Stimulation patterns for treating dry eye

Abstract

Described herein are electrical stimulation patterns and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye disease, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort. The methods generally include applying patterned stimulation to an anatomical structure located in an ocular region or a nasal region to increase tear production.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating ocular discomfort, comprising:
 delivering a stimulus to nasal tissue of a user with a probe,   
       wherein the stimulus treats ocular discomfort in the user from wearing contact lenses. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stimulus is delivered to nasal mucosa of the user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stimulus comprises a patterned stimulation waveform. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the patterned stimulation waveform comprises a pulse shape, maximum amplitude, and pulse width that are modulated over time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pulse shape is modulated at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pulse width is modulated between 0 μs and 300 μs. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pulse width is modulated over time according to an exponential function. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stimulus induces lacrimation in the user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the probe comprises at least one electrode, and wherein the stimulus is an electrical stimulus. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the probe is connected to a stimulator body, wherein the stimulator body comprises a control subsystem to control the electrical stimulus to be delivered to the subject via the probe. 
     
     
         19 . A method for reducing discomfort from wearing contact lenses, comprising:
 positioning a probe in a nasal cavity of a user; and   delivering an electrical stimulus to nasal tissue of the user via the probe,   
       wherein the stimulus treats ocular discomfort in the user from wearing contact lenses. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered to nasal mucosa of the user. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the electrical stimulus comprises a patterned stimulation waveform. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the patterned stimulation waveform comprises a pulse shape, maximum amplitude, and pulse width that are modulated over time. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the pulse shape is modulated at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the pulse width is modulated between 0 μs and 300 μs. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the pulse width is modulated over time according to an exponential function. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the electrical stimulus induces lacrimation in the user. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the probe comprises at least one electrode, and wherein positioning the probe comprises positioning an electrode on either side of the nasal septum. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the probe is connected to a stimulator body, wherein the stimulator body comprises a control subsystem to control the electrical stimulus to be delivered to the subject via the probe.