Abstract: A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating stresses in nasal outer wall tissues has a resilient member and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which can be forced toward one another from an initial flat position of the dilator to thereby substantially reduce the direct spacing therebetween by an external spacing reducing force. This results in restoring forces in the dilator tending to return it to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. Resilient members, which can be asymmetrical with respect to a centerline of the dilator that is parallel to the long axis of the dilator, have a spring rate which continuously diminishes from the centerline to the end surfaces. The edges of the resilient members are contiguous to the edge of the cushion layer so that adhesive on the cushion layer is at the same level as the bottom surface of the resilient members.

Abstract: A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating stresses in nasal outer wall tissues has a resilient member and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which can be forced toward one another from an initial flat position of the dilator to thereby substantially reduce the direct spacing therebetween by an external spacing reducing force. This results in restoring forces in the dilator tending to return it to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. Resilient members, which can be asymmetrical with respect to a centerline of the dilator that is parallel to the long axis of the dilator, have a spring rate which continuously diminishes from the centerline to the end surfaces. The edges of the resilient members are contiguous to the edge of the cushion layer so that adhesive on the cushion layer is at the same level as the bottom surface of the resilient members.

Abstract: A nasal dilator capable of introducing separating stresses in nasal outer wall tissues has a truss of a single body with a resilient member secured therein and a pair of spaced-apart end surfaces which, when forced toward one another from initial positions to substantially reduce direct spacing therebetween by a spacing reducing force external to said truss, results in restoring forces in the truss tending to return to the original direct spacing between the end surfaces. A resilient member, which is symmetrical with respect to a centerline of the truss that is perpendicular to the long axis of the truss, has a spring rate which continuously diminishes from the centerline to the end surfaces. An adhesive on the end surfaces adhesively engages exposed surfaces of nasal outer wall tissues sufficiently to keep the truss attached to the nasal wall surfaces while subjecting them to the restoring forces.