Massage Apparatus and Method of Use

• US 20120165708A1
• Filed: 06/22/2010
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scope Ophthalmics Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Scope Ophthalmics Ltd.
• Inventors: Parsloe, Colin
• Granted Patent: US 9,675,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/18
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/00 Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0092 hand-held A61H15/0085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0007 with balls or rollers rotating about their own axis
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0028 disc-like, i.e. diameter substantially greater than width
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0153 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0157 portable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/12 Driving means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1207 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1215 Rotary drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/024 Eyes
• 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: A61H 7/002 by rubbing or brushing
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/003 Hand-held or hand-driven devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/004 power-driven, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/005 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/007 Kneading

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for therapeutic and/or prophylactic massage, in particular massage of mammalian eyelids, having a body housing a heater in thermal communication with a massaging bobbin, the bobbin having a plurality of massaging elements extending therefrom. In use, the bobbin heats the eyelid and rotates such that a massaging force is exerted on the eyelid perpendicular to the lash line. This force can be used to express material from blocked sebaceous glands of the mammalian eyelid. As such, also disclosed herein is a method for treating disorders of the mammalian eyelid, such as inflammation, using the device of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for melting and expressing material from blocked glands in a mammalian eyelid wherein the apparatus comprises a body housing a heater in thermal communication with a massaging bobbin having a plurality of massaging elements extending therefrom and adapted so that, when in use, the bobbin heats the eyelid and rotates so that the massaging elements move parallel to the lash line across the eyelid and characterized in that the massaging elements are shaped and positioned on the bobbin so that they exert a massaging force perpendicular to the lash line to express material from the glands.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the massaging bobbin is substantially cylindrical in shape or substantially concave cylindrical in shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the massaging bobbin measures about 3 cm in height and 2 cm in diameter.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein and where the concave cylindrical massaging bobbin is concave so as to match or approximate the contours of the eyelid.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the massaging elements further comprise a plurality of continuous narrow ridges extending around the massaging bobbin in a generally helical configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the massaging elements further comprise upper and lower ridges wherein said ridges converge or overlap at the junction of the lower and middle third of the massaging bobbin.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the massaging bobbin further includes a plurality of scrubbing elements.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the scrubbing elements comprise a plurality of finger-like projections.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the scrubbing elements are positioned substantially at the junction of the lower and middle third of the massaging bobbin and run concentrically around the bobbin.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the massaging bobbin is made from a heat absorbent material.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the massaging bobbin is detachable from the body and disposable.

12. A method for treating inflammation of the eyelid in a patient in need thereof using the apparatus of claim 1, the steps of the method comprise:

contacting the bobbin of the apparatus to the eyelid, wherein the bobbin heats the eyelid and rotates so that the massaging elements move parallel to the lash line across the eyelid and the massaging elements are shaped and positioned on the bobbin so that they exert a massaging force perpendicular to the lash line to express material from the glands.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the apparatus is used twice a day for the first two weeks followed by a once daily treatment.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the inflammation is due to posterior and anterior blepharitis.

15. A massaging bobbin adapted for use with an apparatus for melting and expressing material from blocked glands in a mammalian eyelid wherein the massaging bobbin comprises a plurality of massaging elements extending therefrom and adapted so that, when in use, the bobbin heats the eyelid and rotates so that the massaging elements move parallel to the lash line across the eyelid and the massaging elements are shaped and positioned on the bobbin so that they exert a massaging force perpendicular to the lash line to express material from the glands.