US5214455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Objective eye alignment measurement method and system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1991-04-01
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2011-04-01
Abstract
Abstract Eye alignment is determined by producing a combined iris/retinal image by use of an imaging system. The relative position of the centroid of the pupil and various structures on the retina is indicative of the eye alignment. The eye alignment may be determined by comparing a combined iris/retinal image at the present time with a stored iris/retinal image at a past time. The imaging system may be a laser scanning ophthalmoscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl M. Penney
- 👤 Keith P. Thompson
- 👤 Robert H. Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/11; A61B3/111; A61B3/12; A61B3/1225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of determining objective eye alignment comprising the steps of: positioning a subject's eye relative to an imaging system to allow imaging of the subject's eye; applying a beam to the subject's eye; using the imaging system to detect a portion of the beam returned after striking the subject's eye and to generate, based on the detected portion of the beam, an iris image of an iris portion of the subject's eye and a retinal image of a retinal portion of the subject's eye; and observing positions of said iris image and said retinal image to determine objective eye alignment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of determining objective eye alignment comprising the steps of: positioning a subject's eye relative to an imaging system to allow imaging of the subject's eye; applying a beam to the subject's eye; using the imaging system to detect a portion of the beam returned after striking the subject's eye and to generate, based on the detected portion of the beam, an iris image of an iris portion of the subject's eye and a retinal image of a retinal portion of the subject's eye; and observing positions of said iris image and said retinal image to determine objective eye alignment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the imaging system obtains the iris image and the retinal image within a time no greater than 50 milliseconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising simultaneously displaying the iris image and the retinal image on a first monitor of the imaging system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the eye alignment is determined by comparing the iris image and the retinal image with a stored image of an iris portion and a retinal portion corresponding to eye alignment at a previous time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the eye alignment is determined by finding an eye position at which the iris image and the retinal image are substantially identical to the stored image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the eye alignment is determined by finding a relationship between an instrument axis of the imaging system and an axis of the patient's eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the axis of the subject's eye is a pupillary axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of simultaneously displaying the iris image and the retinal image, and wherein the imaging system develops the iris image and the retinal image by scanning the beam across the eye and detecting scatter from the application of the beam to the eye.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the beam is a light beam.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of determining objective eye alignment comprising the steps of: scanning a light beam from an imaging system across a subject's eye such that the light beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; detecting, by operation of the imaging system, scattered light from the application of the light beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; generating nearly simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion by operation of the imaging system; and using said nearly simultaneous views to determine objective eye alignment.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of determining objective eye alignment comprising the steps of: scanning a light beam from an imaging system across a subject's eye such that the light beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; detecting, by operation of the imaging system, scattered light from the application of the light beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; generating nearly simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion by operation of the imaging system; and using said nearly simultaneous views to determine objective eye alignment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the light beam is scanned between extremes of scan which cross in front of the subject's eye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said extremes of scan cross at least 3 centimeters in front of the subject's eye.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the light beam has a diameter of no more than 1 millimeter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the eye alignment is determined by comparing a real-time image to a stored image representative of eye alignment at a previous time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the eye alignment is determined by finding an eye position at which the real-time image is substantially identical to the stored image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the eye alignment is determined by finding a relationship between an instrument axis of the imaging system and an axis of the subject's eye.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the axis of the subject's eye is a pupillary axis.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
119 words
A system for measuring objective eye alignment comprising: a scanner for scanning a beam across a subject's eye such that the beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; a detector for detecting scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; a stop having an aperture through which scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion passes on its way to said detector; and a first monitor operatively connected to said detector for showing simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion based upon the scatter detected by the detector, the simultaneous views providing objective eye alignment information.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
119 words
A system for measuring objective eye alignment comprising: a scanner for scanning a beam across a subject's eye such that the beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; a detector for detecting scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; a stop having an aperture through which scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion passes on its way to said detector; and a first monitor operatively connected to said detector for showing simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion based upon the scatter detected by the detector, the simultaneous views providing objective eye alignment information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said scanner scans a light beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said scanner scans the beam between extremes of scan which cross in front of the subject's eye.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for measuring objective eye alignment comprising: a scanner for scanning a beam across a subject's eye such that the beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; a detector for detecting scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; a first monitor operatively connected to said detector for showing simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion based upon the scatter detected by the detector, the simultaneous views providing objective eye alignment information; and a second monitor and storage means to supply the second monitor with a stored image of the iris portion and the retinal portion at a previous time.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for measuring objective eye alignment comprising: a scanner for scanning a beam across a subject's eye such that the beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; a detector for detecting scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; a first monitor operatively connected to said detector for showing simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion based upon the scatter detected by the detector, the simultaneous views providing objective eye alignment information; and a second monitor and storage means to supply the second monitor with a stored image of the iris portion and the retinal portion at a previous time.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for measuring objective eye alignment comprising: a scanner for scanning a beam across a subject's eye such that the beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; a detector for detecting scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; monitor means operatively connected to said detector for showing simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion based upon the scatter detected by the detector, the simultaneous views providing objective eye alignment information; and storage means connected to the monitor means for supplying the monitor means with a stored image of the iris portion and the retinal portion at a previous time.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for measuring objective eye alignment comprising: a scanner for scanning a beam across a subject's eye such that the beam strikes an iris portion adjacent a pupil and strikes a retinal portion; a detector for detecting scatter from the application of the beam to the iris portion and the retinal portion; monitor means operatively connected to said detector for showing simultaneous views of the iris portion and the retinal portion based upon the scatter detected by the detector, the simultaneous views providing objective eye alignment information; and storage means connected to the monitor means for supplying the monitor means with a stored image of the iris portion and the retinal portion at a previous time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |