Nasal irrigation device

Abstract

A nasal irrigation device suitable for delivery of irrigation fluid to a nostril of a user, comprising a hand-held elongate housing (3-FIG.1) accommodating a chamber 21 of irrigation fluid. The chambe

Description

Field of the Invention The invention relates to a device for use in nasal irrigation. Background to the Invention Nasal irrigation has been shown to provide beneficial effects, particularly in those suffering from chronic sinusitis. Evidence suggests that nasal irrigation can lead to relief from symptoms for hay-fever and the common cold and can also be an effective treatment in relation to allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. Hitherto, nasal irrigation devices either comprise small watering-can-like pots, such as Neti-pots, or large, complicated devices. A problem with the former is that they can be messy when poured and a problem with the latter is that they are usually arranged in a longitudinal formation and water from the nasal passages often ends up on the user’s hands. Furthermore, on existing devices, the end of the device usually comprises a hard material that can stretch the nostrils and be uncomfortable. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provide a nasal irrigation device for delivery of irrigation fluid to a nostril of a user, the device comprising a hand held elongate housing which accommodates an elongate chamber for holding irrigation fluid and which has a proximal end and a distal end and is provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a nozzle provided at the distal end and positionable within a user’s nostril so that irrigation fluid may be delivered thereto from said chamber via said fluid outlet, a piston arranged for longitudinal movement within the chamber between first and second positions, said first position being relatively closer to said distal end than said second position, means associated with the housing for effecting said movement of the piston and valve means operable to allow fluid to enter the chamber during movement of the piston in a direction from said first to said second position and to allow fluid to exit the chamber via said fluid outlet when the piston is moved in a direction from said second position to said first position. A device in accordance with the present invention is such that a predetermined volume of irrigation fluid may be delivered to a user’s nostril at a set pressure. As a result, the nasal cavity is filled without discomfort or danger to the user. Preferably, said piston moving means include spring means for moving the piston in a direction from said second position to said first position. Preferably, the valve means opens in response to movement of the piston in the direction from said first to said second position. Preferably, said nozzle is provided with further valve means which opens in response to movement of the piston in the direction from said second to said first position. Preferably, the means for effecting movement of the piston is a portion of the housing which is movable relative to the rest of the housing. More preferably, the portion of the housing is arranged for longitudinal movement relative to the rest of the housing. Preferably, the housing further accommodates a reservoir for irrigation fluid, the fluid within said reservoir being in fluid communication with said chamber via said inlet when said positon is moved in a direction from said first position to said second position. More preferably, said reservoir is an elongate vessel extending alongside said chamber. More preferably, said reservoir is provided with a valve allowing fluid delivery means to be introduced into said reservoir. More preferably, said reservoir includes a valve permitting air to enter the reservoir while fluid is transferring from the reservoir to the chamber. Most preferably, said fluid delivery valve and said air entry valve are provided by a common valve. The reservoir may be adapted to accept cartridges of fluid. Using a cartridge of irrigation fluid allows for a quick and simple supply of liquid to the device. This reduces the mess associated with refilling the reservoir as the reservoir can simply accept a cartridge of liquid and the cartridge can be removed when empty. Preferably, the nozzle is arranged to deliver irrigation fluid at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing. This allows the user to hold the device by the housing at a convenient and comfortable orientation with respect to the user’s nostril. Preferably, the nozzle is provided with a resiliently yieldable material which surrounds a conduit for conveying the fluid. More preferably, the resiliently yieldable material comprises silicone. The use of a resiliently yieldable material allows a user to achieve a relatively secure seal around one nostril, thereby allowing a more effective irrigation. The silicone is a light-weight material that provides an atraumatic applicator which is both comfortable and which provides a good fit Preferably, the resiliently yieldable material is readily removable from the fluid delivery conduit. Allowing the material to be removed assists in replacing the part for hygiene purposes or if it becomes damaged. Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings are as follows: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the top of a a nasal irrigation device of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded top perspective view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the device of Figure 1 showing the movement of fluid into the delivery chamber; and Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the device of Figure 1 showing the movement of fluid from the delivery chamber to the nozzle of the device. Detailed Description of the Invention An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, a nasal irrigation device 1 is a hand-held device which is capable of delivery of a predetermined volume of irrigation fluid, typically a saline solution, to a nostril of a user. Device 1 comprises an elongate housing 3 which is of broadly elliptical crosssection having an area which is substantially uniform along most of its length but has a relatively large, a flat proximal end 5 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 3 and a distal end 7 which is angled at about 45° to said longitudinal axis. Housing 3 is of a size and shape to allow it to be comfortably held within the hand of the user. Protruding perpendicularly from the centre of distal end 7, is a nozzle 9 through which the irrigation fluid is delivered to the user’s nostril. Nozzle or nasal plug 9 is an atraumatic silicone applicator which includes a conduit 11 through which the fluid flows and an outer surface of substantially parabolic shape. Located on the top of the device 1 near to the distal end thereof is a button 14 which may be depressed to effect the operation of the device in delivering a predetermined volume of irrigation fluid to the nostril of the user, as will be described below. Referring to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, device 1 includes a detachable top portion 15 which provides a reservoir for irrigation fluid. This reservoir is readily detachable from the remainder of the device for cleaning purposes. The wall of the reservoir may be transparent to allow the level of the irrigation fluid to be visible. Below reservoir 15, the housing 3 is in two connected but relatively slidable parts 17 and 19, part 19 being slidable relative to the rest of the device in order to draw irrigation fluid from reservoir 15 into part 17 as will be described below. Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is located within part 17 of device 1 a cylindrical, longitudinally extending chamber 21 within which is mounted an elongate piston 23 comprising a rod 25 and a piston head 27. Rod 25 extends through support guide 29, at the proximal end of the chamber 21, and into part 19 of housing 3. Between guide 29 and piston head 27 there is mounted a compression spring 31 which surrounds the rod 25. At the distal end of chamber 21, there is located a passageway 33 which provides an inlet and an outlet for irrigation fluid entering and leaving the chamber 21. As indicated by the arrows in Figures 4 and 5, this passageway 33 may be in fluid communication with either conduit 11 of nozzle 9 or the reservoir 15. The fluid flow is determined by the direction of movement of piston 23 within chamber 21 in conjunction with a valve 35 which is mounted between chamber 21 and reservoir 15 and a valve 36 mounted within the nasal plug 9. As best seen in Figure 5, valve 36 is, for instance, a duckbill or flapper valve which is an integral part of plug 9 being held in position within plug 9 by spring 38. Plug 9 is a readily replaceable or consumable item which may be readily replaced, for instance, between uses of the device by different users. When piston 23 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5, valve 35 opens to allow irrigation fluid to pass from reservoir 15 through the valve and into chamber 21. When the piston is moved in die opposite direction, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 5, valve 35 is closed, valve 36 opens and the irrigation fluid is pushed into a passageway and thence into conduit 11 of nozzle 9. The movement of the piston 23 from the position shown in Figures 4 and 5 to a fully retracted position, in which piston head 27 lies adjacent guide 29, is effected by pulling part 19 of housing 3 in a direction indicated by the arrow above the piston 23 in Figure 4, part 19 being connected to the piston 23 by means of a pin 39. A crank 4 lis mounted, in part 17 of housing 3, for pivotal movement about pivot 43 and arm 45 of crank 41 is spring urged by spring 47 towards piston rod 25. When the latter is fully retracted, arm 45 of crank 41 engages in a recess 49 located in rod 25 thereby locking piston 23 in its fully retracted position. The other arm 51 of crank 41 is connected by an arm 53 to a pivotally mounted finger 55 located adjacent the distal end of chamber 21. Arranged adjacent finger 55 is a button 57 which can extends through the wall of housing part 17 and can be depressed so that it causes finger 55 to rotate about its pivot point and thereby cause arm 53 to move towards the distal end of the device. In so doing, crank 41 is caused to rotate anticlockwise about its pivot point 43 and thereby release arm 45 from engagement within recess 49 of piston rod 25. Spring 31 then urges the piston towards distal end 7 of device 1 and drives the fluid located within chamber 21 into nozzle 9 and thence into the nostril of the user. While fluid is being transferred from reservoir 15 into chamber 21, replacement air enters the reservoir via a valve 59 located at the proximal end of the device. The reservoir 15 may be filled by injecting fluid into it via the valve 59. The above described device enables a predetermined volume of irrigation fluid to be delivered to a user’s nostril at a set pressure. As a result, the nasal cavity is filled without discomfort or danger to the user. Typically, the reservoir holds 70 80 ml of irrigation fluid which is sufficient to provide two doses to the chamber 21, for instance one for each nostril of the user. The tension in the spring 31 may be, for instance, in the range 3^5 newtons. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the present invention may be provided. For instance, the integral reservoir may be replaced by a separate container which can be plugged into the device.

Claims

1. A nasal irrigation device for delivery of irrigation fluid to a nostril of a user, the device comprising a hand held elongate housing which accommodates an elongate chamber for holding irrigation fluid and which has a proximal end and a distal end and is provided with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a nozzle provided at the distal end and positionable within a user’s nostril so that irrigation fluid may be delivered thereto from said chamber via said fluid outlet, a piston arranged for longitudinal movement within the chamber between first and second positions, said first position being relatively closer to said distal end than said second position, means associated with the housing for effecting said movement of the piston and valve means operable to allow fluid to enter the chamber during movement of the piston in a direction from said first to said second position and to allow fluid to exit the chamber via said fluid outlet when the piston is moved in a direction from said second position to said first position.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said piston moving means include spring means for moving the piston in a direction from said second position to said first position.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the valve means opens in response to movement of the piston in the direction from said first to said second position.

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said nozzle is provided with further valve means which opens in response to movement of the piston in the direction from said second to said first position.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for effecting movement of the piston is a portion of the housing which is movable relative to the rest of the housing.

6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the portion of the housing is arranged for longitudinal movement relative to the rest of the housing.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing further accommodates a reservoir for irrigation fluid, the fluid within said reservoir being in fluid communication with said chamber via said inlet when said piston is moved in a direction from said first position to said second position.

8. A device according to Claim 7, wherein said reservoir is an elongate vessel extending alongside said chamber.

9. A device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the reservoir is provided with a valve allowing fluid delivery means to be introduced into said reservoir.

10. A device according to any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the reservoir includes a valve permitting air to enter the reservoir while fluid is transferring from the reservoir to the chamber.

11. A device according to Claim 10, wherein said fluid delivery valve and said air entry valve are provided by a common valve.

12. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle is arranged to deliver irrigation fluid at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

13. A device according to any of die preceding claims, wherein the nozzle isprovided with a resiliently yieldable material which surrounds a conduit for conveying the fluid.

14. A device according to Claim 13, wherein the resiliently yieldable material is a silicone.

15. A device according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein the resiliently yieldable material is readily removable from the fluid delivery conduit.

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