Devices and Methods for Noninvasive Measurement of Intracranial Pressure

Abstract

Provided are systems and methods for noninvasively assessing intracranial pressure by controllably applanating at least a portion of a subject's ocular globe so as to collapse an intraocular blood vessel and correlating the collapse pressure to intracranial pressure. Also provided are ophthalmic components useful in ophthalmic imaging applications, as well as methods of assessing intracranial pressure that are based, at least in part, on the degree of papilledema, if any, present in the subject.

1 . A system, comprising:
 an applanator configured to controllably applanate at least a portion of the ocular globe of a subject,   a first image collector configured to collect light reflected from an intraocular blood vessel of the subject; and   an illumination train configured to direct light through an ophthalmic component to the intraocular blood vessel of the subject and to direct light reflected from the intraocular blood vessel to the image collector.   the system being configured to, during operation, record retinal fundus images, score features of the optic disc using image processing algorithms, or both,   the system being configured to compare feature scores to a database of images so as to grade papilledma, if present, according the Modified Frisén Scale.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination train is further configured to direct illumination reflected from an interface between the ophthalmic component and an applanated region of the subject's ocular globe, wherein a portion of the illumination passes through a contacted portion of the interface and a portion of the illumination reflects off the interface. 
     
     
         3 . A system, comprising:
 an applanator configured to controllably applanate at least a portion of the ocular globe of a subject,   a first image collector configured to collect light reflected from an intraocular blood vessel of the subject; and   an illumination train configured to direct light through an ophthalmic component to the intraocular blood vessel of the subject and to direct light reflected from the intraocular blood vessel to the image collector.   the system being configured to obtain one or more images of the fundus of the subject, compare at least one of these images to a library image of a fundus, and generate a papilledema grade for the subject.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the illumination train is further configured to direct illumination reflected from an interface between the ophthalmic component and an applanated region of the subject's ocular globe, wherein a portion of the illumination passes through a contacted portion of the interface and a portion of the illumination reflects off the interface.