US4255022A — Method of and apparatus for examination of visual…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 156 words

An apparatus for retrofitting a projection type ophthalmic visual fields testing instrument having a movable test light controlled by a movable mechanical arm for projecting a test stimulus comprising, an array board positioned adjacent the mechanical arm having a multiplicity of visual indicators spatially arranged in a composite pattern of testing points required for at least one ophthalmic testing procedure including kinetic visual fields testing for a visual fields instrument, a processor connected to the array board for sequentially actuating said indicators in accordance with said testing procedure, said processor having a memory, a manually actuated cursor mounted on the mechanical arm including a sensor indicating when the cursor is aligned with an actuated visual indicator, means connected to said test light for actuating said light when the sensor on the cursor is aligned with an actuated indicator, and a patient's response switch connected to the memory for recording the patient's response to the light stimulus.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 156 words

An apparatus for retrofitting a projection type ophthalmic visual fields testing instrument having a movable test light controlled by a movable mechanical arm for projecting a test stimulus comprising, an array board positioned adjacent the mechanical arm having a multiplicity of visual indicators spatially arranged in a composite pattern of testing points required for at least one ophthalmic testing procedure including kinetic visual fields testing for a visual fields instrument, a processor connected to the array board for sequentially actuating said indicators in accordance with said testing procedure, said processor having a memory, a manually actuated cursor mounted on the mechanical arm including a sensor indicating when the cursor is aligned with an actuated visual indicator, means connected to said test light for actuating said light when the sensor on the cursor is aligned with an actuated indicator, and a patient's response switch connected to the memory for recording the patient's response to the light stimulus.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cursor includes a manually actuated switch connected to the processor for overriding the patient's response.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test light includes a solid state electronic shutter whereby the actuation of the light stimulus is silent.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic shutter includes liquid crystal light valves controlling the passage of light.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The apparatus of claim 1 including visual indicator means on the cursor indicating the patient's response.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 1 including switching means connected to the processor for illuminating the test points on the array missed by the patient.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of testing the visual field of a patient using a projection type ophthalmic visual fields testing instrument having a movable light test stimulus controlled by a manually movable mechanical arm comprising, placing an array board adjacent the mechanical arm, said board having a multiplicity of visual indicators spatially arranged in a composite pattern of testing points required for at least one ophahalmic testing procedure for a visual fields instrument, sequentially actuating said visual indicators in accordance with said one testing procedure, manually moving the arm into alignment with each of the actuated visual indicators thereby moving the test stimulus viewed by the patient, when the arm is moved into alignment with an actuated indicator siliently actuating the test stimulus by a solid state electronic shutter, recording the patient's response to the test stimulus in a memory, after the testing is completed, actuating the visual indicators which the patient missed, and placing recording paper over the array board and marking the position of the actuated visual indicators on the recording paper.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 172 words

A method of testing the visual field of a patient using a projection type ophthalmic visual fields testing instrument having a movable light test stimulus controlled by a manually movable mechanical arm comprising, placing an array board adjacent the mechanical arm, said board having a multiplicity of visual indicators spatially arranged in a composite pattern of testing points required for at least one ophahalmic testing procedure for a visual fields instrument, sequentially actuating said visual indicators in accordance with said one testing procedure, manually moving the arm into alignment with each of the actuated visual indicators thereby moving the test stimulus viewed by the patient, when the arm is moved into alignment with an actuated indicator siliently actuating the test stimulus by a solid state electronic shutter, recording the patient's response to the test stimulus in a memory, after the testing is completed, actuating the visual indicators which the patient missed, and placing recording paper over the array board and marking the position of the actuated visual indicators on the recording paper.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 311 words

In the art of processor controlled visual field measurement of the type having a substantially hemispherical perimeter with a diffusely reflecting interior surface and a pantograph for projecting a spot of light at a known locus within the said interior surface and means for determination and recordation of the response, if any, of the subject being tested for visual field by means of a planned sequence of such visual stimuli, the improvement comprising, a sequentially actuated array of visible indicia disposed upon the surface of a retrofitable attachment to the said perimeter in the form of a multiplicity of visual indicators spatially arranged in a composite pattern of testing points required for at least one ophthalmic test, said array board mounted adjacent the pantograph arm of the perimeter, a manually movable cursor means disposed upon said pantograph arm, said cursor means including visual indicating means and sensor means whereby the alignment of the said cursor means with an active visible indicia is signified by illumination of the said indicator means operatively associated with said sensor means to provide visual verification to the operator of the system of proper alignment of the cursor, a processor having a memory connected to the array board for sequentially actuating the indicators for providing a light stimulus of either a series of discrete static stimuli or kinetic stimuli at a rate established by the processor, said processor including means for eliminating the reaction time lag of the subject, an electronic silent shutter mechanism integral to the optical projection light path to provide control by the processor means and the said cursor-indicator relationship to occlude or open the optical path whereby the stimulus light may be projected as required by the ophthalmic test without providing any audible clue to the subject being tested so that the test result will not be biased by the said audible clue.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 311 words

In the art of processor controlled visual field measurement of the type having a substantially hemispherical perimeter with a diffusely reflecting interior surface and a pantograph for projecting a spot of light at a known locus within the said interior surface and means for determination and recordation of the response, if any, of the subject being tested for visual field by means of a planned sequence of such visual stimuli, the improvement comprising, a sequentially actuated array of visible indicia disposed upon the surface of a retrofitable attachment to the said perimeter in the form of a multiplicity of visual indicators spatially arranged in a composite pattern of testing points required for at least one ophthalmic test, said array board mounted adjacent the pantograph arm of the perimeter, a manually movable cursor means disposed upon said pantograph arm, said cursor means including visual indicating means and sensor means whereby the alignment of the said cursor means with an active visible indicia is signified by illumination of the said indicator means operatively associated with said sensor means to provide visual verification to the operator of the system of proper alignment of the cursor, a processor having a memory connected to the array board for sequentially actuating the indicators for providing a light stimulus of either a series of discrete static stimuli or kinetic stimuli at a rate established by the processor, said processor including means for eliminating the reaction time lag of the subject, an electronic silent shutter mechanism integral to the optical projection light path to provide control by the processor means and the said cursor-indicator relationship to occlude or open the optical path whereby the stimulus light may be projected as required by the ophthalmic test without providing any audible clue to the subject being tested so that the test result will not be biased by the said audible clue.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1984-03-09	1984-09-08	1985-03-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1988-03-09	1988-09-08	1989-03-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1992-03-09	1992-09-08	1993-03-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method of and apparatus for examination of visual fields

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