US3690158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means and method for detection of glaucoma
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-05-06
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-05-06
Abstract
Abstract The acoustic impedance of the cornea is measured by comparing the energy it reflects with the energy reflected by a calibrated, variable impedance member.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Lichtenstein
- 👤 Bruce G Kroger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/16; A61B3/165; A61B8/00; A61B8/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for determining the acoustic impedance of the cornea, comprising: directing a first acoustic pulse through a first coupling medium, so as to be reflected back from the cornea, said medium having an acoustic impedance which closely approximates that of the eye, measuring the reflected energy of said first acoustic pulse; directing a second acoustic pulse, substantially identical to said first acoustic pulse, through a second coupling medium having acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of said first coupling medium, so as to be reflected back from a calibrated acoustic impedance; measuring the reflected energy of said second acoustic pulse; determining the respective paths of said first and second acoustic pulses and the reflections thereof through said first and second coupling mediums, respectively, to be substantially identical; detecting and comparing the respective reflected energies of said first acoustic pulse and said second acoustic pulse; and selecting said calibrated acoustic impedance to provide that the reflected energy of said second acoustic pulse is equal to the reflected energy of said first acoustic pulse, so as to determine the acoustic impedance of the cornea by comparison.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for determining the acoustic impedance of the cornea, comprising: directing a first acoustic pulse through a first coupling medium, so as to be reflected back from the cornea, said medium having an acoustic impedance which closely approximates that of the eye, measuring the reflected energy of said first acoustic pulse; directing a second acoustic pulse, substantially identical to said first acoustic pulse, through a second coupling medium having acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of said first coupling medium, so as to be reflected back from a calibrated acoustic impedance; measuring the reflected energy of said second acoustic pulse; determining the respective paths of said first and second acoustic pulses and the reflections thereof through said first and second coupling mediums, respectively, to be substantially identical; detecting and comparing the respective reflected energies of said first acoustic pulse and said second acoustic pulse; and selecting said calibrated acoustic impedance to provide that the reflected energy of said second acoustic pulse is equal to the reflected energy of said first acoustic pulse, so as to determine the acoustic impedance of the cornea by comparison.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for determining the acoustic impedance of the cornea comprising: a cup-like member having its open end disposed in sealed relationship to the cornea and containing a first liquid medium therein having an acoustic impedance which approximates that of the eye; means including a first transducer in said cup-like member for directing acoustic energy through said first liquid medium against said cornea and receiving reflected energy therefrom as a function of the acoustic impedance of the cornea; means including a second transducer disposed in sealed relationship to a calibrated acoustic impedance in a second liquid medium having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of said first liquid medium and spaced from said calibrated impedance a distance substantially equal to the distance between said first transducer and said cornea, said second transducer being operative to direct a same acoustic energy through said liquid medium against said calibrated impedance, said calibrated impedance being such as to reflect a same energy therefrom to said second transducer as is received by said first transducer; and means for comparing the energy reflected from said calibrated impedance and that reflected from said cornea to said second and first transducers, respectively, whereby the acoustical impedance of the cornea is determined by comparison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
206 words
Apparatus for determining the acoustic impedance of the cornea comprising: a cup-like member having its open end disposed in sealed relationship to the cornea and containing a first liquid medium therein having an acoustic impedance which approximates that of the eye; means including a first transducer in said cup-like member for directing acoustic energy through said first liquid medium against said cornea and receiving reflected energy therefrom as a function of the acoustic impedance of the cornea; means including a second transducer disposed in sealed relationship to a calibrated acoustic impedance in a second liquid medium having an acoustic impedance substantially equal to that of said first liquid medium and spaced from said calibrated impedance a distance substantially equal to the distance between said first transducer and said cornea, said second transducer being operative to direct a same acoustic energy through said liquid medium against said calibrated impedance, said calibrated impedance being such as to reflect a same energy therefrom to said second transducer as is received by said first transducer; and means for comparing the energy reflected from said calibrated impedance and that reflected from said cornea to said second and first transducers, respectively, whereby the acoustical impedance of the cornea is determined by comparison.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |