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.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       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 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A method for reducing exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage in a horse, the method comprising: 
 a) applying a force to first and second lateral vestibular walls overlying a first and second nasal passage of a horse affected by exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage, the applied force being directed away from the first and second nasal passages.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the force is applied to exterior surfaces of the first and second nasal passages of the horse.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the force is applied to a portion of each of the first and second vestibular walls, each vestibular wall defined rostrally by a nostril, dorsally by a nasal bone, ventrally by an incisive bone and caudally by an intersection of the incisive bone and the nasal bone.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the force is applied by a nasal support device.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the nasal support device includes an engaging layer.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the engaging layer includes an adhesive.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the nasal support device further comprises a support layer.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the support layer comprises at least one lift member.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the support layer comprises three or more lift members.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the force is applied by a nasal support device, the nasal support device including: 
 a) a first side piece for engaging the first lateral vestibular wall of the horse;    b) a second side piece for engaging the second lateral vestibular wall of the horse; and    c) a support layer that supports a portion of each of the first and second lateral vestibular walls to reduce exercised induced pulmonary hemorrhage in the horse.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the nasal support device further comprises an engaging layer having an adhesive for securing the first and second side pieces of the nasal support device to the first and second lateral vestibular walls of the horse.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the engaging layer is adhered to an exterior region of a nose, the exterior region overlying the first and second nasal passages of the horse, the nasal support device supporting the skin and associated soft tissues of the first and second nasal passages  
   
   
       32 . A therapeutic device comprising: 
 a therapeutic layer; and    an adhesive for maintaining said device in a selected location.