Angled Pressure Plates for Perpendicular Meibomian Gland Expression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) require physician supervision and are not effective for self-treatment, as they often involve tangential approaches and lack exfoliating components, making them cumbersome and less effective for patients to manage dry eye conditions independently.
Innovation Solution
A self-treating ophthalmic specialty instrument with pivotably coupled arms and angled, wedged pressure plates that allow patients to approach the eyelid perpendicularly, facilitating lid exfoliation and forced expression of meibomian glands, featuring an exfoliating member for debris removal and pressure plates with a gentle curvature to match the eyelid contour, enabling effective self-treatment of MGD without medical supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art instruments use tangential approach to express meibomian glands, then the treatment can be performed with simple instrument design, but the treatment effectiveness is reduced and physician supervision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure plates are angled at 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the arms, transforming the approach angle from tangential (prior art) to perpendicular (90 degrees to eyelid). This dimensional change in approach angle enables effective self-treatment by optimizing the mechanical expression of meibomian glands while maintaining simple instrument operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is specifically designed for patient self-treatment without physician supervision. The ergonomic handle, pivotable arms, and pre-configured angled pressure plates enable patients to independently perform effective lid exfoliation and gland expression, eliminating the need for professional assistance.
2Reliability
If prior art instruments lack exfoliating components, then the instrument structure remains simple, but the treatment becomes more cumbersome and less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument combines two previously separate functions into one device: (1) lid exfoliation using the textured surface on the inner arm surfaces, and (2) meibomian gland expression using the angled pressure plates. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate instruments while maintaining structural simplicity and enhancing treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the pressure plates, contain exfoliating textures on their inner surfaces for lid cleaning, and transmit mechanical force for gland expression. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized instruments.
3Reliability
If pressure plates are not angled, then the instrument design is simpler, but perpendicular approach to eyelid is not achieved reducing treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure plates are manufactured with a specific 45-degree angle relative to the arm longitudinal axis. This parameter change transforms the mechanical advantage and force distribution, enabling the perpendicular (90-degree) approach to the eyelid that is necessary for effective treatment, while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects are directed to an ophthalmic specialty instrument configured to allow patients to treat MGD and other dry eye conditions themselves which is easy to operate and more effective. The ophthalmic specialty instrument comprises a main body of two arms with a distal end and a proximal end; wherein the two arms are pivotably coupled to a common connection point at the proximal end and a pair of angled and slightly wedged pressure plates are attached to the distal end of the two arms; wherein an exfoliating member is also attached to the proximal end; and wherein the pressure plates are angled downwardly and outwardly from the longitudinal planes of the arms and have gentle radius of curvature that match the curvature of eyelids to facilitate a substantially 90° approaching angle to the eyelid margin as opposed to making contact with the eyelids tangentially.