FILTRATION DEVICE
This invention relates to a filtration device and, more particularly, to a filtration device for filtering air passing through the nose of a person-
Filtration devices are well known for filtering air passing through the nose of a person. One known device is made from a fibrous material arranged to act as a filtration membrane and is shaped so as to cover completely the nose of a person. The device may be maintained in position using a length of elastic thread which is secured to the device and is arranged to pass around the rear of the head of the person using the device.
The known filtration device may be used by a worker in a dusty environment, so as to restrict the passage of dust through the worker's nose into his lungs. However, since the device is relatively large and covers a relatively large area of a person's face, it is too unaesthetic to be used in many other situations.
Many people are highly susceptible to the presence in the atmosphere of dust mites, pollen and other airborne particles. For example, such particles may act as antigens when they are inhaled, leading to an allergic reaction, the symptoms of which may include a person sneezing and/or having a headache. Many medical treatments have been proposed for combatting the allergic reaction. For example, anti-histamine or anti- inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to reduce the effect of the antigens; or palliatory drugs may be prescribed to treat the symptoms.
It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with the inhalation of airborne particles. According to the invention, there is provided a filter device for a nasal passage, the device including a filtration means arranged to be positioned within a nasal passage.
Said filtration means is preferably deformable so that it may be inserted into and positioned within the nasal passage.
Said filtration means is preferably flexible. Said filtration means is preferably resilient. The device is preferably arranged such that the filtration means may be under compression when positioned within a nasal passage.
Said filtration means is preferably arranged to abut the wall which defines the nasal passage. Where the filtration means is resilient, it is also preferably arranged to be resiliently urged against the wall of the passage.
Said filtration means preferably comprises a peripheral filtration member support means. Said support means is preferably deformable. Said support means is preferably flexible. Said support means is preferably resilient. Said support means is preferably arranged to abut the wall which defines the nasal passage.
Said support means preferably surrounds a filtration member. Said support means preferably defines an enclosure within which said filtration member is arranged.
Said filtration member preferably includes a multiplicity of openings which are arranged to allow the passage of air but to restrict the passage of particulate matter, for example, pollen grains, dust mites and other airborne particles. Said filtration member may comprise a mesh structure or a fibrous structure.
Said device preferably includes two of said filtration means, one being provided for each respective nasal passageway. Said two filtration means are preferably attached to one another. An attachment means for attaching the filtration means to one another may comprise a narrow band which is arranged to extend to a position outside the nasal passages when the filtration means of the device are positioned within respective nasal passages.
Said attachment means is preferably flesh coloured. Said attachment means is preferably flexible.
Said device, more preferably one or each filtration means thereof, is preferably arranged to be impregnated by a vapour-producing substance. Suitable vapour-producing substances include essential oils, for example menthol, and other analgesics.
The invention extends to the use of a filter device as described above for restricting the passage of particulate matter along a nasal passage.
The invention further extends to the use of a filter device as described above for maintaining a vapour- producing substance in a nasal passageway.
The invention further extends to a method of restricting the passage of particulate matter along a nasal passage, the method including positioning a filtration means of a filter device within the nasal passage. The invention further extends to a pack comprising a plurality of filter devices as described herein.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a filtration device;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the filtration device;
Figure 3 shows the device being inserted into a user's nose;
Figure 4 is a front view of the user's face with the device inserted;
Figure 5 is a side view of the user's face with the device inserted;
Figure 6 is a side view of another filtration device; and
Figure 7 is a front view of the device of Figure 6 in the direction of arrow VII.
In the figures, the same or similar parts are annotated with the same reference numerals.
The device 2 includes filter elements 4 which are spaced apart by a grip member 6. Each filter element 4 includes an annular peripheral frame 8 which is made out of a latex material and is resilient and readily deformable. A respective filtration member 10 is supported within each frame 8. The filtration members 10 may be made from a perforated latex material. Alternatively, the filtration members may be made from tissue, cloth or a man-made or synthetic fibrous material. In one embodiment, the filtration members may comprise a multiplicity of fine hair-like filaments which may extend generally radially within the respective frames 8.
The filtration members 10 are suitably arranged to allow the passage of air but to restrict the passage of macroscopic particles, for example pollen grains or other microspores, or dust mites.
The grip member 6 is generally "U"-shaped in plan view (see Figure 2) . It may be made from a latex or plastics material and is resilient.
Preferably, the device 2 is flesh coloured.
Where the frames 8, the filtration members 10 and the grip member 6 of the device are each made from a latex material, the device 2 may be manufactured in one piece.
The device 2 may be fixed relative to the nose of a user, as follows.
Referring to Figure 3, one filter element 4 of the device 2 is pinched between the thumb and the fore-finger of the user so as to compress the frame 8 of the element. The element 4 is then inserted through the nostril and into the nasal passage of the user's nose. When the user releases his/her grip on the filter element 4, the frame 8 thereof is urged outwardly so that it generally abuts walls of the nasal passage. The other filter element 4 is then inserted into the other nasal passage in the same manner.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the device is in position, the filter elements 4 are between 0.5 to 1.0 cm from the nostril ends of the nasal passages and the grip member 6 extends between the two elements.
It should be noted that, with the device in position, the only visible part of the device is the grip portion 6. Since this is flesh coloured, it is relatively inconspicuous.
An alternative filtration device 20 is shown in figures 6 and 7. The device 20 is similar to device 2 described above. It may be formed from latex or plastics material in one piece and comprises filter elements 22 spaced apart by a grip member 24. The filter elements are partially spherical or dome-shaped and, therefore, include a convex outer surface 26. The shape of the elements may aid insertion and/or retention of the filter elements 22 in the nasal passages of a person. Each filter element 22 includes a filtration member as described above.
It should now be appreciated that use of the device 2 or 20 may significantly restrict the passage of airborne particles along the nasal passages and may, therefore, prevent allergic reactions to such particles. The device may be of particular benefit to hay fever sufferers.
In an alternative embodiment, a device 2 or 20 may be arranged to be impregnated with, for example, menthol. When impregnated, the device may provide a convenient means of delivering menthol vapour for inhalation by the user. The device may, alternatively, be impregnated with any desired odour-producing substance.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.