OUTER EYELID HEAT AND PRESSURE TREATMENT FOR TREATING MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION
First Claim
1. A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising the steps of:
- applying heat to an external surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction in a meibomian gland;
maintaining the heat for a period of time; and
applying a force to the external surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to apply pressure to the external surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the outside 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. A force may also be applied to 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 or occlusions. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands while reducing the amount of time to reach desired temperature levels and/or aid in reducing discomfort to the patient during treatment.
121 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising the steps of:
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applying heat to an external surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction in a meibomian gland; maintaining the heat for a period of time; and applying a force to the external surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to apply pressure to the external surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification