Implantable nasal stimulator systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method of implanting a microstimulator into nasal tissue of a nasal cavity to increase tear production in a patient having dry eye, comprising:
- identifying an implantation site along a nasal cavity in the patient, the identifying comprising;
delivering, via a locator probe, a test electrical stimulus to nasal tissue of a nasal cavity; and
detecting a response to the test electrical stimulus, the response comprising tear production in the patient;
implanting the microstimulator at the identified implantation site, the microstimulator comprising a stimulation electrode; and
delivering an electrical current from the stimulation electrode to stimulate an anterior ethmoidal nerve in the nasal tissue to increase tear production in the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described here are systems, devices, and methods for implanting a nasal stimulator into nasal tissue and electrically stimulating nasal tissue. In some variations, a nasal microstimulator implantation system may comprise an implantation tool and an implantable microstimulator. An implantation tool may comprise a shaft and features to releasably attach a microstimulator. A microstimulator may comprise a passive stimulation circuit and one or more electrodes. In other variations, a nasal implantation system may additionally comprise one or more additional devices, such as a controller, an electrical probe, and/or a dissection tool.
399 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of implanting a microstimulator into nasal tissue of a nasal cavity to increase tear production in a patient having dry eye, comprising:
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identifying an implantation site along a nasal cavity in the patient, the identifying comprising; delivering, via a locator probe, a test electrical stimulus to nasal tissue of a nasal cavity; and detecting a response to the test electrical stimulus, the response comprising tear production in the patient; implanting the microstimulator at the identified implantation site, the microstimulator comprising a stimulation electrode; and delivering an electrical current from the stimulation electrode to stimulate an anterior ethmoidal nerve in the nasal tissue to increase tear production in the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification