DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novel and user compliant nasal irrigation device for delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure for rinsing the nasal passage and alleviating the allergies and infections associated with nasal passage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rinsing of the nasal passages with a nasal irrigation solution is a well tried method for alleviating allergies and infections (rhinitis) and has been recommended by physicians for many years. An effective nasal irrigation / rinse can help in curing or reducing the symptoms of allergies and infections associated with the nasal passage. Saline nasal irrigations are well known in the art.

Further, apart from nasal irrigation solution, there are drug solution which also useful in the symptomatic treatment for alleviating nasal allergies and infections.

Important part of the treatment revolves around effective, user compliant and convenient methods and devices / apparatus used for delivery of drug solution or nasal irrigation solution.

In prior art, various methods have been used, in which one of the common method is delivery through Neti-pot device in which continuous flow of liquid with no pressure generated for liquid output. Neti-pot depends on the gravity along with head positioning in order to rinse the nasal cavities. However, the mechanism of Neti-pot itself limits the effectiveness and is inconvenient for the user.

In order to improve upon the previous methods, a bottle having a nozzle for delivering solution under pressure was developed. By delivering the solution under pressure, the rinsing process is more effective and can be performed in a shorter period of time.

Although an improvement over the previous methods, the bottle has several disadvantages. Because the bottle is held under the nostril and nasal irrigation solution is sprayed upward into the nasal passages, used solution drips onto the user's hands, which is messy and unhygienic.

Also, while releasing the pressure on the bottle, there are high chances of re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities into the bottle, which results in contamination of the sterile nasal irrigation solution or drug solution. This can be very dangerous particularly if the bottle is used for long periods of time without sterilization.

To improve the performance of the bottle, the bottle is provided with an air-inlet vent near to the nozzle, which helps in reducing the re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities into the bottle. However, providing an air-inlet vent near to the nozzle does not provide a full-proof solution to the existing problem.

In addition, the air-inlet vent remains open all the time, and hence the pressure applied is divided between the nozzle & air-inlet vent, which reduces the effectiveness of the device for delivery of drug solution or nasal irrigation solution.

There is a long-felt need to provide a novel nasal irrigation device that obviates or mitigates at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art and provides an easy, user friendly and convenient method for delivery of drug solution or nasal irrigation solution.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide a novel nasal irrigation device for continuous & constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure for alleviating allergies and infections of nasal passage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel nasal irrigation device which comprises a container with a cap, wherein the cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent and a one directional valve associated with a rim to control the air-inlet vent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel nasal irrigation device which comprises a container with a cap, wherein the cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent and a one directional valve associated with a rim to control the air-inlet vent; and the nozzle is optionally connected to a conduit or tube which axially extends to the bottom of the container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel nasal irrigation device which comprises a container with a cap, wherein the cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent and a one direction valve associated with a rim to control the air-inlet vent; which avoids the re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities into the nasal irrigation device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel nasal irrigation device which comprises a container with a cap, wherein the cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent and a one directional valve associated with a rim to control the air-inlet vent; for continuous & constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure for alleviating allergies and infections of nasal passage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel nasal irrigation device for continuous & constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure for alleviating allergies and infections of nasal passage.

Particularly, the present invention provides a novel nasal irrigation device which comprises a container with a cap, wherein the cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent and a one directional valve associated with a rim to control the air-inlet vent.

The present invention provides a novel nasal irrigation device which is suitable for continuous & constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure, and which avoids the re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities into the nasal irrigation device.

Further, the present invention provides a novel nasal irrigation device which comprises a container with a cap, wherein the cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent and a one directional valve associated with a rim to control the air-inlet vent; and the nozzle is optionally connected to a conduit or tube which axially extends to the bottom of the container.

Further, the present invention provides a novel nasal irrigation device which comprises a container with a cap, wherein the cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent and a one directional valve associated with a rim to control the air-inlet vent; for continuous & constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure for alleviating allergies and infections of nasal passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention itself, however, as well as mode of use and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a nasal irrigation device (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top sectional view of the nasal irrigation device (10) of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view showing a one directional valve associated with a rim (6) of nasal irrigation device (10);

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a nasal irrigation device (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of a nasal irrigation device (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a front view of a nasal irrigation device (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a side view of a nasal irrigation device (10) showing tube (8) which axially extends to the bottom of the container (2) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
According to the Figure 1 to Figure 7 following are the labeled parts with a leader lines; 1- cap, 2 - container, 3 - nozzle, 4 - air in-let vent, 5 - planner surface of the cap, 6 - one directional valve associated with a rim, 7 - press portion, 8 – tube, 9 - screw type packing system and 10 - nasal irrigation device.

According to the present invention, the nasal irrigation device (10) comprises mainly two components, which are formed as a container (2) with a cap (1), wherein the cap (1) comprises a nozzle (3), an air-inlet vent (4) and a one directional valve associated with a rim (6) to control the air-inlet vent (4).

Further, according to the present invention, the nozzle (3) of the cap (1) is optionally connected to a conduit or tube (8) which axially extends to the bottom of the container (2).

The cap (1) and the container (2) of the nasal irrigation device (10) of the present invention are linked with each other through a snap-fit or screw-fit type arrangement (9) or are available as a single unit.

The cap (1) of the nasal irrigation device (10) comprises of a nozzle (3) and an air in-let vent (4) on the planar surface of the cap (5). A one directional valve associated with a rim (6) is placed in the inside surface of the cap (1), wherein one directional valve associated with a rim (6) and the air in-let vent (4) of the cap (1) gets aligned with each other.

The said alignment of the one directional valve associated with a rim (6) and the air in-let vent (4) of the cap (1) can control the pressure applied to the nasal irrigation device (10), which provides a continuous and constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure. Further, the said alignment avoids the re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities through the nozzle (3) into the nasal irrigation device (10).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise indicated, terms in this specification are intended to have their ordinary meaning in the relevant art.

The present invention provides a novel nasal irrigation device (10) for continuous & constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure for alleviating allergies and infections of nasal passage.

The term “liquid solution” refers to “drug solution” or “nasal irrigation solution” which is to be dispensed through the said nasal irrigation device (10) of the present invention and these terms can be interchangeably used wherein not specified.

“One directional valve” is a simple arrangement of a valve which is associated with a rim (6). The said rim is placed in the inside surface of the cap (1), wherein the one directional valve associated with a rim (6) and the air in-let vent (4) of the cap (1) gets aligned with each other. The said alignment of the one directional valve associated with a rim (6) and the air in-let vent (4) of the cap (1) can control the pressure applied to the nasal irrigation device (10), which provides a continuous and constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure.

According to the present invention, the nasal irrigation device (10) may be used with any type of drug solution suitable for nasal delivery or nasal irrigation solution which are known in the art. One such nasal irrigation solution comprises of sodium
chloride, sodium bicarbonate, boric acid, aloe vera, methylparaben and propylparaben.

The nasal irrigation solution, in general, can be prepared as follows: The solid components are diluted into a volume of water and poured into the container (2) of the nasal irrigation device (10). The water should be clean but does not necessarily need to be sterile. The solid components, when diluted, generally sterilize water from most water sources.

According to the present invention, the dimension of the nasal irrigation device (10) can be customized according to the design and convenience of the user.

Further, the present invention provides a novel nasal irrigation device (10) which comprises a container (2) with a cap (1), wherein the cap (1) comprises a nozzle (3), an air-inlet vent (4) and a one directional valve associated with a rim (6) to control the air-inlet vent (4). Further, the said nozzle (3) is optionally connected to a conduit or tube (8) which axially extends in the container (2). The said nasal irrigation device (10) according to the present invention provides a continuous & constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure, which avoids re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities into the nasal irrigation device (10).

The conduit or tube (8) connects the nozzle (3) with the liquid solution present in the container (2). Said conduit or tube (8) extends axially from the nozzle (3) present on the cap (1) to the liquid solution present in the container (2).

According to the present invention, the container (2) of the nasal irrigation device (10) is deformable and it is made up of low density polyethylene material; and the cap (1) is made up of high density polyethylene material.
According to one of the embodiment, the cap (1) and the container (2) of the nasal irrigation device (10) of the present invention are linked with each other through a snap-fit or screw-fit type arrangement (9) or are available as a single unit.

Snap-fit type arrangement is a very simple, economical and rapid way of joining two different components. Snap joints have in common the principle that a protruding part of one component is deflected briefly during the joining operation and catches in a depression in the mating component. After the joining operation, the snap-fit features should return to a stress-free condition. The joint may be separable or inseparable depending on the shape of the undercut, the force required to separate the components varies greatly according to the design.

Screw-fit type arrangement have in common the principle that fitting in by being twisted one part into another part by rotating clock wise direction and unfitting in by being twisted one part into another part by rotating anti clock wise direction.

According to one of the embodiment, the container (2) may optionally be provided with press portion (7), which provides the user directions to press the device (10) to obtain a continuous and constant delivery of liquid solution.

The container (2) of the nasal irrigation device (10) is initially filled by drug solution or nasal irrigation solution to a predetermined level. Above the predetermined level there is intentionally trapped volume of air.

The cap (1) of the nasal irrigation device (10) comprises of a nozzle (3) and an air in-let vent (4) on the planar surface of the cap (5). A one directional valve associated with a rim (6) is placed in the inside surface of the cap (1), wherein one directional valve associated with a rim (6) and the air in-let vent (4) of the cap (1) gets aligned
with each other. The said alignment of the one directional valve associated with a rim (6) and the air in-let vent (4) of the cap (1) can control the pressure applied to the nasal irrigation device (10), which provides a continuous and constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure.

According to the present invention, the nozzle (3) present on the cap (1) of the nasal irrigation device (10) is inserted into the nostril (nasal passage) of the user, and the container (2) which is filled with the liquid solution is squeezed to dispense or deliver the liquid solution to the user for nasal irrigation in an efficient, easy and convenient way.

During operation, the container (2) is squeezed to elevate the pressure of both the liquid solution and air within the container (2) relative to the nozzle (3). Liquid solution from the bottom of the container (2) is urged up the conduit or tube (8) by the pressure difference between the liquid solution in-take opening at the bottom of the conduit or tube (8) and the nozzle (3).

At the time of liquid solution delivery, one directional valve associated with the rim (6) remains closed due to pressure generated by squeezing of the container (2). One directional valve associated with the rim (6) opens once pressure gets released from the container (2) due to negative pressure generated inside the container (2).

As the said valve opens when releasing pressure from the container (2), it allows maximum air to enter into the container (2) which helps further for better output at re-squeezing. The one directional valve associated with the rim (6) avoids re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities in the nasal irrigation device (10) through nozzle (3). As the said one directional valve gets closed when squeezing the container (2), which
allows maximum pressure on liquid solution for an effective output through nozzle (3) and also avoids liquid solution to travel through the air-inlet vent (4).

Specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein. However, modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art. All such modifications and variations are believed to be within the scope of the present invention. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A nasal irrigation device to provide a continuous and constant delivery of the drug solution or nasal irrigation solution under pressure, comprising
a container with a cap,
wherein the said cap comprises a nozzle, an air-inlet vent near the nozzle and a one directional valve associated with a rim placed in the inside surface of the cap;
wherein the said vent and the one directional valve associated with the rim gets aligned with each other to control the pressure applied to the nasal irrigation device.

2. The nasal irrigation device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle on the cap is optionally connected to a conduit or tube which axially extends to the bottom of the container.

3. The nasal irrigation device according to claim 1, wherein an air-inlet vent near to the nozzle avoids the re-entry of the liquid / nasal impurities into the nasal irrigation device on release of the said pressure on the nasal irrigation device.

4. The nasal irrigation device according to claim 1, where the cap and the container of the nasal irrigation device are linked with each other through a snap-fit or screw-fit type arrangement or are available as a single unit.

5. The nasal irrigation device according to claim 1, where the said container of the nasal irrigation device is made up of low density polyethylene material.

6. The nasal irrigation device according to claim 1, where the cap of the nasal irrigation device is made up of high density polyethylene material.