Methods and apparatuses for treatment of meibomian glands

• US 10,376,273 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2014
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Korb, Donald R., Willis, Timothy R., Grenon, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Kaitlyn E
• Application Number:
  US14/510,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20150100063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,769 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/048 in gaseous form
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0004 Eyes or part of the face surrounding the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0059 with an open fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00772 Apparatus for restoration of tear ducts
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0014 cylinder-like, i.e. rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/00 Devices for suction-kneading massage; Devices for massaging the skin by rubbing or brushing not otherwise provided for electro-medical massage devices applying electric current by contact A61N1/18
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses of treating meibomian glands are disclosed. The method comprises applying regulated heat to an eyelid to reach a temperature adequate to melt at least one obstruction within at least one meibomian gland. The method also comprises maintaining the regulated heat for a time period adequate to place the at least obstruction in the melted state. The method further comprises positioning a pressure application device into contact with the patient'"'"'s eyelid and applying a pressure with the pressure application device over a substantial portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the meibomian gland. An apparatus suitable to treat meibomian glands comprises a heater, a controller, and a pressure applicator configured to be placed into contact with the eyelid and apply a pressure over a substantial portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the meibomian gland.

Claims

1. A method of treating meibomian glands having a meibomian gland channel and a meibomian gland orifice at a top of the meibomian gland channel, comprising:

applying regulated heat to an eyelid containing the meibomian glands to reach a temperature adequate to melt at least one obstruction within at least one meibomian gland and place the at least one obstruction in a melted state;

maintaining the regulated heat for a time period adequate to melt the at least one obstruction and place the at least one obstruction in the melted state; and

positioning a pressure application device into direct contact with the eyelid and applying a pressure with the pressure application device over a substantial portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the at least one meibomian gland.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one obstruction is located within the meibomian gland channel, the applying and the maintaining the regulated heat comprises applying and maintaining the regulated heat to place the at least one obstruction located in the meibomian gland channel in a melted state, and the applying the pressure with the pressure application device comprises applying a pressure to the meibomian gland channel to express the at least one obstruction from within the meibomian gland channel through the meibomian gland orifice.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the applying the pressure further comprises milkingly expressing the at least one obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel from within the meibomian gland channel through the meibomian gland orifice of one or more of the meibomian glands.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time period comprises approximately 10 to 60 minutes.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure application device comprises a heated instrument.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature reaches approximately 45 degrees Celsius.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature reaches between approximately 44 and 47 degrees Celsius.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is at least 37 degrees Celsius.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applying the pressure is carried out within 3 minutes after an end of the time period.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising subsequently treating at least one meibomian gland by use of a pharmacological agent.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating the applying and maintaining of the regulated heat after a time interval to maintain flow of fluids from the meibomian glands.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising repeating the applying the pressure with the pressure application device at the time interval to maintain the flow of fluids from the meibomian glands.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applying the pressure further comprises applying constant compressive force to the eyelid.

14. The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying vibratory stimulation to the eyelid.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying a pulsating compressive force to the eyelid.