Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

See Care Corporation

Bhushan, Rajiv

Goswamy, Amit

Gin, Jerry B.

Chakshu Research, Inc.

Jerry B Gin

Vernon G Wong

Rajiv Bhushan

Thomas J Ingalz

Amit Goswamy

King Y Lee

Intraocular administration of drugs such as .alpha.-2a interferon is employed in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Intraocular administration obviates the side effects associated with systemic administration, concentrates the drug at the site of the disease, and, where microcapsules are employed, provides continuous, long-lasting treatment.

Method of treatment of macular degeneration

A tonometer for measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye featuring an acoustic signaling system for determining the beginning of a pressure measurement. The acoustic system includes a consumable cap having a pair of annular raised surface portions spaced by a recessed area. The raised surface portions provide an eye-engaging surface at the face of the tonometer. A pressure transmitting plunger concentrically suspended between the raised surface portions by a plurality of spider arms combines with the eye-engaging surface to provide a contour which complements a shape of an eye. The recessed area is open along the eye-engaging surface, yet defines a generally enclosed volume when full tonometer-to-eye contact is made. Spaced apart inlet and outlet apertures within the recessed area permit channeling of an acoustic signal to and from the recessed area. Prior to proper coupling of the tonometer to an eye, a substantial amount of the energy of the acoustic signal is lost to free air. However, upon achieving full tonometer-to-eye contact the energy is captured within the recessed ara and channeled to an acoustic receiver when the plunger contacts the eye, constricting the inlet-to-outlet acoustic wave path. Characteristic change of the received signal is marked by a hold signal triggered to initiate an intraocular pressure measurement. Proper coupling may be detected by either monitoring the phase or the change in amplitude at the acoustic wave receiver. Intraocular pressure is measured by means of the plunger which is operatively coupled to a force transducer.

Tonometer having acoustic coupling detection

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Jerry B Gin