CA2179831A1

CA2179831A1 - Eze-patch

Info

Publication number: CA2179831A1
Application number: CA002179831A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Debra Ellen Mitchell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-25
Filing date: 1996-06-25
Publication date: 1997-12-26

Abstract

An eye-patch product designed for the treatment of children with strabismus or similar problems relating to amblyopia (reduced vision).
This product encourages the use of the weaker (amblyopic) eye by occluding (patching) the stronger eye in children under the age of eight years. This product is placed onto the appropriate lense (right or left, whichever eye requires occlusion) of the spectacles the amblyopic child is required to wear during treatment for vision loss.

Description

2i79831 This invention relates to the treatment of children with amblyopia (limited vision) in either the right or left eye. It is designed to provide maximum coverage of the stronger eye in order to promote use of the weaker eye vision.
Available patching methods (occlusion therapy products) are limited to two main types.
The first product available is comprised of a bandage-like material which adheres to the orbital area of the child's skin and face. This often causes skin irritation as well as being uncomfortable to remove.
It is not re-usable (like a bandage) and requires a new patch every day to carry out the appropriate occlusion therapy. Occlusion therapy is often a long and intensive process to prevent loss of vision or even blindness in these children. As a result this method can be costly for the family in addition to being an irritant to the child.
The second method is a suction-cup occluder. This type of occluder attaches to the inside of the child's lense in his/her spectacles. It is comprised of rigid plastic which can be uncomfortable as well as unsightly for the child. This product is also costly and not design efficient. If the occluder is not attached securely or fails to completely cover the child's amblyopic eye then the purpose is lost.
If the child is able to see around, over, or below the occluding device the required effect of occlusion therapy is not attained. If complete occlusion for the prescribed number of hours daily is not maintained then the patching child loses vision instead of regaining what was lost to him/her. The occlusion is designed to obstruct the vision of the good eye enabling the poorer eye to be put to use.
Eze-patch is a soft, pliable, washable, re-usable, trimmable, and non-allergenic patch which is designed to overcome the drawbacks of the previous methods of occlusion therapy. It provides maximum occlusion because it easily conforms to the shape of the child's face and spectacles eliminating the possibility of peeking around the patch.

A pattern was designed for the patch base in the most usable shape to work with. (Fig. 1). A steel rule die was made from the sample pattern which would cut the fabric 8 to 10 layers at a time (up to 3/4 inches thick). The steel die manufacturer made this die in such a way that it could attach to a press or be moved manually across the fabric. This would then cut the fabric simply by pulling down on the lever and applying pressure.
Once cut this shape was marked on the wrong side with the locations forthree darts to be sewn to give the patch the desired fit for the child's spectacles and face. (Fig. 2).
A decorative design needed to be attached to the patch base easily and simply. The shape needed to fit easily over the front of the spectacles to hold the main patch (that which provides the occlusion) correctly in place. (Fig. 3). (A steel rule die was made for the decorative patch in the same manner as the main patch die).
This shape was cut from a more rigid fabric with a soft backing (to protect the surface of the spectacle lense). The appliqued or mylar design was then applied to the front of the decorative patch shape.
(Fig. 4).
To construct the patch, the design is first applied to the decorative shape. Once the design is applied, the decorative shape is zig-zagged into place with a sewing machine (allowing for either right or left eye occlusion). (Fig. 5).
~arts were sewn in each of the three appropriate sides of the main patch. Each dart was then trimmed appropriately so it would not cause any rubbing against the child's face and delicate eye area.
The patch is placed on the child's glasses with the temple piece of thechild's spectacles being slipped between the main patch and the decorative patch. The lense of the spectacles is then slipped into place (Fig. 6) and the patch adjusted to the frame. Size can then be determined and the patch trimmed if necessary to fit more securely to the child's face while still being able to maintain occlusion of the entire visual area.

Claims

1. A soft cloth occlusion patch which slides easily onto children's spectacles.

2. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 1 which is washable.

3. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 2 which is reusable.

4. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 3 which is trimmable to allow for a perfect fit enabling complete occlusion.

5. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 4 which is constructed from soft, pliable, non-allergenic, 3-ply fabric.

6. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 5 which provides maximum occlusion coverage of the visually stronger eye enabling a better chance for the treating physician to obtain the best possible visual result for the child before he/she reaches visual maturity at age eight.

7. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 6 which is cut from a steel rule die pattern in the exact size and shape (oval 4.25" x 3.50") required for appropriate pediatric occlusion. Fig.1.

8. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 7 which is shaped with three sewn in darts to allow the patch to conform to the child's orbital area. Fig. 2.

9. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 8 which is held securely in place with a decorative design patch in the exact size and shape (2" in length, 2" at center width, 1.25" across the top, 1.5/8"
across the bottom) Fig. 3.

10. A soft cloth occlusion patch as described in claim 9 which has a decorative design patch made from a soft-backed (to protect the surface of the spectacle lense), firmer fabric to provide the stability required to hold the patch in place.