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 nasal 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 surface layer, the surface layer configured to include: 
 i) a center longitudinal axis;  
 ii) a first transverse dimension having a first transverse axis that is orthogonal to said center longitudinal axis and bisects said center longitudinal axis;  
 iii) a first side and a second side positioned on opposite sides of the first transverse axis;  
 iv) first and second centering structures disposed at the longitudinal axis for use in centering the center longitudinal axis of said nasal support device between the first and second nasal passages;  
 v) said surface layer having a major longitudinal dimension at the first and second centering structures and reduced longitudinal dimensions positioned on opposite sides of the centering structures; and  
   (c) one or more support structures having lengths that extend along the traverse dimension of said surface layer, the support structures being configured to reduce the draw of the supporting tissues inward toward the nasal passages during respiration.    
     
     
         2 . The nasal support device of  claim 1 , wherein the major longitudinal dimension is greater than the reduced longitudinal dimensions of the surface layer.  
     
     
         3 . The nasal support device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second centering structures are symmetrically disposed along the center longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         4 . The nasal support device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second centering structures comprises an apex.  
     
     
         5 . The nasal support device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second centering structures comprises a protrusion.  
     
     
         6 . The nasal support device of  claim 1 , wherein the support structures are configured to lift the tissues overlying the first and second nasal passages.  
     
     
         7 . A nasal 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 surface layer, the surface layer configured to include: 
 i) a center longitudinal dimension having a center longitudinal axis therethrough;  
 ii) a first transverse dimension having a first transverse axis that is orthogonal to said center longitudinal axis and bisects said center longitudinal axis;  
 iii) a first side and a second side positioned on opposite sides of the first transverse axis;  
 iv) an apex disposed at the longitudinal axis; and  
   (c) one or more support structures having lengths that extend along the traverse dimension of said surface layer, the support structures being configured to reduce the draw of the supporting tissues inward toward the nasal passages during respiration.    
     
     
         8 . The nasal support device of  claim 7 , wherein the support structures are configured to lift the tissues overlying the first and second nasal passages.  
     
     
         9 . A nasal 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 surface layer, the surface layer configured to include: 
 i) a center longitudinal dimension having a center longitudinal axis therethrough;  
 ii) a first transverse dimension having a first transverse axis that is orthogonal to said center longitudinal axis and bisects said center longitudinal dimension;  
 iii) a first side and a second side positioned on opposite sides of the first transverse axis;  
 iv) a first protrusion disposed at the center longitudinal axis that projects outwardly from the first side in a direction generally along the center longitudinal axis;  
 v) wherein said first transverse dimension that bisects said center longitudinal dimension is longer than said center longitudinal dimension; and  
   (c) one or more support structures having lengths that extend along the transverse dimension of said surface layer, the support structures being configured to reduce the draw of the supporting tissues inward toward the nasal passages during respiration.    
     
     
         10 . The nasal support device of  claim 9 , wherein the center longitudinal dimension is greater than any other longitudinal dimension of the surface layer.  
     
     
         11 . The nasal support device of  claim 9 , wherein said surface layer further includes a second protrusion disposed at the center longitudinal axis that projects outwardly from the second side in a direction generally along the center longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         12 . The nasal support device of  claim 9 , wherein the first protrusion comprises an apex.  
     
     
         13 . The nasal support device of  claim 9 , wherein the first protrusion is symmetrically disposed along the center longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         14 . The nasal support device of  claim 9 , wherein the support structures are configured to lift the tissues overlying the first and second nasal passages.