Nasolacrimal implants and related methods for tear stimulation
First Claim
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1. A method for inducing tears, comprising:
- inserting a stimulation delivery device through a punctum of a subject so that a faceplate disposed at a proximal end of the stimulation delivery device abuts, and is located external to, the punctum; and
applying a stimulation signal to tissue of a nasolacrimal drainage system via the stimulation delivery device, the stimulation signal being received from an external device via a power receptor at least partially disposed in or on the faceplate to induce tearing in the subject.
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Abstract
A device for inducing production of tears may include a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body may be configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject. The device also may include a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and an induction coil operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism. Further, the device may include an external controller wirelessly coupled to the induction coil for inductively transferring energy to the induction coil.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for inducing tears, comprising:
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inserting a stimulation delivery device through a punctum of a subject so that a faceplate disposed at a proximal end of the stimulation delivery device abuts, and is located external to, the punctum; and applying a stimulation signal to tissue of a nasolacrimal drainage system via the stimulation delivery device, the stimulation signal being received from an external device via a power receptor at least partially disposed in or on the faceplate to induce tearing in the subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for inducing tears, comprising:
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inserting a stimulation delivery device through a punctum of a subject so that a faceplate disposed at a proximal end of the stimulation delivery device abuts, and is located external to, the punctum; transferring energy from an external device to a power receptor of the stimulation delivery device, the power receptor at least partially disposed in or on the faceplate; wirelessly communicating a stimulation signal from the external device to the stimulation delivery device; and stimulating tissue of a nasolacrimal drainage system of the subject via energy transferred to the power receptor to induce tearing. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification