Patent Application
20170347890
This application claims priority from Taiwan Patent Application No. 105117142 filed on Jun. 1, 2016, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus, and particularly, to an ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus which is wearable or combined with glasses.
Ocular surface temperatures reflect the current statuses of various muscles and tissue layers of an eyeball, and hence, they can be deemed as an important index representing ocular health or pathological changes. When there is ocular inflammation or ill-sustained accommodation (e.g. spasms) for eye muscles, the ocular surface temperature may rise. For example, pseudo-myopia or myopia happens when the ciliary muscles enter a state of spasm so that the ocular surface temperature gets higher. However, as to a dry-eyes patient, when his eyelids are closed and open, tears flowing into his eyeball surfaces get less so that the ocular surface temperature may fall. Therefore, the increase and decrease in the ocular surface temperature can be used to determine whether an eye is in good health, approaches to have pathological changes or has any pathological changes. In recent years, 3C products have been widely used. Many users spend most of their time for watching images displayed on the 3C products so that they may get myopia or dry-eyes.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2015/0342465 has proposed ocular surface temperature measuring equipment on desk. The volume of such equipment is too big to be portable. Furthermore, only professional technicians can operate the equipment to measure ocular surface temperatures during a quite limited period. The temperature of an ocular surface actually varies with time, circumstance and physiological change. However, the equipment is not suitable to measure the ocular surface temperature for a single user during a long-term period. Thus, it is not applicable to the study and therapy of eye diseases.
Tien-Chun Chang et al. proposed a paper named “Application of digital infrared thermal imaging in determining inflammatory state and follow-up effect of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy” (Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol; 2008, 246 vol., pp. 45-49), and indicated that computerized infrared thermal images are used to measure the partial temperatures of a patient with Graves' ophthalmopathy so as to effectively understand and record the inflammatory state of eyeball. Moreover, Jen Hong Tan et al. mentioned that an IR camera is used to collect the surface temperatures of an anterior eyeball in their paper named “Evaluation of topographical variation in ocular surface temperature by function infrared thermography” (Infrared Physics &Technology Volume 54, Issue 6, November 2011, pages 469-47). All such papers employ an IR camera to capture the thermal images of an anterior eyeball. Thus, they have the same problems as the foregoing prior art patent.
In addition, since electrical devices for various use have been miniaturized, wearable or embedded medical (or correcting) apparatus integrated with the electrical devices are widely applied to different technical fields. For example, U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2010/0234717 and 2013/0041245 and PCT International Patent No. 03/0001991 provide a contact lens with an electrical pressure sensor used for measuring intraocular pressure. Moreover, U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0049389 also puts forth a contact lens combined with a thermal resistor transducer (See paragraphs [0133]-[0134]) for measuring ocular temperatures. These contact lenses have circuits powered by an internal miniature battery (cell) or the induction of external coils. However, the battery or external coils are likely to cause a change in ocular temperatures. That is, the accuracy of the temperature measurement is affected.
In view of above, eye treatment or vision correction is in very need of an apparatus capable of detecting ocular surface temperatures. It can be broadly applied to preventive medicine and correctional health.
The present application provides a wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus, and a method for using the same which is wearable for long-term use or combined with glasses so as to record ocular surface temperatures. Therefore, they can be applied to preventive medicine and correctional health.
In view of above aspects, the present invention provides a wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus used to noninvasively measure ocular surface temperatures comprising: a frame including a compartment and at least one opening; and an ocular temperature monitor module including at least one first temperature sensor disposed in the compartment and measuring the ocular surface temperatures through the opening to generate a plurality of electrical signals; and a temperature signal processing circuit receiving and recording the electrical signals, and outwards transmitting wireless signals.
In an embodiment, the temperature signal processing circuit includes a signal processing circuit reading and recording the electrical signals output from the first temperature sensor and a wireless transceiver circuit converting output signals from the signal processing circuit to the wireless signals.
In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a thermoelectric cooler driven by the temperature signal processing circuit to reduce the temperatures of air adjacent to an eye.
In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a second temperature sensor for measuring the temperatures of skin so as to calibrate or compensate the measured ocular surface temperatures.
In another embodiment, the frame is a detachable part of a spectacle frame.
In another embodiment, the frame is a spectacle frame, the first temperature sensor is disposed within the compartment of the spectacle frame, the temperature signal processing circuit is disposed within a protective shell detachable from the spectacle frame, and the temperature signal processing circuit is in electrical communication with the first temperature sensor through a plurality of metallic contacts.
In another embodiment, the frame further comprises an end cover on which the first temperature sensor is mounted and a spherical shell combined with the end cover and rotatable relative to the frame.
In another embodiment, the temperature signal processing circuit and the first temperature sensor are both disposed with the compartment.
In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a lighting device provided on the frame emitting rays or a light pattern when the measured ocular surface temperature is higher or lower that a threshold value.
In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of lenses disposed on the frame and a transparent display device formed on one of the lenses. The transparent display device emits rays, patterns or characters when the measured ocular surface temperature is higher or lower than a threshold value.
the present invention further provides a wearable ocular surface temperature monitor system used to noninvasively measure ocular surface temperatures comprising: a frame including a compartment and at least one opening; an ocular temperature monitor module including at least one first temperature sensor disposed in the compartment and measuring the ocular surface temperatures through the opening to generate a plurality of electrical signals; and a temperature signal processing circuit receiving and recording the electrical signals, and outwards transmitting wireless signals; and a mobile communication apparatus receiving the wireless signals and analyzing and displaying the ocular surface temperatures.
In order to sufficiently understand the essence, advantages and the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the following detailed description will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings.
The following description shows the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is described below by referring to the embodiments and the figures. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the principles disclosed herein. Furthermore, that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims.
The front temple 112 includes a lateral cover 1121 and a base 1122. The lateral cover 1121 and the base 1122 are combined with each other, and a compartment containing a thermoelectric cooler 16 is disposed therebetween. When the ocular temperature monitor circuit module 13 detects that the ocular surface temperature is quite higher (e.g. a predetermined value), the thermoelectric cooler 16 is driven to start cooling. The heat of inner air behind the lenses 14 is taken away so that the ocular temperature is indirectly reduced. The thermoelectric cooler 16 may be a thermoelectric cooling module, a thermoelectric cooling chip, a thermoelectric cooler, a Peltier cooler, a Peltier cell, a heat pump. That is, a thermal-electrical material or device capable of converting thermal energy and electrical energy from each other may be included within the scope of the claimed invention.
In the foregoing embodiment, the upper cover 1141 and the lower bracket 1142 are combined with each other, and the temperature sensors 131 and the temperature signal processing circuit 132 are contained in the compartment enclosed by the combination. The whole combination can be mounted on the frame 11 (by screws) or is detachable to the frame 11 by an engagement (e.g. snapping) mechanism. That is, in one of detachable embodiments, the upper cover 1141, the lower bracket 1142 and the ocular temperature monitor circuit module 13 can be deemed as a whole wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus, and the frame 11 and the lenses 12 are optional.
A mobile 49, a computer (not shown), a specific analyzer (not shown) or a mobile communication apparatus (not shown) receives Bluetooth wireless signals or signals complied with another protocol. Then, an App or an analyzing program is used to analyze and compare the forgoing signals representing the ocular temperatures. The measured data of the ocular surface temperatures are displayed by characters or patterns, or it further indicates whether an estimated result is abnormal. The user also can utilize an App of the mobile 49 to set the parameters of the micro control unit 433 or the use modes of the temperature signal processing circuit 132. For example, measuring periods or sampling frequencies can be set.
The temperature sensors 531 are disposed within the upper and lower rims of the rings 510. The openings of the rims allow rotatable end covers 5144 to extend outward. One of the temperature sensors 531 is fixed to each end cover 5144 (See the corresponding description of the end cover 1144 above). The aiming angle of the temperature sensor 531 is adjustable. The temperature signal processing circuit 532 receives electrical signals generated from temperature sensors through wires (not shown) enclosed within the frame 51 to proceed signal processing and wirelessly transmit them to a mobile or a computer.
In order to avoid the variation of ocular temperatures caused by the changes in body temperatures, a temperature sensor 531′ (also named as a second temperature sensor as being different from temperature sensors 531) is provided on the nose bridge centrally connected the two rings 510 for detecting skin temperatures. The skin temperatures can be deemed as a reference temperature to estimate whether the body temperatures of the user is abnormal (e.g. fever or hypothermia (higher or lower than a default value)). Accordingly, the measured ocular surface temperatures can be compensated or calibrated. Similarly, an opening provided on the nose bridge allows a rotatable end cover 5145 to extend outward. One of the temperature sensors 531 is fixed to each end cover 5144 (See the corresponding description of the end cover 1144 above). The aiming angle of the temperature sensor 531′ is adjustable.
When the ocular surface temperature is quite high or abnormal, the temperature signal processing circuit 532 drives a light emitting device 54 to generate a light image 541 on the lens 52 as an alarm. Thus, the user is noticed to stop watching a screen or leave a high-temperature environment. Furthermore, a transparent soft display device (not shown; or as the light image 541) may be formed on the lens 52. For example, the temperature signal processing circuit 532 drives a soft eBook to display patterns or characteristics as being a warning. Moreover, an organic LED display or liquid crystal display may be formed on the periphery of an visual angle on the lens.
The wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus 50 with an temperature measuring function is suitable for long-term wear during either life time or working time, and does not need to stay at a measurement area for just being closed to a temperature measurement tool. For example, the prior art asked the one under measurement to stand in front of an IR (infrared) measurement gauge. The present invention is suitable for measurement during an activity, sleep or long period so that the accuracy of the syndrome estimation is quite improved.
Wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatuses provided by the present application are not only used to monitor the variation in ocular temperatures for myopia and dry-eye, but also are used to inspect and estimate other abnormal conditions (or symptoms) from the variation in ocular temperatures. As shown in
When the upper eyelid (or eyelid) starts to close, the temperature sensors at different locations sequentially detect the temperatures of eyelids because the temperatures of the eyelids are different from those of the eye balls. That is, the measured temperature of an eye ball at the first time point instantaneously changes when the upper eyelid just passes. According the variations in measured temperatures at each point and various time points, it can be determined whether eyelids are closed or the blinking frequency. If the user wearing a wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus has blepharospasm (eyelid jump), his eyelid muscles uncontrollably go into spasm. The twitch may occur in both eyes simultaneously or respectively. The wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus is used to detect the blinking times and frequency of each eye. A threshold value is set for the times or the frequency, and is used to compare with the measured blinking times and frequency. If it is larger than the threshold, blepharospasm may occur in the eye. Of course, a plurality of thresholds may be set according to practical experiences to estimate whether the symptom of blepharospasm is serious or slight.
Furthermore, if the user has thyroid-associated orbitopathy (e.g. Graves ophthalmopathy), its eyelids may not completely close. The wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus is used to detect the temperature distribution from various measured points to determine whether such symptom or condition happens. That is, the temperatures measured at eyelid-uncovered points are different from the temperatures measured at points on eyelids.
In view of above, the temperature sensors can monitor the temperatures of various points on eyeballs. If the use fast turns eye balls or has cross-eye, the direction or trend for the temperature changes in various points can be used to determine whether an eyeball turns or its rotation direction. That is, maximum (or minimum) temperatures may sequentially occur in adjacent points on an eyeball during a measuring period.
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic. Some common tics are cross-eye, fast eye rotation, or eye blinking. Therefore, if a user is considered as a Tourette patient, the wearable ocular surface temperature monitor apparatus can be used to long-term monitor his eye motion, and estimate the Tourette syndrome according to predetermined conditions.
The foregoing embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purpose of illustration. Although the invention has been described by certain preceding examples, it is not to be construed as being limited by them. They are not intended to be exhaustive, or to limit the scope of the invention. Modifications, improvements and variations within the scope of the invention are possible in light of this disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105117142 | Jun 2016 | TW | national |
