Patent US4023189A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4023189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wide angle fundus illumination and photography apparatus
Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-29
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Granted: 1977-05-10
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Expires: 1994-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A wide angle instrument for illuminating, observing and photographing the fundus of the eye is provided. The instrument has a focus tube containing spaced decollimating and objective lenses with an adjustable aperture diaphragm positioned therebetween, which tube projects a glare-reducing entrance pupil on the eye examined and maintains the position and size thereof while the instrument is being focused by moving the focus tube relative to the eye examined to focus on the fundus.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques P. Govignon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/14; A61B3/15; A61B3/156; A61B3/12; A61B3/125; G; G03; G03B; G03B41/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
An illuminated, reduced-glare, image receiver for viewing an object comprising, means for illuminating said object, a first lens means mounted proximate the illuminated object for directing the light field reflected therefrom into a beam having diverging and converging rays a collimating means mounted on the axis of said beam and spaced from said first lens so that the intermediate image of the beam transmitted from said first lens is positioned therebetween, which lens lessens the divergence of the beam rays passing therethrough; a focusing lens assembly positioned following said collimating lens means, in the path of said light beam and axially moveably mounted with respect thereto, said focusing lens assembly having decollimating lens means mounted in fixably spaced relationship to a diaphragm and objective lens means mounted proximate said diaphragm on the axis of said beam; and an image receiving means positioned on the remote side of said objective lens means for receiving said image such that the beam from said collimating lens means enters said focusing lens assembly through the decollimating lens means which directs the rays of said beam to said objective lens means through said diaphragm, which reduces glare components of said beam; at least some of the elements of the focusing lens assembly being moved along the beam until said beam is focused by the objective lens means on said image receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
An illuminated, reduced-glare, image receiver for viewing an object comprising, means for illuminating said object, a first lens means mounted proximate the illuminated object for directing the light field reflected therefrom into a beam having diverging and converging rays a collimating means mounted on the axis of said beam and spaced from said first lens so that the intermediate image of the beam transmitted from said first lens is positioned therebetween, which lens lessens the divergence of the beam rays passing therethrough; a focusing lens assembly positioned following said collimating lens means, in the path of said light beam and axially moveably mounted with respect thereto, said focusing lens assembly having decollimating lens means mounted in fixably spaced relationship to a diaphragm and objective lens means mounted proximate said diaphragm on the axis of said beam; and an image receiving means positioned on the remote side of said objective lens means for receiving said image such that the beam from said collimating lens means enters said focusing lens assembly through the decollimating lens means which directs the rays of said beam to said objective lens means through said diaphragm, which reduces glare components of said beam; at least some of the elements of the focusing lens assembly being moved along the beam until said beam is focused by the objective lens means on said image receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein said focusing lens assembly has said decollimating lens means, said diaphragm and said objective lens mounted in fixed relationship to move together along the axis of said beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein said focusing lens assembly has said decollimating lens means and said diaphragm mounted in fixed relationship to move together along the axis of said beam independently from said objective lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein said focusing lens assembly is mounted on a carriage which is axially moveable with respect to said collimating lens means and said image receiving means and said diaphragm is mounted at the focal point of said decollimating lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein said focusing lens assembly is a focus tube axially moveable with respect to said collimating lens means and said image receiving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein each lens means is a plurality of lenses mounted in series.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein said first lens means has a plurality of lenses mounted at the smaller end of a conical housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein an adjustable aperture diaphragm is mounted between a pair of lenses in said objective lens means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein an adjustable aperture diaphragm is mounted between said decollimating lens means and said objective lens means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein said object is the fundus of the eye, said first lens means having, foremost, a contact lens mounted thereto, said contact lens having a plurality of optical fibers mounted around and on the rear surface of the contact lens proximate the rim thereof, means for placing said contact lens in close proximity with the pupil of said eye and means for transmitting light through said fibers into said eye to illuminate the fundus thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image receiver of claim 10 wherein said contact lens is a corneal contact lens which can be employed in contact with, as well as in, spaced proximity with the cornea of the eye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image receiver of claim 10 wherein bright means emits high intensity light to said fibers for transmission therethrough (for transmitting high intensity light through said fibers is provided) to enable picture taking of said fundus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image receiver of claim 12 wherein said bright means is an arc lamp backed by a concave reflector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The image receiver of claim 12 wherein said bright means is an xenon arc lamp backed by a parabolic reflector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image receiver of claim 12 wherein said bright means is an xenon arc lamp backed by a parabolic reflector, the electrodes thereof being mounted so that their axes coincide with the axis of the reflector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
The image receiver of claim 12 wherein said bright means is an xenon arc lamp backed by a parabolic reflector, said contact lens is a corneal lens 8.5 to 10 mm in diameter and said focusing lens assembly projects a pupil on the crystaline lens of the eye which pupil can be adjusted to the desired size then maintained constant while the focusing lens assembly is moved into focus on the fundus of said eye.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The image receiver of claim 1 wherein said image receiving means is a camera.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image receiver of claim 17 wherein a beam splitter is mounted between said objective lens means and said camera for directing part of the beam issuing from said objective lens means to a viewing portal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-09 | 1980-11-08 | 1981-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-09 | 1984-11-08 | 1985-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-09 | 1988-11-08 | 1989-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |