SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF DRY EYE
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Abstract
A stimulation system stimulates anatomical targets in a patient for treatment of dry eye. The system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The controller may be implemented externally to or internally within the 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 controller signal and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. The microstimulator may not have any intelligence or logic to shape or modify a signal. The microstimulator may be a passive device configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller. The microstimulator may shape or modify a signal. Waveforms having different frequency, amplitude and period characteristics may stimulate different anatomical targets in a patient.
28 Citations
32 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A method for treating dry eye by stimulating one or more nerves, comprising:
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delivering a stimulus to an anatomical target to produce lacrimation, wherein the stimulus is delivered by an implanted microstimulator, wherein the microstimulator comprises a body having a length between 6 mm and 15 mm, and wherein one or more electrodes are integrated into the body of the device, and wherein the microstimulator is implanted using an insertion device comprising a distal end and a device shaft, wherein the microstimulator can be secured at the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification