Patents by Inventor Benjamin T. Gravely
Benjamin T. Gravely has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9060843Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely
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Publication number: 20150138504Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for peak detection and/or determining stabilization of an ocular tear film. Embodiments disclosed herein also include various image capturing and processing methods and related systems for providing various information about a patient's ocular tear film (e.g., the lipid and aqueous layers) and a patient's meibomian glands that can be used to analyze tear film layer thickness(es) (TFLT), and related characteristics as it relates to dry eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Patent number: 8915253Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely
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Patent number: 8915592Abstract: Apparatuses and methods employing ocular surface interferometry (OSI) employing polarization and subtraction for imaging, processing, and/or displaying an ocular tear film are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods can be employed for measuring tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, which includes lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). An imaging device is focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device is focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing background signal(s) in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image that can be analyzed to measure tear film layer thickness (TFLT).Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Publication number: 20140285767Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Patent number: 8746883Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Patent number: 8685073Abstract: An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction caused by meibomian gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the meibomian gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely
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Patent number: 8600484Abstract: A method of evaluating dry eye in humans wherein the flow of naturally occurring secretion to the eye is reduced or stopped due to the presence of an obstruction of a meibomian gland in the eyelid involves applying a pressure to the eyelid that mimics pressure applied during blinking; and simultaneously imaging the glands to diagnose the condition of the meibomian gland. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely, Donald R. Korb
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Patent number: 8591033Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for measuring the relative thickness of the lipid layer component of the precorneal tear film on the surface of an eye after distribution of the lipid layer subsequent to blinking is disclosed. An illuminator directs light to the lipid layer of a patient's eye. The illuminator is a broad spectrum light source covering the visible region and is a lambertion light emitter such that the light source is specularly reflected from the lipid layer and undergoes constructive and destructive interference in the lipid layer. A collector collects and focuses the specularly reflected light such that the interference patterns on the tear film lipid layer are observable. The collector also produces an output signal representative of the specularly reflected light which is suitable for further analysis, such as projection on to a high resolution video monitor or analysis by or storage in a computer.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, Benjamin T. Gravely
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Patent number: 8585204Abstract: A method for measuring the relative thickness of the lipid layer component of the precorneal tear film on the surface of an eye. Light is directed to the lipid layer of a patient's eye with an illuminator that is a broad spectrum light source covering the visible region and is a lambertion light emitter such that the light source is specularly reflected from the lipid layer and undergoes constructive and destructive interference in the lipid layer. The specularly reflected light is collected and focused using a collector such that the interference patterns on the tear film lipid layer are observable. The collector also produces an output signal representative of the specularly reflected light which is suitable for further analysis.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Gravely, Donald R. Korb
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Patent number: 8545017Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Publication number: 20130229624Abstract: Background reduction apparatuses and methods of Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) employing polarization are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT) and can be used to evaluate and potentially diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in at least one image. The at least one image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Publication number: 20120236260Abstract: A method for measuring the relative thickness of the lipid layer component of the precorneal tear film on the surface of an eye. Light is directed to the lipid layer of a patient's eye with an illuminator that is a broad spectrum light source covering the visible region and is a lambertion light emitter such that the light source is specularly reflected from the lipid layer and undergoes constructive and destructive interference in the lipid layer. The specularly reflected light is collected and focused using a collector such that the interference patterns on the tear film lipid layer are observable. The collector also produces an output signal representative of the specularly reflected light which is suitable for further analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, Benjamin T. Gravely
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Publication number: 20120226156Abstract: A method of evaluating dry eye in humans wherein the flow of naturally occurring secretion to the eye is reduced or stopped due to the presence of an obstruction of a meibomian gland in the eyelid involves applying a pressure to the eyelid that mimics pressure applied during blinking; and simultaneously imaging the glands to diagnose the condition of the meibomian gland. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: TEARSCIENCE, INC.Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely, Donald R. Korb
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Patent number: 8255039Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon, Timothy R. Willis, John M. Jans, Donald R. Korb
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Patent number: 8249695Abstract: A method of evaluating dry eye in humans wherein the flow of naturally occurring secretion to the eye is reduced or stopped due to the presence of an obstruction of a meibomian gland in the eyelid involves applying a pressure to the eyelid that mimics pressure applied during blinking; and simultaneously imaging the glands to diagnose the condition of the meibomian gland. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely, Donald R. Korb
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Patent number: 8215774Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon, Michael Zelina
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Patent number: 8192026Abstract: The disclosure comprises a method for measuring the relative thickness of the lipid layer component of the precorneal tear film on the surface of an eye after distribution of the lipid layer subsequent to blinking. Light is directed to the lipid layer of a patient's eye with an illuminator. The illuminator is a broad spectrum light source covering the visible region and is a lambertion light emitter such that the light source is specularly reflected from the lipid layer and undergoes constructive and destructive interference in the lipid layer. The specularly reflected light is collected and focused using a collector such that the interference patterns on the tear film lipid layer are observable. The collector also produces an output signal representative of the specularly reflected light suitable for further analysis, such as projection on to a high resolution video monitor or analysis by or storage in a computer.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin T. Gravely, Donald R. Korb
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Patent number: 8187310Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
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Patent number: 8187311Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: TearScience, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon