Ophthalmic analysis system for measuring the intraocular pressure in the eye

Abstract

The invention relates to an ophthalmic analysis system ( 01 ) for measuring the intraocular pressure in an eye ( 02 ) comprising a) an actuating device ( 04 ) for contact-free deformation of the cornea ( 03 ), b) an observation system ( 20, 21 ) with which the deformation of the cornea can be observed and recorded, c) an analysis device ( 24 ) with which the intraocular pressure can be deduced from the image information of the observation system ( 20, 21 ), wherein split images of at least parts of the undeformed and/or deformed cornea ( 03 ) can be recorded using the observation system ( 20, 21 ).

1 . An ophthalmic analysis system ( 01 ) for measuring the intraocular pressure in an eye ( 02 ) comprising: 
 a) an actuating device ( 04 ) for contact-free deformation of the cornea ( 03 ),    b) an observation system ( 20 ,  21 ) with which the deformation of the cornea can be observed and recorded,    c) an analysis device ( 24 ) with which the intraocular pressure can be deduced from the image information of the observation system ( 20 ,  21 ), characterised in that split images of at least parts of the undeformed and/or deformed cornea ( 03 ) can be recorded using the observation system ( 20 ,  21 ).    
   
   
       2 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cornea ( 03 ) is deduced in the analysis device ( 24 ) from the split images of the cornea ( 03 ).  
   
   
       3 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the curvature of the cornea ( 03 ) is deduced in the analysis device ( 24 ) from the split images of the cornea ( 03 ).  
   
   
       4 . The analysis system according to claim  1 , wherein the light scattering of the cornea ( 03 ) is deduced in the analysis device ( 24 ) from the split images of the cornea ( 03 ) as a measure for the elasticity of the cornea ( 03 ).  
   
   
       5 . The analysis system according to claims  2 , wherein the thickness of the cornea ( 03 ) and/or the curvature of the cornea ( 03 ) and/or the elasticity of the cornea ( 03 ) deduced from the light scattering is taken into account as an influential factor in the derivation of the intraocular pressure.  
   
   
       6 . The analysis system according to claims  1 , wherein the intraocular pressure in the eye ( 02 ) is derived in the analysis device ( 24 ) from the split images of the deformed cornea ( 03 ), especially from a series of split images of the cornea ( 03 ).  
   
   
       7 . The analysis system according to claims  1 , wherein the observation system ( 20 ,  21 ) cooperates with a slit projector ( 16 ) which can be used to project a light slit onto the cornea ( 03 ) wherein the split images to be recorded with the observation system ( 20 ,  21 ) lie in an image plane illuminated by the slit projector.  
   
   
       8 . The analysis system according to  claim 7 , wherein the observation system ( 20 ,  21 ) comprises a recording device ( 20 ) with which the cornea ( 03 ) can be recorded at least partly in the image plane illuminated by the slit projector ( 16 ).  
   
   
       9 . The analysis system according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one objective ( 21 ) is arranged between the cornea ( 03 ) and recording device ( 20 ) with which the image plane of the cornea ( 03 ) illuminated by the slit projector ( 16 ) is imaged on a recording plane in the recording device ( 20 ).  
   
   
       10 . The analysis system according to  claim 9 , wherein the image plane of the cornea ( 03 ) illuminated by the slit projector ( 16 ) and the objective plane of the objective ( 21 ) arranged between the cornea ( 03 ) and the recording device ( 20 ) and the recording plane in the recording device ( 2 ) are arranged at an angle such that the image plane of the cornea ( 03 ) is imaged according to the Scheimpflug condition on the recording plane of the recording device ( 20 ).  
   
   
       11 . The analysis system according to claims  1 , wherein a flow pulse of a gaseous medium, especially air can be applied to the surface of the cornea using the actuating device ( 04 ) to deform the cornea ( 03 ).  
   
   
       12 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein an at least partially transparent pressure chamber ( 05 ) comprising a nozzle orifice, ( 06 ) directed onto the eye to be examined is provided at the actuating device ( 04 ), wherein a flow pulse directed onto the eye can be produced by increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber ( 05 ).  
   
   
       13 . The analysis system according to  claim 12 , wherein a sensor ( 09 ) for direct or indirect measurement of the intensity of the flow pulse is provided in or at the pressure chamber ( 05 ).  
   
   
       14 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein the ray path of the light beam produced by the slit projector ( 16 ) runs coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the flow pulse of the gaseous medium when it impinges on the cornea ( 03 ).  
   
   
       15 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein the ray path of the light beam produced by the slit projector ( 16 ) runs through the actuating device ( 04 ) wherein the actuating device ( 04 ) has recesses ( 06 ) at the points of passage of the ray path or is made of transparent material ( 11 ).  
   
   
       16 . The analysis system according to  claim 15 , wherein the ray path of the light beam produced by the slit projector ( 16 ) runs through the nozzle orifice ( 06 ).  
   
   
       17 . The analysis system according to  claim 11 , wherein deflecting optics are arranged before and/or after the nozzle orifice in the pressure chamber whereby the ray path of the slit projector can be guided past the nozzle orifice.  
   
   
       18 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein the recording device ( 20 ) is constructed in the fashion of a high-speed recording device whereby a plurality of split images can be recorded as a series of images during the deformation of the cornea ( 03 ).  
   
   
       19 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein a video sensor is provided in the recording device ( 20 ) whereby the deformation of the cornea ( 03 ) can be observed and recorded, wherein the video sensor reproduces the corresponding image data in the form of a video signal.  
   
   
       20 . The analysis system according to  claim 19 , wherein the video signal is produced in a digital form or converted thereto.  
   
   
       21 . The analysis system according to  claim 20 , wherein the video sensor is constructed in the fashion of a CCD chip or CMOS chip.  
   
   
       22 . The analysis system according to  claim 19 , wherein the video sensor is formed by at least one line scan camera.  
   
   
       23 . The analysis system according to  claim 22 , wherein the video sensor is formed by a plurality of line scan cameras arranged parallel to one another and at a distance from one another.  
   
   
       24 . The analysis system according to  claim 19 , wherein the video camera is formed by an area scan camera.  
   
   
       25 . The analysis system according to  claim 1 , wherein an adjusting camera ( 10 ) for correct positional alignment of the eye ( 02 ) to be examined is provided in the analysis system ( 01 ).