Eyelid Heating Device with Insulating Barrier for MGD Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) often focus on symptom relief rather than addressing the underlying cause, and existing methods for heating the eyelid to treat MGD are inefficient, as they struggle to achieve sufficient temperatures at the meibomian glands without causing pain or damage.

Innovation Solution

Applying heat directly to the inner surface of the eyelid to raise the temperature of the meibomian glands efficiently, allowing for the melting or softening of obstructions, combined with the application of force to enhance heat transfer and reduce convective heat loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heat is applied to the outer surface of the eyelid to treat meibomian gland dysfunction, then the treatment can be administered, but the heat transfer is inefficient and requires prolonged treatment time to achieve sufficient temperatures at the glands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature at meibomian glandsVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies heat to the inner surface of the eyelid (palpebral conjunctiva) rather than the outer surface, inverting the conventional approach. This direct internal heating method eliminates the need for heat to conduct through multiple tissue layers, achieving sufficient gland temperatures much faster and resolving the time efficiency problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of time

If heat is applied to the inner surface of the eyelid to efficiently heat the meibomian glands, then treatment time is reduced, but there is increased risk of causing pain or damage to the eye

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment timeVSAvoidrisk of pain or damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a heating device with specific geometric configuration that concentrates heat locally at the meibomian glands while the insulating barrier protects the cornea. The asymmetric design with the convex surface facing the cornea and concave surface against the eyelid creates localized heat delivery to the target tissue without affecting surrounding sensitive structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid transparent insulating barrier serves as an intermediary element between the heat source and the eye. This barrier allows heat to be conducted to the meibomian glands through the eyelid tissue while preventing excessive heat from reaching the cornea, thus enabling efficient heating without causing damage or pain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If higher temperatures are applied to melt obstructions in meibomian glands, then the obstructions are more effectively dislodged, but the risk of pain and tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature at meibomian glandsVSAvoidpain and tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device geometry concentrates thermal energy locally at the meibomian glands through the insulating barrier, achieving higher temperatures at the target site without proportionally increasing temperature at the cornea. This localized heat delivery enables effective obstruction melting while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating barrier acts as a thermal mediator that allows high temperatures to be applied to the eyelid for effective treatment while protecting the cornea from excessive heat. The barrier's thermal properties enable temperature differentiation between the treatment site and sensitive eye structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively dislodges obstructions in the meibomian glands, improving sebum flow and reducing evaporation of the aqueous layer, providing sustained relief from dry eye symptoms with reduced treatment time and minimized risk of discomfort or damage.

Implementation Method 1

a rigid transparent insulating barrier... with a convex surface configured to face the cornea and a concave surface configured to face the eyelid... applying heat to the inner surface of the eyelid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

rigid transparent insulating barrier... to enhance heat transfer and reduce convective heat loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10952896B2Methods and apparatuses for treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 TEARSCIENCE INC

AI summary

Apparatus and methods for treating dry eye include an energy source configured to apply energy to an obstruction located in a meibomian gland of a patient's eyelid. The apparatus also comprises an insulator configured to be positioned between a rear portion of the patient's eyelid and a surface of the patient's eyeball. An inner surface of the insulator has a curvature greater than that of the patient's eyeball such that an air pocket is formed between the inner surface of the insulator and the patient's eyeball, wherein the air pocket provides additional insulation to reduce or eliminate an amount of heat due to the applied energy from the energy source from being conducted to the surface of the patient's eyeball, such that the applied energy does not cause the temperature to reach a temperature sufficient to cause damage to a corneal or scleral portion of the patient's eyeball.