; a housing in the form of a dome made of soft ribbed rubber with arcs radiating from the center and a hole in the center of the dome. The base and housing are attached to the free ends of a U-shaped bridge made of elastic polypropylene in the form of a tube attached across the cartilage between the two nostrils; a flat filter placed inside the device between the base and the housing, in the form of a solid disk with a hole in the center for putting on the bridge.

The filter is made of non-woven spunbond material (from dust) or cellulose microsponge (from dust and pollen). Before use, the filter must be moistened in water and squeezed out well. Dobronos filters clean the air inhaled through the nose from: allergens and pollen, bacteria and viruses, fungal spores, household and construction dust, aerosols, smog and soot.

(https://www.dobronos.ru/)

The disadvantage of this nasal filter is its design, which consists of several parts, which complicates its production and operation.

Known is the NOSA nasal filter (Borjegren S.B., Proos A., Borjegren P. Nose plug: patent 9220628 USA. - 2015). The filter contains two flexible elements connected to each other with a U-shaped support element, wherein each element is attached to one leg of the said U-shaped support element. Parallel plates with one cutout are located on the flexible elements, forming a spiral passage for air purification. The main disadvantage is the presence of only one cutout, which makes it difficult to inhale air.

A nasal filter is known, comprising: at least one flexible element and one rigid elongated support element. The flexible element comprises a plurality of parallel plates arranged along the support element, each plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the extension of the support element and intended for placement in a nostril; provided with elements for directing the air flow entering the nostril along a serpentine or spiral trajectory using a plurality of plates or a tape. The nasal filter contains a secreted substance dispersed in the material of the flexible element or located on the surface of the flexible element. The plates of the flexible element have a rounded shape and are made of different sizes for correct placement in the inner part of the nostril. Each plate has one recess on the periphery, wherein the recesses are arranged in such a way that no recess overlaps a recess in the previous or subsequent plate.

The flexible element and the supporting elements are connected together in a U-shape, wherein each flexible element is attached to one leg of said U-shaped supporting element. The released substance dispersed in the material of the flexible element or located on the surface of the flexible element is a fragrance or a medicinal product.

(WO 2011162677, IPC A61F 5/08, published 29.12.2011)

The closest is a nasal filter comprising one flexible U-shaped element and two rigid elongated support elements on which elliptical segments having cutouts are located, wherein the elliptical segments are located along the support element in the direction perpendicular to the continuation of the support element, wherein the cutout of each elliptical segment does not overlap the cutout of the previous or subsequent elliptical segment. The cutouts on the elliptical segments form the direction of the air flow entering the nasal canal along a serpentine or spiral path. The flexible element is designed with the possibility of placement inside the nasal canal. The antimicrobial substance is permanently immobilized in the material of the elliptical segment or on the surface of the elliptical segment and can be separated from the material of the elliptical segment or from the surface of the elliptical segment.

(WO/2022/136101, IPC A61F 5/08, published 30.06.2022)

The disadvantage of these well-known nasal filters is that such a design reduces the available space for air flow, increasing resistance; and creates a feeling of discomfort for users, since the material takes up too much space in the nasal cavity. Using this filter for a long time becomes impossible, which reduces its effectiveness in protecting the nasal cavity from the effects of negative environmental factors.

The objective of the invention is to create an effective nasal filter that helps protect the nasal cavity from the effects of negative environmental factors: dust, aerosols, pollen carrying allergens, pathogenic bacteria and viruses, as well as from toxic gaseous substances, including the elimination of odors, and is also lightweight, convenient, easy to use and comfortable to handle.

The technical result consists in increasing the effectiveness of protecting the nasal cavity from negative environmental factors.

The technical result is achieved in that the claimed nasal filter, comprising one flexible U-shaped element and two rigid elongated support elements on which filtering elliptical segments are located, each of which has cutouts, wherein the filtering elliptical segments are located along the support element perpendicular to the support element, wherein the cutouts of each filtering elliptical segment are located with the exception of overlapping the cutouts of the previous or subsequent filtering elliptical segment, the cutouts on the filtering elliptical segments form a direction of air flow entering the nasal canal along a spiral path, the flexible U-shaped element is designed with the possibility of placement inside the nasal canal, according to the invention, it additionally comprises at least one solid filter element located between the filtering elliptical segments, wherein the cutouts of each filtering elliptical segment are located on diametrically opposite sides of each filtering elliptical segment. An antimicrobial or aromatic substance is permanently immobilized in the material of the filtering elliptical segment or on the surface of the filtering elliptical segment. The antimicrobial or aromatic substance is immobilized with the possibility of separating from the material of the filtering elliptical segment or from the surface of the filtering elliptical segment.

The effectiveness of protecting the nasal cavity from negative environmental factors when using the claimed invention is due to the passage of the air flow along a spiral path created by two diametrically opposite cutouts in the filtering elliptical segments and the presence of an additional filter element made of non-woven material.

The claimed invention is explained by drawings.

Fig. 1 General view of the claimed nasal filter.

Fig. 2 Front view

Fig. 3 Nasal filter manufactured according to Example 1.

The nasal filter comprises a flexible U-shaped element 1 and two rigid elongated support elements 2, along which filtering elliptical segments 3 are located in a direction perpendicular to the continuation of the support element, with a gap of 1 mm. The filtering elliptical segments have diametrically opposite cutouts 4, wherein each cutout 4 of the elliptical segment 3 is on the periphery at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the cutout 4 of the filtering elliptical segment 3 located at a level higher, i.e., does not overlap the cutout 4 of the previous or subsequent filtering elliptical segment 3, due to which the direction of the air flow entering the nasal cavity is formed along a spiral path. The nasal filter additionally comprises a solid filtering element 5 made of non-woven material.

The nasal filter is manufactured as a single part, which allows to reduce the number of technological operations, the range of equipment used and significantly improve the performance characteristics of this filter. The nasal filter must have a certain rigidity to prevent deformation during installation in the nasal cavity, and, at the same time, it must be flexible enough to accurately fill the nasal cavity. The material must exclude the possibility of injury to the tissues of the nasal cavity during installation and operation of the claimed nasal filter.

The nasal filter is made of thermoplastic elastomer with a hardness of no more than 55 and no less than 35. It is possible to use biodegradable elastomer as a base material, as well as photoplastic materials.

The filtering elliptical segments 3 are connected to each other by a flexible U-shaped element 1 for placement on the nose in the area under the nasal septum. This ensures the convenience of installing and removing the device from the nasal passage during operation. The frequency of changing the air filter depends on the operating conditions and is determined by the user independently.

Additional solid filter elements 5 are located between the filter elliptical segments in a quantity of ≥1.

For the filter element, nonwoven materials are used in one layer or several layers; cellulose acetate; foam materials; pleated filter materials; porous membrane materials; perforated materials; materials with a constant or different cell size; materials with different diameters; in one layer or several layers; several layers with cells, wherein each cell has a constant cell size, but different layers have different cell sizes; several layers, wherein each layer has a different cell size; flat filters; pleated filters; in particular flexible filters. Usually, a polymeric material is preferred for the filter element. A suitable filter material can be a polymeric nonwoven material, for example a nonwoven material produced by the spunbond method.

The inhaled air, passing along the spiral path created by the cutouts 4 on the filtering elliptical segments 3, collides with the surface of the segments, leaves polluting particles on their surface, and also releases an antimicrobial or aromatic substance that helps neutralize negative environmental factors or eliminate unpleasant odors.

The claimed nasal filter is used as follows.

The nasal filter is placed under the nasal septum by means of a flexible U-shaped element 1, and the elongated support elements 2 with filtering elliptical segments 3 and filtering elements 5 are placed in the nasal cavity. The air flow through the cutout 4 of the lower filtering elliptical segment 3 passes along a spiral path through all segments and exits through the cutout 4 in the uppermost filtering elliptical segment 3. In the case of using an antimicrobial or aromatic substance on the surface of the filtering elliptical segments 3, the air flow, when passing through all segments, releases these substances and delivers them to the respiratory organs.

Example 1.

The claimed nasal filter was manufactured. The prototype was manufactured on a manual injection molding machine (IMM), and later the manufacturing was tested on a serial IMM using cold-channel casting on a chrome-plated hardened metal mold. The nasal filter consisted of 4 filtering elliptical segments and two solid filtering elements located after the second and third filtering elliptical segments. The filtering elements were made of spunbond. Fig. 3 shows the arrangement of the filtering layers of the manufactured nasal filter.

The use of the claimed nasal filter was offered to 30 volunteers. It was noted that the claimed technical solution is characterized by high operational properties - addiction to the foreign body placed in the nasal passage occurred quite quickly and did not cause a state of discomfort, while human breathing was not hampered. This ensured reliable protection of the respiratory tract from harmful external environmental influences. In an atmosphere that released unpleasant odors of rotting and decomposing organic matter, the smell was practically not felt.

Thus, the use of the claimed nasal filter is effective, is characterized by a simple design, and also expands the range of personal everyday protection from the harmful effects of the environment.

Claims (3)

1. A nasal filter comprising one flexible U-shaped element and two rigid elongated support elements on which filtering elliptical segments are arranged, each of which has cutouts, wherein the filtering elliptical segments are arranged along the support element perpendicular to the support element, wherein the cutouts of each filtering elliptical segment are arranged with the exception of overlapping the cutouts of the previous or subsequent filtering elliptical segment, the cutouts on the filtering elliptical segments form a direction of air flow entering the nasal canal along a spiral path, the flexible U-shaped element is designed with the possibility of placement inside the nasal canal, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least one solid filtering element arranged between the filtering elliptical segments, wherein the cutouts of each filtering elliptical segment are arranged on diametrically opposite sides of each filtering elliptical segment. 2. A nasal filter according to claim 1, characterized in that an antimicrobial or aromatic substance is permanently immobilized in the material of the filtering elliptical segment or on the surface of the filtering elliptical segment. 3. A nasal filter according to claim 1, characterized in that an antimicrobial or aromatic substance is immobilized in the material of the filtering elliptical segment or on the surface of the filtering elliptical segment with the possibility of separating from the material of the filtering elliptical segment or from the surface of the filtering elliptical segment.

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