813results about "Tonometers" patented technology

An implantable intraocular physiological sensor for measuring intraocular pressure, glucose concentration in the aqueous humor, and other physiological characteristics. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may be at least partially powered by a fuel cell, such as an electrochemical glucose fuel cell. The implantable intraocular physiological sensor may wirelessly transmit measurements to an external device. In addition, the implantable intraocular physiological sensor may incorporate aqueous drainage and/or drug delivery features.

A trabecular pump is implantable in the eye to reduce intraocular pressure. The pump drains aqueous humor from the anterior chamber into outflow pathways, such as Schlemm's canal. A feedback system includes the intraocular pump and a pressure sensor in communication with the pump, for regulating intraocular pressure.

A device for passively measuring intraocular pressure of a patient including an in vivo sensor and an instrument external to the patient for remotely energizing the sensor, thereby permitting the instrument to determine the intraocular pressure. The device directly and continuously measures the intraocular pressure of a patient. The in vivo sensor in the intraocular pressure monitor includes a capacitive pressure sensor and an inductive component. An instrument, external to the patient, measures the pressure, provides readout of the pressure values and determines the intraocular pressure.

An implantable miniaturized pressure sensor integrates a capacitor and an inductor in one small chip, forming a resonant LC circuit having a Q value of 10 or greater. The capacitor has an upper capacitor plate and a lower capacitor plate disposed proximate thereof. The upper and lower capacitor plates are connected to one or more spiral inductor coils. The sensor is micromachined from silicon to form a thin and robust membrane disposed on top of the upper capacitor plate. The sensor is hermetically sealed and the membrane is deflected relative to the upper capacitor plate by an external fluid, gas, or mechanical pressure. The resonant frequency of the sensor can be remotely monitored and continuously measured with an external detector pick up coil disposed proximate the sensor. The sensor can be smaller than 2×2×0.5 mm and is particularly useful for intraocular applications.

A telemetry method and apparatus using pressure sensing elements remotely located from associated pick-up, and processing units for the sensing and monitoring of pressure within an environment. This includes remote pressure sensing apparatus incorporating a magnetically-driven resonator being hermetically-sealed within an encapsulating shell or diaphragm and associated new method of sensing pressure. The resonant structure of the magnetically-driven resonator is suitable for measuring quantities convertible to changes in mechanical stress or mass. The resonant structure can be integrated into pressure sensors, adsorbed mass sensors, strain sensors, and the like. The apparatus and method provide information by utilizing, or listening for, the residence frequency of the oscillating resonator. The resonant structure listening frequencies of greatest interest are those at the mechanical structure's fundamental or harmonic resonant frequency. The apparatus is operable within a wide range of environments for remote one-time, random, periodic, or continuous/on-going monitoring of a particular fluid environment. Applications include biomedical applications such as measuring intraocular pressure, blood pressure, and intracranial pressure sensing.

A trabecular shunt and methods for treating glaucoma are disclosed. One of the methods comprises transporting fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to Schlemm's canal through an implant, the implant extending between the anterior chamber and Schlemm's canal; sensing an intraocular pressure using a sensor incorporated into the implant; and transmitting a signal indicative of the sensed pressure to an external receiver.

Utilization of a contact device placed on 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 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 conjunctiva 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 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 wires or 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.

A new and improved method and apparatus for treating glaucoma is described herein. A device for directing aqueous humor from an anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal comprises a seton, and may further comprise a pump operatively connected to the seton. The seton conducts aqueous directly from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal so that it can drain directly into the aqueous veins leading to the venous circulation. The seton for lowering intraocular pressure of an associated eye comprises a first tube adapted to be inserted into an associated anterior chamber of the eye; and, two wing tubes extending from the first tube. The two wing tubes are adapted to be inserted into Schlemm's canal. The two wing tubes and the first tube form a substantially continuous passageway, such that aqueous humor flows from the anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal through the substantially continuous passageway.

An apparatus (180) for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) comprises a contact lens (40) including an inner surface (42) contoured to a surface portion (34) of an eye (36) and a sensor (10) disposed in the contact lens. The sensor (10) comprises a contact surface (14) for making contact with the surface portion (34) of the eye (36). The contact surface (14) includes an outer non-compliant region (16) and an inner compliant region (18) fabricated as an impedance element that varies in impedance as the inner compliant region changes shape. The sensor (10) further comprises a region of conductive material (38) electrically coupled to the impedance element of the compliant region (18) and responsive to an external signal for energizing the impedance element so that the IOP may be determined.

A method and system includes multiple displays that can be separately controlled by users who are part of a surgical team. The first display will include information to assist a first user through the steps of a surgical procedure and the second display will assist a second user though the steps taken by the second user to perform the surgical procedure.

Systems and methods for automatically monitoring and controlling pressure in a body part are disclosed. The systems include an implantable tube with one open end of the tube implanted in the body part, an implantable valve coupled with the tube having at least one open state and a closed state, an implantable sensor for measuring pressure, and an implantable control device coupled with the sensor and the valve. The control device switches the valve between the at least one open state and the closed state, based on pressure information received from the sensor. When the valve is in the at least one open state, the tube drains fluids from the body part due to a difference of pressure between the open ends of the tube. Methods for using the systems to administer drugs and monitor and control fluid pressures in various biological systems are also disclosed.

A method for measuring an intraocular pressure within an eye has several steps. An intraocular pressure sensor that is adapted to be implanted intrasclerally is provided. An incision is cut through a scleral layer of the eye. The scleral layer is lifted with a grasping tool. The intraocular pressure sensor is inserted under the scleral layer, and the incision of the scleral layer is closed.

An inflatable mask with two ocular cavities can seal against a user's face by forming an air-tight seal around the periphery of the user's eye socket. The sealed air-tight ocular cavity can be pressurized to take ocular measurements. The mask can conform to the contours of a user's face by inflating or deflating the mask. In addition, the distance between the user and a medical device (e.g. an optical coherence tomography instrument) can be adjusted by inflating or deflating the mask. Also disclosed herein is an electronic encounter portal and an automated eye examination. Other embodiments are also described.

The present invention provides a shunt for the flow of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye to Schlemm's canal. The device comprises at least one lumen and optionally has at least one anchor extending from the proximal portion within the anterior chamber to assist in placement and anchoring of the device in the correct anatomic position.

The invention is characterized in that it comprises a truncated contact lens (1), whose truncation plane is parallel to the base of said contact lens, and a polymeric nanocomposite material (2) centrally disposed and attached to the perimeter of the truncated area, said material being sensitive to pressure changes, biocompatible and transparent, and including contact electrodes (3), and in that it also comprises means for transmitting IOP measurement data to an external system. The invention also relates to a method for measuring IOP using said lens comprising: i) placing said sensor contact lens in the eye to determine its intraocular pressure; ii) providing a direct current value between external electrodes; iii) ΔV measurement between internal electrodes; and iv) identifying whether the value obtained is outside the linear response, expressed in changes of resistivity, of the polymeric nanocomposite material. The invention also relates to a telemetry system comprising said lens.

Disclosed is a device adapted to measure intraocular pressure comprising: a corneal contact lens having a pressure sensor mounted in a recess or cavity in the contact lens, and wherein the contact lens has a back surface which is formed so as to protrude in a desired portion beyond the profile of the adjacent part of the lens and thus to press against the cornea, which protruding portion experiences a reactive deformation which is detected directly or indirectly by the pressure sensor.

This document provides methods and materials related to treating glaucoma. For example, devices that can be implanted into a human's eye to treat glaucoma, methods for treating glaucoma, compositions for reducing polypeptide clogging of implanted devices, and methods for making devices for treating glaucoma are provided.

A shunt having a conduit sized to fit within Schlemm's canal, the conduit having an inlet intermediate a proximal end and a distal end and a Venturi feature arranged within the conduit so as to control flow from the inlet into the conduit. The shunt may include a pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure within an eye, coupled to the Venturi feature, the Venturi feature being configured to control flow from the inlet into the conduit in response to a pressure measurement from the sensor. Also, the pressure sensor may be coupled to a pump that is adapted to control flow from the inlet into the conduit in response to a pressure measurement from the sensor.