IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,245,817
Granted Patent B2
US 12,245,817 · App. 18/213,356 · Granted Mar 11, 2025

Non-invasive intraocular pressure monitor

Inventors: Yong Jun Lai (Kingston, CA); Kong Ying Xie (Kingston, CA); Robert James Campbell (Kingston, CA)
Assignees: Queen's University at Kingston; Kingston Health Sciences Centre
A61B3/16A61B3/14A61B5/0077A61B5/6821A61B5/6898A61B2090/3937A61B2562/028
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,245,817
App. No.
18/213,356
Granted
Mar 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides devices and methods for non-invasive monitoring and measuring of intraocular pressure (IOP) of a subject. Embodiments include a lens that is adapted to fit on the subject's eye, a microstructure disposed in or on the lens, the microstructure having at least one feature that exhibits a change in shape and/or geometry and/or position on the lens in response to a change in curvature of the lens. When the curvature of the lens changes in response to a change in IOP, a corresponding change in shape and/or geometry and/or position of the feature may be used to determine the change in IOP. The change in the feature is detectable in digital images of the lens taken with a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone.

Claims (26)

1. A device for monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) of a subject, comprising:

a non-invasive lens that is adapted to fit on the subject's eye;

a microstructure disposed in or on the lens;

at least one feature of the microstructure that exhibits a change in shape and/or geometry in response to a change in curvature of the lens;

wherein the at least one feature is at least one marker consisting of a hole through the lens or a divot in the lens;

wherein the lens is adapted to change curvature in response to a change in IOP;

wherein the change in shape and/or geometry of the at least one marker is detectable in digital images of the lens, or of a part of the lens; and

wherein the change in shape and/or geometry of the at least one marker directly correlates with a change in IOP.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a reference structure;

wherein the reference structure has a selected size and/or position and/or shape that is substantially constant irrespective of a change in curvature of the lens in response to a change in IOP.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the digital images are captured using a digital camera of a personal electronic device.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the personal electronic device is a smartphone.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one marker is a hole through the lens.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one marker is a divot in the lens.

7. A method for monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) of a subject, comprising:

disposing a microstructure in or on a non-invasive lens that is adapted to fit on the subject's eye, the microstructure having at least one feature that exhibits a change in shape and/or geometry in response to a change in curvature of the lens, wherein the curvature of the lens changes in response to a change in IOP;

wherein the at least one feature is at least one marker consisting of a hole through the lens or a divot in the lens;

obtaining two or more digital images of the lens, or a part of the lens, at two or more instants in time;

detecting a change in shape and/or geometry of the at least one marker in the digital images; and

directly correlating the change in shape and/or geometry of the at least one marker with a change in IOP.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising quantifying a change in shape and/or geometry of the at least one marker in the digital images using a reference structure;

wherein the reference structure is embedded or integrated in the lens and has a selected size and/or position and/or shape that is substantially constant irrespective of a change in curvature of the lens in response to a change in IOP.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the digital images are captured using a digital camera of a personal electronic device.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the personal electronic device is a smartphone.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one marker is a hole through the lens.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one marker is a divot in the lens.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2024
From: LAI, YONG JUN; XIE, KONG YING; CAMPBELL, ROBERT JAMES
To: QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON; HOTEL DIEU HOSPITAL
Reel/Frame 066988/0073 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2024
From: RELIGIOUS HOSPITALLERS OF SAINT JOSEPH OF THE HOTEL DIEU OF KINGSTON (“HOTEL DIEU HOSPITAL”)
To: KINGSTON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
Reel/Frame 066988/0463 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17020211 · Sep 14, 2020
Division 15461881 · Mar 17, 2017
Provisional Application 62310432 · Mar 18, 2016
Related Publication 20240164638A1 · May 23, 2024
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