{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9719977","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9719977","title":"Methods and systems for treating meibomian gland dysfunction using radio-frequency energy","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2012-08-21T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-08-01T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G01N","A61N","A61B","A61B","A61B","A61B","A61B","A61B","A61N"],"num_claims":18,"abstract":"A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed. The method includes directing RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland, selectively targeting an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction, and expressing the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland. An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one RF electrode configured to direct RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland located in an eyelid of an eye, the at least one RF electrode further configured to selectively target an obstruction within a duct of the meibomian gland with the applied RF energy to melt, loosen, or soften the obstruction. The apparatus also comprises at least one expressor configured to express the obstruction from the duct of the meibomian gland."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Methods and systems for treating meibomian gland dysfunction using radio-frequency energy","description":"A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction is disclosed. The method includes directing RF energy to an internal portion of a meibomian gland, selectively targeting an obstruction within a duct o","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9719977","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9719977","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Methods and systems for treating meibomian gland dysfunction using radio-frequency energy\" (US-9719977). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9719977","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9719977","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9719977","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T14:00:30.789Z"}