US3780979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable fundus illumination
Assignee: CLINITEX Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-12
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-05-12
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are provided for wide angle illumination of the fundus of the eye. Even illumination of the fundus is obtained by adjustment of the input light to the optical fibers which controls the light beam transmitted from the fibers and the intensity and distribution thereof on the fundus.
Inventors
- 👤 Guillebon H De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/12; A61B3/125; A61B3/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for illuminating the fundus of the eye comprising projecting light rays through a plurality of transparent optical fibers into the fundus of the eye and varying the acceptance angle Alpha of the light entering the receiving end of said fibers to change the intensity of the light exiting from the transmitting end of said fibers to control the quality of the illumination of said fundus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for illuminating the fundus of the eye comprising projecting light rays through a plurality of transparent optical fibers into the fundus of the eye and varying the acceptance angle Alpha of the light entering the receiving end of said fibers to change the intensity of the light exiting from the transmitting end of said fibers to control the quality of the illumination of said fundus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the acceptance angle Alpha of light entering the receiving end of said fibers is varied to change the transmittal angle Beta of the light transmitted by said fibers, to control the quality of illumination of said fundus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (the size of the illuminated areas on said fundus from each fiber is controlled to prevent excessive overlapping thereof) said acceptance angle Alpha is varied to control the size of illuminated areas from each fiber on the funduS of the eye to prevent excessive overlap thereof and to prevent significant gaps between said illuminated areas to obtain uniform fundus illumination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the acceptance angle is controlled by changing the relative distance between light source and lens to change the input light beam to project said light at different acceptance angles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the acceptance angle is controlled by varying the aperture of a diaphragm placed between said light source and the input end of the optical fiber bundle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a filter which selectively admits desired light patterns therethrough is placed in the path of the input light beam before the input end of said fibers to change the acceptance angle Alpha thereof, to vary the intensity of illumination of desired areas on said fundus.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for evenly illuminating the fundus of the eye comprising a light source for projecting a light beam, an optical fiber bundle having a light receiving end for receiving said beam and a light transmitting end for transmitting said beam into said eye and illuminating the fundus thereof and means to vary the acceptance angle Alpha of the light transmitted to said receiving end to vary the intensity of the light beamed to the fundus, to control the quality of the illumination thereof.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for evenly illuminating the fundus of the eye comprising a light source for projecting a light beam, an optical fiber bundle having a light receiving end for receiving said beam and a light transmitting end for transmitting said beam into said eye and illuminating the fundus thereof and means to vary the acceptance angle Alpha of the light transmitted to said receiving end to vary the intensity of the light beamed to the fundus, to control the quality of the illumination thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said transmitting end is connected to a contact lens for holding said end in close contact with said eye.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said transmitting end has said fibers contacting said lens in an annular ring of diameter Phi which encloses a portal for observation of said fundus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 having a bundle of optical fibers of large numerical aperture and a diaphragm positioned between said light source and the receiving end of said bundle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 7 having a diaphragm interposed between said light source and said receiving end and means for adjusting said diaphragm to vary the acceptance angle of the light beamed to said receiving end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 7 having means for relatively moving at least one lens positioned between said light source and said receiving end to vary the acceptance angle of the light beamed to said receiving end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 7 having a filter which selectively admits desired light patterns therethrough, placed between said light source and said receiving end to vary the acceptance angle Alpha thereof and vary the intensity of illumination of desired areas on said fundus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |