Polymer Formulations for nasolacrimal stimulation

• US 9,956,397 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2017
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oculeve Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Oculeve Incorporated (Abbvie Incorporated)
• Inventors: Loudin, James Donald, Gupta, Amitava, Christ, Marie Dvorak, Christ, F. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): LEVICKY, WILLIAM J
• Application Number:
  US15/700,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20170368333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 232 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0456 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0496 characterised by using specific chemical compositions, e.g. hydrogel compositions, adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0546 Nasal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36014 External stimulators, e.g. with patch electrodes external pacemakers A61N1/3625
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/20 of polyhydric alcohols or phenols , e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate or glycerol mono-(meth)acrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/54 Amides , e.g. N,N-dimethylacrylamide or N-isopropylacrylamide
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 222/102 of dialcohols, e.g. ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate or 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 226/10 N-Vinyl-pyrrolidone
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 230/08 containing silicon
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/125 comprising aliphatic main chains, e.g. polyactylenes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling

Abstract

Described herein are polymer formulations for facilitating electrical stimulation of nasal or sinus tissue. The polymer formulations may be hydrogels that are prepared by a UV cross-linking process. The hydrogels may be included as a component of nasal stimulator devices that electrically stimulate the lacrimal gland to improve tear production and treat dry eye. Additionally, devices and methods for manufacturing the nasal stimulators, including shaping of the hydrogel, are described herein.

Claims

1. A method for stimulating a lacrimal gland comprising:

placing an arm of a nasal stimulator device against a nasal or a sinus tissue, the arm having a distal end and a hydrogel electrode disposed at the distal end;

activating the nasal stimulator device to provide electrical stimulation to the nasal or the sinus tissue using the hydrogel electrode, wherein the hydrogel electrode comprises a mixture of;

glycerol monomethacrylate;

trimethylol propane trimethacrylate;

dimethylacrylamide;

N-vinylpyrrolidone;

2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenylphosphine oxide; and

methanol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation is used to treat a type of dry eye.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the type of dry eye is chronic dry eye, episodic dry eye, or seasonal dry eye.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation is used to treat dry eye due to age, a hormonal imbalance, an ocular allergy, a side effect of medication, Sjogren'"'"'s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or a thyroid disorder.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation is used as a prophylactic measure after laser vision correction or cataract surgery.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical stimulation is provided one to five times a day.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel electrode further comprises a hydrating medium.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the hydrating medium comprises propylene glycol.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel electrode further comprises 3-[tris(trimethylsiloxy)silyl]propyl methacrylate.