US4340281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for estimating the endothelial cell density
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-04-08
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Granted: 1982-07-20
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Expires: 2000-04-08
Abstract
Abstract Endothelial cell density is determined by comparing the specular image of the endothelium at a predetermined magnification with a set of grids each having a plurality of apertures formed in a hexagonal, honeycomb pattern. The apertures in each of the grids are closely spaced and of predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined cell density at the predetermined magnification.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. McIntyre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for estimating the endothelial cell count comprising: positioning the specular image of the endothelium at a predetermined magnification adjacent the image of a set of grids having a plurality of apertures therein, each grid in said set having a plurality of closely spaced apertures of predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined cell density at said predetermined magnification, and comparing the cell pattern of said image with each grid in said set to determine which grid most closely corresponds to the cell spacing in said cell pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for estimating the endothelial cell count comprising: positioning the specular image of the endothelium at a predetermined magnification adjacent the image of a set of grids having a plurality of apertures therein, each grid in said set having a plurality of closely spaced apertures of predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined cell density at said predetermined magnification, and comparing the cell pattern of said image with each grid in said set to determine which grid most closely corresponds to the cell spacing in said cell pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said apertures are in a hexagonal, honeycomb pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said predetermined magnification is 40×.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said set comprises four grids corresponding to cell densities of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 cells per square millimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a slit lamp biomicroscope having an ocular including an eye lens and a field lens, an improved reticle comprising: a reticle plate positioned between said eye and field lenses and being spaced from said eye lens by a distance substantially the same as the focal length of said eye lens, said reticle including a plurality of grids having a plurality of closely spaced apertures of equal and predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined endothelial cell density at a predetermined magnification of the specular image of the endothelium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a slit lamp biomicroscope having an ocular including an eye lens and a field lens, an improved reticle comprising: a reticle plate positioned between said eye and field lenses and being spaced from said eye lens by a distance substantially the same as the focal length of said eye lens, said reticle including a plurality of grids having a plurality of closely spaced apertures of equal and predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined endothelial cell density at a predetermined magnification of the specular image of the endothelium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reticle of claim 5 wherein said grids are in a hexagonal, honeycomb pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reticle of claim 6 wherein said reticle includes grids corresponding to cell densities of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 cells per square millimeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The reticle of claim 7 wherein said predetermined magnification is 40×.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A reticle for use in slit lamp biomicroscopy comprising a transparent plate bearing a reticle, said reticle including a plurality of grids each of said grids having a plurality of closely spaced apertures of equal and predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined endothelial cell density at a predetermined magnification of the specular image of the endothelium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A reticle for use in slit lamp biomicroscopy comprising a transparent plate bearing a reticle, said reticle including a plurality of grids each of said grids having a plurality of closely spaced apertures of equal and predetermined size corresponding to a predetermined endothelial cell density at a predetermined magnification of the specular image of the endothelium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reticle of claim 9 wherein said grids are in a hexagonal, honeycomb pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reticle of claim 10 wherein said grids correspond at least to cell densities 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 cells per square millimeter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4219257A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-19 | 1986-01-18 | 1986-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-19 | 1990-01-18 | 1990-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-19 | 1994-01-18 | 1994-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |