991 results about "Nasal Cavity Epithelium" patented technology

Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities / nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

A patient interface for communicating fluids to and / or from a patient's nasal cavity and / or oral cavity is disclosed. In addition, a patient interface for fluid and physiological function monitoring proximate to the patient's nasal cavity and / or oral cavity is disclosed. An apnea monitor and a method for monitoring apnea are also disclosed.

Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and / or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air / gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities / nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.

An improvement on the structure of electric nose suction-washer consists of a body for grip and for casing a motor mechanism. At the tip of the body are the suctioning and washing units of the motor mechanism for sucking nasal fluid or washing the nasal cavity. Therein, the body is cylindrical at a suitable place of which is a droplet shaped protrusion for easy gripping. Inside a bottom of the body encases the battery case where a spring plate exists for ease of replacing batteries and for forming power connection to the motor mechanism. The inner wall of the battery case is a plurality of vertical ridges for positioning and fastening the battery case.

The present invention relates to the delivery of high flow humidified pressurised oxygen and / or air to a patient by way of a wide bore nasal cannula (30). The cannula of the present invention comprises wide bore cannula to minimise the flow resistance and the entry velocity. The nasal cannula includes two nasal prongs (40, 41) fittable into a patient's nostrils. The prongs follow the inner shape of the patient's nostrils such that a more efficient flow of gases into the patient's lungs is achieved as gases flow are directed down the main nasal passage more accurately. The cannula do not seal within the nasal cavities of the patient, and in some embodiments the cannula may be provided with a pressure relief valve to allow gases to be exhausted from the cannula.

A nasal mask assembly is configured to provide a direct flow of a fluid, e.g., breathable air, oxygen or anesthesia, directly into the patient's nasal cavity by combining the nasal prongs of a nasal cannula with a nasal cup. The nasal cup is made of clear plastic and has a general shape of a human nose such that it easily and comfortably fits over a patient's nose. An input port extends through the nasal cup into the internal cavity of the nasal cup and a fluid source is connected to the input port via a source tube system. The nasal cup can be molded to approximate the surface of a patient's face surrounding the patient's nose. The nasal prongs are extended in length. The source tube is rotatably connected to the external end of the input port of the nasal cup.

Described herein are nasal respiratory devices and methods for treating a variety of medical diseases including snoring and sleep apnea through the use of such devices. In general, these devices include an airflow resistor, such as a flap valve and a holdfast for securing the device in communication with the subject's nasal cavity. The devices may be configured to include leak paths to regulate the expiratory pressure when worn by a subject. Methods for using these devices may include securing a device over or at least partially within (or both of) a subject's nasal cavities.

A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by providing a nebulized liquid having a boiling point of 38-300° C. The nebulized liquid is delivered as a mist or a spray via the nasal and / or oral cavities of a patient. The mist causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. Compositions and medical devices for cerebral and systemic cooling are also provided. Cooling assemblies, and methods of use, are also provided that include flexible balloon assemblies that are inserted to various locations in a patient's body. The flexible balloons are then infused with a liquid having a temperature between about −20° C. and about 37° C. The flexible balloon assemblies can be inserted into the nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, stomach, and other locations to effect cerebral cooling.

A nasal cannula, for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient, comprising: a pair of spaced apart supply lines which each have a head at one end thereof with a discharge opening therein. The opposite end of each supply line is connectable to a respiratory gas source. Each head is sized to be snugly received and retained within one of the nasal cavities of the patient while forming a sufficient leakage passage, between a portion of inwardly facing nasal cavity skin of a patient and a portion of an exterior surface of the head, to facilitate exhausting of any excess respiratory gas supplied to the patient through the leakage passage and also facilitate inhalation of any room air required in excess of the respiratory gas to be supplied to the patient. The invention also relates to a respiratory therapy system incorporating the nasal cannula, a method of treating a patient with sleep disorder by using the nasal cannula, a diagnostic tool for measuring nasal cavity pressure of a patient, and a method of using the diagnostic tool for measuring nasal cavity pressure of a patient.

Apparatus and methods for treating conditions such as rhinitis are disclosed herein where a distal end of a probe shaft is introduced through the nasal cavity where the distal end has an end effector with a first configuration having a low-profile which is shaped to manipulate tissue within the nasal cavity. The distal end may be positioned into proximity of a tissue region having a post nasal nerve associated with a middle or inferior nasal turbinate. Once suitably positioned, the distal end may be reconfigured from the first configuration to a second configuration which is shaped to contact and follow the tissue region and the post nasal nerve may then be ablated via the distal end. Ablation may be performed using various mechanisms, such as cryotherapy, and optionally under direct visualization.

This invention is for nasal adaptors for oral inhaler devices and methods of adapting an oral inhaler device with a nasal adaptor. The nasal adaptor of the present invention, in assembly with an oral metered dose aerosol inhaler converts an oral inhaler device to nasal delivery. The nasal adaptor in assembly with an oral inhaler device when in operation, simultaneously administers an inhalant to the nasal mucosa and down to the bronchial tree and lungs. In this manner a nasally delivered anti-inflammatory agent would travel down the same route as an allergen would—the nostril, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, trachea, bronchi and lung tissues.

The present invention is directed to a mucoadhesive delivery system for the local or systemic administration of a pharmaceutical agent. The delivery system of the invention effectively and facilely enables transport of the pharmaceutical agent through mucosal membranes and into the vasculattire of the mucosa. The delivery system includes an at least partially water soluble bioadhesive layer and an at least partially water soluble backing layer. Incorporated within either or both of these layers are the pharmaceutical agent and a mucosal penetration enhancing agent. The mucosal penetration enhancing agent displays localized tissue irritation properties. The mucoadhesive delivery system may be in the form of a gel, film, disc or patch. It may be applied to any mucosal membrane of a patient including but not limited to those of the buccal and nasal cavities, throat, eye, vagina, alimentary tract and peritoneum.

A foldable brush self-sampling device for collecting of cell specimens from a body cavity, such as cervix, endometrium, rectum, nasal cavity and fauces, for diagnostic purposes, allows a user to collect cell specimens in the privacy of home. The device includes a sheath and a brush bar. The brush bar would fold into the sheath, which is with smaller diameter. The user inserts the sheath into the cavity easily and pushes the brush bar to expose the brush elements. After insertion of the sheath and push of the brush bar, the brush bar is rotated to obtain the specimen from the body cavity and then retracted in order to return the sheath.

The present invention is embodied in a portable self contained ventilating appliance, including an interface device coupled to at least one of an oral cavity or nasal cavity of a user, a ventilation device physically extending from the interface and configured to deliver pressurized air to the user through the interface, and a sensor monitoring system coupled to the interface and the ventilation device and configured to monitor the user.

A respiration nozzle has a hollow body with a front and a rear, at least one outlet made of a resilient membrane, and two inflatable nasal tubes. The at least one outlet is formed on the front of the hollow body and has a cross-shaped slit valve defined in the membrane to temporarily open and release air from the respiration nozzle. The two inflatable nasal tubes are formed on the rear of the hollow body and are enabled to inflate when air is pumped into the respiration nozzle. Therefore, air pressure inside the respiration nozzle is kept at a positive pressure to minimize consumption of electricity when pumping the air. Meanwhile, the inflatable nasal tubes gently and evenly match the nasal cavities without causing any uncomfortable feeling to the wearer.

Chronic sinusitis is treated by the application of cold plasma or plasma-activated species to the infected mucosal surfaces through use of an endoscope having a steerable end which may be projected into the sinus cavities through the nasal cavity. The cold plasma is generated at either the distal end of the endoscope with a power source by application of a power, or at the distal end by gas and electrical connections extending through the endoscope. The cold plasma or plasma-activated species act to destroy bacterial cells but not eukaryotic cells.

A nasal delivery device for and method of delivering substance to a nasal cavity of a subject, the delivery device comprising: a nosepiece for fitting to a nostril of a subject, wherein the nosepiece comprises a tip element which includes a delivery aperture from which substance is in use delivered into the nasal cavity, and the tip element is at least in part tapered such as to be inclined to a longitudinal axis of the nosepiece, with the delivery aperture extending both laterally across the tip element and along a longitudinal extent of the tip element; a nozzle through which substance is in use delivered, preferably substantially axially to a longitudinal axis of the nosepiece, to the respective nasal cavity; and a delivery unit for delivering substance through the nozzle of the nosepiece.

A method for cerebral and systemic cooling by providing a nebulized liquid having a boiling point of 38-300° C. The nebulized liquid is delivered as a mist or a spray via the nasal and / or oral cavities of a patient. The mist causes cooling by direct heat transfer through the nasopharynx and hematogenous cooling through the carotids and the Circle of Willis. Compositions and medical devices for cerebral and systemic cooling are also provided. Cooling assemblies, and methods of use, are also provided that include flexible balloon assemblies that are inserted to various locations in a patient's body. The flexible balloons are then infused with a liquid having a temperature between about −20° C. and about 37° C. The flexible balloon assemblies can be inserted into the nasal cavity, oral cavity, throat, stomach, and other locations to effect cerebral cooling.

A method and an apparatus for measuring the concentration of a specific gas component of a gas mixture including another gas whose concentration is independently known using light absorption spectroscopy are provided. A method and an apparatus for assessing human airway inflammation by measuring the concentration of exhaled NO and CO2 present in orally exhaled breath using light absorption spectroscopy are also provided. NO concentration is determined at the time during breath sampling corresponding to a known exhaled CO2 concentration. Methods and apparatus are further provided for measuring NO concentration in orally exhaled human breath that analyze breath emanating from the lower airways and lungs, while excluding breath from the nasal cavity. They include steps and apparatus for discarding initially exhaled breath, flowing breath through an analysis chamber using a vacuum pump and flowing breath through an analysis chamber using a vacuum pump at an initial flow rate and later at a flow rate higher than the initial flow rate.

A method for treating nasal cavity irritation, such as symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The method includes inserting a plug of a frozen liquid into a nasal cavity of a patient experiencing nasal irritation. The method also includes holding the plug against a lining of the nasal cavity to reduce the irritation.

A nasal cannula for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient and a method of treating a patient with sleep disorder. The nasal cannula comprises a pair of spaced apart supply lines which each have a head at one end thereof with a discharge opening located therein. The opposite end of each supply line is connectable to a high flow respiratory gas source. Each head is sized to be snugly received and retained within one of the nasal cavities of the patient while forming a sufficient leakage passage, between a portion of inwardly facing nasal cavity skin of a patient and a portion of an exterior surface of the head, to facilitate exhausting of any excess respiratory gas supplied to the patient through the leakage passage and also facilitate inhalation of any room air required in excess of the respiratory gas to be supplied to the patient.

A method for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a human subject is provided. A first vibration stimulation member is introduced into a posterior part of a first nasal cavity of the human subject. By means of the first vibration stimulation member, vibrations are imparted to the posterior part of the first nasal cavity at frequency in a range of from 60 to 70 Hz. A second vibration simulation member is arranged between the trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscle on a first side of the neck of the human subject; and by means of said second vibration stimulation member, vibrations are imparted to the first side of the neck at a frequency in a range of from 30 to 50 Hz.

A medical intubation device for delivering tube feeds into the duodenum or other intestinal area while aspirating the stomach of a patient is inserted through the patient's oral-nasal cavity. A first lumen of a tubular assembly allows delivery of fluids through outlets into the intestines. A second lumen of the tubular assembly interior to the first lumen provides aspiration through outlets into the stomach. A third lumen of the tubular assembly interior to the second lumen provides ventilation of the second lumen. A weighted member can be coupled at the insertion end of the tubular assembly. A radio-opaque allows positioning of the outlets into the stomach.

Particular aspects provide novel atomizers for generating particles over a broad range of MMAD size distributions, the eliminating the requirement for an impaction baffle in generating the desired particle sizes. In particular aspects, the atomization means communicates with a remote particle filter member configured and positioned to provide for particle size filtering. In additional aspects, the atomization means communicates with a particle dispersion chamber suitable to impart a desired particle flow pattern to particles within and exiting the dispersion chamber. In further aspects, the atomization means communicates with a nasal, ocular, oral or ‘vicinity’ adapter. The novel devices provide for targeted (e.g., nasal, ocular, oral, local vicinity), systemic, and / or topical delivery of an atomized liquid (e.g., via the nasal cavity, olfactory region, and mouth). Further exemplary aspects relate to aerosolization and delivery of perfume, fragrance, essential oil or cosmeceutical agents and the like.

Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for preconditioning and / or providing neuroprotection to the animal central nervous system against the effects of ischemia, trauma, metal poisoning and neurodegeneration, including the associated cognitive, behavioral and physical impairments. In one embodiment, the method is accomplished by stimulating and stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). HIF-1α is known to provide a neuroprotective benefit under ischemic conditions. Patients at risk for certain diseases or disorders that are associated with risk for cerebral ischemia may benefit, e.g., those at risk for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Wilson's disease or stroke or those patients having head or spinal cord injury. Patients undergoing certain medical procedures that may result in ischemia may also benefit. Initially, the possibility of ischemia or neurodegeneration is recognized. Intranasal therapeutic agents are administered to the upper third of the nasal cavity to bypass the blood-brain barrier and access the central nervous system directly to avoid unwanted and potentially lethal side effects. Therapeutic agents include those substances that interact with iron and / or copper such as iron chelators, copper chelators, and antioxidants. A particular example of such therapeutic agents is the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO). Intranasal administration of DFO is known to stimulate and / or stabilize HIF-1α and provides an efficient and safe method for pre-conditioning the brain to protect against cerebral ischemia. Moreover, DFO is shown to decrease weight loss in subjects when administered pre and / or post stroke.

A device that delivers a powdery medicine for a nasal cavity includes positioning guides that cause a capsule to slide as far as a predetermined position and are provided on the side of cutters to make holes on both ends of the capsule provided between the connection port on the side of a nozzle that sprays the powdery medicine into the nasal cavity. The device further includes a connection port on the side of a pump that supplies spray air to the nozzle in order to make the size of the holes made on both ends of the capsule constant, wherein a distance between the connection ports is made shorter than a distance between blade tips of the cutters (length of the capsule after cutting off the both ends by the cutters), to prevent scattering of the powdery medicine in the capsule from both ends of the capsule provided between the connection ports, so that both ends of the capsule loaded between the connection ports are pressed by peripheral edges of the connection ports.

A device for cleaning nasal membranes comprising a head that is inserted into a nostril. Fluid is pumped from a reservoir stored in a body of the device onto the membrane. The head rotates to remove debris from the membrane. A vacuum pump suctions the sprayed fluid and the debris into inlets and stores the used fluid in a chamber in the body.

The present invention relates to powdery inhalant compositions, each of which contains a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a carrier and water and has a water activity at 25° C. of from 0.35 to 0.75. Each powdery inhalant composition according to the present invention is high in the delivery rate of its steroidal anti-inflammatory drug to an inhalation target site from the nasal cavities or oral cavity, that is, to the alveoli, the bronchioles, the bronchial tubes or the airway, and allows the steroidal anti-inflammatory to exhibit its superb therapeutic effects.

A system and method of training the proper placement of an endotracheal tube in a training manikin's trachea using a live video camera located inside the manikin for simultaneous remote display of the manikin's trachea and surrounding area and the relative positioning of the laryngoscope blade and endotracheal tube. The system includes a training manikin, a micro video camera mounted adjacent the nasal cavity of the manikin, with the camera directed at the trachea, a monitor displaying the images being captured by the video camera, and electrical connection connecting the video camera to said monitor.