KR102193755B1 - The tonometer - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment according to the present invention includes a housing, an air supply unit disposed inside the housing, a spray nozzle having a ring-shaped injection port connected to the air supply unit, and an image pickup unit disposed on the injection nozzle. In addition, the injection nozzle includes an inlet having an inlet connected to the air supply part, a diffusion part having a ring-shaped flow path connected to the inlet, and an injection part having a ring-type inclined flow path connected to the ring-type flow path.

Description

Intraocular pressure measuring device {THE TONOMETER}

The present invention relates to an intraocular pressure measuring device, and to an intraocular pressure measuring device capable of measuring intraocular pressure using air injected into the eyeball.

Tonometers for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) can be classified into contact typed tonometers and non-contact typed tonometers depending on whether or not they are in contact with the cornea.

In particular, the non-contact tonometer is more convenient and hygienic than the contact tonometer because it does not contact the cornea. In general, the non-contact tonometer may use a method of injecting air to the cornea. Intraocular pressure can be measured through corneal changes caused by injected air. Therefore, in order to measure the intraocular pressure, it is important to accurately measure the corneal change caused by the injected air.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide an intraocular pressure measuring device capable of measuring intraocular pressure by visually determining a deformed state of an eyeball due to pressure of the air after injecting air through a spray nozzle.

An apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, an air supply unit disposed inside the housing, a spray nozzle connected to the air supply unit and having a ring-shaped injection port, and an imaging unit.

The injection nozzle of the intraocular pressure measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an inlet having at least one inlet connected to the air supply unit, a diffusion unit having a ring-type flow path connected to the inlet, and a ring-type flow path, and the radius gradually decreases. It includes an injection portion having a ring-shaped oblique flow path.

The inlet of the device for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention is spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

The cross-sectional area of the ring-shaped inclined flow path of the intraocular pressure measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is smaller than that of the ring-shaped flow path.

The imaging unit of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the central axis of the spray nozzle.

The imaging unit of the intraocular pressure measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention photographs a cornea that is deformed by air injected from the injection nozzle toward the eyeball.

The imaging unit of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lens and an image sensor.

The apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a plurality of light sources disposed around the imaging unit.

The apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an LED light source having a single peak.

The light source of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pattern forming unit having a set pattern shape.

The pattern forming part of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention has a pattern shape of one of a stripe pattern, a grid pattern, and a chess pattern.

It further includes a plurality of image pickup units disposed around the injection nozzle of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The imaging units of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention are disposed to face each other based on the injection nozzle.

An apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, an air supply unit disposed inside the housing, a spray nozzle connected to the air supply unit and having an air injection port, an imaging unit for capturing a two-dimensional image, and a network connected to an external processing device. Includes a connection.

The network connection unit of the device for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits a plurality of 2D images captured by the imaging unit to an external processing device.

The network connection unit of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits air pressure information of a spray nozzle corresponding to a two-dimensional image to an external processing device.

The network connection unit of the apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention receives air pressure information and intraocular pressure information calculated from a two-dimensional image from an external processing device.

The network connection unit of the intraocular pressure measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits state information of the intraocular pressure measurement device to an external processing device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the spray nozzle has a ring-type flow path, a ring-type inclined flow path, and a ring-type spray hole. Accordingly, the air supplied from the air supply unit may be injected through the ring-shaped injection port of the injection nozzle.

Further, the imaging unit is disposed adjacent to the spray nozzle. In addition, it is possible to visually measure the degree of deformation of the cornea due to the air injected through the plurality of imaging units.

1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a view showing the interior of the intraocular pressure measuring device shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a perspective view showing the interior of the spray nozzle shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle shown in FIG. 3;
5 is a perspective view of the spray nozzle shown in FIG. 3 separated;
6 is a cross-sectional view of the imaging unit shown in FIG. 5;
7 is a perspective view of a spray nozzle and an imaging unit shown in FIG. 3;
8(a) and 8(b) are schematic diagrams of corneal images using a patterned light source,
9 is a perspective view of an imaging unit according to an embodiment of the present invention,
10 is a network configuration diagram of an apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the drawings or embodiments described below. The accompanying drawings are only illustratively selected to specifically describe the present invention from among various embodiments.

In order to aid understanding of the invention, each component and its shape are drawn in a simplified or exaggerated manner in the drawings, and components in an actual product are not represented and omitted. Therefore, the drawings should be interpreted to aid understanding of the invention. Meanwhile, elements that play the same role in the drawings are indicated by the same reference numerals.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element interposed therebetween. . In addition, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components unless specifically stated to the contrary.

In the present specification, terms such as first, second, and third may be used to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second or third component, and similarly, a second or third component may be alternately named.

In addition, when a layer or component is described as being “on” another layer or component, the layer or component is not only disposed in direct contact with the other layer or component, but also This means that it includes all the cases where the third layer is interposed therebetween.

Hereinafter, an apparatus 10 for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing an intraocular pressure measuring apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing the interior of the intraocular pressure measuring apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is It is a perspective view showing the interior of the spray nozzle 300 shown in, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle 300 shown in FIG.

1 to 4, the intraocular pressure measuring apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the housing 100, the air supply unit 200 disposed inside the housing 100, and the air supply unit 200. It may include a spray nozzle 300 and an imaging unit 400.

The housing 100 may have a gun shape. The housing 100 may have a portable size and shape. In addition, for convenience in measuring the intraocular pressure, one side of the housing 100 may protrude at least partially. This helps the intraocular pressure measurer to easily hold the housing 100 by hand.

The air supply unit 200 may be disposed inside the housing 100. As another example, at least a part of the air supply unit 200 may be disposed inside the housing 100. That is, some of the air supply unit 200 may be disposed outside the housing 100. The air supply unit 200 may include an air tank 210, a pressure regulator 230, an injection valve 250, and an air injection button 270.

The air tank 210 stores compressed air. The air tank 210 is connected to the pressure regulator 230. The pressure regulator 230 adjusts the pressure of the air introduced from the air tank 210 to a predetermined pressure. The injection valve 250 is connected to the pressure regulator 230. The injection valve 250 opens and closes the valve. Thereby, the injection valve 250 can inject or block air. The injection valve 250 may be operated by the air injection button 270. That is, when the intraocular pressure measurer presses the air injection button 270, the injection valve 250 opens the valve. Here, the injection valve 230 may be a solenoid valve.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the key is illustrated, but the shape is not limited thereto. As another structure of the housing, it may have a cup shape. The cup-shaped housing surrounds the spray nozzle, and the housing contacts the peripheral area of the eyeball for measurement. The cup-shaped intraocular pressure measuring device is a form suitable for users who measure intraocular pressure by themselves, and helps to prevent the user's hand from shaking when measuring intraocular pressure and to maintain a constant distance between the nozzle and the eyeball. In addition, the shape of the housing at the outer portion of the nozzle may suppress air flow, thereby reducing an error caused by measuring intraocular pressure using the aerojet method.

2 to 4, the injection nozzle 300 has a ring-shaped injection hole 351a and is disposed in the housing 100. At least a portion of the spray nozzle 300 may be inserted into the housing 100. The spray nozzle 300 may include an inlet portion 310, a diffusion portion 330, and an injection portion 350. The inlet 310 has an inlet 311, and the diffusion 330 has a ring-shaped flow path 331. In addition, the injection unit 350 has a ring-shaped inclined flow path 351. The ring-shaped injection hole 351a disposed at the end of the injection unit 350 is connected to the ring-shaped inclined flow path 351.

The inlet 311 is connected to the air supply unit 200. That is, the air supplied from the air supply unit 200 is supplied to the diffusion unit 330 through the inlet 311. The inlet 311 is disposed to be spaced apart from the inlet 310 along the circumferential direction. As an example, the two inlets 311 may be disposed to face each other with the central axis of the spray nozzle 300 therebetween. In addition, an inlet pipe (not shown) connected to the air supply unit 200 may be inserted into the inlet 311.

The diffusion part 330 has a ring-shaped flow path 331 connected to the inlet 311. The diffusion part 330 has a first circumferential surface 332 having a first radius and a second circumferential surface 333 having a second radius based on the central axis of the spray nozzle 300. The second radius is larger than the first radius. Accordingly, the second circumferential surface 333 is spaced apart from the first circumferential surface 332. The ring-shaped flow path 331 is a space separated from the first circumferential surface 332 and the second circumferential surface 333. Specifically, the ring-shaped flow path 331 extends in the circumferential direction based on the central axis of the spray nozzle 300. In addition, the ring-shaped flow path 331 extends from the inlet 310 toward the injection unit 350 substantially parallel to the central axis of the injection nozzle 300. Accordingly, the ring-shaped flow path 331 has a constant radius along the central axis of the spray nozzle 300.

The injection unit 350 has a ring-shaped inclined passage 351 connected to the ring-shaped passage 331. The injection unit 350 includes a first inclined circumferential surface 352 extending from the first circumferential surface 332 and a second inclined circumferential surface 353 extending from the second circumferential surface 333. The first inclined circumferential surface 352 has a certain angle from the first circumferential surface 332. In addition, the second inclined circumferential surface 353 has a certain angle from the second circumferential surface 333. Here, the first inclined circumferential surface 352 and the second inclined circumferential surface 353 may have the same or different angles. The ring-shaped inclined passage 351 is a space spaced apart between the first inclined circumferential surface 352 and the second inclined circumferential surface 353. That is, the radius of the ring-shaped inclined flow path 351 may gradually decrease along the central axis of the spray nozzle 300.

As an example, the first inclined circumferential surface 352 and the second inclined circumferential surface 353 may have the same angle with respect to the central axis of the spray nozzle 300. In this case, the area of the ring-shaped inclined flow path 351 in cross section is smaller than the area of the ring-shaped flow path 331. Alternatively, the first inclined circumferential surface 352 may have a larger angle than the second inclined circumferential surface 353. In this case, the area of the ring-shaped inclined passage 351 in cross section may be larger than the area of the ring-shaped passage 331. That is, depending on the angle between the first inclined circumferential surface 352 and the second inclined circumferential surface 353, the area of the ring-shaped inclined flow path 351 and the area of the ring-shaped flow path 331 in cross section may be the same or different from each other. .

The imaging unit 400 is disposed at the center of the ring-shaped spray nozzle 300, and sensor support portions 370 and 390 that support the imaging unit 400 are coupled to the inner space of the nozzle insert 300b.

5 is a perspective view of the spray nozzle 300 shown in FIG. 3 separated.

4 and 5, a stepped portion may be disposed at an end of the nozzle insert 300b. The stepped portion may have an inlet 311. The nozzle insert 300b may be at least partially inserted into the nozzle case 300a. The nozzle case 300a and the nozzle insert 300b are spaced apart from each other. However, the stepped portion of the nozzle insert 300b may contact the nozzle case 300a. The ring-shaped passage 331 and the ring-shaped inclined passage 351 may be formed by a nozzle case 300a and a nozzle insert 300b. Accordingly, the inlet 311 is connected to the ring-shaped flow path 331 and the ring-shaped inclined flow path 351.

The spray nozzle 300 may include a first sensor support 370 and a second sensor support 390.

4 and 5, the first sensor support part 370 and the second sensor support part 390 may be inserted into the spray nozzle 300 and disposed. For example, the first and second sensor support portions 370 and 390 may be disposed on the central axis of the spray nozzle 300. The imaging unit 400 to be described later may be coupled to and supported by the first sensor support unit 370.

6 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging unit shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the imaging unit 400 includes a lens module 410 composed of a plurality of lenses, an actuator 420, a filter 430, an image sensor 440, and a flexible substrate 450.

The lens module 410 is composed of a plurality of lenses continuously assembled in a circular barrel. The number of lenses may be composed of 4 to 6. The lens configuration of the lens module can be combined in various ways depending on the size of the subject, the distance to the subject, and the degree of angle of view to be imaged.

The actuator 420 is located on the side of the lens module 410 and includes a moving means for moving the lens position of the lens module 410 back and forth. The actuator 420 may enlarge or reduce a subject, and has an auto focus driving function that transfers the position of the lens to the optimum focus position so that the captured image is clearly displayed. Since the distance between the imaging unit 400 and the subject (eyeball) is different for each user, a clear corneal image can be obtained through the auto focus driving function.

The optical filter 430 has a function of blocking a specific wavelength with respect to the incident light source or transmitting a specific wavelength band. It is mainly used to increase image clarity by applying an IR filter that blocks the infrared region. Alternatively, an image may be obtained by using a specific wavelength band as a light source and combining an optical filter passing through the wavelength band.

The image sensor 440 is a semiconductor device that electronically converts light received through the lens module 41 and the optical filter 430. The image sensor 440 is largely divided into a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET) and a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) according to a manufacturing method. Recently, the CCD method, which is advantageous for obtaining an image in low light, is more commonly used.

The flexible substrate 450 is an electronic circuit connection unit having a function of transmitting image information converted by the image sensor 440 to the image processing apparatus. The image information of the eyeball transmitted to the control unit by the flexible substrate 450 may implement the shape of the cornea through an image processor.

7 is a perspective view of a spray nozzle and an image pickup unit shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 7, light sources 510 and 520 are disposed on the front surface of the imaging unit 400.

When the tonometer measures intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, the imaging unit 400 photographs a state in which the cornea is not deformed, and then uses it as a reference point for estimating the change in the cornea. After the reference cornea is photographed, air pressure is applied to the cornea through the spray nozzle 300. At this time, the imaging unit 400 continuously photographs the moment at which the cornea is deformed by the air injected through the spray nozzle 300. The tonometer may analyze the photographed image to analyze the maximum degree of deformation of the cornea and the state of the cornea's pressure equilibrium.

The image pickup unit 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a method of photographing the cornea from the front by positioning the image pickup unit 400 on the central axis of the spray nozzle 300. The moment the image pickup unit 400 photographs the cornea, it provides light necessary to acquire an image through the first and second light sources.

The light sources 510 and 520 may provide white light or light of a specific color required for corneal photographing.

Alternatively, the light sources 510 and 520 may irradiate the cornea with a light source of a specific wavelength or a light source of a specific pattern. The light source may constitute a pattern forming portion including each pattern shape on the entire surface. The pattern forming unit provides a pattern having a regular and regular shape such as a stripe pattern, a grid pattern, and a chess pattern. In addition, the first light source and the second light source may provide different pattern shapes. For example, the first light source 510 may irradiate a vertical stripe pattern, and the second light source 520 may provide a horizontal stripe pattern.

8(a) and 8(b) are schematic diagrams of corneal images using a patterned light source.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a two-dimensional image captured by a camera is obtained when the cornea is irradiated with a stripe pattern spaced at regular intervals from the light sources 510 and 520 of the tonometer.

The light source 500 is assumed to be a point light source, and the cornea is assumed to be a partial surface of the sphere. The location of the light source is located in the center of the cornea, that is, the object to be photographed.

Depending on the distance from the light source 500, the stripe pattern is irradiated at regular intervals over the entire surface of the cornea, but since the shape of the cornea is curved, in the interval of the irradiated pattern, the periphery of the cornea rather than the central interval (a) The spacing (b) is displayed larger.

FIG. 8(b) is an image of a two-dimensional image of a cornea taken by an imaging unit of a tonometer while a stripe pattern is irradiated onto the cornea as shown in FIG. 8(a).

Referring to FIG. 8(b), it can be seen that the distance between the distance (a) at the center of the cornea and the distance (b) at the periphery of the cornea are different from each other. Using the image of FIG. 8(b) as a reference point, when the cornea is deformed due to air pressure, the distance between the light source 500 and the cornea is changed, resulting in a change in the stripe spacing, and the shape of the cornea is determined based on the change in the spacing. Can be estimated.

In addition, it is possible to implement a lattice shape by adding a vertical stripe pattern to a horizontal stripe pattern by using a light source as the plurality of light sources 510 and 520.

Since an error may occur due to the user's movement in the measurement process by the spray nozzle 300, it is preferable that the imaging unit 400 finishes the recording from the reference image to the corneal deformation image within 0.5 to 2 seconds.

As a light source according to an embodiment of the present invention, an LED may be used, and it is most preferable to use a green LED. However, the type of the light source and the color of the light may be changed according to the characteristics of the imaging unit and the cornea.

9 is a perspective view of an imaging unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of image capturing units 410 and 420 are positioned around the spray nozzle with the spray nozzle 300 as the center. The first imaging unit 410 and the second imaging unit 420 are positioned to be twisted at an appropriate angle not to capture the cornea to be captured, respectively. The first and second imaging units 410 and 420 may be disposed to be symmetrical about the spray nozzle 300. The internal structures of the first and second imaging units 410 and 420 are substantially the same as those of the imaging unit 400 described in FIG. 6.

The photographing timings of the first and second photographing units 410 and 420 are synchronized with each other, and the two-dimensional images of the cornea are transmitted to the processor of the tonometer. The processor of the tonometer may synthesize a three-dimensional eyeball image based on at least two captured images.

In the embodiment of the present invention, two imaging units are illustrated, but as the number of mounted imaging units increases, an accurate three-dimensional image can be obtained.

10 is a network configuration diagram of an apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the case of synthesizing a plurality of 2D images into 3D images as in the embodiment of the present invention, a large amount of image information data processing is required. In the case of a portable tonometer, it is difficult to mount a 3D image processor due to weight and processor limitations. The portable tonometer 10 further includes a network connection unit (not shown) capable of communicating with the network AP device 20. The network connection unit can access a wireless or wired network network. The tonometer for bonds can also exchange information by directly communicating with the smartphone 30 through a work line communication method such as Bluetooth and NFC without going through the network AP 20.

Referring to FIG. 10, the portable tonometer 10 performs external processing such as a smartphone 30, a computer 40, and a cloud server 50 connected to a network through a network AP device 20 through a plurality of two-dimensional images captured. Can be transferred to the device.

The network connection unit may further include information about a time taken while transmitting the 2D image and air pressure information sprayed through the spray nozzle 300 and transmit the same. An external processing device such as the cloud server 50 may synthesize a plurality of 2D images and convert them into a 3D image, and compare the converted 3D images to determine the amount of deformation of the cornea. In other words, it is possible to measure intraocular pressure through an image synthesis process. The measured result information may be displayed through a tonometer or an application of the user's smartphone 30 through a network. In addition, it is possible to display state information such as air pressure information and battery information of a portable intraocular pressure meter along with the measurement result through an application of a smartphone.

When image processing is performed using an external processing device such as the cloud server 50, the manufacturing cost of the portable tonometer can be reduced, and high-speed image processing is possible, so that measurement results can be quickly acquired. In addition, the measured intraocular pressure information may be stored in a computer or a cloud server to determine a change in intraocular pressure for each measurement period. Based on the trend of changes in intraocular pressure, eye diseases that may occur to users can be detected and prevented early.

10: intraocular pressure measuring device
100: housing
200: air supply
300: spray nozzle
400: imaging unit
500: calculation unit
600: signal generating means

Claims (18)

housing;
An air supply unit disposed inside the housing;
A jet nozzle connected to the air supply unit and having a ring-shaped jet port; And
It includes an image pickup unit for photographing an image,
The spray nozzle,
An inlet portion having at least one inlet port connected to the air supply portion;
A diffusion unit having a ring-shaped flow path connected to the inlet; And
An intraocular pressure measuring device including an injection unit connected to the ring-shaped flow path and having a ring-shaped inclined flow path gradually decreasing in radius.
delete The method of claim 1,
The inlet is a device for measuring intraocular pressure that is spaced apart in the circumferential direction.
The method of claim 1,
A cross-sectional area of the ring-shaped inclined flow path is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the ring-shaped flow path.
The method of claim 1,
An intraocular pressure measuring device disposed on the central axis of the injection nozzle in the imaging unit.
The method of claim 5,
The intraocular pressure measurement device for photographing the cornea deformed by the air injected from the injection nozzle toward the eyeball.
The method of claim 6,
An intraocular pressure measuring device including a lens and an image sensor in the imaging unit.
The method of claim 5,
An intraocular pressure measurement device further comprising a plurality of light sources disposed around the imaging unit.
The method of claim 8,
The light source is an intraocular pressure measuring device which is an LED having a single peak.
The method of claim 8,
The light source is an intraocular pressure measuring device including a pattern forming unit having a set pattern shape
The method of claim 10,
The pattern of the pattern forming part is one of a stripe pattern, a grid pattern, and a chess pattern.
The method of claim 1,
An intraocular pressure measuring device disposed in a plurality of the imaging unit around the injection nozzle.
The method of claim 12,
An intraocular pressure measuring device disposed so as to face each other with the plurality of imaging units based on the injection nozzle.
housing;
An air supply unit disposed inside the housing;
An injection nozzle connected to the air supply unit and having an air injection port;
An image pickup unit for photographing an image; And
The spray nozzle,
An inlet portion having at least one inlet port connected to the air supply portion;
A diffusion unit having a ring-shaped flow path connected to the inlet; And
An intraocular pressure measuring device including an injection unit connected to the ring-shaped flow path and having a ring-shaped inclined flow path gradually decreasing in radius.
The method of claim 14,
The network connection unit is an intraocular pressure measurement device that transmits a plurality of images captured by the image pickup unit to an external processing device.
The method of claim 15,
The network connection unit is an intraocular pressure measuring device for transmitting air pressure information of the spray nozzle corresponding to the image to an external processing device.
The method of claim 16,
The network connection unit receives the air pressure information and intraocular pressure information calculated from the image from an external processing device.
The method of claim 14,
The network connection unit is an intraocular pressure measuring device for transmitting state information of the intraocular pressure measuring device to an external processing device.

Images