Aqueous fluorophotometer

• US 4,573,778 A
• Filed: 03/16/1983
• Issued: 03/04/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
• Original Assignee: Boston University
• Inventors: Shapiro, Jerrold M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dzierzynski, P. M.
• Application Number:
  US06/475,854
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 351/205, 351/219, 351/221, 351/220, 351/160 R, 351/160 H
• US Class Current: 351/219
• 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 5/02216 Ophthalmodynamometers

Abstract

Fluorescence of the anterior chamber of an eye is determined by projecting a ribbon of light from the side of the eye through the anterior chamber in a direction generally perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye. The ribbon of light is obtained by imaging the face (20) of a fiber optic bundle (18) and directing that image into the anterior chamber by a mirror (30) mounted adjacent to a contact lens (40). The contact lens (40) includes a flexible membrane (14) backed by a fluid. The pressure of the fluid can be varied by a syringe (44) to vary the curvature of the contact lens membrane (14). The fluorescence can be detected either directly by a photodiode (68) or through a fiber optic bundle (34) by a photomultiplier (76).

Claims

1. A device suitable for detecting the fluorescence of the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber of an eye comprising:

a flexible water impermeable contact lens membrane for placement against the cornea of the eye;

a fluid enclosed in a fluid chamber by the contact lens membrane;

means for changing the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to change the curvature of the flexible contact lens membrane;

a light source;

a mirror mounted to one side of the contact lens membrane for reflecting light from the light source through the contact lens membrane across the anterior chamber of the eye; and

means for detecting light which passes outwardly from the anterior chamber through the contact lens membrane and the fluid chamber.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for changing the pressure of the fluid is a syringe.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light directed across the anterior chamber is a ribbon of light.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light source is a fiber optic bundle.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein thwe means for detecting light comprises a fiber optic bundle.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible contact lens membrane is a membrane of polyvinyl chloride.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible contact lens membrane is fixed about its periphery to a barrel which forms the fluid chamber.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible light stop which presses against the contact lens membrane throughout a range of curvatures.

9. A contact lens to be positioned against eyes having a range of curvatures comprising:

a flexible contact lens membrane for placement against the cornea of the eye;

a fluid enclosed in a fluid chamber by the contact lens membrane; and

means for changing the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to change the curvature of the flexible contact lens membrane.

10. A contact lens as claimed in claim 9 wherein the means for changing the pressure is a syringe.

11. A method of detecting fluorescence of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising:

providing fluorescent material in the anterior chamber of the eye;

by means of a mirror mounted to a contact lens, projcting a beam of light from the side of the eye across the anterior chamber in a direction about perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye such that the light does not illuminate the lens of the eye; and

detecting, from the front of the eye, fluorescent light from the anterior chamber.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the light is projected as a ribbon of light across the anterior chamber.

13. A method of detecting fluorescence of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising:

providing fluorescent material in the anterior chamber of the eye;

positioning a contact lens against the cornea of the eye;

projecting a beam of light from the side of the eye through the contact lens across the anterior chamber in a direction generally perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye such that the light does not illuminate the lens of the eye; and

detecting fluorescent light from the anterior chamber.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the light is projected as a ribbon of light across the anterior chamber.