Nasolacrimal implants and related methods for tear stimulation
First Claim
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1. A device for inducing production of tears, comprising:
- a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body is configured for insertion through a punctum of a subject;
a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end; and
a faceplate adjacent the proximal end of the body, the faceplate including a power receptor at least partially disposed therein or thereon;
wherein the faceplate abuts, and is located external to, the punctum when the body is inserted through the punctum;
wherein, upon transfer of energy from an external device to the power receptor, tissue of a nasolacrimal drainage system of the subject is stimulated by the stimulus delivery mechanism to induce the production of tears.
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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
28 Claims
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1. A device for inducing production of tears, comprising:
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a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body is configured for insertion through a punctum of a subject; a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end; and a faceplate adjacent the proximal end of the body, the faceplate including a power receptor at least partially disposed therein or thereon; wherein the faceplate abuts, and is located external to, the punctum when the body is inserted through the punctum; wherein, upon transfer of energy from an external device to the power receptor, tissue of a nasolacrimal drainage system of the subject is stimulated by the stimulus delivery mechanism to induce the production of tears. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for inducing production of tears, comprising:
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a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body is configured for insertion within a portion of a nasolacrimal drainage system of a subject; a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end; a power receptor operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism; a faceplate adjacent the proximal end of the body, the power receptor being at least partially disposed within or on the faceplate; and an external controller coupled to the power receptor for transferring energy to the power receptor; wherein the faceplate abuts, and is located external to, the punctum when the body is inserted through the punctum; wherein, upon transfer of energy from an external device to the power receptor, tissue of a nasolacrimal drainage system of the subject is stimulated by the stimulus delivery mechanism to induce the production of tears. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A device for inducing production of tears, comprising:
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a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body is configured for insertion through a punctum of a subject; at least two stimulus delivery mechanisms that are positioned between the proximal end and the distal end, the at least two stimulus delivery mechanisms extending at least partially around a portion of the body; wherein the at least two stimulus delivery mechanisms are axially spaced apart so that the at least two stimulus delivery mechanisms straddle an area of a canaliculus or a nasolacrimal duct where neural innervation is the greatest, as compared to the rest of the canaliculus or nasolacrimal duct, when the body is inserted through the punctum; a power receptor operably coupled to one or more of the at least two stimulus delivery mechanisms; and a faceplate adjacent the proximal end of the body, the faceplate including the power receptor at least partially disposed therein or thereon; wherein, upon transfer of energy from an external device to the power receptor, tissue of a nasolacrimal drainage system of the subject is stimulated by one or both of the stimulus delivery mechanisms to induce the production of tears. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification