Apparatus for inner eyelid treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction

Abstract

An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A lid warmer may be attached onto a patient's eye to apply heat on 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. An eyecup may also be employed to generate a force on the outside 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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 880,850 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Treating Meibomian Gland Obstructive Disease,” filed on Jan. 17, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0002] The present application is also a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 434,033 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Treating Gland Dysfunction Employing Heated Medium,” filed on May 15, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0003] The present application is also a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 434,446 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Treating Gland Dysfunction,” filed on May 15, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0004] The present application is also a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 434,054 entitled “Method and Apparatus ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0049] In another embodiment, force and heat can be applied to tissue proximate the meibomian glands to treat MGD. As discussed above, the application of force can further assist in obtaining higher temperatures at the meibomian glands and in a shorter period of time and thus more efficiently. The application of force can improve conductive heat transfer efficiency and / or reduce convective heat loss. Any apparatus, device, or tool can be used to apply heat and force to the tissue proximate the meibomian glands. The application of force may also allow heat to be maintained for a longer period of time. This is because the application of force may reduce blood flow to the eyelid, thus reducing convective heat loss and increasing conductive heat transfer into the eyelid and to the glands. The heat and / or force applied to the tissue can be regulated, as discussed above. The force may be applied during heating, after heating, or both during and after heating. The force can remain after the heat is removed, thus increasing the time before the body's heat sink effect returns the eyelid to normal temperature. The application of force may also assist in expressing the occlusions or obstructions when in a loosened, softened, or melted state from the meibomian glands.

[0050] In another embodiment, force can be applied to the inside of the eyelid and heat applied to the outside of the eyelid to treat MGD. As discussed above, the application of force can further assist in obtaining higher temperatures at the meibomian gland and in a shorter period of time and thus more efficiently. The application of force can to improve conductive heat transfer efficiency and / or reduce convective heat loss. Any apparatus, device, or tool can be used to apply heat and force to the outside of the eyelid. The application of force may also allow heat to be maintained on the outside of the eyelid for a longer period of time. This is because the application of force may reduce blood flow to the eyelid, thus reducing convective heat loss and increasing conductive heat transfer into the eyelid and to the glands. The heat applied to the outside of the eyelid and / or the force applied to the inside of the eyelid can be regulated, as discussed above. The force may be applied during heating, after heating, or both during and after heating. The force can remain after the heat is removed, thus increasing the time before the body's heat sink effect returns the eyelid to normal temperature. The application of force may also assist in expressing the occlusions or obstructions when in a loosened, softened, or melted state from the meibomian glands.

[0051] In another embodiment, force and heat can both be applied to the outside of the eyelid to treat MGD. As discussed above, the application of force can further assist in obtaining higher temperatures at the meibomian gland and in a shorter period of time and thus more efficiently. The application of force can improve conductive heat transfer efficiency and / or reduce convective heat loss. Any apparatus, device, or tool can be used to apply heat and force to the outside of the eyelid. The application of force may also allow heat to be maintained on the outside of the eyelid for a longer period of time. This is because the application of force may reduce blood flow to the eyelid, thus reducing convective heat loss and increasing conductive heat transfer into the eyelid and to the glands. The heat and / or force applied to the outside of the eyelid can be regulated, as discussed above. The force may be applied during heating, after heating, or both during and after heating. The force can remain after the heat is removed, thus increasing the time before the body's heat sink effect returns the eyelid to normal temperature. The application of force may also assist in expressing the occlusions or obstructions when in a loosened, softened, or melted state from the meibomian glands.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, heat can be applied to both the inside and outside of the eyelid to treat MGD. Force can also be applied to the eyelid. As discussed above, the application of force can further assist in obtaining higher temperatures at the meibomian gland and in a shorter period of time and thus more efficiently. The application of force can improve conductive heat transfer efficiency and / or reduce convective heat loss. Any apparatus, device, or tool can be used to apply heat and force to the outside of the eyelid. The application of force may also allow heat to be maintained on the outside of the eyelid for a longer period of time. This is because the application of force may reduce blood flow to the eyelid, thus reducing convective heat loss and increasing conductive heat transfer into the eyelid and to the glands. The heat and / or force applied to the outside of the eyelid can be regulated, as discussed above. The force may be applied during heating, after heating, or both during and after heating. The force can remain after the heat is removed, thus increasing the time before the body's heat sink effect returns the eyelid to normal temperature. The application of force may also assist in expressing the occlusions or obstructions.

Problems solved by technology

Dryness of the eye can cause symptoms such as itchiness, burning, and irritation, which can result in discomfort.

A higher rate of evaporation of the aqueous layer can cause dryness of the eye.

Thus, if the lipid layer is not sufficient to limit the rate of evaporation of the aqueous layer, dryness of the eye may result.

Thus, a defective lipid layer or an insufficient quantity of such lipids can result in accelerated evaporation of the aqueous layer which, in turn, causes symptoms such as itchiness, burning, irritation, and dryness, which are collectively referred to as “dry eye.”

However, their use and administration are merely a treatment of symptoms and not of the underlying cause.

Further, the use of aqueous drops is generally for an indefinite length of time and consequently, extended use can become burdensome and costly.

WO 99 / 58131 entitled “Use of Tetracyclines for Treating Meibomian Gland Disease.” However, this treatment has not proven to be universally clinically effective, and it may be unnecessary in cases where MGD is the result of obstruction of the gland without infection.

Thus, while dry eye states have many etiologies, the inability of the meibomian gland 10 to sufficiently generate the lipid layer is a common cause of common dry eye state.

Alternatively, the meibomian gland 10 may be otherwise compromised so that the resulting protective lipid film is not adequate for preventing evaporation of the underlying layers on the eye.

This may result in clogged gland orifices.

This may further restrict sebum flow and exacerbate a dry eye condition.

MGD may be difficult to diagnose, because visible indicators are not always present.

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