Ophthermometry: a method of measuring eye temperature for diagnosis and surgery

• US 5,115,815 A
• Filed: 09/18/1990
• Issued: 05/26/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald H. Hansen
• Original Assignee: Donald H. Hansen
• Inventors: Hansen, Donald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PONTIUS, KEVIN LANE
• Application Number:
  US07/584,520
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 128/664, 128/736, 250/330-334, 250/349, 374/124, 374/137, 374/121, 351/200, 351/221
• US Class Current: 600/474
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0406 specially shaped apparatus housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20

Abstract

The use of ophthermometers in a new field of ophthermology in the passive detection of thermal discrepance in the eyes of a person and its relation to health impairment and/or alcohol and drug abuse. Ophthermology has many uses. It can be used to initially establish a baseline or normal temperature for reference in identifying future eye problems. Readings can be taken from the pupil iris area or the white of the eye from the optic nerve to the cornea. Taking eye temperature before eye surgery can determine whether blood flow is adequate to permit surgery. Eye surgery can be monitored to determine the extent surgical wounds have healed and when the cease medication. Eye temperature readings can determine the fit of contact lenses, especially in fitting abnormal distorted corneas. Eye socket temperature can be measured to detect infection after traume of eye removal. Eye temperature differential can indicate reduced carotid flow and early detection of risk of stroke. Temperature readings assist in determining the effeciency of drug therapy. They also indicate impairment from alcohol and/or drugs. Intensive research and development of infrared thermography instruments have provided accurate, rapid, stable and repeatable readings that are relatively insensitive to user technique, making eye temperature patterns and data a part of accepted diagnostic procedures.

Claims

1. A method of detecting eye abnormality in a subject due to abnormal blood flow comprising the steps of detecting and measuring temperatures of the eyes of the subject and comparing such temperatures with known temperature norms.

2. A method of detecting eye abnormality in a subject due to abnormal blood flow as set forth in claim 1 comprising the steps of establishing temperature norms for the subject is eye under normal eye blood flow conditions and comparing this temperature with present eye temperatures of said subject.

3. A method of detecting eye abnormality in a subject as set forth in claim 1 due to abnormal blood flow Caused by misfunctioning of the thyroid gland, pain in an eye, infection, regulation of medication, use of alcohol and drugs comprising the steps of taking eye temperatures of the subject and comparing it with established temperature norms for the subject and clinically established temperatures norms.

4. A method of detecting the presence of stimulants and depressives in a person'"'"'s bloodstream comprising the steps of measuring eye temperatures of the person when the person'"'"'s bloodstream is known to be free of stimulants and depressives, measuring the person'"'"'s eye temperatures at a time when such presence is suspect, comparing such temperatures and noting differences in such temperatures.

5. A method of detecting possible arteriosclerotic disease of the extracranial carotid arterial complex comprising measuring the temperatures of each eye of a person and noting any difference between the two temperatures.

6. The method of performing eye surgery comprising the steps of taking the temperature of the impaired eye eye to determine whether blood flow is adequate to permit the surgery, performing the surgery if the blood flow is adequate, and monitoring the eye temperature after the surgery is performed.