Devices and methods for treating dry eye in animals

• US 9,265,956 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2014
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oculeve Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Oculeve Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ackermann, Douglas Michael, Loudin, James Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Manuel, George
• Application Number:
  US14/201,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20140257433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0526 Head electrodes A61N1/0551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile

Abstract

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating a condition in an animal. Generally the systems include a stimulator that is implantable in the animal and a controller system configured to transmit one or more signals to the implanted stimulator. The controller system may have a controller configured to generate the one or more signals. The controller system may include one or more collars, bridles, horse hoods, cages, animal beds, and/or food bowls. The systems may be used to treat one or more conditions such as dry eye, and may treat the conditions in an animal such as a horse, dog, or cat.

Claims

1. A system for treating an animal comprising:

an implantable stimulator configured for implantation in the animal; and

a controller system comprising a controller, wherein the controller is configured to transmit one or more signals to the implantable stimulator,

and wherein the controller system comprises a horse bridle or horse hood, and wherein the controller is connected to the horse bridle or horse hood.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the horse bridle comprises a cheek strap and wherein at least a portion of the controller is connected to the cheek strap.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the horse bridle comprises a throat lash and wherein at least a portion of the controller is connected to the throat lash.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the horse bridle or horse hood comprises a blinder and wherein at least a portion of the controller is connected to the blinder.

5. A method of treating dry eye in an animal comprising:

implanting a stimulator in the animal to position at least one electrode adjacent a lacrimal gland or a nictitans gland of the animal; and

applying a stimulation signal to the lacrimal gland or the nictitans gland,

wherein positioning at least one electrode adjacent the lacrimal gland or the nictitans gland comprises positioning a first electrode adjacent the lacrimal gland and positioning a second electrode adjacent the nictitans gland.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein applying a stimulation signal to the lacrimal gland or the nictitans gland comprises applying a first stimulation signal to the lacrimal gland and applying a second stimulation signal to the nictitans gland.

7. A method of treating dry eye in an animal comprising:

implanting a stimulator in the animal to position at least one electrode adjacent a lacrimal gland or a nictitans gland of the animal;

applying a stimulation signal to the lacrimal gland or the nictitans gland; and

transmitting at least one signal from a controller of a controller system to the stimulator,

wherein the controller system comprises a motion sensor, wherein transmitting the at least one signal from the controller to the stimulator comprises transmitting the at least one signal when the motion sensor detects a threshold level of motion.