Patent ID: 6083160
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An applanation tonometer comprising:a light-conducting pressure applicator assembly having an end adapted to be placed in contact with the cornea of a subject's eye and an opposite end;a displacer suitable for locating said pressure applicator assembly with said end against the subject's cornea thereby flattening a portion thereof;an illuminator for illuminating the subject's cornea;an imaging transducer at the opposite end of the pressure applicator assembly for receiving therethrough an optical image of at least said portion of the subject's cornea and converting said optical image of at least said portion of the subject's cornea into electrical signals representative of the optical image of at least said portion of the subject's cornea; anda data processor for receiving the electrical signals representative of the optical image of at least said portion of the subject's cornea, as outputted by said imaging transducer, and utilizing this optical image as well as information indicating an amount of force applied to at least said portion of the subject's cornea for producing an output representing intraocular pressure.