STIMULATION DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TREATING DRY EYE
First Claim
1. A method for treating dry eye in a patient in need thereof, comprising:
- contacting nasal mucosa of the patient with a first electrode; and
delivering current from the electrode through tissue of the patient to a return contact,wherein the electrode is located on a nasal insertion prong of a stimulator probe of a stimulator, and the return contact is located on a stimulator body of the stimulator, and wherein the stimulator probe is reversibly attachable to the stimulator body.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described herein are devices and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort such as from contact lenses. The methods generally include applying spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation to one or more anatomical structures located in an ocular or nasal region. The electrical stimulation may elicit a reflex that activates the lacrimal gland or may directly activate the lacrimal gland or nerves innervating the lacrimal gland to produce tears. The devices may be implantable or handheld, and may be configured to deliver the spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation patterns described.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for treating dry eye in a patient in need thereof, comprising:
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contacting nasal mucosa of the patient with a first electrode; and delivering current from the electrode through tissue of the patient to a return contact, wherein the electrode is located on a nasal insertion prong of a stimulator probe of a stimulator, and the return contact is located on a stimulator body of the stimulator, and wherein the stimulator probe is reversibly attachable to the stimulator body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for delivering an electrical stimulus to nasal mucosa of a patient, comprising:
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a stimulator probe comprising a nasal insertion prong, wherein a distal portion of the nasal insertion prong comprises first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode is configured to deliver current; a return contact located on the stimulator probe at the base of the nasal insertion prong; and a user interface configured to allow the patient to adjust an amount of current delivered between the first and second electrodes and between the first electrode and the return contact. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A device for delivering an electrical stimulus to nasal mucosa of a patient having dry eye, comprising:
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a first nasal insertion prong configured to be inserted into a first nostril, wherein the first nasal insertion prong comprises a first electrode; and a second nasal insertion prong configured to be inserted into a second nostril, wherein the second nasal insertion prong comprises a second electrode; and a user interface, wherein the device is configured to deliver a biphasic charge-balanced pulsed waveform, and wherein the user interface is configured to allow the patient to adjust an amplitude;
duration aspect ratio of the waveform.
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15. A method of increasing tear production in a patient, comprising:
delivering an electrical stimulus to tissue of a patient using a device comprising at least three electrical contacts, wherein the electrical stimulus takes one or more pathways between the at least three electrical contacts during delivery, and wherein the one or more pathways of the electrical stimulus change over time during delivery. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification