US4573778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aqueous fluorophotometer
Assignee: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY A CORP OF MA
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Filing: 1983-03-16
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Granted: 1986-03-04
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Expires: 2003-03-16
Abstract
Abstract Fluorescence of the anterior chamber of an eye is determined by projecting a ribbon of light from the side of the eye through the anterior chamber in a direction generally perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye. The ribbon of light is obtained by imaging the face (20) of a fiber optic bundle (18) and directing that image into the anterior chamber by a mirror (30) mounted adjacent to a contact lens (40). The contact lens (40) includes a flexible membrane (14) backed by a fluid. The pressure of the fluid can be varied by a syringe (44) to vary the curvature of the contact lens membrane (14). The fluorescence can be detected either directly by a photodiode (68) or through a fiber optic bundle (34) by a photomultiplier (76).
Inventors
- 👤 Jerrold M. Shapiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/021; A61B5/022; A61B5/02216; A61B3/00; A61B3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A device suitable for detecting the fluorescence of the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber of an eye comprising: a flexible water impermeable contact lens membrane for placement against the cornea of the eye; a fluid enclosed in a fluid chamber by the contact lens membrane; means for changing the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to change the curvature of the flexible contact lens membrane; a light source; a mirror mounted to one side of the contact lens membrane for reflecting light from the light source through the contact lens membrane across the anterior chamber of the eye; and means for detecting light which passes outwardly from the anterior chamber through the contact lens membrane and the fluid chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A device suitable for detecting the fluorescence of the aqueous humor in the anterior chamber of an eye comprising: a flexible water impermeable contact lens membrane for placement against the cornea of the eye; a fluid enclosed in a fluid chamber by the contact lens membrane; means for changing the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to change the curvature of the flexible contact lens membrane; a light source; a mirror mounted to one side of the contact lens membrane for reflecting light from the light source through the contact lens membrane across the anterior chamber of the eye; and means for detecting light which passes outwardly from the anterior chamber through the contact lens membrane and the fluid chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for changing the pressure of the fluid is a syringe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light directed across the anterior chamber is a ribbon of light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light source is a fiber optic bundle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein thwe means for detecting light comprises a fiber optic bundle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible contact lens membrane is a membrane of polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible contact lens membrane is fixed about its periphery to a barrel which forms the fluid chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a flexible light stop which presses against the contact lens membrane throughout a range of curvatures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A contact lens to be positioned against eyes having a range of curvatures comprising: a flexible contact lens membrane for placement against the cornea of the eye; a fluid enclosed in a fluid chamber by the contact lens membrane; and means for changing the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to change the curvature of the flexible contact lens membrane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A contact lens to be positioned against eyes having a range of curvatures comprising: a flexible contact lens membrane for placement against the cornea of the eye; a fluid enclosed in a fluid chamber by the contact lens membrane; and means for changing the pressure of the fluid in the chamber to change the curvature of the flexible contact lens membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A contact lens as claimed in claim 9 wherein the means for changing the pressure is a syringe.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of detecting fluorescence of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising: providing fluorescent material in the anterior chamber of the eye: by means of a mirror mounted to a contact lens, projcting a beam of light from the side of the eye across the anterior chamber in a direction about perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye such that the light does not illuminate the lens of the eye; and detecting, from the front of the eye, fluorescent light from the anterior chamber.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of detecting fluorescence of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising: providing fluorescent material in the anterior chamber of the eye: by means of a mirror mounted to a contact lens, projcting a beam of light from the side of the eye across the anterior chamber in a direction about perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye such that the light does not illuminate the lens of the eye; and detecting, from the front of the eye, fluorescent light from the anterior chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the light is projected as a ribbon of light across the anterior chamber.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of detecting fluorescence of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising: providing fluorescent material in the anterior chamber of the eye; positioning a contact lens against the cornea of the eye; projecting a beam of light from the side of the eye through the contact lens across the anterior chamber in a direction generally perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye such that the light does not illuminate the lens of the eye; and detecting fluorescent light from the anterior chamber.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of detecting fluorescence of the anterior chamber of the eye comprising: providing fluorescent material in the anterior chamber of the eye; positioning a contact lens against the cornea of the eye; projecting a beam of light from the side of the eye through the contact lens across the anterior chamber in a direction generally perpendicular to the optic axis of the eye such that the light does not illuminate the lens of the eye; and detecting fluorescent light from the anterior chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the light is projected as a ribbon of light across the anterior chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3820879A
Cited
US4134647A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-03 | 1989-09-02 | 1990-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-03 | 1993-09-02 | 1994-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-03 | 1997-09-02 | 1998-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |