US4781453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ophthalmic examination apparatus
Assignee: Kowa Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-05-12
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Granted: 1988-11-01
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Expires: 2007-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An ophthalmic examination apparatus directs a laser beam from a laser light source onto the fundus of an eye to scan the fundus two-dimensionally, picks up the light reflected back from the eye fundus and by means of a photoelectric transducer subjects the light to photoelectric conversion to obtain information about the eye fundus. A laser light source is provided that generates laser beams of a plurality of wavelengths, a first acousto-optical device selects one wavelength from among the plurality of laser beam wavelengths, a first optical deflector is used to scan a laser beam in one direction at a predetermined frequency, and a second optical deflector is used for scanning the laser beam in a direction at right-angles to the above direction at a frequency that is lower than the above frequency. The first optical deflector is constructed as the second acousto-optical device which is driven at an ultrasonic frequency, and by changing the range of variability of the ultrasonic frequency of the second acousto-optical device in accordance with the laser beam wavelength selected by the first acousto-optical device, the angle of deflection of the first optical deflector becomes the same irrespective of the wavelength of the laser beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Koji Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/12; A61B3/1225; A61B3/14; A61B3/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An ophthalmic examination apparatus which directs a laser beam from a laser light source at a subject eye fundus to scan the fundus two-dimensionally, picks up the light reflected back from the eye fundus and by means of a photoelectric transducer subjects the light to photoelectric conversion to obtain information about the eye fundus, said apparatus comprising: a laser light source that generates laser beams of a plurality of wavelengths; a first acousto-optical device which selects one wavelength from among the plurality of laser beam wavelengths; a first optical deflector for scanning a laser beam in one direction at a predetermined frequency; and a second optical deflector for scanning the laser beam in a direction that is at right-angles to the above said direction at a frequency that is lower than the above said frequency; wherein said first optical deflector is the second acousto-optical device driven at an ultrasonic frequency, and by changing the range of variability of the ultrasonic frequency of the second acousto-optical device in accordance with the laser beam wavelength selected by the first acousto-optical device, the angle of deflection of the first optical deflector becomes the same irrespective of the wavelength of the laser beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An ophthalmic examination apparatus which directs a laser beam from a laser light source at a subject eye fundus to scan the fundus two-dimensionally, picks up the light reflected back from the eye fundus and by means of a photoelectric transducer subjects the light to photoelectric conversion to obtain information about the eye fundus, said apparatus comprising: a laser light source that generates laser beams of a plurality of wavelengths; a first acousto-optical device which selects one wavelength from among the plurality of laser beam wavelengths; a first optical deflector for scanning a laser beam in one direction at a predetermined frequency; and a second optical deflector for scanning the laser beam in a direction that is at right-angles to the above said direction at a frequency that is lower than the above said frequency; wherein said first optical deflector is the second acousto-optical device driven at an ultrasonic frequency, and by changing the range of variability of the ultrasonic frequency of the second acousto-optical device in accordance with the laser beam wavelength selected by the first acousto-optical device, the angle of deflection of the first optical deflector becomes the same irrespective of the wavelength of the laser beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ophthalmic examination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first acousto-optical device is also provided with the function of intensity-modulation of the laser beam and projection of an index onto the eye fundus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
167 words
An ophthalmic examination apparatus which directs a laser beam from a laser light source at a subject eye fundus to scan the fundus two-dimensionally, picks up the light reflected back from the eye fundus and by means of a photoelectric transducer subjects the light to photoelectric conversion to obtain information about the eye fundus, said apparatus comprising: a laser light source that generates laser beams of a plurality of wavelengths; an acousto-optical device which selects one wavelength from among the plurality of laser beam wavelengths; a first optical deflector for scanning a laser beam in one direction at a predetermined frequency; and a second optical deflector for scanning the laser beam in a direction that is at right-angles to the above said direction at a frequency that is lower than the above said frequency; wherein for each image frame as set by the predetermined scanning frequency of the second optical deflector the laser beam wavelength selected by the first acousto-optical device is changed to obtain color information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
167 words
An ophthalmic examination apparatus which directs a laser beam from a laser light source at a subject eye fundus to scan the fundus two-dimensionally, picks up the light reflected back from the eye fundus and by means of a photoelectric transducer subjects the light to photoelectric conversion to obtain information about the eye fundus, said apparatus comprising: a laser light source that generates laser beams of a plurality of wavelengths; an acousto-optical device which selects one wavelength from among the plurality of laser beam wavelengths; a first optical deflector for scanning a laser beam in one direction at a predetermined frequency; and a second optical deflector for scanning the laser beam in a direction that is at right-angles to the above said direction at a frequency that is lower than the above said frequency; wherein for each image frame as set by the predetermined scanning frequency of the second optical deflector the laser beam wavelength selected by the first acousto-optical device is changed to obtain color information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ophthalmic examination apparatus according to claim 3, wherein for each frame different eye-fundus color information is obtained, stored in a memory and then synthesized to obtain color images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ophthalmic examination apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a filter which transmits the selected laser light is provided sequentially in front of the photoelectric transducer in synchronization with the laser light wavelength selection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4541697A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |