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:
Jan. 21, 2014
Filed:
Feb. 08, 2012
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 comprising a heating element that applies heat to the tissue proximate the patient's meibomian glands to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands, which 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 application device may also apply force 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, and to help express obstructions from the meibomian gland, including from a channel of the meibomian gland, with reduced discomfort to the patient. Reaching increased temperature levels may improve the melting, loosening, or softening of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands.