Equine Nostril Prosthetic with Filtering for Asthma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Equine asthma, caused by inflammatory or allergic reactions to environmental airborne particulates, poses challenges in managing symptoms due to the difficulty in eliminating allergens from the equine environment, and existing medical treatments have limitations such as side effects and temporary relief.
Innovation Solution
The development of an equine respiratory prosthetic device comprising nostril prostheses with a passageway and a protruding portion for secure fit, coupled with a supplemental filtering device to prevent airborne agents from entering the respiratory system, and optionally including a harness arrangement for stability and a flow meter for respiratory performance assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical treatments are administered to equines with asthma, then symptom relief is achieved, but the benefits are temporary and side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes airborne allergens and particulates from the equine's respiratory pathway using a filtering device worn on the nostrils, thereby preventing allergen exposure rather than treating symptoms after they occur. This addresses the temporary nature of medical treatments by providing continuous prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering device acts as an intermediary barrier between the equine's respiratory system and the environment, physically blocking airborne allergens, dust, and particulates from entering the nostrils. This mediator approach prevents the root cause of asthma symptoms rather than providing temporary symptomatic relief.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If equines are kept in controlled environments with dust-free diet, then allergen exposure is minimized, but this is difficult to maintain and does not eliminate all risks
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering device applies local protection specifically at the nostrils, where allergen exposure occurs, rather than requiring control of the entire environment. This localized approach makes it practical to protect against allergens without needing to control the whole stable or pasture environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The equine can wear the filtering device while moving freely in its environment, allowing the animal to protect itself against allergens without requiring human intervention to control the entire environment. The device enables the equine to maintain normal activities while self-protecting from harmful particulates.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hay and straw are soaked in water prior to feeding, then dust exposure is reduced, but this is often not practical and insufficient for highly sensitive equines
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering device extracts and removes airborne allergens and dust particles directly at the point of entry (nostrils), eliminating the need for preprocessing feed or environment. This provides a more effective and practical solution than soaking hay, which only addresses dust in feed but not environmental particulates.
4Adaptability or versatility
If equines are kept near dry dusty roads or paddocks, then outdoor access is maintained, but airway hyper-reactivity is triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering device serves as an intermediary protective barrier that allows equines to access outdoor environments while blocking harmful airborne particulates. This enables outdoor activity without triggering airway hyper-reactivity, resolving the contradiction between maintaining outdoor access and preventing airway irritation.
Data Source
AI summary
An equine respiratory prosthetic device comprising a nostril prosthesis, including a prosthesis body having a passageway therethrough and an adjacent protrusion for engagement with the nostril cavity and extending into the false nostril of an equine to secure the nostril prosthesis to the nostril.