Nasal Irrigation and Nebulization Kit for Upper Airway Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for inflammatory, allergic, and infectious diseases of the upper airways, particularly in children and the elderly, are inadequate in effectively targeting the rhino-sinus-pharyngeal area, leading to blockage, inflammation, and infection, with a high risk of lower respiratory tract involvement.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising isotonic and hypertonic salt-bromine-iodine thermal water solutions used with specific medical devices for nasal irrigation and nebulization, respectively, to treat the rhino-sinus-pharyngeal area, producing particles sized 70-10 microns to minimize lung penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single medical device is used for both irrigation and nebulization, then device complexity is reduced, but the precision of particle size control and treatment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment system into two separate medical devices: one dedicated to nasal irrigation and another dedicated to nebulization. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function, with the nebulizer specifically designed to produce particles within the 70-10 micron range, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and treatment precision.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If larger particles are used in nebulization, then the risk of reaching lower respiratory tract increases, but the medication coverage of upper airways decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the particle size parameter within the 70-10 micron range, with MMD preferably equal to 68.9 microns ± 6.7 microns. This parameter optimization ensures particles are small enough to avoid reaching the lower respiratory tract while large enough to deposit effectively in the upper airways, resolving the contradiction between safety and coverage.
3Ease of operation
If isotonic solution is used for irrigation, then patient comfort is improved, but the disinfection and anti-inflammatory effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different solutions with complementary properties: isotonic solution for comfortable irrigation that hydrates and cleanses, followed by hypertonic salt-bromine-iodine water for potent disinfection and anti-inflammatory effects. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction between patient comfort and treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining isotonic saline with hypertonic salt-bromine-iodine water, creating a two-stage treatment protocol where each solution contributes different therapeutic properties, achieving both comfort and effectiveness.
4Reliability
If hypertonic solution is used for irrigation, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and tolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary irrigation with isotonic solution to comfort the nasal mucosa and remove loose secretions before administering the more potent hypertonic salt-bromine-iodine water. This preliminary action prepares the patient's nasal passages to better tolerate the subsequent disinfection treatment.
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 kit effectively reduces symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, and difficulty breathing by hydrating, disinfecting, and anti-inflammation, while preventing lower respiratory tract involvement.
Implementation Method 1
irrigating the nose with an isotonic solution
Implementation Method 2
a nebulizer nozzle capable of producing particles of a size between 70 and 10 microns
Implementation Method 3
hypertonic salt-bromine-iodine thermal water for both the irrigation and medication of the rhino-sinus-pharyngeal area
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Irrigating the nose with an isotonic solution based on salt-bromine-iodine thermal water, and, subsequently, medicating it with a hypertonic solution still based on salt-bromine-iodine thermal water, the unblocking, anti-inflammation and disinfection of the nasal area are obtained, on the health of which the "well-being" of the entire respiratory system depends. Two different devices are used which allow performing the two different operating steps, that of nasal irrigation, and that of nebulization. Both comprise a syringe connected to a nasal nozzle. First a dispensing nozzle with several outlet holes is used which allows the solution to reach the walls of both nasal cavities, then a single-hole nebulizer nozzle is used, to produce micelles of a size between 70 and 10 microns, which affect only the three physio-pathological sites, preventing the aerosol from reaching the lower respiratory tract.