Flexible Membrane Intra-ocular Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring intraocular pressure are prone to inaccuracies due to poor alignment and variations in corneal and scleral stiffness, as well as errors from local deformation when using external forces, leading to unreliable data.
Innovation Solution
A pressure measuring device with a flexible membrane and strain measuring piece, using metered fluid volumes to correlate applied pressure with corneal deflections, providing multiple data points to reduce errors associated with directionality and local deformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external force is applied to flatten the cornea for pressure measurement, then pressure can be measured, but local deformation errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
A contact lens is introduced as an intermediary between the measurement system and the cornea. The contact lens distributes the applied force over a larger area and provides a more uniform pressure distribution, eliminating local deformation errors while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the pressure applied to the cornea and collects multiple measurements at different pressure levels. This dynamic approach allows for correlation analysis between applied pressure and corneal deformation, improving measurement accuracy while compensating for individual corneal stiffness variations
2Ease of operation
If alignment with the radial axis of the cornea is not perfect, then measurement can be performed, but alignment errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The contact lens serves as an alignment intermediary that automatically centers on the cornea due to its optical and mechanical properties. This eliminates the need for precise manual alignment with the radial axis while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from direct force application to pressure correlation analysis. By measuring corneal deformation at multiple pressure levels and establishing a correlation, the system becomes insensitive to initial alignment errors
3Device complexity
If a single data point is used for measurement, then the process is simple, but measurement errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs multiple measurements at dynamically varying pressure levels and uses correlation analysis to determine the intraocular pressure. This dynamic multi-point approach improves precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple measurement data points to refine the pressure-correlation relationship. By continuously adjusting and correlating measurements across different pressure levels, the system achieves higher precision without proportionally increasing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances measurement accuracy by establishing a correlation between strains and intraocular pressures, overcoming alignment and deformation-related errors, resulting in more reliable pressure readings.
Implementation Method 1
pressure chamber that is equipped with a flexible membrane for contacting the cornea
Implementation Method 2
Deflections of the cornea are dependent upon the difference between the applied external chamber pressure and the intraocular pressure
Implementation Method 3
strain measuring piece, on the opposite side of the pressure chamber, for measuring strains
Implementation Method 4
Deflections of the cornea are dependent upon the difference between the applied external chamber pressure and the intraocular pressure
Implementation Method 5
By using metered volumes of fluid to pressurise the chamber, a correlation between applied pressure and strains can be established
Implementation Method 6
engagement ring (11) that has a peripheral suction channel (9), which is connected to an external suction port (7)
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for non-invasive determination of intra-ocular pressure comprising a pressure chamber with a flexible membrane for engaging with the cornea of a subject's eye and a strain gauge, wherein the pressure chamber may be internally pressurised and thereby exerts a pressure via the membrane upon both the cornea and the strain gauge that result in a deflection of the cornea and strains being generated at the strain gauge, which, in turn, enable to establish a correlation between inter ocular pressure and strains.