# US 2021/0275020 A1 · Non-contact air esthesiometer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0275020 A1 - Document ID: US20210275020A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/318,088 - Filed: 2017-07-18 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-18 - Assignees: Baylor College of Medicine - Applicants: Baylor College of Medicine - Inventors: Stephen C. Pflugfelder; Chia-Kai Chu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210275020A1 ## CPC - A61B 3/165: {Non-contacting tonometers} - A61B 5/4824: {Touch or pain perception evaluation (A61B5/4821 takes precedence)} - A61B 3/0008: {provided with illuminating means (A61B3/117, A61B3/14 take precedence)} - A61B 3/0083: {provided with means for patient positioning} - A61B 3/107: for determining the shape or measuring the curvature of the cornea - A61B 5/0053: {by applying pressure, e.g. compression, indentation, palpation, grasping, gauging} - A61B 5/1103: {Detecting muscular movement of the eye, e.g. eyelid movement} - A61B 5/4827: {assessing touch sensitivity, e.g. for evaluation of pain threshold} - A61B 9/00: Instruments for examination by percussion; Pleximeters - A61B 3/02: Subjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient - A61B 5/0048: {Detecting, measuring or recording by applying mechanical forces or stimuli (A61B5/021, A61B5/4884 and A61B9/00 take precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Embodiments of the technology developed are a non-contact air esthesiometer used for measuring corneal sensitivity. In certain embodiments, the apparatus takes the OKI DX-255 Basic Digital Fluid Dispenser and modifies it for use to produce a 2-second stream of room-temperature air directed at the center of a patient's cornea. The input to the device is a compressed air tank, IN which can be easily changed, connected to an inline filter. The output is a hose line connected to a valve that permits finer adjustments in airflow rate to a disposable 200-microliter-filter pipette tip. This outlet tip is secured with self-setting rubber and housed in a metal stand with horizontal and vertical travel that can be directly mounted to a standard slit lamp. Four red LED lights were placed around the air outflow that can be used for patient fixation and alignment on the central cornea. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a compressed air source; a line coupled to the compressed air source and configured to couple to an outlet tip, wherein the line is configured to supply compressed air from the compressed air source through the line to exit through the outlet tip. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve coupled between the line and the outlet tip and configured to adjust an airflow rate of the compressed air exiting through the outlet tip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the valve is configured to provide an airflow rate of approximately 3 psi at the outlet tip. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inline filter coupled between the compressed air source and the line. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressed air source comprises at least one of a compressed air tank and an air compressor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stand configured to secure the outlet tip and configured to provide horizontal and vertical movement of the outlet tip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the metal stand is configured to attach to a slit lamp and comprises four light emitting diode (LED)-based bulbs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outlet tip comprises a disposable 200-microliter-filter pipette tip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user input device, wherein activation of the user input device triggers a 2-second stream of air to exit the outlet tip. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the user input device comprises a foot pedal. ### Claim 11 A method of operating an air esthesiometer, comprising: placing a patient's head into a stand; adjusting a slit lamp horizontally and vertically to align an outlet tip with a center of the patient's eye; advancing the outlet tip towards the patient's eye to a desired distance from the patient's eye; triggering an outlet of compressed air through the outlet tip towards the patients' eye; and recording the patient's response to the compressed air. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising increasing a pressure of the air from the outlet tip; and repeating the steps of triggering the outlet of compressed air and recording the patient's response to the compressed air. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the step of adjusting the stand/slit lamp to align the outlet tip with the center of the patient's eye comprises using the reflection of LED bulbs in the patient's cornea. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the step of triggering an outlet of compressed air comprises outputting two seconds of compressed air at approximately 3 psi towards the patient's eye.