STIMULATION PATTERNS FOR TREATING DRY EYE

• US 20160022992A1
• Filed: 07/24/2015
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oculeve Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Oculeve Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: LOUDIN, James Donald, FRANKE, Manfred
• Granted Patent: US 9,687,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0546 Nasal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3606 adapted for a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36146 specified by the stimulation parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

Described herein are electrical stimulation patterns and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye disease, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort. The methods generally include applying patterned stimulation to an anatomical structure located in an ocular region or a nasal region to increase tear production.

Claims

1. A system comprising one or more stimulation electrodes and a controller, wherein the controller comprises a programmable memory configured to store a plurality of patterned stimulation waveforms associated with a sensed paresthesia.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more stimulation electrodes are configured for implantation in an ocular region or a nasal region.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured for placement external to the ocular region or the nasal region.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more stimulation electrodes are configured for placement on a mucosal surface or within sub-mucosal tissue.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more stimulation electrodes are configured for placement within a nasal cavity or a sinus cavity.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the programmable memory is capable of storing up to 10 patterned stimulation waveforms.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for selecting one or more of the stored plurality of patterned waveforms.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to execute a program that cycles through a plurality of waveform parameter options.