Melting meibomian gland obstructions

Abstract

Consistent with certain embodiments, an apparatus provides regulated heat to at least one of a patient's eyelids, using a heater unit having a heating element that produces heat that is transferred to the patient's eyelid when an electrical signal is applied thereto. A temperature regulator applies an electrical signal to the heating elements in order to achieve heating of the heating elements to a specified temperature range. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . An apparatus that provides regulated heat for treatment of a mammalian eyelid, comprising: 
 a heater unit having a heating element that produces heat when electrical signal is applied thereto;    a temperature regulator that applies the electrical signal to the heating element in order to achieve heating of the heating element to a specified temperature range; and    an eyelid interfacing mechanism that couples the heater unit into contact with the eyelid to achieve regulated heating of the eyelid within the specified temperature range.    
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising a sensor that senses temperature and provides temperature information to the temperature regulator.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the eyelid interfacing mechanism comprises goggles that are adjustably coupled to the heater unit in order to move the heater unit to achieve contact with the eyelid.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the goggles are adjustably coupled to the heater unit by a threaded connection so that a position of the heater unit can be adjusted by a threading action.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the heater unit further comprises a thermal heat sink, coupled to a surface of the heating element in order to transfer heat from the heating element to the eyelid.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the thermal heat sink is selected from the group consisting of a thermally conductive rubber member, a thermally conductive silicon member, an encapsulated fluid containing member, and a solid conductive member.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein one of a thermally conductive gel, cream or liquid is placed between the heat sink and the eyelid to enhance thermal conduction from the thermal heat sink to the eyelid.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the heater unit further comprises an insulator coupled to a surface of the heating element in order to reduce heat loss from the heating unit in a direction other than a direction toward the eyelid.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus according to  claim 37 , wherein the thermal insulator is selected from the group consisting of a non-thermally conductive foam element, a non-thermally conductive rubber element, and a non-thermally conductive solid element.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the temperature regulator applies a pulse width modulated electrical signal to the heating element in order to regulate the heat produced thereby.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus according to  claim 39 , further comprising a control processor and wherein the pulse width modulated electrical signal is produced under control of the control processor.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the temperature regulator comprises a switch that selectively applies the electrical signal to the heating element in order to regulate the heat produced thereby.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , comprising a control processor and wherein the electrical signal comprises at least one of a current and a voltage that is selectively applied to the heating element under control of the control processor.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the heater unit has a flexible portion that contacts the eyelid in order to conform to the eyelid.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the heater unit has a rigid portion that contacts the eyelid, and wherein the rigid portion is shaped to conform to the shape of the eyelid.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the heater unit further comprises an adhesive for attaching the heater unit directly to the eyelid.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising a user interface that permits a user to establish at least one of a time and a temperature for the treatment.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising a mechanical energy generator that generates a force on the eyelid to stimulate secretion from the meibomian glands, wherein the generator imparts mechanical energy to the eyelid having both an amplitude and frequency.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the specified temperature range is greater than 37° C.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the specified temperature range is between 44° C. and 47° C.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the specified temperature range comprises a range of temperatures surrounding about 45° C.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising a timer that shuts off the signal to the heater element after a specified treatment time.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus according to  claim 50 , wherein the specified treatment time is approximately 10 to 60 minutes.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising a pressure sensor that measures a pressure with which the heater unit is applied to the eyelid.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus according to  claim 30 , further comprising an adjustment which sets the amount of pressure the heater applies to the eye lid.