Meibomian gland illuminating and imaging

Abstract

In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for imaging a portion of a mammalian eyelid has an eye contact lenspiece configured to direct the light through an eyelid from posterior to anterior surface to thereby trans-illuminate the eyelid, when the light source illuminates the contact lens. An imaging device receives an image of the eyelid as it is trans-illuminated. Other methods and apparatus are presented in various embodiments, hence this abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

1 . An apparatus for facilitating trans-illumination of an eyelid covering an eye, comprising:
 an eye shield having curvature that is configured to approximately match a portion of a curvature of an external surface sclera of the eye, the eye shield having an inner surface that contacts the eye and an outer surface;   the eye shield having properties that render the eye shield opaque to light of a particular spectrum; and   an array of light sources disposed on the outer surface that produce light in the particular spectrum in order to trans-illuminate the eyelid from a posterior side of the eyelid.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the array of light sources comprises an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the array of LEDs comprise surface mount LEDs. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a flexible circuit board affixed to the outer surface and wherein the LEDs in the array of LEDs are attached to the flexible circuit board. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising an outer mold that covers the array of LEDs in a manner that produces a smooth surface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the flexible circuit board is reflective of light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an outer mold that covers the array of light sources in a manner that produces a smooth surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer mold has light filtering or diffusing properties. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the outer mold is transparent to the light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connector that provides electrical current to the array of light sources. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for supplying electrical current to the array of light sources. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface is reflective of light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for facilitating trans-illumination of an eyelid covering an eye, comprising:
 an eye shield having curvature that is configured to approximately match a portion of a curvature of an external surface sclera of the eye, the eye shield having an inner surface that contacts the eye and an outer surface;   the eye shield having properties that render the eye shield opaque to light of a particular spectrum;   a flexible circuit board affixed to the outer surface;   an array of surface mount light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on the flexible circuit board that produce light in the particular spectrum in order to trans-illuminate the eyelid from a posterior side of the eyelid;   an outer mold that covers the array of surface mount LEDs in a manner that produces a smooth surface; and   means for supplying electrical current to the array of surface mount LEDs.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the flexible circuit board is reflective of light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer mold has light filtering or diffusing properties. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer mold is transparent to the light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer surface is reflective of light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for facilitating trans-illumination of an eyelid covering an eye, comprising:
 an elongated handle having an end;   an eye shield affixed to the end of the elongated handle, the eye shield having opposing lighting and shielding surfaces;   the eye shield having properties that render the eye shield opaque to light of a particular spectrum;   an array of light sources disposed on the lighting surface that produce light in the particular spectrum in order to trans-illuminate the eyelid from a posterior side of the eyelid when the eye shield is placed between the eyelid and the eye, and simultaneously shields the eye from direct light emanating from the array of light sources; and wherein the eye shield and the array of light sources are flat enough to fit between the eyelid and the eye.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the array of light sources comprises an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the array of LEDs comprise surface mount LEDs. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising a flexible circuit board affixed to the lighting surface and wherein the LEDs in the array of LEDs are attached to the flexible circuit board. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising an outer mold that covers the array of LEDs in a manner that produces a smooth surface. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the flexible circuit board is reflective of light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising an outer mold that covers the array of light sources in a manner that produces a smooth surface. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the outer mold has light filtering or diffusing properties. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the outer mold is transparent to the light of the particular spectrum. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the elongated handle includes a source of electrical current that supplies electrical current to the array of light sources. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising means for supplying electrical current to the array of light sources. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the lighting surface is reflective of light of the particular spectrum.