The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 11, 2014
Filed:
Aug. 24, 2010
Thomas E. Ryan, Batavia, NY (US);
George S. Baggs, Amherst, NY (US);
Timothy Levindofske, Orchard Park, NY (US);
Thomas E. Ryan, Batavia, NY (US);
George S. Baggs, Amherst, NY (US);
Timothy Levindofske, Orchard Park, NY (US);
Reichert, Inc., Depew, NY (US);
Abstract
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.