公开(公告)号：US20170299567A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-19

申请号：US15635988

申请日：2017-06-28

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

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

IPC: G01N33/22 ,  A61F9/007 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61H9/00 ,  A61H23/02 ,  A61N1/40 ,  A61B18/04 ,  A61N7/00 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B5/00 ,  A61F7/00 ,  A61H39/08 ,  A61H15/00

CPC classification number: 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

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.