# US 2019/0167473 A1 · System and Method for Eyelid Stimulation

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- Number: US 2019/0167473 A1
- Document ID: US20190167473A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/270,024
- Filed: 2019-02-07
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14
- Assignees: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
- Applicants: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
- Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167473A1

## CPC

- A61N 1/36003: {of motor muscles, e.g. for walking assistance}
- A61F 9/00718: {Restoration of lid function}
- A61H 5/00: Exercisers for the eyes
- A61H 23/00: Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms {(apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B)}
- A61H 23/02: with electric or magnetic drive
- A61N 1/36031: {using physiological parameters for adjustment}
- A61N 1/36034: {specified by the stimulation parameters}
- A61N 1/36046: {of the eye}
- A61N 1/36057: {adapted for stimulating afferent nerves}
- A61N 1/36067: {Movement disorders, e.g. tremor or Parkinson disease (stimulating motor muscle A61N1/36003)}
- A61N 1/36139: {with automatic adjustment}
- A61H 23/004: {With mechanical drive, e.g. spring mechanism or vibrating unit being hit for starting vibration and then applied to the body of a patient}
- A61H 23/0245: {with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric}
- A61H 2201/501: connected to external computer devices or networks
- A61H 2201/5012: using the internet
- A61H 2201/5058: Sensors or detectors
- A61H 2201/5097: wireless
- A61H 2205/024: Eyes
- 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)
- 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)

## Abstract

A system and method of treating hyperactivity of an eyelid closing muscle in a subject includes providing a stimulation system in the subject with the hyperactivity of the eyelid closing muscle, sensing an activity of the eyelid closing muscle, and selectively stimulating eyelid opening muscle(s) or innervating nerves, eyelid opening reflexes, or eyelid opening reflexes in non-muscular tissue, using the stimulation system, without substantially activating the eyelid closing muscle. The system and method evokes eyelid movement in the subject.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A stimulation system for treating hyperactivity of an eyelid closing muscle in a subject, the system comprising:
an activating switch configured to generate a first signal;
a processor, in communication with the activating switch, configured to generate at least one stimulation parameter, based on the first signal, in order to stimulate one or more eyelid opening muscles or innervating nerves of the subject; and
a stimulator configured to receive the at least one stimulation parameter and to selectively activate the one or more eyelid opening muscles or innervating nerves of the subject based on the at least one stimulation parameter, without activating the eyelid closing muscle in the subject.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the activating switch is a manual activator configured to generate the first signal when operated by the subject.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the activating switch automatically generates the first signal based on sensed parameters.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the activating switch is a sensing electrode configured to detect activity of the eyelid closing muscle and to generate the first signal based on the detected activity.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the activating switch is a manual activator configured to generate the first signal when manually operated by the subject and a sensing electrode configured to detect activity of the eyelid closing muscle and to generate the first signal based on the detected activity.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the stimulator is configured to selectively stimulate the one or more eyelid opening muscles or innervating nerves using electrical stimulation, mechanical stimulation, vibratory stimulation, or combinations thereof

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, wherein the stimulator is a vibration generator configured to stimulate the one or more eyelid opening muscles or innervating nerves of the subject.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system according to claim 7, wherein the vibration generator is a piezoelectric actuator, an electrodynamic actuator, a mechanical actuator, or combinations thereof.