Systems and methods for preventing, diagnosing, and/or treating one or more medical conditions via neuromodulation

Abstract

Described are systems and methods for preventing, diagnosing, and/or treating one or more medical conditions. The medical conditions can be ocular and/or neurological diseases, disorders, and/or conditions. The systems and methods can employ a microstimulator that is configured to be placed within an anatomical structure of a subject. The microstimulator can be capacitively linked to an external electronic device to provide neuromodulation to a biological target site proximal to the anatomical structure. The microstimulator can include a body and an electrically conductive insert arranged within the body to create a capacitively coupled link with the external electronic device. The electrically conductive insert can receive a power signal from an external electronic device and convert the power signal to deliver a therapy signal to the biological target site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microstimulator comprising:
 a body; and   an electrically conductive insert, arranged within the body to create a capacitively coupled link with an external electronic device, wherein the electrically conductive insert receives a power signal from the external electronic device and converts the power signal to deliver a therapy signal to a biological target site.   
     
     
         2 . The microstimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive insert further comprises:
 an electrically conductive plate having a surface area to receive the power signal from the external electronic device; and   an electrode, electrically coupled to the electrically conductive plate, to deliver the therapy signal to the biological target site.   
     
     
         3 . The microstimulator of  claim 2 , wherein the electrode is physically connected to the conductive plate. 
     
     
         4 . The microstimulator of  claim 2 , wherein the body comprises a reference electrode or a return electrode isolated from the conductive plate to create a reference or return path that is connected to the external electronic device. 
     
     
         5 . The microstimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a horizontal portion, a vertical portion, and a curved portion extending between and connecting the horizontal portion and the vertical portion,
 wherein the horizontal portion and the vertical portion are arranged at an angle relative to one another.   
     
     
         6 . The microstimulator of  claim 5 , wherein the angle is from 70 degrees to 120 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The microstimulator of  claim 5 , wherein the vertical portion has a length that is less than a length of the horizontal portion. 
     
     
         8 . The microstimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive insert is arranged in a circular or oval cross section. 
     
     
         9 . The microstimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive insert comprises at least one other material deposited upon a nonconductive material. 
     
     
         10 . The microstimulator of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a longitudinal central lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The microstimulator of  claim 10 , wherein the body further comprises at least one radial channel in fluid communication with the central lumen, wherein the at least one radial channel allows fluid drainage to coat at least a portion of the exterior of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The microstimulator of  claim 10 , wherein the body further comprises one or more peripheral channels that extend transverse to, and are in fluid communication with, the central lumen,
 wherein the one or more peripheral channels is configured to facilitate at least one of fluid drainage and pharmaceutical delivery in response to delivery of the therapy signal to the target biological site.   
     
     
         13 . The microstimulator of  claim 10 , wherein the body further comprises a sensor to measure a property of a fluid flowing therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The microstimulator of  claim 1 , further comprising a faceplate disposed at a proximal end of the body and covering at least a portion of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The microstimulator of  claim 14 , wherein the faceplate is impregnated with a pharmaceutical for release into the biological target site. 
     
     
         16 . The microstimulator of  claim 15 , wherein the body comprises one or more radial channels to control the release of the pharmaceutical into the biological target site. 
     
     
         17 . The microstimulator of  claim 16 , wherein an outside surface of the faceplate is bathed in tear fluid in response to delivery of the therapy signal to the target biological site to trigger release of the pharmaceutical.