公开(公告)号：US08628504B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-14

申请号：US12887165

申请日：2010-09-21

申请人： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Lyle Paul ,  Steven Roe ,  Donald R. Korb

发明人： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Lyle Paul ,  Steven Roe ,  Donald R. Korb

IPC分类号： A61M35/00

CPC分类号： A61F9/0008 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F9/0026 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H35/02 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61H2201/0207 ,  A61H2201/0221 ,  A61H2201/1607 ,  A61H2201/165 ,  A61H2205/022 ,  A61H2205/024 ,  A61N7/00

摘要： According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction in a mammal wherein an occlusion blocks at least a portion of the flow of naturally occurring secretion out of a gland channel orifice. The invention comprises selecting a device capable of delivering a jet of heated medium. The device is positioned such that when the jet is it is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid, proximate to the gland channel orifice, a jet of heated medium is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid proximate to the gland channel orifice at a pressure of from about 2 psi to about 30 psi. Application of the jet of heated medium is maintained for sufficient time to loosen, break up, fracture, soften or liquefy at least a portion of the occlusion such that at least a portion of the occlusion is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the medium is water heated to a temperature of between about 42° C. and about 46° C. Depending on the particular type and composition of the obstruction, the fluid jet operates to melt or soften the obstruction and to milkingly move the corpus of the softened obstruction up the gland channel from the end opposite the meibomian gland orifice and out of the gland orifice. Repeated application of the heated fluid jet may also be necessary to soften and/or express the obstruction.

摘要翻译： 根据本发明，提供了一种在哺乳动物中治疗睑板腺功能障碍的方法，其中闭塞将至少一部分天然存在的分泌物从腺体通道孔排出。 本发明包括选择能够传送加热介质射流的装置。 该装置定位成使得当喷射器被施加到眼睑的外表面时，靠近腺体通道孔口，加热介质射流被施加到靠近腺体通道孔口的眼睑的外表面 约2psi至约30psi的压力。 维持加热介质喷射器的足够时间以松开，分解，断裂，软化或液化至少一部分闭塞，使得至少一部分闭塞被去除。 在一个示例性实施例中，介质被水加热到约42℃至约46℃之间的温度。根据障碍物的特定类型和组成，流体射流操作以使阻塞物熔化或软化并且挤奶 将软管堵塞的腺体从睑板腺口对面的端部移出腺体孔。 加热的流体射流的重复施加也可能是软化和/或表达障碍物所必需的。

公开(公告)号：US20130053733A1

公开(公告)日：2013-02-28

申请号：US13590828

申请日：2012-08-21

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin Tyson Gravely ,  Steven Bacich

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin Tyson Gravely ,  Steven Bacich

IPC分类号： A61N5/00 ,  A61N7/00 ,  A61M37/00

CPC分类号： G01N33/227 ,  A61B5/4836 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61B2562/0247 ,  A61B2562/0271 ,  A61F9/007 ,  A61F9/00718 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/003 ,  A61H7/005 ,  A61H9/0057 ,  A61H9/0071 ,  A61H9/0078 ,  A61H23/0236 ,  A61H23/0245 ,  A61H23/0263 ,  A61H39/086 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61H2201/0176 ,  A61H2201/0207 ,  A61H2201/0214 ,  A61H2201/5038 ,  A61H2201/5043 ,  A61H2205/024 ,  A61N1/403 ,  A61N7/00 ,  Y10T436/170769 ,  Y10T436/173076 ,  Y10T436/173845 ,  Y10T436/178459 ,  Y10T436/19 ,  Y10T436/206664

摘要： A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed. The method includes directing RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland, selectively targeting an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction, and expressing the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland. An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one RF electrode configured to direct RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland located in an eyelid of an eye, the at least one RF electrode further configured to selectively target an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction. The apparatus also comprises at least one expressor configured to express the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland.

摘要翻译： 公开了治疗睑板腺功能障碍的方法。 该方法包括将RF能量引导到睑板腺的内部部分，以施加的RF能量选择性地靶向睑板腺管道内的阻塞物，以熔化，松动或软化阻塞物，并且将来自管道的阻塞物 睑板腺 还公开了一种治疗睑板腺功能障碍的装置。 该装置包括至少一个RF电极，其被配置为将RF能量引导到位于眼睛的眼睑中的睑板腺的内部部分，所述至少一个RF电极还被配置为选择性地将睑板腺的管道内的阻塞物对准， 应用的射频能量来融化，松动或软化障碍物。 该装置还包括至少一个构造成从睑板腺的管道表达梗阻的表达器。

公开(公告)号：US20120197360A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-02

申请号：US13367865

申请日：2012-02-07

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon

IPC分类号： A61F7/12

CPC分类号： A61F7/12 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2017/00084 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F7/007 ,  A61F9/00772 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61N7/00

摘要： A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction comprising a heating element that applies heat to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands, which 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 higher temperature levels more quickly and efficiently when heating the inside of the eyelid, which may assist 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. A force application device may also apply force to the patient's eyelid to express the obstruction from the meibomian gland, including from a channel of the meibomian gland, and to increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels.

摘要翻译： 一种用于治疗睑板腺功能障碍的系统，其包括对眼睑内部施加热量的加热元件，以向睑板腺提供导电热传递，这有助于在睑板腺中表达障碍物或闭塞以恢复足够的皮脂流 脂质层治疗干眼症。 当加热眼睑内部时，睑板腺的温度可以更快速有效地达到所需的更高的温度水平，这可有助于去除睑板腺中的障碍物。 当向眼睑内部施加热量时，也可能需要较少的时间达到所需的温度水平。 力施加装置还可以向患者的眼睑施加力以表示来自睑板腺的阻塞，包括来自睑板腺的通道，并且增加温度水平和/或减少达到期望温度水平的时间。

公开(公告)号：US20120136285A1

公开(公告)日：2012-05-31

申请号：US13367908

申请日：2012-02-07

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin Tyson Gravely

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin Tyson Gravely

IPC分类号： A61F9/00

CPC分类号： A61F7/12 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2017/00084 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F7/007 ,  A61F9/00772 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61N7/00

摘要： A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the outside 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. A force is also applied to the outside of the patient's eyelid during the application of heat 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 or occlusions. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands while reducing the amount of time to reach desired temperature levels and/or aid in reducing discomfort to the patient during treatment.

摘要翻译： 治疗睑板腺功能障碍的系统。 控制器控制施加到眼睑外部的热量，以向睑板腺提供传导热传递。 热的应用有助于睑板腺中阻塞或闭塞的表达，以恢复足够的脂质流向脂质层以治疗干眼症。 在施加热量的同时也将力施加到患者眼皮的外侧，以改善导电传热并减少引起对流热损失的眼睑中的血流。 因此，施加力可以进一步增加温度水平和/或减少达到期望温度水平以消除障碍物或闭塞的时间。 达到增加的温度水平可以改善睑板腺中的阻塞物或闭塞的熔化，松动或软化，同时减少达到期望温度水平的时间量和/或有助于减轻治疗期间对患者的不适。

公开(公告)号：US08128674B2

公开(公告)日：2012-03-06

申请号：US12015683

申请日：2008-01-17

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin Tyson Gravely

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin Tyson Gravely

IPC分类号： A61F7/00

CPC分类号： A61F7/12 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2017/00084 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F7/007 ,  A61F9/00772 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61N7/00

摘要： A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the outside 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. A force is also applied to the outside of the patient's eyelid during the application of heat 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 or occlusions. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands while reducing the amount of time to reach desired temperature levels and/or aid in reducing discomfort to the patient during treatment.

摘要翻译： 治疗睑板腺功能障碍的系统。 控制器控制施加到眼睑外部的热量，以向睑板腺提供传导热传递。 热的应用有助于睑板腺中阻塞或闭塞的表达，以恢复足够的脂质流向脂质层以治疗干眼症。 在施加热量的同时也将力施加到患者眼皮的外侧，以改善导电传热并减少引起对流热损失的眼睑中的血流。 因此，施加力可以进一步增加温度水平和/或减少达到期望温度水平以消除障碍物或闭塞的时间。 达到增加的温度水平可以改善睑板腺中的阻塞物或闭塞的熔化，松动或软化，同时减少达到期望温度水平的时间量和/或有助于减轻治疗期间对患者的不适。

公开(公告)号：US20120016275A1

公开(公告)日：2012-01-19

申请号：US13242068

申请日：2011-09-23

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin T. Gravely

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin T. Gravely

IPC分类号： A61F9/00

CPC分类号： A61N5/0625 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F9/00772 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61N1/403 ,  A61N5/025 ,  A61N7/00 ,  A61N2005/0643 ,  A61N2005/0659 ,  A61N2005/067

摘要： An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction caused by meibomian gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the meibomian 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.

摘要翻译： 用于治疗由睑板腺阻塞引起的睑板腺功能障碍以恢复睑板腺分泌物的自然流动的装置包括施加能量，吸力，振动，热，吸入，化学药剂和药物剂的组合以松动和 之后除去阻塞物质。

公开(公告)号：US07976573B2

公开(公告)日：2011-07-12

申请号：US12015567

申请日：2008-01-17

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon

IPC分类号： A61M35/00 ,  A61F7/02 ,  A61F7/08

CPC分类号： A61F7/12 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2017/00084 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F7/007 ,  A61F9/00772 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61N7/00

摘要： A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to 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. A force may also be applied to the inside 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.

摘要翻译： 治疗睑板腺功能障碍的方法。 将热量施加到眼睑内部以提供导热传递到睑板腺。 热的应用有助于睑板腺中阻塞或闭塞的表达，以恢复足够的脂质流向脂质层以治疗干眼症。 在加热眼睑内部时，睑板腺的温度可以更快速有效地达到所需水平。 达到更高的温度水平可能有助于消除睑板腺中的障碍物。 当向眼睑内部施加热量时，也可能需要较少的时间达到所需的温度水平。 也可以将力施加到患者眼睑的内侧，以改善导电传热并减少眼睑中引起对流热损失的血液流动。 因此，施加力可以进一步增加温度水平和/或减少达到期望温度水平以消除障碍物的时间。

公开(公告)号：US20100259723A1

公开(公告)日：2010-10-14

申请号：US12798326

申请日：2010-04-01

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  William L. Weber ,  Randal B. Chinnock ,  Benjamin T. Gravely ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Michael Zelina

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  William L. Weber ,  Randal B. Chinnock ,  Benjamin T. Gravely ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Michael Zelina

IPC分类号： A61B3/14

CPC分类号： A61B3/101 ,  A61B3/0025 ,  A61B3/0041 ,  A61B3/1005 ,  A61B3/14 ,  G06T7/0012 ,  G06T2207/30041

摘要： Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image. The resulting image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT).

摘要翻译： 公开了用于测量眼泪膜的泪膜层厚度（TFLT），包括脂质层厚度（LLT）和/或水层厚度（ALT）的眼表干涉测量（OSI）装置，系统和方法。 测量的TFLT可用于诊断干眼综合征（DES）。 在某些公开的实施例中，可以控制多波长光源以照射眼泪膜。 从多波长光源发射的光在泪膜中经历光波干涉相互作用。 成像装置可以集中在泪膜的脂质层上，以捕获与第一图像中的背景信号结合的来自泪膜的镜面反射光的光波干涉相互作用。 成像装置还可以聚焦在泪膜的脂质层上，以捕获包含存在于第一图像中的背景信号的第二图像。 可以从第一图像中减去第二图像以减少和/或消除第一图像中的背景信号以产生所得图像。 可以对所得图像进行处理和分析，以测量泪膜层厚度（TFLT），包括脂质层厚度（LLT）和/或水层厚度（ALT）。

公开(公告)号：US20100259721A1

公开(公告)日：2010-10-14

申请号：US12798324

申请日：2010-04-01

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  William L. Weber ,  Randal B. Chinnock ,  Benjamin T. Gravely ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Michael Zelina

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  William L. Weber ,  Randal B. Chinnock ,  Benjamin T. Gravely ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Michael Zelina

IPC分类号： A61B3/14

CPC分类号： A61B3/101 ,  A61B3/0025 ,  A61B3/0041 ,  A61B3/1005 ,  A61B3/14 ,  G06T7/0012 ,  G06T2207/30041

摘要： Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image. The resulting image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT).

摘要翻译： 公开了用于测量眼泪膜的泪膜层厚度（TFLT），包括脂质层厚度（LLT）和/或水层厚度（ALT）的眼表干涉测量（OSI）装置，系统和方法。 测量的TFLT可用于诊断干眼综合征（DES）。 在某些公开的实施例中，可以控制多波长光源以照射眼泪膜。 从多波长光源发射的光在泪膜中经历光波干涉相互作用。 成像装置可以集中在泪膜的脂质层上，以捕获与第一图像中的背景信号结合的来自泪膜的镜面反射光的光波干涉相互作用。 成像装置还可以聚焦在泪膜的脂质层上，以捕获包含存在于第一图像中的背景信号的第二图像。 可以从第一图像中减去第二图像以减少和/或消除第一图像中的背景信号以产生所得图像。 可以对所得图像进行处理和分析，以测量泪膜层厚度（TFLT），包括脂质层厚度（LLT）和/或水层厚度（ALT）。

公开(公告)号：US07758190B2

公开(公告)日：2010-07-20

申请号：US11820664

申请日：2007-06-20

申请人： Donald R. Korb ,  Benjamin T. Gravely

发明人： Donald R. Korb ,  Benjamin T. Gravely

IPC分类号： A61B3/10

CPC分类号： G01B11/0675 ,  A61B3/101

摘要： The invention comprises an apparatus for measuring the relative thickness of the lipid layer component of the precorneal tear film on the surface of an eye after distribution of the lipid layer subsequent to blinking is disclosed. An illuminator directs light to the lipid layer of a patient's eye. The illuminator is a broad spectrum light source covering the visible region and is a lambertion light emitter such that the light source is specularly reflected from the lipid layer and undergoes constructive and destructive interference in the lipid layer. A collector collects and focuses the specularly reflected light such that the interference patterns on the tear film lipid layer are observable. The collector also produces an output signal representative of the specularly reflected light which is suitable for further analysis, such as projection on to a high resolution video monitor or analysis by or storage in a computer. In order to facilitate ease of measurement, the patient's head may be positioned on an observation platform when the illuminator directs light to the lipid layer of the patient's eye.

摘要翻译： 本发明包括一种用于测量在眨眼之后脂质层分布之后眼前表面上的预角膜撕裂膜的脂质层组分的相对厚度的装置。 照明器将光引导到患者眼睛的脂质层。 照明器是覆盖可见光区域的广谱光源，是一个薄片光发射器，使得光源从脂质层镜面反射并在脂质层中发生建设性和破坏性干扰。 收集器收集并聚焦镜面反射光，使得可以观察到泪膜脂质层上的干涉图案。 收集器还产生表示镜面反射光的输出信号，其适用于进一步分析，例如投影到高分辨率视频监视器上，或由计算机分析或存储在计算机中。 为了便于测量，当照明器将光引导到患者眼睛的脂质层时，患者的头部可以位于观察平台上。