Variable Spring Rate Nasal Dilator with Cushion Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal dilators either obstruct the nasal mucus membranes or cause discomfort due to uneven force distribution and direct skin contact, failing to provide optimal relief for nasal passage constriction issues without surgical alternatives.
Innovation Solution
A nasal dilator with a resilient member having a variable spring rate decreasing from the nose bridge to the nasal passage edges, combined with a soft fabric cushion layer at the same level as the resilient member to prevent skin contact and enhance comfort, and a convex protrusion for proper orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a resilient band is used to dilate nasal passages, then nasal passage opening is improved, but discomfort and skin pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient band is designed with variable thickness along its length, creating different spring rates in different regions. The band is thicker at the center (higher spring rate) and thinner at the ends (lower spring rate), allowing the center to provide strong dilation force while the ends apply gentler pressure to the skin.
Solution Approach 2:
A fabric cushion layer is positioned between the resilient band and the user's skin at the ends of the band. This cushioning layer is applied beforehand to prevent direct skin contact with the resilient band edges, reducing discomfort and skin irritation while maintaining the dilator's effectiveness.
2Ease of manufacture
If constant thickness resilient band is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but force distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient band transitions from constant thickness to variable thickness design. The band is thicker at the center portion and thinner at the end portions, creating different spring rates in different regions. This allows the center to provide strong dilation force while the ends apply gentler pressure, optimizing force distribution across the nasal structure.
3Device complexity
If resilient band edges contact skin directly, then adhesive attachment is simplified, but skin irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A fabric cushion layer serves as an intermediary between the resilient band edges and the user's skin. This cushioning layer is positioned at the ends of the resilient band where it contacts the skin, acting as a mediator that reduces direct pressure and prevents skin irritation while maintaining secure adhesive attachment.
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 solution provides improved nasal passage dilation with reduced discomfort and increased user comfort by redistributing lifting forces and preventing skin irritation, while maintaining effective air flow and mucus membrane conditioning.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member which has a variable spring rate that decreases from the point where the resilient band crosses the bridge of the nose to the point where the resilient band terminates at the lateral wall of the nasal passage
Implementation Method 2
The soft fabric cushion is in contact with edges of the resilient member and prevents the edges of the resilient member from pressing into the skin on the user's nose while using the nasal dilator
Data Source
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AI summary
A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating stresses in nasal outer wall tissues has a resilient member and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which can be forced toward one another from an initial flat position of the dilator to thereby substantially reduce the direct spacing there between by an external spacing reducing force. This results in restoring forces in the dilator tending to return it to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. Resilient members, which can be asymmetrical with respect to a centerline of the dilator that is parallel to the long axis of the dilator, have a spring rate which continuously diminishes from the centerline to the end surfaces. The edges of the resilient members are contiguous to the edge of the cushion layer so that adhesive on the cushion layer is at the same level as the bottom surface of the resilient members.