Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Methods and systems for treating meibomian gland dysfunction using radio-frequency energy
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Application No.: US13590828Application Date: 2012-08-21
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Publication No.: US09719977B2Publication Date: 2017-08-01
- Inventor: Donald R. Korb , Stephen M. Grenon , Timothy R. Willis , Benjamin Tyson Gravely , Steven Bacich
- Applicant: Donald R. Korb , Stephen M. Grenon , Timothy R. Willis , Benjamin Tyson Gravely , Steven Bacich
- Applicant Address: US NC Morrisville
- Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
- Current Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US NC Morrisville
- Agency: Withrow & Terranova, PLLC
- Main IPC: A61F7/08
- IPC: A61F7/08 ; A61F9/00 ; G01N33/22 ; A61N1/40 ; A61F9/007 ; A61H7/00 ; A61H9/00 ; A61H23/02 ; A61B5/00 ; A61B18/12 ; A61B18/04 ; A61F7/00 ; A61H39/08 ; A61H15/00 ; A61N7/00

Abstract:
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.
Public/Granted literature
- US20130053733A1 METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TREATING MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION USING RADIO-FREQUENCY ENERGY Public/Granted day:2013-02-28
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