Magnifying spectacles with variable focus, variable magnification factor and automatic parallax compensation

• US 5,971,540 A
• Filed: 03/06/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte Ltd. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Austria Gesellschaft
• Inventors: Ofner, Anton Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/036,335
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 351/200, 351/237, 351/239, 351/243, 351/57, 351/59, 351/158, 396/121, 396/123, 359/481
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/20 Surgical microscopes characterised by non-optical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/088 Lens systems mounted to spectacles

Abstract

Magnifying spectacles for surgical use have an automatic focusing device, a device for automatically altering the magnification factor and a device for automatic parallax compensation corresponding to the current focal length. During surgical operations, alteration of the working distance is commonly necessary due to the positions of different operating sites. Automatic adaptation of the focal length and the parallax angle allows optimum optical configuration to be reached without the need for the surgeon to use his hands. Focusing can be adjusted using a foot switch.

Claims

1. A magnifying surgical spectacle system comprising

first and second optical systems for concurrent use with right and left eyes, each optical system having a lens system with a movable part for focus adjustment and movable parts for zoom adjustment;

means for pivotally connecting said first and second optical systems for relative swiveling movement to adjust parallax between said systems;

drive means for concurrently changing said zoom adjustment in said first and second optical systems;

means for changing said parallax adjustment between said optical systems;

means for changing focus adjustments of said optical systems;

a single drive motor for changing focus and parallax; and

mechanical coupling means between said means for changing parallax adjustments and said means for changing focus adjustments whereby said single motor concurrently changes focus and parallax.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said mechanical coupling means comprises a plate driven by said single drive motor along a central axis of said optical systems, said plate carrying said means for changing said parallax adjustment and said means for changing focus.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said means for changing focus comprises a slot and pin coupling engaging said optical system at each of two sides of said plate.

4. A system according to claim 1 and including a foot switch for actuating said single drive motor.