Nasal attachment and nasal dispensing device comprising such an attachment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nasal attachment (10) adapted to engage with a dispensing head (1) of a device for dispensing fluid or powder products via the nose, the dispensing head (1) being adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril during actuation, the nasal attachment (10) comprising a curved first support region (11) and a second support region (12), the first support region (11) being adapted to engage with a nasal septum separating the openings of two nostrils and with each of the two nostrils laterally toward the nasal ala, the second support region (12) being angled relative to the first support region (11) and adapted to engage with the upper lip.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to nasal attachments and nasal dispensing devices including such attachments. More specifically, this invention relates to attachments adapted to define the insertion depth of the tip and the direction of dispensing fluid or powder products into the nostrils.

[0002] Devices for dispensing into the nose are widely common and used in a variety of applications. These devices include a dispensing head with an opening for dispensing the product, at least a portion of which is intended to be inserted into the user's nostril during product dispensing.

[0003] The user then actuates the device to expel a dose of the fluid or powder product into the nostrils.

[0004] In some applications, particularly in the pharmaceutical field, products dispensed via devices for administration into the nose can be expensive and / or must be administered with extreme precision. Therefore, there is an attempt to achieve maximum effectiveness in delivering the product dose into the nostrils with each actuation.

[0005] Currently, most nasal dispensing devices dispense a dose of product toward the superior turbinate of the nostril in a direction very essentially parallel to the nasal septum.

[0006] However, it has been found that for many fluid or powder products, especially in the pharmaceutical field, the most effective parts of the nasal cavity for product absorption can include the parts other than the superior turbinate, particularly the inferior turbinate, the nasal floor, the frontal sinus, the sphenoid sinus, or the olfactory area, particularly the ethmoid sinus.

[0007] There are attachments for determining the insertion depth of the head and its orientation in the nostrils. Such attachments are described in documents EP0988079 and US2021196653. However, these devices have the disadvantage of not being able to rest effectively on the user's nose. In particular, these devices do not define a single optimal insertion position, and despite the presence of supporting attachments, the user can still modify the orientation of the head in the nostrils.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an attachment and dispensing device that does not reproduce the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0009] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a nasal attachment that enables the dispensing of a fluid or powder product into the area of ​​the nostril where product absorption is most effective during device actuation.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type described above for dispensing into the nose, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing into the nose that is simple and reliable for use by any user.

[0012] Therefore, the present invention provides a nasal attachment adapted to engage with a dispensing head of a device for dispensing fluid or powder products via the nose, the dispensing head being adapted to be at least partially inserted into the nostril during actuation, the nasal attachment comprising a curved first support region and a second support region, the first support region being adapted to engage with a nasal septum separating the openings of two nostrils and with each of the two nostrils laterally toward the nasal ala, the second support region being angled relative to the first support region and adapted to engage with the upper lip.

[0013] Advantageously, the nasal attachment includes at least one annular element arranged around the dispensing head during use.

[0014] Advantageously, the nasal attachment includes two annular parts, one for each nostril.

[0015] Advantageously, the central portion of the first support region engages with the nasal septum of the nose and the two lateral portions each engage with the lateral alar of the corresponding nostril.

[0016] Advantageously, the second support region is curved into a circular shape that matches the upper lip.

[0017] Advantageously, the total contact surface between the nasal attachment and the user's face is at least 1000 mm. 2 Especially about 1500 mm 2 .

[0018] Advantageously, the second support region includes two side plates extending outwards from each side of the nose onto the outer portion of the upper lip in the use position.

[0019] Advantageously, the contact surface between each side plate of the second support region and the upper lip is at least 300 mm. 2 Preferably about 350 mm 2 .

[0020] Advantageously, the second support area includes a single plate that extends below the nose and supports the upper lip in the use position.

[0021] The present invention also provides a nasal dispensing device for a fluid or powder product, the nasal dispensing device including a dispensing member on which a dispensing head is mounted, the dispensing head being adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril during actuation of the device, the device including the nasal attachment as described above.

[0022] Advantageously, the attachment is removably attached to the head.

[0023] Advantageously, the nasal attachment defines a horizontal insertion angle α between 30° and 70°, advantageously between 50° and 55°, preferably 52.5°, a vertical insertion angle β between 0° and + / -20°, advantageously between + / -3° and + / -7°, preferably + / -5°, and an insertion depth between 0 mm and 30 mm, advantageously between 5 mm and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm.

[0024] These features and advantages of the invention, as well as other features and advantages, will become more apparent during the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given as non-limiting examples, and in which:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing device with a nasal attachment according to a first advantageous embodiment, the device being partially inserted into the nostril.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic side view showing the horizontal insertion angle α.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a detailed view showing the vertical insertion angle β as viewed from below.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figures 1 to 3 A three-dimensional view of the attachments in the diagram.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing device with a nasal attachment according to a second advantageous embodiment, the device being partially inserted into the nostril.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a side view of a dispensing device equipped with a nasal attachment according to another advantageous embodiment, and

[0031] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of the attachment.

[0032] In the instruction manual, the terms "top" and "bottom" refer to the upright position of the device, with the dispensing head positioned above the reservoir. The term "axial" refers to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The longitudinal central axis X of the device shown is shown.

[0033] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the nasal dispensing device includes a nasal dispensing head 1, which includes an insertion end 1' having a delivery hole 9 and intended to extend into the nostril during use. The dispensing head 1 is mounted on a dispensing member (not shown), such as a pump or valve, which is mounted on a reservoir 2 containing the fluid or powder product to be dispensed. The invention is applicable to virtually all nasal dispensing devices, and only the external portions of the device involved in the invention are shown in the drawings and described below.

[0034] A nasal attachment 10 is provided for engagement with a nasal dispensing head 1 by being arranged in a removable manner around the insertion end 1' of the head, such that the head 1 passes through the attachment 10. The insertion end 1' extends axially beyond the nasal attachment 10 and is adapted to be inserted into the nostril during actuation of the device.

[0035] According to the invention, the nasal attachment 10 includes a curved first support region 11 adapted to engage with the nasal septum, also known as the columella, which separates the openings of the two nostrils, and to engage with each lateral alar of the two nostrils. Thus, the central portion 11' of the first support region 11 engages with the columella and the two lateral portions 11'' each engage with the lateral alar of the corresponding nostril.

[0036] In addition, the nasal attachment 10 also includes a second support region 12, which is angled relative to the first support region 11 and is adapted to engage with the upper lip.

[0037] Advantageously, the second support region 12 is curved into a circular shape that matches the upper lip.

[0038] Advantageously, the total contact surface between the nasal attachment 10 and the user's face is at least 1000 mm. 2 Especially around 1500mm 2 .

[0039] Preferably, the second support region 12 includes two side plates 12' extending from both sides of the nose to the outer portion of the upper lip in the use position. Each side plate 12' may be solid as shown in the figures, or may be hollowed out in the center, specifically to save material.

[0040] Advantageously, the contact surface between each side plate 12' of the second support region 12 and the upper lip is at least 300 mm. 2 Preferably about 350 mm 2 .

[0041] Alternatively, the second support region 12 may be formed by a single plate extending below the nose and resting on the upper lip and possibly on the mouth, such as Figure 5This can be seen from the text.

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, the nasal attachment 10 and its first support region 11 and second support region 12 define a horizontal insertion angle α (the angle between the longitudinal central axis X of the device and the horizontal plane P1 when the user is standing) between 30° and 70°, advantageously between 50° and 55°, and preferably 52.5°. Similarly, the vertical insertion angle β (the angle between the longitudinal central axis X of the device and the vertical plane P2 when the user is standing) is between 0° and + / -20°, advantageously between + / -3° and + / -7°, and preferably + / -5°. Finally, the insertion depth is between 0 mm and 30 mm, advantageously between 5 mm and 20 mm, and preferably 15 mm.

[0043] Advantageously, the nasal attachment 10 includes at least one annular member 13 arranged around the dispensing head 1. Preferably, the nasal attachment 10 includes two annular members 13, one for each nostril, and the user moves the dispensing device from one annular member 13 to the other to dispense a dose of fluid or powder product into each nostril. The at least one annular member 13 can have any suitable shape, such as a cylindrical shape.

[0044] Advantageously, the dispensing head 1 includes at least one finger resting surface 15. Figures 1 to 3 In the example, there are elliptical finger resting surfaces with two diametrically opposed portions on both sides of the head 1, but any shape, such as a circle, can be imagined.

[0045] The device is operated as follows.

[0046] The user attaches the attachment 10 to the head 1. In a preferred embodiment with two annular members 13, the user attaches the annular member 13 corresponding to the first nostril to be treated to the head 10. The user then inserts the insertion end 1' of the head 1 into the nostril. During this operation, the first support region 11 of the attachment 10 abuts against the columella of the nose and two lateral alar supports, and the second support region 12 of the attachment 10 supports the upper lip, as... Figure 1 As can be seen from the image. The shapes of the first support region 11 and the second support region 12 allow the device to be optimally oriented and positioned in the nostril, and define the insertion depth of the head 1 in the nostril.

[0047] The user then activates the device, and a certain dose of fluid or powder product is dispensed into the desired area.

[0048] The user then removes the dispensing device from the nasal attachment 10 and inserts the head 1 into the second annular member 13 corresponding to the second nostril to be treated, and then repeats the process in the same manner.

[0049] The presence of the two annular components 13 ensures perfect positioning of the device in each nostril.

[0050] Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to provide a device for dispensing into the nose that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. The device is also simple and reliable for use by any individual, with different support areas of the nozzle requiring the user to insert their head into the nostril at the optimal orientation and depth to dispense a specific dose of product into the desired area of ​​the nostril.

[0051] Although the invention has been described above with reference to several embodiments, it is natural that the invention is not limited to the described examples. Rather, those skilled in the art can make any useful modifications to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nasal attachment (10) adapted to engage with a dispensing head (1) of a device for dispensing fluid or powder products via the nose, the dispensing head (1) being adapted to be at least partially inserted into the nostril during actuation, characterized in that, The nasal attachment (10) includes a curved first support region (11) and a second support region (12), the first support region (11) being adapted to engage with the nasal septum that separates the openings of the two nostrils and to engage with each of the two nostrils outward to the nasal ala, the second support region (12) being angled relative to the first support region (11) and adapted to engage with the upper lip.

2. The nasal attachment (10) according to claim 1, comprising at least one annular member (13) arranged around the dispensing head (1) in use.

3. The nasal attachment (10) according to claim 2, comprising two annular members (13), one annular member (13) for each nostril.

4. The nasal attachment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The central portion (11') of the first support region (11) engages with the nasal septum and the two lateral portions (11'') each engage with the lateral nasal ala of the corresponding nostril.

5. The nasal attachment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second support region (12) is bent into a circular shape to match the upper lip.

6. The nasal attachment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The total contact surface between the nasal attachment (10) and the user's face is at least 1000 mm. 2 Especially about 1500 mm 2 .

7. The nasal attachment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second support area (12) includes two side plates (12') extending on the lateral portion of the upper lip on both sides of the nose in the use position.

8. The nasal attachment (10) according to claim 7, wherein, Each side plate (12') of the second support region (12) is defined as at least 300 mm. 2 Preferably about 350 mm 2 The upper lip contact surface.

9. The nasal attachment (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The second support area (12) includes a single plate that extends below the nose and rests on the upper lip in the use position.

10. A nasal dispensing device for a fluid or powder product, the device comprising a dispensing member on which a dispensing head (1) is mounted, the dispensing head (1) being adapted to be at least partially inserted into a nostril during actuation of the device, characterized in that, The device includes a nasal attachment (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The attachment (10) is removably attached to the head (1).

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The nasal attachment (10) defines a horizontal insertion angle α between 30° and 70°, advantageously between 50° and 55°, preferably 52.5°, a vertical insertion angle β between 0° and + / -20°, advantageously between + / -3° and + / -7°, preferably + / -5°, and an insertion depth between 0 mm and 30 mm, advantageously between 5 mm and 20 mm, preferably 15 mm.

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