INTRANASAL STIMULATION FOR TREATMENT OF MEIBOMIAN GLAND DISEASE AND BLEPHARITIS
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating meibomian gland disease and/or blepharitis by providing intranasal stimulation. Generally, the devices may deliver electrical stimulation to the nasal mucosa. Intranasal stimulation may unblock obstructed meibomian glands and increase the lipid content of tears, both acutely during stimulation and subsequent to intranasal stimulation. The methods may include an initial round of stimulation to unblock obstructed meibomian glands, and subsequent shorter rounds of stimulation to cause meibum secretion and maintain the open glands.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1-26. -26. (canceled)
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27. A method for treating a subject, comprising:
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visualizing an eyelid margin of the subject during intranasal electrical stimulation of the subject; and stopping or instructing a subject to stop the intranasal electrical stimulation after observing secretion of meibum onto the eyelid margin, wherein the subject has meibomian gland disease. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for treating a subject, comprising:
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visualizing an eyelid margin of the subject during intranasal electrical stimulation of the subject; and adjusting at least one parameter of the intranasal electrical stimulation based on the visualization, wherein the subject has meibomian gland disease. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 38, 40, 41)
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37. (canceled)
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39. (canceled)
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42-52. -52. (canceled)
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53. A method of treating dry eye, comprising:
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determining that a subject afflicted with dry eye is deficient in meibum secretion, and intranasally delivering an electrical stimulation to the subject, wherein the intranasally delivered electrical stimulation is effective to increase meibum secretion. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55)
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56. A method of treating dry eye, comprising:
repeatedly delivering intranasal electrical stimulation to a subject over a period of time, wherein the subject has meibomian gland disease, and wherein the intranasal electrical stimulation is effective to improve secreted meibum quality. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59)
Specification