Apparatus and method for treatment of dry eye using radio frequency heating

Abstract

The present disclosure is related to a treatment probe and method for treating dry eye. The treatment probe may include a thin stainless steel tip, a spacer to ensure proper contact and protect the skin of a patient, a sensor to provide temperature feedback to the power supply providing RF energy to the treatment probe. The treatment focuses on a patient's temple and periorbital area.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treatment for dry eye, the method comprising application of a radiofrequency energy to target tissue surrounding the eye in an amount sufficient to stimulate but not damage nerve tissue. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied through a probe having at least one electrode surface that emits radiofrequency energy. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy applied to is low frequency. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is emitted at a range of about 400 kHz to about 520 kHz; about 430 kHz to about 490 kHz; about 450 kHz to about 470 kHz; about 455 kHz to about 465 kHz; or about 460 kHz. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied in an amount necessary to stimulate nerves to induce secretion of one or more Meibomian glands. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied for a period of time and at a level necessary to raise the surface temperature of the target tissue to a temperature between 35 to 47 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied for a period of time and at a frequency necessary to raise the surface temperature of the target tissue to a temperature between 38 to 45 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied for a period of time and at a frequency necessary to raise the surface temperature of the target tissue to a temperature between 42 to 44 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the target tissue is heated at between 1 and 5 mm beneath the surface (i.e., between 2 and 2.5 mm beneath the surface). 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises applying an electrically conductive gel at the site of the target tissue on a patient. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied to the temple and/or to periorbital tissue adjacent to the eye and/or eyelid. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied to the temple and then is applied to the periorbital tissue adjacent to the eye and/or eyelid. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied for a period of 15 seconds to 20 minutes, a period of 8 minutes to 15 minutes; a period of 8 minutes to 10 minutes; a period of 10 minutes to 12 minutes; or a period of 12 to 15 minutes. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is not applied to the eyelid. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising contacting a grounding pad to a patient on an area of the skin removed from the tissue surrounding the eye. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is applied using a probe that comprises:
 a. an electrically conductive treatment tip positioned at the distal end of a handle,   b. a cable in contact with the treatment tip and running from the distal end of the handle to the proximal end of the handle, the cable extending from the handle to a power supply providing radio-frequency energy to the tip through the cord, wherein the cord is removable from the power supply   c. a spacer configured to provide an electrically conductive barrier between the treatment tip and a patient's skin, wherein the treatment tip is adapted to accept the spacer.