External Nasal Dilator Panel Structure for Stable, Low-Irritation Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal dilators often cause discomfort due to direct contact or adhesion to the nose, leading to irritation and instability.
Innovation Solution
A nasal dilator design featuring adhesive pads with hingedly attached flaps and a resiliently flexible panel that extends between the flaps, applying opposing forces to the nostrils without direct contact, ensuring breathability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If nasal dilators use adhesive to attach directly to the nose, then stability is improved, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: adhesive pads that attach to the skin and a resilient panel that applies dilation force. The adhesive pads are positioned at the ends of the device and are separated from the panel by flaps, allowing the adhesive to provide stability while the panel provides irritation-free dilation.
Solution Approach 2:
Flaps act as intermediaries between the adhesive pads and the resilient panel. These flaps connect the adhesive pads to the panel without requiring direct contact between the adhesive and the panel, allowing the adhesive to secure the device while the panel remains separate to avoid skin irritation.
2Force
If nasal dilators contact the nose directly, then dilation force is applied, but discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dilation function is segmented from the contact function. The resilient panel provides the dilation force while the adhesive pads provide the contact and attachment function. This separation allows the panel to apply force without causing discomfort associated with direct adhesive contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient panel is made of flexible material that can be bent into an arcuate shape to extend over the nasal bridge. This flexible panel applies gentle dilation force to the nostrils without rigid contact, reducing discomfort while maintaining effective dilation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive pads are used to attach the device, then stability is improved, but breathability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive pads are segmented as separate components positioned at the ends of the device rather than covering the entire surface. This allows adhesive attachment for stability while leaving the central nasal area open for breathability.
Solution Approach 2:
Adhesive is applied locally only at the end pads where attachment is needed, rather than across the entire device surface. This localized adhesive application provides sufficient stability while maintaining breathability in the central nasal passage area.
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
Enhances nasal airflow while reducing skin irritation and improving stability by distributing forces and maintaining a comfortable, non-contact design.
Implementation Method 1
The panel is resiliently flexible so that the panel extends arcuately over a bridge of the nose. The panel is configured to exert opposing forces to nostrils of the user to expand the nostrils
Implementation Method 2
each of which has adhesive positioned on its lower face. The adhesive is configured to removably attach the pads to opposed sides of a nose of a user
Data Source
AI summary
An external nasal dilation device for enhancing nasal airflow includes a pair of pads, each of which has adhesive positioned on its lower face. The adhesive is used to removably attach the pads to opposed sides of a nose of a user. Each flap of a pair of flaps is hingedly attached to an upper face of a respective pad so that the flap is hingable relative to the respective pad. A panel is attached to each panel by an adhesive such that the panel extends between the flaps. The panel is resiliently flexible so that the panel extends arcuately over a bridge of the nose. The panel exerts opposing forces to nostrils of the user to expand the nostrils.