Method and apparatus to treat glaucoma

• US 20030195438A1
• Filed: 04/12/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Phillip J. Petillo
• Original Assignee: Phillip J. Petillo
• Inventors: Petillo, Phillip J.
• Application Number:
  US10/122,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195438A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0004 Eyes or part of the face surrounding the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 5/00 Exercisers for the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/00 Magnetotherapy

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is a method for use in treating glaucoma of a patient'"'"'s eye which includes a step of vibrating the eye.

Claims

1. A method for use in treating glaucoma of a patient'"'"'s eye which comprises steps of:

vibrating the eye.

2. The method of claim 1 which further comprises steps of:

directing magnetic flux into the eye.

3. The method of claim 1 which further comprises steps of:

heating the eye.

4. The method of claim 1 which further comprises steps of:

exerting a force on the eye.

5. The method of claim 1 which further comprises steps of:

directing magnetic flux into the eye; and

heating the eye.

6. The method of claim 5 which further comprises steps of exerting a force on the eye.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of vibrating the eye comprises vibrating the eye at a frequency in a range from about 3 cycles per sec to about 500 cycles per second.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the magnetic flux is in a range from about 100 gauss to about 2500 gauss.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of heating heats the eye to a temperature in a range from about 100°

F. to about 104°

F.

10. The method of claim 4 wherein the force is in a range of from about 1 gram to about 25 grams.

11. An apparatus for use in treating glaucoma of a patient'"'"'s eye that comprises:

a receptacle that fits over an eyelid of the eye; and

a vibrator coupled to the receptacle.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 which further comprises:

a magnet adapted to direct magnetic flux through the receptacle.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 which further comprises:

a heater coupled to the receptacle.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 which further comprises:

a force applicator coupled to the receptacle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the force applicator includes a spring.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 which further comprises:

a magnet adapted to direct magnetic flux through the receptacle; and

a heater coupled to the receptacle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises:

a force applicator coupled to the receptacle.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a frame adapted to hold the apparatus against the patient'"'"'s head.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprises a tube that holds the receptacle;

wherein the tube extends through an opening in a plate and wherein the tube is disposed to translate back and forth through the opening; and

wherein the force applicator comprises a spring disposed along the tube adapted to exert a force on the plate and the tube.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the opening is larger than the tube wherein the tube can be translated laterally in the opening.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising a motion arrester affixed to the tube.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the motion arrester includes one or more of a dashpot, an actuator, a snubber, a shock absorber, an airpot mechanism.

23. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the magnet comprises a permanent magnet.

24. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the magnet comprises an electromagnet.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the electromagnet includes a mechanism to adjust the amount of magnetic flux and to change the polarity of the magnet.

26. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the heater comprises a heating element integrated into a flexible fabric.

27. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the heater includes a mechanism to monitor and adjust a temperature.

28. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the heater is affixed to the receptacle;

and a gel pad is removably affixed to the heater.

29. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the vibrator includes a mechanism to adjust a frequency of vibration.

30. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the vibrator comprises a motor and an out-of-balance weight.

31. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the vibrator comprises a pulsed solenoid.

32. The apparatus of claim 11 which further comprises an adjustable timer.

33. The apparatus of claim 14 which further comprises a force monitor.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the force monitor generates a signal when the force is larger than a predetermined amount.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 which further comprises an alarm that is activated in response to the signal.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 which further comprises a force release mechanism that is activated in response to the signal displace the receptacle.

37. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the force applicator comprises a spring, and the force monitor measures a distance of compression of the spring to monitor force.