APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TREATING BLEPHARITIS, MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION AND DRY EYE DISEASE

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for treating blepharitis, MGD and DED. The apparatus is self-administered for removing debris from an eyelid. The apparatus includes bristles and a pair of pads formed within the apparatus and specifically within an eyelid contact region. When self-compressed against the eyelid of the user, the user can self-treat the eyelid border by exfoliating the meibomian glands to promote the clear flow of meibum onto the eye.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing debris from an eyelid, comprising: a body having a finger contact region and an eyelid contact region; a pair of pads integrally formed within the eyelid contact region; two groups of first bristles spaced from each other and extending a first length from the eyelid contact region and between the pair of pads; and a group of second bristles extending a second length from the eyelid, contact region greater than the first length and between the two groups of first bristles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first of the two groups of first bristles is spaced from the second of the two groups of first bristles. wherein each bristle of the first of the two groups of first bristles is spaced from each other, and wherein each bristle of the second of the two groups of first bristles is spaced from each other.

3. The apparatus of claim. 1, wherein the group of second bristles is spaced from each of the two groups of first bristles and from each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the two groups of first bristles and the group of second bristles are integrally formed as part of the eyelid contact region and project from the eyelid contact region.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the eyelid comprises an eyelid margin and eyelashes, and wherein the eyelid contact region comprises a shape that substantially matches and conforms to an outer shape of the eyelid margin and eyelashes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pair of pads are configured to frictionally engage with the eyelid margin, and the two groups of first bristles are configured to frictionally engage with the eyelid margin and eyelashes less so than the group of second bristles when the apparatus is self-administered and in use by a user upon that user's eyelid.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger contact region comprises an opening in an elongated sleeve to accommodate a finger of a user, and wherein the user upon movement of the finger causes the eyelid contact region to massage an eyelid of the user.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sleeve comprises a flexible, elastomeric material.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sleeve is semi-tubular with a closed end opposite the opening and tapered toward the closed end.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger contact region comprises, an extension configured to accommodate two fingers of a user applied on opposite sides of the extension, and wherein the user, upon movement of the two fingers, causes the eyelid contact region to massage an eyelid of the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pair of pads comprise a corresponding pair of substantially smooth pad surfaces coplanar to each other and absent any bristles.

12. A self-administered apparatus for removing debris from an eyelid, comprising: a body having a finger contact region and an eyelid contact region; a pair of pads integrally, formed within the eyelid contact region and brought to bear against an eyelid margin of the eyelid of a user; two groups of first bristles spaced from each other and extending a first length from the eyelid contact region and between the pair of pads; and a group of second bristles extending a second length from the eyelid contact region greater than the first length and between the two groups of first bristles, wherein the group of second bristles are brought to bear against eyelashes and the eyelid margin of the eyelid of a user more so than the two groups of first bristles.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the two groups of first bristles and the group of second bristles are integrally formed as part of the eyelid contact region and project from the eyelid contact region.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the group of second bristles are brought to bear against a central area adjoining a pair of eyelids, and wherein the two groups of first bristles are brought to bear, to a lesser extent than the group of second bristles, against two areas on opposite sides of the central area adjoining the pair of eyelids.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the group of second bristles and the two groups of first bristles are brought to bear against upper and lower eyelid margins and eyelashes of the user when at least one finger of the user is applied to the finger contact region and moved.

16. A method for removing debris from an eyelid, comprising: contacting at least one finger of a user onto a finger contact region of a body; applying frictional force to the eyelid by moving the at least one finger in a massaging motion to correspondingly move an eyelid contact region of the body; and applying greater frictional force upon an eyelid margin region and eyelashes of the eyelid than other regions of the eyelid.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the contacting comprises inserting one finger into an opening within an elongated sleeve.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the contacting comprises contacting two, fingers on opposite sides of an extension.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the applying greater frictional force comprises pressing with greater force a group of second bristles upon a distal region of the eyelid than pressing with lesser force at least one of two groups of first bristles further from the distal region.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the distal region comprises the eyelid margin region and the eyelashes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the apparatus according to one embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a top isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a left top and side isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a right top and side isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of the apparatus according to another embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a top isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a left top and side isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 6

[0038] FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

[0039] FIG. 10 is aright top and side isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

[0040] FIG. 11 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-5 self-administered and applied by a user to an eyelid of that user; and

[0041] FIG. 12 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 6-10 self-administered and applied by a user to an eyelid of that user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following discussion is directed to various exemplary embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is met only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope and the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.

[0043] The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some detail of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0044] In the following discussion and in the claims, the term including, comprising and having are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean including, but not limited to . . . Also, the term coupled or couples is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. In addition, as used herein, the term axial and axially generally mean along or parallel to a given axis (e.g., x, y or z direction or central axis of a body, opening or port). The terms radial and radially generally mean perpendicular to the given axis.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 that can be self-administered by a user on the user's eyelid (including each eyelid in sequence or both simultaneously). Apparatus 10 includes a body 12 having a finger contact region 14 and an eyelid contact region 16.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the finger contact region 14 comprises an opening 18 in an elongated sleeve. Opening 18 is shown in phantom extended into body 12 to accommodate a finger 20. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the sleeve of body 12 comprises a flexible, elastomeric material and can be semi-tubular with a closed end opposite the opening 18. The sleeve outer surface can be tapered radially outward toward the closed end. Conversely, the sleeve inner surface shown in phantom can be tapered radially inward toward the closed end.

[0047] According to the example of FIG. 1, the sleeve of body 12 is used to cover a fingertip of a user and tapers from the opening 18 to the narrower closed end to maintain the fingertip inside the sleeve. Because the sleeve of body 12 is flexible and elastic, body 12 not only moves in the direction of which finger 20 directs it, but body 12 can bend or flex if the fingertip bends or flexes.

[0048] Configured near the closed end of the sleeve is the eyelid contact region 16, which comprises bristles of a brush. The bristles are integrally formed as part of body 12 and extend outward from the eyelid contact region 16 at varying lengths or distances therefrom. The bristles are preferably made of the same material as body 12, and therefore are formed concurrently with body 12, all at the same time, as a unibody structure. The bristles can therefore be made elastic and flexible, similar to the body 12. When eyelid contact region is brought near and contacts with an eyelid of the user, the bristles can deform. When finger 20 moves, the bristles can correspondingly move in a massaging motion to remove debris from the eyelid.

[0049] The bristles of the brush within eyelid contact region 16 can be grouped according to their length. For example, two groups of first bristles 24a and 24b are formed around a group of second bristles 26. Referring to the example front isometric view of FIG. 1 and the top isometric view of FIG. 2 in combination, a better understanding of the arrangement of the two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b, and a group of second bristles 26 is provided. As illustrated, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the group of second bristles 26 extend a second length from the, eyelid contact region 16. The second length is greater than the first length at which the two groups of first bristles 24a and 24b extend. The two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b can have differing numbers of bristles in each group, or the same number of bristles. The two groups of first bristles 24 can also contain first bristles that are of differing lengths extending from the eyelid contact region 16, or the same length. Similarly, the second bristles 26 can extend the same length or differing lengths from each other. However, regardless of whether the individual second bristles extend at the same or differing lengths, their lengths on average or individually are greater than the first lengths at which the individual first bristles extend a differing amount from each other or the same amount as one another.

[0050] In addition to the first and second groups of bristles, a pair of pads 28a, 28b area arranged on the outward tapered outer surface closed end of the body 12. Pads 28a, 28b are integrally formed within the eyelid contact region 16. Pads 28a and 28b are better illustrated in the top view of the outward tapered closed end of FIG. 2, and are positioned on opposite sides of the bristles that form the groups of first and second bristles 24a, 24b and 26. Preferably, the pair of pads 28a, 28b comprise a pair of substantially smooth pad surfaces that are coplanar to each other and on opposite sides of bristles 24a, 24b, and 26. The substantially smooth planar surface of pads 28a, 28b are absent any bristles, and but may be uneven with one or more ridges extending from the pad surface if desired.

[0051] According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of pads 28a. 28b formed within the eyelid contact region 16 allow for two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b to be spaced from each other. The two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b extend from corresponding points on eyelid contact region 16 between the pair of pads 28a, 28b. A group of second bristles 26 can extend from eyelid contact region 16 and the point of extension is between the two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b. The first 24a of the two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b is spaced from the second 24b of the two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b. Each bristle of the first 24a of the two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b is spaced from each other, and each bristle of the second 24b of the two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b is spaced from each other. Each of the two groups of first bristles 24a, 24b and the group of second bristles 26 is integrally formed as part of the same mold of extruded elastomeric material as body 12 and can project from the eyelid contact region 16 as a unibody structure.

[0052] Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a top left and side isometric view, a side plan view, and right top and side isometric view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown. The groups of first and second bristles 24a, 24b and 26 are also shown, wherein the lengths of the first bristles can be the same or different from one another, and the lengths of the second bristles can be the same or different from one another. Regardless of their similarity or difference in lengths, the groups of first bristles 24a, 24b extend a first length that is less than the second length at which the group of second bristles 26 extend.

[0053] Opening 18 is shown into which a user's finger can be inserted. The finger is preferably inserted into opening 18 so that the eyelid contact region 16 is opposite the fingernail of the user's inserted finger 20. Any flexure of the knuckle of finger 20 can therefore bring the groups of first and second bristles 24a, 24b and 26 forward and upon an eyelid of the user. The eyelid contact region 16, and bristles thereon, conform to the outer contour of a user's eye. This helps to maximize the apparatus effectiveness in removing debris along the eyelid margins and eyelashes. The pads 28a, 28b are preferably positioned on the outer surface of the eyelid proximate the meibomian glands. The position and the softness of the pads 28a, 28b allows for gentle massaging of the glands. The apparatus is to be worked on the finger of a person while cleaning/cleansing the person's upper and lower eyelashes, eyelids, and eyelid margins.

[0054] The eyelid preferably comprises an eyelid margin and eyelashes. The eyelid contact region 16 is shown having a shape that substantially matched and conforms to an outer shape of the eyelid margin and eyelashes. The pair of pads 28a, 28b (FIG. 2) engage with the eyelid margin, and the two groups of first bristles engage with the eyelid margin and eyelashes less so than the group of second bristles 26 and apparatus 10. The reason that the group of second bristles 26 frictionally engage with the eyelid margin and eyelashes more so than the first bristles is because the group of second bristles 26 extend at a greater length than the first bristles. Whenever the user brings apparatus 10 towards the user's eyelid, the group of second bristles 26 will engage with more force onto the eyelid than the first bristles. By placing the group of second bristles 26 near a central region of eyelid contact region 16 and between the two groups of first bristles 24a and 24b, the user can more easily self-administer the appropriate bristle, and bristle length, at greater frictional force upon a distal region of the eyelid. The distal region being the eyelid margin and eyelashes that are more likely to have clogged or obstructed gland openings. Applying the appropriate sized bristle to the appropriate location on the gland openings with precision afforded this disclosure provides a more effective massage treatment of the meibomian glands and tear ducts of the eyelid.

[0055] Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, apparatus 10 is shown according to an alternative embodiment. Apparatus 10 of FIGS. 6 and 7, like apparatus 10 in FIGS. 1-5, can be self-administered by a user. However, instead of body 12 in FIG. 6 having an opening in an elongated sleeve, body 12 comprises an extension 30 configured to accommodate two fingers 32a and 32b (FIGS. 7-10) applied on opposite sides of extension 30.

[0056] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-10 therefore includes a body 12 and a pair of pads 28a, 28b formed within the eyelid contact region 16. Also included within eyelid contact region are first and second bristles 24a, 24b and 26. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-10 is therefore similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 with respect to the pads 28a, 28b, first and second groups of bristles 24a, 25b, and 26, as well as the manufacture arrangement and dimensions thereof. A difference between the two embodiments is that the finger contact region 14 (FIGS. 8-10) in the second embodiment does not comprise an opening in an elongated sleeve. Instead, an extension 30 is shown to accommodate two fingers on 32a, 32b on opposite sides of extension 30. The two fingers are preferably two fingers on the same hand of the user, and more preferably the distal ends of the index finger and thumb. Movement of the index finger and thumb causes a massaging movement of the eyelid contact region 16, as well as the corresponding bristles formed thereon, across an eyelid and specifically the eyelid margin and eyelashes of the user.

[0057] Turning now to FIG. 11, the apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is shown applied to one or both eyelids 40a, 40b of a user. Eyelids 40a, 40b can be the upper and lower eyelids surrounding an eye 42 of the user. At a distal region of each eyelid 40a, 40b are eyelashes 44, as well as duct openings for the tear ducts or the meibomian glands. Such ducts or glands being responsible for the production of the ocular tear film. Since the glands can become blocked, plugged of obstructed, apparatus 10 connotes a shorter first bristles 24a, 24b and longer second bristles 26 brought to bear against the distal regions of eyelid 40a, 40b. The second bristles 26 can be placed with greater force upon the distal regions of the eyelid margins as shown by the force vector 46. Finger 20 within opening 18 of the first embodiment moves the apparatus 10, and specifically bristles 24a, 24b and 26 in three dimensions (x,y and z). Bristles 24a, 24b, and 26 can be moved in a massaging pattern across the distal regions of an upper eyelid 40a, a lower eyelid 40b, or simultaneously across both eyelids 40a and 40b.

[0058] FIG. 12 illustrates apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, wherein two fingers 32a, 32b are used to press against opposing surfaces of extension 30, and to correspondingly move in three dimensions bristles 24a, 24b and 26 across one or both distal regions of upper and lower eyelids 40a and 40b. In accordance with the arrangement shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a method is provided for removing debris from an eyelid (upper eyelid 40a, lower eyelid 40b, or simultaneously both eyelids 40a and 40b). The method includes contacting at least one finger of a user onto a finger contact region of a body of apparatus 10. Frictional force is then applied to the eyelid 40a and/or 40b by moving the at least one finger in a massaging motion to correspondingly move an eyelid contact region 16 of the body. As force is applied to the eyelid, greater frictional force is applied upon the eyelid margin region and eyelashes than other regions of the eyelid. The greater frictional force is a result of the group of second bristles 26 being longer than the group of first bristles and therefore more readily contacting via force 46 the distal region of the eyelid 40a, 40b.

[0059] As shown in the FIGS. 1-12, apparatus 10 can be self-administered for treating blepharitis, MGD and DED using different arrangements of apparatus 10 applied to select regions of the upper 40a, lower 40b, or both eyelids 40a, 40b. Pads 28a and 28b are also applied to the distal regions of eyelids 40a, 40b. Since pads 28a and 28b are relatively elastic and flexible, pads 28a, 28b allow for gentle massaging of the glands and tear duct openings. Apparatus 10 therefore is self-administered to work on the finger or fingers of the user while cleaning and cleansing the user's upper and lower eyelashes, eyelids and eyelid margins.

[0060] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the apparatus and method described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the body, finger contact region and eyelid contact region can have different shapes and can be formed as different integral body parts. The taper according to the first embodiment can vary, the number of fingers inserted into opening 18 can vary, the extension 30 in the second embodiment can vary as well as the location at which the extension protrudes from the top of the apparatus can vary. The grouping and lengths of the first and second bristles 24a, 24b and 26, the number of bristles in each group and the lengths of individual bristles can vary provided a set of one or more bristles can be made longer than the other sets within other groups so that longer bristles can be readily and more precisely directed to the specific region needing the massage. Unless it is stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order unless a method claims specifies an intended order.

[0061] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.