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US4729378A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber

Assignee: Interzeag AG
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Filing: 1986-11-25
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Granted: 1988-03-08
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Expires: 2006-11-25
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Abstract

Abstract A tonometer which is used to measure the tension of eyeballs has a first testing device with a first outwardly bulging deformable wall which can be pressed against the eyeball (either directly or by way of the eyelid) and a second flexible wall which is deformable by the flexible or rigid wall member of a second testing device. The housing of the first testing device is filled with a gaseous or liquid fluid whose pressure is monitored by one or more gauges or risers, and a further instrument is provided on or in the second testing device to indicate the position of the wall member. The scale of the further instrument is calibrated in units of pressure in such a way that the tension of the eyeball can be read directly off the scale when the gauges or risers indicate that the deforming work upon one of the flexible walls is the same as that upon the other flexible wall.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jean Trittenbass

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 21:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L17/00; G01L17/005; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/16; G01C; G01C5/00; G01C5/04; G01G; G01G5/00; G01G5/04; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/36

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 166 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressured against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said first device also including means for indication the magnitude of forces which act upon the inner sides of said walls; and a second testing device having mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 166 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressured against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said first device also including means for indication the magnitude of forces which act upon the inner sides of said walls; and a second testing device having mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second device comprises a hollow casing defining an internal compartment and said mobile member has a first side facing said compartment and a second side engageable with the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mobile member includes a membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said walls includes a membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said walls have substantially identical outer sides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for limiting the extent of movability of at least one of said walls with reference to said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 152 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said biasing means comprising a mechanical spring; and a second testing device having mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 152 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said biasing means comprising a mechanical spring; and a second testing device having mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 154 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said biasing means comprising of a fluid-operated spring; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 154 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said biasing means comprising of a fluid-operated spring; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 200 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having a internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall, said second device further comprising a hollow casing defining an internal compartment, and said mobile member having a first side facing said compartment and a second side engageable with the outer side of said second wall, said second device also comprising mechanical spring means for applying pressure to the first side of said mobile member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 200 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having a internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall, said second device further comprising a hollow casing defining an internal compartment, and said mobile member having a first side facing said compartment and a second side engageable with the outer side of said second wall, said second device also comprising mechanical spring means for applying pressure to the first side of said mobile member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 200 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall, said second device further comprising a hollow casing defining an internal compartment, and said mobile member having a first side facing said compartment and a second side engageable with the outer side of said second wall, said second device also comprising fluid-operated spring means for applying pressure to the first side of said mobile member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 200 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall, said second device further comprising a hollow casing defining an internal compartment, and said mobile member having a first side facing said compartment and a second side engageable with the outer side of said second wall, said second device also comprising fluid-operated spring means for applying pressure to the first side of said mobile member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 210 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said internal space having a first fluid-filled part adjacent to the inner side of said first wall and a second fluid-filled part adjacent to the inner side of said second wall, said first device also comprising means for indicating the magnitude of forces acting upon the inner sides of said walls including first and second risers communciating with said first and second parts, respectively; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 210 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said internal space having a first fluid-filled part adjacent to the inner side of said first wall and a second fluid-filled part adjacent to the inner side of said second wall, said first device also comprising means for indicating the magnitude of forces acting upon the inner sides of said walls including first and second risers communciating with said first and second parts, respectively; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for indicating the magnitude of forces further comprises means for communicatively connecting said risers to each other outside of said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 174 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said biasing means comprising a spring which bears against the inner sides of said walls, said first device also comprising means for indicating the bias of said spring; and a second testing device having a mobile member operably to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 174 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in a plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber, and said biasing means comprising a spring which bears against the inner sides of said walls, said first device also comprising means for indicating the bias of said spring; and a second testing device having a mobile member operably to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 48 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the spring is movable in said housing by said walls and said means for indicating the bias of said spring includes means for indicating changes in the position of a portion of said spring with reference to a portion of said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 183 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall, said second device further comprising a fluid-filled casing having a membrane-like portion constituting said mobile member, and said pressure indicating means comprising a pressure gauge calibrated to indicate the pressure of fluid in said casing in units of pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 183 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the pressure in plenum chamber which has a flexible portion, such as a tonometer for measuring the tension of an eyeball, comprising a first testing device including a housing having an internal space and comprising first and second mobile walls having outer sides and inner sides, said device further including means provided in said internal space for yieldably biasing the inner sides of said walls to counteract forces which are applied to said outer sides including a force which is applied to the outer side of said first wall when said first wall is pressed against the flexible portion of a plenum chamber; and a second testing device having a mobile member operable to apply pressure to the outer side of said second wall, and means for indicating the pressure which is applied to the outer side of said second wall, said second device further comprising a fluid-filled casing having a membrane-like portion constituting said mobile member, and said pressure indicating means comprising a pressure gauge calibrated to indicate the pressure of fluid in said casing in units of pressure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said membrane-like portion has a substantially convex outer side with a radius which equals or approximates the radius of a human eyeball.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-03-08 1991-09-07 1992-03-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-03-08 1995-09-07 1996-03-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-03-08 1999-09-07 2000-03-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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