DEVICE FOR STIMULATING THE MEIBOMIAN GLANDS

Abstract

The device for stimulating the Meibomian glands comprises a cap (2) and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (3) arranged on the inner surface of said cap (2). The light emitting diodes (3) are electrically connected to an external control and/or supply unit (4), provided with a control interface (6). The cap (2) comprises at least one matrix (30) of light-emitting diodes (3) arranged in areas of the inner surface of the cap (2) suitable for facing, in use, the eyelids and the periocular areas of the user.

Claims

1. Device for stimulating the Meibomian glands of a user, the device comprising: a cap; a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged on the internal surface of said cap, said plurality of light-emitting diodes comprising at least one matrix of light-emitting diodes arranged in areas of said inner surface of the cap suitable for facing, in use, eyelids and periocular areas of the user, said light-emitting diodes being arranged substantially at a same distance from the user's eyelids, to generate endogenous heat; support means configured in use of said cover to keep said cover in a predetermined position in front of the user's face; and an external control and/or supply unit electrically connected to said light-emitting diodes and provided with a control interface, wherein: said light-emitting diodes of said at least one matrix are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation in a range of wavelengths between 600 nm and 650 nm, said light-emitting diodes being configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at an emission power of between 60 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2; and said external control and/or supply unit comprises an electronic processor; a memory readable by an electronic processor, comprising instructions which, when performed by said electronic processor, cause said electronic processor, on the basis of data relating to a severity level of the dysfunction of the Meibomian glands of the user, to calculate an optimal amount of energy that must be absorbed by the user's Meibomian glands to stimulate them, to automatically select a plurality of light-emitting diodes and to automatically set their power and duration of emission.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said data relating to a severity level of the Meibomian glands dysfunction are set by an operator through said control interface.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said light-emitting diodes are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at an emission power greater than or equal to 110 mW/cm.sup.2.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said mask has further solid areas at different areas of the face to house further matrices of light-emitting diodes suitable for being used to perform therapeutic treatments on the skin.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said light-emitting diodes of said at least one matrix are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at an emission power level of substantially 30% higher than the emission power of said light-emitting diodes of said further matrices.

6. Device according to claim 4, wherein said light-emitting diodes of said further matrices are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at an emission power of between 80 mW/cm.sup.2 and 150 mW/cm.sup.2.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein said light-emitting diodes are arranged, in use, at a distance between 5 mm and 200 mm from the area to be treated.

8. A process comprising: providing a device for stimulating the Meibomian glands of a user, the device comprising: a cap; a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged on the internal surface of said cap, said plurality of light-emitting diodes comprising at least one matrix of light-emitting diodes arranged in areas of said inner surface of the cap suitable for facing, in use, eyelids and periocular areas of the user, said light-emitting diodes being arranged substantially at a same distance from the user's eyelids, to generate endogenous heat; support means configured in use of said cover to keep said cover in a predetermined position in front of the user's face; an external control and/or supply unit electrically connected to said light-emitting diodes and provided with a control interface, wherein: said light-emitting diodes of said at least one matrix are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation in a range of wavelengths between 600 nm and 650 nm, said light-emitting diodes being configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at an emission power of between 60 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2; and said external control and/or supply unit comprises an electronic processor with instructions which, when performed by said electronic processor, cause said electronic processor, on the basis of data relating to a severity level of the dysfunction of the Meibomian glands of the user, to calculate an optimal amount of energy that must be absorbed by the user's Meibomian glands to stimulate them, to automatically select a plurality of light-emitting diodes and to automatically set their power and duration of emission; providing a program comprising the instructions which cause the device to perform the following steps: a) setting, through said control interface, data relating to a severity level of the Meibomian glands dysfunction of the user; b) storing said data; c) calculating, on the basis of said acquired and stored data, an optimal amount of energy that said Meibomian glands must absorb to be stimulated; d) automatically selecting a plurality of said light-emitting diodes and automatically setting the power and duration of emission (At) on the basis of said calculated energy quantity; and d) actuating said plurality of said light-emitting diodes for the set emission duration, in order to stimulate the user's Meibomian glands.

9. A process according to claim 8, wherein the program provides, prior to step (a) of setting, by means of said control interface, data relating to a severity level of the dysfunction of the user's Meibomian glands, the step of verifying that said device is positioned at a predetermined distance from the area to be treated.

10. A process according to claim 8, wherein said emission duration is between 5 and 20 minutes.

11. A process according to claim 8, wherein said step (d.) of actuating said plurality of said light-emitting diodes for the set emission duration includes the steps of d1. emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation continuously for a first time interval (Δt1) and, d2. emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation in a pulsed manner for a second time interval, the sum of said first time interval and said second time interval being corresponding to said set emission duration.

12. A process according to claim 11, wherein said second time interval is 10% of the emission duration.

13. A process according to claim 8, wherein a memory is associated with the electronic processor and is readable by the electronic processor, wherein the computer program is loaded on the memory.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The details of the invention will become more evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the device for stimulating the Meibomian glands according to the invention, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, where:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a front view of the device according to the present invention;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the device according to a different embodiment;

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a view of the inner surface of the device, facing, in use, towards the face of the user;

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a view of the inner surface of the device according to a different embodiment, facing, in use, towards the face of the user;

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a front view of an enlarged detail of the inner surface of the device shown in FIG. 3, in which the light-emitting diodes associated with the device are more visible;

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a control and/or supply unit suitable of being associated with the device in question.

BEST MODE

[0066] With particular reference to these figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates the device for treating the eyelids and the periocular areas, in particular for stimulating the Meibomian glands according to the present invention.

[0067] The device 1 is made up of a cap 2 preferably having the shape of an anthropomorphic mask. This mask 2 is shaped by a laminar body incorporating a plurality of light sources 3 of the type of light-emitting diodes, for simplicity usually indicated by the acronym LED.

[0068] The mask 2 is associated with suitable support means, not visible in the figures, suitable for maintaining, in use, the same mask in a predetermined position in front of the user's face.

[0069] The LEDs 3 are connected to special electric circuits, known per se and therefore not shown, which allow the power supply and the correct operation of the diodes to be managed. The circuits of the LEDs 3 are electrically connected to a unit 4 for controlling and/or supplying the device. The control and/or supply unit 4 is arranged externally with respect to the mask 2 and is connected to it by means of a specific connection cable 5.

[0070] The control unit 4 comprises a control interface 6 suitable of easy setting the data relating to the dysfunction of the Meibomian glands or of the parameters that characterise the treatment, such as for example the duration of the treatment or the selection of the diodes to be activated, depending on the type of treatment desired, as will be explained further below.

[0071] The interface 6 may consist of a touch screen or a screen associated with suitable control buttons.

[0072] Alternatively it is possible to provide that the control interface which sets the treatment parameters is integrated within the mask 2.

[0073] The external control and/or supply unit 4 comprises an electronic processor 41 and a memory 42 which can be read by an electronic processor.

[0074] The memory 42 comprises instructions which, when performed by the electronic processor 41, cause the electronic processor 41 to automatically select a plurality of light-emitting diodes 3 and automatically set the power and duration of the emission, based on the amount of energy that must be absorbed by the Meibomian glands in order to cause stimulation of the user's Meibomian glands.

[0075] In particular, the memory 42 can comprise instructions which, when carried out by the electronic processor 41, cause the electronic processor 41, as a function of data set by the operator through the control interface 6 relating to a level of gravity of the dysfunction of the Meibomian glands, automatically select a plurality of said light-emitting diodes 3 and automatically set their power and duration of emission in order to cause stimulation of the user's Meibomian glands.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the invention, the control unit 4 is provided with a handpiece 7 housing a suitable neuronal stimulation means, capable of inducing muscular contractions which increase the action of the LEDs. Such neuronal stimulation means may be composed for example of RF, pulsed light, heat emitters and the like.

[0077] For example, such stimulation means may be composed of a polychromatic light, which, if applied on the periorbital areas and the cheekbones, thanks to thermal impulses, stimulates the contraction of the Meibomian glands increasing the lipid flow and reducing the evaporation of tears.

[0078] Thanks to the synergy of the LEDs 3 and of the stimulation means housed in the handpiece 7, the Meibomian glands continue to produce the lipids necessary for the functionality of the eye. The tests carried out showed that after a few hours from the treatment an improvement in the functionality of the Meibomian glands can be appreciated.

[0079] In a different embodiment, it is possible to provide that the circuits of the LEDs 3 are connected to a controller associated with the mask 2 and suitable for managing the operation of the LEDs 3, and that the external unit 4 is used solely to electrically supply the LEDs 3.

[0080] The laminar body of the mask 2 has a thickness appropriate for inserting the LEDs 3 and the relative circuits. The LEDs are arranged on the inner surface of the mask 2, facing in use towards the user's face. In particular, the LEDs 3 are arranged so that they shape at least one matrix 30 in the areas of the inner surface of the mask 2 which face, in use, the eyelids and the periocular areas of the user.

[0081] The laminar body of the mask 2 is preferably made of polymeric material. Alternatively, it is possible to provide that the mask 2 is made of other appropriate materials such as leather, fabric and/or paper derivatives.

[0082] The mask 2 has the solid eye area so as to house the aforementioned matrix 30 of the LEDs 3. More specifically, for each eye a zone suitable for housing a respective matrix 30 of the LEDs 3 is obtained in the mask 2. In this way the matrices 30 of the LEDs 3 may be used for treating pathologies involving the eyelids and the periocular areas. More specifically, the matrices 30 are sized so that the upper and lower eyelids of the user are irradiated, as well as the periocular areas.

[0083] Preferably the LEDs 3 are regularly arranged on the mask 2 at the eye area. In particular, in each row of the matrices 30, the LEDs 3 are arranged at the same distance from one another.

[0084] The mask 2 may also have, in other regions, for example, at different parts of the face such as the forehead and/or the cheeks, further matrices 31 of the LEDs 3 suitable for being used to perform appropriate therapeutic treatments on the skin.

[0085] The matrices 30 arranged at the eye area comprise a number of LEDs 3 per surface unit greater than the number of LEDs 3 per surface unit of the further matrices 31.

[0086] Preferably the LEDs 3 of the matrices 30 are smaller than those of the LEDs 3 which form the further matrices 31 (see FIG. 5).

[0087] According to a preferred embodiment, the laminar body of the mask 2 consists of a first external layer 8 and a second inner layer 9, made integral with one another.

[0088] The LEDs 3 and the relative circuits are housed in the thickness of the second inner layer 9. The second inner layer 9 has a pair of openings 10 at the eye area so that the matrices 30 of the LEDs 3 are exposed towards the eyelids and the periocular areas.

[0089] Preferably the openings 10 are oval-shaped so as to define respective solid areas of a shape suitable for irradiating, through the LEDs 3 of the matrices 30, the entire surface of the upper and lower eyelids together with the periocular areas.

[0090] A series of further openings 10 are also made on the second inner layer 9, preferably shaped into strips, capable of housing the further matrices 31 of the LEDs 3. The strips have different lengths depending on the region of the mask in which they are made, and they are arranged in sequence one after the other along a longitudinal direction of the mask.

[0091] Openings 12, 13 passing through the first layer 8 and the second layer 9 are made on the mask, preferably at the mouth and at the nose, so that a suitable circulation of air is ensured to the user and therefore his well-being is increased during the treatment.

[0092] The LEDs 3 are arranged on the mask 2 substantially at the same distance from the user's eyelids, in order to generate an endogenous heat. The distance is appropriately calculated on the basis of the characteristics of the intensity and frequency of the light beam emitted by the LEDs 3.

[0093] Preferably the LEDs 3 are arranged, in use, at a distance from the area to be treated of between 5 mm and 200 mm.

[0094] The LEDs 3 arranged at various areas of the face, different from the eye area, i.e. the LEDs 3 which constitute the matrices 31, may have different characteristics, for example they may be suitable for emitting a red light beam to stimulate the production of collagen, or a blue beam to counteract bacterial acne or a yellow beam to stimulate the lymphatic system and the nervous system, or even an infrared beam. Preferably LEDs 3 having different characteristics are combined in the same mask 2 to carry out a variety of treatments.

[0095] The LEDs 3 of the matrices 30 at the eye area are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 600 nm and 650 nm.

[0096] In fact, it has been observed experimentally that the radiations having a wavelength within the specified range may penetrate the layers of the skin such as the epidermis, the dermis, and, at least in part, the adipose tissue, to reach the Meibomian glands.

[0097] The LEDs 3 of the matrices 30 are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at an emission power greater than or equal to 110 mW/cm.sup.2.

[0098] Preferably the LEDs 3 of the matrices 30 are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at an emission power of between 60 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2.

[0099] Even more preferably, the LEDs 3 are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a power of between 110 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2, preferably between 115 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2.

[0100] The clinical trials carried out have shown that the use of the matrices 30 of the LED 3 which emit electromagnetic radiations having a wavelength between 600 nm and 650 nm and an emission power of between 60 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2 effectively stimulate the Meibomian glands so as to treat the dysfunctions of the Meibomian glands.

[0101] The beam of electromagnetic radiation presenting the mentioned wavelength and emitted power characteristics is able to reach the Meibomian glands and to trigger the physiological mechanisms underlying the restoration of the Meibomian gland function.

[0102] The LEDs 3 of the further matrices 31 are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a power greater than or equal to 80 mW/cm.sup.2.

[0103] Preferably the LEDs 3 of the further matrices 31 are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a power of between 80 mW/cm.sup.2 and 150 mW/cm.sup.2.

[0104] Even more preferably, the LEDs 3 of the further matrices 31 are configured to emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a power of between 90 mW/cm.sup.2 and 150 mW/cm.sup.2.

[0105] According to an aspect of the invention, the LEDs 3 of the matrices 30 emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation at a power level substantially 30% higher than the emission power of the LEDs 3 of the further matrices 31.

[0106] It is possible to foresee that the surfaces of the LEDs 3 facing the skin to be treated are covered by a special filter capable of removing any possible frequency, which may be potentially dangerous, present in the LED 3 emission spectrum.

[0107] The operation of the device for treating the Meibomian glands is easy to understand from the above description.

[0108] First, the mask 2 is arranged in front of the user's face by means of a suitable support means. The mask 2 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the user's face so as to minimise the energy dispersion.

[0109] The operator sets through the interface 6 of the control and/or supply unit 4 the data relating to a severity level of the dysfunction of the Meibomian glands of the user that must be treated.

[0110] Preferably these data are related to the severity level of the pathology of the Meibomian glands.

[0111] The severity level of the pathology is established according to a reference evaluation scale that is stored in the device.

[0112] Preferably the evaluation scale used is the scale of Heiko Pult.

[0113] Once the severity level of the pathology of the Meibomian glands is selected, the program executed by the electronic processor 41 allows the optimal energy quantity that the Meibomian glands must absorb in order to be stimulated to be automatically calculated.

[0114] On the basis of the amount of energy calculated, the program selects the LEDs 3 arranged at the eye area, in particular the eyelids and the periocular areas, and calculates the values relating to the emission power and to the emission duration of the LEDs 3 which are suitable for the treatment to be carried out.

[0115] The electromagnetic radiations emitted by the LEDs 3 interact with predetermined organelles of the irradiated tissue cells, activating the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is associated with the production of thermal energy. In particular, the light beams emitted by the LEDs 3 stimulate the production of endogenous heat which has a beneficial effect on the dysfunctions of the Meibomian glands, in particular on any present obstruction as it allows the material that occludes the glands to be fludified.

[0116] Following the calculation of the values of the treatment parameters, the operator turns on the device and activates the LEDs 3.

[0117] The user is then subjected to treatment for a predetermined time interval which corresponds to the emission duration At.

[0118] It has been observed experimentally that a preferred treatment time interval is between 5 and 20 minutes, preferably 15 minutes.

[0119] The step of actuating the LEDs 3 provides for actuating the LEDs 3 so that they emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation continuously for a first time interval Δt1. Then, the LEDs 3 are operated so that they emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation in a pulsed manner for a second time interval Δt2.

[0120] The sum of the first time interval Δt1 and the second time interval Δt2 corresponds to the predetermined emission duration Δt.

[0121] Preferably the second time interval Δt2 is 10% of the emission duration Δt.

[0122] In the case where a variety of treatments is carried out, for example a treatment of the eye area together with a therapeutic treatment of other areas of the face, the further matrices 31 of LEDs 3 arranged at the regions concerned are also activated.

[0123] In the case of a variety of treatments, the operator selects, through the interface 6 of the control and/or supply unit 4, the further LEDs 3 of interest and enters the values of the parameters suitable for the type of treatment, for example the duration and the emission power.

[0124] The treatment performed by the LEDs 3 can be associated with the action of appropriate neuronal stimulators, such as RF, pulsed light, heat emitters and the like, in order to induce muscle contractions that increase the action of the LEDs. This second treatment is suitably carried out by means of the handpiece 7 of the control and/or supply unit 4.

[0125] The device according to the present invention achieves the purpose of allowing an effective treatment of the dysfunctions of the Meibomian glands to be carried out.

[0126] It has in fact been observed clinically that the combination of the characteristics relating to the wavelength and to the emission power of the radiation beam emitted by the LEDs of the matrices arranged at the eye area produces the effect of effectively stimulating the Meibomian glands. More specifically, a beam of electromagnetic radiations presenting a wavelength between 600 nm and 650 nm and an emission power of between 60 mW/cm.sup.2 and 120 mW/cm.sup.2 has been selected from the clinical trials.

[0127] Another aspect to underline is the fact that the setting of the treatment parameters is facilitated since the program executed by the processor, based on the data relating to the severity level of the dysfunction, automatically calculates the parameters, that is the emission power and the duration of emission, and selects the wavelength of radiation through the choice of the LEDs to be activated. Therefore, the operator only indicates the severity level of the Meibomian glands dysfunction and the parameters are set automatically.

[0128] The simplification of the treatment setting also allows the operating times to be reduced. A further factor which reduces the operating times is the fact that a particular preparation of the user for the treatment is not required. This aspect also greatly reduces the risks associated with preparations sometimes implemented such as anesthesia.

[0129] It should be emphasised that the automatic calculation of the treatment parameters, made on the basis of energy that the Meibomian glands must absorb, also guarantees greater reliability of the treatment.

[0130] Furthermore, it is pointed out that it has been clinically observed that the emission of electromagnetic radiations in a continuous manner for the first time interval, and in a pulsed manner, for the second time interval of the emission duration, contributes to increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.

[0131] Finally, it is noted that the device is non-invasive and safe because the mask is arranged in front of the user's face, at a suitable distance, therefore the user is irradiated by the LEDs light beam without the need to contact directly the user's skin with the energy source. It should be emphasised that the heat used for the treatment is endogenous, so the thermal energy is not applied on the user's skin from the outside, thus any risks associated with exposure to heat is eliminated.

[0132] The device is also simple in structure and is not difficult to manage, therefore highly specialised training of the operator is not required.

[0133] The device for treating the skin described by way of example may be modified according to the different needs. In particular, the cap may be made in a different manner than as previously illustrated, for example with limited dimensions so as to substantially cover only the eyelids and the periocular areas, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0134] In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials used, as well as the shape and the dimensions, may be modified according to the needs.

[0135] Should the technical features mentioned in any claim be followed by reference signs, such reference signs were included strictly with the aim of enhancing the understanding of the claims and hence they shall not be deemed restrictive in any manner whatsoever on the scope of each element identified for exemplifying purposes by such reference signs.