Apparatus and method for reducing vision problems as a result of floaters

• US 20060069420A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patrick J. Rademacher
• Original Assignee: Patrick J. Rademacher
• Inventors: Lemaire, Charles A., Smith, Jason D., Rademacher, JoAnn K., Rademacher, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,771,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/06 using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for treating floater problems of the eye. In some embodiments, a magnet is non-invasively held in place against the face, and in particular, over the lower eyelid of the patient over an extended period of time, in order to control the position of the floaters and to stimulate the eye to better focus. In other embodiments, the device is included in eyeglasses that hold the magnet next to the lower eyelid. In some embodiments, the magnet is placed next to the lower eyelid. In some embodiments, the magnet is replaced by or supplemented with electrical stimulation. Some embodiments use a permanent magnet, while others use an AC or DC electromagnet. In some embodiments, a tapping device or heating device is included. The electro-magnetic force, tapping, and/or heat are controlled with a chip, circuit, and/or switch. In some embodiments, the device is placed under the skin.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the treatment of an eye problem comprising:

a therapy unit that supplies a floater-controlling therapeutically effective dose of a magnetic field or an electric stimulation or both; and

a holder operatively coupled to the therapy unit so that the holder maintains the therapy unit in a therapeutically effective position on the person.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a permanent magnet wherein the magnetic field is produced by the permanent magnet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet includes a magnetized synthetic rubber.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the permanent magnet includes a rare-earth metal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a battery and an electromagnet operatively coupled to the battery, wherein the magnetic field is produced, at least in part, by the electromagnet.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a heating element operatively couple to the battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transcutaneous electrical stimulation unit, wherein the electric stimulation is produced by the transcutaneous electrical stimulation unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit, wherein the electric nerve stimulation is produced by the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the therapy unit includes a skin-contact surface, and at least the skin-contact surface of the therapy unit is coated with a hypoallergenic material to prevent migration of material from the therapy unit to the user'"'"'s skin.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a bio-compatible adhesive material configured to hold to but readily release from the user'"'"'s skin.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the holder includes micropore-type tape.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder includes eyeglasses.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a bio-compatible plastic material configured to be implanted subcutaneously below the eye.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tapping unit configured to periodically apply a tapping force the area next to the user'"'"'s eye.

15. A method of treating an eye problem that includes floaters, the method comprising:

applying a floater-controlling therapeutically effective dose of a field to an outer surface of an eyelid of a person; and

maintaining the field in a therapeutically-effective position as the person uses the eye for seeing, wherein the field includes a magnetic component or an electric stimulation component or both.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the maintaining of the field in position includes adhering a lower edge and at least one side edge but not a top edge of a magnetic appliance to the lower eyelid of the person.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

applying a tapping force to the area next to the user'"'"'s eye; and

electronically controlling the tapping force.

18. An apparatus for treating an eye problem, the apparatus comprising:

means for generating a therapeutically effective floater-controlling magnetic field; and

means for maintaining the field in a therapeutically effective position for treatment of the eye problem.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 comprising means for attaching the apparatus to a pair of eyeglasses.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 comprising means for applying a tapping force to an area next to the user'"'"'s eye.