Noninvasive, continuous intraocular pressure monitor
First Claim
1. A noninvasive monitoring device for measuring intraocular pressure, comprisinga. pressure transducer means adapted to contact and applanate a portion of a scleral surface for responsive detection of intraocular pressure changes reflected at said scleral surface, andb. holder means operable to position and independently retain the transducer means in said scleral contact, said holder being made of materials chemically and mechanically compatible with an ocular environment.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A noninvasive, continuous monitoring device for measuring intraocular pressure without interference with vision or normal activity of the patient. A miniature, planar-faced pressure transducer is fixed in a protruding section of a compliant hydrogel ring which has been tooled to conform to the spherical surface of the sclera. The hydrogel ring is placed noninvasively under the eyelids within the conjunctival cul-de-sac, the transducer being located in the lower temperal quadrant. Applanation of the sclera against the planar surface of the transducer results as a consequence of pressure from the separated tissues. Intraocular pressure readings are based on the variations in resistance in the strain gage elements of the transducer caused by the applied stress to the transducer diaphragm. Data is transmitted through connecting wires to a telemetry unit which transmits the data to a receiver-transcriber console. The total system permits free, uninhibited movement by the patient during the monitoring process and provides a record of intraocular pressure as a function of time-of-day.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A noninvasive monitoring device for measuring intraocular pressure, comprising
a. pressure transducer means adapted to contact and applanate a portion of a scleral surface for responsive detection of intraocular pressure changes reflected at said scleral surface, and b. holder means operable to position and independently retain the transducer means in said scleral contact, said holder being made of materials chemically and mechanically compatible with an ocular environment.
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9. A noninvasive monitoring device for measuring intraocular pressure, comprising:
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a. a noninvasive, pressure sensitive instrument having a contacting face and responsive means for detecting surface characteristics of a scleral region wherein said characteristics are indicative of intraocular pressure conditions, b. an annular holding member having inner concave and outer convex spherical surfaces and an annulus opening of sufficient diameter such that the holding member, when positioned in scleral contact within an ocular environment wherein said annulus opening is axially aligned with a corneal region, circumscribes said corneal region in substantial noncontacting relationship thereto, said holding member further including a positioning receptacle for receiving said pressure sensitive instrument and positioning the contacting face thereof at a surface of said scleral region, whereby said contact is adapted to be maintained by tissue separation forces exerted by stretched eyelid tissue distended as a result of insertion of said monitoring device thereunder. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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10. A method for noninvasive monitoring of intraocular pressure comprising the steps of:
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a. affixing a noninvasive, pressure sensitive instrument to an annular holding means having an annulus opening of a diameter greater than a corneal region diameter; b. inserting said annular holding means between an eyelid and a portion of scleral surface covered by said eyelid, said instrument being positioned in direct contact with a portion of scleral surface of said eye and having said opening substantially concentric with said corneal region to provide unobstructed view during monitoring procedures; and c. detecting changes in intraocular pressure as refected by changes of physical property data registered by said pressure sensitive instrument at said scleral contact therewith.
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Specification