Stimulation devices and methods

• US 10,328,262 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2017
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oculeve Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated), Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Ackermann, Douglas Michael, Loudin, James Donald, Kuzma, Janusz, Palanker, Daniel, Wetenkamp, Scott Franklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Hulbert, Amanda K
• Application Number:
  US15/802,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20180064941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 600 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36057 adapted for stimulating afferent nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

Described here are stimulation systems and methods for stimulating one or more anatomical targets in a patient for treatment conditions such as dry eye. The stimulation system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a signal received from the controller and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. In some variations, the microstimulator may include a passive generation circuit configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller.

Claims

1. A method for tear production, comprising:

implanting a microstimulator at least partially in a punctum, lacrimal duct, or nasolacrimal duct; and

applying an electrical stimulus to the punctum, lacrimal duct, or nasolacrimal duct.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator is positioned in a punctum.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator is positioned in a lacrimal duct.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator is positioned in a nasolacrimal duct.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator comprises at least one electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator is configured to change shape upon implantation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein after implantation the microstimulator conforms to one or more anatomical structures.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the microstimulator comprises a curved shape.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator comprises one or more components that aid in insertion of the microstimulator into tissue.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the microstimulator comprises rounded edges.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator comprises an element that maintains the microstimulator in place relative to tissue.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the microstimulator comprises an adhesive coating.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the element comprises a hook, a barb, an anchor, a bump, or a protrusion.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the microstimulator comprises a housing and a flexible extension.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulus is applied to one or more afferents in the lacrimal duct.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulus is applied to one or more afferents in the nasolacrimal duct.