GLAND OR DUCT DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT METHODS AND RELATED APPARATUS

• US 20100100029A1
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MGD Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MGD Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Maskin, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 9,510,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/20
• 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 17/32037 for removing obstructions from inner organs or blood vessels, e.g. for atherectomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22079 with suction of debris
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00718 Restoration of lid function
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0026 Multi-lumen catheters with stationary elements catheter assemblies comprising a catheter in combination with a guide tube, sheath or sleeve A61M2025/0681; catheters comprising telescoping coaxial elements A61M2025/0175
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008

Abstract

A method is provided for treating a gland or duct of a patient. In a particular embodiment, an obstruction in a gland or duct and the orifice thereof can be alleviated; in another, a substance can be injected thereinto; in yet another, the gland can be aspirated. The method includes the step of inserting an elongated probe into a gland or duct via an orifice thereinto. In some embodiments the probe can have a longitudinal lumen therethrough, with at least one distal hole through the probe wall in fluid communication with the lumen. The lumen can be used in concert with a source of suction for removing debris from the gland or duct, and/or with a source of a fluid and pumping means, for injecting a substance into the gland or duct.

Claims

1. A method for treating a gland or duct of a patient comprising:

inserting a distal end of an elongated probe into the gland or duct of the patient via an orifice thereinto.

2. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the probe has a longitudinal lumen extending therealong defined by a probe wall and a distal hole through the probe wall in fluid communication with the lumen, the distal hole positioned in the probe distal end.

3. The method recited in claim 2, further comprising applying suction to the probe lumen, for aspirating debris from the gland or duct into the probe lumen.

4. The method recited in claim 2, further comprising injecting a fluid into the gland or duct from the probe lumen and out through the distal hole, the fluid comprising a desired medication.

5. The method recited in claim 4, wherein the desired medication includes a growth-inhibiting agent.

6. The method recited in claim 5, wherein the growth-inhibiting agent includes at least one of a fibrous tissue growth-inhibiting agent and a vascular tissue growth inhibiting agent.

7. The method recited in claim 2, wherein:

the probe lumen comprises a first lumen and a second lumen;

the distal hole comprises a first distal hole in fluid communication with the first lumen and a second distal hole in fluid communication with the second lumen;

the suction is applied to the first lumen; and

further comprising injecting a fluid into the meibomian gland from the second lumen and out through the second distal hole, the fluid comprising a desired medication.

8. The method recited in claim 2, wherein the probe has an obstruction-removing element adjacent the probe distal end adapted for dislodging debris from the gland or duct, and the method further comprises moving the obstruction-removing element within the gland or duct to dislodge debris from the gland or duct.

9. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the obstruction-removing element comprises a heating element.

10. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the obstruction-removing element comprises the probe distal end having an abrasive surface for exfoliating the gland or duct.

11. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the obstruction-removing element comprises a router articulated at a distal end, and further comprising, following inserting the probe distal end, opening the router and moving the probe in a proximal direction, for scraping the gland or duct.

12. The method recited in claim 2, wherein the probe has an elongated element positioned at least partially within the probe lumen and movable relative thereto to protrude from the probe distal end, the method further comprising moving the elongated element in a distal direction so that a distal portion of the elongated element protrudes from the probe distal end.

13. The method recited in claim 12, wherein the elongated element comprises a distal tip having a diameter greater than a diameter proximal thereof for assisting in obstruction removal.

14. The method recited in claim 12, further comprising releasing a medication-delivery element into the gland or duct from adjacent the probe distal end.

15. The method recited in claim 12, further comprising positioning a structural support within the gland or duct.

16. The method recited in claim 15, wherein:

the structural support comprises a compressible, substantially toroidal element; and

the elongated element comprises a gripper operable from external the gland or duct adapted for releasably holding the toroidal element in a compressed condition, a release of the toroidal element from the gripper permitting;

the toroidal element to expand and assist in holding the orifice open.

17. The method recited in claim 1, wherein none of thermal energy, electromagnetic energy, and other radiation and applied proximate to the distal end during insertion into the gland or duct.

18. The method recited in claim 17, further comprising applying at least one of thermal and electromagnetic energy proximate to the distal end after insertion into the gland or duct.

19. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising removing the distal end of the elongated probe from the gland or duct and subsequently inserting into the gland or duct a wider distal end.

20. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising removing the distal end of the elongated probe from the gland or duct and subsequently inserting into the gland or duct a longer distal end.

21. The method recited in claim 1, wherein the gland or duct is at least one of:

a lacrimal gland;

a secretory duct associated with the lacrimal gland;

an accessory lacrimal gland of Krause;

an accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring;

a sebaceous gland of Zeis;

a meibomian gland;

a non-ophthalmic, skin-related sebaceous gland; and

a sweat gland.

22. A device for treating a gland or duct of a patient comprising:

a probe having an elongated distal end with an outer diameter of approximately 150 μ

m or less and a length of approximately 6 mm or less.

23. The device recited in claim 22, wherein the length of the elongated distal end is between approximately 1 mm and approximately 6 mm.

24. The device recited in claim 23, wherein the length of the elongated distal end is adjustable in fixed increments between approximately 1 mm and approximately 6 mm.

25. The device recited in claim 22, wherein the elongated distal end is fixedly secured to a body of the probe.

26. The device recited in claim 22, wherein the elongated distal end is extendable from the body of the probe.