Optics: measuring and testing – Sample – specimen – or standard holder or support – Fluid containers
Reexamination Certificate
2011-01-18
2011-01-18
Nguyen, Sang (Department: 2886)
Optics: measuring and testing
Sample, specimen, or standard holder or support
Fluid containers
C356S627000, C073S293000, C378S051000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07872746
ABSTRACT:
A continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system is provided by embodiments of the present invention. This continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system includes a unique fluid level sensor having a point light source, parabolic reflector, sensor array, and detection, processing and control system. The point light source illumines a parabolic reflector wherein the point light source is located at the focus of the parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector reflects light from the point light source to produce a parallel light curtain. This parallel light curtain is parallel to an axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflector. The parallel light curtain illumines a chamber such as a chamber in an ophthalmic surgical device used to contain surgical fluid. The sensor array coupled to the chamber detects the parallel light curtain illuminating the chamber. The sensor array provides an output to a detection/processing/control system in order to determine the fluid level within the chamber. This optical method of determining the surgical fluid levels may be advantageous in that it prevents physical contamination of the surgical fluids.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3809891 (1974-05-01), Erdman et al.
patent: 3976380 (1976-08-01), Rottenkolber et al.
patent: 4009966 (1977-03-01), Craig
patent: 4196961 (1980-04-01), Walter et al.
patent: 4274740 (1981-06-01), Eidenschink et al.
patent: 4286880 (1981-09-01), Young
patent: 4395258 (1983-07-01), Wang et al.
patent: 4402609 (1983-09-01), Fetzer et al.
patent: 4493695 (1985-01-01), Cook
patent: 4594533 (1986-06-01), Snook et al.
patent: 4627833 (1986-12-01), Cook
patent: 4665391 (1987-05-01), Spani
patent: 4713051 (1987-12-01), Steppe et al.
patent: 4758238 (1988-07-01), Sundblom et al.
patent: 4775991 (1988-10-01), Staudinger et al.
patent: 4790816 (1988-12-01), Sundblom et al.
patent: 4798580 (1989-01-01), DeMeo et al.
patent: 5008530 (1991-04-01), Ball
patent: 5080457 (1992-01-01), Fetzer et al.
patent: 5267956 (1993-12-01), Beuchat
patent: 5364342 (1994-11-01), Beuchat et al.
patent: 5424756 (1995-06-01), Ho et al.
patent: 5747824 (1998-05-01), Jung et al.
patent: 6226081 (2001-05-01), Fantone et al.
patent: 6974948 (2005-12-01), Brent
patent: 7589340 (2009-09-01), Dancs et al.
patent: 1297347 (1969-06-01), None
patent: 3030259 (1982-02-01), None
patent: 0544945 (1993-06-01), None
patent: 0777111 (1997-06-01), None
patent: WO9920983 (1999-04-01), None
Peter Weber, Optischer Sensor mibt fullstande in Glasrohen, Feinwerktechnik & Messtechnik, Jan. 1999, pp. 31-33, vol. 99, No. 1/2, Hanser, Munchen, DE.
European Search Report for Application No. 07123297.9, Publication No. 1935383, Published Jun. 25, 2008, 3 pages.
Agahi Daryush
Gao Shawn X.
Rowe T. Scott
Williams David Lloyd
Alcon Inc.
Nguyen Sang
Prejean Jonathan E.
LandOfFree
Single light source uniform parallel light curtain does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Single light source uniform parallel light curtain, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Single light source uniform parallel light curtain will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2619879