Patents by Inventor James M. Rynerson

James M. Rynerson 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).

  • Publication number: 20240065889
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described for electrolytically, ultrasonically, or both electrolytically and ultrasonically disrupting debris on an eyelid margin. A device includes an eyelid contacting portion having at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a power supply electrically coupled to at least one of the first and second electrodes. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally have a shelf separating an upper portion from a lower portion with electrodes on the upper and lower portions. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally include at least one channel with electrodes. The device may optionally include an ultrasonic driver. Another device includes an ultrasonic driver but no electrodes. A method contacts debris on an eyelid margin with a first electrode and contacting a surface of an eyelid with a second electrode and supplying electrical energy to one of the first or second electrodes to disrupt the debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: James M. RYNERSON
  • Patent number: 11826564
    Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for treating skin conditions using an electrical signal applied to the skin of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BLEPHEX, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: 11819456
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described for electrolytically, ultrasonically, or both electrolytically and ultrasonically disrupting debris on an eyelid margin. A device includes an eyelid contacting portion having at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a power supply electrically coupled to at least one of the first and second electrodes. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally have a shelf separating an upper portion from a lower portion with electrodes on the upper and lower portions. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally include at least one channel with electrodes. The device may optionally include an ultrasonic driver. Another device includes an ultrasonic driver but no electrodes. A method contacts debris on an eyelid margin with a first electrode and contacting a surface of an eyelid with a second electrode and supplying electrical energy to one of the first or second electrodes to disrupt the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: BLEPHEX, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20230201032
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: James M. RYNERSON
  • Publication number: 20220280785
    Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for treating skin conditions using an electrical signal applied to the skin of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: James M. RYNERSON
  • Publication number: 20220125636
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: 11083621
    Abstract: An instrument for removing debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder has a swab and a rigid member. The swab includes a tip portion sized to provide access to the debris on an eyelid of the eye. The rigid member has a distal end portion affixed to the swab and a proximal end portion with a cross-sectional member profile. The cross-sectional member profile is non-circular and has a first groove. The first groove extends longitudinally along the proximal end portion for cooperating with a chuck such that rotation of the proximal end portion within the chuck is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BLEPHEX, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20200352851
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating blepharitis and dry eye by inhibiting the binding ability of lid flora bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, thus inhibiting biofilm formation and the increase in bacterial populations and densities that lead to quorum-sensing-gene activation and therefore, the production of inflammatory virulence factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: 10821022
    Abstract: An instrument for removing debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder has a swab and a rigid member. The swab includes a tip portion sized to provide access to the debris on an eyelid of the eye. The rigid member has a distal end portion affixed to the swab and a proximal end portion with a cross-sectional member profile. The cross-sectional member profile is non-circular and has a first groove. The first groove extends longitudinally along the proximal end portion for cooperating with a chuck such that rotation of the proximal end portion within the chuck is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BlephEx, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: 10799447
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating blepharitis and dry eye by inhibiting the binding ability of lid flora bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, thus inhibiting biofilm formation and the increase in bacterial populations and densities that lead to quorum-sensing-gene activation and therefore, the production of inflammatory virulence factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20200260948
    Abstract: A composition for detecting biofilm on an eyelid margin includes a dye that binds to the biofilm and a solution that is biocompatible with the eye. A method for detecting biofilm on an eyelid margin of an eye includes applying a solution to the eye or the eyelid margin so that a dye in the solution binds to the biofilm. A handheld camera for detecting biofilm on an eyelid margin of an eye includes a housing, an image sensor, and a lens including a focal length determined by a distance between the lens and the eyelid margin. A method for detecting biofilm on an eyelid margin includes capturing an image of the eyelid margin using a handheld camera and determining if the biofilm is present on the eyelid margin. A system for detecting biofilm on an eyelid margin of an eye includes a composition and a handheld camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20200093638
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for removing debris from an eye. The methods and devices may be used to treat ocular disorders such as blepharitis, meibomitis, and dry eye. The devices include a scrubbing strip coupled to a support. The support may include a sleeve configured to fit over the end of a finger or the distal end portion of a mechanical device. The scrubbing strip is utilized to contact debris located on an eyelid margin to remove debris from the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20200030146
    Abstract: An instrument for removing debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder has a swab and a rigid member. The swab includes a tip portion sized to provide access to the debris on an eyelid of the eye. The rigid member has a distal end portion affixed to the swab and a proximal end portion with a cross-sectional member profile. The cross-sectional member profile is non-circular and has a first groove. The first groove extends longitudinally along the proximal end portion for cooperating with a chuck such that rotation of the proximal end portion within the chuck is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: 10449087
    Abstract: An instrument for removing debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder has a swab and a rigid member. The swab includes a tip portion sized to provide access to the debris on an eyelid of the eye. The rigid member has a distal end portion affixed to the swab and a proximal end portion with a cross-sectional member profile. The cross-sectional member profile is non-circular and has a first groove. The first groove extends longitudinally along the proximal end portion for cooperating with a chuck such that rotation of the proximal end portion within the chuck is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: BlephEx, LLC
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20190209373
    Abstract: An instrument for removing debris from an eye during the treatment of an ocular disorder has a swab and a rigid member. The swab includes a tip portion sized to provide access to the debris on an eyelid of the eye. The rigid member has a distal end portion affixed to the swab and a proximal end portion with a cross-sectional member profile. The cross-sectional member profile is non-circular and has a first groove. The first groove extends longitudinally along the proximal end portion for cooperating with a chuck such that rotation of the proximal end portion within the chuck is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: 10314744
    Abstract: A method and shunt device for treating glaucoma includes positioning a first end portion of a tube body into the retrobulbar space of an eye. The method also includes positioning a second end portion of the tube body into the anterior chamber of the eye. The tube body provides fluid passage for aqueous humor such that the aqueous humor flows from the first end portion into the retrobulbar space. A surgical kit for reducing the intraocular pressure in the eye includes the shunt device, an introducer, and a stylet. The introducer has a distal end for positioning in the retrobulbar space and a proximal end for positioning exterior of the eye. The introducer has a radius of curvature adapted to circumvent the eye for insertion into the retrobulbar space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20190091142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating blepharitis and dry eye by inhibiting the binding ability of lid flora bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, thus inhibiting biofilm formation and the increase in bacterial populations and densities that lead to quorum-sensing-gene activation and therefore, the production of inflammatory virulence factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20180325729
    Abstract: Devices and methods are described for electrolytically, ultrasonically, or both electrolytically and ultrasonically disrupting debris on an eyelid margin. A device includes an eyelid contacting portion having at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a power supply electrically coupled to at least one of the first and second electrodes. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally have a shelf separating an upper portion from a lower portion with electrodes on the upper and lower portions. The eyelid contacting portion may optionally include at least one channel with electrodes. The device may optionally include an ultrasonic driver. Another device includes an ultrasonic driver but no electrodes. A method contacts debris on an eyelid margin with a first electrode and contacting a surface of an eyelid with a second electrode and supplying electrical energy to one of the first or second electrodes to disrupt the debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Publication number: 20170354537
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for removing debris from an eye. The methods and devices may be used to treat ocular disorders such as blepharitis, meibomitis, and dry eye. The devices include a scrubbing strip coupled to a support. The support may include a sleeve configured to fit over the end of a finger or the distal end portion of a mechanical device. The scrubbing strip is utilized to contact debris located on an eyelid margin to remove debris from the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson
  • Patent number: D954954
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: James M. Rynerson