Method and device for treating an ocular disorder

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating ocular disorders such as blepharitis, meibomitis, and dry eye syndrome. The method includes using an electromechanical device to move a swab relative to the eye to create cyclical movement that impacts debris present at the eyelid margin and effectively removes the debris from the eye to encourage healing and prevent further digression of the health of the eye. The apparatus is an electromechanical device that includes a mechanical drive unit operatively connected to a swab to create a precise relative movement of the swab to the eye to remove debris present therein.

1 . A method of treating an eye for an ocular disorder with a soft and resilient contact member operably connected to an electromechanical device, wherein the eye includes a removable debris, the method comprising:
 a) effecting movement of the soft and resilient contact member relative to the electromechanical device; and   b) while the soft and resilient contact member is being moved by the electromechanical device, contacting a portion of the eye that includes the removable debris with the soft and resilient contact member thereby impacting the debris with the soft and resilient contact member to remove debris from the eye.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the eye has an eyelid margin and a meibomian gland and removing debris further includes at least one of:
 a) scrubbing the eyelid margin;   b) exfoliating the eyelid margin;   c) buffing the eyelid margin;   d) un-roofing the meibomian gland; or   d) breaking the debris free of the eyelid margin.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the eye has an eyelid margin and an eyeball and further includes accessing the eyelid margin for contacting the soft and resilient contact member to the debris without lifting the eyelid margin from the eye. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the eye has an eyelid margin and an eyeball and further includes:
 a) positioning the soft and resilient contact member near the eyeball along the eyelid margin; and   b) targeting the debris with the soft and resilient contact member.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including viewing the eye and the debris without the aid of a magnification device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the soft and resilient contact member is at least one of rotating the soft and resilient contact member, vibrating the soft and resilient contact member, or reciprocating the soft and resilient contact member. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein effecting movement of the soft and resilient contact member further includes setting the movement of the soft and resilient contact member to a desirable speed. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further including repeating the effecting movement, the contacting the portion of the eye, and impacting the debris with the soft and resilient contact member to remove the debris process of  claim 1  after periodic intervals until the ocular disorder is sufficiently remedied. 
     
     
         9 . A device for the removal of a debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder, comprising:
 a) a soft and resilient contact member, said soft and resilient contact member having a tip portion and a base portion, said tip portion being of a size sufficient to access debris on the eye;   b) a rigid member, said rigid member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, said distal end portion being affixed to said base portion of said soft and resilient contact member; and   c) a mechanical drive unit, said mechanical drive unit having a body and secured to said proximal end portion of said rigid member,   wherein said mechanical drive unit operably moves said soft and resilient contact member relative to said body facilitating removal of the debris from on the eye.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said soft and resilient contact member is a sponge. 
     
     
         11 . The sponge of  claim 10 , wherein said sponge is a medical grade sponge that is generally egg-shaped having an approximate length of 2 mm and an approximate width of 1 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The rigid member of  claim 10 , wherein said rigid member is a plastic material and said sponge is formed onto said distal end portion of said rigid member. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said mechanical drive unit further includes:
 a) an electric motor;   b) a chuck, said chuck projecting from said body and operably connected to said electric motor; and   d) a control switch, said control switch operably coupled to the electric motor,   wherein said proximal end portion of said rigid member is removably secured to said chuck.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , further including an electric power source, said electric power source operably coupled to said mechanical drive unit to drive the movement of said soft and resilient contact member. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said electric power source is a battery. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said mechanical drive unit is configured to be handheld. 
     
     
         17 . An instrument for the removal of a debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder, comprising:
 a) a soft and resilient contact member, said soft and resilient contact member having a tip portion and a base portion, said tip portion being sized to provide access to the debris on an eyelid margin of the eye; and   b) a rigid member; said rigid member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, said distal end portion being affixed to said base portion of said soft and resilient contact member,   wherein said proximal end portion of said rigid member is configured to be removably secured to an electromechanical device.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said soft and resilient contact member is a sponge. 
     
     
         19 . The sponge of  claim 18 , wherein said sponge is a medical grade sponge that is generally egg-shaped having an approximate length of 2 mm and an approximate width of 1 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The rigid member of  claim 18 , wherein the rigid member is a plastic material and said sponge is formed onto said distal end portion of said rigid member.