APPARATUS FOR INNER EYELID TREATMENT OF MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION

• US 20080114423A1
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Gausmann, Keith, Jans, John, Hutchinson, Jordan, Grenon, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US12/015,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20080114423A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/96
• 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 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• 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 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 after introduction of a substance
• 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 2007/0071 using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0086 with a thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0091 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0096 with a thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0249 with a layer having low heat transfer capability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0282 for particular medical treatments or effects
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• 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

An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A lid warmer may be attached onto a patient'"'"'s eye to apply heat on the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. Temperatures at the meibomian glands reach desired levels more quickly and efficiently when heating the inside of the eyelid. Reaching such higher temperature levels may be instrumental in removing obstructions in the meibomian glands. Less time may also be required to reach desired temperature levels when applying heat to the inside of the eyelid. An eyecup may also be employed to generate a force on the outside of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in the eyelid that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising:

a lid warmer, comprising;

an insulator; and

a heating element embedded in the insulator,

wherein the lid warmer is adapted to be positioned behind a patient'"'"'s eyelid on the external surface of the sclera of a patient'"'"'s eye, and

wherein the lid warmer is adapted to apply heat, via the heating element, to the inner surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid applying a heat to tissue proximate a patient'"'"'s meibomian gland to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction in the meibomian gland.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulator is adapted to be positioned behind a patient'"'"'s eyelid on the external surface of the sclera of a patient'"'"'s eye.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid warmer further comprises a platform that extends from the insulator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulator further comprises an electrical interface coupled to the heating element such that electricity is applied to the heating element to generate heat when an energy source is coupled to the electrical interface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

a controller interface adapted to be coupled to a controller,

wherein the controller interface is coupled to the heating element to couple the controller to the heating element.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the controller interface comprises electrical wiring, wherein the electrical wiring electrically couples to the heating element.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulator further comprises at least one thermistor to sense the heat generated by the heating element.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulator further comprises a fuse, wherein the fuse is in tact if the insulator has not been previously installed on a patient'"'"'s eye.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein insulator comprises an insulation that surrounds the heating element to prevent heat created by the heating element from damaging the patient'"'"'s eye when positioned on the patient'"'"'s eye.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the insulation is comprised of air.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulator is comprised from a material from the group consisting of:

Lexan, plastic, a biocompatible material, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and epoxy.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an eyecup comprising a bladder, wherein the eyecup is adapted to be positioned on the external surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid,

wherein the eyecup is adapted to apply a force, via the bladder, to the external surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the bladder is expandable to apply a force to the external surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lid warmer contains a lid warmer platform that extends from the insulator.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the lid warmer contains a platform that extends from the lens and wherein the platform extends through an orifice in the eyecup to sandwich the patient'"'"'s eyelid between the insulator and the bladder.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the insulator further comprises an electrical interface coupled to the heating element such that electricity is applied to the heating element to generate heat when an energy source is coupled to the electrical interface.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the eyecup comprises a carrier having a carrier interface that is coupled to the electrical interface when the lid warmer platform is inserted into an orifice of the eyecup.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the eyecup further comprises a latching mechanism that is engaged to allow the lid warmer platform to be removed from an orifice of the eyecup.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the latching mechanism is comprised of finger grips that are gripped and squeezed to release the lid warmer platform from the eyecup orifice to release the lid warmer from the eyecup.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the eyecup comprises a carrier having a carrier interface that is coupled to the electrical interface when the lid warmer platform is inserted into the orifice of the eyecup, and

wherein the latching mechanism is comprised of a carrier platform formed as part of the carrier and a eyecup platform coupled to the eyecup that together form a clip that when squeezed, releases the lid warmer platform from the eyecup orifice to release the lid warmer from the eyecup.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a controller interface adapted to be coupled to a controller;

wherein the carrier interface is coupled to the controller interface to couple the controller to the bladder and the heating element when the lid warmer platform is inserted into the eyecup orifice.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the controller interface comprises electrical wiring, and a pneumatic tubing, wherein the electrical wiring electrically couples to the heating element and the pneumatic tubing fluidly couples to the bladder when the lid warmer platform is inserted into the eyecup orifice.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insulator contains a temperature regulator to regulate the energy applied to the heating element to regulate the heat generated by the heating element.