Meibomian gland dysfunction treatment system and control method

Abstract

According to the meibomian gland dysfunction treatment system and the control method, the equipment environment temperature and the host water outlet temperature are collected, a model is established in combination with the equipment heat exchange total thermal resistance, the actual temperature of the eye cup is accurately calculated, then the human body temperature and the man-machine heat exchange total thermal resistance are fused, and finally the steady-state temperature of the contact face of the eye cup and the human eyes is locked. Moreover, PID closed-loop control is adopted, temperature deviation in the heat exchange process of the equipment and the man-machine heat exchange process can be corrected in real time, a proportional link quickly responds to sudden fluctuation of the water flow temperature and the environment temperature, an integral link eliminates accumulated deviation such as continuous heat dissipation of a pipeline, a differential link prejudges the temperature change trend to avoid overshoot, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved. The temperature of the contact surface is always stabilized in a target range, the hot compress temperature is stabilized in a clinical effective interval, and the core target of treatment of lipid softening and gland opening expansion is realized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a meibomian gland dysfunction treatment system and a control method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the primary causes of dry eye syndrome and chronic ocular surface disease. Its core pathological mechanism is the blockage of meibomian gland secretory channels and the abnormal accumulation of lipid components, which in turn damages the stability of the tear film and causes a series of uncomfortable symptoms such as eye dryness, foreign body sensation, blurred vision, and even damage to the corneal epithelium, affecting visual function. In clinical treatment, hot compress as a basic and key intervention method, through the warm effect to soften the lipid coagulation in the meibomian gland, expand the gland opening, so as to restore the normal secretion and distribution of the lipid layer of the tear film, is the core path to improve the symptoms of MGD. However, in the existing hot compress treatment equipment, the heat transfer path of the heat source and the eye surface contact surface is long, and there is a lack of dynamic compensation for environmental heat dissipation, human body heat exchange and other factors, which makes it difficult to accurately maintain the hot compress temperature acting on the eye surface in the effective range required by the clinic (usually 40-45℃), and the temperature is often too low to achieve the effect of lipid softening, or the temperature fluctuation is too large to cause eye discomfort, which seriously affects the effectiveness and safety of treatment. SUMMARY

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a meibomian gland dysfunction treatment system and a control method to solve the problem that in the existing hot compress treatment equipment, the heat transfer path of the heat source and the eye surface contact surface is long, and there is a lack of dynamic compensation for environmental heat dissipation, human body heat exchange and other factors, which makes it difficult to accurately maintain the hot compress temperature acting on the eye surface in the effective range required by the clinic.

[0004] The control method of the meibomian gland dysfunction treatment system provided by the embodiments of the present application, the system comprises a treatment instrument host, a connecting pipeline and a treatment head; the connecting pipeline connects the treatment instrument host and the eye cup assembly of the treatment head, forming a water circulation passage; the treatment instrument host is used to control the circulating heating module to drive and heat the water flow in the water circulation passage, so as to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly; The method is applied to the controller of the treatment instrument host, and the method comprises: obtaining the device environment temperature and the host water outlet temperature, and determining the eye cup temperature according to the device environment temperature, the host water outlet temperature and the device heat exchange total thermal resistance; obtaining the human body temperature, and determining the steady-state temperature of the eye cup and the human eye contact surface according to the human body temperature, the eye cup temperature and the human-machine heat exchange total thermal resistance; controlling the steady-state temperature in the target temperature range through PID closed loop control.

[0005] In the above technical solution, by collecting the ambient temperature of the equipment and the water temperature from the main unit, and combining this with the total thermal resistance of the equipment to establish a model, the actual temperature of the eye cup is accurately calculated. Then, by incorporating the human body temperature and the total thermal resistance of the human-machine interface, the steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye is finally locked. Furthermore, PID closed-loop control is employed to correct temperature deviations in real time during equipment heat exchange and human-machine heat exchange: the proportional element quickly responds to sudden fluctuations in water flow temperature and ambient temperature; the integral element eliminates accumulated deviations such as continuous heat dissipation from the pipeline; and the derivative element predicts temperature change trends to avoid overshoot, ensuring that the contact surface temperature remains stable within the target range and that the hot compress temperature remains stable within the clinically effective range, thus guaranteeing the achievement of the core therapeutic goals of lipid softening and glandular opening dilation.

[0006] In some alternative implementations, the eye cup temperature is: ; in, For the temperature of the eye cup, For the ambient temperature of the equipment, The thermal conductivity of air, For quality flow, The specific heat capacity of water, The total thermal resistance of the equipment.

[0007] In some alternative implementations, the total heat exchange thermal resistance of the device is the sum of the first water-side convective thermal resistance, the first cup wall thermal conductivity thermal resistance, and the air-side convective thermal resistance. The first water-side convective thermal resistance is: ; The thermal resistance of the first cup wall is: ; The air-side convection thermal resistance is: ; in, The water-side convective heat transfer coefficient is... and These are the surface areas inside and outside the pipe, respectively. The outer diameter of the pipe. The inner diameter of the pipe. The thermal conductivity of the silicone rubber tube wall is... This is the length of the heating path. The air-side convective heat transfer coefficient is denoted as .

[0008] In some alternative implementations, the steady-state temperature is: ; in, The steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye. Body temperature For the second water-side convective thermal resistance, For the convective thermal resistance of the second cup wall, The convective thermal resistance is on the side in contact with the human body.

[0009] In some alternative implementations, the second water-side convective thermal resistance is: ; The thermal resistance of the second cup wall is: ; The convective thermal resistance on the human body contact side is: ; in, The water-side convective heat transfer coefficient is... The thickness of the eye cup wall. The heat transfer coefficient between the skin surface and the contact surface. Let A be the thermal conductivity of the PC material used to build the eye cup, and let A be the surface area of ​​the eye cup in contact with the human body.

[0010] In some alternative implementations, the connecting tubing connecting the main unit of the therapeutic device and the airbag assembly of the therapeutic head also forms an air pressure passage. After controlling the steady-state temperature within the target temperature range, the following steps are also included: The positive pressure output module outputs controllable pulsed air pressure, which is transmitted to the airbag assembly of the treatment head through connecting pipes.

[0011] The above technical solution achieves coordinated control of constant-temperature heating and mechanical compression during meibomian gland treatment through a comprehensive gas-liquid hybrid drive design. The system organically combines a circulating heating module and a positive pressure output module. A constant-temperature heat compress is applied to the eyelid area via a liquid path, while a periodically adjustable pulse pressure is generated by an air path and applied to the meibomian gland area. This heats and softens the glandular lipids, promoting their smooth expulsion. Specifically, the positive pressure output module can output adjustable pressure within the range of 0–40 kPa and supports three modes: step, steady pressure, and pulse, with adjustable air pressure amplitude, frequency, and duration.

[0012] This application provides a treatment system for meibomian gland dysfunction, including a treatment device main unit, a connecting tube, and a treatment head; the connecting tube connects the treatment device main unit and the eye cup assembly of the treatment head to form a water circulation path; A first temperature sensor is installed on the connecting pipeline; the first temperature sensor is used to obtain the ambient temperature of the equipment. A third temperature sensor is installed at the point on the treatment head where it will come into contact with the human eye; the third temperature sensor is used to acquire the human body temperature. The main unit of the therapeutic device includes a second temperature sensor, a circulating heating module, and a controller; The circulating heating module is used to drive and heat the water flow in the water circulation path to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly; the second temperature sensor is used to obtain the water temperature of the main unit. The controller is used for: The eye cup temperature is determined based on the ambient temperature of the equipment, the outlet water temperature of the main unit, and the total thermal resistance of the equipment. The steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye is determined based on the human body temperature, the eye cup temperature, and the total thermal resistance of heat exchange between the human body and the machine. By using PID closed-loop control and a circulating heating module, the steady-state temperature is controlled within the target temperature range.

[0013] In some optional embodiments, the connecting pipeline includes a first liquid passage, a second liquid passage, and a gas passage; The treatment head also includes an airbag assembly; The first and second liquid channels are used to connect the main unit of the treatment device and the eye cup assembly to form a water circulation path; the air channel is used to connect the main unit of the treatment device and the air bag assembly to form an air pressure path. The main unit of the therapeutic device also includes a positive pressure output module, which is used to control the air pressure of the airbag assembly.

[0014] In some alternative implementations, the connector of the treatment head includes a first fluid path connector and a second fluid path connector; The first end of the connecting pipeline is provided with a first liquid passage interface and a second liquid passage interface. The second end of the connecting pipeline is equipped with a third liquid line connector and a fourth liquid line connector; The main unit of the therapeutic device has interfaces including a third liquid path interface and a fourth liquid path interface; When connecting the main unit of the therapeutic device and the eye cup assembly, the first liquid path connector is inserted into the first liquid path interface, the second liquid path connector is inserted into the second liquid path interface, the third liquid path connector is inserted into the third liquid path interface, and the fourth liquid path connector is inserted into the fourth liquid path interface.

[0015] In some alternative implementations, the connector of the treatment head further includes a first air supply connector; The first end of the connecting pipeline is equipped with a first gas passage interface; A second air line connector is provided at the second end of the connecting pipeline; The main unit of the therapeutic device also includes a second airway interface; When connecting the main unit of the therapeutic device and the eye cup assembly, the first air path connector is inserted into the first air path interface, and the second air path connector is inserted into the second air path interface.

[0016] In some alternative embodiments, sealing rings are provided on the first liquid line connector, the second liquid line connector, the third liquid line connector, the fourth liquid line connector, the first gas line connector, and the second gas line connector.

[0017] In some alternative implementations, both the third and fourth fluid passage interfaces are provided with sealing structures.

[0018] In some alternative implementations, the sealing structure includes: a leak-proof element, a compression spring, and an O-ring; A compression spring is fitted onto the leak-proof component, and an O-ring is fitted onto the end of the leak-proof component closest to the main unit of the treatment device. Compression springs are used to press the O-ring to achieve a mechanical seal in the fluid circuit when the connector is not inserted; The leak-proof component is used to open the liquid passage when the connector is inserted; when the connector is pulled out, the leak-proof component resets and re-closes the liquid passage.

[0019] In some alternative implementations, the interface of the therapeutic device host also includes a sensing circuit board; A sensor is also installed at the second end of the connecting pipe; When the connecting pipes are connected to the main unit of the therapeutic device, the sensing circuit board is used to connect the sensing pads to the sensing circuit board, which then enhances the sound and light.

[0020] In some alternative implementations, the circulating heating module includes a heating module and a water pump; both the heating module and the water pump are connected to a controller. Water pumps are used to drive the flow of water in a water circulation path; The heating module is used to heat the water flow in the water circulation path in order to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly.

[0021] In some alternative implementations, the positive pressure output module includes an air pump, a proportional valve, and a pressure sensor; the air pump, proportional valve, and pressure sensor are all connected to the controller. An air pump is used to provide air pressure output; The proportional valve is used to regulate the output air pressure. The pressure sensor is used to detect the output air pressure value. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a meibomian gland dysfunction treatment system provided in this application embodiment; Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the steps of a control method for a treatment system for meibomian gland dysfunction provided in this application embodiment; Figure 3 A plan view of the connecting tubing and treatment head provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A perspective view of the connecting tubing and treatment head provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 Cross-sectional views of the third and fourth liquid circuit interfaces provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0024] Icons: 1-Therapeutic device main unit, 11-Third liquid path interface, 12-Fourth liquid path interface, 13-Second air path interface, 2-Connecting pipe, 21-First liquid path interface, 22-Second liquid path interface, 23-Third liquid path connector, 24-Fourth liquid path connector, 25-First air path interface, 26-Second air path connector, 3-Treatment head, 31-First liquid path connector, 32-Second liquid path connector, 33-First air path connector, 4-Power supply, 5-Main unit socket, 6-Connecting base, 7-Leak-proof component, 8-Compression spring, 9-O-ring. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This application provides a structural diagram of a treatment system for meibomian gland dysfunction. The system includes a treatment device main unit, connecting pipes, and a treatment head; the connecting pipes connect the treatment device main unit and the eye cup assembly of the treatment head, forming a water circulation path; the treatment device main unit is used to control the circulation heating module to drive and heat the water flow in the water circulation path, thereby controlling the temperature of the eye cup assembly.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the steps of a control method for a treatment system for meibomian gland dysfunction provided in this application embodiment. The method is applied to the controller of the treatment device host and includes: Step S1: Obtain the ambient temperature of the equipment and the outlet water temperature of the main unit. Determine the eye cup temperature based on the ambient temperature of the equipment, the outlet water temperature of the main unit, and the total heat exchange resistance of the equipment. Step S2: Obtain the human body temperature, and determine the steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye based on the human body temperature, the eye cup temperature, and the total thermal resistance of heat exchange between the human body and the machine. Step S3: Control the steady-state temperature within the target temperature range using PID closed-loop control.

[0028] In this embodiment, the concept of thermal resistance is introduced to quantify the resistance encountered by heat in the transfer path. Its function is similar to resistance in a circuit; the greater the thermal resistance, the smaller the heat transfer rate at the same temperature difference. The total thermal resistance of the device characterizes the total heat loss caused by convective heat transfer between water and the pipe wall, the heat conduction of the pipe wall itself, and the convective heat transfer between the pipe wall and the outside air during the entire process of the heated water flowing from the main unit through the connecting pipe to the inlet of the eye cup assembly. This total thermal resistance is composed of three parts connected in series: water-side convective thermal resistance, pipe wall thermal conduction thermal resistance, and air-side convective thermal resistance, covering the main physical processes of heat dissipation in the pipe. Similarly, the total thermal resistance of human-machine heat exchange refers to the multiple series thermal resistances encountered by heat transfer from circulating hot water to the surface of the human eye skin inside the eye cup assembly. These mainly include the water-side convective thermal resistance inside the eye cup, the thermal conduction thermal resistance of the eye cup wall, and the contact thermal resistance between the eye cup and the human skin. By establishing and calculating these thermal resistances, the distribution of heat at the final treatment interface can be accurately analyzed, thereby predicting the steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye.

[0029] By collecting data on the ambient temperature of the equipment and the water temperature from the main unit, and combining this with a model established based on the total thermal resistance of the equipment, the actual temperature of the eye cup is accurately calculated. This is then integrated with the human body temperature and the total thermal resistance of the heat exchange between the human and the machine, ultimately locking in the steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye. Furthermore, a PID closed-loop control is employed to correct temperature deviations during equipment heat exchange and human-machine heat exchange in real time: the proportional element responds quickly to sudden fluctuations in water flow temperature and ambient temperature; the integral element eliminates accumulated deviations due to continuous heat dissipation from the pipeline; and the derivative element predicts temperature change trends to avoid overshoot. This ensures that the contact surface temperature remains stable within the target range, and that the heat therapy temperature remains consistently within the clinically effective range, guaranteeing the achievement of the core therapeutic goals of lipid softening and glandular opening dilation.

[0030] In some alternative implementations, the eye cup temperature is: ; in, For the temperature of the eye cup, For the ambient temperature of the equipment, The thermal conductivity of air, For quality flow, The specific heat capacity of water, The total thermal resistance of the equipment.

[0031] In some alternative implementations, the total heat exchange thermal resistance of the device is the sum of the first water-side convective thermal resistance, the first cup wall thermal conductivity thermal resistance, and the air-side convective thermal resistance. The first water-side convective thermal resistance is: ; The thermal resistance of the first cup wall is: ; The air-side convection thermal resistance is: ; in, The water-side convective heat transfer coefficient is... and These are the surface areas inside and outside the pipe, respectively. The outer diameter of the pipe. The inner diameter of the pipe. The thermal conductivity of the silicone rubber tube wall is... This is the length of the heating path. The air-side convective heat transfer coefficient is denoted as .

[0032] In some alternative implementations, the steady-state temperature is: ; in, The steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye. Body temperature For the second water-side convective thermal resistance, For the convective thermal resistance of the second cup wall, The convective thermal resistance is on the side in contact with the human body.

[0033] In some alternative implementations, the second water-side convective thermal resistance is: ; The thermal resistance of the second cup wall is: ; The convective thermal resistance on the human body contact side is: ; in, The water-side convective heat transfer coefficient is... The thickness of the eye cup wall. The heat transfer coefficient between the skin surface and the contact surface. Let A be the thermal conductivity of the PC material used to build the eye cup, and let A be the surface area of ​​the eye cup in contact with the human body.

[0034] Specifically, the derivation process of the above temperature control algorithm is as follows: Assuming steady-state one-dimensional flow of heated water through a pipe, a mathematical model of temperature decay along the pipe is established. The steady-state temperature of the eye cup is calculated by combining an equivalent thermal resistance network consisting of water-side convection, cup wall heat conduction, and air-side natural convection. In the temperature control algorithm, water is treated as an incompressible fluid and operates under steady mass flow conditions.

[0035] in, For quality flow, For fluid density, This refers to volumetric flow rate.

[0036] Based on the above assumptions, a mathematical model describing the temperature decay of the fluid along the pipe was established. In the specific implementation, the outlet water temperature of the heating element and the ambient temperature were measured by temperature sensors, and the heat transfer parameters of the pipeline were uniformly considered in the model. Since the equipment and connecting pipes are made of medical-grade silicone and have a small diameter, the convective heat transfer coefficient of the water flow in the pipeline has limited variation, so fixed parameters can be used for calculation. On this basis, combining the principles of heat transfer and fluid mechanics, an eye cup temperature calculation model was constructed to predict the outlet water temperature of the heating system and further estimate the steady-state temperature distribution of the eye cup. Finally, the actual temperature of the eye cup was obtained by weighted averaging of thermal conduction and air convection, providing a theoretical reference for the temperature control system, thus balancing therapeutic efficacy and safety of use.

[0037] In the calculation of the air-side convective heat transfer coefficient, the Glashoff number (Gr) and Prandtl number (Pr) are introduced to describe the characteristics of free convection, based on the formula for calculating convective heat transfer. ; in, β is the Rayleigh number, used to determine the strength of natural convection and the flow state; g is the acceleration due to gravity; and β is the coefficient of thermal expansion. The characteristic length is ν, which is the outer diameter of the silicone rubber tube in this formula, and the kinematic viscosity of air is T. in With T env Here, represents the inflow water temperature and the ambient temperature, respectively, and Pr is the Prandtl number of air, Pr = 0.7022. Based on empirical relationships, the Nusselt number (Nu) can be expressed as: Where c is an empirical coefficient; The air-side convective heat transfer coefficient is calculated by the following formula: ; Where λa is the thermal conductivity of air and d2 is the outer diameter of the pipe.

[0038] In this study, the convective heat transfer coefficient of the pure water inside the pipe was... Estimation is performed using dimensionless correlations. (Pipe inner diameter) The membrane thickness is 2 mm. The average water temperature is taken as 37°C, and the wall temperature is approximately 40°C. Therefore, the membrane temperature is taken as the average of the water and wall temperatures, which is 38.5°C. At this temperature, the typical physical properties of water, as found in the table, are: density... Dynamic viscosity Thermal conductivity and specific heat The Reynolds number and Prandtl number are respectively obtained through... ; The calculation yielded, where The average flow velocity inside the pipe. After determining the flow state based on the Reynolds number and Prandtl number, a suitable Nusselt number correlation is selected to calculate the heat transfer coefficient. For fully developed laminar flow ( The Nusselt number constant under constant wall temperature conditions was used. .

[0039] The heat transfer coefficient is calculated from the Nusselt number: ; For ease of engineering reference, several representative volumetric flow rates (unit: mL / min) were selected: 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 mL / min, and the average flow velocity in the pipe was calculated using the method described above. Reynolds number Prandtl numbers Nusel number and heat transfer coefficient The calculation results are listed in Table 1 below: Table 1

[0040] The calculation results in the table show that, for the selected flow range, the flow inside the pipe is in laminar flow or at the lower transition limit, and the heat transfer coefficient under fully developed conditions is approximately... However, due to the small diameter of the tubing and the fact that the length of medical device tubing is typically much shorter than the thermal development length... The inlet effect may cause the actual Nusselt number to be higher than the fully developed value, which needs to be considered and corrected in engineering calculations or calibrated experimentally. The empirical correlation itself has a certain error (about 5-15%). Considering the uncertainties of physical properties and the inlet effect, the obtained heat transfer coefficient should be used as a reference for engineering estimation and design, and can be compared and verified with experimental or numerical simulation results.

[0041] The heat transfer process can be simplified as a series thermal resistance network, including water-side convection, cup wall heat conduction, and air-side convection, with the following thermal resistances: ; in, and These are the inner and outer surface areas of the pipes, respectively. The thermal conductivity of the silicone rubber tube wall is 0.25 W / (m). K), L is the heating path length, and the total thermal resistance is: ; According to the principle of energy conservation, the temperature decay of water flowing through silicone rubber pipes can be expressed by an exponential formula: ; in, Let C be the mass flow rate of water, C be the specific heat capacity of water, and T be the mass flow rate of water. w T represents the temperature of the water when it reaches the eye cup. in This is the temperature of the water as it flows into the connecting pipe immediately after passing through the heating module.

[0042] The actual temperature of the eye cup is estimated by averaging the thermal conductivity of the eye cup material and the eyelid. The heat transfer process can be simplified as a series thermal resistance network, including water-side convection, cup wall thermal conductivity, and convection on the side in contact with the human body. Their thermal resistances are as follows: ; Where A is the surface area in contact with the human body. Since the eye cup assembly is small, it is assumed that the inner and outer surface areas are equal. d is the thickness of the eye cup wall. The heat transfer coefficient between the skin surface and the contact surface is taken when slight pressure is applied during contact. (W·m -2 ·K -1 ), The thermal conductivity of the PC material used for the eye cup wall is 0.19 W / (m²). K). Steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the skin: ; in The temperature is the body temperature, which can be obtained using a temperature acquisition module or set to a fixed value of 37℃. This formula considers the coupling effect of heat conduction through the cup wall and heat exchange through the eyelid skin, accurately reflecting the temperature distribution of the eye cup under actual working conditions. The calculation results are converted into integer signals in units of 0.1℃ and input into the PID closed-loop control module to achieve rapid response and stable constant temperature control, thus maintaining the eye cup temperature between 42 and 43℃, ensuring therapeutic efficacy and eye tissue safety.

[0043] In some alternative implementations, the connecting tubing connecting the main unit of the therapeutic device and the airbag assembly of the therapeutic head also forms an air pressure passage. After controlling the steady-state temperature within the target temperature range, the following steps are also included: The positive pressure output module outputs controllable pulsed air pressure, which is transmitted to the airbag assembly of the treatment head through connecting pipes.

[0044] The above technical solution achieves coordinated control of constant-temperature heating and mechanical compression during meibomian gland treatment through a comprehensive gas-liquid hybrid drive design. The system organically combines a circulating heating module and a positive pressure output module. A constant-temperature heat compress is applied to the eyelid area via a liquid path, while a periodically adjustable pulse pressure is generated by an air path and applied to the meibomian gland area. This heats and softens the glandular lipids, promoting their smooth expulsion. Specifically, the positive pressure output module can output adjustable pressure within the range of 0–40 kPa and supports three modes: step, steady pressure, and pulse, with adjustable air pressure amplitude, frequency, and duration.

[0045] Specifically, the actual workflow of the meibomian gland dysfunction treatment system is as follows: Start the main unit of the treatment device to perform a self-test, checking the working status of components such as temperature sensor, pressure sensor, circulating heating module and positive pressure output module to ensure that the system is in a working state. The water pump of the circulating heating module is started, so that the circulating water flows along the liquid path through the connecting pipe to the eye cup assembly, and is heated by the heating module of the circulating heating module; the controller adjusts the duty cycle of the heater in real time according to the feedback signal of the temperature sensor, so that the temperature of the eye cup assembly gradually rises to and stabilizes in the treatment range of 42-43℃. When the temperature of the eye cup component is detected to be stable within the set range, the system enters the treatment mode preparation stage; if the temperature deviates from the set range, the system will automatically adjust the heating power or issue an alarm. After the temperature stabilizes, the positive pressure output module inside the main unit of the treatment device is activated, outputting controllable pulse air pressure within the range of 0 to 40 kPa; according to the preset treatment mode (stepping, steady pressure, or pulse mode), the air pressure amplitude, cycle and duration are dynamically adjusted; the output air pressure is transmitted to the airbag assembly through the connecting pipeline, and acts on the eyelid through the silicone rubber protrusion structure on its surface, applying periodic mechanical compression to the meibomian gland area; The system monitors the circulating water temperature and air pressure output in real time, and adjusts the heating and air pressure parameters through a closed-loop feedback algorithm to ensure a safe and stable treatment process. If abnormal temperature or pressure is detected, the system will automatically stop operating and issue an alarm signal. After the set treatment duration is completed, the control system automatically shuts down the circulating heating module and the positive pressure output module, allowing the temperature to gradually drop back to a safe range, thus completing one treatment session.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 A plan view of the connecting pipe 2 and the treatment head 3 provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A perspective view of the connecting pipe 2 and the treatment head 3 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0047] This application provides a treatment system for meibomian gland dysfunction, comprising: a treatment device main unit 1, a connecting pipe 2, and a treatment head 3; the connecting pipe 2 includes a first liquid channel, a second liquid channel, and a gas channel; the treatment head 3 includes an eye cup assembly and an air bladder assembly; the first and second liquid channels are used to connect the treatment device main unit 1 and the eye cup assembly to form a water circulation path; the gas channel is used to connect the treatment device main unit 1 and the air bladder assembly to form a gas pressure path; the treatment device main unit 1 includes a controller, a circulating heating module, and a positive pressure output module; the controller is connected to the circulating heating module and the positive pressure output module; the circulating heating module is used to drive and heat the water flow in the water circulation path to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly; the positive pressure output module is used to control the gas pressure in the gas pressure path to control the expansion and contraction deformation of the air bladder assembly.

[0048] In this embodiment, a dual-path design using a water circulation path and an air pressure path integrates temperature-controlled heating and mechanical compression into a single system. The two systems are independently controlled yet work collaboratively, with heating and softening occurring simultaneously with mechanical compression. The circulating heating module drives water circulation and precisely controls the temperature through the first and second liquid channels, ensuring the eyecup assembly stably conforms to the eyelid to transfer heat and soften the meibomian gland lipids. The positive pressure output module controls the expansion and contraction of the airbag assembly through the air passage to achieve mechanical compression of the meibomian glands.

[0049] The eye cup assembly is made of medical-grade silicone and is internally connected to a liquid circuit. Circulating water flowing through the eye cup achieves constant-temperature heating. The airbag assembly is located on the back of the eye cup and is connected to the main unit via an air circuit. Periodic air pressure signals from the air pump cause the airbag to expand and contract rhythmically, applying gentle pulsed pressure to the patient's eyelids through the silicone rubber protrusions, thereby promoting the smooth discharge of heated and melted meibomian gland lipids. In addition, the main unit of the treatment device also includes a power supply and a human-machine interface module, such as a touchscreen and buttons.

[0050] In some alternative implementations, the circulating heating module includes a heating module and a water pump; both the heating module and the water pump are connected to a controller; the water pump is used to drive the water flow in the water circulation path; the heating module is used to heat the water flow in the water circulation path to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly.

[0051] In this embodiment, the heating module can employ high-precision heating elements, such as PTC heaters or infrared heating tubes, to achieve precise water temperature regulation. The pump speed can be adjusted via a controller to change the water circulation speed, thereby adjusting the heat transfer efficiency.

[0052] In some alternative implementations, the positive pressure output module includes an air pump, a proportional valve, and a pressure sensor; the air pump, proportional valve, and pressure sensor are all connected to the controller; the air pump is used to provide air pressure output; the proportional valve is used to adjust the output air pressure value; and the pressure sensor is used to detect the output air pressure value.

[0053] In this embodiment, the air pump provides a base air pressure output (as a power source), and the proportional valve adjusts the valve opening through the controller to achieve stepless adjustment of air pressure (e.g., precise output from 0-40 kPa). Compared to the on / off control of traditional solenoid valves, this can adapt to different degrees of meibomian gland obstruction in different patients; for example, low air pressure is used for mild obstruction, and high air pressure is used for moderate to severe obstruction. Furthermore, personalized air pressure parameters can be set through the controller according to the patient's age and the severity of their condition (e.g., 20-30 kPa for children and 35-45 kPa for adults with moderate to severe obstruction). A pressure sensor monitors the air pressure output in real time, and automatically adjusts the air pump speed to correct the output when the deviation exceeds a set threshold.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 A plan view of the connecting pipe 2 and the treatment head 3 provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A perspective view of the connecting pipe 2 and the treatment head 3 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0055] In some optional embodiments, the connector of the treatment head 3 includes a first liquid path connector 31 and a second liquid path connector 32; the first end of the connecting pipe 2 is provided with a first liquid path interface 21 and a second liquid path interface 22; the second end of the connecting pipe 2 is provided with a third liquid path connector 23 and a fourth liquid path connector 24; the host port 5 of the treatment device host 1 includes a third liquid path interface 11 and a fourth liquid path interface 12; when the connecting pipe 2 connects the treatment device host 1 and the eye cup assembly, the first liquid path connector 31 is inserted into the first liquid path interface 21, the second liquid path connector 32 is inserted into the second liquid path interface 22, the third liquid path connector 23 is inserted into the third liquid path interface 11, and the fourth liquid path connector 24 is inserted into the fourth liquid path interface 12.

[0056] In some optional embodiments, the connector of the treatment head 3 further includes a first air path connector 33; the first end of the connecting pipe 2 is provided with a first air path interface 25; the second end of the connecting pipe 2 is provided with a second air path connector 26; the host port 5 of the treatment device host 1 further includes a second air path interface 13; when the connecting pipe 2 connects the treatment device host 1 and the eye cup assembly, the first air path connector 33 is inserted into the first air path interface 25, and the second air path connector 26 is inserted into the second air path interface 13.

[0057] In some alternative embodiments, sealing rings are provided on the first liquid line connector 31, the second liquid line connector 32, the third liquid line connector 23, the fourth liquid line connector 24, the first gas line connector 33, and the second gas line connector 26.

[0058] In some optional embodiments, a connector 6 is provided below the main unit socket 5. The connector 6 is fixedly connected to the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument by screws, making the overall structure stable and reliable. Locking buckles are provided on the upper and lower sides of the second end of the connecting pipe 2. After the second end of the connecting pipe 2 is inserted into the main unit socket 5, the locking buckles will automatically lift up and lock into the limiting groove of the main unit socket 5, forming a reliable mechanical lock to prevent it from falling off due to external force or vibration during treatment.

[0059] In some alternative embodiments, both the third fluid interface 11 and the fourth fluid interface 12 are provided with sealing structures.

[0060] In this embodiment, the liquid interface on the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument is provided with a sealing structure. When the connecting pipe 2 is disconnected from the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument, the liquid interface of the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument is automatically sealed to prevent liquid leakage inside the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument.

[0061] Sealing structures, such as one-way valves, elastic sealing plugs, and diaphragm seals, are integrated inside the third liquid interface 11 and the fourth liquid interface 12 of the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument. When the connecting pipe 2 is pulled out, the third liquid connector 23 and the fourth liquid connector 24 are pulled out accordingly, and the sealing structure automatically closes, completely sealing the interface channels to prevent liquid inside the main unit 1 from leaking to the outside, and also to prevent contamination of the treatment water.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 Cross-sectional views of the third liquid circuit interface 11 and the fourth liquid circuit interface 12 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0063] In some alternative implementations, the sealing structure includes: a leak-proof component 7, a compression spring 8, and an O-ring 9; The compression spring 8 is fitted onto the leak-proof component 7, and the O-ring 9 is fitted onto the end of the leak-proof component 7 near the main unit 1 of the treatment device; The compression spring 8 is used to press the O-ring 9 to achieve a mechanical seal in the fluid circuit when the connector is not inserted; The leak-proof component 7 is used to open the liquid passage when the connector is inserted; when the connector is pulled out, the leak-proof component 7 is reset and the liquid passage is resealed.

[0064] In this embodiment, the leak-proof component 7 is a piston structure within the channel, with a compression spring 8 sleeved on it and an O-ring 9 sleeved on the end of the leak-proof component 7 closest to the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument. When the connector is inserted: the front end of the connector pushes against the leak-proof component 7, compressing the compression spring 8. The O-ring moves synchronously with the leak-proof component 7, disengaging from the sealing end face, naturally opening the fluid passage and allowing water to flow smoothly. When the connector is pulled out: the compression spring 8 releases its elastic potential energy, pushing the leak-proof component 7 back to its original position. The O-ring re-presses the sealing end face, instantly sealing the fluid passage. The entire process requires no manual intervention, achieving immediate sealing upon insertion and removal, meeting the needs of rapid clinical operation.

[0065] In some optional embodiments, the host port 5 of the therapeutic device host 1 also includes a sensing circuit board; A sensor is also installed at the second end of the connecting pipe 2; When the connecting pipe 2 is connected to the main unit 1 of the therapeutic instrument, the sensing plate contacts the sensing circuit board, and the sensing circuit board enhances the sound and light.

[0066] In this embodiment, traditional equipment relies solely on manual judgment to determine whether the tubing is properly connected, such as visual inspection or tactile insertion / removal, which easily leads to loose connections in the liquid and gas circuits. A loose liquid connection will interrupt water circulation, preventing the eye cup assembly from heating and rendering the treatment ineffective; a loose gas connection will cause air pressure leakage, preventing the airbag assembly from expanding and contracting properly and rendering the compression function ineffective. This embodiment uses contact detection between the sensor and the sensing circuit board. Only when the connector of tubing 2 is fully inserted into the host interface (liquid and gas circuits are sealed) will the sensor make tight contact with the sensing circuit board, triggering an audible and visual prompt, such as a green indicator light illuminating and / or a beeping sound. If the connector is not tightly inserted, inserted into the wrong interface, or the sensor is not making contact, there is no feedback. Medical personnel can immediately identify and adjust the problem, preventing treatment failure or equipment malfunction due to improper connections from the source.

[0067] In some alternative implementations, the connecting conduit 2 includes a silicone rubber conduit.

[0068] In some alternative implementations, two connecting tubes 2 and two treatment heads 3 are included. In the embodiments of this application, the two treatment heads 3 are used for the patient's left and right eyes respectively, enabling simultaneous treatment of both eyes.

[0069] In some alternative implementations, the treatment head 3 is a disposable treatment head 3.

[0070] The disposable treatment head 3 and the connecting tubing 2 are detachably connected. This separate design allows the treatment head 3 to be used only once, effectively avoiding cross-infection between different patients. The connecting tubing 2, on the other hand, can be reused for a long time, balancing hygiene and safety with economy. Compared with the traditional integrated structure, this solution ensures hygiene and safety during the use of medical devices while reducing the difficulty of cleaning and maintenance, making the equipment more in line with the dual requirements of safety and convenience in the medical environment.

[0071] In this embodiment, after each treatment, only the discarded disposable treatment head 3 needs to be removed and replaced with a new one to treat the next patient. The operation time is reduced to within one minute, significantly reducing the workload of medical staff. The connecting tubing 2 does not need to be replaced every time; it only requires periodic cleaning and maintenance, such as daily cleaning or cleaning before storage, reducing consumable consumption and equipment maintenance costs. It also avoids the risk of loose connections and leaks caused by frequent tubing disassembly. The disposable treatment head 3 can be designed in various sizes, such as adult, pediatric, and eye-shape-adapted versions, and is pre-sterilized and packaged. Medical staff can quickly select the appropriate treatment head 3 based on the patient's age and eye shape without additional equipment adjustments, improving clinical adaptability.

[0072] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Additionally, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections may be through some communication interfaces; indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0073] Furthermore, the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0074] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated together to form an independent part, or each module can exist independently, or two or more modules can be integrated to form an independent part.

[0075] In this document, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0076] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A control method for a treatment system for meibomian gland dysfunction, characterized in that, The system includes a treatment device main unit, connecting pipes, and a treatment head; the connecting pipes connect the treatment device main unit and the eye cup assembly of the treatment head to form a water circulation path; the treatment device main unit is used to control the circulation heating module to drive and heat the water flow in the water circulation path, so as to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly. The method is applied to the controller of the therapeutic device host, and the method includes: Obtain the ambient temperature of the equipment and the outlet water temperature of the main unit. Determine the eye cup temperature based on the ambient temperature of the equipment, the outlet water temperature of the main unit, and the total heat exchange resistance of the equipment. Obtain the human body temperature, and determine the steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye based on the human body temperature, the eye cup temperature, and the total thermal resistance of heat exchange between the human body and the machine. The steady-state temperature is controlled within the target temperature range using PID closed-loop control.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature of the eye cup is: ； in, For the temperature of the eye cup, For the ambient temperature of the equipment, The thermal conductivity of air, For quality flow, The specific heat capacity of water, The total thermal resistance of the equipment.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The total heat exchange thermal resistance of the device is the sum of the first water-side convective thermal resistance, the first cup wall thermal conductivity thermal resistance, and the air-side convective thermal resistance. The first water-side convective thermal resistance is: ； The thermal resistance of the first cup wall is: ； The air-side convection thermal resistance is: ； in, The water-side convective heat transfer coefficient is... and These are the surface areas inside and outside the pipe, respectively. The outer diameter of the pipe. The inner diameter of the pipe. The thermal conductivity of the silicone rubber tube wall is... This is the length of the heating path. The air-side convective heat transfer coefficient is denoted as .

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steady-state temperature is: ； in, The steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye. Body temperature For the second water-side convective thermal resistance, For the convective thermal resistance of the second cup wall, The convective thermal resistance is on the side in contact with the human body.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The second water-side convective thermal resistance is: ； The thermal resistance of the second cup wall is: ； The convective thermal resistance on the human body contact side is: ； in, The water-side convective heat transfer coefficient is... The thickness of the eye cup wall. The heat transfer coefficient between the skin surface and the contact surface. Let A be the thermal conductivity of the PC material used to build the eye cup, and let A be the surface area of ​​the eye cup in contact with the human body.

6. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting pipe connects the main unit of the therapeutic instrument to the airbag assembly of the therapeutic head, and also forms an air pressure passage; After controlling the steady-state temperature within the target temperature range, the method further includes: The positive pressure output module outputs controllable pulsed air pressure, which is transmitted to the airbag assembly of the treatment head through connecting pipes.

7. A treatment system for meibomian gland dysfunction, characterized in that, It includes a treatment device main unit, connecting pipes, and a treatment head; the connecting pipes connect the treatment device main unit and the eye cup assembly of the treatment head to form a water circulation path; A first temperature sensor is installed on the connecting pipe; the first temperature sensor is used to acquire the ambient temperature of the equipment. A third temperature sensor is provided at the position of the treatment head where it comes into contact with the human eye; the third temperature sensor is used to acquire the human body temperature. The main unit of the therapeutic device includes a second temperature sensor, a circulating heating module, and a controller; The circulating heating module is used to drive and heat the water flow in the water circulation path to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly; the second temperature sensor is used to obtain the water temperature of the main unit. The controller is used for: The eye cup temperature is determined based on the ambient temperature of the equipment, the outlet water temperature of the main unit, and the total thermal resistance of the equipment. The steady-state temperature of the contact surface between the eye cup and the human eye is determined based on the human body temperature, the eye cup temperature, and the total thermal resistance of heat exchange between the human body and the machine. By using PID closed-loop control and the circulating heating module, the steady-state temperature is controlled within the target temperature range.

8. The system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The connecting pipeline includes a first liquid passage, a second liquid passage, and a gas passage; The treatment head also includes an airbag assembly; The first liquid path channel and the second liquid path channel are used to connect the main unit of the therapeutic device and the eye cup assembly to form a water circulation path; the air path channel is used to connect the main unit of the therapeutic device and the air bag assembly to form an air pressure path. The main unit of the therapeutic device also includes a positive pressure output module, which is used to control the gas pressure in the gas pressure passage in order to control the expansion and contraction of the airbag assembly.

9. The system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The connectors of the treatment head include a first liquid path connector and a second liquid path connector. The first end of the connecting pipeline is provided with a first liquid circuit interface and a second liquid circuit interface. The second end of the connecting pipeline is provided with a third liquid line connector and a fourth liquid line connector. The interfaces of the main unit of the therapeutic device include a third liquid path interface and a fourth liquid path interface; When the connecting pipe connects the main unit of the therapeutic device and the eye cup assembly, the first liquid path connector is inserted into the first liquid path interface, the second liquid path connector is inserted into the second liquid path interface, the third liquid path connector is inserted into the third liquid path interface, and the fourth liquid path connector is inserted into the fourth liquid path interface.

10. The system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The connector of the treatment head also includes a first air passage connector; The first end of the connecting pipeline is provided with a first air passage interface; The second end of the connecting pipe is provided with a second air passage connector; The interface of the main unit of the therapeutic device also includes a second air circuit interface; When the connecting pipe connects the main unit of the therapeutic device and the eye cup assembly, the first air path connector is inserted into the first air path interface, and the second air path connector is inserted into the second air path interface.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, Sealing rings are provided on the first liquid line connector, the second liquid line connector, the third liquid line connector, the fourth liquid line connector, the first gas line connector, and the second gas line connector.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, Both the third and fourth liquid circuit interfaces are equipped with sealing structures.

13. The system as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The sealing structure includes: a leak-proof component, a compression spring, and an O-ring; The compression spring is sleeved on the leak-proof component, and the O-ring is sleeved on the end of the leak-proof component near the main unit of the therapeutic instrument. The compression spring is used to press the O-ring to achieve a mechanical seal of the fluid circuit when the connector is not inserted; The leak-proof component is used to open the liquid passage when the connector is inserted; and to reset and re-close the liquid passage when the connector is pulled out.

14. The system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The interface of the main unit of the therapeutic device also includes a sensing circuit board; The second end of the connecting pipe is also provided with a sensor plate; When the connecting pipe is connected to the main unit of the therapeutic instrument, the sensing circuit board is used so that the sensing pad contacts the sensing circuit board, and the sensing circuit board enhances the sound and light.

15. The system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The circulating heating module includes a heating module and a water pump; both the heating module and the water pump are connected to the controller. The water pump is used to drive the water flow in the water circulation path; The heating module is used to heat the water flow in the water circulation path in order to control the temperature of the eye cup assembly.

16. The system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The positive pressure output module includes an air pump, a proportional valve, and a pressure sensor; the air pump, proportional valve, and pressure sensor are all connected to the controller. The air pump is used to provide air pressure output; The proportional valve is used to adjust the output air pressure value; The pressure sensor is used to detect the output air pressure value.

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