NON-INVASIVE TONOMETER
First Claim
1. A tonometer for measurement of intraocular pressure comprising:
- an ocular probe movable in a linear manner by a motor against the closed eyelid of a user'"'"'s eye to be tested;
a distance sensor configured to monitor the probe'"'"'s position as the probe is moved against the eyelid and provide a distance measurement;
an mechanism for aligning the probe with the center of the cornea underneath said closed eyelid; and
a force sensor configured to measure force on the ocular probe as it is moved against said closed eyelid by said motor at said cornea center and provide a force measurement;
wherein a value indicative of the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the test eye is determined from said force and distance measurements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tonometers are disclosed for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) and having an ocular probe movable a predetermined distance in a linear manner by a motor against the closed eyelid of a patient'"'"'s test eye, a distance sensor configured to monitor the probe position as the probe is moved against the eyelid and provide a distance measurement, a mechanism for aligning the probe with the center of the cornea underneath the closed eyelid, and a force sensor configured to measure force on the ocular probe as it is moved against the closed eyelid by the motor and provide a force measurement, wherein a value indicative of IOP of the test eye is determined from the force and distance measurements. Methods for measuring IOP using the inventive tonometers are also disclosed.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A tonometer for measurement of intraocular pressure comprising:
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an ocular probe movable in a linear manner by a motor against the closed eyelid of a user'"'"'s eye to be tested; a distance sensor configured to monitor the probe'"'"'s position as the probe is moved against the eyelid and provide a distance measurement; an mechanism for aligning the probe with the center of the cornea underneath said closed eyelid; and a force sensor configured to measure force on the ocular probe as it is moved against said closed eyelid by said motor at said cornea center and provide a force measurement; wherein a value indicative of the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the test eye is determined from said force and distance measurements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for the measurement of intraocular pressure in a test eye of a patient, the method comprising:
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placing a tonometer having an ocular probe in proximity to the test eye of said patient, said tonometer comprising an adjustment mechanism for aligning the probe with the center of the cornea of the test eye through a closed eyelid, and emitting a signal when the probe is aligned with the cornea center; closing the eyelid of said test eye and placing the ocular probe in contact with said closed eyelid; aligning the probe with the center of the cornea by moving the observing eye opposite said test eye in at least one direction selected from the group consisting of left, right, up and down, so that said closed eye follows, until a signal is received that the ocular probe is aligned with said cornea center; causing advancement of the probe a predetermined distance against the closed eyelid above the cornea center while measuring the force required to deflect the eyelid and cornea as a function of distance that the probe has moved after touching the eyelid; and calculating a value indicative of IOP from said force measurement. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification