公开(公告)号：US20150283402A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-08

申请号：US14746328

申请日：2015-06-22

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Donald R. Korb ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Benjamin T. Gravely

IPC: A61N5/06 ,  A61N5/02 ,  A61N1/40

CPC classification number: 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

Abstract: A method of treating dry eye includes delivering light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and maintaining the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time sufficient to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction within the at least one meibomian gland without physically contacting the at least one meibomian gland, or the light energy delivered toward the eyelid may conductively apply heat to the meibomain gland sufficient to melt the obstruction. A corresponding apparatus includes a light energy source positionable outside an eyelid and configured to deliver the light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and a controller configured to control the light energy source to maintain the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time sufficient to soften the obstruction.

Abstract translation: 治疗干眼症的方法包括从眼睑外侧向眼睑递送光能，并且保持光能朝着眼睑传送足够的时间以软化至少一个睑板腺的阻塞。 光能可以专门地递送到至少一个睑板腺内的阻塞物，而不物理接触至少一个睑板腺，或者朝向眼睑传递的光能可以传导性地将热量施加到足以熔化阻塞物的睑板腺。 相应的装置包括可定位在眼睑外部并被配置为将眼睛外侧的光能传递到眼睑的光能源，以及控制器，被配置为控制光能源以维持光能向眼睑的传送， 足以软化阻塞的时间段。

公开(公告)号：US20150157347A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-11

申请号：US14618392

申请日：2015-02-10

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Donald R. Korb ,  Timothy R. Willis

IPC: A61B17/22 ,  A61F7/02

CPC classification number: A61B17/22004 ,  A61B17/22 ,  A61F7/02 ,  A61F9/00772 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0261

Abstract: In accordance with certain illustrative embodiments, methods and apparatuses of treating obstructive disorders of the structure of an eye or eyelid are disclosed. The treating may involve applying heat to the structure containing the obstructive disorder to melt an obstruction in the structure and place the obstruction in a melted state. The heat may be maintained for a time period to melt the obstruction and place the obstruction in the melted state. The structure may be treated by expressing the melted obstruction from the structure. The treating may be carried out either during the time period or after the time period when heat is applied but while the obstruction is in the melted state. In certain embodiments, the method further involves subsequently treating the structure by use of a pharmacological agent.

Abstract translation: 根据某些示例性实施例，公开了治疗眼睛或眼睑结构的阻塞性疾病的方法和装置。 治疗可以涉及对包含阻塞性病症的结构施加热量，以便熔化结构中的梗阻并将阻塞置于熔化状态。 可以将热量保持一段时间以融化阻塞物并将阻塞物置于熔化状态。 可以通过从结构中表达熔化的阻塞来处理结构。 处理可以在施加热量但是阻塞处于熔化状态的时间段期间之后或者在施加热量的时间段之后进行。 在某些实施方案中，该方法还涉及随后通过使用药理学剂处理该结构。

公开(公告)号：US20150100063A1

公开(公告)日：2015-04-09

申请号：US14510863

申请日：2014-10-09

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Donald R. Korb ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Stephen M. Grenon

IPC: A61B17/22

CPC classification number: A61B17/22004 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F7/02 ,  A61F9/00772 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61N7/00

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of treating meibomian glands are disclosed. The method comprises applying regulated heat to an eyelid to reach a temperature adequate to melt at least one obstruction within at least one meibomian gland. The method also comprises maintaining the regulated heat for a time period adequate to place the at least obstruction in the melted state. The method further comprises positioning a pressure application device into contact with the patient's eyelid and applying a pressure with the pressure application device over a substantial portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the meibomian gland. An apparatus suitable to treat meibomian glands comprises a heater, a controller, and a pressure applicator configured to be placed into contact with the eyelid and apply a pressure over a substantial portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the meibomian gland.

Abstract translation: 公开了治疗睑板腺的方法和装置。 该方法包括将调节的热量施加到眼睑以达到足以熔化至少一个睑板腺内的至少一个梗阻的温度。 该方法还包括将调节的热量保持足够的时间以将至少阻塞物置于熔化状态。 该方法还包括将压力施加装置定位成与患者的眼皮接触，并将压力施加装置施加在眼睑的大部分上，以从睑板腺表达至少一个梗阻。 适用于治疗睑板腺的装置包括加热器，控制器和压力施加器，其构造成与眼睑放置成接触，并在眼睑的大部分上施加压力以从睑板腺表达至少一个阻塞物。

公开(公告)号：US20150025545A1

公开(公告)日：2015-01-22

申请号：US14510843

申请日：2014-10-09

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  John Martin Jans ,  Jordan W. Hutchinson ,  Keith Gausmann

IPC: A61B17/22 ,  A61F7/02

CPC classification number: A61F9/00772 ,  A61B17/22 ,  A61B18/08 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B2017/00084 ,  A61B2017/22082 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F7/007 ,  A61F7/02 ,  A61F7/12 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61F2007/0071 ,  A61F2007/0086 ,  A61F2007/0091 ,  A61F2007/0096 ,  A61F2007/0249 ,  A61F2007/0282 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H2015/0014 ,  A61N7/00

Abstract: A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed that comprises applying heat to an outer surface of a patient's eyelid to a temperature level to melt, loosen, or soften an obstruction located within a meibomian gland. The method also comprises maintaining the heat to the outer surface of the patient's eyelid for a period of time. The method further comprises applying a pressure to the outer surface of the patient's eyelid to express the obstruction from the meibomian gland. The obstruction may be located within a meibomian gland channel of the meibomian gland and the method may comprise expressing the obstruction located within a meibomian gland channel through a meibomian gland orifice. Applying the pressure may be done by positioning a pressure applicator into contact with the outer surface of the patient's eyelid and applying a pressure with the pressure applicator over a substantial portion of the patient's eyelid.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种治疗睑板腺功能障碍的方法，其包括将热量施加到患者眼睑的外表面至达到熔化，松动或软化位于睑板腺内的梗阻的温度水平。 该方法还包括将热量保持到患者眼皮的外表面一段时间。 该方法还包括向患者的眼皮的外表面施加压力以表达来自睑板腺的阻塞。 梗阻可以位于睑板腺的睑板腺通道内，并且该方法可以包括通过睑板腺口表达位于睑板腺通道内的阻塞物。 施加压力可以通过将压力施加器定位成与患者的眼皮的外表面接触并且将压力施加器施加在患者眼睑的大部分上的压力来进行。

公开(公告)号：US20140330129A1

公开(公告)日：2014-11-06

申请号：US14269646

申请日：2014-05-05

Applicant: TEARSCIENCE, INC.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Donald R. Korb ,  Joshua Grenon ,  Scott Liddle ,  Steve Bacich

IPC: A61B5/00

CPC classification number: A61B5/0082 ,  A61B5/0077 ,  A61B5/6821

Abstract: Eyelid illumination systems and methods for imaging meibomian glands for meibomian gland analysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a patient's eyelid is IR trans-illuminated with an infrared (IR) light. A trans-illumination image of the patient's eyelid is captured showing meibomian glands in dark outlined areas, whereas non-gland material is shown in light areas. This provides a high contrast image of the meibomian glands that is X-ray like. The lid trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands can be analyzed to determine to diagnose the meibomian glands in the patient's eyelid. The eyelid may be trans-illuminated by a lid-flipping device configured to grasp and flip the eyelid for imaging the interior surface of the eyelid. Also, an IR surface meibography image of the meibomian glands may also be captured and combined with the trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands to provide a higher contrast image of the meibomian glands.

Abstract translation: 公开了眼睑照射系统和用于睑板腺分析成像睑板腺的方法。 在一个实施例中，患者的眼睑用红外（IR）光IR反照射。 捕获患者眼睑的透射照明图像，显示黑色轮廓区域中的睑板腺，而非腺体材料显示在浅色区域。 这提供了像X射线的睑板腺的高对比度图像。 可以分析睑板腺的盖反照明图像，以确定诊断患者眼睑中的睑板腺。 眼睑可以由构造成抓住并翻转眼睑的盖翻转装置反照，以对眼睑的内表面进行成像。 此外，还可以捕获睑板腺的IR表面记录图像并与睑板腺的反照明图像组合，以提供睑板腺的较高对比度图像。

公开(公告)号：US20130293842A1

公开(公告)日：2013-11-07

申请号：US13886383

申请日：2013-05-03

Applicant: TEARSCIENCE, INC.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Donald R. Korb ,  William L. Weber ,  Scott Liddle

IPC: A61B3/10 ,  G02B5/28

CPC classification number: A61B3/101 ,  B82Y15/00 ,  G01B11/0625 ,  G01N21/293 ,  G01N21/41 ,  G02B5/286 ,  G02B27/0018 ,  G09B23/30 ,  Y10S977/954

Abstract: Embodiments of the detailed description include optical phantoms for use with ocular surface interferometery (OSI) devices and systems configured to measure tear film layer thickness(es), and related use for calibration. The ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods can be used for imaging an ocular tear film and/or measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) in a patient's ocular tear film. The OSI devices, systems, and methods can be used to measure the thickness of the lipid layer component (LLT) and/or the aqueous layer component (ALT) of the ocular tear film. “TFLT” as used herein includes LLT, ALT, or both LLT and ALT. “Measuring TFLT” as used herein includes measuring LLT, ALT, or both LLT and ALT. Imaging the ocular tear film and measuring TFLT can be used in the diagnosis of a patient's tear film, including but not limited to lipid layer and aqueous layer deficiencies.

Abstract translation: 详细描述的实施例包括用于眼表面干涉仪（OSI）装置的光学幻影和被配置为测量泪膜层厚度的系统以及用于校准的相关用途。 可以使用眼表干涉测量（OSI）装置，系统和方法来成像眼泪膜和/或测量患者眼泪膜中的泪膜层厚度（TFLT）。 OSI装置，系统和方法可用于测量眼泪膜的脂质层组分（LLT）和/或水层组分（ALT）的厚度。 本文所用的“TFLT”包括LLT，ALT或LLT和ALT两者。 本文所用的“测量TFLT”包括测量LLT，ALT或LLT和ALT两者。 成像眼泪膜并测量TFLT可用于诊断患者的泪膜，包括但不限于脂质层和水层缺陷。

公开(公告)号：US20220133143A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-05

申请号：US17573899

申请日：2022-01-12

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Donald R. Korb ,  William L. Weber ,  Randal B. Chinnock ,  Benjamin T. Gravely ,  Stephen M. Grenon

IPC: A61B3/10 ,  A61B3/00 ,  G06T7/00 ,  A61B3/14

Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular 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, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer 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, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.

公开(公告)号：US20220022741A1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-27

申请号：US17498102

申请日：2021-10-11

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Donald R. Korb ,  Joshua Grenon ,  Scott Liddle ,  Steve Bacich ,  John M. Jans

IPC: A61B3/00 ,  A61B3/10

Abstract: Eyelid illumination systems and methods for imaging meibomian glands for meibomian gland analysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a patient's eyelid is IR trans-illuminated with an infrared (IR) light. A trans-illumination image of the patient's eyelid is captured, showing meibomian glands in dark outlined areas, whereas non-gland material is shown in light areas. This provides a high contrast image of the meibomian glands that is X-ray-like. The lid trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands can be analyzed to determine to diagnose the meibomian glands in the patient's eyelid. The eyelid may be trans-illuminated by a lid-flipping device configured to grasp and flip the eyelid for imaging the interior surface of the eyelid. Also, an IR surface meibography image of the meibomian glands may also be captured and combined with the trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands to provide a higher contrast image of the meibomian glands.

公开(公告)号：US10582849B2

公开(公告)日：2020-03-10

申请号：US16251332

申请日：2019-01-18

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Donald R. Korb

IPC: A61B3/00 ,  A61B3/10 ,  A61B3/14 ,  A61B3/107 ,  G02B26/02

Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including the lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or the aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The TFLT can be used to diagnose dry eye syndrome (DES). Certain embodiments also include ocular topography devices, systems and methods for deducing corneal shape by capturing an image of a target reflecting from the surface of the cornea. The image of the target contains topography information that is reviewable by a clinician to diagnose the health of the patient's eye by detecting corneal aberrations and/or abnormalities in corneal shape. Certain embodiments also include a combination of the OSI and ocular topography devices, systems and methods to provide imaging that can be used to yield a combined diagnosis of the patient's tear film and corneal shape.

公开(公告)号：US20200060539A1

公开(公告)日：2020-02-27

申请号：US16557276

申请日：2019-08-30

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Donald R. Korb ,  Stephen M. Grenon ,  Caroline Blackie ,  Timothy R. Willis ,  Steve Bacich

IPC: A61B3/10 ,  A61B3/14 ,  A61B3/00 ,  G06T7/00 ,  G06T7/11

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods for determining tear film break-up time and for detecting eyelid margin contact and blink rates, particularly for diagnosing, measuring, and/or analyzing dry eye conditions and symptoms. The apparatus and methods for determining tear film break-up time and for detecting eyelid margin contact and blink rates, particularly for diagnosing, measuring, and/or analyzing dry eye conditions and symptoms may employ ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices or other imaging and display devices capable of imaging and displaying a picture of a patient's eye during tear film break-up time and blink rate related procedures.