Intraocular pressure measuring device

Abstract

This application discloses an intraocular pressure (IOP) measuring device, including a probe and a conduit. The probe includes a main body and a probe head disposed at one end of the main body. The main body is made of a magnetic material. The conduit has a slide extending along a first direction inside. The main body is movably disposed in the slide along the first direction. The slide includes a first segment and a second segment. The radius of the cross-section of the first segment perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than the radius of the cross-section of the second segment perpendicular to the first direction. The IOP measuring device of this application, by dividing the slide into multiple segments with the radius of the first segment being smaller than the radius of the second segment, ensures that the probe moves within the slide and primarily engages with the first segment, reducing frictional resistance and improving measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the radius of the second segment can be appropriately increased, reducing the accuracy requirements for the straightness and surface roughness of the probe and the second segment, thereby lowering the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the IOP measuring device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of medical device technology, and in particular relates to an intraocular pressure measuring device. Background Technology

[0002] A tonometer is an instrument used to measure intraocular pressure, which can aid in the diagnosis of conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. A tonometer typically consists of a corneal shape change generator, a corneal deformation measurement system or a contact corneal device, and a pressure transducer sensor. Common tonometer products include non-contact tonometers, applanation tonometers, contact piezoelectric tonometers, spring-loaded tonometers, and indentation tonometers.

[0003] A rebound tonometer includes a probe, a conduit for housing the probe, and a coil for driving the probe to move. During the acceleration driven by the coil and the deceleration during the rebound after impacting the eyeball, the probe may wobble and rub against the inner wall of the conduit due to factors such as magnetic force, its own weight, and its own error, which affects the accuracy of the measurement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an intraocular pressure measurement device that can improve measurement accuracy.

[0005] This application provides an intraocular pressure measurement device, including a probe and a conduit. The probe includes a main body and a probe head disposed at one end of the main body. The material of the main body includes a magnetic material. The conduit has a slide extending along a first direction inside. The main body is movably disposed in the slide along the first direction. The slide includes a first segment and a second segment. The radius of the cross-section of the first segment in the vertical first direction is smaller than the radius of the cross-section of the second segment in the vertical first direction.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, the slide includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other in a first direction. The first end has an opening, and at least a portion of the probe head extends out of the opening into the slide. The second segment is located between the first segment and the opening, and the length of the second segment in the first direction is greater than the length of the first segment in the first direction.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, the slide further includes a third section, which is located on the side of the first section away from the second section, and the radius of the cross section of the first section in the vertical first direction is smaller than the radius of the cross section of the third section in the vertical first direction.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, the radius of the cross-section of the second segment in the vertical first direction is equal to the radius of the cross-section of the third segment in the vertical first direction.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, it further includes: a coil support connected to a conduit; a first coil connected to the coil support, the first coil being disposed around the main body and used to drive the probe to move along a first direction; and a second coil connected to the coil support, the first coil being disposed around the main body and used to detect the motion state of the probe.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, the probe has an initial position in the slide; the intraocular pressure measuring device further includes a third coil connected to a coil support, the third coil being used to drive the probe to move along a second direction until the probe is in the initial position, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, a third coil is disposed around the main body portion, and the third coil is located between the first coil and the second coil.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, the third coil is a disc coil, and the third coil is located on the side of the main body away from the probe head.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, the slide further includes an inclined section, which connects the first section and the second section; along the direction away from the first section, the radius of the cross section of the inclined section in the direction perpendicular to the first section gradually increases.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the first aspect of this application, the conduit includes a boss portion that protrudes into the slide and forms a first section.

[0015] The intraocular pressure measurement device of this application includes a probe and a conduit. The probe includes a main body and a probe head disposed at one end of the main body. The main body is made of a magnetic material. The conduit has a slide extending along a first direction inside. The main body is movably disposed in the slide along the first direction. The slide includes a first segment and a second segment. The radius of the cross-section of the first segment perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than the radius of the cross-section of the second segment perpendicular to the first direction. By dividing the slide into multiple segments, with the radius of the first segment being smaller than the radius of the second segment, the probe moves within the slide and engages with the first segment as much as possible, reducing the frictional resistance encountered by the probe during movement and thus improving measurement accuracy. Secondly, the radius of the second segment can be appropriately enlarged, thereby reducing the accuracy requirements for the straightness and surface roughness of the probe and the second segment, and thus reducing the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the intraocular pressure measurement device. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an intraocular pressure measuring device according to some embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 An example is shown. Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of the intraocular pressure measurement device at position A;

[0019] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an example probe is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 An example is shown. Figure 2 A magnified view of the intermediate intraocular pressure measurement device with the probe hidden;

[0021] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view showing another example of an intraocular pressure measurement device;

[0022] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view showing yet another example of an intraocular pressure measuring device;

[0023] Figure 7 An example is shown. Figure 6 The structural diagram of the third coil in the middle.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] 10. Probe; 11. Main body; 12. Probe head; 121. Inclined part;

[0026] 20. Conduit; 21. Slide; 211. First section; 212. Second section; 213. First end; 2131. Opening; 214. Second end; 215. Third section; 216. Inclined section; 22. Boss;

[0027] 30. Coil support;

[0028] 40. First coil;

[0029] 50. Second coil;

[0030] 60. The third coil;

[0031] x, the first direction; y, the second direction. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will be described in detail below. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only intended to explain this application and not to limit it. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples.

[0033] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0034] The applicant discovered that in the prior art, the rebound tonometer includes a probe, a conduit for accommodating the probe, and a coil for driving the probe to move. During the acceleration driven by the coil and the deceleration during the rebound after impacting the eyeball, the probe may wobble and rub against the inner wall of the conduit due to factors such as magnetic force, its own weight, and its own error, affecting the accuracy of the measurement.

[0035] In view of the above problems, the applicant proposes an intraocular pressure measurement device, comprising: a probe, including a main body and a probe head disposed at one end of the main body, the main body being made of a magnetic material; a magnetic attraction mechanism for attracting the probe; and a first coil, the first coil being disposed around the main body, the first coil including a driving state and a detection state, wherein in the driving state the first coil is used to drive the probe to move, and in the detection state the first coil is used to detect the movement state of the probe.

[0036] The intraocular pressure measurement device provided in this application divides the slide into multiple segments, with the radius of the first segment being smaller than that of the second segment. This ensures that the probe moves within the slide and engages primarily with the first segment, reducing frictional resistance and thus improving measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the radius of the second segment can be appropriately increased, thereby reducing the precision requirements for straightness and surface roughness of the probe and the second segment, ultimately lowering the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the intraocular pressure measurement device.

[0037] To better understand this application, the intraocular pressure measuring device of this application embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the x-direction in the drawings is a first direction, and the y-direction is a second direction. In the drawings, for ease of drawing, the dimensions are not necessarily proportional to actual dimensions.

[0038] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an intraocular pressure measuring device according to some embodiments of this application; Figure 2 An example is shown. Figure 1 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of the intraocular pressure measurement device at position A;

[0039] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an example probe is shown; Figure 4 An example is shown. Figure 2 A magnified view of the middle intraocular pressure measurement device behind the hidden probe.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this application provides an intraocular pressure measurement device, including a probe 10 and a catheter 20. The probe 10 includes a main body 11 and a probe head 12 disposed at one end of the main body 11. The material of the main body 11 includes a magnetic material. The catheter 20 has a slide 21 extending along a first direction (x direction in the figure) inside. The main body 11 is movably disposed in the slide 21 along the first direction x. The slide 21 includes a first segment 211 and a second segment 212. The radius of the cross-section of the first segment 211 perpendicular to the first direction x (R1 in the figure) is smaller than the radius of the cross-section of the second segment 212 perpendicular to the first direction x (R2 in the figure).

[0041] Optionally, both the slide 21 and the main body 11 have circular cross-sectional shapes in the direction perpendicular to the first x. The main body 11 and the probe head 12 can be integrally formed or assembled together by a connecting structure. The material of the main body 11 includes magnetic materials, and the material of the probe head 12 includes elastic materials, such as plastic, to prevent the probe head 12 from causing harm to the eyes when it comes into contact with them. The probe head 12 is preferably disposable, while the main body 11 is preferably reusable. The main body 11 can be made entirely of magnetic materials or partially of magnetic materials, including ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, or magnetizable materials.

[0042] In a prior art intraocular pressure measurement device, the single-sided gap between the probe 10 and the slide 21 is 0.1 mm, requiring the slide 21 to be processed to be both thin and long. In this embodiment, the single-sided gap between the first segment 211 and the main body 11 is 0.05 mm-0.1 mm, and the single-sided gap between the second segment 212 and the main body 11 is 0.1-0.6 mm. This achieves both a smaller single-sided gap between the first segment 211 and the main body 11 and a larger single-sided gap between the second segment 212 and the main body 11.

[0043] The intraocular pressure measurement device provided in this embodiment divides the slide 21 into multiple segments. The radius of the first segment 211 is smaller than that of the second segment 212. This allows the probe 10 to move within the slide 21 and engage with the first segment 211 as much as possible, reducing the frictional resistance experienced by the probe 10 and thus improving measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the radius of the second segment 212 can be appropriately increased, reducing the accuracy requirements for the straightness and surface roughness of the probe 10 and the second segment 212, thereby lowering the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the intraocular pressure measurement device.

[0044] In some alternative embodiments, the conduit 20 further includes a boss portion 22 that protrudes into the slide 21 and encloses to form a first segment 211.

[0045] In some alternative embodiments, the slide 21 includes a first end 213 and a second end 214 opposite each other in a first direction x. The first end 213 has an opening 2131, through which at least a portion of the probe head 12 extends out of the slide 21. A second segment 212 is located between the first segment 211 and the opening 2131, and the length of the second segment 212 in the first direction x is greater than the length of the first segment 211 in the first direction x.

[0046] Optionally, the length of the first segment 211 in the first direction x is 0.3-3mm, and the length of the second segment 212 in the first direction x is 10-30mm. The length of the first segment 211 is much smaller than the length of the second segment 212.

[0047] The intraocular pressure measurement device provided in this embodiment further reduces the frictional resistance experienced by the probe 10 during movement by making the length of the first segment 211 much smaller than the length of the second segment 212, and also reduces the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the intraocular pressure measurement device.

[0048] In some alternative embodiments, the slide 21 further includes a third segment 215 located on the side of the first segment 211 away from the second segment 212, wherein the radius of the cross section of the first segment 211 in the vertical first direction x (R1 in the figure) is smaller than the radius of the cross section of the third segment 215 in the vertical first direction x (R3 in the figure).

[0049] The intraocular pressure measurement device provided in this embodiment improves the support of the slide 21 for the probe 10 by placing the first segment 211 between the second segment 212 and the third segment 215, thus preventing the probe 10 from shifting to one side within the slide 21.

[0050] In some alternative embodiments, the radius of the cross section of the second segment 212 in the perpendicular first direction x is equal to the radius of the cross section of the third segment 215 in the perpendicular first direction x.

[0051] Optionally, the single-sided gap between the third segment 215 and the main body 11 is 0.1-0.6mm.

[0052] Optionally, the length of the third segment 215 in the first direction x is greater than or equal to the length of the second segment 212 in the first direction x.

[0053] In the intraocular pressure measurement device provided in this embodiment, the lengths of the third segment 215 and the second segment 212 are both much greater than the length of the first segment 211, further reducing the frictional resistance encountered by the probe 10 during movement. By making the radii of the second segment 212 and the third segment 215 equal, the manufacturing difficulty and cost of the intraocular pressure measurement device are reduced.

[0054] In some alternative embodiments, the slide 21 further includes an inclined section 216 that connects the first section 211 and the second section 212. Along the direction away from the first section 211, the radius of the cross section of the inclined section 216 in the direction perpendicular to the first direction x gradually increases.

[0055] Optionally, the probe head 12 is provided with an inclined portion 121, and the radius of the cross section of the inclined portion 121 gradually increases along the direction away from the main body portion 11 in the direction perpendicular to the first direction x. The inclination angle of the inclined segment 216 is the same as or similar to the inclination angle of the inclined portion 121.

[0056] The intraocular pressure measurement device provided in this embodiment improves the stability of the probe 10 in its initial position by setting an inclined section 216 that is adapted to the inclined part 121. The inclined section 216 is used to support the probe head 12.

[0057] In some optional embodiments, the intraocular pressure measuring device may further include a coil holder 30, a first coil 40, and a second coil 50. The coil holder 30 is connected to the conduit 20 and is used to fix the coil. The first coil 40 and the second coil 50 are both connected to the coil holder 30 and are both arranged around the main body 11. The first coil 40 is used to drive the probe 10 to move along a first direction x, and the second coil 50 is used to detect the motion state of the probe 10.

[0058] Optionally, the intraocular pressure measurement device also includes a control switch (not shown), an electronic signal processor (not shown), and a microsensor (not shown) connected to the second coil 50. When the user uses the intraocular pressure measurement device, the first coil 40 is energized and generates an instantaneous magnetic field, which causes the magnetized main body 11 to move at a constant speed along the first direction x. The probe 10, moving at a constant speed, then decelerates and rebounds after impacting the anterior surface of the cornea. This motion generates an electromotive force in the second coil 50. The control switch connected to the second coil 50 monitors the solenoid voltage caused by the probe 10. The electronic signal processor and microsensor calculate the deceleration after the probe 10 impacts the cornea, and finally, the integrated information is converted into an intraocular pressure reading. When the intraocular pressure is high, the deceleration after the probe 10 impacts is greater, and the impact duration is shorter. Conversely, when the intraocular pressure is low, the deceleration after the probe 10 impacts is smaller, and the impact duration is longer.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of another example of an intraocular pressure measuring device is shown.

[0060] like Figure 5 As shown, in some optional embodiments, probe 10 has an initial position within slide 21. The intraocular pressure measurement device may also include a third coil 60 connected to coil holder 30, which drives probe 10 to move along a second direction (y-direction in the figure) until probe 10 is in the initial position, the second direction y being opposite to the first direction x.

[0061] Optionally, during the preparation stage before measuring intraocular pressure, the first coil 40 is de-energized while the third coil 60 is energized, causing the probe 10 to move along the second direction y until it reaches the initial position, and the third coil 60 suspends the probe 10 within the slide 21. When measuring intraocular pressure, the third coil 60 is de-energized and the first coil 40 is energized.

[0062] In some alternative embodiments, a third coil 60 is disposed around the main body 11, and the third coil 60 is located between the first coil 40 and the second coil 50.

[0063] Please refer to Figures 6 to 7 , Figure 6 A cross-sectional view showing yet another example of an intraocular pressure measuring device; Figure 7 An example is shown. Figure 6 The structural diagram of the third coil in the middle.

[0064] like Figures 6 to 7 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the third coil 60 is a disc coil, and the third coil 60 is located on the side of the main body 11 away from the probe head 12.

[0065] Optionally, the third coil 60 abuts against the second end 214.

[0066] The intraocular pressure measuring device provided in this embodiment reduces the volume of the device by making the third coil 60 a disc coil and reducing the length of the third coil 60 in the first direction x.

[0067] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An intraocular pressure measuring device, characterized in that, include: The probe includes a main body and a probe head disposed at one end of the main body, wherein the material of the main body includes a magnetic material; The conduit has an internal slide extending along a first direction. The main body is movably disposed within the slide along the first direction. The slide includes a first section and a second section. The radius of the cross-section of the first section perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than the radius of the cross-section of the second section perpendicular to the first direction. The slide includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other in a first direction. The first end has an opening, and at least part of the probe head extends out of the slide from the opening. The second segment is located between the first segment and the opening. The slide also includes a third segment, which is located on the side of the first segment away from the second segment. The radius of the cross-section of the first segment perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than the radius of the cross-section of the third segment perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The tonometer of claim 1, wherein The length of the second segment in the first direction is greater than the length of the first segment in the first direction.

3. The tonometer of claim 1, wherein, The radius of the cross-section of the second segment perpendicular to the first direction is equal to the radius of the cross-section of the third segment perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The tonometer of claim 1, wherein, Also includes: The coil support is connected to the conduit; A first coil is connected to the coil support, the first coil is arranged around the main body, and the first coil is used to drive the probe to move along the first direction; The second coil is connected to the coil support and is arranged around the main body. The second coil is used to detect the motion state of the probe.

5. The tonometer of claim 4, wherein, The probe has an initial position within the slide; The intraocular pressure measuring device further includes a third coil connected to the coil holder. The third coil is used to drive the probe to move along a second direction until the probe is in the initial position. The second direction is opposite to the first direction.

6. The tonometer of claim 5, wherein The third coil is arranged around the main body and is located between the first coil and the second coil.

7. The tonometer of claim 5, wherein, The third coil is a disc coil, and the third coil is located on the side of the main body away from the probe head.

8. The tonometer of claim 1, wherein, The slide also includes an inclined section that connects the first section and the second section; along the direction away from the first section, the radius of the cross section of the inclined section in the direction perpendicular to the first section gradually increases.

9. The tonometer of claim 1, wherein, The conduit includes a boss portion that protrudes into the slide channel and encloses to form the first section.

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