Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Eye examining or testing instrument – Objective type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-19
2001-03-06
Manuel, George (Department: 3737)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Eye examining or testing instrument
Objective type
C351S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196686
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an optic system for viewing the inside of an eye with a lens system having a first lens with a concave lens surface which can be placed onto the cornea of an eye, and at least one further lens which is arranged in viewing direction in front of the first lens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optic viewing systems are of great importance for diagnosing eye diseases and also for surgeries inside of the eye. Two methods have here proven to be particularly advantageous. It is the ophthalmoscopy in the upright image, during which the viewer uses the optic eye system of the eye of the patient as a magnifying lens, and the ophthalmoscopy in the reversed image, during which an additional ophthalmoscopy lens must be used. Mirror images result with these two methods, which are created when light is introduced from outside into the inside of the eye, in the cornea front surface, and in the case of the method with the reversed image in addition on the surfaces of the ophthalmoscopy lens.
Known are a number of ophthalmoscopes and retina cameras, which have been designed in accordance with the reflex-free viewing principle. With these it is possible to reflex-free view the inside of the eye. They are also suitable for the diagnosis of eye diseases, which cause visible changes inside of the eye. Because of their complex design and their dimensions, such devices, however, cannot be utilized during eye surgeries. Surgery microscopes have been used in eye surgeries for several decades. These are stereomicroscopes of a weak enlargement, which enable an excellent viewing of the eye, however, only in the front eye section.
However, surgeons need surgery microscopes, with which they can view actions also inside of the eye. This is possible when a lens with a strong negative action is placed onto the cornea of the patient. An immersion fluid must exist between the eye and the lens. The action of the dispersing lens creates an image of the retina or of the inside of the eye at a distance, to which the microscope can be adjusted.
The endoillumination can be used to illuminate the inside of the eye, during which endoillumination a fiber-optic light conductor is guided through the sclera of the eye of the patient into the inside of the eye. The introduction of bodies of any type into the inside of the eye is always associated with great risk. An illumination from outside is therefore desired.
The purpose of the invention is to enable the viewing of an area of the inside of the eye, which area is as large as possible, whereby the viewed area is illuminated and no reflexes on optical surfaces result due to the illumination, no surgical procedure is needed for the illumination of the background of the eye, and the optic system is so small, lightweight and compact that it interferes neither during a presurgical or postsurgical diagnosis nor during a surgical procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose is attained in such a manner that the optic system has an illuminating device, the light-exiting surface of which lies within the first lens or ends flush with a lens surface of the first lens.
The optic system is placed onto the cornea of the eye in order to examine the eye, whereby an immersion fluid is fed by a hose between the cornea and the lens surface. The first lens is connected to a light-exiting surface such that light is guided for viewing into the inside of the eye. The light-exiting surface can thereby be provided in the lens or, however, can terminate flush with one of the two lens surfaces (convex and concave lens surface).
When the light-exiting surface is connected optically conductingly to the convex lens surface of the first lens, the light beams, which exit from the light-exiting surface, are guided directly into the first lens.
Whereas when the light-exiting surface terminates flush with the concave lens surface of the first lens, then the light from the light-exiting surface is guided into the immersion fluid and moves from there into the inside of the eye.
The light-exiting surface is arched advantageously concavely when it terminates with the concave surface of the first lens.
The light-exiting surface of the illuminating device can also be part of a prism, which is connected optically conductingly to one or several fiber-optic light conductors, or, however, the light-exiting surface is part of one or several fiber-optic light conductors themselves.
In order for light to exit from the fiber-optic light conductor, same must be optically connected to a light source.
The light-exiting surface can, however, also be part of a light source, preferably a light diode. The fiber-optic light conductor can be introduced in various ways into the optic system. According to the invention, the optic system can be designed such that the fiber-optic light conductor is introduced between the first lens and each further lens into the optic system. However, it is also possible according to the invention that the fiber-optic light conductor is introduced through the further lenses into the optic system. A hose for the immersion fluid is advantageously guided parallel with the fiber-optic light conductor, which hose terminates on the concave side of the first lens.
However, the purpose can also be attained in such a manner that a semitransparent reflection surface is inserted between the first and the second lens, the main plane of which reflection surface is inclined approximately 45° with respect to the optic axis of the optic system, that a lateral light inlet into the optic system is provided in the area of the reflection surface, whereby the semitransparent reflection surface can be deflected into the viewing direction.
The semitransparent reflection surface can be formed either by a mirror or by at least one prism. The semitransparent reflection surface can according to the invention be arched.
At least one lens can be inserted according to the invention between the reflection surface and the light inlet, whereby we are preferably dealing with a collective lens.
It is advantageous for both solutions of the purposes that the lenses and the further details of the optic system are assembled releasably in one housing, and that also the housing is sealed off and is protected against stray-light entry. It is particularly advantageous when the first lens is a concave-convex lens and one single further lens is a biconvex lens.
In order to be able to guarantee the reuse during surgeries, it is particularly advantageous when the optic system can be sterilized and/or autoclaved. The optic system can according to the invention be enlarged by means of a mounted holder for additional lenses. Furthermore, the optic system can be provided with an image-viewing and/or image-receiving device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3589800 (1971-06-01), Cardona
patent: 5822036 (1998-10-01), Massie et al.
Flynn ,Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.
Manuel George
Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
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