Patent US6315412B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6315412B1
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Method and apparatus for measuring visual sensitivity and optical properties of components of the eye
Assignee: LAND RICHARD I
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Filing: 1998-12-04
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Granted: 2001-11-13
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Expires: 2018-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A Non-Maxwellian, free viewing system capable of psychophysical measurement of visual sensitivity for the determination of ocular components is disclosed. The apparatus features electronically controlled light emitting elements whose outputs are variable with respect to intensity and temporal pattern, and can be combined by a small number of optical components. The light emitting elements can have outputs of different wavelengths, can be positioned at different retinal locations, and can be viewed through masks or apertures having different geometries. These features permit miniaturization of the device, and eliminate a major or experimental difficulty of light path alignment associated with larger systems, thus simplifying the measurement of macular pigment density compared to procedures used with a full sized optical bench.
Inventors
- 👤 D. Max Snodderly
- 👤 Richard I. Land
- 👤 Billy R. Wooten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/02; A61B3/06; A61B3/063; A61B3/10; A61B3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for psychophysical determination of an ocular component in an eye of a test subject, said apparatus comprising: a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by said test subject; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for psychophysical determination of an ocular component in an eye of a test subject, said apparatus comprising: a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by said test subject; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said light-emitting element is a light-emitting diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said light source comprises at least two electronically controlled, light-emitting elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a lens for collimating light from said light emitting elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein individual said light-emitting elements have different emission spectra.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein among said different emission spectra from said individual light-emitting elements are peak wavelengths of about 460 nm and about 560 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said control circuitry can energize individual said light-emitting elements separately.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said output of said light-emitting element can be varied with respect to intensity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said output of said light-emitting element can be varied with respect to temporal pattern.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ocular component is visual sensitivity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adjustment by said test subject involves adjusting said light source so that the light emitted therefrom does not appear to flicker.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for psychophysical determination of an ocular component in an eye of a test subject, said method comprising: providing a test subject; employing an apparatus to test said test subject, said apparatus comprising; a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by said test subject; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus; determining the response of said test subject to the output of said light-emitting element; and relating said response to the extent or condition of an ocular component in said test subject.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for psychophysical determination of an ocular component in an eye of a test subject, said method comprising: providing a test subject; employing an apparatus to test said test subject, said apparatus comprising; a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by said test subject; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus; determining the response of said test subject to the output of said light-emitting element; and relating said response to the extent or condition of an ocular component in said test subject.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said ocular component is visual sensitivity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said adjustment by said test subject involves adjusting said light source so that the light emitted therefrom does not appear to flicker.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for psychophysical determination of visual sensitivity in an eye of a test subject, said method comprising: providing a test subject; employing an apparatus to test said test subject, said apparatus comprising; a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by the subject until the flicker of said light source appears to be eliminated; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus; determining the response of said test subject to the output of said light-emitting element, whereby said subject adjusts the light source until said light source appears to have no flicker; and relating said response to the extent or condition of visual sensitivity in said test subject.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for psychophysical determination of visual sensitivity in an eye of a test subject, said method comprising: providing a test subject; employing an apparatus to test said test subject, said apparatus comprising; a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by the subject until the flicker of said light source appears to be eliminated; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus; determining the response of said test subject to the output of said light-emitting element, whereby said subject adjusts the light source until said light source appears to have no flicker; and relating said response to the extent or condition of visual sensitivity in said test subject.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for psychophysical determination of visual sensitivity in an eye of a test subject, said apparatus comprising: a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by the subject until the flicker of said light source appears to be eliminated; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for psychophysical determination of visual sensitivity in an eye of a test subject, said apparatus comprising: a light source comprising at least one electronically controlled, light-emitting element wherein the output of said light-emitting element can be varied electronically by the subject until the flicker of said light source appears to be eliminated; control circuitry for energizing said light-emitting element; an aperture for presenting a test stimulus from said light-emitting element to a test subject; and a head positioning device for aligning an eye of a test subject in a position to view said test stimulus.
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) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-05-14 | 2005-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-12 | 2009-05-14 | 2009-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-12 | 2013-05-14 | 2013-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |