DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: A HANDHELD DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRY EYES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally related to medical devices. Particularly, the present disclosure is related to a handheld medical device for the treatment of dry eyes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dry eye is a disorder of tear film due to tear deficiency or excessive tear evaporation, which causes damage to the interpalpebral ocular surface. Persons with severe cases of dry eye are at risk of serious ocular health deficiencies, such as corneal ulceration, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and so on.
In today’s digital era, there is an increase in the exposure to digital devices, such as laptops, television, mobiles, etc. This ultimately directly or indirectly leads to dry eye.
Existing solutions available in the art for the treatment of dry eye are the production of artificial tears through eye drops, the use of immunosuppressive medications (for example, ciclosporin-based medications), the use of integrin antagonists, the application of steroid eye drops, the use of hydroxypropyl cellulose-based formulations, inducing the expression of meibomian gland, the use of thermal pulsation systems, and the intake of nutritional supplements.
However, each of the above mentioned solutions suffers from various drawbacks and shortcomings, some of which are detailed below.
Artificial tears produced through eye drops have high viscosity, which causes blurred vision for several minutes after application.
Persons undergoing ciclosporin-based medications typically experience burning eyes during the first few week of treatment.
Persons undergoing treatment involving integrin antagonists typically experience eye irritation, alternate taste sensation, and reduced visual acuity.
If used for an extended period of time, steroid eye drops increase the risk of developing high eye pressure or cataracts.
Persons undergoing treatment involving hydroxypropyl cellulose-based formulations typically experience transient blurred vision, eye discomfort or irritation, matting or stickiness of eyelashes, red eye, and sensitivity of light.
Significant amount of pressure is to be applied for stimulating the expression of meibomian gland, which could be uncomfortable and may lead to complications if improper pressure is applied.
Potential side effects from the use of thermal pulsation effects include corneal abrasion, eye pain, swollen eyelids, eyelid irritation and inflammation, chalazion, itching, and redness.
While consuming nutritional supplements, even mild dehydration could result in the worsening of the eye condition.
Last, but not least, most of the above referenced solutions require the supervision of a skilled medical practitioner.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for a device for the treatment of dry eyes that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes is disclosed. The handheld device comprises a neurostimulating unit that is enclosed within a housing.
The neurostimulating unit comprises: a switch; a rheostat; a vibrator; an at least one rechargeable battery; a motor; an at least one probe; and an at least one sensor.

The switch powers the handheld device ON or OFF. Said switch is associated with both the rheostat that controls the vibrator and the at least one rechargeable battery.
The at least one rechargeable battery is associated with the motor that stimulates the motion of the at least one probe.
The at least one rechargeable battery is also associated with: the at least one sensor, and the vibrator.
The at least one probe is configured to gently stimulate the nerves of a user’s nose in a non-invasive manner, when the at least one probe is inserted into an at least a nostril of the user, and the handheld device is switched ON.
The at least one sensor is configured to detect any kind of fluid, which is secreted by the nose. The detection of blood causes changes in the electrical potential of the at least one sensor, thereby causing the handheld device to stop the stimulation.
The disclosed handheld device is: drop-free; drug-free; easy to use; portable; cost-effective; and capable of being used by the user directly without the supervision of a skilled medical practitioner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates the operation of an embodiment of a handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes by a user, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the words "comprise", “have”, “contain”, and “include”, and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", “having”, “contains”, “containing”, “includes”, and “including” may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited. The disclosed embodiments may be embodied in various other forms as well.
Throughout this specification, the phrases “at least a”, “at least an”, and “at least one” are used interchangeably.
Throughout this specification, the phrase ‘application on a computing device’ and its variations are to be construed as being inclusive of: application installable on a computing device, website hosted on a computing device, web application installed on a computing device, website accessible from a computing device, and web application accessible from a computing device.
Throughout this specification, the phrase ‘computing device’ and its variations are to be construed as being inclusive of: the Cloud, remote servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, phablets, and smart watches.
Throughout this specification, the user of the phrase ‘handheld device’ and its variations are to be construed as ‘a medical device that is compact and portable enough to be held and used in one or both hands.’
As illustrated in Figure 1, an embodiment of a handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100) is disclosed. The handheld device (100) comprises a neurostimulating unit, said neurostimulating unit being enclosed within a housing.
The neurostimulating unit comprises: a switch (101); a rheostat (103); a vibrator (104); an at least a rechargeable battery (102); a motor; an at least a probe (106); and an at least a sensor (105).
The switch (101) powers the handheld device (100) ON or OFF, said switch (101) being associated with: the rheostat (103) that controls the vibrator (104), and the at least a rechargeable battery (102).
Said at least one rechargeable battery (102) is associated with: a motor; the at least a sensor (105); and the vibrator (104).
When the handheld device (100) is switched ON, the motor produces mechanical energy from electrical energy. The produced mechanical energy stimulates the motion of the at least a probe (106).
Said at least one probe (106) is configured to gently stimulate the nerves of a user’s nose in a non-invasive manner, when the at least one probe (106) is inserted into an at least a nostril of the user. The at least one sensor (105) is configured to detect any kind of fluid, which is secreted by the nose.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld device (100) comprises a single probe.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld device (100) comprises a pair of probes, with one probe being inserted into each nostril of the user.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one rechargeable battery (102) is a Lithium-Ion battery.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld device (100) comprises a wireless connectivity facilitator that is configured to enable the handheld device (100) to transmit data to an application on a computing device.
The computing device includes, but is not limited to, desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, phablets, and smart watches.
The transmission of data through the wireless connectivity facilitator may occur through wireless internet, mobile data, Bluetooth Low Energy, or the like.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless connectivity facilitator supports various communication technologies, which include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ZigBee, and LoRa.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld device (100) comprises a location tracker that enables the user to identify the handheld device’s current location, if the handheld device (100) is misplaced or lost.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld device (100) comprises an at least a battery charge indicator to indicate a current status of charge remaining in the at least one rechargeable battery (102).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery charge indication is provided through an at least a Light Emitting Diode (LED).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld device (100) is configured to illuminate and capture the path taken by the at least one probe (106), while it is being inserted into the at least one nostril, said path being viewable by the user through the application.
Any technology known in the art may be used for illuminating and capturing the path taken by the at least one probe (106), while it is being inserted into the at least one nostril. Further, the exact status of the at least one rechargeable battery (102) may also be viewable through the application.
The at least one rechargeable battery (102) may be recharged by wireless charging, magnetic charging, or any other means known in the art.
Figure 2 illustrates the operation of an embodiment of the handheld device (100) by the user. Though the Figure illustrates two probes, the handheld device only requires the at least one probe (106) for its functioning.
The at least one probe (106) is to be placed at or adjacent to the nasal bridge of the user, following which the handheld device (100) is powered ON through the switch (101). This subsequently activates the components of the neurostimulating unit.
The stimulation of nerves in the nasal cavity adjacent to the nasal bridge through the gentle pulses which are produced results in the sending of messages to the user’s brain, which, in turn, signals the tear glands to temporarily activate tear production.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the handheld device (100) is made of poly methyl methacrylate, and the at least one probe (106) is made of silicone.
The at least one sensor (105) is configured to detect any kind of fluid, which is secreted by the nose, such as blood and mucous fluid.
Once the at least one sensor (105) detects any traces of blood in the nasal cavity, the blood reacts with the electrode of the at least one sensor (105), causing changes in the electrical potential of the at least one sensor (105). Feedback is sent by the at least one sensor (105) to stop the stimulation, thus preventing damage to the tissues at the point of contact in the nasal cavity.
On the other hand, if the at least one sensor (105) detects mucous fluid, the fluid reacts with the electrode of the at least one sensor (105) without affecting its electrical potential.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the device (100) is configured to be a spectacle with similar components as specified previously. The vibrator (103) is disposed in a side portion of the human nose bridge (lateral process of septal nasal cartilages and frontal process of maxillary bone).
The disclosed handheld device (100) is: drop-free; drug-free; easy to use; portable; cost-effective; and capable of being used by the user directly without the supervision of a skilled medical practitioner.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 – Handheld Device for the Treatment of Dry Eyes/Device

101 – Switch

102 – At Least One Rechargeable Battery

103 – Rheostat

104 – Vibrator

105 – At Least One Sensor

106 – At Least One Probe ,CLAIMS:1. A handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100), comprising: a neurostimulating unit that is enclosed within a housing, said neurostimulating unit comprising:
a switch (101) to power the handheld device (100) ON or OFF, said switch (101) being associated with: a rheostat (103) that controls a vibrator (104), and at least a rechargeable battery (102);
the at least one rechargeable battery (102) that is associated with: a motor that stimulates the motion of an at least a probe (106), an at least a sensor (105), and the vibrator (104);
the at least one probe (106) that is configured to gently stimulate the nerves of a user’s nose in a non-invasive manner, when the at least one probe (106) is inserted into an at least a nostril of the user and the handheld device (100) is switched ON; and
the at least one sensor (105) that is configured to detect any kind of fluid, which is secreted by the nose, with the detection of blood causing changes in the electrical potential of the at least one sensor (105), thereby causing the handheld device (100) to stop the stimulation.

2. The handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handheld device comprises a wireless connectivity facilitator that is configured to enable the handheld device (100) to transmit data to an application on a computing device.

3. The handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handheld device (100) comprises a location tracker that enables the user to identify the handheld device’s current location, if the handheld device (100) is misplaced or lost.

4. The handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handheld device (100) is configured to illuminate and capture the path taken by the at least one probe (106) while it is being inserted into the at least one nostril.

5. The handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100) as claimed in claim 2 and claim 4, wherein said path is viewable by the user through the application.

6. The handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handheld device is made of poly methyl methacrylate.

7. The handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one probe (106) is made of silicone.