US 12,070,416 B2
Systems and methods for the treatment of eye conditions
Brian S. Kelleher, San Diego, CA (US); John Slate, Encinitas, CA (US); Michael Burk, San Marcos, CA (US); Mark Petersen, San Diego, CA (US); David Esbaugh, Valley Center, CA (US); and Dan Vance, Valley Center, CA (US)
Assigned to Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed by Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed on Aug. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/883,178.
Application 17/883,178 is a continuation of application No. 16/703,074, filed on Dec. 4, 2019, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/776,333, filed on Dec. 6, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0043137 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. A61F 9/007 (2006.01); A61F 7/00 (2006.01); A61F 9/008 (2006.01); A61F 9/009 (2006.01); A61N 5/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/00718 (2013.01) [A61F 7/00 (2013.01); A61F 9/00709 (2013.01); A61F 9/0079 (2013.01); A61F 9/009 (2013.01); A61N 5/0613 (2013.01); A61N 5/0625 (2013.01); A61F 2007/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00844 (2013.01); A61F 2009/00861 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0643 (2013.01); A61N 2005/0658 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for treating a mammalian eye having an eyelid, comprising:
a handheld device having:
an instrument body with an attachment latch and an electrical coupling pin;
a control switch that controls an energy transducer having a device that emits light energy at multiple wavelengths, including a first wavelength selected to pass through the eyelid and a second wavelength selected to be absorbed by the eyelid for warming; and
an actuator controlled by a compression control button to move a movable shroud to extend away from the instrument body, the movable shroud configured to contain and deliver the light energy through the movable shroud;
an attachable component having:
an attachment tab configured to couple with the attachment latch of the instrument body;
an outer eyelid pad frontplate positionable in front of or on proximate an outer surface of the eyelid, the frontplate outer eyelid pad made of a clear material that passes the light energy delivered by the movable shroud wavelengths of light emitted by the energy transducer, the frontplate further comprising sensors configured to provide information regarding a position of the eyelid relative to the frontplate; and
a backplate positionable behind or on proximate an inner surface of the eyelid, the backplate being made of or coated with an energy-reflecting material configured to receive the first wavelength of light energy transmitted through the eyelid and reflect it back to the eyelid;
the backplate further comprising sensors configured to provide information regarding a position of the eyelid relative to the frontplate;
wherein, when the eyelid is positioned between the outer eyelid pad and the backplate, the light energy from the energy transducer heats a target tissue region of the eyelid sufficiently to melt meibum within a region of meibomian glands located within or adjacent to the target tissue region, and
wherein, when the movable shroud extends away from the instrument body, the movable shroud causes the outer eyelid pad to advance toward the backplate and squeeze the eyelid to express the meibomian glands.