Intraocular Pressure Sensor with External Pressure Compensation

• US 20110071505A1
• Filed: 09/21/2009
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research, LLC (Alcon Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Rickard, Matthew, Sanchez, Robert JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,257,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/540
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/002 Implant devices for drainage of body fluids from one part of the body to another intraocular A61F9/00781; middle ear A61F11/202

Abstract

An intraocular pressure sensor system has a first pressure sensor located in an anterior chamber of an eye and a remote pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor. The remote pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure. A difference between readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor approximates intraocular pressure.

Claims

1. An intraocular pressure sensor system comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with an anterior chamber of an eye; and

a remote pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor such that the remote pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure

wherein a difference between readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor approximates intraocular pressure.

2. The pressure sensor system of claim 1 further comprising:

a processor;

a power source coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to read the measured resistance.

3. The pressure sensor system of claim 2 wherein the processor writes values corresponding to intraocular pressure to the memory.

4. The pressure sensor system of claim 2 further comprising:

a data transmission module coupled to the processor.

5. The pressure sensor system of claim 1 wherein the remote pressure sensor is located in a subconjunctival space of the eye.

6. The pressure sensor system of claim 1 further comprising:

a barrier that separates the first pressure sensor from the remote pressure sensor.

7. The pressure sensor system of claim 1 further comprising:

a tube; and

an end cap that fits onto an end of the tube, wherein the first pressure sensor is located at a first end of the end cap and the remote pressure sensor is located at a second end of the end cap.

8. The pressure sensor system of claim 1 further comprising:

a tube with a valve; and

a controller configured to control the valve based on the readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor.

9. The pressure sensor system of claim 8 wherein a substantially constant intraocular pressure is maintained in the eye by controlling the valve.

10. The pressure sensor system of claim 8 wherein a substantially constant intraocular pressure drop is maintained by controlling the valve.

11. An intraocular pressure sensor system comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in fluid communication with an anterior chamber of an eye; and

a second pressure sensor located in a drainage location;

wherein a difference between readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor approximates a pressure differential between the anterior chamber and the drainage location.

12. The pressure sensor system of claim 11 further comprising:

a processor;

a power source coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to read the measured resistance.

13. The pressure sensor system of claim 12 wherein the processor writes values corresponding to the pressure differential to the memory.

14. The pressure sensor system of claim 12 further comprising:

a data transmission module coupled to the processor.

15. The pressure sensor system of claim 11 further comprising:

a tube with a valve; and

a controller configured to control the valve based on the readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.

16. The pressure sensor system of claim 15 wherein a substantially constant pressure differential is maintained by controlling the valve.

17. The pressure sensor system of claim 15 wherein the pressure differential is adjusted by controlling the valve.

18. An intraocular pressure sensor system comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in a drainage location; and

a remote pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor such that the remote pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure

wherein a difference between readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor approximates pressure in the drainage location.

19. The pressure sensor system of claim 18 further comprising:

a processor;

a power source coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to read the measured resistance.

20. The pressure sensor system of claim 19 wherein the processor writes values corresponding to the pressure differential to the memory.

21. The pressure sensor system of claim 19 further comprising:

a data transmission module coupled to the processor.

22. The pressure sensor system of claim 18 further comprising:

a barrier that separates the first pressure sensor from the remote pressure sensor.

23. The pressure sensor system of claim 18 further comprising:

a tube with a valve; and

a controller configured to control the valve based on the readings from the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor.

24. The pressure sensor system of claim 23 wherein a substantially constant pressure is maintained in the drainage location by controlling the valve.

25. The pressure sensor system of claim 23 wherein the pressure in the drainage location is adjusted by controlling the valve.