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.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A nasal support device comprising: 
 an adhesive layer; and    a support layer comprising at least one lift member, the lift member having a first and second lateral extent, at least one pair of notches in at least one of the first and second lateral extents of said lift member.    
   
   
       23 . The nasal support device of  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second lateral extents of said lift member has at least one pair of notches.  
   
   
       24 . The nasal support device of  claim 22 , wherein each of the first and second lateral extents has more than two pairs of notches.  
   
   
       25 . The nasal support device of  claim 22 , wherein the lift member has a thickness and the at least one pair of notches penetrates partially through the thickness of the lift member.  
   
   
       26 . The nasal support device of  claim 22 , wherein the lift member has a thickness and at least two pair of notches on the first and second lateral extents such that one of the pair of notches on each of the first and second lateral extents traverse a width of the lift member further than a second of the at least two pairs of notches.  
   
   
       27 . The nasal support device of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the at least two pair of notches on the first and second lateral extents penetrate a full thickness of the lift member.  
   
   
       28 . The nasal support device of  claim 22 , wherein the support layer comprises at least two lift members.  
   
   
       29 . The nasal support device of  claim 28 , wherein each of the at least two lift members has at least one pair of notches at the first and second lateral extents.  
   
   
       30 . The nasal support device of  claim 22 , comprising a surface layer.  
   
   
       31 . The nasal support device of  claim 22 , comprising a carrier layer releasably attached to the surface layer.  
   
   
       32 . The nasal support device of  claim 31 , wherein the carrier layer includes a rostral extension.  
   
   
       33 . The nasal support device of  claim 32 , where in the rostral extension is an alignment guide.  
   
   
       34 . A nasal support device comprising: 
 an adhesive layer;    a surface layer; and    a support layer comprising at least one lift member, the lift member having a first and second lateral extent, at least one pair of notches in at least one of the first and second lateral extents of said lift member.    
   
   
       35 . The nasal support device of  claim 34 , comprising a carrier layer releasably attached to the surface layer.  
   
   
       36 . The nasal support device of  claim 35 , wherein the carrier layer includes a rostral extension.  
   
   
       37 . The nasal support device of  claim 36 , where in the rostral extension is an alignment guide.  
   
   
       38 . The nasal support device of  claim 34 , wherein each of the first and second lateral extents has more than two pairs of notches.  
   
   
       39 . The nasal support device of  claim 34 , wherein the lift member has a thickness and at least two pair of notches on the first and second lateral extents such that one of the pair of notches on each of the first and second lateral extents traverse a width of the lift member further than a second of the at least two pairs of notches.