US3819256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for refracting the eye
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-08-11
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-08-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for refracting the eye utilizes two separate optical paths to minimize stray light and optical interference. The apparatus includes dual lens means, each disposed along one of the optical paths, for selectively varying the spatial relationship of a beam of radiant energy passing therethrough. The apparatus comprises a source of radiant energy, modulating means for forming a modulated beam of radiant energy, first lens means, projecting means for introducing a portion of the beam into the eye and for receiving and projecting a reflection of the beam from the retina of the eye along the second optical path, second lens means coupled to the first lens means, and analysis means for forming an image of the reflection and determining the sharpness of focus of the image. The modulating means comprises a dual bladed light chopper which presents to the eye an image of a moving slit representing in alternate succession two apparent sources of radiant energy at two spaced apart distances. The lens means are automatically adjusted to achieve optimum sharpness of focus and the magnitude of the correction to the lens means corresponds to the refractive correction required by the eye. Image rotation prisms are disposed along each of the optical paths and together with the analysis means through suitable electronic coupling provide an indication of the presence and magnitude of an astigmatic condition of the eye.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bellows
- 👤 H Borough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for testing the eye comprising a. a source for generating radiant energy; b. modulating means aligned with said source along a first optical path for modulating a portion of the radiant energy generated by said source into a beam, c. first lens means aligned along said first optical path for selectively varying the spatial relationship of said beam of radiant energy, d. projection means aligned along said first optical path For introducing into the eye at least a portion of said beam of radiant energy from said first lens means and for receiving and projecting along a second optical path at least a portion of a beam of radiant energy reflected from the retina of the eye upon introduction of said portion of said first beam into the eye; e. second lens means aligned along said second optical path and being coupled with said first lens means for varying the spatial relationship of said reflected portion from said projection means with said first lens means; and f. analysis means for forming an image of said portion of the beam of radiant energy reflected from the retina of the eye and for determining the sharpness of focus of said image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for testing the eye comprising a. a source for generating radiant energy; b. modulating means aligned with said source along a first optical path for modulating a portion of the radiant energy generated by said source into a beam, c. first lens means aligned along said first optical path for selectively varying the spatial relationship of said beam of radiant energy, d. projection means aligned along said first optical path For introducing into the eye at least a portion of said beam of radiant energy from said first lens means and for receiving and projecting along a second optical path at least a portion of a beam of radiant energy reflected from the retina of the eye upon introduction of said portion of said first beam into the eye; e. second lens means aligned along said second optical path and being coupled with said first lens means for varying the spatial relationship of said reflected portion from said projection means with said first lens means; and f. analysis means for forming an image of said portion of the beam of radiant energy reflected from the retina of the eye and for determining the sharpness of focus of said image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said analysis means includes means responsive to the sharpness of focus of said image for controlling said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus of the image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
radiant energy detecting means responsive to said modulated pulses of radiant energy for analyzing the sharpness of focus thereof,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
radiant energy detecting means responsive to said modulated pulses of radiant energy for analyzing the sharpness of focus thereof,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
spherical power control means responsive to said sharpness of focus in conjunction with said modulating means for controlling said variable spherical power of said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
spherical power control means responsive to said sharpness of focus in conjunction with said modulating means for controlling said variable spherical power of said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
133 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said analysis means comprises a. target means aligned along said second optical path for translating at least a part of said portion of the beam of radiant energy reflected from the retina of the eye into focused modulated pulses of radiant energy; b. radiant energy detecting means responsive to said modulated pulses of radiant energy to receive said pulses and transmit a signal which is modulated in accordance with the sharpness of focus of said modulated pulses of radiant energy, and c. control means responsive to said signal which is modulated in accordance with the said sharpness of focus for controlling said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus of the said modulated pulses of radiant energy at said target means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said modulating means includes means for modulating said portion for presenting to the eye an image of a moving slit representing in alternating succession two apparent sources of radiant energy at two spaced apart distances.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
cylindrical power control means responsive to said sharpness of focus in conjunction with the rotation of said first and second image rotation means for controlling said variable cylindrical power and cylinder axis orientation of said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
cylindrical power control means responsive to said sharpness of focus in conjunction with the rotation of said first and second image rotation means for controlling said variable cylindrical power and cylinder axis orientation of said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said analysis means includes means responsive to the sharpness of focus of said image in conjunction with said modulating means for controlling said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus of said image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first lens means and said second lens means each comprise a lens system of independently variable spherical power, cylindrical power, and cylinder axis orientation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said modulating means includes means for modulating said portion for presenting to the eye an image of a moving slit representing in alternating succession two apparent sources of radiant energy at two spaced apart distances, and wherein said analysis means includes spherical power control means responsive to said sharpness of focus of said image in conjunction with said modulating means for controlling said variable spherical power of said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including first image rotation means interposed and aligned along said first optical path for rotating said beam of radiant energy about the axis of said first optical path in a first direction, and second image rotation means interposed and aligned along said second optical path for rotating said reflected portion about the axis of said second optical path in a direction opposite to said first direction, said second image rotation means being coupled to said first image rotation means to rotate therewith at the same rotational speed, and said first and second image rotation means in conjunction with said analysis means providing indication of the presence and magnitude of astigmatism of the eye.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
340 words
An apparatus for testing the eye comprising a. source means for generatng radiant energy; b. modulating means aligned with said source means along a first opticaL path for modulating a portion of the radiant energy generated by said source means into a beam for presenting to the eye an image of a moving slit representing in alternate succession two apparent sources of radiant energy at two spaced apart distances; c. first image rotating means alinged along said first optical path for rotating said beam of radiant energy modulated by said modulating means about the axis of said first optical path in a direction; directon; d. first lens means aligned along said first optical path for selectively varying the spatial relationship of said beam of radiant energy from said first image rotation means comprising a lens system of independently variable spherical power, cylindrical power, and cylinder axis orientation; e. projection means aligned along said first optical path for introducing into the eye at least a portion of said beam of radiant energy from said first lens means and for receiving and projecting along a second optical path at least a portion of a beam of radiant energy reflected from the retina of the eye upon introduction of said first beam into the eye; f. second lens means aligned along said second optical path and being coupled with said first lens means for varying the spatial relationship of said reflected portion from said projection means with said first lens means, said second lens means comprising independently variable spherical power, cylindrical power and cylinder axis orientation; g. second image rotation means aligned along said second optical path for rotating said reflected portion from said second lens means about the axis of said second optical path in a direction opposite to said first direction, said second image rotation means being coupled to said first image rotation means to rotate therewith at the same rotational speed; and h. analysis means for analyzing the spatial relationship of said reflected portion from said second rotation means comprising
Claim 17
Independent Claim
340 words
An apparatus for testing the eye comprising a. source means for generatng radiant energy; b. modulating means aligned with said source means along a first opticaL path for modulating a portion of the radiant energy generated by said source means into a beam for presenting to the eye an image of a moving slit representing in alternate succession two apparent sources of radiant energy at two spaced apart distances; c. first image rotating means alinged along said first optical path for rotating said beam of radiant energy modulated by said modulating means about the axis of said first optical path in a direction; directon; d. first lens means aligned along said first optical path for selectively varying the spatial relationship of said beam of radiant energy from said first image rotation means comprising a lens system of independently variable spherical power, cylindrical power, and cylinder axis orientation; e. projection means aligned along said first optical path for introducing into the eye at least a portion of said beam of radiant energy from said first lens means and for receiving and projecting along a second optical path at least a portion of a beam of radiant energy reflected from the retina of the eye upon introduction of said first beam into the eye; f. second lens means aligned along said second optical path and being coupled with said first lens means for varying the spatial relationship of said reflected portion from said projection means with said first lens means, said second lens means comprising independently variable spherical power, cylindrical power and cylinder axis orientation; g. second image rotation means aligned along said second optical path for rotating said reflected portion from said second lens means about the axis of said second optical path in a direction opposite to said first direction, said second image rotation means being coupled to said first image rotation means to rotate therewith at the same rotational speed; and h. analysis means for analyzing the spatial relationship of said reflected portion from said second rotation means comprising
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said radiant energy detecting means includes means to receive said modulated pulses of radiant energy and transmit a signal which is modulated in accordance with the sharpness of focus of said modulated pulses of radiant energy, said spherical power control means being operable to control said variable spherical power of said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus in accordance with said signal in conjunction with said modulating means, and said cylindrical power control means being operable to control said cylindrical power and cylinder axis orientation of said first and second lens means to achieve optimum sharpness of focus in accordance with said signal in conjunction with the rotation of said first and second image rotation means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3536383A
Cited
US3572909A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |