Non-contact tonometer and method using ultrasonic beam

A non-contact tonometer for measuring intraocular pressure of an eye, comprising:

• means for generating an ultrasonic beam and projecting it continuously onto the eye to generate radiation pressure on the eye;
• means for determining the intraocular pressure from the response of the eye resulting from the radiation pressure, including:
• optical means for measuring indentation of the eye;
• means for measuring the continuous radiation pressure of the ultrasonic beam;
• and
• means for comparing the radiation pressure to the indentation of the eye caused by its continuous radiation pressure.

A non-contact tonometer for measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye, comprising:

• means for generating a first ultrasonic beam and projecting it onto the eye to generate radiation pressure on the eye;
• means for determining the intraocular pressure from the response of the eye resulting from the radiation pressure and comprising:
• means including a second ultrasonic beam for measuring the indentation of the eye:
• means for measuring the radiation pressure of the first ultrasonic beam;
• and
• means for comparing the radiation pressure to the indentation of the eye caused by the radiation pressure.

A non-contact tonometer for measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye, comprising:

• means for generating a ultrasonic beam and projecting it onto the eye to generate radiation pressure on the eye;
• means for determining the intraocular pressure from the response of the eye resulting from the radiation pressure, including:
• means including another ultrasonic beam for detecting applanation of the eye;
• means for increasing the radiation pressure of the ultrasonic beam until applanation of the eye occurs;
• and
• means for measuring the radiation pressure at which applanation of the eye occurs.

The method of measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye comprising:

• (a) generating a first ultrasonic beam and projecting it onto the eye to generate radiation pressure on the eye;
• and
• (b) determining the intraocular pressure from the response of the eye resulting from the radiation pressure by
• (b1) generating a second ultrasonic beam and projecting it onto the eye;
• and
• (b2) measuring the distance to the eye from the reflection of the second ultrasonic beam by the eye.

A method of measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye comprising:

• generating an ultrasonic beam and projecting it continuously onto the eye to generate radiation pressure on the eye;
• determining the intraocular pressure from the response Of the eye resulting from the radiation pressure by optically measuring indentation of the eye;
• measuring the continuous radiation pressure of the ultrasonic beam;
• and
• comparing the radiation pressure to the indentation of the eye caused by the continuous radiation pressure.

The method of measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye, comprising:

• generating an ultrasonic beam and projecting it onto the eye to generate radiation pressure on the eye.;
• determining the intraocular pressure from the response of the eye resulting from the radiation pressure by
• measuring the indentation of the eye;
• measuring the radiation pressure of the ultrasonic beams;
• and
• comparing the radiation pressure to the indentation of the eye caused by the radiation pressure, wherein
• measuring the indentation of the eye includes providing another ultrasonic beam to perform such measurement.

The method of measuring the intraocular pressure of an eye:

• generating an ultrasonic beam and projecting it onto the eye to generate radiation pressure on the eye;
• determining the intraocular pressure from the response of the eye resulting from the radiation pressure by
• increasing the radiation pressure of the ultrasonic beam until applanation of the eye occurs;
• supplying another ultrasonic beam to the eye for detecting the applanation thereof;
• and
• measuring the radiation pressure at which applanation of the eye is detected.