Nasal stimulation devices and methods for treating dry eye
AssigneeOculeve, Inc.
InventorsDouglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
Claims12
A method for treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising:
- positioning an electrode of a handheld nasal stimulator in contact with tissue comprising an external surface of a nose of a patient and
- delivering an electrical stimulus generated by the handheld nasal stimulator via the electrode to thereby stimulate an ophthalmic branch of a trigeminal nerve of the patient to treat meibomian gland dysfunction in the patient.
A method of treating dry eye, comprising:
- positioning an electrode of a handheld nasal stimulator in contact with tissue comprising an external surface of a nose of a subject;
- and
- delivering an electrical stimulus generated by the handheld nasal stimulator to the tissue of the subject to stimulate an ophthalmic branch of a trigeminal nerve of the subject to thereby improve dysfunction of the Meibomian glands of the subject,
- wherein the handheld nasal stimulator comprises a control subsystem to control the electrical stimulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.