Intranasal stimulation for enhanced release of ocular mucins and other tear proteins
First Claim
1. A method for increasing ocular mucin on an ocular surface of a subject, comprising:
- applying one or more active agents to the ocular surface prior to intranasally delivering an electrical stimulation to the subject, thereby increasing a density of goblet cells on the ocular surface, the one or more active agents comprising cyclosporine;
intranasally delivering the electrical stimulation to the subject after applying the one or more active agents to the ocular surface; and
stimulating release of the ocular mucin from the goblet cells,wherein the increased density of goblet cells and the released ocular mucin from the goblet cells improves a condition of an eye of the subject.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described here are devices and methods for increasing ocular mucin and other tear protein release using intranasally delivered electrical stimulation. Generally, the devices may deliver electrical stimulation to the nasal mucosa. Intranasal stimulation may trigger degranulation of conjunctival goblet cells, which in turn releases secretory mucins into the tear fluid. The intranasal stimulation may also trigger release of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and other tear proteins into the aqueous layer of the tear film. The methods may further comprise obtaining feedback relating to the efficacy of the delivered electrical stimulation by measuring impedance or an electromyogram (EMG) signal.
417 Citations
36 Claims
-
1. A method for increasing ocular mucin on an ocular surface of a subject, comprising:
-
applying one or more active agents to the ocular surface prior to intranasally delivering an electrical stimulation to the subject, thereby increasing a density of goblet cells on the ocular surface, the one or more active agents comprising cyclosporine; intranasally delivering the electrical stimulation to the subject after applying the one or more active agents to the ocular surface; and stimulating release of the ocular mucin from the goblet cells, wherein the increased density of goblet cells and the released ocular mucin from the goblet cells improves a condition of an eye of 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, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
-
Specification