Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Eye examining or testing instrument – Objective type
Patent
1982-01-08
1985-03-12
Bovernick, Rodney B.
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Eye examining or testing instrument
Objective type
351214, 351221, A61B 314
Patent
active
045041296
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to optical apparatus used for examination of the human eye, commonly known as a "slit lamp", and more particularly relates to apparatus for adapting commercially-available slit lamps into a unit which is capable of photographing the eye during an examination while completely maintaining the original utility of the slit lamp.
2. Background of Invention
An optical apparatus, commonly known in the art as a slit lamp, is routinely used by ophthalmologists and/or optometrists to examine the human eye. A slit lamp provides an illumination beam having a slit image of varying widths and includes a microscope for examining the area of the eye illuminated by the beam. The illumination beam is normally directed toward the eye along a horizontal optical axis by reflecting a vertical illumination beam with a 45.degree. reflecting mirror.
In recent years, a desire, if not a need, has arisen to record on film certain aspects of a slit lamp eye examination to aid the examiner in later treatment of the eye and/or to provide him with a permanent visual history of a patient's eye condition. To provide the high quality photographs desired for these purposes, special slit lamps having built-in photographic capabilities have been developed and are now commercially available. However, these "photo slit lamps" are especially designed and must be purchased as a complete new unit. Since most presently practicing ophthalmologists and optometrists already own one or more standard slit lamps, it can be seen that considerable expense would be involved in converting over to these special photography slit lamps. Further, since the examiner is familiar with dioptric settings, etc., of his own slit lamp and is comfortable with its use, the purchase of a new photography slit lamp requires him to start over in establishing his examination procedures and in gaining confidence therein.
Other devices have been proposed for adapting existing, standard slit lamps so that they may also be used to take photographs of the eye. One such device comprises a sleeve which merely attached a camera to the ocular of the slit lamp. Unfortunately, however, the illumination of the standard slit lamp is not sufficient under normal conditions to permit the taking of high-quality photographs. Further, the sleeve is relatively difficult to attach to and detach from the slit lamp which may cause delays in a routine examination. Still further, proper focusing of the camera once it is in position involves a relatively complicated procedure requiring considerable time and effort on the part of the examiner. Still further, the ocular, itself, must support the entire weight of the camera.
Another known adaptor device merely involves mounting an arm on the slit lamp which carries a camera with a flash attachment thereon for photographing the anterior portions of the eye. In addition to requiring the normally present tonometer to be removed from the slit lamp each time a picture is to be taken, the picture itself is not taken through the ocular of the lamp and accordingly does not record what is being seen by the examiner.
Therefore, it should be recognized that a need exists for a means by which an existing slit lamp can be adapted into a unit capable of taking high quality photographs through the ocular of the slit lamp while, at the same time, allowing the slit lamp to maintain all of its original features necessary for performing a routine eye examination without requiring the constant assembling and disassembling of parts during an examination.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a means for adapting a commercially-available slit lamp into a unit capable of being used for routine eye examinations and also capable of taking high quality photographs of what is being viewed through an ocular of the slit lamp. The present invention comprises an assembly of several components which can be quickly and easily installed onto a commercial slit lamp and indefinitely left in place on the slit lamp
REFERENCES:
patent: 3944342 (1976-03-01), Martinez
Topcon, Tokyo Optical, Tokyo, Japan.
Bovernick Rodney B.
Dzierzynski P. M.
Faulconer Drude
LandOfFree
Photography adaptor assembly for a slit lamp examination unit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Photography adaptor assembly for a slit lamp examination unit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Photography adaptor assembly for a slit lamp examination unit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-704847