Devices, systems, and methods for the treatment of clogged glands of the eye
View Patent ↗A system for treating clogged glands of the eye includes a heated eye mask, an electrical cord, and a controller. The heated eye mask includes an outer layer of surface material, an inner layer of surface material, and a graphene heating element. The graphene heating element is disposed between the outer and inner layers of surface material in a therapeutic region of the heated eye mask. The therapeutic region of the heated eye mask extends along the Meibomian glands of the eye. The graphene heating element is encapsulated by an electrically insulating cover. A thermally conductive material evenly distributes heat across the therapeutic region of the heated eye mask. The electrical cord provides power to the heated eye mask. The controller is provided on the electrical cord for controlling the heated eye mask to heat to one of at least four pre-set temperature levels.
1 . A heated eye mask for treating clogged glands of an eye, the eye mask comprising:
a mask body, the mask body comprising: an outer layer configured to be positioned away from an eye region of a user and an inner layer configured to contact the eye region of the user;
a heating element disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, the heating element assembly comprising:
a left heating element having a circumference, a front surface facing the inner layer, and a rear surface facing the outer layer;
a right heating element having a circumference, a front surface facing the inner layer, and a rear surface facing the outer layer;
a first lead electrically coupled with the front surface of the left graphene heating element around a majority of the circumference of the left graphene heating element and the first lead electrically coupled with the front surface of the right graphene heating element around a majority of the circumference of the right graphene heating element;
a second lead electrically coupled with the front surface of the left graphene heating element, the second lead having a first contact lead located in a center area of the left graphene heating element, and the second lead electrically coupled with the front surface of the right graphene heating element, the second lead having a second ground contact lead located in a center area of the right graphene heating element.
2 . The eye mask of claim 1 , further comprising a power source comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is electrically coupled to the first lead and the second terminal is electrically coupled to the second lead.
3 . The eye mask of claim 1 , wherein the mask body is filled with flax seed between the outer layer and the inner layer.
4 . The eye mask of claim 1 , wherein the heating element is disposed in a therapeutic region of the eye mask, wherein the therapeutic region of the eye mask is a portion of the eye mask configured to cover only an area of the eye region of the user extending along the Meibomian glands of the eye.
5 . The eye mask of claim 1 , further comprising an electrically insulating cover encapsulating the left heating element, the right heating element, the first lead, and the second lead.
6 . The eye mask of claim 1 , further comprising:
an electrical cord coupled to the mask body for providing power to the heating element; and
a controller coupled to the electrical cord for controlling the heating element, wherein the controller comprises a temperature control to control the heating element to heat to one of at least four pre-set temperature levels.
7 . The eye mask of claim 6 , wherein the electrical cord comprises a USB interface for connecting with a power supply.
8 . The eye mask of claim 7 , wherein the power supply is a USB adapter for plugging into a wall power socket.
9 . The eye mask of claim 6 , wherein the controller comprises a timer.
10 . The eye mask of claim 9 , wherein the timer is configured to control the heating element to provide heat for a specified period of time, wherein the specified period of time is adjustable.
11 . The eye mask of claim 10 , wherein the specified period of time is at least 8 minutes.
12 . The eye mask of claim 6 , wherein the at least four pre-set temperature levels are set by the controller providing power at a duty cycle of 100%, a duty cycle of 75%, a duty cycle of 66%, and a duty cycle of 50%.
13 . The eye mask of claim 6 , wherein the at least four pre-set temperature levels comprise 125 degrees Fahrenheit, 135 degrees Fahrenheit, 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and 145 degrees Fahrenheit.