Reichert, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130098137 | TONOMETER CALIBRATION TOOL - A tool for calibrating a non-contact tonometer (NCT) comprises a body having a mating feature configured for removably mounting the body on the nosepiece or on the measurement head of the NCT, a pressure sensor carried by the body and arranged to receive an air pulse discharged by the NCT to provide a pressure signal in response to the air pulse, and a radiation emitter carried by the body, wherein the radiation emitter provides a pseudo-applanation event when the pressure signal reaches a predetermined level that is detectable by the NCT as though an actual corneal applanation had taken place. In one embodiment, the mating feature includes a mounting orifice for receiving a portion of the nosepiece. In another embodiment, the mating feature includes a pair of mounting pins sized for receipt by a corresponding pair of mounting holes in the measurement head of the NCT. | 04-25-2013 |
20120190961 | SUBSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NON-CONTACT CORNEAL DEFORMATION - An ophthalmic instrument that discharges a fluid pulse to deform the cornea of a test subject is improved by reducing the working distance between a nosepiece or a discharge tube from which the fluid pulse is discharged and the eye of the test subject. The invention improves measurement repeatability and patient comfort. | 07-26-2012 |
20110245649 | Ophthalmic Diagnostic Instrument And Method - In an ophthalmic instrument that directs a fluid pulse at a cornea to cause reversible deformation of the cornea and monitors the corneal deformation to generate a deformation signal, the shape of the deformation signal is analyzed with respect to deformation signal data from a statistical population of eyes to calculate a deformation signal score indicating a degree of probability that the deformation signal corresponds in shape to a normal deformation signal for normal eyes in the population. In calculating the deformation signal score, significant geometrical signal parameters are calculated and combined. The deformation signal score may be used as a basis to keep or discard intraocular pressure measurements in a non-contact tonometer, and/or as a basis to conduct further diagnostic screening. | 10-06-2011 |
20110211189 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF TEAR OSMOLARITY - An apparatus comprises a spectrophotometer system configured to measure light absorbance by a tear sample, a refractometer system configured to measure refractive index of the tear sample, and an evaluation unit programmed to calculate an osmolarity of the tear sample based on the measured absorbance and refractive index and stored calibration curves. The spectrophotometer and refractometer systems may share a common prism contacted by the tear sample during measurement. The evaluation unit may be programmed to carry out steps of a method for determining osmolarity of the tear sample in accordance with the invention. The osmolarity of the tear sample may be used as an indicator in diagnosing dry eye. | 09-01-2011 |
20100087796 | Method For Controlling A Pump Drive - A syringe pump and associated computer are provided to achieve an ultra-low flow rate. The computer may generate syntax commands to a motion controller of the syringe pump to displace a plunger by a selected number of steps or increments and pause a period of time before repeating the displace and pause steps. The cycle may be repeated until a desired end condition has been reached. The syringe pump and computer may be embodied as separate linked units or as a standalone unit wherein the computer is an embedded controller located within the syringe pump housing. The invention may also be embodied as a method for achieving ultra-low flow. | 04-08-2010 |
20090323073 | Analytical Instrument Having Internal Reference Channel - An analytical instrument for making measurements based on detection of an SPR resonance minimum or a refractometer transition shadowline on a detector array is improved by configuring a diaphragm of the instruments illumination system to include a first aperture, a second aperture, and an opaque region between the first and second apertures, wherein the opaque region of the diaphragm casts a shadow on the detector array to provide a reference minimum from which a relative location of the resonance minimum or transition shadowline is measurable. By establishing a reference minimum on the detector array as a reference location for relative measurement, the instrument compensates for signal drift and other instrument variations. The diaphragm may include additional apertures and opaque regions for generating additional reference minima over the extent of the detector array. | 12-31-2009 |
20090259127 | Disposable High Frequency Multi-Focus Silicone Self-Contained Water Bath Offset - A multiple focal length transducer comprising a first end allowing cooperable attachment to an ultrasound bio-microscope. A second end allowing contact with a water bath. An adjustable connecting portion allowing multiple focal lengths. The adjustable connecting portion may be allowed to flex similar to an accordion. The multiple focal length transducer is preferably produced to be sterile from medical grade silicone and is disposable. | 10-15-2009 |
20090093698 | Method And Apparatus For Determining True Intraocular Pressure - A method and apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure of an eye use an empirically derived function wherein an inward applanation pressure P1 and an outward applanation pressure P2 obtained during a corneal deformation cycle caused by a fluid pulse are separately weighted so as to minimize cornea-related influence on the intraocular pressure value calculated by the function. In one embodiment, the function is optimized, at least in part, to minimize change in calculated IOP between measurements made before surgical alteration of the cornea and measurements made after surgical alteration of the cornea. | 04-09-2009 |