Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is an external nasal splint which is adapted so that it may be placed across the bridge of the human nose, where it facilitates breathing without irritating the skin across the bridge of the nose. The splint contains a planar sheet of flexible material which has in its length-wise direction a central portion and two opposing end portions. The planar sheet is joined to an adhesive layer which also has in its length-wise direction a central portion and two opposing end portions. The central portion and the two opposing end portions of the planar sheet have an upper surface which is not adhesive to human skin. The two opposing end portions of the adhesive layer have a lower surface which is adhesive to human skin, so that the two opposing end portions are capable of affixing the external nasal splint to the human nose for a typical period of use, for instance six to twenty-four hours; and the central portion has a lower surface which is not adhesive to human skin. Sandwiched between the planar sheet and the adhesive layer is a strip made of high density polyethylene. The plastic strip has a high flexural modulus and therefore has the effect of pulling the nostrils of the wearer outward for the period when the external nasal splint is worn. By pulling the nostrils outward, the external nasal splint widens the nasal passage, thereby improving breathing. Running along the lower surface of the adhesive layer and adhering to the lower surface of both opposing ends are covers.

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First Claim