Methods for treating meibomian gland dysfunction employing fluid jet
US7833205B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2007/0059
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction in a mammal wherein an occlusion blocks at least a portion of the flow of naturally occurring secretion out of a gland channel orifice. The invention comprises selecting a device capable of delivering a jet of heated medium. The device is positioned such that when the jet is it is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid, proximate to the gland channel orifice, a jet of heated medium is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid proximate to the gland channel orifice at a pressure of from about 2 psi to about 30 psi. Application of the jet of heated medium is maintained for sufficient time to loosen, break up, fracture, soften or liquefy at least a portion of the occlusion such that at least a portion of the occlusion is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the medium is water heated to a temperature of between about 42° C. and about 46° C. Depending on the particular type and composition of the obstruction, the fluid jet operates to melt or soften the obstruction and to milkingly move the corpus of the softened obstruction up the gland channel from the end opposite the me…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.