公开(公告)号：US10376273B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-13

申请号：US14510863

申请日：2014-10-09

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

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

IPC: A61F7/00 ,  A61F7/02 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61N7/00 ,  A61B17/22 ,  A61B18/04 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61F9/007 ,  A61H15/00

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.

公开(公告)号：US20140066821A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-06

申请号：US14074123

申请日：2013-11-07

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Beth Friedland ,  Donald R. Korb ,  Steve Grenon ,  John Jans ,  Keith Gausmann ,  Timothy R. Willis

IPC: A61B18/04 ,  A61H1/00

CPC classification number: A61B18/04 ,  A61B18/10 ,  A61B2018/00642 ,  A61B2018/00791 ,  A61B2018/046 ,  A61B2018/048 ,  A61F9/00781 ,  A61F2007/0004 ,  A61F2007/0059 ,  A61F2007/0071 ,  A61H1/008 ,  A61N7/00

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, apparatuses, and systems for reducing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in a patient to either prevent or treat open-angle glaucoma. Heat is applied to the trabecular meshwork in the patient's eye without damaging proteins in the trabecular meshwork. The application of heat to the trabecular meshwork has the effect of relaxing or loosening protein clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork, which are either reducing or obstructing of the outflow of aqueous humor, thereby increasing the patient's IOP and causing ocular hypertension (OHT). By loosening or relaxing clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork, the outflow path for aqueous humor is increased or restored, which can lower IOP and either prevent or treat glaucoma. Force may also be applied to the patient's eye to apply pressure to the trabecular meshwork to further assist in the loosening or relaxing of clogs or other inhibitors in the trabecular meshwork.

Abstract translation: 实施方案包括用于降低患者眼内压升高（IOP）以预防或治疗开角型青光眼的方法，装置和系统。 热量被施加到患者眼睛中的小梁网，而不损伤小梁网中的蛋白质。 对小梁网应用热量具有放松或松动小梁网中的蛋白质堵塞物或其他抑制剂的作用，其减少或阻碍房水流出，从而增加患者的眼压并引起眼高压（OHT） 。 通过在小梁网中松动或松弛堵塞物或其他抑制剂，房水的流出路径增加或恢复，这可以降低IOP并预防或治疗青光眼。 力也可以应用于患者的眼睛，以向小梁网施加压力，以进一步协助松动或松弛小梁网中的堵塞物或其它抑制剂。

公开(公告)号：US10905898B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-02

申请号：US16375196

申请日：2019-04-04

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

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

IPC: A61N5/06 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61F9/007 ,  A61N1/40 ,  A61N5/02 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61B18/04 ,  A61F7/00 ,  A61H15/00 ,  A61N7/00 ,  A61N5/067

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 to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction in 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 meibomian gland 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 to soften the obstruction.

公开(公告)号：US20190282251A1

公开(公告)日：2019-09-19

申请号：US16358754

申请日：2019-03-20

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

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

IPC: A61B17/22 ,  A61F9/007 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61F7/02

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of treating meibomian glands are disclosed. An apparatus suitable to treat meibomian glands comprises a heat source, a controller, and a pressure applicator. The heat source is configured to apply regulated heat to an eyelid containing at least one meibomian gland to reach a temperature adequate to melt at least one obstruction within the at least one meibomian gland and place the at least one obstruction in a melted state. The controller is configured to maintain the regulated heat for a time period adequate to melt the at least one obstruction and place the at least one obstruction in the melted state. The pressure applicator is configured to be placed into direct contact with the eyelid and apply a pressure over at least a portion of the eyelid to express the at least one obstruction from the at least one meibomian gland.

公开(公告)号：US20190224497A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-25

申请号：US16375196

申请日：2019-04-04

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

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

IPC: A61N5/06 ,  A61H7/00 ,  A61N1/40 ,  A61N5/02 ,  A61F9/007

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 to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction in 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 meibomian gland 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 to soften the obstruction.

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.

公开(公告)号：US10980413B2

公开(公告)日：2021-04-20

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 ,  G06T7/00 ,  A61B3/00 ,  G06T7/11 ,  A61B3/14 ,  G06T7/90 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06K9/62 ,  G06K9/78

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.

公开(公告)号：US20190060158A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-28

申请号：US16172159

申请日：2018-10-26

Applicant: TearScience, Inc.

Inventor： Stephen M. Grenon ,  Omer Jack Barrier ,  David Foshee ,  Donald R. Korb ,  Timothy R. Willis

IPC: A61H7/00 ,  A61F9/007 ,  A61F9/00 ,  A61H15/00 ,  A61F7/00 ,  A61B18/04 ,  A61B18/12 ,  A61N7/00

Abstract: An apparatus providing heat for treatment of an eyelid includes a heater unit configured to apply heat directly to an outer surface of the eyelid when an electrical signal is applied to the heater unit. The heater unit is affixed directly to the outer surface of the eyelid using an adhesive. A temperature regulator applies the electrical signal to the heater unit in order to achieve heating of the outer surface of the eyelid to a specified temperature range. A method is also disclosed that comprises affixing a heater unit directly into contact with the outer surface of the eyelid using an the adhesive. A control signal is applied to the heater unit to generate heat to the outer surface of the eyelid and is maintained for a period of time until the outer surface of the eyelid is heated to a specified temperature range.

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。