Intraocular pressure sensor with external pressure compensation

• US 8,257,295 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2009
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): DEAK, LESLIE R
• Application Number:
  US12/563,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20110071505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 604/8, 604/9
• US Class Current: 604/9
• 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 an anterior chamber of an eye;

a remote pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor and under a conjunctiva of the eye such that the remote pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure;

wherein the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor are located in a unitary implant and a difference between a first pressure reading from the first pressure sensor and a remote pressure reading from the remote pressure sensor approximates intraocular pressure;

a tube with a valve; and

a controller configured to control the valve based on the first pressure reading and the remote pressure reading.

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.

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 further comprising:

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

6. The pressure sensor system of claim 1 wherein a substantially constant intraocular pressure is maintained in the eye by controlling the valve.

7. The pressure sensor system of claim 1 wherein a substantially constant intraocular pressure drop is maintained by controlling the valve.

8. An intraocular pressure sensor system comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in an anterior chamber of an eye;

a second pressure sensor located in a drainage location within the eye;

wherein the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are located in a unitary implant and a difference between a first pressure reading readings from the first pressure sensor and a second pressure reading from the second pressure sensor approximates a pressure differential between the anterior chamber and the drainage location;

a tube with a valve; and

a controller configured to control the valve based on the first pressure reading and the second pressure reading.

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

a processor;

a power source coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor.

10. The pressure sensor system of claim 9 wherein the processor writes values corresponding to the pressure differential to the memory.

11. The pressure sensor system of claim 9 further comprising:

a data transmission module coupled to the processor.

12. The pressure sensor system of claim 8 wherein a substantially constant pressure differential is maintained by controlling the valve.

13. The pressure sensor system of claim 8 wherein the pressure differential is adjusted by controlling the valve.

14. An intraocular pressure sensor system comprising:

a first pressure sensor located in a drainage location within an eye;

a remote pressure sensor located remotely from the first pressure sensor and under a conjunctiva of the eye such that the remote pressure sensor measures or approximates atmospheric pressure;

wherein the first pressure sensor and the remote pressure sensor are located in a unitary implant and a difference between a first pressure reading from the first pressure sensor and a remote pressure reading from approximates pressure in the drainage location;

a tube with a valve; and

a controller configured to control the valve based on the first pressure reading and the second pressure reading.

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

a processor;

a power source coupled to the processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor.

16. The pressure sensor system of claim 15 wherein the processor writes values corresponding to the pressure differential to the memory.

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

a data transmission module coupled to the processor.

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

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

19. The pressure sensor system of claim 14 wherein a substantially constant pressure is maintained in the drainage location by controlling the valve.

20. The pressure sensor system of claim 14 wherein the pressure in the drainage location is adjusted by controlling the valve.