Patent ID: 9320430
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. An ophthalmic apparatus for testing an eye of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a fluid pump operable to generate a fluid pulse for deforming a cornea of the eye from an original convex state through a first applanated state to a concave state, wherein the cornea returns from the concave state through a second applanated state to the original convex state; a deformation detection system including a emitter and a photosensitive detector, the detector receiving light from the emitter after the light is reflected by the cornea and generating a deformation signal representative of corneal deformation associated with the fluid pulse as a function of time; signal processing electronics that converts the deformation signal from analog to digital form; and a processing unit receiving the deformation signal in digital form, wherein the processing unit is programmed to calculate a deformation signal score indicating a degree of probability that the shape of the deformation signal over time corresponds to the shape of a normal deformation signal for a population of normal eyes; wherein the deformation signal score provides a basis to keep or discard an intraocular pressure measurement in a non-contact tonometer or a basis for conducting further diagnostic screening.