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:
Aug. 01, 2017
Filed:
Aug. 21, 2012
Donald R. Korb, Boston, MA (US);
Stephen M. Grenon, Durham, NC (US);
Timothy R. Willis, Raleigh, NC (US);
Benjamin Tyson Gravely, Raleigh, NC (US);
Steven Bacich, Half Moon Bay, CA (US);
Donald R. Korb, Boston, MA (US);
Stephen M. Grenon, Durham, NC (US);
Timothy R. Willis, Raleigh, NC (US);
Benjamin Tyson Gravely, Raleigh, NC (US);
Steven Bacich, Half Moon Bay, CA (US);
TearScience, Inc., Morrisville, NC (US);
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.