The present invention generally relates to a vibrated medical device for the treatment and relieving of symptoms caused by nasal congestion and sinusitis and to a method of treating the same.
Sinusitis is a medical condition that affects the lives of many millions of people around the world. As much as 15 million people each year develop symptoms of sinusitis, which are often annoying and disturbing a patient to conduct his everyday life. The symptoms of sinusitis usually comprise pain, tenderness, and swelling depending on the affected sinus. Known treatment for sinusitis comprises use of nasal sprays and medication that cause blood vessels to narrow and are aimed to improve sinuses drainage. Other types of sinusitis require the use of antibiotics. However, the known suggested treatments are often not useful. Furthermore, for said medications used have often short-term expediency and most of the medication has undesirable side effects.
There is therefore a need in the art for a simple, safe, relatively cheep, as well as devoid of side effect treatment form that is not surgical. There is further need for a treatment modality that has a high efficacy and a long-term effect on the person inflicted with nasal congestion and/or sinusitis symptoms.
Upper respiratory disorders such as viral upper respiratory tract infections or “common cold”, allergic rhinitis, and rhinosinusitis are associated with impairment in mucociliary clearance in the nasal passages. Although the causes of these disorders are varied, they share a common set of nasal symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal congestion/blockage, and post-nasal drip. In these conditions the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses become irritated, leading to symptoms. In some patients, this irritation is sufficient to hinder the normal drainage of the sinuses into the nasal cavity, resulting in blockage that may lead to additional impaired ciliary activity, intense pressure/pain, and increased likelihood of infection.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a condition that results from exposure to allergens, either at specific times of the year (seasonal allergic rhinitis) or year-round (perennial allergic rhinitis). Up to one-half of AR patients suffer from both seasonal as well as perennial AR, approximately one-third suffer from seasonal AR alone and another one-third from perennial AR alone. In either seasonal or perennial AR, the symptoms and treatment approaches are similar. Symptoms most often include nasal congestion or stuffiness, rhinorrhea and nasal itching. Allergic rhinitis affects nearly 150 million people in the world's seven major pharmaceutical markets, and annual sales of prescription products to treat allergic rhinitis are estimated to total more than $4.5 billion worldwide. The treatments currently available include primarily prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and nasal corticosteroids, delivered by nasal sprays, evaporation devices, and ointments.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) and the common cold affect all ages and are uncomfortable conditions with lost work and school days.
It is one object of the present invention to disclose a novel method of treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient, comprising attaching a vibration generating means to the patient head, at a location adjacent to sinuses.
It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the delivering the vibration is applied in one course, by cycles of intermittent vibrations or pulses and/or by applying vibration of various amplitudes.
It is in the scope of the present invention wherein additionally to the vibrating, the method comprising forcing a stream of fluid towards the patient's respiration tracks, preferably wherein the fluid is a mixture of air and at least one liquid or gas or powder other than air, and wherein the respiration tracks are selected from the nasal tracks and the pulmonary system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient, comprising attaching means and a vibration generating means. The attaching means are in communication with the patient's head in a location adjacent to said sinuses to be treated. The generating means are adapted to vibrate the attaching means and thus to vibrate the location adjacent to the sinuses.
It is also in the scope of the present invention wherein the device also comprising medicament dispersing means and/or further comprising means for forcing a stream of fluid towards the patient's respiration tracks.
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
a and 2b are illustrating a schematic front and side views of a device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;
The following description is provided, alongside all chapters of the present invention, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide means and method of treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient, comprising attaching a vibration generating means to the patient head, at a location adjacent to sinuses to be treated, generating a vibration by said vibration generating means, and delivering the same to said patient.
The term ‘body portions adjacent to nasal cavity, nasal passageways sinus or sinuses’ refers hereinafter to any location at the head of the patient, and especially to locations selected from the nasal bone, root-, dorsum- or bridge- of the nose, nostrils, frontal bone, temporal bone, maxilla bone, superciliary arch or any combination thereof. The term is further related to the pulmonary system.
The method defined in the present invention is preferably, yet not limited to a procedure in which 10 vibration cycles are applied, each of the cycle comprise about 30 seconds of vibration and about 20 seconds of relief and vice versa.
It is according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein the hereto-disclosed method additionally comprising forcing a stream of fluid towards the patient's respiration tracks. The term ‘forcing a stream of fluid’ refers hereinafter to the generation of flowing fluid and its directions either as a contentious flow of fluid or a pulses of the same by means of vents, fans, jets, injectors, compressors, pumping means or other means known in the art adapted to force a fluid towards at least one predetermined location. Preferably, the aforesaid fluid is air. Alternatively, the aforesaid fluid is a mixture of air and at least one liquid or gas other than air.
It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the hereto defined method additionally comprising vaporizing (and/or inhaling) at least one of the group of Braochodilators, especially sympatic mimetics, alfa antagonists, anti cholinergics; nasal decongestants, such as pseudoehedrines, ephedrines; steroids; anti histamines; anti prostaglandins, alternative or homeopathic medicaments; vaso constrictors; local anesthetics; mast cell stabilizers; antibiotics, such as biocides, fungicides etc; pleasant odor; pheromones; hormone treatments, such as ADH, insulin, growth hormones; vapors, humidifiers; drying compositions; hot or cold vapors; hyper-, iso- or hypotonic vapors or any combination thereof, and/or essential oils, volatile compounds, etheric oils, terepenes, terpanols and either water miscible or water-immiscible extracts, especially oils or extracts obtained from Amyris, Balsam, Bay Run, Black Pepper, bornyl acetate, Cajeput, Camphor, Cedarwood, Cedarleaf oil, Chamomile, chlorbutanol, Cinnamon, Clary Sage Rosewood, Clove, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Geranium, Ginger, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon essential oils, levomenthol, Lime, Menthol, Mint, Myrrh, nutmeg oil Orange, Patchouli, Peppermint, Pine Needle, Rose Eucalyptus, rosemary, Rosewood, Sage, Sandalwood, Spearmint, Tea Tree, terpinol, turpentine oil, thymol, Ylang Ylang or any combination thereof.
Otherwise, and yet in a non-limiting manner, the aforesaid method comprising vaporizing (and/or inhaling) of at least one of the group of compositions and commercial available medicaments, their derivatived, or by-products provided thereof, selected from: Acrivastine, Aller-Eze Clemastine, Aller-Eze nasal spray, Azatadine maleate, Azelastine nasal spray, Beclometasone nasal spray, Beclometasone nasal spray, Beconase hayfever nasal spray, Beconase hayfever relief for adults, Beconase nasal spray, Benadryl allergy relief, Benadryl, Benadryl, Benadryl plus, Brompheniramine maleate, Budesonide nasal spray, Calimal Antihistamine, Cetirizine, Chlorphenamine, Clarityn, Clemastine, Cyproheptadine hydrochloride, Desloratadine, Dexa-Rhinaspray Duo. Dimotane elixir, Dimotane plus, Dimotapp elixir, Dimotapp elixir paediatric. Dimotapp LA, Flixonase allergy nasal spray, Flixonase aqueous nasal spray, Fluticasone propionate nasal spray, Galpharm hayfever and allergy relief, Galpseud Plus, Haymine, Histafen, Ipratropium bromide nasal spray, Levocabastine nasal spray, Levocetirizine dihydrochloride, Livostin direct nasal spray, Livostin nasal spray, Loratadine, Medised, Medised, Mistamine, Mizolastine, Mizollen, Mometasone furoate nasal spray, Nasacort, Nasobec nasal spray, Nasonex nasal spray, Neoclarityn tablets/syrup, Optimine syrup, Periactin, Phenergan, Piriteze, Piriton, Pollenase hayfever nasal spray, Promethazine hydrochloride elixir, Promethazine hydrochloride, Rhinocort Aqua, Rhinolast allergy nasal spray, Rhinolast nasal spray, Rinatec nasal spray, Rino clenil nasal spray, Rynacrom allergy nasal spray, Rynacrom nasal spray, Semprex, Sodium cromoglicate nasal spray, Sudafed Plus, Syntaris nasal spray, Tavegil, Telfast 120, Terfenadine, Terfinax, Triamcinolone acetonide, Vista-Methasone, Xyzal tablets, Zirtek allergy relief tablets, Zirtek allergy tablets/solution, Afrazine, Anadin, Beechams all-in-one, Beechams products, Benylin products, Contac, Day Nurse, Dimotapp elixir, Dimotapp elixir paediatric, Dimotapp products, Galpseud, Karvol decongestant products, Lemsip products, Meggezones, Merocets Plus lozenges, Nurofen Cold and Flu, Otrivine Menthol Nasal Spray, Otrivine Metered Dose Sinusitis Spray, Otrivine prducts, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, Sterwin real lemon cold powders and other products, Strepsils Menthol and Eucalyptus and other products, Sudafed and its products, Xylometazoline nasal drops, Bactroban Nasal, Fusafingine, Locabiotal, Naseptin nasal cream, Ipratropium bromide nasal spray, Rinatec nasal spray, pseudoephedrine, propylhexedrine, L-Desoxyephedrine, xylometazoline hydrochloride or any combination thereof. Inhaling of a dispersed medicament while vibrating the respiratory tracks thus is thus the core of the present invention.
It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the medicament is introduced to the dispenser by means of a disposable capsule or the like. Said capsule comprises an envelope adapted to be punctured such that at least a limited measure of the medicament contained in said enveloped is forced to flow toward the pulsed column of fluid in a predetermined flux.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention the medicament is contained into an envelope (capsule). The insertion of this capsule may initiate the medicament delivery by means of a micro-switch triggered by the detergent dispensing cabinet when said cabinet is closed. Said capsule may provides coded information for activating the dispensing of the medicament. It is another embodiment of the present invention in which the medicament delivery is provided by 2D or 3D specific and predetermined fitting mechanism, e.g., fitting by means of shape and sizes. In a further embodiment of the present invention the shape of the capsules inside the inhaler envelope provides key-in-lock information for activating the inhaler.
It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein said method additionally comprising heating of said fluid before or in the process of forcing it towards the respiratory tracks. Such a heating step provides for an effective dispersion or evaporation of the fluid, the medicaments or both. It is further acknowledged in this respect that said method may also comprising a step or steps of physical or chemical activating a medicament by reacting it with one or more reactants before or in the process of forcing the same towards the respiratory tracks.
A device for treating nasal congestion and/or relieving sinusitis symptoms in a patient is further presented. This novel device is comprised of both an attaching means and a vibration generating means being either incorporated or interconnected.
While the description sets forth various embodiment specific details, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative only and should not be construed in any way as limiting the invention. Furthermore, various applications of the invention, and modifications thereto, which may occur to those who are skilled in the art, are also encompassed by the general concepts described herein. The portable device of the present invention, generally designated 100, is shown in
It will be easily appreciated that the device of
The device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprising ingredients selected from attaching means (100) adapted to attach device (1) to the patient's head (200), especially to the nasal bridge (201); vibrating means (300); means for forcing a stream of fluid (400); medicaments, reactants and/or fluids other then air container (500); power supply (600), and a light housing (See dashed line, 1) or any combination thereof.
The attachment of attaching means (100) to the patient's face is preferably provided by physical means, such as clippers, fasteners, vacuum means or a combination thereof. The size and shape of said attaching means is preferably adjustable and expendable. It may be characterized by various shapes, such as clipper-like, glasses or spectacles-like, mask-like or other shapes are utilized. While device (1) may be immobilized to the patent's face without a continuous help of the patient, other modes, requiring the patient to carry the device for a prolong time, are also possible. The proximal end of attaching means (100) may wide and comprise of a relatively wide contacting surface, yet it may alternatively be characterized by a figure-like end, massaging the patients with narrow effecting tips.
A secondary vibrating means are provided according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein said attaching means comprising at least one joint, passively translating a vibration along one axis to movement along at least one other axis.
It is further in the scope of the present invention wherein said proximal portion is heated to a predetermined measure above the ambient temperature, for example up to about 45° C.
Vibration generating means (300) are adapted to generate vibrations, e.g., oscillations, sharp movements etc in a predetermine frequency and intensity protocol. Said protocol is selected in a non-limiting manner from continues or pulsed, equal or varied vibration characteristics. Said vibrating means, as other ingredients of device, is regulated by the user, (on/Off switch, regulator or program selection know, not shown), and/or by a remote controller. Preferably, the amplitude will range from about 5 vibrations per second (Hertz) to a range greater than about 1,000 Hertz, while the each session in the procedure is provided for about 1 to about 15 minutes.
It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the vibrating means comprising an electrical or electro-magnetic motor.
Reference is made now to
It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein device 1 additionally comprising means for forcing a stream of fluid towards the patient's respiration tracks. Said venting to dispersing means is either separated from the vibrating and attaching means or incorporated tone mechanism. Reference is made thus to
It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the fluid forced towards is air, either at ambient temperature or of lower/higher temperature. The heating is easily provided by forcing the fluid throughout a heated labyrinth, wherein its cooling is provided by wetting it or force it at a Peltier device. Alternatively, the fluid forced by the venting mechanism is a mixture of air and at least one liquid, solid powder or gas other than air or powder with air. This heating or cooling means adapted to heat or chill said fluid is preferably provided before or in the process of forcing it towards the respiratory tracks.
It is according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein device 1 additionally comprising means to store medicaments and other fluids and to provide its inhalation by the respiratory tracks of the patients, e.g., via his nasal or oral systems. The term ‘medicaments’ is hereinafter related in a non-limiting manner to any medicament, fluid, essential oil, volatile compound, etheric oil, terpene, terpanol and either water miscible or water-immiscible extracts, especially oils or extracts of vegetables or fruits or powder. Additionally, said device may also comprising activating means adapted to activate said medicament by reacting it with one or more reactants before or in the process of forcing the same towards the respiratory tracks.
Reference is made now to
It is further in the scope of the present invention wherein the released medicament (502) is forced towards the client respiratory tracks directly as defined above or indirectly, e.g. via one or more dispensing means being either active or passive. Active dispensing means are selected in a non-limiting manner from medicament dispensers, such as inhalers of Ventolin™ (Salbutamol™) or the like, humidifiers etc. It is thus according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein the dispersed medicaments forced outside the invented device is fed into said active dispensers. Passive dispensing means are either flexible or rigid pipes, tubes and other conducting means adapted to force or purge at least a portion of the dispersed material towards a predetermined, e.g., focused target being either adjacent to the invented device or located in a remote location.
Reference is made now to
Reference is also made now to
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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168974 | Jun 2005 | IL | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IL2006/000612 | 5/24/2006 | WO | 00 | 12/3/2007 |