Patent
1988-02-18
1989-07-25
Arnold, Bruce Y.
350632, G02B 2608
Patent
active
048506877
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for moving a beam of light in a plane of impact.
STATE OF THE ART
Devices of this type are needed, by way of illustration, in so-called laser coagulators such as are employed in ophthalmology. Furthermore, there are, of course, numerous other possible applications in various fields of technology for such devices, for example, in laser welding.
A device as described herein is, for example, the so-called "micromanipulator" developed by the present applicant. In said prior art device, a mirror deflecting the laser beam toward the eye, is moved pneumatically. Said mirror may, for example, be one of the mirrors deflecting the operation and/or target beam in the device described in WO 85/00966 or the one described in DE-GM 7 225 429.
This prior art device is--as was recognized in accordance with the present invention--not optimum in some instances due to the fact that the mirror is moved pneumatically:
The known micromanipulator cannot be readily operated and/or programmed by remote control via a suitable electronic system. The response time of the manipulator may, under circumstances, be "noticeable" during the operation. Furthermore, the manipulation operation is not always noiseless.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a device for moving a beam of light in a plane of impact permitting quick, precise and electronically controlled manipulation of a beam in a plane of impact.
One solution of the object is successful by still proceeding from a device in which a mirror, which deflects a beam of light, is tilted or rotated. An inventive element is that said mirror is fixed to a tilting/rotating joint, which is biased, by means of a bias device, to a home position and is connected to magnets. Said magnets are in a magnetic field created by current-carrying coils. By varying the current flowing through the coils and thus the created magnetic field, it is possible to tilt the tilting/rotating joint and thereby the mirror in a defined manner. The point of impact of the light beam in the plane of impact is moved in a defined manner corresponding to the defined tilting. The invented device has a number of advantages:
The tilting of the mirror and thus the moving of the beam of light in the plane of impact occurs quickly and noiselessly. The system has a defined home position, in which, for example, the laser beam is directed exactly at the geometric center of the field, over which the laser beam may be moved. On the other hand, with a device control unit, for example, an electronic control, it is possible to convey the system into any desired home position with a constant current. In any case, however, it is possible to manipulate the light beam in the plane of impact as the biased tilting/rotating joint is supported in bearings with practically no backlash.
In accordance with the present invention, the mirror can be rotated about one axis and tilted about another axis, which are perpendicular to each other, and rotating and tilting the mirror about each of these axes ensues by means of a respective coil/magnetic unit, permits the simplest x/y-moving of the point of impact of the light beam in the plane of impact.
By means of the "symmetrically rotating" feature of of the present invention, tilting moments, which might reduce the precision of the adjustment, are effectively reduced.
The circuit arrangement of the present invention increases the symmetry of the invented device and thereby reduces the danger of the occurrence of tilt moments.
By reversing the currents flowing through the coils, the mirror may be tilted or rotated in both directions even in a symmetrical arrangement.
Various possible bias devices are utilized, which bias the device to its home position.
The invented device may also be regulated by hand, by means of a control stick as well as by a control unit.
The control unit permits a programmed moving of the point of impact of the light beam or, for example, moving controlled by a imag
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Cierlak Siegfried
Reis Werner
Arnold Bruce Y.
G. Rodenstock Instrumente GmbH
Kachmarik Ronald M.
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