Extraoral nasal molding headgear device for the treatment of cleft lip and palate

摘要

The present invention is a device for pre-surgical treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate. The device is extraoral thus reducing the risk associated with existing devices and technologies that are intraoral, such as, for example utilizing a Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) appliance. The adjustable extraoral nasal molding appliance of the present invention consists of an adjustable and securable head fastener, a front connector with a forehead rest pad, a rod support having an aperture through which a rod is slidably connected, a fastener for locking a rod in a set position, the rod, a spring and at least one nasal bulb. Different shaped springs can be attached for treating unilateral as well as bilateral cleft lip and palate patients. Different nasal bulbs can be attached for treating unilateral as well as bilateral cleft lip and palate patients.