Rebound Tonometer Docking Station and Probe Dispenser

Abstract

A docking station for receiving a handheld rebound tonometer and a probe container carrying a disposable tonometer probe, the docking station having a docking cavity for receiving a portion of the rebound tonometer and a container tray for receiving the probe container. The docking station has an actuation feature that is configured to move a lid associated with the probe container from a closed position to an open position when the container is inserted into the container tray so that the tonometer probe in the container can be accessed. The actuation feature may include a protrusion extending to an entry channel that leads to the container tray, the protrusion being used to engage the lid rather than the container so that further insertion of the container moves the lid from the closed position to the open position. The docking station may also have a storage recess for receiving an empty probe tube and lid after the probe is removed from the tube for use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact tonometer that utilizes a disposable probe to contact a subject's eye to measure intraocular pressure (IOP). Background Art

[0002] A rebound tonometer is a handheld instrument that pushes a movable measuring probe toward the cornea in a controlled manner to measure the intraocular pressure. During the measurement, the probe contacts the cornea, decelerates at a rate that depends on the intraocular pressure, and then rebounds back into the instrument housing in a direction away from the cornea. The rebound tonometer detects the movement of the measuring probe and determines the intraocular pressure based on the detected probe movement. For example, the measuring probe may have a magnetized axis that travels within a coil in the instrument housing. The coil can be energized momentarily to push the probe toward the cornea by electromagnetic force, and then, after the current energizing the coil is turned off, a current can be generated in the coil by moving the probe to provide a detectable voltage signal representing the change in probe velocity over time. The voltage signal can be recorded and processed to determine the measured IOP value.

[0003] For hygienic reasons, the measuring probe that contacts the cornea is a disposable part of the rebound tonometer device. A typical measuring probe comprises a thin metal shaft and a plastic fitting at the end of the shaft, which has a rounded tip for briefly contacting the cornea without damaging the corneal tissue. Commercially available tonometer probes are usually sold in bulk in a rectangular box container closed by a top cover. In this container, each individual probe is enclosed in a small cylindrical tube, one end of which is closed by a removable cylindrical cover. A typical test tube and cover together define a small cylindrical tube bottle with a diameter of about 5 mm and a length of about 45 mm.

[0004] To use a new probe, the operator must open the lid of the container, take the probe tube out of the container, remove the lid from the probe tube, position the probe tube near the measuring head of the rebound tonometer, and tilt the probe tube to slide the probe out of the tube so that the shaft of the probe is received in the measuring head of the rebound tonometer.

[0005] The procedure for obtaining and installing a new probe has practical drawbacks. Opening the lid on the container can result in a jostle and sometimes accidental spillage of the probe tubes from the container, especially when the lid is suddenly opened and closed on the container. Once the lid on the container is opened, the container can be inadvertently knocked off a bench or other supporting surface and onto the floor, causing the probe tubes to scatter in all directions. Because the probe tubes are cylindrical, they tend to roll under furniture and other equipment and are often impossible to retrieve. At the same time, the operator may already be holding the selected probe tube that was removed from the container, making it difficult for the operator to pick up the spilled probe tube and place the selected probe tube on a supporting surface without interrupting the procedure or it may be lost. Even if the container is not inadvertently knocked to the floor, the operator must place the empty tube and lid on a bench or supporting surface or locate a waste receptacle into which to discard the empty tube and lid after installing the probe in the rebound tonometer. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure provides a docking station for receiving a handheld rebound tonometer and a probe container carrying a disposable tonometer probe. The docking station generally includes a support assembly, the support assembly including a base having an upwardly open docking cavity for receiving a portion of the rebound tonometer and a container tray for receiving the probe container. The support assembly is characterized by an actuation feature, the actuation feature being configured to move a cover associated with the probe container from a closed position to an open position when the container is inserted into the container tray, so that a user can access the tonometer probe in the container.

[0007] In one embodiment, the support assembly may define an entryway into which the container and lid are inserted during insertion of the container into the container holder, and the actuation feature may include a protrusion extending into the entryway and configured to engage the lid rather than the container, such that further insertion of the container into the container holder causes the lid to move from the closed position to the open position. For example, the actuation feature may include a depending protrusion extending downwardly into the entryway.

[0008] The support assembly may further include a storage recess that provides a convenient space in which to place an empty cylindrical probe tube and corresponding cap after the probe itself has been removed from the tube for intraocular pressure measurement.

[0009] The docking station of the present disclosure provides a stable storage place for the probe container to prevent probe spillage and helps keep the work area around the patient organized and safe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will be more fully described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1is a perspective view of a rebound tonometer docking station formed according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a container of a rebound tonometer and a tonometer probe that can be received by the docking station is also shown;

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the docking station shown;

[0013] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the docking station;

[0014] Figure 4 It is a top plan view of the docking station;

[0015] Figure 5 It is usually along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the docking station taken along line VV in FIG.

[0016] Figures 6A-6D is similar to Figure 5 A series of cross-sectional views showing the process of inserting the container of the tonometer probe into the container holder of the docking station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 A docking station 10 formed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The docking station 10 has the functionality to receive and support a handheld rebound tonometer 2 and a probe container 3 carrying a tonometer probe 4. A cover 5 is associated with the container 3 and is movable relative to the container 3 from a closed position, in which the tonometer probe 4 is restrained in the container, to an open position, in which the tonometer probe 4 is accessible to a user.

[0018] Apart from Figure 1 In addition, we will now refer to Figure 2-5 The docking station 10 is described. The docking station 10 may include a support assembly 12 including a base 14 having an upwardly open docking cavity 16 for receiving a portion of the rebound tonometer 2 and having a container receptacle 18 for receiving the probe container 4. The support assembly 12 further includes an actuation feature 20 configured to move the cover 5 from a closed position to an open position when the container 3 is inserted into the container receptacle 18. As exemplified in the illustrated embodiment, the support assembly 12 may include a top 15 attached to the base 14.

[0019] The support assembly 12 can define an entryway 22 into which the probe receptacle 3 with the lid 5 is inserted during insertion of the receptacle into the receptacle holder 18. The top 15 can cover at least a portion of the entryway 22. The actuation feature 20 can include a protrusion extending to the entryway 22 and configured to engage the lid 5 rather than the receptacle 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation feature 20 is a depending protrusion extending downwardly to the entryway 22. For example, the actuation feature 20 can be a depending protrusion extending downwardly from the top 15. In alternative embodiments, the actuation feature 20 can be configured as a lateral protrusion extending laterally to the entryway 22, or a raised protrusion extending upwardly to the entryway 22.

[0020] The container holder 18 may be only partially covered by the top 15, so that the user can easily access the container 3 received in the container holder 18. Figure 5 As best shown, the container receptacle 18 may be inclined downwardly in the insertion direction of the container 3. The container receptacle 18 may terminate at an end wall 19 against which the front end of the container 3 will abut when the container 3 is fully inserted into the container receptacle 18.

[0021] The support assembly 12 may further include a storage recess 24, the size of which is designed to receive the cylindrical probe tube 6 and the corresponding cover 7, in which the measuring probe 4 is packaged in a sterile manner before use. In the embodiment shown, the top 15 includes the storage recess 24, but the storage recess 24 may also be provided at other locations of the support assembly 12, such as on the base 14.

[0022] The docking station 10 can act as a charging station for charging a rechargeable battery (not shown) for powering the tonometer 2, and can act as a data link to enable the tonometer to communicate with an external computer (not shown). For these purposes, the docking station 10 can include a USB port 30 that is electrically connected to the docked tonometer 2. The tonometer battery can be charged via a USB power adapter plugged into a standard power outlet. Tonometer measurement and usage data can be uploaded from the local memory of the tonometer to an external computer with hard drive storage via a USB data cable plugged into the communication port of the external computer. Conversely, software updates can be downloaded to the tonometer from the external computer via the USB data cable.

[0023] The base 14 and the top 15 may be molded from plastic. The top 15 may include a resilient attachment 26 configured to cooperate with a corresponding cutout 28 in the base 14 to enable the top 15 to be attached to the base 14 in a snap-on assembly.

[0024] Reference now Figures 6A-6D The manual insertion of the container 3 into the container holder 18 is described. Fig. 6AAs shown, the front end 3A of the container 3 is aligned with the inlet channel 22, ready for insertion. Fig. 6A It can be seen that the cover 5 is in a closed position relative to the container 3 , such that the tonometer probe 4 is trapped in the container 3 .

[0025] Figure 6B The container 3 with the lid 5 is shown when the container 3 is moved into the inlet channel 22. Figure 6B In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the front end 3A of the container 3 has not yet reached the actuation feature 20 , and the lid 5 is still in the closed position relative to the container 3 .

[0026] Figure 6C The container 3 with the lid 5 is shown just as the front end 3A of the container 3 reaches the actuation feature 20. Figure 6C , the lid 5 is still in the closed position, but now the front edge 5A of the lid 5 is engaged by the actuation feature 20. The container 3 is not engaged by the actuation feature 20.

[0027] at last, Fig.6D The container 3 is shown further inserted into the container holder 18 until the front end 3A abuts the end wall 19. As will be appreciated, further insertion of the container 3 causes the lid 5 to move from the closed position to the closed position. Fig.6D The open position is shown in which the user has access to the tonometer probe 4. In this embodiment, the cover 5, engaged by the actuation feature 20, slides telescopically relative to the container 3 as the container continues in the insertion direction.

[0028] Although the present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments, the detailed description is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims to the specific embodiments set forth. The claims are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents of the described embodiments, which alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A docking station for receiving a handheld rebound tonometer and a probe container carrying a tonometer probe, wherein: a cover associated with the container and movable relative to the container from a closed position in which the tonometer probe is restrained in the container to an open position in which the tonometer probe is accessible to a user, the docking station comprising: A support assembly, the support assembly comprising a base having an upwardly open docking cavity for receiving a portion of the rebound tonometer, and the base having a container holder for receiving the probe container; wherein the support assembly defines an entry channel, and during the process of inserting the container into the container holder, the container and the cover are inserted into the entry channel, wherein the support assembly further comprises a top portion attached to the base, wherein the top portion covers at least a portion of the entryway; and The support assembly further includes a protrusion extending to the entryway and configured to engage the lid instead of the container to move the lid from the closed position to the open position when the container is inserted into the container holder; The projection is an overhanging projection extending downwardly to the inlet passage.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the overhanging protrusion extends downwardly from the top.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the container holder is partially covered by the top.

4. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the container holder is inclined downward along an insertion direction of the container. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the top portion includes a storage recess.

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