Method and apparatus for diagnosing meibomian gland dysfunction
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland obstruction comprising:
- a handle;
a probe tip operatively associated with said handle;
means for exerting a preselected pressure on the eyelid when the probe tip is pressed against the eyelid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland disease is provided. The apparatus comprises a handle, and a probe tip mounted for movement relative to said handle such that when the probe tip is placed against the eyelid and compressive force is applied, movement of the handle a preselected distance replicates the force required for natural expression of secretion from the meibomian gland. Movement of the handle relative to the probe tip the preselected distance exerts a force of between about 5 grams per 30 mm2 and 40 grams per 30 mm2 and preferably a force of approximately 15 grams per 30 mm2. An indicator means selected from the group consisting of auditory, visual and tactile signals is provided and when activated alerts the clinician that the required force has been reached.
According to the method of the present invention a probe tip is located in contacting relation with the eyelid, the probe tip being connected to a handle. When pressure is exerted on the eyelid by pressing it against the eyelid, a preselected pressure is exerted thereon. In another embodiment of the invention, a handle having a probe tip is located on the eyelid, the probe tip is mounted for movement relative to said handle such that when the probe tip is placed against the eyelid and compressive force is applied, movement of the handle a preselected distance replicates the force required for natural expression of secretion from the meibomian gland
45 Citations
54 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland obstruction comprising:
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a handle; a probe tip operatively associated with said handle; means for exerting a preselected pressure on the eyelid when the probe tip is pressed against the eyelid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland obstruction comprising:
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a handle; a probe tip operatively associated with said handle and adapted to be placed in contact with the eyelid; a sensor means operatively associated with said probe tip for sensing when a preselected pressure has been exerted upon the eyelid by the probe tip when the probe tip is placed in contact with the eyelid and pressure is exerted thereon and being adapted to produce an output signal; and indicator means for indicating when the preselected pressure has been exerted on the eyelid said indicator means being activated by said sensor means output signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland obstruction comprising:
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a handle; a probe tip operatively associated with said handle such that when the probe tip is placed against the eyelid and a preselected compressive pressure is applied, the pressure required for natural expression of secretion from the meibomian gland is replicated and a diagnosis concerning meibomian gland obstruction may be made. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland obstruction comprising:
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locating a probe tip operatively associated with a handle in contacting relation with the eyelid; and exerting a preselected pressure on the eyelid when the probe tip is pressed against the eyelid. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland obstruction comprising:
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locating a probe tip operatively associated with a handle and in contact with the eyelid; sensing when a preselected pressure has been exerted upon the eyelid by the probe tip when the probe tip is placed in contact with the eyelid and pressure is exerted thereon; and activating a user sensible signal indicating that the preselected pressure has been exerted on the eyelid. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method for testing meibomian glands in the eyelids of humans for meibomian gland obstruction comprising:
positioning a probe tip operatively associated with a handle such that when the probe tip is placed against the eyelid and a preselected compressive pressure is applied, the pressure required for natural expression of secretion from the meibomian gland is replicated and a diagnosis concerning meibomian gland obstruction may be made. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
Specification