Intraocular data display device

• US 5,969,791 A
• Filed: 09/23/1998
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Laboratories Incorporated (Alcon Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rowe, T. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/159,020
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 351/205, 351/245, 351/246, 600/162, 385/2, 385/4, 385/5, 385/27, 359/368, 359/656, 359/657, 359/658, 359/659
• US Class Current: 351/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/13 Ophthalmic microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/37 Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation

Abstract

An intraocular data display device having an N×M display with each row (N) and column (M) of the display confined by a planar waveguide array. The waveguides will form uniform pixel size anywhere on the display and ensure uniform pixel luminance across the display.

Claims

1. A display device for use with an ocular of a microscope, comprising:

a) a substrate;

b) a planar waveguide array formed on or in a host material, the planar waveguide array being applied to the substrate; and

c) a plurality of laser diode arrays arranged on at least two sides of the planar waveguide array, each of the laser diode arrays producing different wavelengths of light;

wherein the display device is incorporated into a microscope.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a filter coating.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising an image intensity detector located in the ocular between the substrate and an image being viewed.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the host materials comprise rare earth doped halide and/or chalcogenide glasses.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises an optical quality window.

6. A display device for use with an ocular of a microscope, comprising:

a) a substrate;

b) a planar waveguide array formed on or in a host material, the planar waveguide array being applied to the substrate;

c) a plurality of laser diode arrays arranged on at least two sides of the planar waveguide array, each of the laser diode arrays producing different wavelengths of light and being controlled by a drive electronics system; and

d) an image intensity detector located in the ocular between the substrate and an image being viewed;

wherein the display device is incorporated into a microscope.

7. A method of manufacturing a display device for use with an ocular of a microscope, comprising the steps of:

a) fabricating an array of planar waveguides on or in a host material;

b) applying the planar waveguides to a substrate;

c) arranging a plurality of laser diode arrays on at least two sides of the planar waveguide array, each of the laser diode arrays producing different wavelengths of light and being controlled by a drive electronics system; and

d) locating an image intensity detector in the ocular between the substrate and an image being viewed.