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Patent US3677074A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3677074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tonometer probe for digital read-out
Assignee: Berkeley Bio Engineering Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A tonometer probe having two concentric coplanar elements for contact with the surface of an eyeball, the elements being separately displaceable under the influence of applied force and respectively having associated force sensitive transducers for producing electrical signals representative of the applied forces acting on the respective elements. By virtue of the arrangement, the force signal afforded by the annular outer sensing element may be employed to provide information as to when the probe is accurately positioned against the eye and the central sensing element is recording force which is truly representative of that exerted by the internal environment of the eye and which then may be reliably converted to a digital reading for display or for direct input to a computer.
Inventors
- 👤 William C Murr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A tonometric probe comprising concentric cylindrical inner and tubular outer force sensing elements having coplanar outer end faces for application to the surface of an eyeball, a handle case, means mounting said elements to said case for individual displacement, and force sensitive transducer means operably associated with said inner and outer sensing elements for generating electrical signals responsive to displacements thereof respectively representative of forces acting on said coplanar end faces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A tonometric probe comprising concentric cylindrical inner and tubular outer force sensing elements having coplanar outer end faces for application to the surface of an eyeball, a handle case, means mounting said elements to said case for individual displacement, and force sensitive transducer means operably associated with said inner and outer sensing elements for generating electrical signals responsive to displacements thereof respectively representative of forces acting on said coplanar end faces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
A tonometric probe according to claim 1, further defined by said mounting and transducer means comprising a core having a cylindrical body portion with first and second pairs of diametrically opposed support members projecting longitudinally therefrom, first and second bridge strips respectively transversely secured between the free ends of said first and second pairs of support members, said tubular sensing element centrally secured to said first bridge strip in coaxially projecting relation, said cylindrical sensing element freely traversing a central aperture in said first bridge strip and centrally secured to said second bridge strip in coaxially projecting relation, and strain gauge elements secured to said first and second pairs of support members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tonometric probe according to claim 2, further defined by said second pair of support members being circumferentially displaced 90* from said first pair of support members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tonometer probe according to claim 2, further defined by four strain gauge elements being secured to the four sides of eaCh of said first and second pairs of support members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A tonometer probe according to claim 2, further defined by said body portion of said core being secured within an internal cylindrical recess of said case, said case having an annular wall disposed in coaxially outwardly spaced relation about said support members, said annular wall extending coaxially forwardly about said sensing elements in outwardly spaced relation thereto and terminating in coplanar relation to said outer end faces thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tonometer probe according to claim 5, further defined by said second pair of support members being circumferentially displaced 90* from said first pair of support members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tonometer probe according to claim 6, further defined by four strain gauge elements being secured to the four sides of each of said first and second pairs of support members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |