Device for the measurement of electrical potentials of the eye

• US 4,386,831 A
• Filed: 02/24/1981
• Issued: 06/07/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pierre-Alain Grounauer
• Original Assignee: Pierre-Alain Grounauer
• Inventors: Grounauer, Pierre-Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): Corbin, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Application Number:
  US06/237,737
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 351/160, 351/6, 351/16, 128/733, 128/734, 128/745
• US Class Current: 351/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/297 for electrooculography [EOG]: for electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]

Abstract

A corneal lens (1) is provided with a measurement electrode (4), a portion of which being flush with the concave surface of the lens or protruding from said surface, in such a manner to be in service position directly in contact with the cornea of the eye. The convex surface of the lens comprises pins (2) to maintain open the eyelids.

This device allows to obtain without any inconvenient for the subject an electroretinogram usable for the ophthalmologist'"'"'s diagnostic.

Claims

1. A device for the measurement of electrical potentials appearing on the cornea of the human or aninal eye in response to a light stimulation of said eye and so as to establish an electroretinogram (ERG), which consists in a corneal lens provided with a measurement electrode, at least a portion of said electrode being flush with the concave surface of the lens or protruding from said surface so as to be in service position directly in contact with the cornea of the eye, and the convex surface of the lens comprising means for maintaining in service position the eyelids opened.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the electrode is constituted by a rod, an end of which being in service position in contact with the cornea of the eye.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which the electrode is constituted by a ring attached to the concave surface of the lens.

4. A device according to claim 1 in which the electrode is constituted by a coating covering partly or completely the concave surface of the lens.

5. A device according to one of claims 1 in which the electrode is made of a non polarizable metallic material.

6. A device according to claim 1 in which the means for maintaining open the eyelids are constituted by pins disposed on the convex surface of the lens.

7. A device according to claim 6 in which a contact wire connecting the electrode to a measuring apparatus passes through an axial boring in one of the pins.

8. A device according to claims 6 in which the corneal lens and the pins are made of one piece of manufacture by injection of plastic material.

9. A device according to claim 7 in which a conductor wire is attached to a pin, which is not that through which the electrode of measurement passes, said wire serving in service position as inactive or reference electrode.