The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 20, 2012
Filed:
Jan. 17, 2008
System for providing heat treatment and heat loss reduction for treating meibomian gland dysfunction
Donald R. Korb, Boston, MA (US);
Stephen M. Grenon, Durham, NC (US);
Timothy R. Willis, Raleigh, NC (US);
John Martin Jans, Hillsborough, NC (US);
Donald R. Korb, Boston, MA (US);
Stephen M. Grenon, Durham, NC (US);
Timothy R. Willis, Raleigh, NC (US);
John Martin Jans, Hillsborough, NC (US);
TearScience, Inc., Morrisville, NC (US);
Abstract
A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction. A controller controls heat applied to the tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands 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 tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands during the application of heat to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in tissue 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. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands. Reducing the amount of time to reached desired temperature levels an aid in reducing discomfort to the patient during treatment.