Fiber optic video glasses and projection system

• US 5,414,459 A
• Filed: 11/26/1993
• Issued: 05/09/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bullwinkel, Paul
• Original Assignee: Bullwinkel, Paul
• Inventors: Bullwinkel, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Rogers, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/158,626
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 348/804, 348/836, 348/53, 348/359, 348/54, 348/51, 348/77, 128/653.2
• US Class Current: 348/53
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/111 for measuring interpupillary distance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/14 Mirrors; Prisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/344 with head-mounted left-right displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/346 using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors

Abstract

The instant invention is a display system that provides visual stimuli to a patient who is undergoing diagnostic treatment within a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The system utilizes a pair of lightweight fiber optic video glasses having a hollow chamber wherein a prism with mirrors splits a visual image supplied through a fiber optic cable connected to an LCD projector. The projector uses a series of lenses for coupling a signal received from a video interface which monitors the use of an external VCR or television utilizing a standard NTSC format video signal. The visual image is projected onto the inner surface of reflective lenses which allows the patient to view the image as well as see through the lens providing a HUD type display.

Claims

1. A display system providing visual stimuli to a patient while lying in a horizontal position within a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, said system comprising:

a video interface having at least one input and at least one output, said input available for coupling to at least one video device capable of providing an NTSC output;

at least one projector coupled to said output of said video interface converting said output into a visual image;

at least one flexible fiber optic image guide coupled to said projector;

means for coupling said visual image from the output of said projector into a first end of at least one said image guide; and

facial mounted glasses coupled to a second end of at least one said fiber optic image guide available for positioning directly over each eye providing visual stimuli discernable thereto as transferred through said image guide, said glasses comprising;

a U-shaped hollow housing having at least one input end and a first and second display end;

means for coupling each said input end to said fiber optic image guide;

a first and second diffuser faceplates;

mirror means disposed in each said first and second display end for reflecting said visual image respectively directed through said first and second diffuser faceplates; and

a first and second combiner lens having an inner surface for reflection of said visual image respectively reflected from said first and second mirror means, one said combiner lens and one corresponding said mirror means being available for positioning directly over each eye of a human providing visual stimuli discernable thereto through said first and second display end whereby said visual image is viewable.

2. The system according to claim 1 including a monitor operatively associated with said video interface displaying said visual image.

3. The system according to claim 1 including a lens on the end of said image guide.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said video interface includes a means for controlling said visual image.

5. The system according to claim 1 including a means for providing audio sound in combination with said visual image.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said glasses are coupled to two independent image guides.

7. The facial mounted glasses according to claim 1 including a means for splitting said visual images;

and a first and second reflecting means for transferring said visual image into said first and second display end of said housing.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein said combiner lens is transparent having reflective qualities.

9. A facial mounted glasses comprising:

a housing having a chamber therein providing an input end and a first and second display end, said input end available for coupling to a fiber optic image guide for receipt of visual images;

a means for splitting visual images introduced into said input end into two separate images;

a first and second reflecting means for transferring said two separate images around an angular curve respectively into said first and second display end of said housing;

a first and second diffuser means positioned so as to receive said visual images from said means for splitting respectively by said first and second reflecting means;

a first and second mirror means respectively disposed in said first and second display end for respectively transferring said visual image from said first and second diffuser means;

a first and second combiner lens having an inner surface for reflection of said visual image transferred from said first and second mirror means respectively, one said combiner lens and one corresponding said mirror means being available for positioning directly over each eye providing visual stimuli discernable thereto, each one said combiner lens and one said mirror means allowing viewing of said visual stimuli transferred onto said combiner lens.

10. The glasses according to claim 9 wherein said means for splitting is defined as a moveable prism.

11. The glasses according to claim 9 wherein said means for reflecting is defined as a plurality of mirrors disposed cooperatively within said chamber to transfer said visual image into said first and second display end of said housing.

12. The glasses according to claim 11 wherein at least one mirror reflects said visual image from said means for splitting into a parallel plane to said visual image as received from said input end.

13. The glasses according to claim 9 wherein said mirror means is further defined as a fold mirror having uni-direction transparent qualities.

14. The glasses according to claim 9 including a means for adjusting said means for splitting for accommodating inter-pupillary positioning.

15. The glasses according to claim 9 including a means for adjusting the position of said first and second combiner lens to accommodate near or far sighted patients.

16. The glasses according to claim 9 wherein each said combiner lens has a reflective coating.

17. The glasses according to claim 9 wherein said combiner lens is transparent having reflective qualities.

18. A display system providing visual stimuli to a patient while lying in a horizontal position within a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, said system comprising:

a video interface having at least one input and at least one output, said input available for coupling to a video imaging device capable of providing a video output;

a colored liquid crystal display projector coupled to said output of said video interface converting said output into a visual image;

a flexible fiber optic image guide coupled to said projector;

means for coupling said visual image into a first end of at least one said image guide;

a facial mounted glasses having an input end coupled to a second end of at least one said image guide for receipt of said visual image, and a first and second display end;

a moveable prism for splitting said visual image into two separate images;

a first and second reflecting means for transferring said visual image into said first and second display end of said glasses;

a first and second diffuser means;

a first and second fold mirror means disposed in each said first and second display end for transferring said visual image; and

a first and second combiner lens having an inner surface for reflection of said visual image, one said combiner lens and one said reflecting fold mirror available for positioning directly over each eye providing visual stimuli discernable thereto, each one said combiner lens and one said fold mirror allowing viewing of said visual stimuli transferred onto said combiner lens.