Indirectly illuminating ophthalmological speculum

• US 5,054,906 A
• Filed: 01/17/1986
• Issued: 10/08/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nelson Tool & Machine Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SSI Divestiture, Inc. (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Lyons, William G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dzierzynski, Paul M.
• Application Number:
  US06/819,675
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• Field of Search: 351/205, 128/3, 128/4, 128/6, 128/11, 128/20, 128/18
• US Class Current: 351/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0231 for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0008 provided with illuminating means A61B3/117 takes precedence; goniolenses used for laser treatment A61F9/009; illuminating means for optical instruments G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/12 for looking at the eye fundus, e.g. ophthalmoscopes A61B3/13 takes precedence

Abstract

An ophthalmological apparatus for opening the eyelids to permit access to the eye, and for illuminating the eye, primarily suited for ophthalmological procedures upon the surface of the eye. In one embodiment, a pair of optical fibers is provided along the arms of a speculum.

Claims

1. Ophthalmological apparatus comprising:

means for urging a pair of eyelids open without obstructing access to the eye so that a surgical procedure may be performed thereon; and

eye illuminating means mounted to said eyelid opening means positioned to direct light substantially tangential to the surface of an eye.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said eye illuminating means includes an optical fiber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said eye illuminating means includes a plurality of optical fibers.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said eyelid opening means includes

a first arm;

a second arm pivotally connected to said first arm;

means for urging said first and second arms apart, mounted to the arms; and

means for regulating the separation of said first arm from said second arm.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said eyelid opening means includes

a first arm;

a second arm pivotally connected to said first arm;

means for urging said first and second arms apart, mounted to the arms; and

means for restricting the separation of said first arm from said second arm.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a first optical fiber is rigidly affixed to said first arm;

and

a second optical fiber is flexibly affixed to said second arm, so that said second optical fiber permits pivotal motion of said second arm about said first arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said eye illuminating means includes means for detachably connecting to a light source.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said eye illuminating means includes means for detachably connecting to a light source.