Nasal Microstimulator for Dry Eye Disease Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for dry eye disease (DED) are inadequate in effectively addressing the condition, leading to persistent ocular discomfort and potential serious ocular health deficiencies, as they fail to adequately stimulate tear production and maintain ocular surface health.
Innovation Solution
Implantation of a nasal stimulator microdevice that electrically stimulates nasal tissue using a microstimulator, delivering a biphasic symmetric pulse waveform to activate the nasolacrimal reflex and increase tear production, with the device being surgically implanted into a tissue pocket adjacent to the nasal septum and powered wirelessly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current treatments for dry eye disease are used, then treatment options are available, but they fail to effectively stimulate tear production and address the condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electrical stimulator as an intermediary device placed in the nasal cavity to activate the nasolacrimal nerve, which indirectly stimulates tear production through the neural pathway rather than directly affecting the lacrimal glands. This intermediary approach overcomes the limitation of current treatments by leveraging the natural reflex arc between nasal stimulation and tear secretion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or chemical treatment methods (such as artificial tears, punctal plugs, or surgical procedures) with an electrical stimulation system. The electrical stimulator delivers controlled electrical pulses to the nasolacrimal nerve, substituting traditional mechanical interventions with a neurophysiological approach that activates the body's natural tear production mechanism.
2Productivity
If electrical stimulation is applied to nasal tissue, then tear production increases, but the device requires implantation into nasal tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the treatment system into separate components: a reusable external controller and a disposable or semi-permanent implantable stimulator. This segmentation allows the complex control electronics to remain external while only a simple stimulator module is implanted in the nasal tissue, reducing the complexity of the implantation procedure while maintaining effective tear production stimulation.
3Reliability
If the microstimulator is implanted into nasal tissue, then effective stimulation is achieved, but the device requires wireless power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs wireless power transmission as an intermediary energy delivery mechanism, using electromagnetic fields to transfer power through tissue without physical connections. This allows the implanted stimulator to receive power non-invasively from an external source, eliminating the need for implanted batteries or wired connections while maintaining reliable stimulation effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly enhances tear production, improving ocular surface health and providing a more effective treatment for DED by leveraging the nasolacrimal reflex, potentially reducing the progression of the disease and associated discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
Electrical stimulation applied to sensory neurons in the nasal cavity may activate the nasolacrimal reflex and thereby increase tear production
Data Source
AI summary
Described here are systems, devices, and methods for implanting a nasal stimulator into nasal tissue and electrically stimulating nasal tissue. In some variations, a nasal microstimulator implantation system may comprise an implantation tool and an implantable microstimulator. An implantation tool may comprise a shaft and features to releasably attach a microstimulator. A microstimulator may comprise a passive stimulation circuit and one or more electrodes. In other variations, a nasal implantation system may additionally comprise one or more additional devices, such as a controller, an electrical probe, and/or a dissection tool.