Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for analysis of corneal shape

US4420228A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
5References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 27, 1980
Grant dateDec 13, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 27, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B3/107
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An analysis of the corneal shape through the combination of several keratometer measurements is disclosed. The eye is preferably scanned to a nasal angular position, a central angular position and a temporal angular position. The central position is straight ahead along the patient's line of sight. The temporal and nasal positions are in the broad range of up to 5.degree. to 22.degree.; the intermediate range of 10 to 15.degree.; and the narrow range of 12.degree. to 14.degree. on either side. Measurements in sphere, cylinder and axes are taken. Astigmatism is in the more preferable format of 0.degree.-90.degree. astigmatism and 45.degree.-135.degree. astigmatism. When each individual point is measured with its respective estimate for sphere and cylinder components, these measurements are fitted to an idealized parameter. Then the three sets of curvature measurements taken at the specified locations are reduced to a set of adjusted, idealized curvatures all fitted to an elliptical model. Thereafter, these fitted values create final corneal shaped parameters, the particular process here including the creation of intermediate parameters. Finally, readings of central "k", corneal shap…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.