Nose shape correction device and nose shape correction method

Abstract

To make it easy for not only a medical personnel but also a user and a guardian of the user to correct the shape of the nose.SOLUTION: A nose shape correction device 1 comprises: a body 10 which corrects the shape of the nose, and is inserted from a distal end side into the nostril and is formed tubularly; a projection part 20 which is connected to the body 10 and projects toward a proximal end of the body 10; a moving part 40 which extends in an extending direction of the body 10 inside the body 10, is disposed at a position opposite the projection part 20, projects toward the proximal end side of the body 10, is attached movably in a direction approaching or away from the projection part 20, and is energized in a direction away from the projection part 20; and a pressing part 50 which has a nostril edge 51 disposed outside the body 10, connected with the moving part 40, and capable of pressing an inner wall of the nostril.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nose shape correction device and a nose shape correction method for correcting the shape of a nose. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, cleft lip and palate are a common congenital malformation syndrome, occurring in 1 in 500 births. Although surgical techniques have advanced, correcting the deformity of the upper part of the nose has not been easy. To address this issue, nasal revision surgery is performed, but it is an extremely invasive and lengthy procedure that involves re-transplanting nasal septum cartilage. Furthermore, because this surgery is performed after growth has finished, the patient must spend the sensitive adolescent period with the deformity remaining.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a nose cosmetic hygiene device that is attached to the nostrils to correct the shape of the nose, which comprises a first nostril contact portion having a first curved surface that makes surface contact over a predetermined range with the inner region of the tip of the nose, a second nostril contact portion having a second curved surface that makes surface contact over a predetermined range with the inner region of the ala of the nose that faces the inner region of the tip of the nose, and a pair of nostril contact portion connecting portions formed in the shape of thin, elastic plates that easily deform and that connect the first nostril contact portion and the second nostril contact portion, all of which are integrally molded from a synthetic resin made by mixing tourmaline powder into silicone resin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-304976 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the nose cosmetic hygiene device of Patent Document 1 is inserted entirely into the nostril, it may end up getting stuck deep inside the nostril, making it difficult to remove.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to enable not only medical professionals but also users and their guardians to easily correct the shape of their noses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A nasal shape correction device for correcting the shape of a nose, A cylindrical main body that is inserted into the nostril from the tip side; a protruding portion connected to the main body and protruding toward a base end of the main body; a moving section that extends in the extension direction of the main body, is disposed at a position facing the protruding section, protrudes toward the base end side of the main body, is attached so as to be movable in a direction approaching or moving away from the protruding section, and is biased in a direction moving away from the protruding section; a pressing part that is disposed outside the main body, connected to the moving part, and has a nostril edge that can press against the inner wall of the nostril.

[0008] According to the invention (1), a nose shape correction device for correcting the shape of a nose comprises a main body, a protruding portion, a moving portion, and a pressing portion. The main body is inserted into the nostril from the tip side and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The protrusion is connected to the main body and protrudes from the main body toward the base end. The movable part extends inside the main body in the direction of extension of the main body, is positioned opposite the protruding part, protrudes toward the base end of the main body, is attached so as to be movable in a direction approaching or moving away from the protruding part, and is biased in a direction moving away from the protruding part. The pressing portion is disposed on the outside of the main body, is connected to the moving portion, and has a nostril rim that can press against the inner wall of the nostril.

[0009] In the invention of (1), when the main body and the pressing part are inserted into the nostril, the moving part is biased in the direction away from the protruding part, so that the edge of the nostril of the pressing part connected to this moving part presses the nostril in the direction away from the protruding part.

[0010] This allows the main body and the nostril edges to push open the nostrils, making it possible to correct the shape of the nose. Furthermore, the operation of the pressing part (moving it toward or away from the protruding part) can be performed using the protruding part and the moving part that protrude from the base end of the main body, making operation simple. Furthermore, because the protruding part and the moving part protrude from the base end of the main body that is inserted into the nostril, the risk of the nose shape correction device getting stuck deep inside the nostril and becoming difficult to remove is reduced. Therefore, not only medical personnel but also users and their guardians can easily correct the shape of their noses.

[0011] (2) A nose shape correction device as described in (1), characterized in that the main body, protruding portion, or moving portion has a connecting portion formed near the base end to which a member extending outside the nostril can be connected.

[0012] This allows a member (e.g., a thread, etc.) that extends outside the nostril to be connected to the main body, protruding part, or moving part (hereinafter also referred to as the "main body, etc."), so by connecting one end of this member to the main body, etc. and fixing the other end outside the body, it is possible to reliably prevent the nose shape correction device from entering the mouth or deep into the nostril, even if the user is, for example, an infant or toddler.

[0013] (3) A method for correcting nose shape using the nose shape correction device described in (1), the moving portion is pressed in a direction approaching the protruding portion, and the main body and the pressing portion are inserted into the nostril; The nostril edge of the pressing portion is disposed at the most depressed portion of the upper edge of the nostril, A nose shape correction method, characterized in that the force pressing the moving part in a direction approaching the protruding part is gradually reduced.

[0014] According to the invention (3), the same effects as those of the invention (1) are achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, not only medical personnel but also users and their guardians can easily correct the shape of their noses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a state in which a nose shape correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a nose shape correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a nose shape correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating the initial state of the nose shape correction device. Fig. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the insertion preparation state of the nose shape correction device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [Configuration of nose shape correction device] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a nose shape correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use. Note that throughout the description of the embodiment, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same numbers or symbols, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0018] The nose shape correction device 1 is inserted into the nostrils of the user U and corrects the shape of the nose by pressing the inner walls of the nostrils outward from inside the nostrils. The nose shape correction device 1 can be used not only for treating cleft lip and palate, but also as a cosmetic device.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a nose shape correcting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The nose shape correction device 1 includes a main body 10, a protruding portion 20, a biasing portion 30, a moving portion 40, and a pressing portion 50. The nose shape correction device 1 can be made of any material such as metal or resin.

[0020] The main body 10 is inserted into the nostril from the tip side, and the outer edge of the cross section in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the main body 10 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a circular shape. The main body 10 is formed with dimensions (for example, a diameter of 5 to 20 mm and a length of 5 to 25 mm) that allow it to be inserted into the user's nostril. Note that the outer edge shape of the cross section of the main body 10 is not limited to a circle, and may be an ellipse or a polygon.

[0021] On the outer periphery of the main body 10, at a position opposite to the position where the protrusion 20 is arranged, an insertion hole 11 is formed, which penetrates inward and outward at approximately the center in the direction in which the main body 10 extends or at the base end side of the center, and through which the moving part 40 is inserted.

[0022] Further, the main body 10 is formed with a connecting portion 12 near the base end to which a member 60 extending outside the nostril can be connected. 2, the connecting portion 12 is formed as a hole penetrating the outer periphery of the main body 10 from inside to outside, but is not limited to this and can have any configuration as long as it can connect the end of the member 60. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion 12 is provided in two locations on the outer periphery of the main body 10, at positions facing each other midway between the protruding portion 20 and the moving portion 40, but the connecting portion 12 can be provided at any position on the main body 10, the protruding portion 20, or the moving portion 40.

[0023] The member 60 is made of, for example, absorbable or non-absorbable thread, and its base end is connected to the nose shape correction device 1 (connection part 12 in the example shown in Figure 2), and it is desirable that its tip end be attached to a part of the user U's body (the forehead in the example shown in Figure 1) with adhesive tape or the like, as shown in Figure 1.

[0024] The protruding portion 20 is a plate-shaped member connected to the main body 10 and fixed to the inner wall of the main body 10, with a portion of the base end protruding toward the base end of the main body 10. The protruding portion 20 has an engagement portion 21 formed on its upper surface (the surface opposite to the surface of the protruding portion 20 fixed to the inner wall of the main body 10) with which one end of the biasing portion 30 engages.

[0025] 2, the engaging portion 21 is a member formed in a cylindrical shape with an open upper surface side of the protruding portion 20. Note that the engaging portion 21 can have any configuration such as a hole or a groove as long as it can engage with one end of the biasing portion 30.

[0026] The biasing portion 30 is formed, for example, from an elastic member (for example, a spring member or rubber), one end of which engages with the upper surface of the protrusion 20 (engagement portion 21) and the other end of which is connected to the lower surface of the moving portion 40 (the surface facing the protrusion 20), and biases the moving portion 40 in a direction away from the protrusion 20.

[0027] It is desirable to use a spring member for the biasing unit 30. This allows for a sufficient force to be applied to push up the nasal cavity compared to when the elasticity of silicone resin is used, as in Patent Document 1. Furthermore, by providing the biasing unit 30 separately from the moving unit 40 and the pressing unit 50, it becomes possible to replace the biasing unit 30. This allows for the force to push up the nasal cavity to be changed by changing the biasing unit 30 (for example, a spring member) with a different strength depending on the user's situation.

[0028] The moving part 40 is a plate-shaped member that extends inside the main body 10 in the extension direction of the main body 10, is disposed at a position facing the protruding part 20, has a part on the base end side that protrudes toward the base end side of the main body 10, and is attached so as to be movable in a direction toward or away from the protruding part 20. The other end of the biasing part 30 is connected to the bottom surface (the surface facing the protruding part 20) of the moving part 40, and the moving part 40 is biased by the biasing part 30 in a direction away from the protruding part 20. That is, in the initial state (state where the moving part 40 is not operated), the top surface (the surface opposite to the surface facing the protruding part 20) side of the moving part 40 is pressed against the inner wall of the main body 10.

[0029] The pressing portion 50 includes a nostril rim 51 and a shaft portion 52 . The nostril rim 51 is disposed on the outside of the main body 10, and is formed in a plate shape having a pressing surface 51a along the outer peripheral surface of the main body 10, and is capable of pressing against the inner walls of the nostrils. When viewed from the direction in which the main body 10 extends, the pressing surface 51a is formed in an arc shape that curves from the center outward toward the main body 10 (toward the bottom in the example shown in FIG. 2). A flexible member formed in a shape that matches the shape of the user's nasal cavity from the center to the inside may be disposed on the pressing surface 51a. This flexible member can be formed, for example, from dental materials, silicone resin, or the like.

[0030] One end of the shaft portion 52 is connected to the underside of the nostril edge 51 (the surface facing the main body 10), extends toward the main body 10, passes through the insertion hole 11 of the main body 10, and has the other end connected to the upper surface of the moving portion 40 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the protrusion 20).

[0031] [How to use the nose correction device] Next, a method of using the nose shape correcting device will be described. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a nose shape correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating the initial state of the nose shape correction device. Fig. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the state of the nose shape correction device being prepared for insertion.

[0032] An operator (such as a user or the user's guardian) places the thumb on the underside of the protruding portion 20 (the portion protruding toward the base end of the main body 10) and the index finger and middle finger on the underside of the moving portion 40 (the portion protruding toward the base end of the main body 10) of the nose shape correction device 1 in the initial state shown in FIG. 3(a), and applies force to move the moving portion 40 toward the protruding portion 20. Then, the biasing portion 30 of the nose shape correction device 1 compresses, the moving portion 40 moves toward the protruding portion 20, and the nostril edge 51 of the pressing portion 50 moves toward the main body 10, entering the insertion preparation state shown in FIG. 3(b). In the insertion preparation state of the nose shape correction device 1, the distance from the bottom end of the main body 10 (the center position of the portion where the protruding portion 20 is attached) to the apex of the nostril edge 51 (the center position of the pressing surface 51a) is smaller than in the initial state.

[0033] Then, in the insertion preparation state (state in which the moving part 40 is pressed in the direction approaching the protruding part 20), the operator inserts the main body 10 and the pressing part 50 into the nostril of the user U, places the nostril edge 51 of the pressing part 50 at the most depressed part of the upper edge of the nostril, and gradually releases the force pressing the moving part 40 in the direction approaching the protruding part 20. This causes the pressing surface 51a of the nostril edge 51 to press against the most depressed part of the upper edge of the nostril.

[0034] Furthermore, if necessary, the operator attaches the tip end of the member 60 (see FIG. 2) connected to the connection portion 12 of the main body 10 to a part of the body of the user U (the forehead in the example shown in FIG. 1) with adhesive tape or the like. This results in the state shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] The nose shape correction device and nose shape correction method of this embodiment have the following advantages. According to the nose shape correction device 1 and nose shape correction method, when the main body 10 and the pressing part 50 are inserted into the nostrils of the user U, the moving part 40 is biased in a direction away from the protruding part 20, so that the nostril edge 51 of the pressing part 50 connected to this moving part 40 presses the nostril in a direction away from the protruding part 20.

[0036] As a result, the main body 10 and the nostril edges 51 push open the nostrils of the user U, making it possible to correct the shape of the nose. Furthermore, the operation of the pressing part 50 (the operation of moving it in a direction toward or away from the protruding part 20) can be performed using the protruding part 20 and the moving part 40 that protrude from the base end side of the main body 10, making the operation simple. Furthermore, because the protruding part 20 and the moving part 40 protrude from the base end side of the main body 10 that is inserted into the nostril, the risk of the nose shape correction device 1 getting stuck deep inside the nostril and becoming difficult to remove is reduced. Therefore, not only medical personnel but also users and their guardians can easily correct the shape of their noses.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the nose shape correction device 1, a member 60 (e.g., a thread, etc.) that extends outside the nostrils of the user U can be connected to the main body 10, the protruding portion 20, or the moving portion 40. Therefore, by connecting one end of this member 60 to the protruding portion 20 or the moving portion 40 and fixing the other end outside the body of the user U, it is possible to reliably prevent the nose shape correction device 1 from entering the mouth or deep into the nostrils, even if the user U is, for example, an infant or toddler.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Nasal shape correction device 10 Main Unit 11 Insertion hole 12 Connection 20 Protrusion 21 Engagement portion 30 energizing section 40 Moving Part 50 Pressing section 51 Nostril rim 51a Pressing surface 52 Shaft 60 components

Claims

1. A nose shape correction device for correcting the shape of a nose, A cylindrical main body that is inserted into the nostril from the tip side; a protruding portion connected to the main body and protruding toward a base end of the main body; a moving section that extends in the extending direction of the main body, is disposed at a position facing the protruding section, protrudes toward the base end side of the main body, is attached so as to be movable in a direction approaching or moving away from the protruding section, and is biased in a direction moving away from the protruding section; a pressing part that is disposed outside the main body, connected to the moving part, and has a nostril edge that can press against the inner wall of the nostril.

2. 2. The nose shape correction device according to claim 1, wherein the main body, the protruding portion, or the moving portion has a connecting portion formed near the base end to which a member extending outside the nostril can be connected.

3. A method for correcting nose shape using the nose shape correction device according to claim 1, inserting the main body and the pressing portion into the nostril while pressing the moving portion in a direction approaching the protruding portion; The nostril edge of the pressing portion is disposed at the most depressed portion of the upper edge of the nostril, A nose shape correction method, characterized in that the force pressing the moving part in a direction approaching the protruding part is gradually reduced.

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