NASOLACRIMAL IMPLANTS AND RELATED METHODS FOR TEAR STIMULATION
First Claim
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1. A device for inducing production of tears, comprising:
- a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body is configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject; and
a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end.
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Abstract
A device for inducing production of tears may include a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body may be configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject. The device also may include a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and an induction coil operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism. Further, the device may include an external controller wirelessly coupled to the induction coil for inductively transferring energy to the induction coil.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A device for inducing production of tears, comprising:
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a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body is configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject; and a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for inducing production of tears, comprising:
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a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the body is configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject; a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end; an induction coil operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism; and an external controller wirelessly coupled to the induction coil for inductively transferring energy to the induction coil. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for inducing production of tears, comprising:
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contacting tissue of a canaliculus of a subject with a stimulus delivery mechanism of a device; wirelessly communicating a stimulation signal from an external device to an induction coil associated with the device; and stimulating tissue of the canaliculus of the subject via the stimulation delivery mechanism to induce tearing from a lacrimal gland of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for inducing production of tears, comprising:
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a plurality of stimulation devices, each stimulation device including; a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end; a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end; and an induction coil operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism; and an external controller wirelessly coupled to the induction coil of each of the plurality of stimulation devices for inductively transferring energy to the induction coil, wherein the placement of at least one stimulation device of the plurality of stimulation devices is dependent on the placement of at least one other stimulation device of the plurality of stimulation devices. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification