Apparatus and method for corneal marking
A corneal marking system and methods for its use, has a first tilt-detecting device attached to a corneal marker, adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in a horizontal position. In another version, the first tilt-detecting device is adapted to produce a signal when the corneal marker is in tilted to a pre-selected value and a second tilt-detecting device is attached to the patient's head to measure the tilt of the head and is adapted to produce a signal when the head is tilted to match the pre-selected value of the first tilt-detecting device. In a third version, the first and second tilt detectors send signals to a signal detector which emits a signal when the first and second tilt detectors indicate substantially the same amount of tilt. In each case, the cornea is marked when the appropriate signal is emitted.
1. A system for marking a cornea of an eye of a patient, said system comprising:
a corneal marker having
a handle with proximal and distal ends,
a keratometer mounted to said handle at said distal end, said keratometer including a plurality of marking tabs configured to place a plurality of selected marks on said cornea when said plurality of marking tabs are brought into contact with said cornea, and
a first tilt detector mounted to said handle intermediate said proximal end and said distal end, said first tilt detector configured to detect a tilt of said handle, said first tilt detector configured to emit at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when said first tilt detector is aligned to a preset tilt value; and
a second tilt detector configured for being affixed to said head of said patient, said second tilt detector configured for detecting a tilt of said patient's head, said second tilt detector configured to emit at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when said second tilt detector is aligned to said preset tilt value of said first tilt detector, wherein said second tilt detector includes a headband assembly for being secured to said patient's head.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said preset tilt value is horizontal.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first tilt detector is removably attached to said handle.
4. A system for marking a cornea of an eye of a patient, said system comprising:
a corneal marker having
a handle with proximal and distal ends,
a keratometer mounted to said handle at said distal end, said keratometer including a plurality of marking tabs configured to place a plurality of selected marks on said cornea when said plurality of marking tabs are brought into contact with said cornea, and
a first tilt detector mounted to said handle intermediate said proximal end and said distal end, said first tilt detector configured to detect a tilt of said handle; and
a second tilt detector configured for being affixed to said head of said patient for detecting a tilt of said patient's head;
said first and second tilt detectors configured to emit at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when said first and second tilt detectors are aligned to a preset tilt value, wherein said second tilt detector includes a headband assembly for being secured to said patient's head.
5. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein said first tilt detector is removably attached to said handle.
6. The system as recited in claim 4 further comprising a communication pathway between said first and second tilt detectors.
7. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said communication pathway comprises an electrically-conductive wired connection.
8. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said communication pathway comprises a wireless connection between said first and second tilt detectors.
9. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said communication pathway is configured to allow two-way signal transmission between said first and second tilt detectors.
10. The system as recited in claim 9 further comprising a signal detector within said communication pathway for comparing a first signal from said first tilt detector with a second signal from said second tilt detector, said signal detector being configured to produce a third signal when said first and second signals indicate substantially the same value for a respective tilt of said corneal marker and said patient's head.
11. A method for marking a cornea of an eye of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a system having;
a corneal marker having
a handle with proximal and distal ends,
a keratometer mounted to said handle at said distal end, said keratometer including a plurality of marking tabs configured to place a plurality of selected marks on said cornea when said plurality of marking tabs are brought into contact with said cornea, and
a first tilt detector mounted to said handle intermediate said proximal end and said distal end, said first tilt detector configured to detect a tilt of said handle, said first tilt detector configured to emit at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when said first tilt detector is aligned to a present tilt value; and
a second tilt detector configured for being affixed to said head of said patient,
said second tilt detector configured for detecting a tilt of said patient's head,
said second tilt detector configured to emit at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when said second tilt detector is aligned to said preset tilt value of said first tilt detector, wherein said second tilt detector includes a headband assembly for being secured to said patient's head;
aligning said keratometer with an eye of a patient; and
applying a plurality of marks to said eye with said plurality of marking tabs when said at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal is emitted by said first tilt detector.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:
affixing said second tilt detector to a head of said patient.
13. A method for marking a cornea of an eye of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a system having;
a corneal marker having
a handle with proximal and distal ends,
a keratometer mounted to said handle at said distal end, said keratometer including a plurality of marking tabs configured to place a plurality of selected marks on said cornea when said plurality of marking tabs are brought into contact with said cornea, and
a first tilt detector mounted to said handle intermediate said proximal end and said distal end, said first tilt detector configured to detect a tilt of said handle,
a second tilt detector configured for being affixed to said head of said patient for detecting a tilt of said patient's head;
said first and second tilt detectors configured to emit at least one of an audio signal and a visual signal when said first and second tilt detectors are aligned to a preset tilt value, wherein said second tilt detector includes a headband assembly for being secured to said patient's heads, a communication pathway between said first and second tilt detectors, said communication pathway is configured to allow two-way signal transmission between said first and second tilt detectors; and
a signal detector within said communication pathway for comparing a first signal from said first tilt detector with a second signal from said second tilt detector, said signal detector being configured to produce a third signal when said first and second signals indicate substantially the same value for a respective tilt of said corneal marker and said patient's head;
affixing said second tilt detector to a head of a patient;
aligning said keratometer with an eye of said patient;
applying a plurality of marks to said eye when said third signal is emitted.