Eye treatment apparatus and method with independent pressure sources

Abstract

To provide a favorable apparatus to adjust the fluid pressure applied to left and right cavities located over left and right eyes of a patient.SOLUTION: An apparatus can include a left cover, sized and shaped to fit over a left eye of a patient to define a left cavity between the left cover and an anterior surface of the left eye, and a right cover, sized and shaped to fit over a right eye of the patient to define a right cavity between the right cover and an anterior surface of the right eye. The apparatus can include a left pressure source to apply a left working fluid to the left cavity, the left pressure source capable of generating a left cavity pressure including a left negative gauge pressure, and a right pressure source to apply a right working fluid to the right cavity, the right pressure source capable of generating a right cavity pressure including a right negative gauge pressure. The left pressure source can be configured to generate a left cavity pressure independently of the right pressure source, and the right pressure source can be configured to generate a right cavity pressure independently of the left pressure source.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Background Art

[0001] Bilateral eye diseases such as glaucoma or bilateral eye diseases associated with papilledema can deprive the patient of vision without notice if proper care is not taken. Measurement of the patient's asymmetric intraocular pressure (IOP) levels, such as when different IOP levels may be detected in the patient's left and right eyes, may indicate the presence of an eye disease and the need for different treatment regimens, such as different treatment regimens for each of the patient's left and right eyes. Since the progression of bilateral eye diseases can affect the patient's left and right eyes at different rates, an apparatus capable of applying separate treatment protocols, such as different treatment protocols for each of the left and right eyes, can significantly improve the patient's outcome.

[0002] Dupps (Patent Document 1) refers to a system for characterizing the biomechanical properties of tissues, comprising an imaging system and a disturbing element including a transparent chamber and a pump.

[0003] Kang (Patent Document 2) refers to a small nebulizer for treating the eye, comprising a goggle unit having air holes and at least one air chamber communicating with the air holes and adapted to fit over the user's eye. The goggle unit is provided with a plurality of exhaust holes for discharging air.

[0004] Skiba (Patent Document 3) refers to a mask worn around the eye, the mask comprising one or more mist outlets and an atomizer for atomizing a drug so that the mist is discharged from the mist outlet and delivers the drug to one or both eyes.

[0005] Guillon (Patent Document 4) refers to an eye cover adapted to provide a sealed area around the user's eye, means for holding the eye cover in place, and means for supplying dry air to the eye cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Eye diseases such as glaucoma and papilledema affect over 60 million people (aged 40 to 80) worldwide, and the number of patients is estimated to increase to 110 million by 2040. Eye diseases are often bilateral (e.g., they occur in both eyes of the patient), but glaucoma and papilledema often do not occur equally or at the same rate of progression in both eyes. In practice, by treating eye diseases with two different treatment regimens, such as a left treatment regimen for the left eye and a right treatment regimen for the right eye, caregivers can customize treatment for the patient-specific disease, such as significantly improving patient outcomes.

[0008] The inventors have recognized, among other things, that in this technical field, there is a need for systems and methods that can apply a left treatment regimen to the left eye and a right treatment regimen to the right eye, or simultaneously apply a left treatment regimen to the left eye and a right treatment regimen to the right eye, etc., in order to treat, suppress, or prevent eye diseases. The devices and methods described herein can control an ocular environment over a patient's eye, such as at least one of a left-eye environment over the patient's left eye or a right-eye environment over the patient's right eye, such as establishing, adjusting, and maintaining it. In one example, the control of the left-eye environment can be independent of the right-eye environment, and the control of the right-eye environment can be independent of the left-eye environment. In one example, the ocular environment can include a working fluid, where the working fluid can include working fluid characteristics such as at least one of a working fluid pressure or a working fluid composition.

[0009] By independent control of the left-eye environment and the right-eye environment, as applied to each of the patient's left eye and right eye respectively, the treatment regimen can be adapted to the eye diseases of each individual patient, such as improving disease management that can improve patient outcomes. This specification describes, among other things, devices and methods of control, such as simultaneous independent control of a left-eye environment over a patient's left eye and a right-eye environment over the patient's right eye, for treating, suppressing, or preventing eye diseases.

[0010] The device can include a left cover sized and shaped to fit over the left eye so as to define a left cavity between the left cover and the front of the patient's left eye, and a right cover sized and shaped to fit over the right eye so as to define a right cavity between the right cover and the front of the patient's right eye. The device can include a left pressure source configured to apply a left actuation fluid to the left cavity, such as a left pressure source configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the left cavity. The left pressure source can generate a left cavity pressure, such as a left cavity gauge pressure that includes a positive left cavity gauge pressure and a negative left cavity gauge pressure. The device can include a right pressure source configured to apply a right actuation fluid to the right cavity, such as a right pressure source configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the right cavity. The right pressure source can generate a right cavity pressure, such as a right cavity gauge pressure that includes a positive right cavity gauge pressure and a negative right cavity gauge pressure. The right pressure source can be separate from the left pressure source; for example, the left pressure source can be configured to generate a left cavity pressure independently of the right pressure source, and the right pressure source can be configured to generate a right cavity pressure independently of the left pressure source. When generating a left cavity pressure within the left cavity by the left pressure source and a right cavity pressure within the right cavity by the right pressure source, the device can apply different gauge pressures independently to each of the left and right eyes, such as by adapting a treatment pressure regimen to each of the left and right eyes to improve the treatment of eye diseases.

[0011] An overview of some non-limiting aspects of the present subject matter is presented below. Aspect 1 can include or use a subject (such as a device, system, apparatus, method, means for performing a plurality of operations, or a device-readable medium including a plurality of instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform a plurality of operations) for applying a treatment regimen to an eye such that a left treatment regimen is applied to the left eye and a right treatment regimen is applied to the right eye, or the left treatment regimen and the right treatment regimen are simultaneously applied to the left and right eyes, respectively, for treating, suppressing, or preventing an eye disease. A left cover sized and shaped to fit over a patient's left eye can define a left cavity between the left cover and the front surface of the left eye. A left pressure source in communication with the left cavity can be configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the left cavity. A right cover sized and shaped to fit over a patient's right eye can define a right cavity between the right cover and the front surface of the right eye. A right pressure source in communication with the right cavity can be configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the right cavity. A control circuit coupled to at least one of the left pressure source or the right pressure source can be configured such that the left pressure source can adjust the fluid pressure within the left cavity independently of the right pressure source and the right pressure source can adjust the fluid pressure within the right cavity independently of the left pressure source.

[0012] Aspect 2 can include or use, or optionally include or use and optionally combine with the subject of Aspect 1, a left cavity sensor in communication with the left cavity for detecting an indicator of the left eye environment within the left cavity, a right cavity sensor in communication with the right cavity for detecting an indicator of the right eye environment within the right cavity, and a redundant sensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment, an indicator of the right eye environment, or an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment.

[0013] Aspect 3 includes a left cavity sensor that includes a left pressure sensor for detecting an indicator of the left pressure within the left cavity, a right cavity sensor that includes a right pressure sensor for detecting an indicator of the right pressure within the right cavity, and a redundant sensor that includes a redundant sensor for detecting an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment, and can include or use an apparatus, or optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 or 2.

[0014] Aspect 4 includes a differential pressure sensor configured such that a redundant sensor detects the difference between an indicator of the left pressure within the left cavity by a left differential pressure sensor and an indicator of the right pressure within the right cavity by a right differential pressure sensor, and can include or use an apparatus, or optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 3.

[0015] Aspect 5 includes or can use a redundant sensor that includes a differential signal sensor configured to detect the difference between an indicator of the left pressure from the left cavity sensor by a left differential signal sensor and an indicator of the right pressure from the right cavity sensor by a right differential signal sensor, or optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 4.

[0016] Aspect 6 includes or can use a system control circuit configured to receive and process at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment within the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment within the right cavity, or an indicator of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment, or optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 5.

[0017] Aspect 7 can include or use a control circuit including a left control circuit capable of receiving and processing at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment or an indicator of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment coupled to a left pressure source, and a right control circuit capable of receiving and processing at least one of an indicator of the right eye environment or an indicator of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment communicating with a right pressure source, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1-6.

[0018] Aspect 8 can include or use a control circuit including a left control circuit configured to adjust a left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within a left cavity toward a left target cavity pressure within the left cavity, and a right control circuit configured to adjust a right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within a right cavity toward a right target cavity pressure within the right cavity, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1-7.

[0019] Aspect 9 can include or use a left biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of intraocular pressure (IOP) within the left eye or an indicator of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) within a patient communicating with the left control circuit, and a right biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of right IOP within the right eye or an indicator of CSFP within the patient communicating with the right control circuit, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1-8.

[0020] Aspect 10 includes or can use a left control circuit configured to receive an indicator of left IOP and adjust a left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward a left target IOP level [G] based on the received indicator of left IOP, and a right control circuit configured to receive an indicator of right IOP and adjust a right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward a right target IOP level based on the received indicator of right IOP, or can optionally include or use and can optionally combine with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1-9 for inclusion or use.

[0021] Aspect 11 includes or can use a left control circuit configured to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward a left target IOP level, the left control circuit including a left target IOP level in the range of about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg within the left eye, and a right control circuit configured to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward a right target IOP level, the right control circuit including a right target IOP level in the range of about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg within the right eye, or can optionally include or use and can optionally combine with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1-10 for inclusion or use.

[0022] Aspect 12 includes or can use a left control circuit configured to adjust a left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in a left cavity so as to equalize an index of a left translaminar pressure gradient (TLPG) associated with the left eye, where equalizing the index of the left TLPG includes reducing the index of the left TLPG from a first left TLPG level to a lower second left TLPG level, and a right control circuit configured to adjust a right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in a right cavity so as to equalize an index of a right TLPG associated with the right eye, where equalizing the index of the right TLPG includes reducing the index of the right TLPG from a first right TLPG level to a lower second right TLPG level, and can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 11 for inclusion or use.

[0023] Aspect 13 includes or can use a left control circuit configured to adjust a left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in a left cavity so as to improve an index of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye, and a right control circuit configured to adjust a right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in a right cavity so as to improve an index of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye, and can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 12 for inclusion or use, where improving the index of axonal transport includes increasing the speed of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a higher second axonal transport level.

[0024] Aspect 14 includes or can use, or optionally includes or combines for use with, a left control circuit configured to adjust a left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within a left cavity so as to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease of the left eye, and a right control circuit configured to adjust a right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure within a right cavity so as to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease of the right eye, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 13.

[0025] Aspect 15 includes or can use, or optionally includes or combines for use with, a left passive cavity check valve configured to limit a left pressure within the left cavity, which communicates with the left cavity, to a left cracking pressure, and a right passive cavity check valve configured to limit a right pressure within the right cavity, which communicates with the right cavity, to a right cracking pressure, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 14.

[0026] Aspect 16 can include or use a subject matter (such as an apparatus, a system, a device, a method, a means for performing an act, or a device-readable medium including a plurality of instructions that can cause a device to perform a plurality of operations when executed by the device, etc.), or can optionally include or use a method of using the apparatus, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 15. The apparatus can include a left cover sized and shaped to fit over the left eye so as to define a left cavity between the left cover and the front surface of the patient's left eye, a left pressure source configured to adjust the fluid pressure in the left cavity and in communication with the left cavity, a right cover sized and shaped to fit over the right eye so as to define a right cavity between the right cover and the front surface of the patient's right eye, and a right pressure source configured to adjust the fluid pressure in the right cavity and in communication with the right cavity. The left pressure source is configured to adjust the fluid pressure in the left cavity independently of the right pressure source, and the right pressure source is configured to adjust the fluid pressure in the right cavity independently of the left pressure source. The method can include the step of receiving, by the apparatus, at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment, an indicator of the right eye environment, an indicator of the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye, an indicator of the right IOP in the right eye, or an indicator of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient. The method can include the step of adjusting at least one of the left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity based on at least one of the received indicators, or the right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity based on at least one of the received indicators.

[0027] Aspect 17 includes or can use a method, or optionally includes or uses, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 16 for inclusion or use, where the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left-eye environment including an indicator of the left cavity pressure, the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting a left pressure source based on the indicator of the left cavity pressure, the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the right-eye environment including an indicator of the right cavity pressure, and the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting a right pressure source based on the indicator of the right cavity pressure.

[0028] Aspect 18 includes or can use a method, or optionally includes or uses, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 17 for inclusion or use, where the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left IOP, the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting a left pressure source based on the indicator of the left IOP, the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the right IOP, and the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting a right pressure source based on the indicator of the right IOP.

[0029] Aspect 19 includes or can use a method, or optionally includes or uses, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 18 for inclusion or use, where the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left cavity pressure and an indicator of the left IOP, the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting a left pressure source based on the indicator of the left cavity pressure and the indicator of the left IOP, the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the right cavity pressure and an indicator of the right IOP, and the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting a right pressure source based on the indicator of the right cavity pressure and the indicator of the right IOP.

[0030] Aspect 20 includes or can use, or optionally includes or uses for combination with, a method in which the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left translaminar pressure difference (TPD) associated with the left eye, the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting the left pressure source to equalize the indicator of the left TPD, the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the right TPD associated with the right eye, the step of adjusting a pressure source includes adjusting the right pressure source to equalize the indicator of the right TPD, and equalizing the indicator of the TPD includes reducing the indicator of the TPD from a first TPD level to a lower second TPD level, and can be optionally combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 1 to 18 for inclusion or use.

[0031] Aspect 21 includes or can use a subject matter (such as an apparatus, a system, a device, a method, means for performing a plurality of operations, or a device-readable medium including a plurality of instructions that can cause the device to perform a plurality of operations when executed by the device) for adjusting the fluid pressure applied to at least one of a left cavity located over the left eye of a patient or a right cavity located over the right eye of the patient to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease. The apparatus can include a differential sensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity, or an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment, which communicates with the left cavity and the right cavity. The apparatus can include a control circuit configured to receive and process at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity, or an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment, which communicates with the system sensor.

[0032] Aspect 22 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, at least one of a left cavity sensor that detects an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity and is coupled to the system control circuit, or a right cavity sensor that detects an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity and is coupled to the system control circuit, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 21 for inclusion or use.

[0033] Aspect 23 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, a differential sensor including a differential pressure sensor configured to detect a difference between an indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity detected by a left differential pressure sensor and an indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity detected by a right differential pressure sensor, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 or 22 for inclusion or use.

[0034] Aspect 24 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, a differential sensor including a differential signal sensor configured to detect a difference between an indicator of the left pressure from a left pressure sensor detected by a left differential signal sensor and an indicator of the right pressure from a right pressure sensor detected by a right differential signal sensor, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 23 for inclusion or use.

[0035] Aspect 25 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, a pressure source configured to apply a non - atmospheric pressure to at least one of the left cavity or the right cavity that communicates with at least one of the left cavity or the right cavity, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 24 for inclusion or use.

[0036] Aspect 26 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, a pressure source including a pressure source configured to apply a non - atmospheric pressure to the left cavity and the right cavity, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 25 for inclusion or use.

[0037] Aspect 27 can include or use, or optionally include or use in combination with, a left cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of the left pressure within the left cavity that communicates with the left cavity, and a right cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of the right pressure within the right cavity that communicates with the right cavity, or can be optionally combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21-26 for inclusion or use.

[0038] Aspect 28 can include or use, or optionally include or use in combination with, a left valve including at least one of a passive left valve or an active left valve, and a right valve including at least one of a passive right valve or an active right valve, or can be optionally combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21-27 for inclusion or use.

[0039] Aspect 29 can include or use, or optionally include or use in combination with, a left cavity valve including an active left cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of the left pressure based on at least one of the indicators received by the system control circuit, and a right cavity valve including an active right cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of the right pressure based on at least one of the indicators received by the system control circuit, or can be optionally combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21-28 for inclusion or use.

[0040] Aspect 30 can include or use, or optionally include or use in combination with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21-29, a left biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye or an indicator of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient that communicates with a system control circuit, and a right biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of right IOP in the right eye or an indicator of CSFP in the patient that communicates with the system control circuit. The left cavity valve includes an active left cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of left pressure based on at least one of the indicators received from the left biosensor. The right cavity valve includes an active right cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of right pressure based on at least one of the indicators received from the right biosensor.

[0041] Aspect 31 can include or use, or optionally include or use in combination with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21-30, a system control circuit including a left control circuit configured to receive an indicator of left IOP and adjust the left pressure in the left cavity toward a left target IOP level by an active left valve based on the received indicator of left IOP, and a right control circuit configured to receive an indicator of right IOP and adjust the right pressure in the right cavity toward a right target IOP level by an active right valve based on the received indicator of right IOP.

[0042] Aspect 32 is configured to adjust the left pressure in the left cavity by the left active valve so as to equalize the index of the left transcribriform plate differential pressure (TPD) associated with the left eye. Equalizing the index of the left TPD includes reducing the index of the left TPD from a first left TPD level to a lower second left TPD level. It includes a left control circuit and is configured to adjust the right pressure in the right cavity by the right active valve so as to equalize the index of the right TPD associated with the right eye. Equalizing the index of the right TPD includes reducing the index of the right TPD from a first right TPD level to a lower second right TPD level. It can include or use a right control circuit, or can optionally include or use it and can be optionally combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 31.

[0043] Aspect 33 includes or can use a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure in the left cavity by the left active valve to an extent sufficient to improve the index of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye, and a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure in the right cavity by the right active valve to an extent sufficient to improve the index of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye. Or it can optionally include or use it and can be optionally combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 32. Improving the index of axonal transport includes increasing the speed of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a higher second axonal transport level.

[0044] Aspect 34 includes or can use a system control circuit that includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure in the left cavity by the left active valve to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease in the left eye, and a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure in the right cavity by the right active valve to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease in the right eye. Or it can optionally include or use it and can be optionally combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 33.

[0045] Aspect 35 can include or use a passive left valve configured to limit the left pressure in the left cavity, which communicates with the left cavity, to the left cracking pressure, and a passive right valve configured to limit the right pressure in the right cavity, which communicates with the right cavity, to the right cracking pressure, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 to 34 for inclusion or use.

[0046] Aspect 36 can include or use a subject matter (such as a device, a system, a device, a method, means for performing a plurality of operations, or a device-readable medium including a plurality of instructions that can cause a device to perform a plurality of operations when executed by the device, etc.), or can optionally include or use a method of using the device and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 to 35 for inclusion or use. The device can include a left pressure sensor configured to detect an indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity, which communicates with the left cavity, a right pressure sensor configured to detect an indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity, which communicates with the right cavity, and a system sensor including redundant sensors, a system control circuit configured to receive and process at least one of the indicator of the left pressure or the indicator of the right pressure and communicate with the system sensor, an active left valve that communicates with the left cavity and communicates with the system control circuit, and an active right valve that communicates with the right cavity and communicates with the system control circuit. The method can include a step of detecting, by the system sensor, an indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity and an indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity. The method can include a step of adjusting at least one of the active left valve based on the detected indicator of the left pressure or the active right valve based on the detected indicator of the right pressure.

[0047] Aspect 37 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, a left biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye or an indicator of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in a patient, which communicates with a system control circuit, and a right biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of right IOP in the right eye or an indicator of CSFP in a patient, which communicates with the system control circuit, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 36. The method includes the step of adjusting at least one of an active left valve or an active right valve based on at least one of the indicators received from the left biosensor for the active left valve or based on at least one of the indicators received from the right biosensor for the active right valve.

[0048] Aspect 38 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, a method that includes the step of adjusting at least one of an active left valve or an active right valve to change a left pressure toward a left target IOP level based on the received indicator of left IOP or to change a right pressure toward a right target IOP level based on the received indicator of right IOP, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 37.

[0049] Aspect 39 can include or use, or optionally include or use for combination with, a method that includes the step of adjusting at least one of an active left valve or an active right valve to equalize an indicator of left translaminar pressure difference (TPD) associated with the left eye or to equalize an indicator of right TPD associated with the right eye, and equalizing the indicator of TPD includes reducing the indicator of TPD from a first TPD level to a lower second TPD level, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 38.

[0050] Aspect 40 includes or can use, or optionally includes or uses for combination with, a method that includes adjusting at least one of the active left valve or the active right valve to achieve a left pressure within the left cavity sufficient to improve an indicator of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye, or a right pressure within the right cavity sufficient to improve an indicator of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye, and improving the indicator of axonal transport includes increasing the speed of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a higher second axonal transport level, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 21 - 39 for inclusion or use.

[0051] Aspect 41 includes or can use a subject matter (such as a device, a system, a device, a method, means for performing a plurality of operations, or a device-readable medium including a plurality of instructions that can cause the device to perform a plurality of operations when executed by the device) that limits the fluid pressure levels applied to the left and right eyes of a patient. The device can include a pressure source configured to adjust an indicator of the fluid pressure within the left cavity and the right cavity that communicates with the left cavity located above the left eye and the right cavity located above the right eye. The device can include a differential sensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment within the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment within the right cavity, or an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment that communicates with the left cavity and the right cavity.

[0052] Aspect 42 can include or use at least one of a left cavity sensor coupled to the left cavity for detecting an indicator of the left eye environment within the left cavity, or a right cavity sensor coupled to the right cavity for detecting an indicator of the right eye environment within the right cavity, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Aspect 41 for inclusion or use.

[0053] Aspect 43 can include or use an apparatus that includes a differential pressure sensor configured to detect a difference between an indicator of a left pressure in a left cavity detected by a left differential pressure sensor and an indicator of a right pressure in a right cavity detected by a right differential pressure sensor, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 or 42 for inclusion or use.

[0054] Aspect 44 can include or use an apparatus that includes a differential signal sensor configured to detect a difference between an indicator of a left pressure from a left cavity sensor by a left differential signal sensor and an indicator of a right pressure from a right pressure sensor by a right differential signal sensor, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 43 for inclusion or use.

[0055] Aspect 45 can include or use a system control circuit configured to communicate with a pressure source and receive and process at least one of an indicator of a left - eye environment in a left cavity, an indicator of a right - eye environment in a right cavity, or an indicator of a relationship between the indicator of the left - eye environment and the indicator of the right - eye environment, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 44 for inclusion or use.

[0056] Aspect 46 can include or use an apparatus in which an indicator of a left - eye environment includes an indicator of a left pressure in a left cavity, an indicator of a right - eye environment includes an indicator of a right pressure in a right cavity, and an indicator of a relationship between the left - eye environment and the right - eye environment includes an indicator of a difference between the indicator of the left pressure and the indicator of the right pressure, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 45 for inclusion or use.

[0057] Aspect 47 can include or use a system control circuit including a pressure source circuit configured to adjust the operation of a pressure source based on at least one of the received indicators, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 46 for inclusion or use.

[0058] Aspect 48 can include or use a pressure source circuit including a pressure source logic circuit configured to cause a system failure based on at least one of the received indicators, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 47 for inclusion or use.

[0059] Aspect 49 can include or use a pressure source circuit including a pressure source circuit configured to cause a system failure when at least one of an indicator of left pressure exceeding a left pressure safety level or an indicator of right pressure exceeding a right pressure safety level occurs, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 48 for inclusion or use.

[0060] Aspect 50 includes an apparatus including a pressure source circuit, where an indicator of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment includes an indicator of the difference between an indicator of left pressure and an indicator of right pressure, and the pressure source circuit is configured to cause a system failure when the indicator of the difference exceeds a pressure difference safety level between the left pressure and the right pressure, or can include or use, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 49 for inclusion or use.

[0061] Aspect 51 includes or can use a left valve configured to communicate with the left cavity and limit the fluid pressure in the left cavity to a left pressure safety level, and a right valve configured to communicate with the right cavity and limit the fluid pressure in the right cavity to a right pressure safety level, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 50 for inclusion or use.

[0062] Aspect 52 includes or can use a left valve and a right valve, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 51 for inclusion or use, wherein at least one of the left pressure safety level or the right safety pressure level is in the range of about -50 mmHg to about 50 mmHg gauge.

[0063] Aspect 53 includes or can use a left valve and a right valve, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 52 for inclusion or use, wherein at least one of the left pressure safety level or the right safety pressure level is in the range of about -35 mmHg to about 35 mmHg gauge.

[0064] Aspect 54 includes or can use a left valve and a right valve, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 53 for inclusion or use, wherein at least one of the left valve or the right valve includes a passive valve.

[0065] Aspect 54 includes or can use a left valve and a right valve, or can optionally include or use and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 53 for inclusion or use, wherein at least one of the left valve or the right valve includes an active valve.

[0066] Aspect 56 can include or use a subject matter (such as an apparatus, a system, a device, a method, means for performing a plurality of operations, or a device-readable medium including a plurality of instructions that can cause a device to perform a plurality of operations when executed by the device), or can optionally include or use a method of using an apparatus, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 to 55. The apparatus can include a pressure source communicating with a left cavity located above a patient's left eye and a right cavity located above the patient's right eye, a left cavity sensor for detecting an indicator of the left eye environment within the left cavity, a right cavity sensor for detecting an indicator of the right eye environment within the right cavity, and a redundant sensor for detecting a relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment. The method can include the step of detecting, by the system sensor, an indicator of a left pressure within the left cavity and an indicator of a right pressure within the right cavity. The method can include the step of restricting the pressure applied to the left cavity and the right cavity by the pressure source.

[0067] Aspect 57 can include or use a method including at least one of a left passive valve communicating with the left cavity or a right passive valve communicating with the right cavity, or can optionally include or use a method for the purpose of optionally including or using, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 to 56. The step of restricting the pressure includes selecting at least one of a left cracking pressure of the left passive valve or a right cracking pressure of the right passive valve.

[0068] Aspect 58 can include or use a method including at least one of a left active valve communicating with the left cavity and a right active valve communicating with the right cavity, or can optionally include or use a method for the purpose of optionally including or using, and can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 to 57. The step of restricting the pressure includes opening at least one of the left active valve or the right active valve based on at least one of the detected indicator of the left pressure or the detected indicator of the right pressure.

[0069] Aspect 59 includes, can include, or can optionally include or use a method that includes opening at least one of the left active valve or the right active valve based on a difference between an indicator of the detected left pressure and an indicator of the detected right pressure, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 57 for inclusion or use.

[0070] Aspect 60 includes, can include, or can optionally include or use a method that includes adjusting the operation of a pressure source based on at least one of an indicator of the detected left pressure or an indicator of the detected right pressure, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Aspects 41 - 57 for inclusion or use.

[0071] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive description of the invention. The detailed description is included to provide further information regarding this patent application.

[0072] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe like components in different views. Like numerals with different letter suffixes may represent different examples of like components. The drawings are shown schematically, by way of example and not as limitations of the various embodiments discussed in this specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0073]

Figure 1

Figure 1A

Figures 2A - 2B

Figures 3A - 3B

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0074] FIG. 1 shows an example of a device 100 for controlling the environment above a patient's eye. In one example, the patient's eye can include an organ of the visual system, a part of the organ such as the front surface of the patient's eye, and surrounding tissue. The device 100 can include a cover 110, a fluid regulator 120, a sensor 130, a control circuit 140, and a pressure source 150.

[0075] The cover 110 can be sized and shaped to surround the eye and be spaced apart from the eye without contacting the eye, including the front surface of the patient's eye. The cover 110 can be sized and shaped to surround and cover both patient eyes, such as the patient's left and right eyes. In one example, the cover 110 can include a mask such as a cover 110 that is similar in shape and function to a diving or snorkeling mask. The cover 110 can include a lens portion 182 to allow the patient to see outside through the cover 110, or to allow observation of the eye, such as the external structure of the eye including the cornea or the intraocular structure of the eye including the retina, inside the cover 110. The lens portion 182 can serve as a corrective lens for the patient, such as for correcting the patient's astigmatism. The lens portion 182 can include a lens blank, such as an A8 lens blank, that can be shaped as a prescription lens for the patient. The lens portion 182 can include a replaceable lens portion 182. For example, the first lens portion of the device 100 can be replaced with a second lens portion to change the lens magnification presented to the patient. The inner surface of the lens portion 182 can be treated with an anti-fog coating or the like to prevent condensation from obscuring the patient's vision.

[0076] The cover 110 can define a sealed cavity 112, such as when it is placed over the eye and in contact with the patient. The cavity 112 can define a sealed cavity 112 over both eyes, such as when the cover 110 includes a mask positioned over the patient's left and right eyes. In one example, the cavity 112 can define a volumetric portion of space, such as a volumetric portion of space defined between the inner surface 188 of the cover 110 and the front surface of the patient's eye. The cavity 112 can contain a working fluid, such as a liquid or gaseous fluid, that forms an eye environment in contact with the patient's eye. In one example, the eye environment can be used to characterize the physiological state of the patient's eye. For example, the eye environment can include physiological components, including biomarkers released from the eye. Information detected by the device 100, such as biomarkers detected from the working fluid within the cavity 112, can be provided to a medical professional as patient information for diagnosing eye diseases related to the patient's eye. In one example, the eye environment can be used to treat the patient's eye. For example, the device 100 can adjust the eye environment to change at least one of the pressure or the working fluid composition within the cavity 112 to treat an eye disease.

[0077] An eye disease can describe a condition of the eye, such as a physiological condition of the eye that can affect a patient's vision. An eye disease can include at least one of an acute eye disease, such as an eye disease that can persist over a period measured in seconds, minutes, or days, or a chronic eye disease, such as an eye disease that can persist over a period measured in days, weeks, months, or years. In one example, an eye disease can include an abnormal eye disease, such as an eye in a diseased state. Examples of eye conditions can include at least one of glaucoma, congested papilla, such as papilledema, Fuchs dystrophy, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, such as exudative or atrophic macular degeneration, cataract, dry eye, corneal infection, meibomian gland disease, demodex mites, corneal ectasia, or periorbital dermatochalasis.

[0078] By exposing the patient's eye, including the anterior part of the eye, to the intraocular environment within the cavity 112, etc., the device 100 can act on eye diseases. In one example, by exposing the eye to an intraocular environment including a negative gauge pressure, etc., the device 100 can treat, suppress, or prevent glaucoma. In one example, by exposing the eye to an intraocular environment including a positive gauge pressure, etc., the device 100 can treat, suppress, or prevent papilledema. In one example, in order to address the cause underlying aerobic eye infections, etc., by exposing the eye to an aerobic environment (for example, an oxygen-free environment), etc., the device 100 can treat, suppress, or prevent aerobic eye infections.

[0079] By exposing the eye to the environment within the cavity 112, the device 100 can act on one or more eye diseases, for example, simultaneously. In one example, if a patient may have one or more eye diseases such as glaucoma and papilledema, by exposing the patient's eye to an intraocular environment including a negative-pressure environment for treating glaucoma and an aerobic eye environment with a negative gauge pressure such as an aerobic environment for treating aerobic eye infections, etc., the device 100 can treat, suppress, or prevent multiple eye diseases.

[0080] The intraocular environment can be defined by an indicator of the working fluid characteristics, such as an indicator of the working fluid characteristics within the cavity 112. Examples of the working fluid characteristics include the working fluid flow within the cavity 112, such as the working fluid volume flow rate including at least one of the volume flow rate entering or exiting the cavity 112, the working fluid humidity within the cavity 112, such as the relative humidity of the working fluid within the cavity 112, the working fluid temperature within the cavity 112, the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112, such as the gauge pressure of the working fluid within the cavity 112 including the pressure difference between the working fluid pressure within the cavity and the atmospheric pressure of the environment surrounding the cavity, or at least one of the working fluid composition within the cavity 112, such as the working fluid composition measured by at least one of the constituent fluid concentration or the partial fluid pressure.

[0081] The cover 110 can hold the working fluid for the patient, such as by contacting the front portion of the patient's eye to form an eye environment within the cavity 112. Exposing the patient's eye to the eye environment can act on an eye treatment, such as at least one of eye diagnostic procedures like diagnostic examinations, or eye treatment procedures for treating, suppressing, or preventing eye diseases related to the eye. In one example, as an eye treatment, it can include at least one of exposing the eye to the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112, such as to apply a force to the front portion of the eye, or exposing the eye to the working fluid composition within the cavity 112, which consists of one or more constituent fluids including one or more treatment fluids, etc.

[0082] The cover 110 can maintain the gauge pressure within the cavity 112, such as the fluid pressure difference between the working fluid within the cavity and the ambient atmosphere. In one example, the gauge pressure can be defined as the pressure difference between the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112 and the atmospheric pressure surrounding the cover 110. When the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112 is higher than the atmospheric pressure, etc., a positive gauge pressure can provide a compressive working fluid force against the front surface of the eye, such as to increase the intraocular pressure (IOP) within the eye. When the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, etc., a negative gauge pressure can provide a negative (i.e., "vacuum") working fluid force against the front surface of the eye, such as to decrease the IOP within the eye.

[0083] The actuation fluid force applied to the front of the eye can include a perturbation force, such as a force for diagnostic examination, that can be applied to the front of the eye over a period sufficient to enable measurement of the deflection of the eye from a first position to a second position. In one example, applying the perturbation force over a period measured in seconds or minutes may be sufficient for deflection measurement. The perturbation force can be generated by a positive gauge pressure within the cavity 112 to apply a positive perturbation force to the eye, for example, to reduce the curvature of the eye for a diagnostic examination including a diagnostic measurement. The perturbation force can be generated by a negative gauge pressure within the cavity 112 to apply a negative perturbation force to the eye, for example, to increase the curvature of the eye for a diagnostic examination including a diagnostic measurement.

[0084] The force applied to the front of the eye can include a treatment force, such as a force for applying a therapy regimen to the front of the eye over a period sufficient to treat an eye disease including an acute eye disease or a chronic eye disease. In one example, applying the treatment force over a period measured in days, weeks, months or years can be applied according to the eye disease to be treated. The treatment force can be generated by a positive gauge pressure to apply a positive treatment compressive force to the eye, for example, to increase the intraocular pressure (i.e., IOP) of the eye to suppress, treat or prevent an eye disease including papilledema. The treatment force can be generated by a negative gauge pressure that can apply a negative treatment force to the eye, for example, to decrease the IOP of the eye to suppress, treat or prevent an eye disease including glaucoma.

[0085] The working fluid can be composed of one or more constituent fluids such as a combination of one or more liquids or gases. The working fluid can include a combination of two constituent fluids such as a combination of gaseous nitric oxide or gaseous carbon dioxide. The constituent fluid can include a therapeutic fluid. For example, the components of the constituent fluid can be absorbed through the eye to suppress, treat, or prevent eye diseases. For example, the working fluid can include a combination of nitrogen and nitric oxide. For example, the nitric oxide component can be absorbed through the surface of the eye to promote vasodilation of blood vessels in the eye to treat eye diseases including glaucoma.

[0086] The therapeutic fluid is carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), oxygen (O 2 ), nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O 3 ), nitrogen (N 2) It can include gaseous therapeutic fluids such as helium (He), hydrocarbons including fluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, cannabinoids including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), combinations of two or more gaseous therapeutic fluids, etc. In one example, the therapeutic gas can include a mixture of at least one of carbon dioxide, oxygen, or nitric oxide for treating eye diseases, etc. In one example, the therapeutic gas includes a mixture of nitric oxide and oxygen containing 50% nitric oxide and 50% oxygen, a mixture of helium and oxygen (also known as heliox), and medical air including medical grade air USP. In one example, the mixture of therapeutic gases can include a mixture of nitric oxide and oxygen such as a mixture of 50% nitric oxide and 50% oxygen containing the gas of The BOC Group plc under the trade name of ENTONOX for treating eye diseases, etc. In one example, the combination of therapeutic gases can include a mixture of helium and oxygen such as a mixture of 21% oxygen and 79% helium, also known as heliox, for treating eye diseases, etc. In one example, the combination of therapeutic gases can include a mixture of at least one of fluorine or chlorine for treating eye diseases including eye infections. In one example, the combination of therapeutic gases includes a mixture containing an oxygen volume fraction lower than that of ambient air, such as a mixture containing less than about 21% of O 2 for treating aerobic eye infections, etc., or a mixture containing an oxygen volume fraction higher than that of ambient air, such as a mixture containing more than about 21% of O 2 for treating aerobic eye infections, etc., and can include at least one of them.

[0087] The therapeutic fluid can include liquid therapeutic fluids such as therapeutic solutions. The therapeutic solution is water (H 2It can contain a solvent such as (O) and a solute such as a therapeutic solute. The therapeutic solute can contain at least one of vitamin A, vitamin Bs such as riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, β-carotene, zinc, lutein, or folic acid. The therapeutic solution can be converted from a liquid therapeutic fluid to a gaseous therapeutic fluid by a nebulizer or atomizer that forms a therapeutic mist or fog so as to be delivered to the cavity 112 and contact the patient's eye. In one example, the patient's eye can be exposed to a gaseous therapeutic fluid such as a therapeutic mist containing vitamin A to achieve a first treatment result such as the treatment of a corneal ulcer. In one example, the patient's eye is exposed to a gaseous therapeutic fluid such as a therapeutic mist containing riboflavin to achieve a second treatment result such as the promotion of corneal cross-linking for the treatment of keratoconus, and then can be exposed to enhanced energy such as ultraviolet light.

[0088] The cover 110 can include a first port 114. The first port 114 can be located on the surface of the cover 110. For example, the first port 114 can extend from the outer surface 187 of the cover 110 to the inner surface 188 of the cover 110 to enable access to the eye environment within the cavity 112. The first port 114 can include a septum such as a flexible septum located on the first port 114 to isolate the cavity 112 from the surrounding environment. The flexible septum can maintain a gauge pressure such as at least one of a positive gauge pressure or a negative gauge pressure within the cavity 112.

[0089] The flexible diaphragm can include a resealable diaphragm, such as a diaphragm formed from a self-sealing material that includes a self-sealing polymer material that allows insertion and withdrawal of devices into and out of cavity 112 through the diaphragm while maintaining the gauge pressure within cavity 112. In one example, the resealable diaphragm allows a subcutaneous injection needle to be inserted through and withdrawn from the resealable diaphragm while maintaining the gauge pressure (e.g., positive or negative gauge pressure) within cavity 112. For example, the resealable diaphragm allows a subcutaneous injection needle to be positioned proximate the eye for purposes such as contacting a treatment fluid with the eye while maintaining the gauge pressure within cavity 112.

[0090] The flexible diaphragm can include a measurement diaphragm, such as a diaphragm that allows a sensor, such as sensor 130, to detect an indicator of the ocular environment within cavity 112 without contacting the ocular environment. In one example, a pressure sensor can be positioned to contact a measurement diaphragm that covers the first port 114 of cover 110 for purposes such as detecting an indicator of the actuating fluid pressure within cavity 112 through the pressure measurement diaphragm.

[0091] Cover 110 can include a second port 116 that extends from the outer surface 187 of cover 110 to the inner surface 188 of cover 110. In one example, the second port 116 can communicate cavity 112 with a pressure source 150, such as by conduit 117.

[0092] Cover 110 can include a seal 119 for purposes such as providing a contact surface, including a cover-patient contact surface between cover 110 and the patient, that improves patient comfort when device 100 is worn. The seal can also function as a barrier for purposes such as separating the ocular environment within cavity 112 from the surrounding environment. Seal 119 can be attached around at least a portion of the perimeter of cover 110. In one example, seal 119 can extend continuously around the perimeter of the cover to form a sealing surface between cover 110 and the patient to separate the volume of cavity 112 from the surrounding environment.

[0093] The device 100 can include a cavity check valve 189. The cavity check valve 189 can be positioned in the device 100 to communicate with the cavity 112 in at least one of the cover 110 including any surface of the cover 110, the conduit 117, the control circuit 140, or the pressure source 150. In one example, the cavity check valve 189 can be positioned adjacent to the first port 114, such as in, on, or above the first port 114.

[0094] The cavity check valve 189 can limit the operating fluid pressure applied to the cavity 112. In one example, the cavity check valve 189 can be used as a safety valve, such as to ensure that the pressure within the cavity 112 does not exceed a cavity pressure level that could cause eye damage. In one example, the cavity check valve 189 can limit the pressure within the cavity 112 to a target cavity pressure level.

[0095] The cavity check valve 189 can include a cracking pressure, such as a characteristic of the cavity check valve 189 that can control the initiation of fluid flow through the valve. In one example, the cracking pressure can indicate the inlet pressure level of the cavity check valve 189 at which fluid can initiate flow through the cavity check valve 189. The operating fluid pressure within the cavity 112 can be limited to the target cavity pressure level by selecting or setting the cracking pressure of the cavity check valve 189, such as by selecting or setting the cracking pressure of the cavity check valve 189 to be equal to the target cavity pressure level.

[0096] The cavity check valve 189 can include a passive cavity check valve such as a flapper valve or a poppet valve. The cracking pressure of the passive cavity check valve can be adjusted by changing the dimensions of the passive cavity check valve or the components of the passive cavity check valve, etc. In one example, the cracking pressure of the flapper cavity check valve can be adjusted by changing at least one of the flapper check valve dimensions (e.g., length, width, thickness), the flapper check valve constituent material (e.g., material type, material durometer, single-layer or multi-layer material, valve rigidity), or the flapper check valve hinge. In one example, the cracking pressure of the poppet cavity check valve can be adjusted by changing at least one of the poppet valve dimensions (e.g., spring rigidity, poppet diameter), etc.

[0097] Figures 2A and 2B show side views of an example of a positive pressure cavity check valve such as a flapper valve configured to control the pressure within the cavity 112 to a positive target cavity pressure level. The positive target cavity pressure level can be specified by a medical professional for treating, suppressing, or preventing an eye disease, etc. The positive pressure cavity check valve can be located on the cover 110, such as on the outer surface 187 of the cover 110, to allow the positive pressure working fluid to flow from the cavity 112 to the surrounding environment.

[0098] As shown in Figure 2A, the cavity check valve 189 can take a closed position. For example, the working fluid cannot exit the cavity 112 through the cavity check valve 189 to the surrounding environment. In the closed position, the device 100 can maintain a positive gauge pressure environment within the cavity 112, such as a positive gauge pressure level lower than the positive target cavity pressure level. The positive target cavity pressure level can be controlled by setting the cracking pressure of the positive pressure cavity check valve to be equal to the positive target cavity pressure level, etc.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 2B, the cavity check valve 189 can take an open position. For example, when the positive gauge pressure in the cavity 112 is above the positive target cavity pressure level, the working fluid can exit the cavity 112 through the cavity check valve 189 to the ambient environment. In the open position, the device 100 can limit the positive gauge pressure environment in the cavity 112 to a pressure level approximately equal to the positive target cavity pressure level, for example, to protect the eye from excessive working fluid pressure.

[0100] FIGS. 3A and 3B show side views of an example of a negative pressure cavity check valve, such as a flapper valve, configured to control the pressure in the cavity 112 to a negative target cavity pressure level. The negative target cavity pressure level can be specified by a medical professional, for example, to treat, suppress, or prevent eye diseases. The negative pressure cavity check valve can be located on the cover 110, such as on the inner surface 188 of the cover 110, to allow fluid from the ambient environment to flow into the cavity 112 from the ambient environment.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 3A, the cavity check valve 189 can take a closed position. For example, the ambient fluid cannot enter the cavity 112 through the cavity check valve 189 from the ambient environment. In the closed position, the device 110 can maintain a negative gauge pressure environment in the cavity 112, such as a negative gauge pressure level higher than the negative target cavity pressure level. The negative target cavity pressure level can be controlled, for example, by setting the cracking pressure of the negative pressure cavity check valve to be equal to the negative target cavity pressure level.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 3B, the cavity check valve 189 can take an open position. For example, when the negative gauge pressure in the cavity 112 is below the negative target cavity pressure level, ambient fluid can enter the cavity 112 from the ambient environment through the cavity check valve 189. In the open position, the device 100 can limit the negative gauge pressure environment in the cavity 112 to a pressure level approximately equal to the negative target cavity pressure level, for example, to prevent possible damage to the eye due to excessive working fluid pressure.

[0103] When the patient's eye condition changes, such as improving or deteriorating, a medical professional can adjust the prescribed treatment regimen, for example, to change at least one of the positive target cavity pressure level or the negative target cavity pressure level. The device 100 can include a check valve assembly 190, such as an interchangeable check valve assembly 190 that adjusts the target cavity pressure level in the cavity 112. In one example, the device 100 with a first check valve assembly including a first cavity check valve having a first cracking pressure set to a first target pressure level can be replaced with a second check valve assembly including a second cavity check valve having a second cracking pressure set to a second target pressure level to implement a change in the prescribed patient treatment regimen including a change in the target cavity pressure level.

[0104] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an example of a check valve assembly 190, such as a flapper check valve assembly, in an open position. The cavity check valve assembly 190 includes a first surface 193, a second surface 194 parallel to the first surface 193, a base peripheral portion 195 extending from the first surface 193 to the second surface 194, a base 192 having a base port 196 extending from the first surface 193 to the second surface 194 through the base 192, and a cavity check valve 189 located above at least a portion of the base port 196, such as above the base port 196 on the first surface 193.

[0105] The check valve assembly 190 can be positioned in the device 100 in communication with the cavity 112, above at least one of the cover 110 including any surface of the cover 110, the conduit 117, the control circuit 140, or the pressure source 150. The cavity check valve assembly 190 can be positioned in contact with the cover 110. For example, the base periphery 195 can contact at least a part of the cover 110, such as at least one of the surface of the port 114, the outer surface 187, or the inner surface 188. The cavity check valve assembly 190, such as a positive pressure check valve assembly, can be configured to control the pressure in the cavity 112 to a positive target cavity pressure level. For example, the check valve assembly 190 can be positioned within the port 114 such that the cavity check valve 189 can be positioned outside of the cavity 112. The cavity check valve assembly 190, such as a negative pressure check valve assembly, can be configured to control the pressure in the cavity 112 to a negative target cavity pressure level. For example, the check valve assembly 190 can be positioned within the port 114 such that the cavity check valve 189 can be positioned inside of the cavity 112.

[0106] Referring again to FIG. 1, the fluid regulator 120 can regulate the fluid flow rate between two reservoirs, such as the fluid flow rate between the cavity 112 and a fluid source 170, such as a pressurized gas cylinder. The fluid regulator 120 can include a regulator valve that regulates the flow rate between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The regulator valve can include a passive valve, such as a check valve that closes when the pressure exceeds a critical value. In one example, the fluid regulator 120 with a check valve can be positioned between the cover 110 and the fluid source 170. For example, when the pressure of the fluid source 170 exceeds a critical value, such as a pressure that could cause damage to the patient's eye, the check valve can close to isolate the patient's eye from the pressure of the fluid source 170 to protect the patient's eye from excessive force. The regulator valve can include an active valve, such as an electrically-operated valve including a servo valve, or a proportional valve, such as a piezoelectrically-actuated proportional valve. In one example, the regulator valve can receive a control signal from a control circuit 140 or the like to adjust the position of an electrically-modulated spool with respect to the valve housing to regulate the fluid flow rate through the electrically-operated valve, for example.

[0107] The fluid regulator 120 can be attached to the fluid source 170 to regulate the fluid flow rate from the fluid source 170 to the cavity 112, for example. The fluid source 170 can include a fluid container, such as a storage container for a pressurized gas-like fluid. The fluid source 170 can include a generating device, such as a device that concentrates or distills a constituent fluid from another fluid. In one example, the generating device can include a concentrating device, such as an oxygen concentrator or a carbon dioxide concentrator. In one example, the generating device can include an atomizer, such as an ultrasonic humidifier or an aerosolization device, that converts a liquid treatment fluid, such as a miscible solution or a colloidal suspension, into a gaseous working fluid, such as a treatment mist or fog.

[0108] The fluid regulator 120 can communicate with the device 100. For example, the fluid regulator 120 can communicate with the cavity 112. In one example, the fluid regulator 120 can be connected to the cover 110 by a conduit 117 or the like that directly communicates with the cover 110 through the second port 116. In one example, the fluid regulator 120 can be connected to the conduit 117 that communicates with the cover 110 by a tube connector 118 such as a Y-connector. In one example, the fluid regulator 120 can be connected to the control circuit 140, for example, to receive a control signal for adjusting the position of the servo valve from the control circuit 140.

[0109] The sensor 130 can detect an indicator of the characteristics of the working fluid in the cavity 112, or an indicator of the ocular environment in the cavity 112, such as at least one of an indicator of a physiological parameter of the patient. The sensor 130 can include a sensor circuit such as a sensor circuit that receives an indicator of the physical parameter detected by the sensor 130 and processes the received indicator into an indicator that includes an electrical signal suitable for being received by at least one of the control circuit 140 or the pressure source 150.

[0110] Sensor 130 can be positioned proximate to device 100, such as in communication with cavity 112 or at least partially attached to a patient. In one example, sensor 130 can be separate from device 100. For instance, sensor 130 can include a handheld pressure gauge, such as being pressed against a measurement diaphragm positioned over port 114 to detect an indicator of the operating fluid pressure within cavity 112. In one example, sensor 130 can be in fluid communication with cavity 112. For example, sensor 130 can be positioned within cavity 112 or in fluid communication with cavity 112 and positioned on control circuit 140. In one example, sensor 130 can be at least partially attached to a patient, such as patient tissue covering the skull, including the surface of the eye including the front of the eye, or tissue over the frontal bone, parietal bone, sphenoid bone, temporal bone, zygomatic bone, maxilla bone, occipital bone, and mandible bone. For example, sensor 130 can include an electroretinogram device. For example, a portion thereof can include electrodes attached to patient tissue to detect an indicator of electrical activity within the patient, including electrical activity associated with a pattern electroretinography (i.e., PERG) test. Sensor 130 can communicate electrically with the device, such as at least one of control circuit 140 or pressure source 150. Sensor 130 can provide at least one of continuous or periodic (e.g., intermittent) sensing of the actuating fluid for monitoring an indicator of the eye environment by sensor 130, or an indicator of a physiological parameter related to the patient, such as IOP or CSFP.

[0111] The sensor 130 can include a flow sensor such as a device that detects an indicator of the working fluid flow rate including at least one of the volumetric flow rate or the mass flow rate entering or exiting the cavity 112. The sensor 130 can include a humidity sensor such as a device that detects an indicator of the relative humidity of the working fluid within the cavity 112. The sensor 130 can include a thermometer such as a device that detects an indicator of the temperature of the working fluid within the cavity 112. The sensor 130 can include a displacement sensor such as a device that detects an indicator of displacement including an optical coherence tomography device configured to detect displacement of a structure related to the patient's eye.

[0112] The sensor 130 can include a pressure sensor such as a device that detects an indicator of the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112. The pressure sensor can be located in communication with or in proximity to the cavity 112, such as within the cavity 112. In one example, the pressure sensor can be located within the cavity 112.

[0113] The static cavity pressure level within the cavity 112, such as the pressure level detected by the pressure sensor when the pressure source 150 is not adjusting the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112, can be the same anywhere within the cavity 112. The dynamic cavity pressure level, such as the pressure level detected by the pressure sensor when the pressure source 150 is adjusting the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112, can vary depending on the location of the pressure sensor in communication with the cavity 112.

[0114] Sensor 130 can include a pressure sensor combined with another indicator, such as an indicator of the operating state of pressure source 150, to estimate the static cavity pressure level within cavity 112. In one example, a circuit such as a sensor circuit that detects an indicator of dynamic pressure at the location of the pressure sensor and receives an indicator of the operating state of pressure source 150 that includes an indicator of flow rate (e.g., pump speed can be proportional to flow rate) is included, and a pressure sensor such as a pressure-flow sensor that measures both the operating fluid pressure (static and dynamic) and the operating fluid flow rate at the measurement location is disposed in proximity to pressure source 150, such as at the inlet port or outlet port of pressure source 150. The pressure-flow sensor can process at least one of an indicator of dynamic pressure or an indicator of flow rate to generate, for example, a control signal that pressure source 150 can receive to achieve a static cavity pressure such as a target pressure level within cavity 112. The control signal can be based on a relationship between an indicator of dynamic pressure and an indicator flow rate, such as a relationship between pressure and flow rate described by a p-Q (e.g., pressure-flow) chart that can account for the operating characteristics of pressure source 150.

[0115] In one example, the pressure sensor can be located in proximity to pressure source 150. Control circuit 140 can be configured to receive an indicator of dynamic pressure from the pressure sensor and an indicator of the operating state of pressure source 150 that includes an indicator of pump speed. Control circuit 140 can process at least one of an indicator of dynamic pressure or an indicator of the operating state of pressure source 150 to form, for example, a control signal that pressure source 150 can receive to achieve a static cavity pressure level within cavity 112, such as a target pressure level.

[0116] Sensor 130 can include a concentration sensor, such as a device that detects an indicator of a chemical component in the operating fluid. In one example, the concentration sensor is for (CO 2 ), oxygen (O 2 ), nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O 3) It can be configured to detect an indicator of a therapeutic fluid, such as one of a combination of nitrogen, helium (He), hydrocarbons including fluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, cannabinoids including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), or a therapeutic gas.

[0117] The sensor 130 can include a biomarker sensor such as a device that detects an indicator of a biomarker in an operating fluid that includes a biomarker released from or detected within the patient's eye. The biomarker can suggest a physiological state of the eye, such as a state of pain in a location where medical intervention may be necessary. The biomarker sensor can include a volatile gas sensor including a quartz crystal nanobalance (QCN) sensor that detects an indicator of ketones in the operating fluid. The biomarker sensor can include a glucose sensor including an ocular coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system that detects an indicator of blood glucose levels within the patient. The biomarker sensor can include an oxygen sensor including a non-invasive optical oxygen sensor that detects an indicator of oxygen in the patient's eye or in the operating fluid. The biomarker sensor can include a salinity sensor that detects an indicator of dissolved salts in the patient's eye or in the operating fluid. The biomarker sensor can include an aptamer-based sensor that detects an indicator of vascular endothelial growth factor (i.e., VEGF) in the patient's eye or in the operating fluid. The biomarker sensor can include an enzyme sensor that detects an enzyme including matrix metalloprotease 9 (MPP-9) enzyme in the patient's eye or in the operating fluid. The biomarker sensor can include a protein sensor that detects a protein including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in the patient's eye or in the operating fluid.

[0118] The sensor 130 can include a biosensor such as a sensor configured to detect an indicator of a physiological parameter related to a patient. The physiological parameter can include an indicator of a physiological process related to the patient, such as a process related to the patient's eye or a process related to the physiological activity of the patient's eye. In one example, the physiological parameter can include at least one of an indicator of the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the patient's eye (such as an IOP level), an indicator of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) related to the patient (such as a CSFP level), an indicator of cardiac activity such as at least one of systemic blood pressure or heart rate. The physiological parameter can include an indicator of retinal activity, such as that measured by an electroretinogram device including a pattern electroretinogram (i.e., PERG) device.

[0119] The control circuit 140 can enable and adjust the operation of the device 100. In one example, the control circuit 140 can be coupled to at least one of the fluid regulator 120, the sensor 130, the pressure source 150, or the fluid source 170, such as by communicating therewith.

[0120] The control circuit 140 can include a data interface configured to receive signals, such as at least one of the indicators of the eye environment detected by the sensor 130. In one example, the detected indicator can include at least one of an indicator of the eye environment such as the detected indicator from the sensor 130, or an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment. The control circuit 140 can process the received signal into a processed signal and transmit the processed signal to one or more components of the device 100. The control circuit 140 can communicate with the fluid regulator 120 to adjust the position of the regulator valve, for example, to control the working fluid composition. The control circuit 140 can communicate with the sensor 130 to receive and process the indicators of the eye environment including the detection data from the sensor 130. The control circuit 140 can communicate with the pressure source 150 to adjust at least one of the working fluid pressure or the working fluid flow rate in the device 100.

[0121] The control circuit 140 can provide a communication interface to enable a user to operate the device 100 and interact with the device 100. The communication interface can include a graphical user interface (i.e., GUI) such as transmitting information including information about the device 100 (e.g., the reading value of the detected indicator, the fault status, etc.) to the user or receiving information from the user. The information received from the user can include information for managing the basic functions of the device 100 such as circulating power to the device 100, or operating parameters including target levels defining a treatment protocol and safety parameters such as maximum and minimum levels, etc., of at least one of the user-preferred indicators. In one example, the communication interface can receive a safety pressure level such as at least one of the maximum pressure level or the minimum pressure level within the cavity 112 selected by the user to prevent damage to the patient's eye.

[0122] The control circuit 140 can include a data acquisition unit (i.e., DAC) that monitors and records indicators such as indicators of the eye environment detected by the sensor 130. The indicators of the eye environment can be monitored and recorded by the control circuit 140 over a period such as seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, or the lifespan of the patient.

[0123] The control circuit 140 can include a processing unit such as a programmable central processing unit (CPU). The CPU can execute a plurality of instructions for implementing a method of using the device 100 for treating, suppressing, or preventing a patient's eye disease. In one example, the CPU can be a component of a computer such as a computer 1500.

[0124] The CPU can be configured as a control circuit such as a feedback control circuit. The feedback control circuit can receive information such as at least one of the indicators detected by the sensor 130, the user-preferred indicators from the communication interface, or the indicators of the processed signal including the signal processed by the CPU, and can process the detected indicators to form a control signal.

[0125] The CPU can be configured as a pressure feedback control circuit, such as generating a control signal (e.g., a pressure source control signal) for the pressure source 150 to adjust the pressure level in the cavity 112 based on an indicator of the cavity pressure level from a pressure sensor communicating with the cavity 112 and the like.

[0126] In one example, the pressure source control signal can be based on an indicator of the cavity pressure, such as the pressure in the cavity 112, to achieve a target pressure level in the cavity 112. The pressure feedback control circuit can receive an indicator of the working fluid pressure in the cavity 112, such as an indicator of the cavity pressure level detected by a sensor 130 including a pressure sensor communicating with the cavity 112. The pressure feedback control circuit can process the received indicator of the pressure level to form a control signal, such as a control signal to adjust the pressure source 150 to achieve the target pressure level in the cavity 112.

[0127] Processing the received pressure indicator can include calculating an indicator of the difference between the indicator of the cavity pressure level and the indicator of the user preference, including the cavity pressure set value level received from the communication interface to form an indicator of the cavity pressure difference value. Processing the received indicator can include generating a control signal based on the indicator of the cavity pressure difference value by a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm executed by the CPU to adjust the pressure source 150. Generating the control signal can include generating a control signal that minimizes the difference between the received indicator of the pressure level and the cavity pressure set value level.

[0128] In one example, the pressure source control signal can be based on an indicator of a patient-related physiological parameter, such as an indicator of the IOP in the patient's eye, to achieve a target IOP level in the patient's eye. The pressure feedback control circuit can receive an indicator of the IOP level in the patient's eye, such as an indicator of the IOP level detected by a biosensor 130 configured to detect the IOP. The pressure feedback control circuit can process the received indicator of the IOP level to form a control signal, such as a control signal to adjust the pressure source 150, to achieve a target cavity pressure level, such as a target cavity pressure level sufficient to achieve the target IOP level in the patient's eye.

[0129] Processing the received indicator of the IOP can include calculating a difference between the indicator of the IOP level and an indicator of user preference, including an IOP setpoint level received from a communication interface, to generate an IOP difference value. Processing the received indicator can include generating a control signal based on the IOP difference value by a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithm executed by a CPU to adjust the pressure source 150. Generating the control signal can include generating a control signal that minimizes the difference between the received indicator of the pressure level and the cavity pressure setpoint level.

[0130] The CPU can be configured as a concentration feedback control circuit to generate a regulator control signal to adjust the chemical component level in the cavity 112. In one example, the regulator control signal can be based on an indicator of a chemical component related to the working fluid, such as an indicator of the nitric oxide (NO) concentration, so as to achieve the target NO concentration level in the working fluid. The concentration feedback control circuit can receive an indicator of the NO concentration level in the working fluid, such as an indicator of the NO level detected by the concentration sensor 130 configured to detect NO. The concentration feedback control circuit can process the received indicator of the NO level to form a control signal, such as a control signal for adjusting the regulator 120 so as to achieve the target NO concentration level in the cavity 112.

[0131] The processing of the received indicator of the NO concentration can include calculating the difference between the indicator of the NO concentration and an indicator of user preference, including the NO set value level received from the communication interface, to generate a NO difference value. The processing of the received indicator can include generating a control signal based on the NO difference value. The processing of the received indicator can include generating a control signal based on the NO difference value by a proportional integral derivative (PID) control algorithm executed by the CPU to adjust the regulator 120. The generation of the control signal can include generating a control signal that minimizes the difference between the received indicator of the NO concentration and the NO set value level.

[0132] The control circuit 140 can include a pressure source circuit, such as a pressure source circuit configured to adjust the operation of the pressure source 150 based on at least one of the indicators detected by the sensor 130. The pressure source circuit can include a pressure source logic circuit, such as a pressure source logic circuit configured to cause a system fault based on at least one of the detected indicators received at the data interface or the indicators of user preference received through the communication interface. In one example, the pressure source logic circuit can cause a system fault when a fault event occurs, such as when the indicator of the cavity pressure in the cavity 112 exceeds a pressure safety level, such as a pressure safety level set by the user through the communication interface.

[0133] The control circuit 140 can include a power source that supplies electrical energy to the device 100. In one example, the power source can include a battery such as a lithium-ion battery and a transformer for receiving power from a wall outlet so as to be used in the device 100 at a specified voltage and current. The control circuit 140 can include a heating element such as a heating element in communication with the treatment fluid, including a heating element located on a surface of the cover 110 including the inner surface 188 of the cover 110 that raises the temperature of the treatment fluid.

[0134] The pressure source 150 can be configured to generate a volumetric fluid flow within the device 100, such as to move the working fluid from the pressure source 150 to the cavity 112 or to move the working fluid from the cavity 112 to at least one of the pressure source 150 or the surrounding environment. The pressure source 150 can be configured to apply a non-atmospheric pressure to the cavity 112, such as to adjust an indicator of the fluid pressure including an indicator of the pressure level within the cavity 112 from a first pressure level to a second pressure level different from the first pressure level.

[0135] The pressure source 150 can include a pump such as a pump capable of generating at least one of a positive gauge pressure or a negative gauge pressure. The pressure source 150 can include an electric pressure source such as a pump including a positive displacement pump or a centrifugal pump. For example, the pressure source 150 can include a diaphragm vacuum pump. The pressure source 150 can include a manual pressure source such as a hand pump including a bellows-style pump. In one example, the pressure source 150 can be incorporated into a component of the device 100 such as the cover 110.

[0136] FIG. 1A shows an example of an apparatus 101 that includes an example of a manual pressure source. In one example, the apparatus 101 can include all of the components of the apparatus 100. The apparatus 101 can include a bellows cover 111, such as at least one of a left bellows cover 111A or a right bellows cover 111B, a cavity check valve 189, such as at least one of a left cavity check valve 189A or a right cavity check valve 189B, and a seal 119, such as at least one of a left seal 119A or a right seal 119B.

[0137] The bellows cover 111 can be sized and shaped to surround the patient's eye and be spaced apart from the eye without contacting the eye, including the front of the eye. The bellows cover 111 can be sized and shaped to surround and cover both of the patient's eyes, such as the left and right eyes of the patient. In one example, the bellows cover 111 can include a mask, such as a bellows cover 111 that is similar in shape and function to a diving or snorkeling mask.

[0138] The bellows cover 111 can include a bellows portion, such as a portion of the bellows cover 111 between the lens 182 and the seal 119. The bellows portion can take a first bellows position, such as being defined by a first bellows distance between the lens 182 and the seal 119. The bellows portion can take a second bellows position, such as a position displaced from the first bellows position. The bellows portion can exhibit a resistance to movement, for example, an external force can be required to displace the bellows portion from the first bellows position to the second bellows position. The level of resistance to movement can be controlled through, for example, the selection of the bellows material and the design of the bellows portion, including the number of bellows folds. The bellows portion can exhibit elasticity, for example, a tendency of the bellows portion to return to an equilibrium position, including the force equilibrium position after the external force is removed.

[0139] The second bellows position can include a compressed bellows position that creates a negative gauge pressure (e.g., a vacuum) over the patient's eye. In one example, the distance between the lens 182 and the seal 119 can be reduced from the first bellows position when a compressive force is applied to the bellows cover 111 to a compressed bellows position or the like. As the bellows cover 111 moves from the first bellows position to the compressed bellows position, the volume of the cavity 112 can be reduced, such as by increasing the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112, and thereafter, the cavity 112 can discharge a volume of the working fluid from the cavity 112 through the check valve 189 or the like. When the compressive force is removed, the bellows portion can recover to a third bellows position, such as a position between the first bellows position and the compressed bellows position, due to the elasticity of the bellows portion to provide a "suction" or negative gauge pressure over the patient's eye.

[0140] The second bellows position can include an expanded bellows position that creates a positive gauge pressure (e.g., an increase in pressure compared to atmospheric pressure) over the patient's eye. In one example, the distance between the lens 182 and the seal 119 can increase from the first bellows position to an expanded bellows position or the like when a tensile force is applied to the bellows cover 111. As the bellows cover 111 moves from the first bellows position to the expanded bellows position, the volume of the cavity 112 can increase, such as by decreasing the working fluid pressure within the cavity 112, and thereafter, the cavity 112 can receive a volume of ambient air from the surrounding environment through the check valve 189 or the like. When the external force is removed, the bellows portion can recover to a third bellows position, such as a position between the first bellows position and the expanded bellows position, due to the elasticity of the bellows portion to provide a "pressurization" or positive gauge pressure over the patient's eye.

[0141] The pressure source 150 can include a pressure source such as a pressurized gas cylinder or a separate pressurized fluid source other than the device 100 that can be used to adjust the working fluid pressure in the cavity 112. The pressure source 150 can include a pressure source that is used in combination with an auxiliary device for adjusting the pressure in the cavity. In one example, the pressure source 150 can include a Venturi-type pump such as a Venturi jet pump in combination with a pressure source for adjusting the fluid pressure in the cavity 112.

[0142] The pressure source 150 can be characterized by physical properties such as the relationship between physical properties. Useful criteria for comparing the performance of some sources of flow include volume-pressure characteristics such as the relationship between the volume of the working fluid flow from the source of flow and the pressure such as the static pressure resulting from the fluid flow. In one example, the pressure source 150 can be characterized by volume-pressure characteristics such as a p-Q chart.

[0143] The pressure source 150 can generate pressure within the cavity 112, such as to adjust the pressure within the cavity 112 toward or to achieve a target cavity pressure within the cavity 112. The target cavity pressure can include the cavity pressure acting on a measurement procedure including a diagnostic procedure for a patient's eye. In one example, the pressure within the cavity 112 can be adjusted by the pressure source 150 toward a target cavity pressure such as a first target cavity pressure acting on a first displacement in front of the patient's eye. The indicator of the first displacement can be detected by the sensor 130 including a displacement sensor. Subsequently, a second target cavity pressure can act on a second displacement in front of the patient's eye, such as an indicator of the second displacement that can be detected by the displacement sensor. From the difference in the displacement indicators between the first target pressure and the second target pressure, physiological parameters such as an estimate of the IOP indicator within the patient's eye can be estimated.

[0144] The target cavity pressure can include a cavity pressure acting on the treatment of a patient's eye, such as a cavity pressure instructed by a medical professional to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease. In one example, the pressure in cavity 112 can be adjusted by pressure source 150 towards a target cavity pressure, such as a target cavity pressure acting on an indicator of a physiological parameter of the patient's eye, which includes an indicator of the IOP level in the patient's eye that can be detected by sensor 130 configured to detect an indicator of IOP. The treatment of the patient's eye can be effected by pressure source 150, such as by adjusting the pressure source to achieve a target cavity pressure in cavity 112 that acts on a desired indicator of the IOP level in the patient's eye.

[0145] The target cavity pressure can include a target IOP cavity pressure, such as a pressure applied to cavity 112 to achieve a target IOP level in the patient's eye. The target IOP cavity pressure can include a cavity pressure that can adjust or achieve the IOP level in the patient's eye, such as to increase or decrease the IOP level in the patient's eye. The target IOP level can include an IOP level in the range of about 5 mmHg to about 30 mmHg, an IOP level in the range of about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg, and an IOP level in the range of about 12 mmHg to about 18 mmHg.

[0146] Translaminar pressure describes the pressure difference across the lamina cribrosa. The translaminar pressure difference (TPD) can be defined as the difference between the intraocular pressure in the patient's eye and the cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the patient's body. The translaminar pressure gradient (TPG) is related to the TPD and can be defined as the difference between the IOP and the CSFP per unit thickness of the lamina cribrosa. An indicator of the TPD, such as the TPD level, can indicate the physiological health of the patient's eye, such as the presence or absence of an eye disease. A physiologically normal eye, such as a patient's eye without an eye disease, can be characterized by a normal TPD level, such as a normal TPD level in the range of about -4 mmHg to about 4 mmHg. In contrast, an abnormal eye, such as a patient's eye with an eye disease including glaucoma, can be characterized by a TPD level outside the range of normal TPD levels. For example, such a TPD level can be less than about -4 mmHg or greater than about 4 mmHg.

[0147] The target cavity pressure can include a target equalization cavity pressure, such as a pressure applied to cavity 112 that can equalize the TPD level in the eye. The cavity pressure that can equalize the TPD level in the eye can include any pressure applied to cavity 112 that can lower the TPD level in the eye, such as from a first TPD level to a second TPD level, where the absolute value of the second TPD level can be less than the absolute value of the first TPD level.

[0148] The target cavity pressure can include a target translaminar pressure difference (TPD) cavity pressure such as the pressure applied to the cavity 112 that can achieve the target TPD level within the patient's eye. The target TPD cavity pressure can include the pressure level applied to the cavity 112 that is sufficient to adjust the TPD level of the patient's eye to a certain range, such as a target TPD level range. The target TPD level range can include at least one range of TPD levels from about -4 mmHg to about 4 mmHg, a range of TPD levels from about -7 mmHg to about 7 mmHg, or a range of TPD levels from about -10 mmHg to about 10 mmHg. In one example, the normal TPD level range can include TPD levels in the range from about -4 mmHg to about 4 mmHg.

[0149] By adjusting the TPD, such as adjusting the TPD in the patient's eye from a first TPD level to a second TPD level lower than the first TPD level, the physiological processes in the patient's eye can be improved, such as to improve the health of the patient's eye. Axonal transport, such as a collection of cellular processes that plays a role in maintaining the cell viability in the patient's optic nerve, can be adversely affected by the presence of elevated TPD, such as when the TPD indicator in the patient's eye is not within the normal TPD level range. The indicator of the axonal transport level in the optic nerve and the like can be detected by a sensor 130 including an axonal transport sensor. In one example, the axonal transport sensor can include at least one of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system or a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (CSLO) system.

[0150] The target cavity pressure can include a target axonal transport cavity pressure such as a cavity pressure applied to cavity 112 to achieve a target axonal transport level within the patient's eye. The target axonal transport cavity pressure can include a cavity pressure that can improve (or increase) an indicator of the axonal transport level within the eye, such as from a first indicator of the axonal transport level to a second indicator of the axonal transport level, where the indicator of the second axonal transport level can be higher than the indicator of the first axonal transport level.

[0151] The speed of axonal transport can vary based on physiological components being transported, etc. In one example, "slow" axonal transport can represent the movement of cytoplasmic components, such as cytoskeletons and soluble enzymes of intermediate metabolism, along the axon. The target axonal transport level in the case of a low-speed axonal transport component, etc., can include an axonal transport level in the range of about 0.2 mm / day to about 2 mm / day. In one example, "fast" axonal transport can represent the movement of mitochondrial polypeptides and neuropeptides, such as synaptic vesicle polypeptides, along the axon. The target axonal transport level in the case of a fast axonal transport component, etc., can include an axonal transport level in the range of about 50 mm / day to about 100 mm / day for mitochondrial polypeptides, etc., and an axonal transport level in the range of about 100 mm / day to about 200 mm / day for neuropeptides, etc.

[0152] The target cavity pressure can include a target therapeutic cavity pressure for treating, suppressing, or preventing an eye disease within the patient's eye. The target therapeutic cavity pressure for treating an eye disease can include a cavity pressure selected to adjust an indicator of physiological parameters such as physiological parameters detected by sensor 130. In one example, adjusting the indicator of physiological parameters can include alleviating patient-reported symptoms, such as alleviating patient discomfort, or improving patient function, such as patient function that has been reduced due to an eye disease or condition.

[0153] The target treatment cavity pressure for suppressing eye diseases can include a cavity pressure selected to maintain patient function, such as to stop or delay further decline of patient function due to the diagnosed eye disease. In one example, maintaining an indicator of patient function can include minimizing fluctuations in indicators of physiological parameters of the patient's eye. For example, the target treatment cavity pressure for suppressing eye diseases can include a cavity pressure selected to minimize fluctuations in the indicator of IOP over a period of time.

[0154] The target treatment cavity pressure for preventing eye diseases can include a cavity pressure selected as a preventive measure to be applied to the patient's eye before the occurrence of the eye disease. In one example, in the case of a patient showing precursor characteristics for an eye disease, such as an abnormal cup-to-disc ratio as a potential indicator of glaucoma, the apparatus 100 can apply a cavity pressure to the patient's eye at a pressure level suitable for the patient's physiological function so that the physiological process does not progress to a clinical eye disease diagnosis. Thus, the target cavity pressure level can include a cavity pressure level sufficient to adjust the cup-to-disc ratio in the patient's eye from a first cup-to-disc ratio to a second cup-to-disc ratio lower than the first cup-to-disc ratio, such as to lower the cup-to-disc ratio in the patient's eye.

[0155] The conduit 117 can provide a patient fluid transmission path between one or more components of the apparatus 100, such as a continuously open fluid transmission path between at least one of between the cavity 112 and the sensor 130 or between the cavity 112 and the pressure source 150. The conduit 117 can include a lumen, such as one or more lumens.

[0156] FIG. 5A shows a cross-section of an example of a conduit 117 such as a first double-lumen conduit. The first double-lumen conduit can include a first lumen 113A defined by a first lumen wall 115A and a second lumen 113B defined by a second lumen wall 115B. For example, the first lumen 115A can be positioned adjacent to the second lumen 115B. In one example, the first lumen 113A can provide a fluid communication path between a pressure source 150 and the cavity 112. For example, the pressure source 150 can transfer a working fluid through the lumen 113A to the cavity 112 to achieve a target cavity pressure level. In one example, the second lumen 113B can provide a fluid communication path between the cavity 112 and a sensor 130 such as a working fluid pressure sensor located in the control circuit 140 so that the sensor 130 can detect an indication of the cavity pressure level within the cavity 112, such as for use as a feedback signal to control the operation of the pressure source 150.

[0157] Potential operational hazards of the device 100 can include blockages of the conduit 117, such as a condition of the conduit 117 where an existing fluid transmission path including a kink of the conduit 117 can be interrupted. In one example, a kink can include a blockage such as a blockage due to a bending force applied to the conduit 117 where at least one of the first lumen 113A or the second lumen 113B can be bent and collapsed. For example, a first portion of the inner surface of the lumen can contact a second portion of the inner surface of the lumen, potentially preventing fluid transmission through the lumen. A kink in the conduit 117 between the cavity 112 and a sensor 130 such as a working fluid pressure sensor located in the control circuit 140 can result in the pressure source 150 becoming uncontrollable. For example, the control circuit 140 can potentially instruct the pressure source 150 to generate a cavity pressure level based on an incorrect indication of the cavity pressure level from the sensor 130.

[0158] In one example, a kink in the first lumen 113A can stop the fluid communication between the cavity 112 and the working fluid pressure sensor. For example, the working fluid pressure sensor may detect an incorrect indication of the cavity pressure level, including a state with no cavity pressure level (e.g., an indication of a cavity pressure level of about 0 mmHg gauge). Due to the incorrect indication of the cavity pressure level, the control circuit 140 may command the pressure source 150 to adjust the fluid transfer to the cavity 112, such as increasing or decreasing it, for example, by operating the pressure source 150 to compensate for the cavity pressure level in the cavity 112 in order to achieve or maintain the target cavity pressure level. Continuous detection of the incorrect indication of the cavity pressure level may cause the pressure source 150 to operate in a "runaway" (i.e., uncontrolled) state, such as generating a cavity pressure level that may damage the patient's eye. To avoid the runaway state, the conduit 117 can include one or more features, such as features designed to improve the safety of the device 100, such as the operational safety of the device 100 due to the occlusion of the conduit 117.

[0159] FIG. 5B shows a cross-section of an example of a second double-lumen conduit, such as the conduit 117, in which the first lumen wall 115A can contact the second lumen wall 115B to form the first lumen 113A and the second lumen 113B within the second lumen wall 115B.

[0160] FIG. 5C shows an example of a third double-lumen conduit, such as the conduit 117, in which the first lumen 113A can be fully located within the second lumen 113B. For example, the first lumen wall 115A can be separate from the second lumen wall 115B.

[0161] The patency of the conduit 117 can be controlled by, for example, the orientation of the first lumen 113A with respect to the second lumen 113B. In one example, a kink in the conduit 117, such as at least one of the conduit examples 117 shown in FIG. 5B or FIG. 5C, may occlude the first lumen 113A, such as by preventing fluid transfer from the pressure source 150 to the cavity 112, while the second lumen 113B can remain open. For example, the outer surface of the first lumen wall 115A can prevent the second lumen 113B from collapsing, such as by preventing the first portion of the inner surface of the second lumen 113B from contacting the second portion of the inner surface of the second lumen 113B.

[0162] The patency of the conduit 117 can be controlled by, for example, the design of the conduit 117, including the design of at least one of the first lumen 113A or the second lumen 113B. The dimensions of the conduit 117 can be selected, such as to maintain the patency of the second lumen 113B. In one example, the thickness of the first lumen wall 115A can be different from the thickness of the second lumen wall 115B, such as to prevent the first portion of the second lumen 113B from collapsing, such as when the conduit 117 is subjected to a bending force. The material used to construct the conduit 117 can be selected to maintain the patency of the second lumen 113B. In one example, the type or durometer hardness of the material used to form the first lumen wall 115A can be different from the type or durometer hardness of the material used to form the second lumen wall 115B, such as to prevent the first portion of the second lumen 113B from collapsing, such as when the conduit 117 is subjected to a bending force.

[0163] The conduit 117 can include a reinforcing structure, such as to prevent occlusion of at least one of the first lumen 113A or the second lumen 113B. The reinforcing structure can be located on the first lumen wall 115A or the second lumen wall 115B and can include a coil of wire, such as a wire coil, that extends around at least one of the first lumen wall 115A or the second lumen wall 115B.

[0164] The cross-sectional shape of the conduit 117 can assume any shape that does not affect the function of the conduit 117. The cross-sectional shape of the conduit 117, such as the cross-sectional shape of the first lumen 113A and the cross-sectional shape of the second lumen 113B, can include at least one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a crescent shape, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, or any polygonal cross-sectional shape.

[0165] The flexibility of the conduit 117, such as the overall rigidity of the conduit 117 due to the rigidity of the first lumen wall 115A and the second lumen wall 115B, can be controlled. In one example, the rigidity of the conduit 117 can be reduced by the structural configuration of the conduit 117, such as a structural configuration that minimizes the moment of inertia associated with the cross-sectional shape of the conduit 117. For example, a first double-lumen conduit having a first moment of inertia, such as when the first moment of inertia can be greater than the second moment of inertia or the third moment of inertia, can demonstrate a higher overall rigidity in bending or torsion, etc., when compared to at least one of a second double-lumen conduit having a second moment of inertia or a third double-lumen conduit having a third moment of inertia. In one example, the second double-lumen conduit or the third double-lumen conduit can minimize torsional biasing, such as torsional biasing that may result from at least one of adhesion or extrusion, compared to the first double-lumen conduit.

[0166] FIG. 6 shows an example of an apparatus 600 that can control an ocular environment over a patient's eye, such as at least one of a left-eye environment over the patient's left eye or a right-eye environment over the patient's right eye. Controlling the ocular environment can include at least one of establishing, adjusting, or maintaining an indicator of the ocular environment over the patient's eye, such as an indicator of the operating fluid cavity pressure within the cavity 112. In one example, the control of the left-eye environment can be independent of the right-eye environment, and the control of the right-eye environment can be independent of the left-eye environment.

[0167] The device 600 can include a left cover 110A, a left system 602 sized and shaped to fit over a patient's left eye such that the left cover 110A defines a left cavity 112A between the left cover 110A and the front of the left eye, a right cover 110B, a right system 604 sized and shaped to fit over a patient's right eye such that the right cover 110B defines a right cavity 112B between the right cover 110B and the front of the right eye, and a bridge 606 for positioning the left system 602 relative to the right system 604. In one example, the left system 602 can include at least one of the devices 100, and the right system 604 can include at least one of the devices 100.

[0168] The device 600 can include a system control circuit 640 to facilitate, condition, and control the operation of the device 600. The system control circuit 640 can be configured to receive and process an eye environment metric, such as at least one of a metric of the left eye environment, a metric of the right eye environment, or a metric of the relationship between the metric of the left eye environment and the metric of the right eye environment.

[0169] The system control circuit 640 can include at least one of a left control circuit 140A, such as a left control circuit 140A that enables, conditions, and controls the operation of the left system 602, or a right control circuit 140B, such as a right control circuit 140B that enables, conditions, and controls the operation of the right system 602. In one example, the left control circuit 140A can be configured to control the operation of the left system 602 independently of the right system 604, and the right system 604 can be configured to control the operation of the right system 604 independently of the left system 602. In one example, the left control circuit 140A can be capable of receiving and processing at least one of a metric of the left eye environment or a metric of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment. In one example, the right control circuit 140B can be capable of receiving and processing at least one of a metric of the right eye environment or a metric of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment.

[0170] The system control circuit 640 can include a pressure source circuit such as a pressure source circuit configured to adjust the operation of the pressure source based on at least one of an index of the left-eye environment, an index of the right-eye environment, or an index of the relationship between the index of the left-eye environment and the right-eye environment. In one example, the pressure source circuit can include at least one of a left pressure source circuit coupled to the left control circuit 140A or a right pressure source circuit coupled to the right control circuit 140B.

[0171] The pressure source circuit can include a pressure source logic circuit such as a pressure source logic circuit configured to cause a system failure based on at least one of the received indices such as the index received by the system control circuit 640. In one example, the pressure source logic circuit can cause a system failure when a failure event occurs. For example, at least one of the index of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A exceeding the left pressure safety level or the index of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B exceeding the right pressure safety level. In one example, the pressure source logic circuit can cause a system failure when the relationship between the index of the left-eye environment and the index of the right-eye environment exceeds the "relationship safety level". For example, the pressure source logic circuit can cause a system failure when the difference between the index of the pressure in the left cavity 112A and the index of the pressure in the right cavity 112B exceeds the relationship safety pressure level. The relationship safety pressure level can be defined by the user through a communication interface or the like related to the control circuit 140.

[0172] The system control circuit 640 can be configured to enable, adjust, and control the operation of the device 600 in a master-slave control configuration or the like. As an example, the first control circuit can receive and process an index of the eye environment, and the second control circuit can communicate with the first control circuit, receive the processed index from the first control circuit, and adjust the operation of the device 600 such as at least one of the left system 602 or the right system 604. In one example, the first control circuit can include the left control circuit 140A, and the second control circuit can include the right control circuit 140B. In one example, the first control circuit can include the right control circuit 140B, and the second control circuit can include the left control circuit 140A.

[0173] In one example, the left control circuit 140A can control the cavity pressure in the left cavity 112A by, for example, adjusting the left pressure source 150A to achieve the target cavity pressure in the left cavity 112A. For example, the left control circuit 140A includes a control mechanism such as a feedback control mechanism based on an index of physiological parameters from the left sensor 130A such as an index of the IOP level in the left eye detected by the left biosensor, and processes the received physiological parameters in order to adjust the left pressure source 150A to achieve the target cavity pressure level in the left cavity 112A based on the received physiological parameters such as the received index of the left IOP level.

[0174] In one example, the left control circuit 140A can control the left working fluid composition in the left cavity 112A by, for example, adjusting the left fluid regulator 120A so as to achieve the target fluid composition in the left cavity 112A. For example, the left control circuit 140A receives an indication of the left eye environment from the left sensor 130A such as an indication of the nitric oxide (NO) level in the left cavity detected by the left NO concentration sensor, and processes the received indication of the left eye environment in order to, for example, adjust the left fluid regulator 120A so as to achieve the target fluid concentration level in the cavity 112 based on the received physiological parameter such as the indication of the NO level in the received left cavity 112A.

[0175] The right control circuit 140B can enable, adjust, and control the operation of the right system 604 including the right eye environment in the right cavity 112B independently of the left control circuit 140A. For example, the right control circuit 140B can control the right working fluid composition by, for example, adjusting the right pressure source 150B so as to achieve the target cavity pressure in the cavity 112B, or by adjusting the right fluid regulator 120B so as to achieve the target fluid composition in the cavity 112B.

[0176] The device 600 can control the left eye environment in the left cavity 112A separately from the right eye environment in the right cavity 112B, and can control the right eye environment in the right cavity 112B separately from the left eye environment in the left cavity 112A. In one example, the left system 602 can control at least one of the left cavity pressure or the left working fluid concentration in the left cavity 112A independently of the right system 604, and the right system 604 can control at least one of the right cavity pressure or the right working fluid concentration in the right cavity 112B independently of the left system 602.

[0177] The left-eye environment can include the left cavity pressure within the left cavity 112A, such as being detected by the left pressure sensor 130A through the left conduit 117A. The right-eye environment can include the right cavity pressure within the right cavity 112B, such as being detected by the right pressure sensor 130B through the right conduit 117B.

[0178] In one example, the left pressure source 150A can control the left cavity pressure within the left cavity 112A, such as establishing, adjusting, and maintaining it. For example, the left pressure source 150A and the left fluid regulator 120A communicate with the left cavity 112A through the second left port 116A or the like, and can generate a positive gauge pressure on the left within the left cavity 112A for transporting the constituent fluid from the left fluid regulator 120A into the left cavity 112A. The left cavity check valve 189A communicating with the left cavity 112A can be configured to limit the left cavity pressure within the left cavity 112A to a target left cavity pressure level including a target positive left cavity pressure level or a target negative left cavity pressure level.

[0179] In one example, the right pressure source 150B can control the first right cavity pressure within the right cavity 112B, such as establishing, adjusting, and maintaining it. For example, the right pressure source 150B and the right fluid regulator 120B communicate with the right cavity 112B through the second right port 116B or the like, and can generate a positive gauge pressure on the right within the right cavity 112B for transporting the constituent fluid from the right fluid regulator 120B into the right cavity 112B. The right cavity check valve 189B communicating with the right cavity 112B can be configured to limit the right cavity pressure within the right cavity 112B to a target right cavity pressure level. In one example, the first left cavity pressure can be adjusted, such as increased or decreased, independently of the right pressure source 150B, and the first right cavity pressure can be adjusted, such as increased or decreased, independently of the left pressure source 150A.

[0180] The left-eye environment can include the left actuating fluid composition within the left cavity 112A, and the right-eye environment can include the right actuating fluid composition within the right cavity 112B. In one example, the left fluid regulator 120A can control the first left actuating fluid composition within the left cavity 112A. In one example, the right fluid regulator 120B can control, such as establishing and maintaining, the first right actuating fluid composition within the right cavity 112B. In one example, independently of the right fluid regulator 120B, the first left actuating fluid composition can be adjusted, such as increasing or decreasing the concentration of the components of the first left actuating fluid, and independently of the left fluid regulator 120A, the first right actuating fluid composition can be adjusted, such as increasing or decreasing the concentration of the components of the first right actuating fluid.

[0181] The device 600 can detect the left-eye environment above the left eye by, for example, the left sensor 130A, and can detect the right-eye environment above the right eye by, for example, the right sensor 130B. In one example, the left sensor 130A can detect the left-eye environment independently of the right environment, and the right sensor 130B can detect the right-eye environment independently of the left environment.

[0182] In one example, a left sensor 130A, such as a left cavity sensor in communication with the left cavity 112A, can detect an indicator of the left-eye environment within the left cavity 112A. The left cavity sensor can include at least one of a left flow sensor that detects an indicator of the fluid flow rate within the left cavity 112A, a left humidity sensor that detects an indicator of the humidity within the left cavity 112A, a left temperature sensor that detects an indicator of the temperature within the left cavity 112A, a left pressure sensor that detects an indicator of the pressure within the left cavity 112A, or a left composition sensor that detects an indicator of the actuating fluid composition, such as the concentration of the actuating fluid components, within the left cavity 112A.

[0183] In one example, a right sensor 130 such as a right cavity sensor communicating with the right cavity 112B can detect an index of the right eye environment within the right cavity 112B. The right cavity sensor can include at least one of a right flow sensor that detects an index of the fluid flow rate within the right cavity 112B, a right humidity sensor that detects an index of the humidity within the right cavity 112B, a right temperature sensor that detects an index of the temperature within the right cavity 112B, a right pressure sensor that detects an index of the pressure within the right cavity 112B, or a right working fluid composition such as a right working fluid component concentration. In one example, the left sensor 130A can independently of the right sensor 130B detect an index of the left eye environment within the left cavity 112A, and the right sensor 130B can independently of the left sensor 130A detect an index of the right eye environment within the right cavity 112B.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 7, the apparatus 600 can process an index of the eye environment detected by a sensor 130 such as at least one of the left sensor 130A, the right sensor 130B, or the redundant sensor 732 by the control circuit 140. In one example, the control circuit 140 can include a left control circuit including a left display that can process and display at least one of the index of the left sensor 130A or the index of the redundant sensor 732, and a right control circuit including a right display that can process and display at least one of the index of the right sensor 130B or the index of the redundant sensor 732.

[0185] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an example apparatus 600 that can include a sensor 130 such as a redundant sensor 732. The redundant sensor 732 can communicate with the cavity 112, such as communicating with at least one of the left cavity 112A, the right cavity 112B, the left sensor 130A, or the right sensor 130B.

[0186] The redundant sensor 732 can be configured to detect an eye environment indicator such as at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment within the left cavity 112A, an indicator of the right eye environment within the right cavity 112B, or an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment. In one example, the redundant sensor 732 can be configured to verify or otherwise confirm the proper operation of the sensor 130 such as at least one of the left sensor 130A or the right sensor 130B monitored by the redundant sensor 732.

[0187] The redundant sensor 732 can include a differential sensor such as a differential sensor including a left differential sensor communicating with the left cavity and detecting at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment, an indicator of the right eye environment, or an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment, and a right differential sensor communicating with the right cavity. In one example, the differential sensor can detect the difference between an indicator of the left eye environment such as an indicator of the pressure within the left cavity 112A and an indicator of the right eye environment such as an indicator of the pressure within the right cavity 112B.

[0188] The left differential sensor can include at least one of a left differential flow sensor detecting an indicator of the fluid flow rate within the left cavity 112A, a left differential humidity sensor detecting an indicator of the humidity within the left cavity 112A, a left temperature sensor detecting an indicator of the temperature within the left cavity 112A, a left differential pressure sensor detecting an indicator of the pressure within the left cavity 112A, or a left differential composition sensor detecting an indicator of the working fluid composition such as the concentration of the working fluid component within the left cavity 112A. The left differential sensor can include a left differential signal sensor communicating with the sensor 130 such as at least one of the left sensor 130A or the right sensor 130B and receiving an electrical signal or the like representing the indicator of the eye environment detected by the sensor 130.

[0189] The right differential sensor can include at least one of a right differential flow rate sensor that detects an indicator of the fluid flow rate in the right cavity 112B, a right differential humidity sensor that detects an indicator of the humidity in the right cavity 112B, a right differential temperature sensor that detects an indicator of the temperature in the right cavity 112B, a right differential pressure sensor that detects an indicator of the pressure in the right cavity 112B, or a right differential composition sensor that detects an indicator of the working fluid composition such as the concentration of the working fluid component in the right cavity 112B. The right differential sensor can include a right differential signal sensor that communicates with a sensor 130, such as at least one of the left sensor 130A or the right sensor 130B, that receives an electrical signal or the like representing an indicator of the eye environment detected by the sensor 130.

[0190] FIG. 8 shows an example of an apparatus 800 that can independently control the left eye environment above the patient's left eye and the right eye environment above the patient's right eye by a single pressure source or the like. The apparatus 800 can include at least one of a cavity valve 890 or a cavity reservoir 892.

[0191] The apparatus 800 can include a cavity valve 890 such as a cavity valve 890 that communicates with the cavity 112. The cavity valve 890 can communicate with it, such as being coupled to at least one of the sensor 130, the control circuit 140, or the pressure source 150. In one example, the cavity valve 890 can include at least one of a left control valve 890A that communicates with the left cavity 112A or a right control valve 890B that communicates with the right cavity 112B.

[0192] The cavity valve 890 can control the working fluid pressure in the cavity 112 to achieve a target cavity pressure in the cavity 112. Referring to FIG. 8, the left control valve 890A can control the working fluid pressure in the cavity 112A, and the right control valve 890B can control the working fluid pressure in the cavity 112B.

[0193] The cavity valve 890 can include a passive cavity valve such as the passive cavity check valve 189 as described above in the present application. The cavity valve 890 can include a single passive cavity check valve 189 for maintaining the pressure in the cavity 112 when there is no continuous operation of the pressure source 850. The absence of continuous operation of the pressure source 850 can include many advantages such as increasing the battery life of the battery-powered pressure source 850.

[0194] The passive cavity check valve 189 can include a positive pressure cavity check valve. In one example, the pressure source 850 can be actuated to provide a positive gauge pressure in the cavity 112, such as when the working fluid flows from the pressure source 850 through the positive pressure cavity check valve into the cavity 112. When the power supply of the pressure source 850 is cut off, such as when the pressure source 850 is turned off for a period of time, the positive pressure cavity check valve can close to maintain the positive gauge pressure in the cavity 112. A sensor 130 that communicates with at least one of the control circuit 840 or the pressure source 850 can detect the pressure in the cavity 112, and when the positive gauge pressure in the cavity 112 can drop below a threshold pressure level including the target positive cavity pressure level, the pressure source 850 can be actuated again.

[0195] The passive cavity check valve 189 can include a negative pressure cavity check valve. In one example, the pressure source 850 can be actuated to provide a negative gauge pressure in the cavity 112, such as when the working fluid is drawn from the cavity 112 through the negative pressure cavity check valve to the pressure source 850. When the power supply of the pressure source 850 is cut off, such as when the pressure source 850 is turned off for a period of time, the negative pressure cavity check valve can close to maintain the negative gauge pressure in the cavity 112. A sensor 130 that communicates with at least one of the control circuit 840 or the pressure source 850 can detect the pressure in the cavity 112, and when the negative gauge pressure in the cavity 112 can rise above a threshold pressure level including the target negative cavity pressure level, the pressure source 850 can be actuated again.

[0196] The cavity valve 890 can include a combination of one or more passive cavity check valves 189, such as a passive combination cavity valve, that achieves a target cavity pressure range within the cavity 112. In one example, the cavity valve 890 can include at least one of a left passive combination cavity valve 890A or a right passive combination cavity valve 890B. The target cavity pressure range can be defined by a higher target cavity pressure level and a lower target cavity pressure level, such that the higher target cavity pressure level can be greater than the lower target cavity pressure level. In one example, the passive combination cavity valve can include a first passive cavity check valve having a first cracking pressure selected as the higher target cavity pressure level and a second passive cavity check valve having a second cracking pressure selected as the lower target cavity pressure level.

[0197] The passive combination cavity valve can be used as a safety device to prevent damage to the patient's eye from excessive positive or negative applied pressure, including excessive pressure resulting from improper or unforeseen operation of the pressure source 850. In one example, a positive gauge pressure can be applied to cavity 112 that communicates with a passive combination cavity valve that operates as a safety device having a first cracking pressure selected to be higher than the positive target cavity pressure level, including levels 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% higher than the positive target cavity pressure level, and a second cracking pressure selected at a gauge pressure of about 0 mmHg. In this configuration, device 800 can protect against excessive positive pressure due to the first cracking pressure and excessive negative pressure due to the second cracking pressure. In one example, a negative gauge pressure can be applied to cavity 112 that communicates with a passive combination cavity valve that operates as a safety device having a first cracking pressure selected to be lower than the negative target cavity pressure level, including levels 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% lower than the negative target cavity pressure level, and a second cracking pressure selected at a gauge pressure of about 0 mmHg. In this configuration, device 800 can protect against excessive negative pressure due to the first cracking pressure and excessive positive pressure due to the second cracking pressure.

[0198] The passive combination cavity valve can be used as a measurement device to change the pressure in cavity 112 based on the flow rate of the working fluid from the pressure source 850 and the orifice area of the cavity valve 890. In one example, the passive combination cavity valve can be specified to provide the pressure within cavity 112 based on, for example, the volume-pressure characteristics of the pressure source 850 including a p-Q curve.

[0199] The cavity valve 890 can include an active cavity valve. In one example, the cavity valve 890 can include at least one of a left control valve 890A or a right control valve 890B. The active cavity valve can include a flow measurement portion such as a valve component that controls the flow rate through the active cavity valve, and an operating portion such as an actuator component that adjusts the flow measurement portion. In one example, the active cavity valve can include at least one of a servo valve or a proportional valve, such as a servo valve or a proportional valve configured to be used with at least one of a hydraulic working fluid or a pneumatic working fluid.

[0200] The active cavity valve can control the pressure within the cavity 112, such as a target cavity pressure, by adjusting the active cavity valve in order to control, for example, the fluid flow rate between the cavity 112 and the surrounding environment. In one example, the active cavity valve can be adjusted to allow at least one of a fluid flow from the cavity 112 to the surrounding environment when the cavity pressure is higher than the surrounding environment, or a fluid flow from the surrounding environment into the cavity 112 when the cavity pressure is lower than the surrounding environment.

[0201] The active cavity valve can be configured to adjust the pressure within cavity 112, such as from a first cavity pressure level to a second cavity pressure level different from the first cavity pressure level. The active cavity valve can adjust the pressure within cavity 112 based on sensed metrics such as the sensed metrics received and processed by control circuit 140. In one example, the left active cavity valve can be configured to adjust an indicator of the left cavity pressure based on at least one of the indicators received from a left biosensor, such as an indicator of the left IOP level, an indicator of the CSFP level, an indicator of the relationship between the left IOP and CSFP such as an indicator of the left TPD, or an indicator of cardiac activity such as at least one of the systemic blood pressure or heart rate. In one example, the right active cavity valve can be configured to adjust an indicator of the right cavity pressure based on at least one of the indicators received from a right biosensor, such as an indicator of the right IOP level, an indicator of the CSFP level, an indicator of the relationship between the right IOP and CSFP such as an indicator of the right TPD, or an indicator of cardiac activity such as at least one of the systemic blood pressure or heart rate.

[0202] In one example, control circuit 840 can control the cavity pressure within left cavity 112A, such as by adjusting at least one of pressure source 850 or left control valve 890A to achieve a target cavity pressure within left cavity 112A. For example, left control circuit 140A can include a control mechanism such as a feedback control mechanism based on indicators of physiological parameters received from left sensor 130A, such as an indicator of the IOP level within the left eye sensed by a left biosensor, and can be configured to process the received physiological parameters in order to adjust at least one of pressure source 850 or left control valve 890A to achieve a target cavity pressure level within left cavity 112A based on the received physiological parameters such as the received indicator of the left IOP level.

[0203] In one example, the control circuit 840 can control the cavity pressure in the right cavity 112B by adjusting at least one of the pressure source 850 or the right control valve 890B so as to achieve the target cavity pressure in the right cavity 112B. For example, the control circuit 840 includes a control mechanism such as a feedback control mechanism based on an indicator of the physiological parameter received from the right sensor 130B, such as an indicator of the IOP level in the right eye detected by the right biosensor, and is configured to process the received physiological parameter in order to adjust at least one of the pressure source 850 or the right control valve 890B so as to achieve the target cavity pressure level in the right cavity 112B based on the received physiological parameter such as the received indicator of the right IOP level.

[0204] The device 800 can include a cavity check valve 189 similar to the cavity check valve 189 as described above in this specification. In one example, the cavity check valve 189 can include at least one of a left cavity check valve 189A such as a left passive cavity check valve or a right cavity check valve 189B such as a right passive cavity check valve.

[0205] The device 800 can include a cavity reservoir 892 such as a cavity reservoir 892 that communicates with the cavity 112. The cavity reservoir 892 can include at least one of a left cavity reservoir 892A and a right cavity reservoir 892B.

[0206] The cavity reservoir 892 can serve to adjust an indicator of system elastance in the device 800, such as to improve the ability of the device 800 to achieve a target cavity pressure. System elastance can be characterized by at least one of a ratio of a change in pressure to a change in volume for a given volume change, such as E = ΔP / ΔV, or a reciprocal of system compliance, such as C = 1 / E = ΔV / ΔP. In one example, an indicator of system elastance can be equivalent to an indicator of component elastance, and an indicator of system compliance can be equivalent to an indicator of component compliance. A "high" elastance fluid system means a fluid system in which there can be a rapid pressure change as a function of volume change. In one example, an active cavity valve may not be able to achieve the target cavity pressure in a high elastance device 800 due to, for example, a slow feedback response that results in an overshoot of the target cavity pressure. By adjusting the elastance, such as by reducing the system elastance or increasing the system compliance, or by reducing the rate of pressure change due to volume change to minimize the feedback tracking error, the control of the device 800 can be improved.

[0207] The cavity reservoir 892 can include an auxiliary volume portion, such as a volume space in communication with a cavity 112 that includes at least one of a fluid accumulator or an expansion chamber. In one example, the auxiliary volume portion can be defined as any additional volume portion of the cavity 112, such as any component in fluid communication with the cavity 112 that exceeds the minimum volume required to convey pressure to the patient's eye.

[0208] The amount of auxiliary volume within the cavity reservoir 892 can be selected, such as to adjust the system elastance to change system delay and error when pressurizing the device 800. The auxiliary volume can be adjusted from a first auxiliary volume level to a second auxiliary volume. In one example, the second auxiliary volume level can be made smaller than the first auxiliary volume level, such as for increasing the system elastance. When increasing the system elastance, the system delay for the device 800 including the pressure system delay can be reduced. In one example, the second auxiliary volume level can be made larger than the first auxiliary volume level, such as for decreasing the system elastance. When decreasing the system elastance, the system delay for the device 800 including the pressure system delay can be increased.

[0209] The cavity reservoir 892 can include a highly compliant portion of the device 800, such as a highly compliant portion of the device 800 that communicates with the cavity 112. The highly compliant portion can include a portion of the device 800 that communicates with the cavity 112 and demonstrates a higher component compliance variability rate than the lowest compliance component of the cavity 112 or any component in fluid communication with the cavity 112. The component compliance variability rate can be in the range of about 1% to about 25%, about 25% to about 50%, about 50% to about 75%, or about 75% to about 100% compared to the lowest compliance component of the system.

[0210] The highly compliant portion can include an elastic portion, such as a portion of the device 800 that communicates with the cavity 112 and demonstrates a higher component compliance variability rate than the lowest compliance component of the system. In one example, the elastic portion can include a membrane, such as a flexible diaphragm as previously described herein.

[0211] The device 800 can include a system control circuit 840 similar to the control circuit 140 including the left control circuit 140A and the right control circuit 140B as described above in this specification. The control circuit 840 receives an indicator of the left eye environment from a left sensor 130A including a left biosensor, etc., and based on at least one of the received indicators of the left IOP, etc., among the received indicators of the left eye environment, it can be configured to include a left system control circuit such as a left system control circuit that adjusts the pressure in the left cavity toward the left target IOP by a left control valve 890A. The control circuit 140 receives an indicator of the right eye environment from a right sensor 130A including a right biosensor, etc., and based on at least one of the received indicators of the right IOP, etc., among the received indicators of the right eye environment, it can be configured to include a right system control circuit such as a right system control circuit that adjusts the pressure in the right cavity toward the right target IOP by a right control valve 890B.

[0212] The left control circuit can be configured to adjust the left pressure in the left cavity 112A by a left active valve so as to equalize an indicator of the left translaminar pressure difference (TPD) related to the left eye. The right control circuit can be configured to adjust the right pressure in the right cavity by a right active valve so as to equalize an indicator of the right translaminar pressure difference (TPD) related to the right eye. In one example, the equalization of the indicator of the TPD can include reducing the indicator of the TPD from a first left TPD level to a lower second left TPD level or from a first right TPD level to a lower second right TPD level, etc., from a first TPD level to a lower second TPD level.

[0213] The left control circuit can be configured to adjust the left pressure in the left cavity by a left active valve sufficient to improve the index of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye, and the right control circuit can be configured to adjust the right pressure in the right cavity by a right active valve sufficient to improve the index of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye. In one example, improving the index of axonal transport can include adjusting the speed of axonal transport, such as increasing the speed of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a second axonal transport level where the second axonal transport level can be higher than the first axonal transport level. In one example, improving the index of axonal transport can include adjusting the speed of axonal transport, such as decreasing the speed of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a second axonal transport level where the second axonal transport level can be lower than the first axonal transport level.

[0214] Device 800 can include a pressure source 850 similar to pressure source 150 as described above herein. Pressure source 850 can be configured to apply a non-atmospheric pressure to device 800, such as to at least one of left cavity 112A or right cavity 112B. In one example, pressure source 850 can be configured to pressurize both left cavity 112A and right cavity 112B, such as simultaneously, or otherwise apply a non-atmospheric pressure to them.

[0215] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of an example device 900 that can control an eye environment over a patient's eye, such as at least one of a left eye environment over a patient's left eye or a right eye environment over a patient's right eye, by at least one of a main pressure source, a left pressure source, or a right pressure source.

[0216] Device 900 can include a main pressure source 950 similar to pressure source 150, such as a pressure source, in communication with a left pressure source 950A similar to left pressure source 150A and a right pressure source 950B similar to right pressure source 150. The main pressure source 950 can draw in a working fluid from the ambient environment at port 951 or the like.

[0217] The device 900 can include a manifold 975 that directs a working fluid flow from a pressure source that includes at least one of a main pressure source 950, a left pressure source 950A, or a right pressure source 950B to at least one of a left cavity 112A of a left cover 110A or a right cavity 112B of a right cover 110B. The manifold 975 can include a left column 977A having an inlet port 979A and an outlet port 981A, a right column 977B having an inlet port 979B and an outlet port 981B, and a central column 977C in communication with the left column 977A and the right column 977B. The manifold 975 can include a left control valve 983A positioned proximate the left inlet port 979A to control a left working fluid flow entering the left column 977A, a right control valve 983 positioned proximate the right inlet port 979B to control a right working fluid flow entering the right column 977B, and a control valve such as an electro-operated control valve including a servo valve or a proportional valve including a central control valve 983C in communication with the central column 977C to control the flow of the left working fluid flow and the right working fluid flow between the left column 977A and the right column 977B.

[0218] Device 900 can control indicators of the ocular environment over the patient's left and right eyes. For example, the control of the left pressure indicator within left cavity 112A can be independent of the right pressure indicator within right cavity 112B, and the right pressure indicator within right cavity 112B can be independent of the left pressure indicator within left cavity 112A. In one example, left control valve 983A and right control valve 983B can be in an open state, such as to maximize the volumetric flow through left control valve 983A and right control valve 983B, and central control valve 983C can be in a closed state, such as to isolate left cavity 112A from right cavity 112B and vice versa, for example to block the volumetric flow through central control valve 983C. Main pressure source 950 can be actuated to generate a main volumetric fluid flow within device 900, such as to result in approximately equal main volumetric flows within left column 977A and right column 977B. Main pressure source 950 can be operated to generate at least one of a positive gauge pressure or a negative gauge pressure within left cavity 112A and right cavity 112B.

[0219] Each of left cover 110A and right cover 110B can include seals 119A, 119B to control the fluid flow entering and exiting cavities 112A, 12B. In one example, seals 119A, 119B can control the entry of ambient air into left cavity 112A and right cavity 112B, such as when a negative gauge pressure is applied to left cavity 112A and right cavity 112B. In one example, seals 119A, 119B can control the exit of working fluid into the ambient environment, such as when a positive gauge pressure is applied to left cavity 112A and right cavity 112B. The seal permeability can be controlled over a range, such as from approximately 0% permeability (e.g., sealed) to up to approximately 100% permeability. In one example, the seal permeability can be controlled within at least one of a range such as from approximately 0% permeability to approximately 25% permeability, from approximately 25% permeability to approximately 50% permeability, from approximately 50% permeability to approximately 75% permeability, or from approximately 75% permeability to approximately 100% permeability.

[0220] With respect to seal permeability, it can act by adjusting the characteristics of the cover-patient contact surface, for example, the characteristics of the seal surface that contacts the patient. A smooth seal surface such as a sealing surface that is in complete contact with the patient can form a continuous seal surface around the patient's eye, such as providing a seal between the covers 110A and 110B and the patient. A non-smooth surface such as a seal surface that is not in complete contact with the patient can form a semi-continuous seal surface around the patient's eye, such as providing a semi-permeable seal between the covers 110A and 110B and the patient. The non-smooth surface can include a surface formed of a material with a non-smooth surface finish, including synthetic leather and an elastomer having surface features formed thereon, for example, at least one or a plurality of formed protrusions or formed depressions formed on the surface of an elastomer that prevents the formation of a continuous seal surface around the patient's eye.

[0221] With respect to seal permeability, it can act by the characteristics of the seal material, such as at least one of the porosity of the seal material, the diameter of the pores in the seal material, or the distribution of the pore diameters in the seal material. In one example, the seal material can be formed with a specified total porosity in the range of about 0% porosity to about 100% porosity.

[0222] With respect to the eye environment within the cavities 112A and 112B, it can act by the features of the covers 110A and 110B. For example, the cover features can act on changes in the eye environment similar to the influence of seal permeability. In one example, the cover features can include one or more exhaust ports, such as exhaust ports that can extend from the outer surface 187 of the cover 110 to the inner surface 188 of the cover 110 to communicate the cavity 112 with the ambient environment.

[0223] With respect to the adjustment of the eye environment, it can act according to the characteristics of the exhaust port, such as at least one of the exhaust port surface area including the total surface area of the exhaust port or the number of exhaust ports in the covers 110A and 110B. The exhaust port surface area can affect the speed of fluid exchange between the cavity 112 and the surrounding environment. For example, the speed of fluid exchange can be determined by the surface area of the exhaust port. The number of exhaust ports can affect the speed of fluid exchange. For example, the number of exhaust ports can affect the total surface area of the exhaust ports. In that case, the speed of fluid exchange between the cavity 112 and the surrounding environment can be determined by the total surface area of the exhaust ports.

[0224] The pressures in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B can be changed by adjusting, for example, the resistance presented to the main volume fluid flow in the device 900. In one example, the open state of at least one of the left control valve 983A or the right control valve 983B can be adjusted in a range such as about 0% open to 100% open to present a resistance to the main volume fluid flow, thereby adjusting the main volume fluid flow in the left column 977A and the right column 977B. As a result, the gauge pressures in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B can be changed according to the opening areas presented by the left control valve 983A and the right control valve 983B.

[0225] The pressures in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B can be changed by changing, for example, the total volume fluid flow in the device 900. In one example, the left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B can be activated to generate a left volume fluid flow caused by the left pressure source 950A and a right volume fluid flow caused by the right pressure source 950B. The left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B can be activated independently. For example, the left volume flow caused by the left pressure source 950A can be different from the right volume flow caused by the right pressure source 950B. When adjusting the amount of energy applied to each of the left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B, the independent left volume flow and right volume flow can enable independent control of the indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A and the indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B.

[0226] Similarly, the apparatus 900 can control the indicators of the ocular environment over the patient's left eye and the patient's right eye. For example, the control of the indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A can depend on the indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B, and the indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B can depend on the indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity. In one example, the central control valve 983C can be opened in a range from about 0% open to about 100% open, such that the left cavity 112A communicates with the right cavity 112B and the right cavity 112B communicates with the left cavity 112A. When adjusting the amount of energy applied to each of the left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B, the independent left volumetric flow and right volumetric flow can mix through the central control valve 983C. For example, the left pressure in the left cavity 112A can depend on the right pressure source 950B, and the right pressure in the right cavity 112B can depend on the left pressure source 950A. In one example, the left control valve 983A and the right control valve 983B can be opened in a range from about 0% open to about 100% open so as to throttle at least one of the left volumetric flow resulting from the left pressure source 950A or the right volumetric flow resulting from the right pressure source 950B. For example, the left pressure in the left cavity 112A can depend on the right pressure source 950B, and the right pressure in the right cavity 112B can depend on the left pressure source 950A.

[0227] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a second apparatus example 1000 that can control the ocular environment over a patient's eye, such as at least one of the left eye environment over the patient's left eye or the right eye environment over the patient's right eye, by means of a one-way valve in communication with a main pressure source 950. The apparatus 1000 can be similar to the apparatus 900 and can include a one-way valve 1091, such as a valve that allows fluid flow in the forward direction but blocks fluid flow in the reverse direction. The one-way valve 1091 can be positioned to communicate with the main pressure source 950, the left pressure source 950A, and the right pressure source 950B, such as between the main pressure source 950 and the left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B.

[0228] The one-way valve 1091 can be directed in the forward direction toward the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B. When the main pressure source 950 is activated (e.g., turning the pressure source 950 "on"), the one-way valve 1091 can be opened by the flow from the main pressure source 950 into the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B to generate a positive gauge pressure in the cavities 112A, 112B, etc. When the power supply to the main pressure source 950 is cut off (e.g., turning the pressure source 950 "off"), the one-way valve 1091 can be closed to maintain the positive gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B, etc. By operating the left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B, for example, to generate a volume flow into the device 900 (e.g., the gauge pressure of the cavity can increase) or to generate a volume flow from the device 900 (e.g., the gauge pressure of the cavity can decrease), etc., the gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B can be adjusted, for example, adjusted to increase or decrease the gauge pressure.

[0229] In one example, the left positive gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right positive gauge pressure in the right cavity 112B can be independently adjusted, such as by closing the control valves 983A, 983B, and 983C to generate a positive gauge pressure by the main pressure source 950 and to maintain and isolate the positive gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B. The left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B can be independently operated to adjust the gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B, such as to increase or decrease the positive gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A independently of the right cavity 112B.

[0230] The one-way valve 1091 can be directed in the forward direction toward the main pressure source 950. When the main pressure source 950 is activated (e.g., turning the pressure source 950 "on"), the one-way valve 1091 can be opened by the flow from the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B to the main pressure source 950 for generating a negative gauge pressure in the cavities 112A, 112B, etc. When the power supply to the main pressure source 950 is cut off (e.g., turning the pressure source 950 "off"), the one-way valve 1091 can be closed for maintaining the negative gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B, etc.

[0231] In one example, the left pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right pressure in the right cavity 112B can be independently adjusted, such as by closing the control valves 983A, 983B, and 983C, etc., to generate a negative gauge pressure by the main pressure source 950 and to maintain and isolate the negative gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B. The left pressure source 950A and the right pressure source 950B can be independently operated to adjust the gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B, such as by increasing or decreasing the negative gauge pressure in the left cavity 112A independently from the right cavity 112B.

[0232] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a third device example 1100 that can control the eye environment over a patient's eye, such as at least one of the left eye environment over the patient's left eye or the right eye environment over the patient's right eye, by a one-way valve 1091 in communication with at least one of the main pressure source and the left control valve 890A or the right control valve 890B. The device 1100 can be similar to the device 1000 and can include a cavity valve 890, such as the cavity valve 890 including the left control valve 890A and the right control valve 890B, as described above in this specification.

[0233] The left control valve 890A can communicate with the left cavity 112A, such as being attached to the manifold 975 at the left port 984A. In one example, the left port 984A can communicate with the column 977A such that the left port 984A communicates with the left cavity 112A. The right control valve 890B can communicate with the right cavity 112A, such as being attached to the manifold 975 at the right port 984B. In one example, the right port 984B can communicate with the column 977B such that the right port 984B communicates with the right cavity 112B.

[0234] At least one device, such as the device 100, 600, 800, 900, 1000 or 1100, can be used to treat, suppress or prevent an eye disease of a patient. A process, such as a diagnostic regimen or a treatment regimen, can be implemented for a patient, such as a patient involved in an eye disease or a potential presence of an eye disease. In one example, a patient can be admitted by a medical professional. For example, the patient can initiate contact with the medical professional to receive at least one of an eye disease screening, diagnosis or treatment. In one example, a patient can be selected by a medical professional. For example, the patient can receive contact from or be invited in another way by the medical professional to receive at least one of an eye disease screening, diagnosis or treatment. The selection by the medical professional can include a selection based on screening criteria, such as criteria for identifying "at-risk" patients from the general population for examination by the medical professional. The screening criteria can include patient screening criteria (or criteria specific to an individual patient), such as physiological parameters of the patient, including age, weight, stress level or genetic markers. The screening criteria can include environmental screening criteria (or criteria specific to the patient's living environment), such as the patient's place of residence, patient occupation, or potential exposure to substances identified by the eye disease.

[0235] Eye diseases can appear as symptoms such as the symptoms of patients with eye diseases. The symptoms can include discomfort of the patient such as pain or other visual disorders including blurred vision, or abnormal indicators of the physiological state of the patient's eye such as abnormal indicators including abnormal IOP, CSFP or cup-to-disc ratio.

[0236] FIG. 12 shows a method example 1200 of using an apparatus such as apparatus 100 that receives an indicator and adjusts a pressure source based on the received indicator. The apparatus 100 can include a left cover 110A sized and shaped to fit over the patient's left eye so as to define a left cavity 112A between the left cover 110A and the front surface of the left eye, a left pressure source 150A configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the left cavity 112A and in communication with the left cavity 112A, a right cover 110B sized and shaped to fit over the patient's right eye so as to define a right cavity 112B between the right cover 110B and the front surface of the right eye, and a right pressure source 150B configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the right cavity 112B and in communication with the right cavity 112B. The left pressure source 150A can be configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the left cavity 112A independently of the right pressure source 150B, and the right pressure source 150B can be configured to adjust the fluid pressure within the right cavity 112B independently of the left pressure source 150A.

[0237] At 1202, at least one of the devices 100, for example, the left pressure source 150A and the right pressure source 150B, can receive an indicator of the eye environment such as the left eye environment in the left cavity 112A detected by the left sensor 130A or the right eye environment in the right cavity 112B detected by the right sensor 130B, an indicator of the intraocular pressure (IOP) such as the left IOP in the patient's left eye detected by the left sensor 130A or the right IOP in the patient's right eye detected by the right sensor 130B, or an indicator of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient detected by the left sensor 130A or the right sensor 130B. In one example, the left pressure source 150A can include a left control circuit 140A that receives the detected left indicator, and the right pressure source 150B can include a right control circuit 140B that receives the detected right indicator.

[0238] At 1204, at least one of the left pressure source 150A or the right pressure source 150B can be adjusted based on at least one of the received indicators. In one example, the left pressure source 150A can be adjusted to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity 112A based on one of the received left indicators, and the right pressure source 150B can be adjusted to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity 112B based on at least one of the received right indicators.

[0239] In one example, the left pressure source 150A can receive an indicator of the left eye environment such as an indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A, and the left pressure source 150A can be adjusted based on the received indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A. The right pressure source 150B can receive an indicator of the right eye environment such as an indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity 112A, and the right pressure source 150B can be adjusted based on the received indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B.

[0240] In one example, the left pressure source 150A can receive an indication of the left IOP from the patient's left eye by a sensor 130A such as a left IOP sensor, and the left pressure source 150A can be adjusted based on the received indication of the left IOP in the patient's left eye and the like. The right pressure source 150B can receive an indication of the right IOP from the patient's right eye by a sensor 130B such as a right IOP sensor, and the right pressure source 150B can be adjusted based on the received indication of the right IOP in the patient's right eye and the like.

[0241] In one example, the left pressure source 150A can receive indications of the left eye environment such as an indication of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A and an indication of the left IOP from the patient's left eye. Subsequently, the left pressure source 150A can be adjusted based on the received indication of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A and the received indication of the left IOP in the left eye. The right pressure source 150B can receive an indication of the right eye environment such as an indication of the right pressure in the right cavity 112A, and the right pressure source 150B can be adjusted based on the received indication of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B. The right pressure source 150B can receive indications of the right eye environment such as an indication of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B and an indication of the right IOP from the patient's right eye. Subsequently, the right pressure source 150B can be adjusted based on the received indication of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B and the received indication of the right IOP in the right eye.

[0242] In one example, the left pressure source 150A can receive an indication of the left IOP and an indication of the CSFP by the left control circuit 140A or the like. The left control circuit 140A can process the received indications such as forming an indication of the left translaminar pressure difference (TPD). Subsequently, the left pressure source 150A can be adjusted such as equalizing the indication of the left TPD based on the received indication of the left TPD. The right pressure source 150B can receive an indication of the right IOP and an indication of the CSFP by the right control circuit 140B or the like. The right control circuit 140B can process the received indications such as forming an indication of the right translaminar pressure difference (TPD). Subsequently, the right pressure source 150B can be adjusted such as equalizing the indication of the right TPD based on the received indication of the right TPD.

[0243] Equalization of the TPD index can include changing the TPD index, such as reducing the TPD index from a first TPD level to a lower TPD level. FIG. 13 shows an example method 1300 of using a device to detect an index and adjust a valve based on the detected index. The device can include at least one of device 100, device 600, device 800, or a combination of components of the devices described above. The device includes a left sensor 130A including a left pressure sensor that communicates with the left cavity 112A and detects an index of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A, a right sensor 130B including a right pressure sensor that communicates with the right cavity 112B and detects an index of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B, a system sensor including redundant sensors, and a system control circuit 640 configured to receive and process at least one of the index of the left pressure or the index of the right pressure that communicates with the system sensor, and can include a left control valve 890A that communicates with the left cavity 112A and communicates with the system control circuit 640, and a right control valve 890B that communicates with the right cavity 112B and communicates with the system control circuit 640.

[0244] At 1302, the device can detect index pressures such as the index of the left pressure and the index of the right pressure. The left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B can be pressurized by a pressure source 850 to a positive or negative non-atmospheric pressure level or the like. The device can detect an index of the eye environment such as an index of the pressure by the system sensor. In one example, the device can detect an index of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A by the left pressure sensor and detect an index of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B by the right pressure sensor.

[0245] At 1304, the device can adjust the valve based on detected pressure indicators such as the detected left pressure indicator and the detected right pressure indicator. Left valves such as left control valve 890A that communicate with left cavity 112A can be adjusted based on indicators such as the detected left pressure within left cavity 112A. When adjusting left control valve 890A, the pressure within left cavity 112A can be changed, such as to achieve the target cavity pressure within left cavity 112A. Right valves such as right control valve 890B that communicate with right cavity 112B can be adjusted based on indicators such as the detected right pressure within right cavity 112B. When adjusting right control valve 890B, the pressure within right cavity 112A can be changed, such as to achieve the target cavity pressure within right cavity 112B.

[0246] In one example, left sensor 130A can include a left biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of intraocular pressure (IOP) within the left eye or an indicator of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) within the patient that communicates with system control circuit 640. Left valves such as left control valve 890A that communicate with left cavity 112A can be adjusted based on at least one of the detected left pressure indicator within left cavity 112A, the detected left IOP indicator, or the detected CSFP indicator. When adjusting left control valve 890A, the pressure within left cavity 112A can be adjusted to change the left pressure towards the left target IOP level. For example, the left pressure within left cavity 112A can be adjusted to achieve a left IOP level that includes the left target IOP level within the left eye based on the received left IOP indicator.

[0247] In one example, the right sensor 130B can include a right biosensor configured to detect at least one of an indicator of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right eye or an indicator of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient that communicates with the system control circuit 640. Right valves such as the right control valve 890B that communicate with the right cavity 112B can be adjusted based on at least one of an indicator of the right pressure in the detected left cavity 112A, an indicator of the detected right IOP, or an indicator of the detected CSFP. When adjusting the right control valve 890B, the pressure in the right cavity 112B can be adjusted to change the right pressure toward the right target IOP level. For example, the right pressure in the right cavity 112B can be adjusted to achieve a right IOP level that includes the right target IOP level in the right eye based on the received indicator of the right IOP.

[0248] In one example, adjusting the active left valve can include adjusting the active left valve to change the left pressure in the left cavity 112A, such as to equalize an indicator of the left translaminar pressure difference (TPD) associated with the left eye. Adjusting the active right valve can include adjusting the active right valve to change the right pressure in the right cavity 112B, such as to equalize an indicator of the right translaminar pressure difference (TPD) associated with the right eye. Equalizing the indicator of the TPD can include changing the indicator of the TPD, such as reducing the indicator of the TPD from a first TPD level to a lower second TPD level.

[0249] In one example, adjusting the active left valve can include adjusting the active left valve to change the left pressure in the left cavity 112A, such as to achieve a left pressure sufficient to improve an indicator of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye. Adjusting the active right valve can include adjusting the active right valve to change the right pressure in the right cavity 112B, such as to achieve a right pressure sufficient to improve an indicator of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye.

[0250] Figure 14 shows an example method 1400 of detecting an indicator using a device and limiting the pressure applied to the cavity. The device can include at least one of device 100, device 600, device 800, or a combination of components of the devices described above. The device includes a pressure source 150 in communication with a left cavity 112A located over the patient's left eye and a right cavity 112B located over the patient's right eye, a left cavity sensor 130 for detecting an indicator of the left eye environment within the left cavity, a right cavity sensor 130B for detecting an indicator of the right eye environment within the right cavity, and a system sensor including a redundant sensor 732 for detecting the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment.

[0251] In 1402, the device can detect an indicator pressure such as an indicator of the left pressure and an indicator of the right pressure. The left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B can be pressurized by a pressure source 850 to a positive or negative non-atmospheric pressure level or the like. The device can detect an indicator of the eye environment such as an indicator of the pressure by the system sensor. In one example, the device can detect an indicator of the left pressure within the left cavity 112A by a left pressure sensor and an indicator of the right pressure within the right cavity 112B by a right pressure sensor.

[0252] At 1404, the device can limit the pressure applied to, for example, the left cavity 112A and the right cavity 112B. A valve 890, such as a passive valve, can be selected based on characteristics of the valve 890, including the cracking pressure of the valve, to limit the operating fluid pressure within the cavity 112. Limiting the pressure applied to the left cavity 112A can include at least one of selecting a left control valve 890A, such as a passive left valve, in communication with the left cavity 112A so as to limit the left pressure applied to the left eye within the left cavity 112A, or selecting a left cracking pressure associated with the left passive valve. The left cracking pressure can be selected to include a left target pressure, such as a left target cavity pressure level. Limiting the pressure applied to the right cavity 112B can include at least one of selecting a right control valve 890B, such as a passive right valve, in communication with the right cavity 112B so as to limit the right pressure applied to the right eye within the right cavity 112B, or selecting a right cracking pressure associated with the right passive valve. The right cracking pressure can be selected to include a right target pressure, such as a right target cavity pressure level.

[0253] In order to limit the working fluid pressure in the cavity 112, etc., a valve 890 such as an active valve communicating with the cavity 112 can be selected. The limitation of the pressure applied to the left cavity 112A can include opening the active left valve based on an index of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A detected by the left sensor 130A including a left pressure sensor. The index of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A can include an index of the difference between the index of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A and at least one of the maximum pressure level or the minimum pressure level in the left cavity 112A, such as a left safety pressure level. The limitation of the pressure applied to the right cavity 112B can include opening the active right valve based on an index of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B detected by the right sensor 130B including a right pressure sensor. The index of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B can include an index of the difference between the index of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B and at least one of the maximum pressure level or the minimum pressure level in the right cavity 112A, such as a right safety pressure level.

[0254] The pressure source 150 can be adjusted to limit the working fluid pressure in the cavity 112, etc. Adjusting the operation of the pressure source 150 can include adjusting the pressure in the cavity 112 by adjusting an index of the working fluid flow rate provided by the pressure source 150, etc. The index of the working fluid flow rate can include changing the operation of the pressure source 150, such as increasing or decreasing the speed of the pump so as to affect the working fluid flow rate of the pump. The limitation of the pressure applied to the left cavity 112A can include adjusting the operation of the left pressure source 150A based on at least one of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A or the difference between the index of the left pressure in the left cavity 112A and the left safety pressure level. The limitation of the pressure applied to the right cavity 112B can include adjusting the operation of the right pressure source 150B based on at least one of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B or the difference between the index of the right pressure in the right cavity 112B and the right safety pressure level.

[0255] Various notes and examples The foregoing detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings that form a part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate, by way of example, certain embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such examples can include elements in addition to those illustrated or described. However, the inventors contemplate examples in which only the elements illustrated or described are provided. Further, the inventors contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of the elements (or aspects thereof) illustrated or described with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof) herein or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof).

[0256] Where there is a conflict in usage between this specification and any document incorporated herein by reference, the usage in this specification shall control. As used herein, the term "a" or "an" is used to mean "at least one" or "one or more," regardless of any other examples or usage in patent documents, and includes one or more than one. As used herein, the term "or" is used to mean an exclusive disjunction, and "A or B" includes, unless otherwise indicated, "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B." As used herein, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as ordinary English synonyms for the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Also, in the following claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, i.e., a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those recited after such terms in a claim is still considered to be within the scope of that claim. Further, in the following claims, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0257] The method examples described in this specification can be implemented, at least in part, by machines or computers. Some examples can include a computer-readable medium or a machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable to configure an electronic device to perform a method as described in the above examples. Implementations of such methods can include code such as microcode, assembly language code, higher-level language code, etc. Such code can include computer-readable instructions for performing various methods. The code can form part of a computer program product. Further, in one example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media during execution or at other times, etc. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or memory sticks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), etc.

[0258] FIG. 15 shows an example block diagram of a computer 1500 that can be used as the control circuit 140. The method can be implemented in the control circuit 140. The control circuit 140 can include a computer 1500 that can implement any one or more of the techniques or methods discussed herein. The machine 1500 can be a local or remote computer, or a processing node in an on-the-go (OTG) device such as a smartphone, tablet, or wearable device. The machine 1500 can operate as a stand-alone device or can be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In one example, the machine can be directly coupled to or integrated with the device 100, e.g., any component of the device 100. When the processor 1502 is directly coupled to the device 100, some components of the machine 1500 can be omitted to provide a lightweight and flexible device (e.g., a display device, a UI navigation device, etc.). In a networked arrangement, the machine 1500 can operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in a server-client network environment. In one example, the machine 1500 can function as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The machine 1500 can be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a web appliance, a network router, a switch or bridge, or any machine that can execute instructions (sequentially or otherwise) specifying the operations to be performed by that machine. In one example, the machine 1500 can include a circuit designed to suit the purpose, such as a printed circuit board, that can execute the functions and methods disclosed throughout this specification.Furthermore, although only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" can also be interpreted to include any collection of machines that individually or together execute any one or more of the methodologies contemplated herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations, etc., i.e., any one set (or sets) of instructions.

[0259] Examples, as described herein, can include, or can operate on, logic or a plurality of components or mechanisms. A circuit can include a collection of circuits (e.g., simple circuits, gates, logic, etc.) implemented in a tangible entity including hardware. Circuit membership can be flexible over time and across the variability of underlying hardware. A circuit configuration can include members that, while operating, can perform specified operations individually or in combination. In one example, the hardware of a circuit configuration can be immutably designed (e.g., wired) to perform a given operation. In one example, the hardware of a circuit configuration can include physically changeable computer-readable media (e.g., magnetic, electrical, movable arrangements of immovable particles) that encode instructions for a given operation, including variable connected physical components (e.g., execution units, transistors, simple circuits, etc.). When connecting the physical components, the electrical characteristics underlying the hardware components can change, for example, from an insulator to a conductor or vice versa. By instructions, an embedded hardware (e.g., an execution unit or a loading mechanism) can generate members of a circuit configuration of the hardware via variable connections to perform some parts of a given operation during operation. Accordingly, the computer-readable media can be communicatively coupled to other components of the circuit configuration while the device is operating. In one example, any of the physical components can be used by two or more members of two or more circuit configurations. For example, during operation, an execution unit can be used by a first circuit of a first circuit configuration at one point in time and reused by a second circuit of the first circuit configuration or by a third circuit of a second circuit configuration at different points in time.

[0260] A machine (e.g., a computer system) 1500 can include a hardware processor 1502 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 1504, and a static memory 1506, and some or all of them can communicate with each other via an interconnection (e.g., a bus) 1508. The machine 1500 can further include a display unit 1510, an alphanumeric input device 1512 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 1514 (e.g., a mouse). In one example, the display unit 1510, the input device 1512, and the UI navigation device 1514 can be a touch screen display. The machine 1500 can further include a storage device (e.g., a drive unit) 1516, a signal generation device 1518 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 1520, and one or more sensors 1521 such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or other sensors. In one example, the sensors 1521, including for example the sensor 130, can include wearable assist device-based sensors and environmental sensors as described above. The machine 1500 can include an output controller 1528 such as a serial (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB)), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, a card reader, etc.).

[0261] The memory device 1516 can include a machine-readable medium 1522 in which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 1524 (e.g., software) that embody or are utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 1524 can be fully or at least partially present in main memory 1504, in static memory 1506, or in hardware processor 1502 during execution thereof by machine 1500. In one example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 1502, main memory 1504, static memory 1506, or memory device 1516 can constitute a machine-readable medium.

[0262] The machine-readable medium 1522 is illustrated as a single medium, but the term "machine-readable medium" can include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 1524.

[0263] The term "machine-readable medium" can include any medium that can store, encode, or carry instructions for execution by machine 1500, cause machine 1500 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or store, encode, or carry a data structure used by or related to such instructions. Non-limiting examples of machine-readable storage media can include solid state memory, as well as optical and magnetic media. In one example, a mass machine-readable medium includes a machine-readable medium having a plurality of particles having invariant (e.g., stationary) mass. Thus, a mass machine-readable medium is not a transitory propagation signal. Exemplary mass machine-readable media can include non-volatile memory such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

[0264] The plurality of instructions 1524 can further be transmitted and received via a communication network 1526 using a transmission medium through a network interface device 1520 that utilizes any one of a plurality of transfer protocols (e.g., Frame Relay, Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), etc.). Examples of communication networks include, among others, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Packet Data Network (e.g., the Internet), mobile phone network (e.g., cellular network), Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) network, wireless data network (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard family known as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), IEEE 802.16 standard family known as WiMax (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.15.4 standard family, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network. In one example, the network interface device 1520 can include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet jack, coaxial jack, or phone jack) or one or more antennas for connecting to the communication network 1526. In one example, the network interface device 1520 can include a plurality of antennas for wireless communication using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term "transmission medium" is construed to include any intangible medium that can store, encode, or carry the plurality of instructions executed by the machine 1500, and includes digital or analog communication signals or other intangible media that facilitate such software communication.

[0265] The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used by those skilled in the art who have reviewed the above description. The abstract is provided in accordance with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b) so that readers can quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above detailed description, various features may be grouped together in order to simplify the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that any disclosed feature not claimed is essential to any claim. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may lie in features that do not meet all of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, the following claims are incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The technical idea included in the present disclosure is described below. (Appendix 1) An apparatus comprising: a left cover sized and shaped to fit over the left eye so as to define a left cavity between the left cover and the front surface of the patient's left eye; a left pressure source configured to communicate with the left cavity and adjust the fluid pressure within the left cavity; a right cover sized and shaped to fit over the right eye so as to define a right cavity between the right cover and the front surface of the patient's right eye; a right pressure source configured to communicate with the right cavity and adjust the fluid pressure within the right cavity; A control circuit connected to at least one of the left pressure source and the right pressure source, wherein the system control circuit is configured such that the left pressure source can adjust the fluid pressure in the left cavity independently of the right pressure source, and the right pressure source can adjust the fluid pressure in the right cavity independently of the left pressure source, the control circuit, and an apparatus comprising the same. (Appendix 2) A left cavity sensor communicating with the left cavity and detecting an index of the left eye environment in the left cavity, A right cavity sensor communicating with the right cavity and detecting an index of the right eye environment in the right cavity, A redundant sensor configured to detect at least one of the index of the left eye environment, the index of the right eye environment, and the index of the relationship between the index of the left eye environment and the index of the right eye environment, The apparatus according to Appendix 1, comprising a system sensor including the same. (Appendix 3) The left cavity sensor includes a left pressure sensor that detects an index of the left pressure in the left cavity, The right cavity sensor includes a right pressure sensor that detects an index of the right pressure in the right cavity, The apparatus according to Appendix 2, wherein the redundant sensor includes a redundant sensor that detects an index of the relationship between the index of the left eye environment and the index of the right eye environment. (Appendix 4) The apparatus according to Appendix 2, wherein the redundant sensor includes a differential pressure sensor configured to detect a difference between an index of the left pressure in the left cavity by a left differential pressure sensor and an index of the right pressure in the right cavity by a right differential pressure sensor. (Appendix 5) The apparatus according to Appendix 2, wherein the redundant sensor includes a differential signal sensor configured to detect a difference between an index of the left pressure from the left cavity sensor by a left differential signal sensor and an index of the right pressure from the right cavity sensor by a right differential signal sensor. (Appendix 6) The apparatus according to appended claim 2, wherein the system control circuit is configured to receive and process at least one of an index of the left-eye environment in the left cavity, an index of the right-eye environment in the right cavity, and an index of the relationship between the left-eye environment and the right-eye environment. (Appended claim 7) The system control circuit a left control circuit coupled to the left pressure source and capable of receiving and processing at least one of an index of the left-eye environment and an index of the relationship between the left-eye environment and the right-eye environment; The apparatus according to appended claim 6, comprising a right control circuit communicating with the right pressure source and capable of receiving and processing at least one of an index of the right-eye environment and an index of the relationship between the left-eye environment and the right-eye environment. (Appended claim 8) The left control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity toward a left target cavity pressure in the left cavity. The apparatus according to appended claim 7, wherein the right control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity toward a right target cavity pressure in the right cavity. (Appended claim 9) a left biosensor communicating with the left control circuit and configured to detect at least one of an index of the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye and an index of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient; The apparatus according to appended claim 7, comprising a right biosensor communicating with the right control circuit and configured to detect at least one of an index of the right IOP in the right eye and an index of the CSFP in the patient. (Appended claim 10) The left control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to receive an index of the left IOP and adjust the left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward a left target IOP level [G] based on the received index of the left IOP. The apparatus according to appended claim 9, comprising a right control circuit configured to receive an index of the right IOP and adjust the right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward a right target IOP level [G] based on the received index of the right IOP. (Appended claim 11) The left control circuit configured to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward the left target IOP level includes the left target IOP level in a range of about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg in the left eye. The apparatus according to appended claim 10, wherein the right control circuit configured to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward the right target IOP level includes the right target IOP level in a range of about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg in the right eye. (Appended claim 12) The left control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity so as to equalize an index of a left translaminar pressure gradient (TLPG) related to the left eye, and equalizing the index of the left TLPG includes reducing the index of the left TLPG from a first left TLPG level to a lower second left TLPG level. The apparatus according to appended claim 9, wherein the right control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity so as to equalize an index of a right TLPG related to the right eye, and equalizing the index of the right TLPG includes reducing the index of the right TLPG from a first right TLPG level to a lower second right TLPG level. (Appended claim 13) The left control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity so as to improve an index of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye. The right control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity so as to improve an index of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye. The apparatus according to appended claim 9, wherein improving the axonal transport index includes increasing the axonal transport speed from a first axonal transport level to a higher second axonal transport level. (Appended claim 14) The left control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity so as to treat, suppress or prevent an eye disease of the left eye. The apparatus according to appended claim 9, wherein the right control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity so as to treat, suppress or prevent an eye disease of the right eye. (Appended claim 15) The apparatus according to appended claim 1, comprising a left passive cavity check valve configured to communicate with the left cavity and limit the left pressure in the left cavity to a left cracking pressure, and a right passive cavity check valve configured to communicate with the right cavity and limit the right pressure in the right cavity to a right cracking pressure. (Appended claim 16) A method of using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a left cover sized and shaped to fit over the left eye so as to define a left cavity between the left cover and the front of the patient's left eye, a left pressure source configured to communicate with the left cavity and adjust the fluid pressure in the left cavity, a right cover sized and shaped to fit over the right eye so as to define a right cavity between the right cover and the front of the patient's right eye, and a right pressure source configured to communicate with the right cavity and adjust the fluid pressure in the right cavity, the left pressure source being configured to adjust the fluid pressure in the left cavity independently of the right pressure source, and the right pressure source being configured to adjust the fluid pressure in the right cavity independently of the left pressure source, the method comprising: receiving, by the apparatus, at least one of an index of the left eye environment, an index of the right eye environment, an index of the intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye, an index of the right IOP in the right eye, and an index of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient; Adjusting at least one of the left pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity and the right pressure source to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity based on at least one of the received indicators; A method comprising the steps of: (Appendix 17) The step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left eye environment including an indicator of the left pressure source, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the left pressure source based on an indicator of the left cavity pressure. The method according to Appendix 16, wherein the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the right eye environment including an indicator of the right pressure source, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the right pressure source based on an indicator of the right cavity pressure. (Appendix 18) The step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left IOP, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the left pressure source based on the indicator of the left IOP. The method according to Appendix 16, wherein the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the right IOP, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the right pressure source based on the indicator of the right IOP. (Appendix 19) The step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left cavity pressure and the left IOP, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the left pressure source based on the indicator of the left cavity pressure and the left IOP. The method according to Appendix 16, wherein the step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the right cavity pressure and the right IOP, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the right pressure source based on the indicator of the right cavity pressure and the right IOP. (Appendix 20) The step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of the left translaminar pressure difference (TPD) associated with the left eye, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the left pressure source to equalize the indicator of the left TPD. The step of receiving an indicator includes receiving an indicator of right TPD related to the right eye, and the step of adjusting the pressure source includes adjusting the right pressure source to equalize the indicator of the right TPD. The method according to appendix 16, wherein equalizing the indicator of the TPD includes reducing the indicator of the TPD from a first TPD level to a lower second TPD level. (Appendix 21) An apparatus for adjusting a fluid pressure applied to at least one of a left cavity located over a patient's left eye and a right cavity located over the patient's right eye for treating, suppressing or preventing an eye disease, A differential sensor configured to communicate with the left and right cavities and detect at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity, and an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment; A control circuit configured to communicate with the system sensor and receive and process at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity, and an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment. (Appendix 22) The apparatus according to appendix 21, comprising at least one of a left cavity sensor coupled to the system control circuit and detecting an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity and a right cavity sensor coupled to the system control circuit and detecting an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity. (Appendix 23) The apparatus according to appendix 21, wherein the differential sensor includes a differential pressure sensor configured to detect a difference between an indicator of a left pressure in the left cavity detected by a left differential pressure sensor and an indicator of a right pressure in the right cavity detected by a right differential pressure sensor. (Appendix 24) The device according to appended note 21, wherein the differential sensor includes a differential signal sensor configured to detect a difference between an index of the left pressure from the left pressure sensor detected by the left differential signal sensor and an index of the right pressure from the right pressure sensor detected by the right differential signal sensor. (Appended note 25) The device according to appended note 21, comprising a pressure source configured to communicate with at least one of the left cavity and the right cavity and apply a non-atmospheric pressure to at least one of the left cavity and the right cavity. (Appended note 26) The device according to appended note 25, wherein the pressure source includes a pressure source configured to apply a non-atmospheric pressure to the left cavity and the right cavity. (Appended note 27) A left cavity valve configured to communicate with the left cavity and adjust an index of the left pressure within the left cavity, A right cavity valve configured to communicate with the right cavity and adjust an index of the right pressure within the right cavity, and the device according to appended note 22. (Appended note 28) The device according to appended note 27, wherein the left valve includes at least one of a passive left valve and an active left valve, and the right valve includes at least one of a passive right valve and an active right valve. (Appended note 29) The device according to appended note 28, wherein the left cavity valve includes an active left cavity valve configured to adjust the index of the left pressure based on at least one of the indices received by the system control circuit, and the right cavity valve includes an active right cavity valve configured to adjust the index of the right pressure based on at least one of the indices received by the system control circuit. (Appended note 30) A left biosensor configured to communicate with the system control circuit and detect at least one of an index of the intraocular pressure (IOP) within the left eye and an index of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) within the patient. A right biosensor configured to communicate with the system control circuit and detect at least one of an indicator of right IOP within the right eye and an indicator of CSFP within the patient. The left cavity valve includes an active left cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of the left pressure based on at least one of the indicators received from the left biosensor, and the right cavity valve includes an active right cavity valve configured to adjust an indicator of the right pressure based on at least one of the indicators received from the right biosensor. The device according to appendix 27. (Appendix 31) The system control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to receive an indicator of the left IOP and adjust the left pressure within the left cavity toward a left target IOP level by the active left valve based on the received indicator of the left IOP. The system control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to receive an indicator of the right IOP and adjust the right pressure within the right cavity toward a right target IOP level by the active right valve based on the received indicator of the right IOP. The device according to appendix 30. (Appendix 32) The system control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure within the left cavity by the active left valve so as to equalize an indicator of a left translaminar pressure difference (TPD) associated with the left eye. Equalizing the indicator of the left TPD includes reducing the indicator of the left TPD from a first left TPD level to a lower second left TPD level. The system control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure within the right cavity by the active right valve so as to equalize an indicator of a right TPD associated with the right eye. Equalizing the indicator of the right TPD includes reducing the indicator of the right TPD from a first right TPD level to a lower second right TPD level. The device according to appendix 30. (Appendix 33) The system control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure within the left cavity by the active left valve sufficient to improve an indicator of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye. The system control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure in the right cavity by the active right valve to an extent sufficient to improve an index of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye. The apparatus according to appendix 30, wherein improving the index of axonal transport includes increasing the speed of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a higher second axonal transport level. (Appendix 34) The system control circuit includes a left control circuit configured to adjust the left pressure in the left cavity by the active left valve to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease of the left eye. The apparatus according to appendix 30, wherein the system control circuit includes a right control circuit configured to adjust the right pressure in the right cavity by the active right valve to treat, suppress, or prevent an eye disease of the right eye. (Appendix 35) The apparatus according to appendix 21, comprising a passive left valve configured to communicate with the left cavity and limit the left pressure in the left cavity to a left cracking pressure, and a passive right valve configured to communicate with the right cavity and limit the right pressure in the right cavity to a right cracking pressure. (Appendix 36) A method of using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a left pressure sensor configured to communicate with a left cavity and detect an index of a left pressure in the left cavity, a right pressure sensor configured to communicate with a right cavity and detect an index of a right pressure in the right cavity, and a system sensor including redundant sensors, a system control circuit configured to communicate with the system sensor and receive and process at least one of the index of the left pressure and the index of the right pressure, an active left valve configured to communicate with the left cavity and communicate with the system control circuit, and an active right valve configured to communicate with the right cavity and communicate with the system control circuit. In the method, detecting, by the system sensor, the index of the left pressure in the left cavity and the index of the right pressure in the right cavity; Adjusting at least one of the active left valve based on the detected left pressure indicator and the active right valve based on the detected right pressure indicator. (Appendix 37) The apparatus includes a left biosensor configured to communicate with the system control circuit and detect at least one of an indicator of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the left eye and an indicator of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient, and a right biosensor configured to communicate with the system control circuit and detect at least one of an indicator of right IOP in the right eye and an indicator of CSFP in the patient. The step of adjusting at least one of the active left valve and the active right valve includes adjusting at least one of the active left valve based on at least one of the indicators received from the left biosensor and the active right valve based on at least one of the indicators received from the right biosensor, according to the method described in Appendix 36. (Appendix 38) The step of adjusting at least one of the active left valve and the active right valve includes adjusting at least one of the active left valve to change the left pressure towards a left target IOP level based on the received left IOP indicator and the active right valve to change the right pressure towards a right target IOP level based on the received right IOP indicator, according to the method described in Appendix 37. (Appendix 39) The step of adjusting at least one of the active left valve and the active right valve includes adjusting at least one of the active left valve to equalize an indicator of left translaminar pressure difference (TPD) related to the left eye and the active right valve to equalize an indicator of right translaminar pressure difference (TPD) related to the right eye. Equalizing the TPD indicator includes reducing the TPD indicator from a first TPD level to a lower second TPD level, according to the method described in Appendix 37. (Appendix 40) The step of adjusting at least one of the active left valve and the active right valve includes adjusting at least one of the active left valve to achieve a left pressure in the left cavity sufficient to improve an indicator of axonal transport in the left optic nerve of the left eye and the active right valve to achieve a right pressure in the right cavity sufficient to improve an indicator of axonal transport in the right optic nerve of the right eye, The method according to appendix 37, wherein improving an indicator of axonal transport includes increasing the speed of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a higher second axonal transport level. (Appendix 41) An apparatus for restricting a fluid pressure level applied to a patient's left and right eyes, A pressure source in communication with a left cavity located above the left eye and a right cavity located above the right eye and configured to adjust an indicator of the fluid pressure in the left and right cavities, An apparatus comprising a differential sensor in communication with the left and right cavities and configured to detect at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity, and an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment. (Appendix 42) The apparatus according to appendix 41, comprising at least one of a left cavity sensor coupled to the left cavity and configured to detect an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity and a right cavity sensor coupled to the right cavity and configured to detect an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity. (Appendix 43) The apparatus according to appendix 41, wherein the differential sensor includes a differential pressure sensor configured to detect a difference between an indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity detected by a left differential pressure sensor and an indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity detected by a right differential pressure sensor. (Appendix 44) The device according to supplementary note 41, wherein the differential sensor includes a differential signal sensor configured to detect the difference between an indicator of the left pressure from a left cavity sensor by a left differential signal sensor and an indicator of the right pressure from a right pressure sensor by a right differential signal sensor. (Supplementary note 45) The device according to supplementary note 41, comprising a system control circuit configured to receive and process at least one of an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity, an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity, and an indicator of the relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment, in communication with the pressure source. (Supplementary note 46) The device according to supplementary note 45, wherein the indicator of the left eye environment includes an indicator of the left pressure in the left cavity, the indicator of the right eye environment includes an indicator of the right pressure in the right cavity, and the indicator of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment includes an indicator of the difference between the indicator of the left pressure and the indicator of the right pressure. (Supplementary note 47) The device according to supplementary note 45, wherein the system control circuit includes a pressure source circuit configured to adjust the operation of the pressure source based on at least one of the received indicators. (Supplementary note 48) The device according to supplementary note 47, wherein the pressure source circuit includes a pressure source logic circuit configured to generate a system failure based on at least one of the received indicators. (Supplementary note 49) The device according to supplementary note 8, wherein the pressure source circuit includes the pressure source circuit configured to generate the system failure when at least one of the indicator of the left pressure exceeds the left pressure safety level or the indicator of the right pressure exceeds the right pressure safety level. (Supplementary note 50) The indicator of the relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment includes an indicator of the difference between the indicator of the left pressure and the indicator of the right pressure, The device according to supplementary note 48, wherein the pressure source circuit includes the pressure source circuit configured to generate the system failure when the indicator of the difference exceeds the pressure difference safety level between the left pressure and the right pressure. (Supplementary note 51) An apparatus according to appended note 41, comprising a left valve configured to communicate with the left cavity and limit the fluid pressure in the left cavity to a left pressure safety level, and a right valve configured to communicate with the right cavity and limit the fluid pressure in the right cavity to a right pressure safety level. (Appended note 52) An apparatus according to appended note 51, wherein at least one of the left pressure safety level and the right safety pressure level is in the range of about -50 mmHg to about 50 mmHg gauge. (Appended note 53) An apparatus according to appended note 51, wherein at least one of the left pressure safety level and the right pressure safety level is in the range of about -35 mmHg to about 35 mmHg gauge. (Appended note 54) An apparatus according to appended note 51, wherein at least one of the left valve and the right valve includes a passive valve. (Appended note 55) An apparatus according to appended note 51, wherein at least one of the left valve and the right valve includes an active valve. (Appended note 56) A method of using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a pressure source in communication with a left cavity located above a patient's left eye and a right cavity located above a patient's right eye, a left cavity sensor for detecting an indicator of the left eye environment in the left cavity, a right cavity sensor for detecting an indicator of the right eye environment in the right cavity, and a system sensor for detecting a relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment. In the method, detecting, by the system sensor, an indicator of a left pressure in the left cavity and an indicator of a right pressure in the right cavity; limiting, by the pressure source, the pressure applied to the left cavity and the right cavity. (Appended note 57) The apparatus includes at least one of a left passive valve in communication with the left cavity and a right passive valve in communication with the right cavity. The method according to appendix 56, wherein the step of restricting pressure includes selecting at least one of the left cracking pressure of the left passive valve and the right cracking pressure of the right passive valve. (Appendix 58) The apparatus includes at least one of a left active valve in communication with the left cavity and a right active valve in communication with the right cavity. The method according to appendix 56, wherein the step of restricting pressure includes opening at least one of the left active valve and the right active valve based on at least one of the detected left pressure indicator and the detected right pressure indicator. (Appendix 59) The method according to appendix 58, wherein opening at least one of the left active valve and the right active valve includes opening at least one of the left active valve and the right active valve based on the difference between the detected left pressure indicator and the detected right pressure indicator. (Appendix 60) The method according to appendix 56, wherein the step of restricting pressure includes adjusting the operation of the pressure source based on at least one of the detected left pressure indicator and the detected right pressure indicator.

Claims

1. activating a left pump in communication with the left cavity to vary fluid pressure within the left cavity, the left cavity being defined by a left cover, the left cover being sized and shaped to fit over the patient's left eye to form the left cavity between the left cover and an anterior surface of the patient's left eye; activating a right pump in communication with the right cavity to vary a fluid pressure in the right cavity, the right cavity being defined by a right cover, the right cover being sized and shaped to fit over the patient's right eye to form the right cavity between the right cover and an anterior surface of the patient's right eye; A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions configured to cause a control circuit to execute: the left cavity and the right cavity are not in fluid communication such that the left cavity and the right cavity are separately and independently pressurizable; The program instructions include: regulating fluid pressure in the left cavity using the left pump independently of the right pump; A non-transitory computer-readable medium executable to cause the right pump to regulate fluid pressure in the right cavity independently of the left pump.

2. the control circuitry includes a left control circuit coupled to the left pump and a right control circuit coupled to the right pump; The program instructions include: causing the left control circuit to regulate the left pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity to treat, inhibit, or prevent an ocular condition in the patient's left eye; and causing the right control circuit to regulate the right pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity to treat, inhibit, or prevent an ocular condition in the patient's right eye.

3. the control circuitry includes a left control circuit coupled to the left pump and a right control circuit coupled to the right pump; The program instructions include: causing the left control circuit to receive at least one of an indication of left intraocular pressure (IOP) in a left eye of the patient and an indication of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient; and causing the right control circuitry to receive at least one of an indication of a right IOP in a right eye of the patient and an indication of a CSFP in the patient.

4. The program instructions include: causing the left control circuit to adjust the left pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity toward a left target cavity pressure based on at least one of the received indicator of left IOP and the received indicator of CSFP in the patient; and causing the right control circuit to adjust the right pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity toward a right target cavity pressure based on at least one of the received indication of right IOP or the received indication of CSFP in the patient.

5. the left target cavity pressure comprising a left target IOP level in the patient's left eye ranging from about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg; 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the right target cavity pressure comprises a right target cavity pressure for generating a right target IOP level in the patient's right eye in a range of about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg.

6. The program instructions include: causing the left control circuit to adjust the left pump to equalize a measure of left transcriboid pressure difference (TPD) associated with the patient's left eye by creating a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity, wherein equalizing the measure of left TPD includes reducing the measure of left TPD from a first left TPD level to a second left TPD level that is lower than the first left TPD level; 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, configured to: cause the right control circuit to adjust the right pump to equalize a measure of right TPD associated with the patient's right eye by generating a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity, wherein equalizing the measure of right TPD includes reducing the measure of right TPD from a first right TPD level to a second right TPD level that is lower than the first right TPD level.

7. The program instructions include: adjusting the left pump to equalize a measure of a left transcriboid pressure gradient (TLPG) associated with the patient's left eye by generating a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity, wherein equalizing the measure of left TLPG includes reducing the measure of left TLPG from a first left TLPG level to a second left TLPG level that is lower than the first left TLPG level; 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, configured to: cause the right control circuit to adjust the right pump to equalize a right TLPG index associated with the patient's right eye by generating a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity, wherein equalizing the right TLPG index includes reducing the right TLPG index from a first right TLPG level to a second right TLPG level that is lower than the first right TLPG level.

8. the control circuit includes a left cavity sensor in communication with the left cavity and a right cavity sensor in communication with the right cavity; The program instructions include: causing the control circuitry to receive an indication of a left ocular environment within the left cavity using the left cavity sensor; and causing the control circuitry to receive, with the right cavity sensor, an indication of a right eye environment in the right cavity.

9. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the left cavity sensor includes a left pressure sensor that senses an indication of left pressure in the left cavity, and the right cavity sensor includes a right pressure sensor that senses an indication of right pressure in the right cavity.

10. the control circuitry includes redundant sensors configured to sense at least one of the indicator of the left eye environment, the indicator of the right eye environment, and an indicator of a relationship between the indicator of the left eye environment and the indicator of the right eye environment; The program instructions include:

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, configured to cause the control circuitry to receive from the redundant sensor at least one of the indication of the left eye environment, the indication of the right eye environment, and an indication of a relationship between the indication of the left eye environment and the indication of the right eye environment.

11. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the redundant sensor includes a differential pressure sensor configured to sense a difference between an indication of left pressure in the left cavity and an indication of right pressure in the right cavity.

12. The program instructions include: The control circuit includes: processing at least one of an indication of the left eye environment in the left cavity and an indication of the right eye environment in the right cavity; The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 configured to cause a measure of a relationship between the left eye environment and the right eye environment to be calculated.

13. The control circuit includes: a left control circuit coupled to the left pump and capable of receiving and processing at least one of an indication of the left ocular environment and an indication of a relationship between the left ocular environment and the right ocular environment; and a right control circuit in communication with the right pump and capable of receiving and processing at least one of an indication of the right ocular environment and an indication of a relationship between the left ocular environment and the right ocular environment.

14. The program instructions include: causing the left control circuit to adjust the left pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity toward a left target cavity pressure in the left cavity; 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, configured to cause the right control circuit to adjust the right pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity toward a right target cavity pressure in the right cavity.

15. the control circuit includes a left biosensor in communication with the left control circuit and a right biosensor in communication with the right control circuit; The program instructions include: causing the left control circuit to receive at least one of an indication of left intraocular pressure (IOP) in a left eye of the patient using the left biosensor and an indication of cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the patient; 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, configured to cause the right control circuitry to receive, using the right biosensor, at least one of an indication of a right IOP in a right eye of the patient and an indication of a CSFP in the patient.

16. The program instructions include: causing the left control circuit to adjust the left pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward a left target IOP level based on the received indication of left IOP; 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, configured to cause the right control circuitry to adjust the right pump to generate non-atmospheric pressure toward a right target IOP level based on the received indication of right IOP.

17. the left control circuit is configured to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward the left target IOP level, the left target IOP level comprising a left target IOP level in the patient's left eye ranging from about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg; 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the right control circuit is configured to generate a non-atmospheric pressure toward the right target IOP level, the right target IOP level comprising a right target IOP level in the patient's right eye ranging from about 10 mmHg to about 21 mmHg.

18. The program instructions include: adjusting the left pump to equalize a measure of a left transcriboid pressure gradient (TLPG) associated with the patient's left eye by creating a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity, wherein equalizing the measure of left TLPG includes lowering the measure of left TLPG from a first left TLPG level to a second, lower left TLPG level; 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, configured to: adjust the right pump to equalize a right TLPG index associated with the patient's right eye by generating a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity, wherein equalizing the right TLPG index includes lowering the right TLPG index from a first right TLPG level to a lower second right TLPG level.

19. The program instructions include: adjusting the left pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity to improve an indication of axonal transport in a left optic nerve of a left eye of the patient; and adjusting the right pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity to improve an indication of axonal transport in a right optic nerve of a right eye of the patient; 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein improving an indication of axonal transport comprises increasing a rate of axonal transport from a first axonal transport level to a second axonal transport level that is higher than the first axonal transport level.

20. The program instructions include: adjusting the left pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the left cavity to treat, inhibit, or prevent an ocular condition in the left eye of the patient; 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, configured to regulate the right pump to generate a non-atmospheric pressure in the right cavity to treat, inhibit, or prevent an ocular condition in the patient's right eye.

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