System for inner eyelid heat and pressure treatment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction
First Claim
1. A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising:
- a lid warmer containing a heating element, 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, wherein the lid warmer applies heat to an inner surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland;
a force application device positioned on the inner surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid, wherein the force application device applies a compressive force to the inner surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the lid warmer and the force application device,wherein the controller is further adapted to;
send a signal to the lid wanner to apply heat to the inner surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland;
control the force application device to generate a compressive force on the inner surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to express the obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel and from within the meibomian gland channel through a meibomian gland orifice of the meibomian gland; and
maintain the signal to the lid warmer to maintain the heat on the inner surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid for a period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to 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. A force may also be applied to the inside 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.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising:
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a lid warmer containing a heating element, 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, wherein the lid warmer applies heat to an inner surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland; a force application device positioned on the inner surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid, wherein the force application device applies a compressive force to the inner surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid; and a controller communicatively coupled to the lid warmer and the force application device, wherein the controller is further adapted to; send a signal to the lid wanner to apply heat to the inner surface of a patient'"'"'s eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland; control the force application device to generate a compressive force on the inner surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid to express the obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel and from within the meibomian gland channel through a meibomian gland orifice of the meibomian gland; and maintain the signal to the lid warmer to maintain the heat on the inner surface of the patient'"'"'s eyelid for a period of time. - 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)
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Specification