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EP-4735108-A1 - INFRARED DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRY EYE

EP4735108A1EP 4735108 A1EP4735108 A1EP 4735108A1EP-4735108-A1

Abstract

An assembly for an infrared (IR) radiation device for relieving symptoms of dry eye syndrome, the assembly including: a device including: an IR radiation emitter, and a heat plate for trapping a portion of IR radiation emitted by the IR radiation emitter to heat the heat plate and for allowing a portion of the IR radiation to pass there-through so as to irradiate tear glands; and a holder for the IR radiation emitter and heat plate, the holder configured to position the heat plate against a closed eyelid of a user so that the IR radiation device simultaneously warms the closed eyelid and stimulates nerves to produce tears.

Inventors

  • LEMANSKI, Michael
  • BELKIN, MICHAEL

Assignees

  • Lemanski, Michael
  • Belkin, Michael

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240507

Claims (20)

  1. 1. An assembly for an infrared (IR) radiation device for relieving symptoms of dry eye syndrome, the assembly comprising: a device including: an IR radiation emitter, and a heat plate for trapping a portion of IR radiation emitted by the IR radiation emitter to heat the heat plate and for allowing a portion of the IR radiation to pass there-through so as to irradiate tear glands; and a holder for the IR radiation emitter and heat plate, the holder configured to position the heat plate against a closed eyelid of a user so that the IR radiation device simultaneously warms the closed eyelid and stimulates nerves to produce tears.
  2. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the IR radiation emitter includes at least one IR light emitting diode (LED).
  3. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an external power source is coupled to the IR radiation emitter via a power cord.
  4. 4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the IR radiation emitter is powered by a battery.
  5. 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the IR radiation emitter is embodied on, or embedded in, a printed circuit board (PCB) or on a ceramic substrate.
  6. 6. The assembly of claim 1, the device is operationally coupled to a control circuit.
  7. 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the control circuit and the IR radiation emitter are embodied on a single printed circuit board (PCB) or on a ceramic substrate.
  8. 8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the control circuit and the IR radiation emitter are embodied on two separate printed circuit boards (PCBs) or ceramic substrates.
  9. 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat panel includes a concavity or convexity on an external face thereof.
  10. 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat panel includes a concavity or convexity disposed above the IR radiation emitter on an inner face of the heat panel.
  11. 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the concavity or convexity is adapted to allow more IR radiation to pass there-through than a remaining portion of the heat panel.
  12. 12. The assembly of claim 2, further including a light emitting diode (LED) on the PCB or ceramic substrate, the LED configured to emit visible light.
  13. 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a clip for attaching the device to eyewear.
  14. 14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the holder is an eye wear apparatus.
  15. 15. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the PCB or ceramic substrate is housed in a housing.
  16. 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the holder is adapted to receive the housing slidably therein.
  17. 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the holder includes indentations for positioning the housing therein.
  18. 18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the heat plate is angled to press against the closed eyelid.
  19. 19. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the control circuit is adapted to control at least one of: activation of the IR radiation source, deactivation of the IR radiation source, selection of a preprogrammed therapy session.
  20. 20. An assembly for treating for relieving symptoms of dry eye syndrome, comprising: two holders coupled together by a bridge; each of the two holders including a device comprising: an IR radiation emitter, and a heat plate for evenly dissipating heat generated by the IR radiation emitter; wherein each of the two holders is configured to position the respective heat plate against a closed eyelid of a user so that the IR radiation device simultaneously warms the closed eyelid and stimulates nerves to produce tears.

Description

Infrared Device for the Treatment of Dry Eye FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device that heats eyelids for alleviating symptoms of dry eye syndrome and more particularly to a device that simultaneously applies heat and stimulates tearing using infrared light. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many different devices on the market that warm eyelids. Some of these devices are very expensive, others are not convenient or comfortable to use, and most of them do not produce the desired effect. This invention provides patients with an inexpensive and easy-to-use device for home use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is presently provided a device that is used to heat eyelids and stimulate tear production using infrared light/radiation. By using infrared (IR) light, the patient is provided with a convenient and inexpensive device that achieves good results leading to increased secretion of both lipid and aqueous tears. According to the present invention there is provided an assembly for an infrared (IR) radiation device for relieving symptoms of dry eye syndrome, the assembly including: a device including: an IR radiation emitter, and a heat plate for trapping a portion of IR radiation emitted by the IR radiation emitter to heat the heat plate and for allowing a portion of the IR radiation to pass there-through so as to irradiate tear glands; and a holder for the IR radiation emitter and heat plate, the holder configured to position the heat plate against a closed eyelid of a user so that the IR radiation device simultaneously warms the closed eyelid and stimulates nerves to produce tears. According to further features in embodiments of the invention described below the IR radiation source/emitter includes at least one IR light emitting diode (LED). According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention the power source is an external power source, and the IR radiation emitter is powered by a battery or is coupled to external power source via a power cord. According to further features the IR radiation source is embodied on, or embedded in, a printed circuit board (PCB) or on a ceramic substrate. According to further features the device is operationally coupled to a control circuit. According to further features the control circuit and the IR radiation emitter are embodied on a single printed circuit board (PCB) or on a ceramic substrate. According to further features the control circuit and the IR radiation source are embodied on two separate printed circuit boards (PCBs) or ceramic substrates. According to further features the heat panel includes a concavity or convexity on an external face thereof. According to further features the heat panel includes a concavity or convexity disposed above the IR radiation emitter on an inner face of the heat panel. According to further features the concavity or convexity is adapted to allow more IR radiation to pass there-through than a remaining portion of the heat panel. According to further features the assembly further includes a light emitting diode (LED) on the PCB or ceramic substrate, the LED configured to emit visible light. According to further features the holder includes a clip for attaching the device to eyewear. According to further features the holder is an eyewear apparatus. According to further features the PCB or ceramic substrate is housed in a housing. According to further features the holder is adapted to receive the housing slidably therein. According to further features the holder includes indentations for positioning the housing therein. According to further features the heat plate is angled to press against the closed eyelid. According to further features the control circuit is adapted to control at least one of: activation of the IR radiation source, deactivation of the IR radiation source, selection of a preprogrammed therapy session. According to another embodiment, there is provided an assembly for treating for relieving symptoms of dry eye syndrome, including: two holders coupled together by a bridge; each of the two holders including a device comprising: an IR radiation emitter, and a heat plate for evenly dissipating heat generated by the IR radiation emitter; wherein each of the two holders is configured to position the respective heat plate against a closed eyelid of a user so that the IR radiation device simultaneously warms the closed eyelid and stimulates nerves to produce tears. According to further features the two holders are configured to be clipped onto eyeglasses. According to further features the bridge mechanically and electrically couples the two holders together. According to further features a temperature of the heat plate is a function, at least in part, of a thickness of the heat plate. According to another embodiment, there is provided a method including: using the aforementioned assembly for simultaneously heating an eyelid of a subject and stimulating tear production in the subj