Method and apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction
AssigneeTearScience, Inc.
InventorsDonald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims22
A method of treating dry eye in humans wherein a flow of naturally occurring secretion to an eye is occluded due to the presence of an obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland of an eyelid and comprising:
- lifting the eyelid away from the eye;
- softening the obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel of the meibomian gland;
- and
- applying a regulated force to the eyelid.
A method of treating dry eye in humans wherein a flow of naturally occurring secretion to an eye is occluded due to the presence of an obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland in an eyelid and comprising:
- lifting the eyelid away from the eye;
- softening the obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel of the meibomian gland through an application of thermal energy to heat the obstruction to a temperature sufficient to turn the obstruction from a solid to a flowable state;
- and
- applying a regulated force to the eyelid.
A method of treating dry eye in humans wherein a flow of naturally occurring secretion to an eye is occluded due to the presence of an obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel of a meibomian gland in an eyelid:
- coupling a device to the eyelid;
- softening the obstruction located within the meibomian gland channel of the meibomian gland with regulated heat;
- and
- applying a regulated force and heat via the device to the eyelid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.