# US 2018/0021171 A1 · Nasolacrimal implants and related methods for tear stimulation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021171 A1 - Document ID: US20180021171A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/719,937 - Filed: 2017-09-29 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-16 - Assignees: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate - Applicants: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate - Inventors: Malik Y. KAHOOK - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021171A1 ## CPC - A61F 9/0017: {implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts} - A61F 7/12: Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities - A61F 9/0026: {Ophthalmic product dispenser attachments to facilitate positioning near the eye} - A61F 9/00772: {Apparatus for restoration of tear ducts} - A61H 23/02: with electric or magnetic drive - A61N 1/36046: {of the eye} - A61N 1/37205: {Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula} - A61N 1/37229: {Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna} - A61N 1/3787: {from an external energy source} - A61N 2/004: {specially adapted for a specific therapy} - A61N 5/0603: {for treatment of body cavities} - A61N 7/00: Ultrasound therapy (lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 {; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092}) - A61N 1/0551: {Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes} - A61N 1/36057: {adapted for stimulating afferent nerves} - A61N 1/37211: {Means for communicating with stimulators} - A61N 2007/0004: {Applications of ultrasound therapy} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A device for inducing production of tears may include a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body may be configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject. The device also may include a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and an induction coil operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism. Further, the device may include an external controller wirelessly coupled to the induction coil for inductively transferring energy to the induction coil. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-30. (canceled) ### Claim at position 2 31: A device for inducing tears in a subject, comprising: a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the body further including an expandable component configured to expand into conformity with the anatomical features of a lacrimal sac of the subject when the device is inserted therein; and a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim at position 3 (depends on 31) 32: The device of claim 31, further comprising a power receptor disposed on or within the body. ### Claim at position 4 (depends on 32) 33: The device of claim 32, wherein the power receptor is comprised of a photo-active material. ### Claim at position 5 (depends on 31) 34: The device of claim 31, further including a sensor configured for sensing one or more of biochemical properties of tears, placement of the body, and operation of the stimulus delivery mechanism. ### Claim at position 6 (depends on 34) 35: The device of claim 34, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a degree of conductivity in the lacrimal sac of the subject. ### Claim at position 7 36: A method for inducing tears in a subject, comprising: positioning a portion of the stimulation delivery device in a nasolacrimal sac of the subject; and applying a stimulation signal to the nasolacrimal sac via the stimulation delivery device, the stimulation signal being received via a power receptor associated with the stimulation delivery device to induce tearing in the subject. ### Claim at position 8 (depends on 36) 37: The method of claim 36, wherein prior to the step of positioning a portion of the stimulation delivery device in a nasolacrimal sac of the subject, a stimulation delivery device is inserted through a nasolacrimal drainage system of the subject. ### Claim at position 9 (depends on 37) 38: The method of claim 37, wherein the inserting step further comprises inserting the stimulation delivery device through a punctum or a nasolacrimal duct of the subject. ### Claim at position 10 (depends on 36) 39: The method of claim 36, wherein the positioning step further includes activating an expandable component of the stimulation delivery device so that the expandable component expands into conformity with the anatomical features of the lacrimal sac. ### Claim at position 11 (depends on 36) 40: The method of claim 36, wherein the subject is suffering from dry eye. ### Claim at position 12 41: An introducer for inserting a stimulation delivery device in a nasolacrimal drainage system of subject, the stimulation delivery device including a body and a lumen, the introducer comprising: an elongate body configured to extend at least partially into the lumen of the body; wherein an end of introducer is configured to engage and temporarily couple with the distal end of the body of the stimulation delivery device; wherein manipulation of the introducer, when positioned in the lumen of the body, causes a diameter of the body to be reduced temporarily from a resting state diameter to a reduced caliber diameter; wherein after insertion of the body having a reduced caliber diameter, manipulation of the introducer causes the introducer to be removed from the lumen so that the body reassumes the resting state diameter. ### Claim at position 13 42: A method for inserting a stimulation delivery device in a nasolacrimal drainage system of subject, the stimulation delivery device including a body and a lumen, the method comprising: inserting an introducer into the lumen of the body and manipulating the introducer to cause the body to transition from a resting state diameter to a reduced caliber diameter; inserting the stimulation delivery device, with the reduced caliber diameter, through a punctum of the subject; and removing the introducer from the lumen so that the body reassumes the resting state diameter.