Breathing air filtration system

Abstract

A nasal air filtration device includes a pair of either planar or concave-convex filters, a support structure incorporating a pair of generally annular bases or sleeves for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples the bases or sleeves to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and to determine a desired angular relationship. The support structure is insertable into the nasal cavities to position the filters within corresponding nasal cavities. Flexible rims maintain the support structure and the filters in spaced-apart relation to the surrounding nasal wall. The filters may be placed within the bases at an angle with respect to the walls of the bases. Also, the filtration device may be flesh tone in color, thereby blending with the skin tone of the user. In some embodiments, a post structure is supplied for supplying a scent or aroma to the wearer.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A nasal device, comprising:
 a first tubular body comprising an anterior end and a posterior end, and defining a passageway therethrough, and further comprising a first rim disposed circumferentially about the first tubular body and extending radially outward therefrom;   a second tubular body comprising an anterior end and a posterior end, and defining a passageway therethrough, and further comprising a second rim disposed circumferentially about the second tubular body and extending radially outward therefrom; and   a connecting member integrally coupled to the first and second tubular bodies;   wherein responsive to insertion of the first and second tubular bodies, anterior ends first, longitudinally into first and second nasal cavities, respectively, the first rim is adapted to form a surface engagement with the nasal wall and septum defining the first nasal cavity, and the second rim is adapted to form a surface engagement with the nasal wall and septum defining the second nasal cavity thereby supporting and maintaining the first and second tubular bodies within the first and second nasal cavities, respectively; and   wherein at least one of the first tubular body or second tubular body is impregnated with a scent and/or medication for delivery to a user of the device.   
     
     
         24 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , further comprising a first filtering medium and a second filtering medium within the first tubular body and second tubular body, respectively. 
     
     
         25 . The nasal device of  claim 24 , wherein the first filtering medium and the second filtering medium are effective to prevent passage of particles greater than 0.1 micron in size through the first passageway and the second passageway. 
     
     
         26 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , wherein the tubular bodies, the rims, and the connecting member are formed as a unitary member composed of a polymer. 
     
     
         27 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , wherein the medication is time-released. 
     
     
         28 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , further comprising a first and second spring member at least partially annularly embedded in each of the first and second tubular bodies, respectively. 
     
     
         29 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , wherein at least a portion of the device is comprised of a flesh-toned material. 
     
     
         30 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , wherein the first and second passageways, defined by the first and second tubular bodies respectively, have substantially elliptical profiles. 
     
     
         31 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , wherein one or more notches are disposed on the connecting member to provide one or more weakened points along the connecting member. 
     
     
         32 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , wherein the connecting member comprises a biasing element. 
     
     
         33 . The nasal device of  claim 23 , wherein the connecting member comprises a thinned portion along a length of the connecting member. 
     
     
         34 . A nasal device, comprising:
 a first tubular body comprising an anterior end and a posterior end, and defining a passageway therethrough, and further comprising a first rim disposed circumferentially about the first tubular body and extending radially outward therefrom; and   a second tubular body comprising an anterior end and a posterior end, and defining a passageway therethrough, and further comprising a second rim disposed circumferentially about the second tubular body and extending radially outward therefrom;   wherein responsive to insertion of the first and second tubular bodies, anterior ends first, longitudinally into first and second nasal cavities, respectively, the first rim is adapted to fond a surface engagement with the nasal wall and septum defining the first nasal cavity, and the second rim is adapted to form a surface engagement with the nasal wall and septum defining the second nasal cavity thereby supporting and maintaining the first and second tubular bodies within the first and second nasal cavities, respectively; and   wherein at least one of the first tubular body and second tubular bodies further comprises a delivery device for delivering a scent and/or medication to the user.   
     
     
         35 . The nasal device of  claim 34 , further comprising a first filtering medium and a second filtering medium within the first tubular body and second tubular body, respectively. 
     
     
         36 . The nasal device of  claim 35 , wherein the delivery device is located within the at least one of the first and second tubular bodies distally either closer to or farther from the anterior end than the first or second filtering medium, respectively. 
     
     
         37 . The nasal device of  claim 35 , wherein at least one of the first and second filtering media is the delivery device. 
     
     
         38 . The nasal device of  claim 34 , further comprising a connecting member coupled to the first tubular body and the second tubular body. 
     
     
         39 . The nasal device of  claim 38 , wherein the connecting member spans the septum when the support members are inserted into their respective nasal cavities, and is positioned to encounter the septum to limit said insertion. 
     
     
         40 . The nasal device of  claim 34 , wherein the rims are elastically deformable, and tend to conform to the surrounding nasal wall and septum when forming said surface engagement to substantially form seals along respective areas of said surface engagement. 
     
     
         41 . The nasal device of  claim 34 , wherein the rims, when in said surface engagement, are configured to apply a first force resisting longitudinal movement of their associated tubular body further into the associated nasal cavity, and a second force, greater than the first force, resisting longitudinal movement of the associated tubular body out of the associated nasal cavity. 
     
     
         42 . A method for delivering scent and/or medication to a user, the method comprising:
 providing a nasal device comprising:
 a first tubular body comprising an anterior end and a posterior end, and defining a passageway therethrough, and further comprising a first rim disposed circumferentially about the first tubular body and extending radially outward therefrom; 
 a second tubular body comprising an anterior end and a posterior end, and defining a passageway therethrough, and further comprising a second rim disposed circumferentially about the second tubular body and extending radially outward therefrom; and 
 a connecting member integrally coupled to the first and second tubular bodies; and 
   subjecting at least a portion of the nasal device in a sealed environment to a concentrated solution in order to impregnate at least a portion of the device with a scent and/or medication.