|
EXAMS / DISPENSING
'The Tonomonitor,’ an Intraocular Pressure Monitoring Device, to Be Awarded U.S. Patent
Product: The Tonomonitor
Top Line: Michael Lawrence Cohen, OD, FAAO will be granted a U.S. patent for the Tonomonitor, an intraocular pressure monitoring device. The light, handheld biomechanical device is unique in design, cost, function, portability, and ease of use. Because the Tonomonitor is self-contained it requires no power source, is practically indestructible and can be reused or disposed. Using proven over-the-lid technology, the Tonomonitor is anesthetic-free.
Close Up: The inexpensive instrument is a new concept. It is a “Tono-Monitor,” rather than a “Tono-Meter,” offering two basic modalities; (1) At-home monitoring of glaucoma drug efficacy. (2) As a screening instrument to detect elevated intraocular pressure. In both scenarios, the Tonomonitor is effortless to use and uncomplicated. The results are noted with a color indicator and a sound change. The visual and the auditory signals are synchronized for confident pass/fail results, without the possibility of human error.
“Until now, self-administered serial readings and routine monitoring of IOP drug regimen is virtually non-existent for at-home use in confirming drug efficacy over diurnal variations,” observed Dr. Cohen. “Few if any providers are willing to inventory and loan $3,000 hand-held devices to their glaucoma patients to take home. Now, with the Tonomonitor, for a small fraction of the cost, home monitoring can become a major adjunct to care.” The projected retail cost of The Tonomonitor will be $60, according to Dr. Cohen.
Dr. Cohen plans to license the Tonomonitor to pharmaceutical manufacturers as well as sell it directly to providers, including but not limited to ophthalmologists, optometrists, emergency care, nursing homes, the military and free-clinics where cost-effective screening is an adjunct to treatment monitoring. Veterinarians can use the device to detect canine and equine glaucoma, he noted.
Vital Stats: The patent for the Tonomonitor will be issued to Dr. Cohen on October 24, 2017 under U.S. Patent No. 9,795,295. The device is available from his company, MLC Medical, LLC, based in Tarpon Springs, Fla. The Tonomonitor and products currently on board have been developed through continued research and development by biomedical engineers, practitioners and physicists.
www.tonomonitor.com; (727) 939-3457; mikecohen@tonomonitor.com
Ophthalmic Resources Intros OSData Algorithm and IPEDA Blink Analyzer
Product: OSData DED Diagnostic Algorithm by Ophthalmic Resources
Top Line: The OSData System by Ophthalmic Resources is an interactive electronic algorithm which integrates and analyzes the collected data from each patient and recommends the necessary OTC items, Rx products and in-office treatments needed for their current dry eye disease (DED) diagnosis.
Close Up: The OSData Algorithm, coupled with the IPEDA (Inter Palpebral Exposure and Duration Analyzer) Blink Analyzer, were developed by Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO and Doug Devries, OD, FAAO, co-founders of Ophthalmic Resources. They have over 45 years of combined clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye patients. This knowledge is the basis for the treatments recommended in the algorithm. As well, every patient visit and resulting treatment from each office using the OSData System will be dynamically incorporated into the on-going OSData program. “Having participated in the original International Task Force on dry eye disease just 10 years ago, it is humbling to realize how much we didn’t know about DED and have learned since,” said Dr. Karpecki. “What is impressive about the Ophthalmic Resources algorithm is the amount of data we will produce and collect in real time. It is our expectation that OSData will have the potential to change “best in class” DED treatment recommendations almost immediately and hopefully become the catalyst for the development of new treatments and products.”
Vital Stats:
• The IPEDA Blink Analyzer (incorporated into the OSData Unit) starts the patient exam by gathering blink analysis information that feeds into the OSData Algorithm.
• Switching to the OSData Screen, the ECP electronically complies the patient data, osmolarity, blink and other diagnostic results, according to a systematic exam blueprint laid out by the algorithm’s program.
• When the exam is complete three areas of treatment could be recommended-OTC treatments, in-office treatments, and Rx products if necessary. As well, the patient data is stored and populates into the OSData program when the patient comes for the follow up visits.
• To help insure patient compliance and to help the ECP with inventory control, the OTC items are direct shipped to the patient on behalf of the affiliate ECP by Ophthalmic Resources.
“DED patients can often be time consuming to treat and many ECPs are looking for a better way to manage these patients efficiently and effectively in an everyday practice,” commented Dr. Devries. “Ophthalmic Resources will change this through access to proven, dynamic, electronic DED treatment protocols and education for doctors and their patients, coupled with fulfillment options to help ensure the patient’s optimum treatment compliance.”
www.ophthalmicresources.com; (470) 216-0134
Eye²
Shamir Releases New Visual Reality Experience
Product: Visual Reality Video
Top Line: Shamir Insight is launching a new visual reality video to showcase the benefits of Shamir Attitude III - Fashion and Sport lenses.
Close Up: Shamir introduced their first visual reality video last September with Shamir WorkSpace. The video gave viewers the opportunity to experience the benefits of using lenses designed specifically for the workplace. Due to the positive reaction amongst eyecare professionals, Shamir developed an app for easy access and viewing capabilities and decided to continue their development of visual reality videos to assist with the education to patients. The new video will be a progression from the previous version adding different scenarios, mobility and more interaction.
“Visual Reality has been a successful tool for us, as well as an educational support tool for practitioners. As a technology driven company, it is important for us to continually develop innovative ways to equip partners with the means to educate patients. Our core mission is to ReCreate Perfect Vision for wearers, and our dedication to technological advancements is just another way to help us achieve that,” said Mark Becker, vice president, marketing and strategic partnerships.
Vital Stats: The Shamir Attitude III - Fashion and Sport video will take the viewer through a variety of daily outdoor activities highlighting the advantages of each lens. As the viewer enjoys leisure activities through the video, they will be able to understand the advantages of Shamir’s Attitude III progressive lenses in various outdoor environments. Shamir’s Attitude III designs combine an enhanced visual zone for up close viewing, a clear intermediate zone and distortion free distance vision.
Click here to see a video demonstration of Shamir’s Visual Reality.
www.shamirlens.com; (877) 514-8330
|
|
