Nasal stimulation devices and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of tear production in a subject, comprising:
- positioning an electrode in contact with a part of a nasal mucosa covering an upper lateral cartilage and adjacent a nasal bone of an anterior nasal cavity of the subject, wherein the subject is suffering from dry eye; and
delivering an electrical stimulus via the electrode in order to thereby treat the dry eye through tear production,wherein the electrical stimulus comprises a waveform having a frequency between 0.1 Hz and 200 Hz.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
358 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method of tear production in a subject, comprising:
-
positioning an electrode in contact with a part of a nasal mucosa covering an upper lateral cartilage and adjacent a nasal bone of an anterior nasal cavity of the subject, wherein the subject is suffering from dry eye; and delivering an electrical stimulus via the electrode in order to thereby treat the dry eye through tear production, wherein the electrical stimulus comprises a waveform having a frequency between 0.1 Hz and 200 Hz. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of improving ocular health in a patient, comprising:
-
positioning an electrode in contact with a part of a nasal mucosa covering an upper lateral cartilage and adjacent a nasal bone of an anterior nasal cavity of the patient, the patient in need of improvement in ocular health; and delivering electrical stimulation to the part of the nasal mucosa of the patient via the electrode at least once daily during a treatment period comprising at least 2 days in order to thereby improve the ocular health of the patient, wherein the electrical stimulation comprises a waveform having a frequency between 0.1 Hz and 200 Hz, and wherein a metric for improved ocular health is one or more of decreased dry eye symptoms, decreased ocular surface staining, or increased tear production. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification