Nasal support device for animals and method

Abstract

Devices and methods for facilitating air flow in the nasal passages of domestic animals are disclosed. The devices include support devices for supporting unsupported tissues of the nasal passages which facilitate air flow during rest, physical exertion, respiratory ailment, etc. Components and methods to facilitate application of the support device to the nose of an animal are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A support device for supporting tissues overlying a first and second nasal passage, the support device comprising: 
 an engaging layer including an adhesive for engaging the support device to the tissues;    a surface layer;    a support layer positioned between the engaging layer and surface layer; and    a carrier layer releasably mounted to the surface layer.    
     
     
         2 . The support device according to  claim 1  further comprising a release liner releasably attached to the adhesive of the engaging layer.  
     
     
         3 . The support device according to  claim 2  wherein the release liner comprises a first lateral piece. a second lateral piece, and an intermediate piece.  
     
     
         4 . The support device according to  claim 1  configured to include: 
 a transverse axis having a transverse dimension;  
 a center longitudinal axis having a center longitudinal dimension, the center longitudinal axis being orthogonal to the transverse axis and the center longitudinal axis bisects the transverse axis;  
 a first and second lateral longitudinal dimension on opposing sides of the center longitudinal dimension;  
 the center longitudinal dimension greater than the first and second lateral longitudinal dimensions;  
 the surface layer on opposing sides of the transverse axis being mirror images of one another.  
 
     
     
         5 . A support device according to  claim 4  wherein the surface layer on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis are mirror images of one another.  
     
     
         6 . A support device according to  claim 1  wherein the support layer includes at least two lift members.  
     
     
         7 . A support device according to  claim 1  wherein the support layer includes at least three lift members.  
     
     
         8 . A support device according to  claim 7  having an engagement extension extending laterally beyond the lift members.  
     
     
         9 . A support device according to  claim 4  wherein the support device is bilaterally symmetrical across both of the transverse and longitudinal axes.  
     
     
         10 . A support device according to  claim 1  wherein the surface layer is a dark color.  
     
     
         11 . A support device according to  claim 1  wherein the carrier layer includes a rostral extension.  
     
     
         12 . A support device according to  claim 11  wherein the rostral extension is an alignment guide.  
     
     
         13 . A support device for supporting tissues overlying a first and second nasal passage, the support device comprising: 
 an engaging layer including an adhesive for attaching the support device to the tissues;    a surface layer;    a support layer positioned between the engaging layer and surface layer; and    a release liner releasably attached to the adhesive layer, the release liner comprising a first lateral piece, a second lateral piece, and an intermediate piece.    
     
     
         14 . A support device according to  claim 13  further comprising a carrier layer releasably mounted to the surface layer.  
     
     
         15 . A support device according to  claim 13  wherein the support layer includes at least two lift members.  
     
     
         16 . A support device according to  claim 13  having an engagement extension extending laterally beyond the lift members.  
     
     
         17 . A support device according to  claim 13  configured to include: 
 a first side piece for engaging a first lateral vestibular wall overlying a first nasal passage, the first side piece having a rostral end, a caudal end and a first rostral-poll dimension;  
 a second side piece for engaging a second lateral vestibular wall overlying a second nasal passage, the second side piece having a rostral end, a caudal end and a second rostral-poll dimension;  
 a midline region including an intersection of the first and second side pieces, the midline region having a rostral end, a caudal end and a midline region rostral-poll dimension that is greater than either of the first rostral-poll dimension and the second rostral poll dimension.  
 
     
     
         18 . A support device according to  claim 13  wherein the support device is configured to fit the nose of a horse.  
     
     
         19 . A support device according to  claim 13  wherein the surface layer is a dark color.  
     
     
         20 . A support device for supporting tissues overlying a first and second nasal passage, the support device comprising: 
 an engaging layer including an adhesive for attaching the support device to the tissues;    a surface layer;    a support layer positioned between the engaging layer and surface layer; and    the surface layer is a dark color.    
     
     
         21 . A method for facilitating air flow through the nasal passages of an animal, the method comprising supporting a caudal apex region of a vestibular wall overlying the nasal passages of the animal.