Noninvasive methods and apparatuses for measuring the intraocular pressure of a mammal eye
US6673014B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B3/165
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Noninvasive methods and apparatuses measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye using vibratory excitation are disclosed. Prior art methods teaches that the natural frequencies of the eye vary as a function of the IOP, with each natural frequency being zero at zero IOP. The present invention recognizes that the eye has different and separate classes of natural frequencies that vary as function of the IOP, which have non-zero values for a zero value of IOP, and which have curves that extrapolate to negative IOPs to obtain zero values of frequency. Preferred methods and apparatuses of the present invention measure a first natural frequency of this class at an unknown IOP value, and thereafter compare it to one or more known values of the first natural frequency measured at corresponding known IOPs to estimate value of the unknown IOP. Preferred embodiments include measuring one or more additional natural frequencies.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.