Corneal denervation for treatment of ocular pain

US10596038B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Journey1 Inc · US

Inventors

• Yair Alster · Menlo Park, US
• Hanson S. Gifford, III · Woodside, US
• Cary J. Reich · Los Gatos, US
• Eugene de Juan, Jr. · San Francisco, US
• John A. Scholl · San Ramon, US
• Jose D. Alejandro · Menlo Park, US
• Douglas Sutton · Pacifica, US
• Omer Refaeli · Nes Ziona, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 2017
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2020
• Expiry date: May 10, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N7/02
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for the treatment of the eye to reduce pain can treat at least an outer region of the tissue so as to denervate nerves extending into the inner region and reduce the pain. For example, the cornea of the eye may comprise an inner region having an epithelial defect, and an outer portion of the cornea can be treated to reduce pain of the epithelial defect. The outer portion of the cornea can be treated to denervate nerves extending from the outer portion to the inner portion. The outer portion can be treated in many ways to denervate the nerve, for example with one or more of heat, cold or a denervating noxious substance such as capsaicin. The denervation of the nerve can be reversible, such that corneal innervation can return following treatment.