Eyelid illumination systems and methods for imaging meibomian glands for meibomian gland analysis
US11141065B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2019 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/6821
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Eyelid illumination systems and methods for imaging meibomian glands for meibomian gland analysis are disclosed. In one embodiment, a patient's eyelid is IR trans-illuminated with an infrared (IR) light. A trans-illumination image of the patient's eyelid is captured showing meibomian glands in dark outlined areas, whereas non-gland material is shown in light areas. This provides a high contrast image of the meibomian glands that is X-ray like. The lid trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands can be analyzed to determine to diagnose the meibomian glands in the patient's eyelid. The eyelid may be trans-illuminated by a lid-flipping device configured to grasp and flip the eyelid for imaging the interior surface of the eyelid. Also, an IR surface meibography image of the meibomian glands may also be captured and combined with the trans-illumination image of the meibomian glands to provide a higher contrast image of the meibomian glands.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.