US4494540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal microslad
Assignee: ROBERT C ERB 433 BROCKMONT DRIVE GLENDALE CA 91202
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Filing: 1982-11-02
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Granted: 1985-01-22
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Expires: 2002-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A device (10) for directionally controlling a beam of light, particularly adaptable with a laser beam in surgical operations. The beam is focused in a chamber (10) by a lense (46) (one of a selectable number), passes through a passageway (16) through which the operator or surgeon observes the target area for the beam, and strikes a specular element or mirror (27) in a cavity (26) separated from the chamber (12) by the passageway (16). The disposition of the mirror (27) in the cavity eliminates vignette obstructions of such element that heretofore was disposed in the passageway in prior teachings. The beam reflects from the mirror (27) in the direction of the target. A unique joystick (28) is operatively connected to the mirror (27) to swivel same and thereby control the direction of the beam. The device (10) is mounted to an adaptor (20) for 360° rotation thereabout. A unique means (22) to universally mount and rotate device (10) to adaptor (20) is provided, with clamping means (23) to stationarily position or lock one to the other at any angle or inclination. Features, such as a nozzle (25) to introduce nitrogen into the chamber (12) to cool the lens (26), scalloped edges (19) about the passageway (16) for conveyance of an instrument from one side of the device to the other, and a rest (86) for the hand or fingers not manipulating the joystick, are included. The feature of universality of rotation is not limited to a device of this type in which the mirror (27) is disposed only in the cavity; such feature is applicable to state-of-the-art devices wherein the mirror (27) is located in the passageway (16).
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Erb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/02; B23K26/035; G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for directionally controlling transmission of a laser beam or the like to a target area, comprising in combination, a housing having first a chamber with an open terminus for introduction of the beam or the like for transmission therealong, and second a passageway formed by wall means in said housing intersecting the chamber, the passageway open to atmosphere and providing an unobstructed line of sight to the target area for an operator utilizing said apparatus, lens means mounted in the chamber for focusing such beam or the like, a specular element mounted in said housing in alignment with such chamber for directing the beam or the like transmitted through the chamber to atmosphere in the direction of the target area, means mounted on said housing and being operatively connected to said specular element for moving the element, thereby directionally controlling such beam or the like as it is being transmitted in the direction of the target area from said specular element, said moving means being manipulatable exteriorly of said housing, and means for universally mounting and rotating the housing to an adaptor or the like, said mounting and rotating means formed in a body portion of said housing forming such passageway.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
An apparatus for directionally controlling transmission of a laser beam or the like to a target area, comprising in combination, a housing having first a chamber with an open terminus for introduction of the beam or the like for transmission therealong, and second a passageway formed by wall means in said housing intersecting the chamber, the passageway open to atmosphere and providing an unobstructed line of sight to the target area for an operator utilizing said apparatus, lens means mounted in the chamber for focusing such beam or the like, a specular element mounted in said housing in alignment with such chamber for directing the beam or the like transmitted through the chamber to atmosphere in the direction of the target area, means mounted on said housing and being operatively connected to said specular element for moving the element, thereby directionally controlling such beam or the like as it is being transmitted in the direction of the target area from said specular element, said moving means being manipulatable exteriorly of said housing, and means for universally mounting and rotating the housing to an adaptor or the like, said mounting and rotating means formed in a body portion of said housing forming such passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a cavity in the housing intersecting the passageway at its opposite extreme to and in alignment with the chamber, the cavity being open to atmosphere in the direction of the target area, said specular element mounted and disposed in the cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting and rotating means comprises means for engaging and disengaging a groove mounted in an adaptor or the like.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
131 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said engaging and disengaging means comprises at least one piston slidably mounted in a bore of a body portion of said housing forming the passageway, said piston being normally biased in position along a length of said bore forming a slot lying within volumetric dimensions of the passageway, said piston being part of a shaft having a reduced section which when co-extensive with such slot provides for releasing and universal locking of said adaptor to the passageway, the piston in its normally biased position engaging such groove of said adaptor through such slot, and means for displacing said piston from its normally biased position to cause said reduced section to be co-extensive with such slot and by which such releasing and universal locking is accomplished.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said displacing means comprises at least said shaft projecting exteriorly of said body portion of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including means for biasing said piston to its normal position along the length of the bore forming the slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including means for biasing said piston to its normal position along the length of the bore forming the slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprises a coiled spring in the bottom of the bore acting against the piston and a stopper element on the shaft cooperating with a collar closing off the bore to the exterior of the body portion of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including a means for resting a hand or the like mounted on said housing proximate said moving means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 9 including means for introducing nitrogen into the chamber mounted on said housing to cool said lens means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said resting means comprises a slip-fitable sleeve with a stem threaded through at least one hole in said sleeve to frictionally grip said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 12 including means for introducing nitrogen into the chamber mounted on said housing to cool said lens means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 including a means for resting a hand or the like mounted on said housing proximate said moving means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including means for introducing nitrogen into the chamber mounted on said housing to cool said lens means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 16 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said resting means comprises a slip-fitable sleeve with a stem threaded through at least one hole on said sleeve to frictionally grip said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including means for introducing nitrogen into the chamber mounted on said housing to cool said lens means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 19 including means for clamping the adaptor to the hosuing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 including means for introducing nitrogen into the chamber mounted on said housing to cool said lens means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 21 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 including scalloped edges in the formation of the passageway and disposed at its terminus nearest the target area to which the beam is directed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 23 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 18 including means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
126 words
In an apparatus for directionally controlling to a target area a reflected beam of light from a specular element disposed in a housing of the apparatus, the specular element being swivable from the exterior of the housing to so control the direction of the reflected beam of light, the housing including an open chamber and an intersecting passageway communicating therewith and being open to atmosphere, the beam of light being focused by a lens in the chamber and thereafter being transmitted through the chamber to the passageway wherein the specular element is disposed, the improvement comprising means for universally mounting and rotating the housing to an adaptor or the like, said mounting and rotating means formed in a body portion of the housing forming the passageway.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
126 words
In an apparatus for directionally controlling to a target area a reflected beam of light from a specular element disposed in a housing of the apparatus, the specular element being swivable from the exterior of the housing to so control the direction of the reflected beam of light, the housing including an open chamber and an intersecting passageway communicating therewith and being open to atmosphere, the beam of light being focused by a lens in the chamber and thereafter being transmitted through the chamber to the passageway wherein the specular element is disposed, the improvement comprising means for universally mounting and rotating the housing to an adaptor or the like, said mounting and rotating means formed in a body portion of the housing forming the passageway.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the apparatus of claim 28, said mounting and rotating means comprising means for engaging and disengaging a groove in an adaptor or the like.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
129 words
The engaging and disengaging means of claim 29 comprising at least one piston slidably mounted in a bore of the body portion of the housing forming the passageway, said piston being normally biased in a position along a length of the bore forming a slot lying within volumetric dimensions of the passageway, said piston being part of a shaft having a reduced section which when co-extensive with such slot provides for releasing and universal locking of said adaptor to the passageway, the piston in its normally biased position engaging such groove of said adaptor through such slot, and means for displacing said piston from its normally biased position to cause said reduced portion to be co-extensive with such slot and by which such releasing and universal locking is accomplished.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The displacing means of claim 30 comprising at least said shaft projecting exteriorly of said body portion of said housing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
Claim 31 but also including means for biasing said piston to its normal position along the length of the bore forming the slot.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
Claim 30 but also including means for biasing said piston to its normal position along the length of the bore forming the slot.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
Claim 32 or claim 33 wherein said biasing means comprises a coiled spring in the bottom of the bore acting against the piston and a stopper element on the shaft cooperating with a collar closing off the bore to the exterior of the body portion of the housing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
In the apparatus of claim 34, means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the apparatus of claim 29 or claim 30 or claim 31 or claim 27 or claim 28, means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
171 words
In an apparatus for directionally controlling to a target area a reflected beam of light from a specular element disposed in a housing, the specular element being swivable from the exterior of the housing to so control the direction of the reflected beam of light, the housing including an open chamber and an intersecting passageway communicating therewith and being open to atmosphere, the beam of light being focused by a lens in the chamber and thereafter being transmitted through the chamber to the passageway, the improvement comprising a cavity in the housing in alignment with the chamber but being separated therefrom by the passageway with which it communicates, said specular element being mounted in the cavity, the cavity being open to atmosphere in the direction of the target area for transmission of the reflected beam to the target area, thereby eliminating obstruction in the passageway that otherwise would interfere with line of sight for an operator of the apparatus observing the direction of the reflected beam of light through the passageway.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
171 words
In an apparatus for directionally controlling to a target area a reflected beam of light from a specular element disposed in a housing, the specular element being swivable from the exterior of the housing to so control the direction of the reflected beam of light, the housing including an open chamber and an intersecting passageway communicating therewith and being open to atmosphere, the beam of light being focused by a lens in the chamber and thereafter being transmitted through the chamber to the passageway, the improvement comprising a cavity in the housing in alignment with the chamber but being separated therefrom by the passageway with which it communicates, said specular element being mounted in the cavity, the cavity being open to atmosphere in the direction of the target area for transmission of the reflected beam to the target area, thereby eliminating obstruction in the passageway that otherwise would interfere with line of sight for an operator of the apparatus observing the direction of the reflected beam of light through the passageway.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the apparatus of claim 37, the improvement including means for universally mounting and rotating the housing to an adaptor or the like.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the apparatus of claim 38, said mounting and rotating means comprising means for engaging and disengaging a groove mounted in an adaptor or the like.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the apparatus of claim 37 or claim 38 or claim 39, means included for introducing nitrogen into the chamber to cool the lens mounted and disposed therein.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
In the apparatus of claim 40, means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the apparatus of claim 38 or claim 39, means for clamping the adaptor to the housing.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-22 | 1988-07-23 | 1989-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-22 | 1992-07-23 | 1993-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-22 | 1996-07-23 | 1997-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |