Rhinoplasty appliance and method of forming the same

Abstract

A rhinoplasty appliance is provided that may be custom-molded to a patient's nasal anatomy, including the nostrils, to maintain the corrected contour of the nostrils after rhinoplastic surgery. The rhinoplasty appliance may include a support wire; a first and second wire flanges; a first and second nostril insertion portions, each having a passage and an aperture to permit flow of air and drainage; a connecting structure to maintain the position of the nostril insertion portions in relation to each other, and to provide support and protection for the columella. The first and second wire flange may help to secure the rhinoplasty appliance in position on the patient's face, and improve retention of the first and second nostril insertion portions in the patient's nostrils. The support wire may be provided as added support for the connecting structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rhinoplasty appliance for removable insertion within the nostrils of a patient comprising:
 a first and second nostril insertion portions, each having a passage and an aperture to permit flow of air and drainage;   a connecting structure coupling the first and second nostril insertion portions; and   a first flange affixed to the first nostril insertion portion, and a second flange affixed to the second nostril insertion portion;   wherein the first and second flanges each have a fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second nostril insertion portions and the connecting structure are integrally molded of a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second nostril insertion portions and the connecting structure are customized to fit the patient's nostrils. 
     
     
         4 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure further comprises a support wire. 
     
     
         5 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 4 , wherein the support wire is stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flanges are made of resilient material. 
     
     
         7 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second flanges are stainless steel. 
     
     
         8 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of: a loop, a hook, and one or more adhesives. 
     
     
         9 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         10 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the first and second nostril insertion portions has an elliptical shape. 
     
     
         11 . The rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cannula inserted through an aperture and extending into a passage. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a rhinoplasty appliance including the steps of:
 (a) making an impression of the nasal cavity of a patient,   (b) forming a mold from said impression, which includes a first and second nasal nostrils and a columella,   (c) placing a liquid resin mix within the first and second nasal nostrils and around the columella of the mold,   (d) inserting a support wire, a first and second flanges, and a first and second aperture spacers into the resin mix before the mix sets, and   (e) after the mix sets, removing the first and second aperture spacers.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the resin mix is a thermoplastic acrylic resin. 
     
     
         14 . A method of maintaining at least one nostril structure following corrective surgery, comprising:
 (a) providing a rhinoplasty appliance according to  claim 1  to a patient;   (b) inserting the first and second nostril insertion portions into the patient's nostrils;   (c) retaining the first and second wire flanges in position on the patient's face; and   (d) wearing the rhinoplasty appliance to maintain at least one nostril structure.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the patient is human and selected from the group consisting of: neonate, infant, child, adolescent, and adult. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the rhinoplasty appliance is worn continuously for about two to three months following corrective surgery. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein following wearing the rhinoplasty appliance continuously for about two to three months, the rhinoplasty appliance is worn at night for about four to six months. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second flanges are retained on the patient's face using elastic bands or adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising inserting at least one cannula through an aperture and into a passage.