Systems and methods for treatment of dry eye

摘要

A stimulation system stimulates anatomical targets in a patient for treatment of dry eye. The system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The controller may be implemented externally to or internally within the microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a controller signal and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. The microstimulator may not have any intelligence or logic to shape or modify a signal. The microstimulator may be a passive device configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller. The microstimulator may shape or modify a signal. Waveforms having different frequency, amplitude and period characteristics may stimulate different anatomical targets in a patient.

主权项

1. A method for treating dry eye by stimulating one or more nerves that innervate lacrimal gland tissue comprising:
implanting a microstimulator adjacent to the lacrimal gland; and applying stimulation to the lacrimal gland, wherein the microstimulator is implanted using a 12 or larger gauge needle.