# US 11,026,574 B2 · Apparatus and method for using infrared thermography for viewing a tear film > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,574 B2 - Document ID: US11026574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/308,150 - Filed: 2017-06-08 - Published: 2019-06-13 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-08 - Assignees: Beyond 700 Pty Ltd - Applicants: Beyond 700 Pty Ltd - Inventors: Thomas Millar; Burkhardt Siegfried Schuett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026574B2 ## CPC - A61B 3/101: {for examining the tear film} - A61B 3/0083: {provided with means for patient positioning} - A61B 3/10: Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions - A61B 3/14: Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography - A61B 5/015: {By temperature mapping of body part} - A61B 5/14507: {specially adapted for measuring characteristics of body fluids other than blood (devices for taking samples of body liquids A61B10/0045)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus for observing a tear film on a persons or animals eye. The apparatus comprises an infrared sensitive camera that includes a camera lens system and a computer configured to receive data from the camera, process the data using software and represent the processed data on a display. The camera is configured to measure temporal and spatial changes of thermal radiation from a surface of the eye at a frame rate, a spatial resolution, and a thermal sensitivity that allows the dynamics of the tear film to be visualised. Also disclosed is a method of observing a tear film on an eye of a person or an animal using an apparatus, such as that described above, where the method includes the step of viewing the dynamics of the tear film using the apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for observing a tear film on a person's or animal's eye, the apparatus comprising: an infrared sensitive camera that includes a camera lens system; and; a computer configured to receive data from the camera, process the data using software and represent the processed data on a display, wherein the camera is configured to measure temporal and spatial changes of thermal radiation from a surface of the eye at a frame rate, a spatial resolution, and a thermal sensitivity that allows the dynamics of the tear film to be visualised. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, the apparatus further comprising a frame including an adjustable chin rest, wherein the camera is mounted to the frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera is hand held. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dynamics of the tear film are visualised during and after a blink. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera includes a detector for wavelengths in the bands from 2 micrometres to 14 micrometres. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera includes a detector that captures at least 320×240 pixels. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera includes a detector with a pitch resolution of 17 micrometres or less. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame rate is at least 25 frames per second. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thermal sensitivity is at least 20 milliKelvin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera is an uncooled camera. ### Claim 11 A method of observing a tear film on an eye of a person or an animal using an apparatus comprising an infrared sensitive camera that includes a camera lens system, the camera being configured to measure temporal and spatial changes of thermal radiation from a surface of the eye at a frame rate, a spatial resolution, and a thermal sensitivity that allows the dynamics of the tear film to be visualised, wherein the method includes the step of viewing the dynamics of the tear film using the apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further including the step of visualising a tear film abnormality in the eye that is caused by an abnormal spreading of the tear film. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further including the step of visualising a tear film abnormality in the eye that is caused by an abnormal stability of the tear film. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further including the step of visualising a change to the tear film in the eye that is caused by wearing a contact lens or other ocular device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further including the step of visualising a change to the tear film in the eye that is caused by a previous ocular surgery. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further including the step of visualising a change to the tear film in the eye that is caused by an altered physiological or pathological state of the eye surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further including the step of visualising a change to the tear film in the eye that is caused by a treatment of the eye. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further including the step of visualising a change to the tear film in the eye that is caused by a different blinking regime. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the dynamics of the tear film are viewed during and after a blink. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A method of viewing an eye of a person or an animal, the method including the step of: viewing the eye using an apparatus defined in accordance with claim 1; and, detecting a lack of tear film in the eye.