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Do you suffer from chronic breathing problems, or have difficulty breathing through your nose? Dr. Bradford Ress is an experienced ear, nose, and throat specialist who can help you find lasting relief through surgical or minimally invasive procedures in our Boca Raton, FL office. Contact us to schedule your consultation today! We believe medical research and innovation can open new doors for patients just like you who may be looking for temporary relief until a more permanent solution can be created. Recently, ABC News published an Inside Science feature on a new invention created by Johns Hopkins University biomedical engineering students. The invention, which the students have named “Assist-ENT,” may help patients who suffer from nasal airway obstruction find temporary relief. Learn more about this promising new device that is helping to expand solutions for patients just like you. Nasal Airway Obstruction The device was born from an issue that one of the engineering students, Clayton Andrews, has dealt with personally. Andrews says that he has suffered from difficulties breathing due to nasal airway obstruction for nearly his entire life. This issue is not uncommon in the United States; it is estimated that more than 20 million patients are affected each year. Typically, this condition is caused by: • Chronic allergies leading to swelling of the nasal lining • Deviated nasal septum • Enlarged adenoids, glands located behind the soft palate in the back of the mouth • Choanal atresia, a genetic issue that causes a narrowing of the nasal passageways • Swollen or enlarged turbinates, the bony structures inside the nose, which are covered with mucous-producing nasal lining Symptoms of nasal airway obstruction may include nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through the nose, trouble sleeping, or difficulty breathing during exercise. Assist-ENT The device developed by the team of Johns Hopkins students is a small ring that can be inserted into the nasal passageway to promote increased airflow when breathing. Users can insert and remove the ring themselves with a pair of small forceps, and it is designed to be worn for 24 hours at a time. The invention was awarded the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for “Best Product” in a consumer technology category, and received $10,000 in funding. The medical students believe this device will not only help those patients looking for some relief during daily activities, but for athletes searching for a competitive edge, or for people who suffer from disruptive, night-time snoring. Assist-ENT was created from a design team undergraduate program led by the johns Hopkins director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Patrick Bern. As an ENT specialist, Dr. Bern has seen many patients looking for temporary relief from breathing issues, who may not be ready for more permanent solutions such as septoplasty or balloon sinuplasty. ABC News reports that the product is still under testing, and may be available for consumer purchase in the near future, once clinical trials are completed. Breathing Relief in Boca Raton, FL At Ress ENT, we understand the difficulties that come with nasal airway obstruction or deviated septums. We can help you achieve breathing freedom through one of our ear, nose, and throat treatments. Many procedures can be completed right inside our Boca Raton, FL practice for your convenience. We look forward to embracing new technology and innovations which can help our patients experience a better quality of life, and are excited by the new research in the ear, nose, and throat field. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ress today, to discover what custom treatment options we can recommend for you. Contact us at (561)353-7377.
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