Nasal Dilator with Adjustable Support Arms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current nasal dilators face issues with low expansion strength, limited adaptability to different nasal shapes, and discomfort due to structural limitations.

Innovation Solution

A nasal dilator design featuring two elastic intranasal stents with a C-shape structure and adjustable supporting arms, connected by a band, which can be bent to fit various nasal shapes and provide resilient support for improved ventilation and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a columnar shape (or annular shape) intranasal stent is used, then expansion ability is improved, but air resistance increases and adaptability to different nasal shapes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpansion abilityVSAvoidadaptability to different nasal shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The intranasal stent is divided into multiple independent support arms (first support arm, second support arm, third support arm, fourth support arm) that can be adjusted independently. Each support arm can be positioned at different angles and heights, allowing the stent to adapt to various nasal shapes while maintaining expansion capability through the resilient structure of each arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms are designed with adjustable mechanisms that allow dynamic repositioning. The angles and heights of the support arms can be modified to match different nasal geometries, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to individual patient anatomy while preserving expansion strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a band-shaped intranasal stent is used, then adaptability to different nasal shapes and comfortability are improved, but expansion strength at the two ends becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different nasal shapesVSAvoidexpansion strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are designed with asymmetric configurations where each arm can be independently adjusted to different angles and heights. This asymmetry allows the stent to provide targeted expansion strength at specific locations (particularly at the ends where nasal obstruction is most severe) while maintaining overall adaptability to the nasal shape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The support arms are pre-configured with resilient structures that provide inherent expansion force. Before insertion, the stent is assembled with support arms positioned to provide maximum expansion strength at the critical end regions, ensuring that expansion capability is built into the structure in advance while maintaining adaptability through adjustable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the intranasal stent is made with fixed structure, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different nasal sizes and shapes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different nasal sizes and shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is manufactured as segmented components (multiple support arms) that can be independently produced using standardized processes. Each support arm is a separate element that can be manufactured with consistent quality control, while the modular nature allows for easy assembly and adjustment to fit different nasal configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for parameter adjustments in the support arm configurations (angles, heights, positions) after manufacturing. The basic structure is manufactured with standardized parameters, but the adjustable mechanisms enable variation of geometric parameters to match different nasal sizes and shapes without requiring completely different manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design offers enhanced adaptability, improved ventilation, and comfort by adjusting to different nasal sizes and shapes, reducing air resistance while maintaining effective expansion and resilience.

Implementation Method 1

Each intranasal stent has an elastic band-shape structure... With a resilient force of each intranasal stent, a nasal septum is supported by the nasal septum supporting section and a nasal alar is dilated outwardly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic resilience: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10219934B2Nasal cavity dilator

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 WANG LEI

AI summary

The present invention provides a nasal dilator including: two intranasal stents (1) and a connecting band (2), wherein each of two ends of the connecting band (2) being symmetrically connected to one intranasal stent (1), each intranasal stent (1) having an elastic band-shape structure, each intranasal stent (1) has a straight-line shape, an arc-line shape, a bow shape, or a fold-line shape in a cross section perpendicular to a width direction of the elastic banded structure, each intranasal stent (1), along a length direction of the elastic band-shape structure, comprises: a nasal septum supporting section (3), a bending section (4), and a nasal alar dilating section (5), each intranasal stent (1) has a generally C-shape in a cross-section perpendicular to a central axis of nasal passages, wherein an opening of the C-shape faces towards a nasal base (11).