Method and apparatus for signal transmission and detection using a contact device

• US 6,123,668 A
• Filed: 03/23/1999
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Geelux Holdings, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Marcio Marc Abreu
• Inventors: Abreu, Marcio Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US09/274,882
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 600/558, 600/584, 600/405, 600/404, 600/400, 600/399, 604/19
• US Class Current: 600/405
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0418 Pen-shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/1241 specially adapted for observation of ocular blood flow, e.g. by fluorescein angiography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14555 specially adapted for the eye fundus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/416 the spleen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/445 Evaluating skin irritation or skin trauma, e.g. rash, eczema, wound, bed sore
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 : Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 : Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 : Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 : Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0017 : implantable in, or in contact with, the eye, e.g. ocular inserts
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 : Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 : Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00

Abstract

Utilization of a contact device placed on the front part of the eye in order to detect physical and chemical parameters of the body as well as the non-invasive delivery of compounds according to these physical and chemical parameters, with signals preferably being transmitted continuously as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared and the like. One of the parameters to be detected includes non-invasive blood analysis utilizing chemical changes and chemical products that are found in the front part of the eye and in the tear film. A transensor mounted in the contact device laying on the cornea or the surface of the eye is capable of evaluating and measuring physical and chemical parameters in the eye including non-invasive blood analysis. The system preferably utilizes eye lid motion and/or closure of the eye lid to activate a microminiature radio frequency sensitive transensor mounted in the contact device. The signal can be communicated by cable, but is preferably actively or passively radio telemetered to an externally placed receiver. The signal can then be processed, analyzed and stored. Several parameters can be detected including a complete non-invasive analysis of blood components, measurement of systemic and ocular blood flow, measurement of heart rate and respiratory rate, tracking operations, detection of ovulation, detection of radiation and drug effects, diagnosis of ocular and systemic disorders and the like. Other advantages are somnolence awareness, activation of devices by disabled individuals, a new drug delivery system and new therapy for ocular and neurologic disorders, and treatment of cancer in the eye or other parts of the body, and an evaluation system for the overall health status of an individual. The device quantifies non-invasively the amount of the different chemical components in the blood using a contact device with suitable electrodes and membranes laying on the surface of the eye and in direct contact with the tear film or surface of the eye, with the data being preferably transmitted utilizing radio waves, but alternatively sound waves, light waves, wire, or telephone lines can be used for transmission.

Claims

1. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having an opening defined in at least said inner concave surface;

a movable piece slidably disposed within said opening and having a substantially flat inner side for deforming a portion of the cornea when the device is located on the cornea; and

a flexible membrane secured to said inner concave surface of the member, said flexible membrane having at least one transparent area.

2. A contact device of claim 1, wherein said member has a maximum thickness at said opening and a progressively decreasing thickness toward an outer periphery of said member.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said member has a substantially cylindrical wall defined circumferentially around said opening, said movable piece being slidably disposed within said opening in a piston-like manner.

4. A contact device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said member includes indicia used to measure an amount of movement of said member.

5. A system for measuring intraocular pressure by indentation, said system comprising:

an indentation device for placement on a cornea and for indenting the cornea, said indentation device comprising;

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having an opening defined in at least one of said inner concave surface and an outer surface; and

a movable piece disposed within said opening, said movable piece being arranged so that sliding thereof toward the cornea causes indentation of a portion of the cornea when the indentation device is located on the cornea;

an actuation apparatus for actuating said movable piece to cause sliding of said movable piece so that said movable piece projects inwardly against said cornea to thereby indent said portion of the cornea using a predetermined amount of force;

a detection device for detecting at least one of a distance travelled by said movable piece and an amount of deformation of said portion of the cornea; and

a device for determining intraocular pressure based on the movement by said movable piece in response to said predetermined amount of force.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said movable piece includes a magnetically responsive element arranged so as to produce sliding of said movable piece in response to a magnetic field;

and

wherein said actuation apparatus includes a device for applying a magnetic field to said movable piece.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein:

said device for applying a magnetic field includes a coil and an electrical current passing through said coil in a progressively increasing manner until said predetermined amount of force is achieved, said electrical current being proportional to the amount of force applied by said movable piece.

8. A contact device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said member includes indicia used to measure an amount of movement of said member.

9. A method for non-invasively measuring outflow of eye fluid from the eye, said method comprising the steps of:

placing a device in contact with a cornea;

moving at least one portion of said device toward the cornea using a first predetermined amount of force to deform the cornea;

determining an intraocular pressure based on movement toward the cornea by said at least one portion of said device during application of said first predetermined amount of force;

rapidly reciprocating said at least one portion toward and away from the cornea at a first predetermined frequency and forcing intraocular fluid out from the eye;

moving said at least one portion of the device toward the cornea using a second predetermined amount of force to deform the cornea;

determining an intraocular pressure based on movement toward the cornea by said at least one portion of said device during application of said second predetermined amount of force;

again rapidly reciprocating said at least one portion toward and away from the cornea at a second predetermined frequency to thereby force more intraocular fluid out from the eye.

10. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having an opening defined in at least one of said inner concave surface and an outer surface of the member; and

a movable piece slidably disposed within said opening and having a substantially flat inner side for flattening or indenting a portion of the cornea when the device is located on the cornea;

said movable piece having a substantially transparent peripheral portion.

11. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having an opening defined in at least one of said inner concave surface and an outer surface of the member; and

a movable piece slidably disposed within said opening and having a substantially flat inner side for flattening or indenting a portion of the cornea when the device is located on the cornea; and

said movable piece including a transparent central portion.

12. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having a hole defined therein; and

a movable piece slidably disposed within said hole and having a substantially flat inner side for deforming a portion of the cornea when the device is located on the cornea; and

an actuating device for causing said movable piece to move inwardly against said cornea to deform said portion of the cornea, said actuating device being able to measure an amount of deformation of the cornea during actuation.

13. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having a hole defined therein;

a movable piece slidably disposed within said hole and having a substantially flat inner side for deforming a portion of the cornea when the device is located on the cornea;

said movable piece including a magnetically responsive element arranged so as to produce sliding of said movable piece in response to a magnetic field, said magnetically responsive element being measurable in its amount of movement to determine an amount of deformation of the cornea.

14. A system for measuring intraocular pressure by applanation, said system comprising:

a device for placement in contact with a cornea and for deforming the cornea, said device comprising;

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having an opening in at least one of the inner surface and an outer surface thereof; and

a movable piece slidably disposed within said opening and having a substantially flat inner side for deforming a portion of the cornea while the device is located on the cornea;

an actuation apparatus for actuating said movable piece to cause sliding of said movable central piece so that said movable piece projects inwardly against said cornea to deform said portion of the cornea;

a detection device for detecting when a predetermined amount of deformation of the cornea has been achieved;

a device for determining intraocular pressure based on an amount of force said movable piece must apply against the cornea in order to achieve said predetermined amount of deformation; and

a distance measurement device for indicating whether said device for placement in contact with the cornea is at a proper axial distance from said actuation apparatus and said detection device.

15. A system for measuring intraocular pressure by applanation, said system comprising:

a device for placement in contact with a cornea and for deforming the cornea, said device comprising;

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having an opening in at least one of the inner surface and an outer surface thereof; and

a movable piece slidably disposed within said opening and having a substantially flat inner side for deforming a portion of the cornea while the device is located on the cornea;

an actuation apparatus for actuating said movable piece to cause sliding of said movable piece so that said movable piece projects inwardly against said cornea to deform said portion of the cornea;

a detection device for detecting when a predetermined amount of deformation of the cornea has been achieved by said movable piece;

a device for determining intraocular pressure based on an amount of force said movable piece must apply against the cornea in order to achieve said predetermined amount of deformation; and

an alignment device for indicating whether said device for placement in contact with the cornea is properly aligned with said actuation apparatus and said detection device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said alignment device includes an optical alignment mechanism.

17. An apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure by deformation, said apparatus comprising:

an actuation device for remotely moving at least a portion of a contact member against a cornea to deform a portion of the cornea,

a detection device for detecting when a predetermined amount of deformation of the cornea has been achieved, and

a device for determining intraocular pressure based upon an amount of force said contact member must apply against the cornea to achieve said predetermined amount of deformation.

18. A system for measuring intraocular pressure by indentation, said system comprising:

an indentation device for placement on a cornea and for indenting the cornea, said indentation device comprising;

a member having an inner concave surface shaped to match an outer surface of the cornea and having indicia on said member for measuring an amount of deformation of the cornea by the member according to measured movement of the indicia when moved by a remote source.