Personalized Nasal Dilator Geometry for Comfort and Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal dilators do not accommodate the unique shape of individual users' nostrils, leading to suboptimal performance in both comfort and nasal patency due to mismatched dilation forces.
Innovation Solution
A personalized nasal dilator is designed using data from scans or images of the user's face and nasal structure, employing additive manufacturing to create a customized fit that conforms to the user's anatomical shape and distribution of dilation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mass-produced nasal dilator with uniform geometry is used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the device cannot accommodate individual user anatomy resulting in discomfort and suboptimal nasal patency
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal dilator employs non-uniform geometry with varying wall thickness, ring diameters, and structural features at different locations along the device length. The upper ring has different dimensions than the lower ring, and the wall thickness varies radially and axially to match local anatomical requirements of different nasal regions, thereby providing customized support and comfort at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The device deliberately departs from symmetric, uniform cylindrical geometry to create an asymmetric structure that conforms to the specific anatomical contours of individual nostrils. The non-uniform ring diameters, irregular wall thickness distribution, and asymmetric rib patterns are designed to match the user's unique nasal anatomy, improving fit and comfort while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through 3D printing.
2Reliability
If the nasal dilator exerts strong dilation force to improve nasal patency, then airflow is enhanced, but comfort is reduced due to excessive force in certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies different degrees of dilation force at different locations along its length. The upper ring provides stronger support to the internal nasal valve area while the lower ring provides appropriate support to the external nasal valve. Variable wall thickness and rib placement are designed to deliver adequate force where needed for patency while avoiding excessive force in sensitive areas, thus balancing comfort and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of the dilator are customized by varying material composition and structural parameters (wall thickness, cross-sectional area, rib density) along the device length. This creates position-dependent elastic modulus that matches the mechanical requirements of different nasal valve levels, providing sufficient dilation force for patency while preventing discomfort from overly aggressive force application.
3Manufacturing precision
If a personalized nasal dilator with customized geometry is manufactured using additive manufacturing, then anatomical fit and force distribution are optimized, but manufacturing complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional subtractive or form-molding manufacturing processes are replaced with additive manufacturing (3D printing) that directly fabricates the complex non-uniform geometry from digital models. This substitution enables precise reproduction of customized anatomical features, variable wall thickness, and complex rib patterns that would be difficult or expensive to achieve with conventional methods, while allowing for iterative design improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process incorporates preliminary digital modeling and simulation phases where the device geometry is optimized before physical production. Virtual prototyping allows verification of anatomical fit and mechanical performance, enabling design iterations and optimizations to be performed digitally at low cost before final manufacturing, thereby reducing the overall complexity and cost of producing the customized device.
4Ease of operation
If the nasal dilator is designed to be accommodating of nostril shape, then comfort is improved, but the dilation force becomes insufficient to maintain nasal patency
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines accommodating geometry with targeted support structures. The overall shape conforms to the nostril anatomy for comfort, while specific localized features such as strategically placed ribs, varied wall thickness zones, and differently dimensioned rings provide concentrated support at critical nasal valve locations. This dual approach ensures both comfort through anatomical conformity and effective patency through localized structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal dilator utilizes composite material construction combining elastic base material with reinforcing structural elements. The elastic material provides comfort through accommodating deformation, while embedded ribs, varying wall thickness, and lattice structures add mechanical support for patency. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of comfort and effective dilation force without compromising either function.
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 personalized nasal dilator provides optimal combination of patency and comfort by evenly distributing dilation force, addressing discomfort and improving airflow.
Implementation Method 1
These devices are typically fabricated of an elastic material, such as a medical grade polymer like a silicone rubber or elastomer, creating a restorative elastic spring force when distorted, such that when inserted into the nostril, they are somewhat accommodating of the nostril shape and exert a radial force to open, and resist collapse of, the nasal valves.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a personalized nasal dilator and the resulting personalized nasal dilator is provided having one or more inserts that include one or more varied configurations that fit nasal passage anatomical configurations specific to an individual user. The method involves acquiring data on the individual user's face and/or nasal structure, analyzing data for the individual user to evaluate the individual user's anatomical and structural needs, and manufacturing a nasal dilator that is personalized for the individual user wherein the nasal dilator is configured, shaped, and dimensioned for the individual user based on the evaluated anatomical and structural needs of the individual user. The resulting nasal dilator has the one or more nasal inserts are shaped, sized, and configured based anatomical information of nasal passage surface features derived through an analysis of anatomical information from individual user.