INTRANASAL STIMULATION FOR ENHANCED RELEASE OF OCULAR MUCINS AND OTHER TEAR PROTEINS
First Claim
1. :
- A method for increasing mucin on an ocular surface of a subject, comprising;
intranasally delivering an electrical stimulation to the subject; and
stimulating release of an ocular mucin,wherein the released ocular mucin improves a condition of the eye.
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.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. :
- A method for increasing mucin on an ocular surface of a subject, comprising;
intranasally delivering an electrical stimulation to the subject; and stimulating release of an ocular mucin, wherein the released ocular mucin improves a condition of the eye. - 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, 37, 38)
- A method for increasing mucin on an ocular surface of a subject, comprising;
-
39-56. -56. (canceled)
Specification