Nasal support device and method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a device and method for facilitating air flow in the nasal passage of a domestic animal. The nasal support device (NSD) disclosed herein is useful for facilitating air flow during rest, physical exertion, respiratory ailment, etc. The NSD secures to the nose of a domestic animal to support the unsupported lateral vestibular walls of the nasal passages by lifting or stenting.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A support device sized and configured for supporting tissues overlying a first and second nasal passage of a horse, the support device comprising: 
 a support layer configured to reduce the draw of the supporting tissues inward toward the nasal passages during respiration; and    a surface layer, the surface layer configured to include: 
 a first axis which bisects said surface layer along a transverse dimension;  
 a second axis which bisects said surface layer along a longitudinal dimension;  
 a middle region located proximate said second axis having a major longitudinal dimension, said major longitudinal dimension being located between reduced longitudinal dimensions;  
 said surface layer being bilaterally symmetrical across both of said first and second axes;  
 said transverse dimension of said surface layer along said first axis being 10-17 cm;  
 said major longitudinal dimension of said surface layer along said second axis being 5-18 cm;  
 said reduced longitudinal dimensions being less than said major longitudinal dimension.  
   
     
     
         2 . A support device according to  claim 1  wherein said surface layer on opposing sides of said longitudinal axis are mirror images of one another.  
     
     
         3 . A support device according to  claim 1  wherein said support layer includes at least one lift member.  
     
     
         4 . A support device according to  claim 1  wherein said support layer includes at least two lift members.  
     
     
         5 . A support device according to  claim 1  further including an adhesive layer for securing the support device to the tissues, said adhesive layer being intermittent.  
     
     
         6 . A support device according to  claim 4  wherein said device includes holes through said surface layer and not through said lift members.  
     
     
         7 . A support device for supporting tissues overlying a first and second nasal passage, the support device comprising: 
 (a) an adhesive layer for securing the support device to the tissues;    (b) a support layer; and    (c) a surface layer, the surface layer configured to include: 
 (i) a first transverse dimension having a first transverse axis;  
 (ii) a center longitudinal dimension having a center longitudinal axis which is orthogonal to the first transverse axis and bisects the first transverse axis;  
 (iii) a first and second lateral longitudinal dimension on opposing sides of the center longitudinal dimension, the center longitudinal dimension being greater than the first and second lateral longitudinal dimensions;  
   (d) wherein opposing sides of the surface layer of the center longitudinal axis are mirror images of one another.    
     
     
         8 . The support device of  claim 7 , wherein the center longitudinal dimension is less than the first transverse dimension.  
     
     
         9 . The support device of  claim 7 , wherein the support layer includes at least one lift member.  
     
     
         10 . The support device of  claim 7 , wherein the support layer includes at least two lift members.  
     
     
         11 . A support device sized and configured for supporting tissues overlying first and second nasal passages, the support device comprising: 
 a support layer configured to reduce the draw of the supporting tissues inward toward the nasal passages during respiration; and    a surface layer, the surface layer configured to include: 
 a first axis that bisects the surface layer along a transverse dimension;  
 a second axis that bisects the surface layer along a longitudinal dimension;  
 a middle region located proximate the second axis having a major longitudinal dimension, the major longitudinal dimension being located between reduced longitudinal dimensions, the reduced longitudinal dimension being less than the major longitudinal dimension;  
   wherein the surface layer is bilaterally symmetrical across the second axis;    
     
     
         12 . The support device of  claim 11 , wherein the support layer includes at least one lift member.  
     
     
         13 . The support device of  claim 11 , wherein the support layer includes at least two lift members.  
     
     
         14 . The support device of  claim 11 , further including an adhesive layer for securing the support device to the tissues overlying the first and second nasal passages.  
     
     
         15 . The support device of  claim 11 , wherein the middle region includes centering structure disposed along the second axis.  
     
     
         16 . The support device of  claim 15 , wherein the reduced longitudinal dimensions are located on opposite sides of the centering structure.  
     
     
         17 . The support device of  claim 11 , wherein the major longitudinal dimension is greater than any other longitudinal dimension.  
     
     
         18 . The support device of  claim 15 , wherein the centering structure comprises a protrusion.  
     
     
         19 . The support device of  claim 9 , wherein the transverse dimension is longer than the longitudinal dimension.