Nasal stimulation for rhinitis, nasal congestion, and ocular allergies

Abstract

Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, ocular allergy, and/or symptoms associated with these conditions, by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs, and the nasal insertion prongs may be configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to the tissue.

1 - 75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . A method for treating rhinitis, the method comprising:
 contacting a stimulating portion of a handheld stimulator to external facial tissue of a subject, the stimulating portion positioned at a distal end of a stimulator body of the handheld stimulator; and   delivering a stimulus via the stimulating portion to the external facial tissue to activate an infraorbital nerve, thereby treating rhinitis in the subject.   
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered in response to one or more symptoms of rhinitis. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the symptoms of rhinitis comprise one or more of itching, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, post-nasal drip, mouth breathing, coughing, fatigue, headache, anosmia, phlegm, throat irritation, periorbital puffiness, watery eyes, ear pain, and fullness sensation. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered more than once per day on a scheduled basis. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the stimulus is a biphasic pulse waveform. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform is symmetrical. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform has a varying peak to peak amplitude. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform has a varying frequency. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the stimulus is pulsed. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the stimulating portion is releasably coupled to the stimulator body. 
     
     
         86 . A method for treating congestion, the method comprising:
 contacting an electrode of a handheld stimulator to external facial skin of a subject, the electrode being coupled to a stimulator body of the handheld stimulator; and   delivering an electrical stimulus via the electrode to the external nasal skin of the subject to activate an infraorbital nerve, thereby improving the congestion of the subject.   
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered in response to one or more symptoms of congestion. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the electrical stimulus is delivered more than once per day on a scheduled basis. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the stimulus is a biphasic pulse waveform. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform is symmetrical. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform has a varying peak to peak amplitude. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein the biphasic pulse waveform has a varying frequency. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the stimulus is pulsed. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the stimulating portion is releasably coupled to the stimulator body.