Patent US3787112A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3787112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for the self-examination of certain conditions of the eye
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-08-03
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-08-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for the self-examination of certain conditions of the eye as, for example, the presence, location and nature of a cataract, retinal damage, scars and injuries, etc. Diffused light is introduced into the eye through an eyepiece supported coaxially of the pupilary axis thereby permitting the user to perceive a cataract on his eye and to view in very substantially enlarged form, the cataract and/or certain other conditions of his own eye on a translucent target or screen forwardly of his eye which target is prefereably imprinted with a network of lines useful in the accurate transfer and recording of observed conditions and faults onto a sheet bearing a similar network.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lyons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/117; A61B3/1173; A61B3/1176
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
That method of self-examining the eye for certain visually observable abnormalities which comprises: introducing noncollimated light into the eye through an aperture positioned close to the eye coaxially of the pupilary axis, and viewing a lighted target network forwardly of the eye and coaxially of the pupilary axis to determine the presence and nature of visually observable conditions on the surface thereof indicative of abnormalities in the eye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
That method of self-examining the eye for certain visually observable abnormalities which comprises: introducing noncollimated light into the eye through an aperture positioned close to the eye coaxially of the pupilary axis, and viewing a lighted target network forwardly of the eye and coaxially of the pupilary axis to determine the presence and nature of visually observable conditions on the surface thereof indicative of abnormalities in the eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
That method of self-examining the eye defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of recoring the area snd nature of the observed conditions apparent on the target network on a record sheet containing a similar target grid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of enclosing the zone between the user''s eye and the target network in shroud means effective as a barrier for ambient light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of locating said target network on a surface illuminated by diffused light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of manipulating a writing instrument to make a graphical scale record of the observed appearance of the target network on a replica of said target network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of observing said target network to determine the presence thereon of apparent non- or poorly-illuminated areas indicative of a cataract condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of observing said target network to determine the apparent absence or out of focus appearance of an area of the target network indicative of the degree of damage to the optically related area of the observer''s retina.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
That method defined in claim 1 characterized in the step of observing said target network to determine if any one or more lines of the target network appear to shift position, vibrate or become wavy and indicative of associated eye abnormalities.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
That method of self-examining the eye for abnormalities which comprises: viewing an enshrouded illuminated target network of closely spaced grid lines through pin hole means positioned closely adjacent the pupil of the eye and through which non-collimated light is introduced into the eye along the pupilary axis, and observing whether any area of said target network appears to differ in appearance from any other area thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
That method of self-examining the eye for abnormalities which comprises: viewing an enshrouded illuminated target network of closely spaced grid lines through pin hole means positioned closely adjacent the pupil of the eye and through which non-collimated light is introduced into the eye along the pupilary axis, and observing whether any area of said target network appears to differ in appearance from any other area thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
That method defined in claim 9 characterized in manipulating a writing instrument to make a graphical record on a replica of the target network of the user''s observations for analysis and evaluation by skilled personnel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for the self-examination of the eye comprising means defining an aperture for introducing non-collimated light into the eye along the pupilary axis from a point on said axis spaced closely to the eye, and means supporting a lighted target forwardly of the eye and coaxially of the pupilary axis provided with sub-division lines to aid the user in identifying and locating the area and nature of conditions observed by him as apparently existing at the target surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus for the self-examination of the eye comprising means defining an aperture for introducing non-collimated light into the eye along the pupilary axis from a point on said axis spaced closely to the eye, and means supporting a lighted target forwardly of the eye and coaxially of the pupilary axis provided with sub-division lines to aid the user in identifying and locating the area and nature of conditions observed by him as apparently existing at the target surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 characterized in that said means for introducing non-collimated light into the eye includes eyepiece means having said aperture defining means coaxially thereof, and shroud means extending between said eyepiece means and said target effective to exclude ambient light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 characterized in the provision of rest means engageable with facial surfaces of the user when one of the user''s pupils is in axial alignment with said means for introducing collimated light into the eye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 characterized in the provision of rest means for the observer''s chin and positionable to aid in aligning and supporting the observer''s optical axis with the optical axis of said eyepiece.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said apparatus includes a main base, and means adjustably interconnecting said main base and said shroud means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 characterized in that said target means is translucent and includes a multiplicity of closely spaced lines.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 characterized in that said target means is translucent and includes a multiplicity of closely spaced lines criss-crossing one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3664631A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |