US4756305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eye training device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-09-23
•
Granted: 1988-07-12
•
Expires: 2006-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An eye training device for treating one or more visual disorders in a patient, which displays two images visually superimposable into a single image and optically conducts one of the images to a right eye viewing port and the other image to a left eye viewing port. The device further includes an assembly for modifying the perception of one or both images by the patient to differ from the perception required for normal viewing of the images to exercise corresponding one or both eyes of the patient. At least one of the first and second images has a first image element whose location is changeble relative to the other image elements, and the device further includes a mechanism which is operable by the patient to move the first image element while the patient views through the viewing ports.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Mateik
- 👤 Scott A. Greenwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H5/00; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/02; A61B3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An eye training device for treating strabismus in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; refractor means, associated with said viewing means, for laterally displacing by a selected diopteric amount one of said images relative to the strabismic eye of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient observes said first and second images through said viewing ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An eye training device for treating strabismus in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; refractor means, associated with said viewing means, for laterally displacing by a selected diopteric amount one of said images relative to the strabismic eye of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient observes said first and second images through said viewing ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The training device of claim 1 in which said first and second images include differing and parallactically displaced portions of a common image, and only one of said images has said first image element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The training device of claim 1 in which said first and second images are parallactically displaced views of the same image and both said images have said first image element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The training device of claim 1 in which said image display means includes means for altering the location of other image elements in at least one of said first and second images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The training device of claim 4 in which said means for altering includes: image signal means for generating location control signals; and means, responsive to said location control signals, for varying the location of said other image elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The training device of claim 5 in which said means for altering is responsive to the location of said first image element relative to said other image elements, and further includes means for providing a positive response to the operator as long as said first image element is maintained in a location separate from one of said other image elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The training device of claim 6 further including means for producing a negative response to the operator when said first image element shares a location proximate one of said other image elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The training device of claim 7 in which said means for producing includes means for disrupting said first image element when it shares a location with one of said other image elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The eye training device of claim 8 in which said means for altering substantially continuously alters the location of said other image elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The training device of claim 1 in which said refractor means includes a variable prism assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The training device of claim 1 further including locking means for securing said refractor means in position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The training device of claim 1 in which said right and left eye viewing ports are spaced apart with respect to each other to enable binocular use of said device by the patient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The training device of claim 1 which is also usable for treating amblyopia and further includes means, associated with said viewing means, for occluding image conduction to the viewing port of the non-amblyopic eye of the patient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The training device of claim 13 in which said means for occluding includes a removable optically opaque element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The training device of claim 13 in which said means for occluding includes filter means for controllably diminishing the conduction of one of said images to the corresponding viewing port for the non-amblyopic eye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The training device of claim 15 in which said image display means includes means for transmitting said first and second images as polarized light and said filter means includes polarizing means positionable to have an axis of polarization different from that of said polarized light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The training device of claim 16 in which said polarizing means has an adjustable axis of polarization.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The training device of claim 1 in which said image display means includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The training device of claim 1 in which said image viewing means includes refractor lens means proximate each viewing port for establishing normal refractory viewing of said first and second images at a selected viewing distance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The training device of claim 19 further including a refractory corrective lens, located proximate at least one of said viewing ports, for compensating for refractive errors of one or both eyes of the patient.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The training device of claim 19 in which said refractor lens means establishes said viewing distance as a reading distance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The training device of claim 19 in which said refractor lens means establishes said viewing distance as optical infinity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The training device of claim 22 which is also usable for treating myopia and further includes concave lens means, located proximate at least one of said viewing ports, for partially compensating for myopic refractive errors of one or both eyes of the patient.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The training device of claim 1 further including a housing for carrying said image display means, said image viewing means and said refractor means, said housing being of a shape and size holdable by the hands of the patient during use of said device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
153 words
An eye training device for treating one or more visual disorders in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; means, associated with said viewing means, for modifying the perception of one or both images by the patient to differ from the perception required for normal viewing of the images to exercise corresponding one or both eyes of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient views through said viewing ports.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
153 words
An eye training device for treating one or more visual disorders in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; means, associated with said viewing means, for modifying the perception of one or both images by the patient to differ from the perception required for normal viewing of the images to exercise corresponding one or both eyes of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient views through said viewing ports.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
124 words
An eye training device for treating amblyopia in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; means, associated with said viewing means, for occluding image conduction to the viewing port for the non-amblyopic eye of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient views through said viewing ports.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
124 words
An eye training device for treating amblyopia in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; means, associated with said viewing means, for occluding image conduction to the viewing port for the non-amblyopic eye of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient views through said viewing ports.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The training device of claim 26 in which said means for occluding includes a removable optically opaque element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The training device of claim 26 in which said means for occluding includes filter means for controllably diminishing the conduction of one of said images to the corresponding viewing port for the non-amblyopic eye.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The training device of claim 28 in which said image display means includes means for transmitting said first and second images as polarized light and said filter means includes polarizing means positionable to have an axis of polarization different from that of said polarized light.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The training device of claim 29 in which said polarizing means has an adjustable axis of polarization.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The training device of claim 26 in which said image display means includes means for altering the location of other image elements in at least one of said first and second images.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
166 words
An eye training device for treating myopia in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; refractor lens means proximate each viewing port for establishing normal refractory viewing of said first and second images at a viewing distance of optical infinity; concave lens means, located proximate at least one of said viewing ports, for partially compensating for myopic refractive errors of one or both eyes of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient observes said first and second images through said viewing ports.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
166 words
An eye training device for treating myopia in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image, at least one of said first and second images having a first image element whose location is changeable relative to other image elements; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; refractor lens means proximate each viewing port for establishing normal refractory viewing of said first and second images at a viewing distance of optical infinity; concave lens means, located proximate at least one of said viewing ports, for partially compensating for myopic refractive errors of one or both eyes of the patient; and operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient observes said first and second images through said viewing ports.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The training device of claim 32 in which said image display means includes means for altering the location of other image elements in at least one of said first and second images.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The training device of claim 33 in which said means for altering includes: image signal means for generating location control signals; and means, responsive to said location control signals, for varying the location of said other image elements.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The training device of claim 32 in which said right and left eye viewing ports are spaced apart with respect to each other to enable binocular use of said device by the patient.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The training device of claim 32 in which said refractor lens means and said concave lens means are part of an interchangeable lens assembly.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
109 words
An eye training device for enhancing accommodation in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; a bifocal lens assembly for relaxing the accommodative mechanism in one or both eyes of the patient in a first position relative to said left and right eye viewing ports and for stimulating the accommodative mechanism in a second position; and means for moving said bifocal lens assembly to and from said first and second positions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
109 words
An eye training device for enhancing accommodation in a patient, comprising: image display means for displaying first and second images visually superimposable into a single image; image viewing means for optically conducting one of said images to a right eye viewing port and conducting the other image to a left eye viewing port; a bifocal lens assembly for relaxing the accommodative mechanism in one or both eyes of the patient in a first position relative to said left and right eye viewing ports and for stimulating the accommodative mechanism in a second position; and means for moving said bifocal lens assembly to and from said first and second positions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
66 words
The training device of claim 37 in which said image display means includes means for establishing a first image element in at least one of said first and second images, means for establishing at least one other image element in at least one of said first and second images, and means for altering the location of said first image element relative to said other image element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
45 words
The training device of claim 38 further including operator means for controlling the location of said first image element, said operator means operable by the patient to move said first image element while the patient observes said first and second images through said viewing ports.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The training device of claim 37 in which said bifocal lens assembly includes a convex lens for relaxing the accommodative mechanism.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The training device of claim 37 in which said bifocal lens assembly includes a concave lens for stimulating the accommodative mechanism.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The training device of claim 37 in which said means for moving includes user activation means actuatable by the patient to move said bifocal lens assembly.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The training device of claim 42 in which said activation means includes: linkage means connected proximate its first end to said bifocal lens assembly; and user control means, connected proximate a second end of said linkage means, for selectively relocating said second end.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The training device of claim 42 further including means for rewarding the patient when said user activation means is actuated at a preselected rate.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The training device of claim 37 in which said bifocal lens assembly provides the same relaxation and stimulation for both eyes.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
The training device of claim 37 in which said image viewing means includes refractor lens means proximate each eye viewing port for establishing normal refractory viewing of said first and second images at a selected viewing distance.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The training device of claim 46 in which said refractor lens means establishes said viewing distance as a reading distance.
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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) | 1991-07-12 | 1992-01-11 | 1992-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-12 | 1996-01-11 | 1996-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-12 | 2000-01-11 | 2000-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |