U.S. patent application number 11/594054 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-17 for optically powered and optically data-transmitting wireless intraocular pressure sensor device.
Invention is credited to Wolfgang Fink, Thomas George, Yoshi Hishinuma, Mark Humayun, Choonsup Lee, Eui-Hyeok Yang.
Application Number | 20070112263 11/594054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32512309 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070112263 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fink; Wolfgang ; et
al. |
May 17, 2007 |
Optically powered and optically data-transmitting wireless
intraocular pressure sensor device
Abstract
An optically powered and optically data-transmitting wireless
intraocular pressure sensor device for detecting excessive
intraocular pressure above a predetermined threshold pressure,
comprising a pressure switch that is sized and configured to be
placed in an eye, wherein said pressure switch is activated when
the intraocular pressure is higher than the predetermined threshold
pressure. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor device is a micro
electromechanical system.
Inventors: |
Fink; Wolfgang; (Montrose,
CA) ; Yang; Eui-Hyeok; (Stevenson Ranch, CA) ;
Hishinuma; Yoshi; (Arcadia, CA) ; Lee; Choonsup;
(Pasadena, CA) ; George; Thomas; (La Canada
Flintridge, CA) ; Humayun; Mark; (Glendale,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & NEAVE IP GROUP;ROPES & GRAY LLP
ONE INTERNATIONAL PLACE
BOSTON
MA
02110-2624
US
|
Family ID: |
32512309 |
Appl. No.: |
11/594054 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10686492 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
7131945 |
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11594054 |
Nov 6, 2006 |
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60419014 |
Oct 16, 2002 |
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60446403 |
Feb 11, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/398 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/398 |
International
Class: |
A61B 3/16 20060101
A61B003/16 |
Claims
1-36. (canceled)
37. A wireless intraocular device for detecting intraocular
pressure, comprising: a pressure sensor that is sized and
configured to be placed in an eye for measuring intraocular
pressure; and an optical output configured to be placed in the eye
and electrically connected to the pressure sensor, wherein the
state of the optical output indicates the intraocular pressure
sensed by the pressure sensor.
38. The device of claim 37, wherein the pressure sensor is
configured to detect intraocular pressure exceeding a predetermined
threshold.
39. The device of claim 37, wherein the pressure sensor is a micro
electromechanical system.
40. The device of claim 37, wherein the pressure sensor is placed
on the iris of an eye.
41. The device of claim 37, wherein the pressure sensor is placed
on an intraocular lens.
42. The device of claim 37, wherein the pressure sensor is placed
on a glaucoma tube.
43. The device of claim 37, wherein the pressure sensor is powered
by a solar cell system.
44. The device of claim 37, wherein the pressure sensor is powered
by a battery.
45. The device of claim 37, comprising a second pressure sensor
sized and configured to be placed in the eye and in communication
with one of the optical output and a second optical output.
46. The device of claim 37, comprising a timer to record at least
one of a time, date, and duration when the pressure was sensed.
47. The device of claim 46, further comprising an optical readout
from the timer.
48. The device of claim 37, comprising a pressure switch.
49. The device of claim 37, comprising an external instrument for
optically activating the optical output.
50. The device of claim 49, wherein the external instrument
comprises a sensor for receiving light from the optical output.
51. The device of claim 50, wherein the external instrument
comprises means for monitoring ambient atmospheric pressure.
52. The device of claim 37, wherein the device is optically powered
by an external instrument.
53. The device of claim 52, wherein the external instrument allows
at least one of the intraocular pressure data, time data, date
data, and duration data to be at least one of downloaded to a
computer, downloaded to a PDA, and to be transmitted over the
Internet to a central location such as a physician's office.
54. A method of monitoring intraocular pressure of a patient
comprising: implanting an optically data-transmitting wireless
intraocular pressure sensor device into an eye of a patient;
checking the pressure sensor device with an external instrument
comprising an optical sensor for wirelessly receiving an optical
signal from an optical output implanted in the eye, wherein the
optical output is electrically connected to the pressure sensor
device and outputs intraocular pressure.
55. The method of claim 54, wherein said pressure sensor device
comprises a pressure switch that is sized and configured to be
placed in the eye of the patient, wherein said pressure switch is
activated when the intraocular pressure is higher than a
predetermined threshold pressure.
56. The method of claim 54, wherein implanting comprises placing
the pressure sensor device on one of an intraocular lens, a
glaucoma tube, and an iris.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of provisional
application Ser. No. 60/419,014, filed Oct. 16, 2002, and
provisional application Ser. No. 60/446,403, filed Feb. 11, 2003;
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an improved
medical device and methods for sensing the elevated pressure in
organs of the human body. More particularly, the present invention
relates to an intraocular pressure sensor that is accurate and
small enough to be implantable in the eye to continuously or on
demand monitor the intraocular pressure in ocular hypertensives and
patients with glaucoma, thus helping to prevent the onset of damage
from glaucoma and to monitor effects of glaucoma therapy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Glaucoma is a disease affecting millions of people in the US
alone every year. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), the most
common cause of glaucoma, slowly kills the ganglion cell axons
(which collectively form the optic nerve) affecting the peripheral
visual field and progressing to the center. If untreated, glaucoma
leads to blindness. In general, visual field loss caused by
glaucoma is irreversible.
[0004] The usual treatment for glaucoma can be as simple as
administering eye drops. Most of current therapies for glaucoma are
directed toward decreasing intraocular pressure. Currently
recognized categories of drug therapy for glaucoma include: (1)
Miotics (e.g., pilocarpine, carbachol, and acetylcholinesterase
inhibitors), (2) Sympathomimetics (e.g., epinephrine and
dipivalylepineplxine), (3) Beta-blockers (e.g., betaxolol,
levobunolol and timolol), (4) Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g.,
acetazolamide, methazolamide and ethoxzolamide), and (5)
Prostaglandins (e.g., metabolite derivatives of arachindonic acid).
Medical therapy includes topical ophthalmic drops or oral
medications that reduce the production of aqueous from a ciliary
body or increase the outflow of aqueous out of the trabecular
meshwork of the eye.
[0005] The aqueous or aqueous humor is a transparent liquid that
fills the region (anterior chamber) between the cornea at the front
of the eye and the lens. The aqueous humor is constantly secreted
by the ciliary body around the lens, so there is a continuous flow
of the aqueous humor from the ciliary body to the eye's anterior
chamber. The eye's pressure is determined by a balance between the
production of aqueous and its exit through the trabecular meshwork
and Schlemm's canal (major route) or via uveal scleral outflow
(minor route).
[0006] There are a number of external eye pressure measuring
devices. All devices indent the cornea to measure pressure and they
do so directly by contacting it or indirectly by a non-contact
method (i.e., pneumatic displacement "air puff"). For example, a
Tono-pen manufactured by Medtronic Solan (Jacksonville, Fla.)
utilizes micro strain gage technology with batter power and a 1.5
mm transducer tip to gently contact the cornea and display the
average of four independent readings along with a statistical
coefficient. Both contact and non-contact tonometers are very
dependent on the eye wall and corneal rigidity and can be grossly
wrong because these factors are not taken into account. In addition
to the problems of imprecision with most of the external IOP
measuring devices, at least the contact ones can only be
administered in physicians' offices.
[0007] More realistic IOP measurements can be obtained from within
the eye. For this purpose a variety of devices have been either
proposed or developed recently. However, none of the micromachined
devices are being used as a standard method to measure IOP because
they are too invasive to be implanted and/or have not been
validated in a realistic variable pressure environment (e.g., in an
animal eye).
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,579,235 issued on Jun. 17, 2003, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a
device for passively measuring intraocular pressure of a patient
including an in vivo sensor and an instrument external to the
patient for remotely energizing the sensor, thereby permitting the
instrument to determine the intraocular pressure. The device
directly and continuously measures the intraocular pressure of a
patient. The in vivo sensor in the intraocular pressure monitor
includes a capacitive pressure sensor and an inductive component.
An instrument, external to the patient, measures the pressure,
provides readout of the pressure values and determines the
intraocular pressure.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,192 issued on Aug. 5, 2003, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a
non-contact type tonometer monitoring the rate of change in
pressure between a standard curve and a measured curve and
calculating an intraocular pressure of the patient's eye based on
the amended pressure changing curvature.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,215 issued on Mar. 25, 2003, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein, by reference, discloses
a non-contact type tonometer including a compressed air blowing
unit that blows the compressed air to a cornea of an examinee's
eye; an optical system which projects light to the cornea; a
photosensor which detects reflection light reflected from the
cornea; and a controller which obtains a change in pressure for a
predetermined time based on detection results by the pressure
sensor when the photosensor detects a predetermined change amount
of the reflection light.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,243 issued on Feb. 25, 2003, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses
an applanation tonometer for measuring pressure within a human eye
comprising an electrical measurement apparatus which detects the
mechanical displacement of a plunger, the displacement of the
plunger reflecting an intraocular pressure, and the electrical
measurement apparatus converting the corresponding mechanical
displacement of the plunger into an electrical signal and
display.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,449 issued on Sep. 10, 2002, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a
tonometer sensor for disposition in proximity to a portion of a
surface of the eye comprising a substrate including a contact
surface for making contact with the surface portion of the eye. The
contact surface includes an outer non-compliant region and an inner
compliant region fabricated as an impedance element that varies in
impedance as the inner region changes shape. A first region of
material is responsive to a non-invasive external force to press
the contact surface against the surface portion of the eye and
cause the compliant region to change shape in proportion to an
intraocular pressure of the eye. A second region of conductive
material is electrically coupled to the impedance element of the
compliant region and is responsive to an external signal for
energizing the impedance element so that the intraocular pressure
is determined.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,893 issued on Sep. 3, 2002, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a
device for measuring intraocular pressure comprising: a remote
measuring device adapted to be implanted in an eye, the remote
measuring device having a pressure sensor, a converter for
converting sensor signals into information for wireless
transmission, and a transmitter; a receiver adapted to be located
outside the eye for receiving information transmitted by the
transmitter; and an evaluation device for converting information
received into data expressing the intraocular pressure and for
recording the data, wherein the remote measuring device further
includes a data logger in which measurement data continuously
supplied by the pressure sensor is stored and from which the
measurement data is called up at certain times in operation of the
converter.
[0014] None of the above-cited prior art discloses an optically
powered and optically data-transmitting wireless intraocular
pressure sensor, suitable for being implanted in the eye and for
monitoring the IOP continuously or on demand. Moreover, none of the
above-cited prior art discloses a solar cell system-powered or
battery-powered wireless intraocular pressure sensor. Therefore,
these aspects of the present invention provide a wireless
intraocular pressure sensor (WIPS) that enables detecting IOP
violating a predetermined pressure threshold.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is one object of the present invention to provide an
optically powered and optically data-transmitting wireless pressure
sensor device for detecting excessive intraocular pressure above a
predetermined threshold pressure, comprising a pressure switch that
is sized and configured to be placed in the anterior chamber of an
eye, wherein the pressure switch is activated when the intraocular
pressure is higher than the predetermined threshold pressure. In
one embodiment, the pressure switch is a resettable pressure
switch.
[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide an
optically powered and optically data-transmitting wireless
intraocular pressure sensor device for detecting excessive
intraocular pressure above a plurality of threshold pressures,
comprising a plurality of pressure switches that are sized and
configured to be placed in the anterior chamber of an eye, wherein
a first pressure switch is activated when the intraocular pressure
is higher than a first predetermined threshold pressure, and
wherein a second pressure switch is activated when the intraocular
pressure is higher than a second predetermined threshold pressure,
and so forth.
[0017] In one embodiment, the pressure sensor device is a micro
electromechanical system. In another embodiment, the pressure
sensor device is placed on the iris of an eye or on an intraocular
lens or on a glaucoma tube to enable the device for external data
readout. In still another embodiment, the pressure sensor device is
powered by a solar cell system or by a battery, the power source
either implanted along with the device or wired externally to the
device.
[0018] Some aspects of the invention relate to the pressure switch
system comprising a first electrode and a second electrode mounted
onto a compressible enclosure (filled with gas or vacuum), the
electrodes being sized, configured and positioned spaced apart when
the intraocular pressure is lower than the predetermined threshold
pressure, and wherein the first electrode contacts the second
electrode to make a closed electric circuit when the intraocular
pressure becomes higher than the predetermined threshold pressure.
One aspect of the invention provides a timer to record the time,
date, and duration of activity. Another aspect of the invention
provides a resistor to delay the discharge time when the closed
electric circuit is formed for signaling excessive intraocular
pressure above a predetermined threshold pressure, to avoid/reduce
artifacts such as momentary pressure spiking due to eye rubbing.
One further aspect of the invention provides an optical readout
from the timer, wherein an external instrument is capable of
optically activating the optical readout, receiving the optical
readout, and/or monitoring ambient atmospheric pressure. In another
aspect of the invention the external instrument is capable of
optically powering the pressure sensor device.
[0019] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a method for signaling excessive intraocular pressure of an
eye above a predetermined threshold pressure, comprising: providing
a sensor device sized and configured to be placed in the anterior
chamber of an eye, wherein the device comprises a pressure switch
activatable when the intraocular pressure of an eye is higher than
the predetermined threshold pressure; recording time, date, and
duration with a timer that is associated with the pressure switch
when the pressure switch is activated, wherein the time, date, and
duration is converted to optically readable data through an optical
readout system; activating an external instrument to read the data,
wherein the instrument is capable of wirelessly optically
activating the optical readout system. One further aspect of the
invention provides a means for the external instrument to allow the
intraocular pressure data as well as the time, date, and duration
data to be downloaded to a computer and/or PDA and to be
transmitted over the Internet to a central location such as a
physician's office.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to one of skill in the art in view of the
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments that follows, when
considered together with the attached drawings and claims.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a general aqueous flow around the front
section of an eye.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows IOP changes during the day for an average
normal eye and a glaucoma eye.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows IOP data from NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC)
shuttle flight.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of the IOP sensor device
according to the principles of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 5A is an embodiment of the pressure switch enclosure
according to the principles of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of section 1-1 of FIG. 5A,
illustrating the pressure switch principles when the IOP is less
than the predetermined threshold pressure.
[0027] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of section 1-1 of FIG. 5A,
illustrating the pressure switch principles when the IOP is equal
to or greater than the predetermined threshold pressure.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the placement of a pressure
sensor device inside an eye.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described
below relate particularly to an optically powered and optically
data-transmitting wireless intraocular pressure sensor that can be
implanted in the anterior chamber of an eye by securing it onto the
peripheral iris tissue or onto an intraocular lens out of line of
sight. While the description sets forth various embodiment specific
details, it will be appreciated that the description is
illustrative only and should not be construed in any way as
limiting the invention. Furthermore, various applications of the
invention, and modifications thereto, which may occur to those who
are skilled in the art, are also encompassed by the general
concepts described below.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a general aqueous flow 12 around the
front section of an eye, showing relative anatomical locations of
the trabecular meshwork 14, the anterior chamber 18, and Schlemm's
canal 15. The cornea 19 (FIG. 6) is a thin transparent tissue that
focuses and transmits light into the eye and through a pupil 8 and
the lens 10. The pupil is a circular hole in the center of an iris
11 (colored portion of the eye). The cornea 19 merges into the
sclera 7 at a juncture referred to as a limbus 16. A ciliary body
13 extends along the interior of the sclera 7. The anterior chamber
18 of the eye, which is bound anteriorly by the cornea 19 and
posteriorly by the iris 11 and a lens 10, is filled with aqueous
humor (hereinafter referred to as "aqueous"). Aqueous is produced
primarily by the ciliary body 13, then moves anteriorly through the
pupil 8 and reaches an anterior chamber angle, formed between the
iris 11 and the cornea 19. In a normal eye, aqueous is removed from
the anterior chamber 18 through the trabecular meshwork 14. Aqueous
passes through the trabecular meshwork 14 into Schlemm's canal 15
and thereafter through a plurality of aqueous veins 17, which merge
with blood-carrying veins, and into systemic venous circulation.
Intraocular pressure is maintained by an intricate balance between
secretion and outflow of aqueous in the manner described above.
Glaucoma is, in most cases, characterized by an excessive buildup
of aqueous in the anterior chamber 18 which leads to an increase in
intraocular pressure. Fluids are relatively incompressible, and
thus intraocular pressure is distributed relatively uniformly
throughout the eye.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows diurnal variation in IOP in both normal (the
lower curve) and glaucomatous (the upper curve) eyes. It is known
that the IOP within the same eye of a person undergoes drastic
changes (oscillations) during the 24 hours in a day. Thus a
pressure measurement at a doctor's office can at best only get a
snapshot in time of the currently prevailing intraocular pressure,
missing all the other pressure oscillations. Consequently a
sporadic IOP measurement may still not prevent glaucomatous damage
from happening. The normal IOP is typically less than 20 mmHg,
though some variation exists. It is one object of the present
invention to provide a wireless intraocular pressure sensor that
enables detecting an IOP violating a predetermined pressure
threshold on a 7-day 24-hour cycle.
[0032] A self-checking non-contact IOP monitoring system with
frequent readout that measures the true intraocular pressure is
very important and much needed. Beyond the screening for high IOP
there are issues related to drug therapy for glaucoma and how to
titrate and monitor these treatments. While on therapeutic eye
drops one often sees salient and transient periods of breakthrough
elevation of the IOP which can damage the eye. Therefore, we would
like our proposed wireless intraocular pressure sensor (WIPS) to
red flag even one such violation of a predetermined threshold
pressure or pressures. This close monitoring of the IOP would
greatly help the control and optimization of glaucoma drug therapy,
especially for patients that already have the diagnosis of
glaucoma.
[0033] According to the Space Medicine Office at NASA's Johnson
Space Center, intraocular hypertension and intracranial
hypertension due to microgravity are known problems in the
operative environment of space flight. FIG. 3 shows shuttle flight
IOP data from NASA Johnson Space Center. From a JSC-NASA point of
view, it is essential to monitor IOP during long space missions for
timely management before astronaut performance is impaired or
permanent damage incurred. The medical conditions of astronauts are
usually not available to people on Earth unless a remote sensor is
in place. One aspect of the invention is to provide a WIPS that is
accurate and small enough to be implantable in the eye to
continuously or on demand monitor the intraocular pressure. Another
aspect of the invention relates to a method for self-checking
intraocular pressure of a patient comprising: providing an
optically powered and optically data-transmitting wireless
intraocular pressure sensor device for detecting excessive
intraocular pressure above a predetermined threshold pressure,
wherein the device comprises an external instrument comprising
means for receiving optical readout of detected excessive
intraocular pressure; and self-checking the detected excessive
intraocular pressure by activating the external instrument by the
patient. Further, the sensor device comprises a pressure switch
that is sized and configured to be placed in the anterior chamber
of an eye of the patient, wherein the pressure switch is activated
when the intraocular pressure is higher than the predetermined
threshold pressure.
[0034] In one aspect, the WIPS may comprise an extremely small
nano-technology based piezoresistive or capacitive sensor that is
coated with a biocompatible polymer film, for example, silicone
film. In one embodiment, a pressure transducer comprises (a) a
capacitive pressure sensor, the pressure sensor including a
diaphragm, at least part of the diaphragm moving in response to
changes in a pressure; and (b) an electronic circuit, the circuit
generating an output signal representative of the pressure. Some
aspect of the invention provides an external LED instrument capable
of optically activating the IR photodiode, which has an extremely
low dark current and is shielded against ambient light, e.g., by
means of a narrow IR filter, and triggering the indicator LED
optical readout.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the intraocular pressure
sensing system. The pressure sensor device 30 is implantable in an
eye and comprises a pressure switch 31 with a circuit, a solar cell
system 22 or a battery power supply 27. The solar cell is charged
during daytime and when eyes are open. Electricity is converted
from solar power via microphotodiodes solar cells mechanism when
light enters through clear and translucent tissues of the eye. The
power density of a typical solar cell is about 0.15 mW/mm.sup.2 in
normal irradiation. Given an extraterrestrial solar input of 1.367
mW/mm.sup.2 (solar constant), roughly 10 times the necessary power
density is provided which is reduced down to 30% on a very cloudy
day due to atmospheric absorption (Solar Energy 1976;18(4):309).
The cornea of an eye has a high transmittance in the visible
spectrum with the exception of UV, thus there will be no
significant additional loss of light penetrating the eye and
powering the solar cell attached to the iris in the anterior
chamber. A solar cell as a power source for a WIPS would provide
adequate energy for continuously or on demand monitoring the
intraocular pressure. Once the pressure switch 31 is triggered
(that is, the pressure exceeds a preset critical IOP threshold
value), the capacitor 23 is fully discharged through the indicator
LED 25. In some embodiment, the pressure switch is resettable.
[0036] In some aspect of the pressure sensor device 30, there is
provided a resistor 24 in the electric circuit to eliminate any
momentary pressure spiking due to rubbing an eye. By incorporating
a resistor, the discharge time can be initially set (the discharge
time is determined by the resistor constant) to about 1 minute or
longer, so that the capacitor is not fully discharged during the
time for rubbing an eye.
[0037] In one embodiment, the solar cell is sized and configured
with about 2-4 mm.sup.2 light receiving area enabling power supply
of about 300-600 .mu.W. The pressure switch system 31 is configured
being sufficiently powered by the solar cell even in dim light
conditions. The solar cell also contains a capacitor 23 that will
be charged during daylight with the eye open. In one embodiment,
this capacitor is the power source for the intraocular pressure
sensing circuit during closed-eye conditions, including night
time.
[0038] A wavelength specific and intensity dependent photoreceptor,
e.g., IR photodiode, which has an extremely low dark current and is
shielded against ambient light, e.g., by means of a narrow IR
filter, is activated only by a solid state laser diode of the same
wavelength and sufficient intensity. It is to check whether the
capacitor remains charged or not. When the switch is activated
(that is, shorted), the charge in the capacitor emits light through
the indicator LED 25, detected by an external photo detector, if
the IOP did not exceed the preset critical value since the last
readout. In other words, it is some aspect of the invention to
provide an external LED instrument 26 capable of wirelessly
optically activating the IR photodiode and triggering the indicator
LED optical readout 25 to be received by an external photo detector
28. In another embodiment instead of using dynamic RAM such as
provided by capacitors, static RAM (SRAM) is used to power the
pressure switch and the optical LED readout.
[0039] Upon querying the wireless optical readout module two
possible scenarios can occur. First scenario with capacitor or SRAM
discharged: Using an external solid state laser diode will not
cause the LED to light up since the capacitor is already
discharged, thus denoting that the critical or threshold IOP value
has been exceeded since the last time the capacitor was discharged.
Second scenario with capacitor or SRAM charged: Using an external
solid state laser diode will cause the LED to light up since the
fully charged capacitor will be discharged, thus denoting that the
critical or threshold IOP value has not been exceeded since the
last time the capacitor was charged. In both scenarios the
capacitor will be recharged instantly by the solar cell through the
IR diode after the query event. The switch is also a wavelength
specific and intensity dependent photoreceptor, which has an
extremely low dark current and is shielded against ambient light,
e.g., by means of a narrow IR filter, that is only activated by a
second solid state laser diode of different wavelength than the one
used for activating the other switch and sufficient intensity. In
one aspect of the invention, a timer or recorder is provided to
bring out the "memory" effect to reveal a threshold (or a plurality
of thresholds) violation in the past.
[0040] FIG. 5A shows one embodiment of the pressure switch
enclosure 32, which comprises a compressible (for example,
gas-filled) or vacuum interior space 33 surrounded by a membrane
construct having a height 34, a width 35 and a depth 36. The
membrane construct is sized and configured enabling the intraocular
pressure P.sub.1 to cause significant dimensional changes to the
depth 36, and insignificant dimensional changes to the height 34
and the width 35. By way of example, the membrane material in the
depth dimension is substantially more compressible than the
membrane material in the height or width dimension.
[0041] FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of section 1-1 of FIG.
5A, illustrating the pressure switch principles when the
intraocular pressure P.sub.1 is less than the threshold pressure
P.sub.T. Under such a condition, the length of the depth 36 is
D.sub.1. The enclosure 32 further comprises a first electrode or
electric contact 37 and a second electrode 38 that is spaced apart
from the first electrode 37 when the length of the depth is about
D.sub.1.
[0042] FIG. 5C shows a cross-sectional view of section 1-1 of FIG.
5A, illustrating the pressure switch principles when the
intraocular pressure P.sub.1 is equal to or greater than the
threshold pressure P.sub.T. Under this condition, the length of the
depth 36 has been compressed from D.sub.1 to D.sub.2 and
thereafter, the two electrodes 37, 38 contact with each other to
form a closed electric circuit with conductors 40, 41, respectively
connecting to the capacitor 23. Thus, the pressure surge activates
the signal recording and/or timing recording.
[0043] Some aspects of the invention relate to a pressure sensor
device for signaling excessive intraocular pressure above a
threshold pressure, comprising a pressure switch 31 that is sized
and configured to be placed in the anterior chamber 18 of an eye,
wherein the pressure switch is activated when the intraocular
pressure is higher than the threshold pressure, wherein the
pressure switch is a micro electromechanical system.
[0044] One aspect of the invention relates to the pressure switch
comprising a first electrode and a second electrode mounted onto a
compressible enclosure, the electrodes being sized, configured and
positioned spaced apart when the intraocular pressure is lower than
the predetermined threshold pressure, and wherein the first
electrode contacts the second electrode to make a closed electric
circuit when the intraocular pressure becomes higher than the
threshold pressure. In one embodiment, a timer is provided to
record the time when the closed electric circuit is formed for
signaling excessive intraocular pressure above a threshold
pressure. In another embodiment, the pressure sensor device further
comprises an optical readout 25 from the timer, wherein an external
instrument 26 is capable of optically activating the optical
readout. One aspect of the invention relates to the external
instrument that optically powers at least one component of the
device. In one embodiment, the external photo detector (that is, a
reader) 28 may further comprise means for monitoring ambient
atmospheric pressure. Means for monitoring ambient atmospheric
pressure to be incorporated onto a photo detector is well known to
one of skill in the art. The timer would record the onset of
pressure violation and the duration, among other parameters, such
as eye opening/closing. This data can be downloaded to a computer
and/or PDA and transmitted over the Internet to a central location
such as a physician's office.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows the placement of a pressure sensor device
inside an eye. In one embodiment, the pressure switch or the
pressure sensor device 30A is placed on an iris 11 of the eye. In
another embodiment, the pressure switch or the pressure sensor
device 30B is placed on an intraocular lens 9 inside the eye. It is
essential that the pressure sensor device is placed out of
line-of-sight. Any conventional methods of attaching or securing
the device on an iris, such as with an anchor, suture, hook or
other fixation means are well known to one skilled in the art.
[0046] Some aspects of the invention relate to a pressure sensor
device for signaling excessive intraocular pressure above a
plurality of threshold pressures, comprising a plurality of
pressure switches that are sized and configured to be placed in the
anterior chamber of an eye, wherein a first pressure switch is
activated when the intraocular pressure is higher than a first
predetermined threshold pressure. The second pressure switch is
activated when the intraocular pressure is higher than a second
predetermined threshold pressure and so forth. By way of example,
the first threshold pressure may be about 18 mmHg and the second
threshold pressure is about 20 mmHg. Depending on an individual's
health conditions, the threshold pressures may be slightly
different from the typical values. In one embodiment, the first
pressure switch comprises a pair of first electrodes mounted onto a
first compressible enclosure, the pair of first electrodes being
sized, configured and positioned spaced apart when the intraocular
pressure is lower than the first predetermined threshold pressure,
and wherein the pair of first electrodes contacts each other to
make a closed electric circuit when the intraocular pressure
becomes higher than the first predetermined threshold pressure.
Some aspects of the invention provide a pressure sensor device that
records and reveals the time, date, and duration when the measured
intraocular pressure is higher than a predetermined threshold
pressure on a continuous or semi-continuous or on-demand basis.
[0047] Further aspects of the invention relate to a method for
signaling excessive intraocular pressure of an eye above a
predetermined threshold pressure, comprising: (a) providing a
sensor device sized and configured to be placed in the anterior
chamber of an eye, wherein the device comprises a pressure switch
activatable when an intraocular pressure of the eye is higher than
the threshold pressure; (b) recording time, date, and duration with
a timer that is associated with the pressure switch when the
pressure switch is activated, wherein the time, date, and duration
is converted to optically readable data through an optical readout
system; and (c) activating an external instrument to read the data,
wherein the instrument is capable of optically activating the
optical readout system and/or comprises means for receiving the
optical readout. A timer or time recorder to record the time when
the pressure switch is activated is well known to one skilled in
the art.
[0048] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that
a novel intraocular pressure sensor for detecting excessive
intraocular pressure above a predetermined threshold pressure and
methods of use have been disclosed. While aspects of the invention
have been described with reference to specific embodiments, the
description is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope
of the invention. Various modifications and applications of the
invention may occur to those who are skilled in the art, without
departing from the true spirit or scope of the invention. The
breadth and scope of the invention should be defined only in
accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.
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