Apparatus for signal transmission and detection using a contact device for physical measurement on the eye
First Claim
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 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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:
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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 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:
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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 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.
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6. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:
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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 for flattening or indenting a portion of the cornea when the device is located on the cornea;
said movable piece including a transparent central portion.
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7. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:
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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 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.
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8. A device for placement in contact with a cornea and for applanating or indenting the cornea, said device comprising:
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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 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.
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9. A system for measuring intraocular pressure by applanation, said system comprising:
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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 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.
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10. A system for measuring intraocular pressure by applanation, said system comprising:
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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 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. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification