Otorhinologic Irrigation Systems

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods related to improved otorhinologic irrigation and lavage comprising a drainage collector and one or more otorhinologic adapters, which are capable of coupling to an irrigation-liquid container.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . An adapter for injecting a volume of irrigation fluid from an irrigation fluid source into a nasal passage, the adapter comprising:
 an outer wall configured to form a liquid seal with a nostril;   a fluid transfer channel defining an inner wall within the outer wall, the fluid transfer channel terminated at its distal end by a discharge port which extends through the outer wall; and   a coupler; and   wherein the outer wall is configured to avoid interference with a collar of a standard male Luer-lock connector attached to the coupler.   
     
     
         53 . The adapter of  claim 52 , further comprising an inner hollow between the outer wall and the fluid transfer channel. 
     
     
         54 . The adapter of  claim 53 , wherein the proximal end of the outer wall extends proximally beyond the proximal end of the coupler. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the coupler is an alternate liquid source coupler configured to removably connect to each of a Luer-Lock connecter and a Luer-slip connector. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the coupler comprises a female Luer-Lock connector or a female Luer-slip connector. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the outer wall comprises a tapered geometry wherein a distal portion of the outer wall being narrower than a proximal portion. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the outer wall comprises a rounded bulb and a generally frustoconical base. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the outer wall, the fluid transfer channel, and the coupler are each coaxial. 
     
     
         60 . The adapter of  claim 52 , wherein the inner wall defined by the fluid transfer channel is cylindrical. 
     
     
         61 . The adapter of  claim 52 , wherein the outer wall and the inner wall of the fluid transport channel are integrally formed from a single constituent material. 
     
     
         62 . The adapter of  claim 52 , wherein the discharge port has a diameter of about 0.5 mm or greater. 
     
     
         63 . A positive pressure nasal irrigation system comprising:
 an irrigation fluid source comprising a male Luer-lock connector; and   the adapter of  claim 52 .   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the proximal end of the outer wall extends proximally beyond the proximal end of the coupler. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the irrigation fluid source has a volume of at least 15 mL. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the irrigation fluid source is a syringe or a manually deformable squeeze bottle. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 66 , wherein the irrigation fluid source is a plunger syringe. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the irrigation fluid source is prefilled with a sterile saline solution. 
     
     
         69 . A method of flushing a nasal passage with an irrigation fluid, the method comprising:
 a) applying a positive pressure nasal irrigation system to a first nostril;   b) compressing the nasal irrigation system so that at least 15 mL of the irrigation fluid floods the first nostril of the patient, and fills the nasal passage; and   c) applying a continual force to the nasal irrigation system such that at least 15 mL of irrigation fluid flows out through a second nostril.   
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 69 , wherein the positive pressure nasal irrigation system comprises a plunger syringe and the adapter of  claim 52 . 
     
     
         71 . An adapter for injecting a volume of irrigation fluid from an irrigation fluid source into a nasal passage, the adapter comprising:
 an outer wall configured to form a liquid seal with a nostril;   a fluid transfer channel defining an inner wall within the outer wall, the fluid transfer channel terminated at its distal end by a discharge port which extends through the outer wall; and   a coupler;   wherein the discharge port has a diameter of about 0.5 mm or greater.