Method and apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction

• US 8,083,787 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2006
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: TearScience Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Korb, Donald R., Willis, Timothy R., Gravely, Benjamin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Roy
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, KAITLYN ELIZABETH
• Application Number:
  US11/434,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20070016255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,052 Days
• Field of Search: 607/1, 607/104
• US Class Current: 607/96
• 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 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 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 1/403 for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0643 Applicators, probes irradiating specific body areas in close proximity
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0659 infrared
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/025 Warming the body, e.g. hyperthermia treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0625 Warming the body, e.g. hyperthermia treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/067 using laser light
• 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

A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.

Claims

1. A method of treating dry eye in humans wherein a flow of naturally occurring secretion to an eye is occluded due to a presence of an obstruction in a meibomian gland in an eyelid and comprising the steps of:

lifting the eyelid away from the eye;

softening the obstruction through an application of thermal energy to heat the obstruction to a temperature of between about 37°

C. and about 47°

C.; and

gripping the eyelid between a back plate and a force applicator such that a regulated force is applied to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the force applicator includes a roller for milkingly massaging the meibomian gland to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the thermal energy applied is selected from the group of heat generating modalities consisting of conduction, convection and radiation.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of softening the obstruction further includes heating the obstruction to between about 42°

C. and about 46°

C.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying an adjustable constant force to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising applying a pulsatile force to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying a pulsatile force to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

8. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of applying a pharmacological agent to the meibomian gland.

9. The method according to claim 1 further including the step of applying vacuum to extract the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the applied thermal energy is maintained by a temperature measurement and feedback control loop.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the regulated force is applied to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction located within and from within a meibomian gland channel of the meibomian gland through a meibomian gland orifice of the meibomian gland.

12. An apparatus for treating dry eye in humans wherein a flow of naturally occurring secretion to an eye is occluded due to a presence of an obstruction in a meibomian gland in an eyelid and comprising:

a probe comprising a probe tip, the probe tip comprising a force applicator, a back plate, and an opening disposed between the force applicator and the back plate, wherein the opening is configured to receive at least a portion of the eyelid;

a heater disposed in the probe, the heater configured to apply thermal energy for softening the obstruction through an application of thermal energy to heat the obstruction to a temperature of between 37°

C. and about 47°

C.; and

wherein the probe tip is configured to grip the eyelid between the force applicator and the back plate such that a regulated force is applied to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the heater is selected from the group of heat generating means consisting of conducting means, convecting means, and radiating means.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the regulated heating means causes the obstruction to be heated to between about 42°

C. and about 46°

C.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the back plate and the force applicator are provided as part of a hand held device.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the force applicator is further configured to apply an adjustable constant force to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the force applicator is further configured to apply a pulsatile force to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

18. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the force applicator is further configured to apply a pulsatile force to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction from the meibomian gland.

19. The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a temperature measurement and feedback control loop for maintaining the application of the thermal energy.

20. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the heater is disposed in the probe tip of the probe.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the heater is disposed in the back plate of the probe tip.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the regulated force is applied to the eyelid to express the softened obstruction located within and from within a meibomian gland channel of the meibomian gland through a meibomian gland orifice of the meibomian gland.