Nasal stimulation devices and methods for treating dry eye

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.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A stimulator device for causing a therapeutic effect in facial tissue of a subject, comprising:
 a body configured to be held by the subject; and   a stimulator extending from the body, the stimulator comprising an electrode configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to sinus tissue of the subject thereby activating a trigeminal nerve for causing the therapeutic effect in the facial tissue of the subject,   wherein the electrical stimulus comprises a maximum amplitude between 10 μA and 100 mA.   
     
     
         19 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the stimulator is integrally formed with the body. 
     
     
         20 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the stimulator is releasably coupled to the body. 
     
     
         21 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the electrical stimulus is a biphasic pulse waveform. 
     
     
         22 . The stimulator device of  claim 21 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform is symmetrical. 
     
     
         23 . The stimulator device of  claim 21 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform has a varying peak to peak amplitude. 
     
     
         24 . The stimulator device of  claim 21 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform has a varying frequency. 
     
     
         25 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the electrical stimulus has a frequency between 0.1 Hz and 200 Hz. 
     
     
         26 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the stimulator comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are angled towards each other. 
     
     
         27 . The stimulator device of  claim 26 , wherein the electrode is positioned at a distal end of at least the first portion of the stimulator. 
     
     
         28 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the body includes a user interface configured to control one or more parameters of the electrical stimulus. 
     
     
         29 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , further comprising one or more light-based status indicators. 
     
     
         30 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein causing the therapeutic effect in the facial tissue of the subject is indicated by one or more of decreased dry eye symptoms, decreased ocular surface staining, increased tear production, and decreased facial pain. 
     
     
         31 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode configured to deliver the electrical stimulus. 
     
     
         32 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the stimulator is configured to deliver a mechanical stimulus comprising a vibration. 
     
     
         33 . The stimulator device of  claim 18 , wherein the body is configured to deliver a mechanical stimulus comprising a vibration. 
     
     
         34 . A stimulator device for causing a therapeutic effect in facial tissue of a subject, comprising:
 a body configured to be held by the subject; and   a stimulator positioned along a side of the body, the stimulator comprising an electrode configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to an external surface of a nose of the subject thereby activating a facial nerve for causing the therapeutic effect in the facial tissue of the subject,   wherein the electrical stimulus comprises a maximum amplitude between 10 μA and 100 mA.   
     
     
         35 . The stimulator device of  claim 34 , wherein the stimulator is integrally formed with the body. 
     
     
         36 . The stimulator device of  claim 34 , wherein the stimulator is releasably coupled to the body. 
     
     
         37 . The stimulator device of  claim 34 , wherein the body comprises a control system configured to modulate the electrical stimulus.