Multi-Stage Nasal Filter

Abstract

Devices and methods of inhibiting the inhalation of particulates using a resiliently deformable filter packaged in a sealed envelope containing a liquid medium. The method includes opening the sealed package to thereby expose the filter to ambient air; removing the filter from the package; inserting the filter into a distal region of a nostril; and urging the filter from the distal region to a proximal region of the nostril while simultaneously swabbing the distal region with the liquid disinfectant. The filter includes: an initial stage characterized by a first pore size; an intermediate stage characterized by a second pore size; and a final stage characterized by a third pore size, wherein the third pore size is a smaller than the first and second pore sizes.

1 . A method of impeding the inhalation of particulates using a resiliently deformable filter packaged in a sealed envelope containing a liquid medium, the method comprising:
 opening the sealed package to thereby expose the filter to ambient air;   removing the filter from the package;   inserting the filter into a distal region of a nostril; and   urging the filter from the distal region to a proximal region of the nostril while simultaneously swabbing the distal region with liquid medium present on the perimeter of the filter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the filter is characterized by a mean pore size in the range of 0.5 to 50 micrometers (um). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particulates comprise allergens, and further wherein the filter is characterized by a mean pore size in the range of 3 to 7 um. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid medium comprises an antiseptic. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid medium comprises a disinfectant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particulates comprise microorganisms. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the particulates comprise allergens. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the filter comprises electrostatic material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid medium comprises povidone iodine. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein swabbing comprises rotating the filter within the distal region of the nostril. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein swabbing comprises simultaneously rotating and urging the filter upwardly within the nostril. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 leaving the filter within the proximal region for a period of time in the range of five minutes to eighteen hours; and 
 thereafter removing the filter from the nostril. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 leaving the filter within the proximal region for a period of time in the range of one to six hours; and 
 thereafter removing the filter from the nostril. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the filter further comprises a pair of filters connected by a band. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 removing the pair of filters from respective nostrils by manually pulling on the band. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the filter further comprises:
 an initial stage characterized by a first pore size; 
 an intermediate stage characterized by a second pore size; and 
 a final stage characterized by a third pore size; 
 wherein the third pore size is a smaller than the first and second pore sizes.