# US 2024/0189179 A1 · Therapeutic ultrasound for eye disorders

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- Number: US 2024/0189179 A1
- Document ID: US20240189179A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/354,722
- Filed: 2023-07-19
- Published: 2024-06-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-14
- Assignees: Olympic Ophthalmics, Inc.
- Applicants: Olympic Ophthalmics, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael Eric Gertner; Jimin Zhang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240189179A1

## CPC

- A61H 15/0085: {hand-held}
- A61H 23/0245: {with ultrasonic transducers, e.g. piezoelectric}
- A61H 23/0254: {with rotary motor}
- A61H 23/0263: {using rotating unbalanced masses}
- 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})
- A61N 7/02: Localised ultrasound hyperthermia
- A61H 2201/0153: hand-held
- A61H 2201/0157: portable
- A61H 2201/0207: heated
- A61H 2201/105: with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
- A61H 2201/1207: with electric or magnetic drive
- A61H 2201/1607: Holding means therefor
- A61H 2205/023: Nose
- A61H 2205/024: Eyes
- A61H 2230/505: used as a control parameter for the apparatus
- A61K 9/0048: {Eye, e.g. artificial tears}
- A61N 1/36046: {of the eye}
- A61N 2007/0026: {Stimulation of nerve tissue}
- A61N 2007/0078: {with multiple treatment transducers}
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)

## Abstract

Methods and devices are described which allow sound waves to be safely be applied to the eyelid of an eye of a patient or through the eyelid to other structures in the eye or to or through structures in the facial region to effect changes to one or more structures in and around the eye or directly through the cornea or sclera to regions of the eye to treat one or more diseases of the eye.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for stimulating tear production in a patient, said method comprising:
(a) positioning a vibratory surface at a bony region on the patient's face communicating with a parasympathetic nerve which innervates the lacrimal gland; and
(b) vibrating the vibratory surface at a frequency and a displacement selected to stimulate the lacrimal nerve to produce tears.