Nasal Cleaning Tool With Helical Scouring Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nasal cleaning tools risk damaging the nasal cavity lining when removing dried mucus, leading to potential infection, and lack a mechanism for effective fluid delivery for rehydration and cleansing.

Innovation Solution

A nasal cleaning tool with a deformable reservoir for fluid storage and a scouring portion with concentric rings for gentle mucus removal, allowing selective fluid delivery through a neck with a friction fit, enabling the tool to be used to scrape away mucus while delivering a fluid like a saline solution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a finger or rigid tool is used to scrape dried mucus, then the mucus can be removed, but the nasal cavity lining can be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemucus removal effectivenessVSAvoidnasal cavity lining damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible reservoir that can be compressed by the user to deliver fluid. This flexible structure allows gentle adaptation to the nasal cavity contours while delivering moisture to soften dried mucus, enabling safe removal without rigid scraping that causes damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of dried mucus by delivering fluid to rehydrate and soften it. This parameter change (from dry to hydrated state) transforms the mucus into a removable consistency that can be gently wiped away without requiring forceful scraping that would damage the nasal lining.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fluid is delivered to rehydrate dried mucus, then the mucus becomes softer and safer to remove, but the tool structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenasal cavity lining damageVSAvoidtool structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated tool: the reservoir holds fluid, the neck channels it, and the scouring portion applies it. This merging of fluid delivery and mucus removal functions into one device achieves the desired effect without requiring separate tools or complex multi-component systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is designed to perform multiple functions: storing fluid, delivering fluid to rehydrate mucus, and providing a surface for gentle removal. This multi-functional design achieves both safety and effectiveness without proportionally increasing complexity, as all functions are integrated into a single cohesive device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the reservoir is made deformable for fluid ejection, then fluid delivery is enabled, but the structural stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid delivery capabilityVSAvoidreservoir structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to change shape when compressed by the user's finger. This dynamic characteristic enables fluid ejection through the neck while the material's elasticity provides structural stability, preventing collapse or permanent deformation during repeated use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11317933B1Nasal cleaning tool

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 WHITE NATHEDRA G

AI summary

A nasal cleaning tool incorporates a reservoir in fluid communication with a nozzle. Secured to about a distal end of the nozzle is a helical-shaped cleaning head. The reservoir in one (1) embodiment is fashioned as a deformable bulb.