US Patent 10010442 Nasal dilator with elastic membrane structure

An external nasal dilator comprises resilient and engagement elements. The engagement element functions primarily to affix, adhere, or otherwise engage the dilator to the skin surface of the nose. The resilient element comprises one part that provides out-of-plane resiliency, or spring biasing forces, and another part that provides in-plane elasticity, or stretching or tensioning forces. The dilator includes horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages of a nose. When in use the dilator stabilizes or expands nasal outer wall tissues and prevents the outer wall tissues from drawing inward during breathing.