Composition and method for moisturizing nasal tissue

Abstract

An improved composition and method for moisturizing a nasal membrane are disclosed. The composition includes a viscous carrier and one or more moisturizing agents disposed with the carrier. The composition is applied to a portion of a nasal membrane using a spray, a swab applicator, or a similar application device.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A composition for moisturizing a nasal membrane comprising; 
 a gel having a viscosity greater than about 2,500 centipoise,    wherein said composition is configured to moisturize a nasal membrane.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises purified water and glycerin.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein said composition comprises about 80 to 99.999 weight percent purified water, and about 0.5 to about 1.5 weight percent glycerin.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises a moisturizing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerin,  aloe barbadensis  gel, and tocopherol.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising a thickener.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an antibacterial agent and anti-microbial agent.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein said antibacterial agent comprises a material selected from the group consisting of  chlorella vulgaris  extract and hydrolyzed algin.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a buffer.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein said buffer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of sodium phosphate (monohydrate) and disodium phosphate (heptahydrate).  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a preservative.  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride, disodium EDTA and benzyl alcohol.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of alkoylated diester, sea water, hydroxylated lecithin and polysorbate 80.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an encapsulate and an active ingredient within said encapsulate.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 13 , within said active ingredient comprises a moisturizing agent.  
     
     
         15 . A composition for moisturizing a nasal membrane comprising; 
 purified water;    a hydrophilic thickener; and    a moisturizing agent.    
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said composition comprises: 
 about 80 to 99.9999 weight percent purified water;    about 0.5 to 2.0 weight percent hydrophilic thickener; and    about 0.0001 to 2.25 weight percent moisturizing agent.    
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein said composition comprises: 
 about 90 to 99.999 weight percent purified water;    about 1.0 to 1.5 weight percent hydrophilic thickener;    about 0.001 to 1.0 weight percent moisturizing agent.    
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said moisturizing agent comprises a humectant.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said hydrophilic thickener comprises hydroxyethylcellulose.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein said moisturizing agent comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glycerin,  aloe barbadensis  gel, and tocopherol.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 15 , further comprising a material selected from the group of sodium phosphate (monohydrate), disodium phosphate (heptahydrate), hydrolyzed algin,  chlorella vulgaris  extract, alkoylated diester, sea water, disodium EDTA, hydroxylated lecithin, polysorbate 80, benzyl alcohol, and benzalkonium chloride.  
     
     
         22 . A system for spraying the composition onto a portion of a nasal cavity comprising the composition of  claim 15 .  
     
     
         23 . A composition for moisturizing a nasal membrane comprising; 
 a gel;    a time-release moisturizing agent.    
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said time-release agent is encapsulated in a liposomal agent.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said moisturizing agent comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glycerin,  aloe barbadensis  gel, and tocopherol.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 23 , further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an antibacterial agent and an anti-microbial agent.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein said antibacterial agent comprises a material selected from the group consisting of  chlorella vulgaris  extract and hydrolyzed algin.  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of sodium phosphate (monohydrate), disodium phosphate (heptahydrate), hydroxyethylcellulose, alkoylated diester, sea water, disodium EDTA, hydroxylated lecithin, polysorbate 80, benzyl alcohol, and benzalkonium chloride.  
     
     
         29 . A method of moisturizing a nasal membrane, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a composition having a viscosity greater than about 2,500 centipoise;    applying the composition to the nasal membrane in an amount effective to moisturize the nasal membrane; and    maintaining the composition in contact with the nasal membrane for a time period sufficient to moisturize the contacted nasal membrane cells.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said applying step comprises applying the composition with a cotton swab.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said applying step comprises applying the composition with a nasal spray.