TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE DISORDERS OF THE EYE OR EYELID

• US 20080046048A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Korb, Donald, Grenon, Stephen, Willis, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,950,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22 Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on the inside of inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; Calculus removers; Calculus smashing apparatus; Apparatus for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0004 Eyes or part of the face surrounding the eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0261 medicated
• 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

Abstract

In accordance with certain illustrative embodiments, methods and apparatuses of treating obstructive disorders of the structure of an eye or eyelid are disclosed. The treating may involve applying heat to the structure containing the obstructive disorder to melt an obstruction in the structure and place the obstruction in a melted state. The heat may be maintained for a time period to melt the obstruction and place the obstruction in the melted state. The structure may be treated by expressing the melted obstruction from the structure. The treating may be carried out either during the time period or after the time period when heat is applied but while the obstruction is in the melted state. In certain embodiments, the method further involves subsequently treating the structure by use of a pharmacological agent. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Claims

1. A method of treating obstructive disorders of a structure of an eye or eyelid, comprising:

applying regulated heat to a structure of an eye or eyelid containing the obstructive disorder that reaches a temperature to melt at least one obstruction in the structure and place the at least one obstruction in a melted state;

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

treating the structure by expressing the at least one obstruction from the structure, wherein the treating is carried out while the at least one obstruction is in the melted state.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising subsequently treating the structure by use of a pharmacological agent.

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

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treatment is carried out using a heated instrument.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature reaches between approximately 42 and 47 degrees Celsius.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the treating is carried out within approximately 3 minutes after the end of the time period.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pharmacological agent comprises at least one of a topical pharmacological agent and a systemic pharmacological agent.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pharmacological agent is selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, topical tetracycline, oral tetracycline, topical corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, topical androgens, topical androgen analogues, TGF-β

, omega 3 compounds, enzymes that promote lipid production, agents that stimulate production of enzymes that promote lipid production, agents that act as a secretagogue to enhance Meibomian gland secretion, and agents that replace or promote production of any tear component.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating at least one of the applying and maintaining of regulated heat after a time interval to maintain flow of fluids from the structure and the treating at the time interval to maintain flow of fluids from the structure.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obstructive disorder comprises a disorder selected from the group consisting of chalazion, hordeolum, pimples, blackheads and styes.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the treating is carried out either during the time period or after the time period.

12. A method of treating obstructive disorders of a structure of an eye or eyelid, comprising:

applying a regulated heat of at least approximately 37 degrees Celsius to an eye or eyelid containing the disorder to a temperature to melt at least one obstruction in the structure and place the at least one obstruction in a melted state;

maintaining the heat for a time period to melt the at least one obstruction and place the at least one obstructions in a melted state, and wherein the time period is between approximately 1 and 60 minutes;

treating the structure by expressing the at least one obstruction from the structure, wherein the treating is carried out while the at least one obstruction is in the melted state; and

subsequently pharmacologically treating the structure by use a pharmacological agent.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the temperature reaches approximately 42 to 47 degrees Celsius.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the treatment is carried out by at least one of milkingly expressing the melted obstruction from the structure, applying vibratory stimulation to the eyelid, squeezing the eyelid or applying constant pressure to the eyelid or pulsating pressure to the eyelid.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pharmacological agent comprises at least one of a topical pharmacological agent and a systemic pharmacological agent.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the mechanical treatment is carried out using a heated instrument.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pharmacological agent is selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics, topical tetracycline, oral tetracycline, topical corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, topical androgens, topical androgen analogues, TGF-β

, omega 3 compounds, enzymes that promote lipid production, agents that stimulate production of enzymes that promote lipid production, agents that act as a secretagogue to enhance Meibomian gland secretion, and agents that replace or promote production of any tear component.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein the obstructive disorder is selected from the group consisting of chalazion, hordeolum, pimples, blackheads, and styes.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the treating is carried out prior to approximately 90 second after expiration of the time period.

20. A method of treating obstructive disorders of a structure of an eye or eyelid including chalazion, hordeolum, pimples, blackheads, and styes, comprising:

applying a regulated heat in the range of approximately 42 to 47 degrees Celsius to an eyelid containing the structure to a temperature to melt at least one obstruction in the structure and place the at least one obstruction in a melted state;

maintaining the heat for a time period to melt the at least one obstruction and place the at least one obstruction in the melted state, wherein the time period is between approximately 1 and 60 minutes;

treating the structure by expressing fluid or suspension from the structure, wherein the treating is carried out either during the time period or within approximately 90 seconds following the end of the time period while the at least one obstruction is in the melted state, wherein the treating is carried out using a heated instrument; and

subsequently, pharmacologically treating the structure by use a pharmacological agent.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the treating is carried out by at least one of milkingly expressing the fluid or suspension from the structure, applying mechanical energy stimulation to the eyelid, applying vibratory energy to the eyelid, squeezing the eyelid or applying constant pressure or pulsating pressure to the eyelid.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the pharmacological agent comprises at least one of a topical pharmacological agent and a systemic pharmacological agent.

23. A method of treating obstructive disorders of a structure of the eye or eyelid including chalazion, hordeolum, pimples, blackheads, and styes in which at least one obstruction blocks flow of fluid from the structure, comprising:

applying a regulated heat source proximate to the structure for a selected time and at a selected temperature adequate to melt at least a portion of the at least one obstruction;

treating the structure while the at least a portion of the at least one obstruction is melted such that at least a portion of the at least one obstruction is removed;

subsequently treating the disorder with a pharmacological agent.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the selected temperature reaches between approximately 42 and 47 degrees Celsius.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the pharmacological agent comprises at least one of a topical pharmacological agent and a systemic pharmacological agent.