US5226903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for ophthalmic operation using photocoagulation by a laser beam
Assignee: Nidek Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1992-01-29
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Granted: 1993-07-13
•
Expires: 2012-01-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, includes a light source for producing the laser beam, an observing system having a first inherent optical path including a slit-lamp microscope, a laser optical system having a second inherent optical path, means for transmitting the laser beam from the light source to the laser optical system, means for introducing the laser beam from the second optical path of the laser optical system to the first optical path of the observing system, a contact lens having predetermined characteristics positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated, first optical means provided in the first inherent optical path of the observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from the slit-lamp microscope, means for shifting the objective plane to a desired position along the optical path while observing the objective plane, and second optical means provided in the second inherent optical path of the laser optical system for adjusting a focal point, the laser beam being controlled while adjusting the focal point along the second optical path of the laser optical system, wherein the first optical means controls the movement of the objective plane observed from the observing system according to the predetermined characteristics of the contact lens and the second optical means adjusts the focal point to direct the laser beam on the objective plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuyasu Mizuno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F9/00821; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/12; A61B3/125; A61F2009/0035; A61F9/009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point of said laser beam from said light source, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said laser beam is focused on said objective plane by operating said first optical means in conjunction with said second optical means; wherein said first optical means is a movable lens capable of movement into and out of alignment with the first optical path of the observing system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point of said laser beam from said light source, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said laser beam is focused on said objective plane by operating said first optical means in conjunction with said second optical means; wherein said first optical means is a movable lens capable of movement into and out of alignment with the first optical path of the observing system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising driving means for driving at least one of the first and second optical means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said laser beam is selected from one of a low power laser beam and a high power laser beam.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point of said laser beam from said light source, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said laser beam is focused on said objective plane by operating said first optical means in conjunction with said second optical means; wherein said second optical means is a movable lens capable of movement into and out of alignment with the second optical path of the laser optical system.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
217 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point of said laser beam from said light source, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said laser beam is focused on said objective plane by operating said first optical means in conjunction with said second optical means; wherein said second optical means is a movable lens capable of movement into and out of alignment with the second optical path of the laser optical system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising driving means for driving at least one of the first and second optical means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said laser beam is selected from one of a low power laser beam and a high power laser beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a contact lens having predetermined characteristics positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated; wherein said first optical means controls the movement of the objective plane observed by said observing system according to said predetermined characteristics of said contact lens and said second optical means adjusts the focal point to focus the laser beam on the objective plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said contact lens has an optical characteristic to allow an image of a fundus of the eye to be focused on a plane in front of the eye.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said contact lens has an optical characteristics to prevent refracting power from the cornea of the eye to be treated and to allow an image of a fundus of the eye to be observed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point of said laser beam from said light source, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said laser beam is focused on said objective plane by operating said first optical means in conjunction with said second optical means; wherein said second optical means is a lens movable along the second optical path of the laser optical system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point of said laser beam from said light source, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said laser beam is focused on said objective plane by operating said first optical means in conjunction with said second optical means; wherein said second optical means is a lens movable along the second optical path of the laser optical system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the laser optical system comprises means for irradiating said lens with said laser beam; said laser beam being parallel to said second optical path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising driving means for driving at least one of the first and second optical means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said laser beam is selected from one of a low power laser beam and a high power laser beam.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slip-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; a contact lens having predetermined characteristics positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said first optical means controls the movement of the objective plane observed by said observing system according to said predetermined characteristics of said contact lens and said second optical means adjusts the focal point to focus the laser beam on the objective plane; wherein said first optical means is a movable lens capable of movement into and out of alignment with the first optical path of the observing system.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slip-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; a contact lens having predetermined characteristics positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said first optical means controls the movement of the objective plane observed by said observing system according to said predetermined characteristics of said contact lens and said second optical means adjusts the focal point to focus the laser beam on the objective plane; wherein said first optical means is a movable lens capable of movement into and out of alignment with the first optical path of the observing system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said contact lens has an optical characteristic to allow an image of a fundus of the eye to be focused on a plane in front of the eye.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said contact lens has an optical characteristic to prevent refracting power from the cornea of the eye to be treated and to allow an image of a fundus of the eye to be observed.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slip-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; a contact lens having predetermined characteristics positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said first optical means controls the movement of the objective plane observed by said observing system according to said predetermined characteristics of said contact lens and said second optical means adjusts the focal point to focus the laser beam on the objective plane; wherein said second optical means is a lens movable along the second optical path of the laser optical system.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
239 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slip-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; a contact lens having predetermined characteristics positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; and second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point, said laser beam being controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; wherein said first optical means controls the movement of the objective plane observed by said observing system according to said predetermined characteristics of said contact lens and said second optical means adjusts the focal point to focus the laser beam on the objective plane; wherein said second optical means is a lens movable along the second optical path of the laser optical system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said contact lens has an optical characteristics to allow an image of a fundus of the eye to be focused on a plane in front of the eye.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said contact lens has an optical characteristics to prevent refracting power from the cornea of the eye to be treated and to allow an image of a fundus of the eye to be observed.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; first driving means for driving said first optical means; second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point, said laser beam being movably controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; second driving means for driving said second optical means; a plurality of contact lenses each having predetermined optical characteristics; switching means for selecting one of said plurality of contact lenses to be positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated, said switching means producing a signal; and control means for receiving said signal from said switching means and controlling said first and second driving means according to said signal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for performing an ophthalmic operation on an eye by photocoagulation using a laser beam while allowing continuous observation of the eye to be treated, comprising: a light source for producing the laser beam; an observing system having a first optical path including a slit-lamp microscope; a laser optical system having a second optical path; means for transmitting said laser beam from said light source to said laser optical system; means for introducing the laser beam from said second optical path of said laser optical system to said first optical path of said observing system; first optical means provided in said first optical path of said observing system for adjusting an objective plane observable from said slit-lamp microscope; first driving means for driving said first optical means; second optical means provided in said second optical path of said laser optical system for adjusting a focal point, said laser beam being movably controlled while adjusting said focal point along said second optical path of the laser optical system; second driving means for driving said second optical means; a plurality of contact lenses each having predetermined optical characteristics; switching means for selecting one of said plurality of contact lenses to be positioned in front of and contacting the eye to be treated, said switching means producing a signal; and control means for receiving said signal from said switching means and controlling said first and second driving means according to said signal.
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |