Intraocular pressure sensor
First Claim
1. An intraocular pressure sensor, comprising:
- curved holder means adapted to conform to the curvature of the eyeball for holding said sensor in contacting position with the surface of the eye, the holder means having a circular configuration with a concave inner surface conforming to the surface of the eye and a convex outer surface, the holder means being outwardly tapered in cross-section from a center portion thereof toward an outer peripheral edge thereof, a recess being formed in said center portion and opening to said concave inner surface;
pressure transducer means for detecting intraocular pressure and for providing an output signal corresponding thereto, said pressure transducer means having a planar pressure sensitive surface and being mounted in said central recess in said holder means such that an arc drawn from one peripheral edge of the holder means to the pressure sensitive surface of the pressure transducer means and to the diametrically opposite peripheral edge of the holder means matches the arc of the surface of the eye at which the intraocular pressure is to be sensed, whereby suction results between the concave inner surface of the holder means and the surface of the eye for holding the pressure sensitive surface of said pressure transducer means in pressure-sensing contact with the surface of the eye; and
wire leads operably connected to said pressure transducer means for supplying power thereto and for transmitting output signals therefrom.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intraocular pressure sensor utilizes a small sensitive piezo-resistance strain gauge cell mounted in a curved semi-rigid holder which serves to position the planar pressure sensitive surface of the strain gauge cell in contact with the eyeball surface. Deformation of the strain gauge cell due to contact with the eyeball produces an output signal corresponding to the intraocular pressure. The sensor is small and can be worn in the eye like a contact lens for extended periods of time permitting the intraocular pressures to be accurately monitored under normal living conditions, including during sleep. Fine wires are led from the sensor out over the eyelid for connection to an external recording/monitoring apparatus.
152 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An intraocular pressure sensor, comprising:
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curved holder means adapted to conform to the curvature of the eyeball for holding said sensor in contacting position with the surface of the eye, the holder means having a circular configuration with a concave inner surface conforming to the surface of the eye and a convex outer surface, the holder means being outwardly tapered in cross-section from a center portion thereof toward an outer peripheral edge thereof, a recess being formed in said center portion and opening to said concave inner surface; pressure transducer means for detecting intraocular pressure and for providing an output signal corresponding thereto, said pressure transducer means having a planar pressure sensitive surface and being mounted in said central recess in said holder means such that an arc drawn from one peripheral edge of the holder means to the pressure sensitive surface of the pressure transducer means and to the diametrically opposite peripheral edge of the holder means matches the arc of the surface of the eye at which the intraocular pressure is to be sensed, whereby suction results between the concave inner surface of the holder means and the surface of the eye for holding the pressure sensitive surface of said pressure transducer means in pressure-sensing contact with the surface of the eye; and wire leads operably connected to said pressure transducer means for supplying power thereto and for transmitting output signals therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification