Composite Ocular Blood Flow Analyzer With Pressure-Compensated Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ocular blood flow analyzers provide inaccurate, unstable, and non-repeatable measurements of intraocular pressure and ocular blood flow, particularly failing to measure the choroidal circulation accurately due to noise interference and variations in air flow, which hinders early diagnosis of blinding conditions.
Innovation Solution
A novel air delivery system with a brushless DC motor-driven pump and pressure-compensated flow regulator, combined with a flexible membrane and pressure transducer, ensures stable, low-noise airflow for precise intraocular pressure measurements, enabling accurate and repeatable data on both retinal and choroidal ocular blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pneumatic applanation tonometers are used to measure intraocular pressure, then ocular blood flow data can be obtained, but the measurements are inaccurate, unstable, and not repeatable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pneumatic pump system with an electronic pressure control system that uses a valve to regulate airflow to the probe. This electronic control system provides more precise and stable pressure regulation, eliminating the mechanical variability that caused inaccurate and non-repeatable measurements in traditional pneumatic tonometers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the measured intraocular pressure is used to automatically adjust the airflow to the probe. The valve receives input from the measured pressure and modulates the airflow accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stable pressure and improves measurement repeatability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional air delivery systems are used, then the device is simple, but noise interference and airflow variations prevent accurate choroidal circulation measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical air delivery system with an electronically controlled valve system. This electronic control eliminates the mechanical noise and airflow variations that interfered with accurate choroidal circulation measurements, providing a quieter and more stable measurement environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from direct mechanical pressure application to electronically regulated airflow. By using a valve to control the airflow rate and pressure dynamically, the system reduces harmful variations and noise while maintaining the necessary pressure for accurate choroidal circulation measurement.
3Loss of information
If applanation tonometers provide static IOP results, then the measurement is simple, but time-resolved IOP and ocular blood flow information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous airflow to the probe rather than intermittent or static pressure application. This continuous action allows the system to capture dynamic, time-resolved intraocular pressure variations and ocular blood flow information continuously, providing complete physiological data without losing temporal information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the measurement system to perform multiple functions simultaneously: measuring static intraocular pressure, capturing time-resolved pressure variations, and deriving ocular blood flow information. This multi-functionality is achieved through the electronic pressure control system that can operate in different modes while maintaining measurement capability.
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
The system delivers accurate, stable, and repeatable measurements of intraocular pressure and ocular blood flow, enhancing the ability to detect abnormalities and provide timely therapeutic interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The primary physical differences in the air supply of an instrument in accordance with one embodiment of the invention are in the use of different types of devices both at the pump and in place of the pressure regulator formerly used. First, the pump is a powerful brushless DC motor driven device, allowing high-speed operation with relatively smooth outflow of air.
Implementation Method 2
Like its predecessors, the air from the new pump arrangement is at a higher flow and pressure than fits within the safe operation envelope already established for the instrument/eye interface.
Implementation Method 3
A pneumatic probe and tip in the measurement apparatus contains a thin walled tube which initially is in contact with a flexible membrane covering the distal end of the tube
Implementation Method 4
The pressure compensated flow regulator is also available as an electronic version, which can also be used. The principle of a flow regulator is opposite to a pressure regulator in that this device attempts to maintain a constant volumetric flow over time versus a constant pressure over time
Data Source
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AI summary
A composite ocular blood flow analyzer uses pneumatic tonometric techniques and structures to produce accurate, stable, and repeatable readings of intraocular pressure. A computer processes the intraocular pressure readings to produce data relating to various aspects of ocular blood flow that can be used diagnostically to identify abnormalities in the eye and other parts of the body.