Illuminated Patents (Class 351/243)
  • Patent number: 11950845
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatus for accurate identification of the visual axis of the eye. In one embodiment, a visual axis identification system includes a fixation light source, a camera, a processing system, and a multifocal lens. The patient focuses their gaze through the multifocal lens and onto a fixation light beam provided by the fixation light source. The passage of the fixation light beam through the multifocal lens creates two or more images on or near to the patient's retina. The multifocal lens and/or the patient's eye are then moved relative to each other while the patient continuously maintains their gaze on the fixation light beam. The patient's visual axis may be located by determining the location of the optical center of the multifocal trial lens relative to the patient's eye when the centers of the multiple images coincide on the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Zsolt Bor
  • Patent number: 11896376
    Abstract: Systems and methods to determine if an individual is impaired. The system includes a display and a stimulus on the display. The system include a controller that is programmed to move the stimulus about the display and one or more sensors that track eye movements and pupil size of a user due to movement of the stimulus or light conditions. The system includes a processor programmed to analyze the eye movements and pupil data size. The method includes using a testing apparatus and collecting data from the testing apparatus. The method includes storing the collected data. The method includes processing the data with an automated impairment decision engine to determine whether a test subject is impaired. The method may include using machine learning models or statistical analysis to determine whether a test subject is impaired. The automated impairment decision engine may be trained using machine learning and/or statistical analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Gaize
    Inventors: Kenneth Hunter Fichtler, Robert Nelson Lass
  • Patent number: 11744456
    Abstract: A dynamic visual acuity measuring device includes a projector projecting an index image pattern, a reflecting mirror reflecting light from the projector, a screen receiving light from the reflecting mirror and displaying the index image pattern, a movable casing holding and maintaining relative positions of the projector, the reflecting mirror, and the screen, a fixed casing supporting the movable casing, and a rotating shaft linking the movable casing rotatably to the fixed casing. In this device, the index image pattern displayed on the screen is moved in one direction by the reflecting mirror being displaced and a direction of movement of the index image pattern is changed in a coordinate system fixed to the fixed casing by the rotating shaft being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD
    Inventor: Akihiko Kandori
  • Patent number: 11717158
    Abstract: A slit lamp microscope of the present invention, which is capable of observing a meibomian gland, comprises: a visible light source for emitting slit light; an infrared light source for emitting infrared light, the infrared light source being disposed on a light path of the slit light emitted from the visible light source; a mirror unit including a reflecting mirror or a prism for reflecting the slit light from the visible light source or the infrared light from the infrared light source to irradiate an eye of a subject; and a switching unit for switching the position of the visible light source and the infrared light source, the switching unit being capable of directing one of the visible light source and the infrared light source toward the light path of the slit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TAKAGI SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nara, Yusuke Yabana, Masayuki Hidai
  • Patent number: 11676352
    Abstract: Adaptive Control Driven System/ACDS 99, supports visual enhancement, mitigation of challenges and with basic image modification algorithms and any known hardware from contact lenses to IOLs to AR hardware glasses, and enables users to enhance vision with user interface based on a series of adjustments that are applied to move, modify, or reshape image sets and components with full advantage of the remaining useful retinal area, thus addressing aspects of visual challenges heretofore inaccessible by devices which learn needed adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Eyedaptic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Watola, Jay E. Cormier, Brian Kim
  • Patent number: 11583178
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for determining contrast sensitivity function in a subject without requiring perceptual report by the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Burke Neurological Institute
    Inventors: Glen Prusky, Scott William Joseph Mooney, Nicholas Jeremy Hill
  • Patent number: 11534061
    Abstract: A subjective optometry apparatus includes an optometry unit having an optical member, being located in front of a subject eye, and changing optical characteristics of a target light flus with using the optical member, and a measurement optical system that has a light projecting optical system for applying measurement light emitted from a measurement light source to a fundus of the subject eye through the optometry unit, and a light receiving optical system in which a detector receives reflected light of the measurement light reflected on the fundus of the subject eye through the optometry unit, and that objectively measures the optical characteristics of the subject eye. An optical axis of the measurement optical system is set to be off-axis from an optical axis of the optical member in the optometry unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michihiro Takii, Yukito Hirayama
  • Patent number: 11336838
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to: set a luminance adjustment mode to one of a first luminance adjustment mode that performs luminance adjustment with preset sensitivity and a second luminance adjustment mode that has sensitivity of the luminance adjustment lower than the sensitivity of the first luminance adjustment mode and suppresses luminance of a high luminance region based on an observation state of an imager configured to capture a target; and perform the luminance adjustment in the set luminance adjustment mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11229356
    Abstract: Evaluation of the perception of colors by mammals with a view to obtaining a characteristic biomarker of each tested subject takes advantage of the slow pupillary oscillatory response to generate an objective neurological signature of this perception of colors. A method based on pupil frequency tagging is used at a tagging frequency Ftag adapted to the pupil response speed. A dynamic two-color stimulus is displayed, this stimulus comprising a two-color pattern the colors of which are inverted at the frequency Ftag, one of the colors gradually varying in a range of possible values. From the pupillary response, a signal representative of the oscillation power of the pupil is generated. The minimum of this signal corresponds to the relative iso-luminance of the tested pair of colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: INSTITUT DU CERVEAU ET DE LA MOELLE EPINIERE (ICM), CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RACHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS), INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE (INSERM), ASSISTANCE PUBLIQUE-HOPITAUX DE PARIS (AP-HP), SORBONNE UNIVERSITE
    Inventors: Pierre Pouget, Pierre Daye, Jean Lorenceau
  • Patent number: 11141058
    Abstract: Provided is a technique with which it is possible to measure a subject's reaction by moving a visual target object in an arbitrarily defined direction as well as a horizontal direction. A dynamic visual acuity measuring device includes a projector projecting an index image pattern, a reflecting mirror reflecting light from the projector, a screen receiving light from the reflecting mirror and displaying the index image pattern, a movable casing holding and maintaining relative positions of the projector, the reflecting mirror, and the screen, a fixed casing supporting the movable casing, and a rotating shaft linking the movable casing rotatably to the fixed casing. In this device, the index image pattern displayed on the screen is moved in one direction by the reflecting mirror being displaced and a direction of movement of the index image pattern is changed in a coordinate system fixed to the fixed casing by the rotating shaft being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventor: Akihiko Kandori
  • Patent number: 11045085
    Abstract: An optometry device for testing an individual's eye includes: a casing; an imaging module located in the casing and adapted to produce a light beam directed to the individual's eye; and a refraction module adapted to provide a variable optical correction to the individual's eye looking there through into the casing. The optometry device includes an illumination system adapted to produce a variable ambient light level inside the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Michel Nauche, Stéphane Boutinon, Vincent Tejedor Del Rio, Joel Batisse, Christophe Condat, Pierre Rolland, Didier Grand-Clement
  • Patent number: 10893823
    Abstract: Apparatus for the assessment of electrophysiological signals obtained from a patient, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a support arch pivotally mounted to the housing, the support arch comprising a plurality of facial contact point supports for supporting contact points on the face of the patient relative to the support arch without supporting the chin of the patient; at least one display screen for presenting a stimulus to a single eye of the patient, the at least one display screen being movable relative to the support arch; and control electronics disposed within the housing for driving the at least one display screen and for amplifying electrophysiological signals obtained from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Diagnosys LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Doran, Marc Chabot
  • Patent number: 10799112
    Abstract: A computer-readable medium includes computer-executable instructions that cause a processing unit of a user device to instruct a user to stand a predetermined distance from the user device, acquire an image of the user, and determine a user interpupillary distance based on the acquired image. The user interpupillary distance indicates a distance between the user's pupils in terms of pixels. The computer-executable instructions further cause the processing unit to determine a current distance between the user and the user device based on the user interpupillary distance, a predetermined interpupillary distance, a width of the acquired image in terms of pixels, and a field of view of the camera. Additionally, the computer-executable instructions cause the processing unit to display the current distance between the user and the user device on a display and display an eye chart when the determined current distance is equal to the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SIMPLE CONTACT, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Predham, David Quigley, Nicholas Ficano, Joel Wishkovsky
  • Patent number: 10792557
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a memory puzzle are provided. In one aspect, a memory puzzle system receives a selection of puzzle parameters via a first user interface. The memory puzzle system can obtain a plurality of media files associated with the puzzle parameters, and determine an order in which to play the plurality of media files. The memory puzzle system can also generate user interface data that, when rendered, causes a client system to display a second user interface that plays the plurality of media files in the determined order. The memory puzzle system can obtain thumbnails associated with the plurality of media files that are displayed in the second user interface after playback of the plurality of media files is complete. The memory puzzle system can receive an ordered selection of the thumbnails, and generate a score based at least partly on the ordered selection of the thumbnails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Gemiini Educational Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Laura Marie Kasbar
  • Patent number: 10779722
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method for photobleaching an eye of a subject. The disclosed method may be used in a number of psychophysical test methods, including, but not limited to, measurement of dark adaptation. The improved method for photobleaching involves at least one of the following improvements: (i) the use of a bleaching light emitting a particular wavelength of light or a tailored spectrum of wavelengths; (ii) restricting or otherwise spatially tailoring the region of the retina that is subject to photobleaching; and (iii) utilizing a bleaching light having an intensity that is at or below the intensity of ambient daylight. The present disclosure additionally provides a combination of a photobleaching light and an apparatus to administer a psychophysical test suitable for use in practicing the disclosed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: John G. Edwards, Gregory R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 10485703
    Abstract: Operations of a laser treatment apparatus are facilitated. A laser treatment apparatus of an embodiment includes an illumination system, observation system, irradiation system, illumination-area changing part, irradiation-condition setting part and controller. The illumination system illuminates an eye fundus. The observation system is used for observing the fundus illuminated. The irradiation system irradiates aiming light of a preset pattern and treatment light consisting of laser light of a pattern determined based on the preset pattern onto the fundus. The illumination-area changing part is used for changing an illumination area of the fundus by the illumination system. The irradiation-condition setting part sets irradiation condition of the aiming light and/or treatment light from the irradiation system. The controller controls the illumination-area changing part based on the set irradiation condition to change the illumination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Nomura, Hideharu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10405742
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in establishing a correction for correcting heterotropia or heterophoria is disclosed. The apparatus tests a prescription for correcting the heterotropia or heterophoria before the prescription is actually realized. The apparatus includes a simulation device with an input interface, a generator unit, and a viewing device. The input interface receives diagnostic data, classification data, and magnitude data concerning the heterotropia or heterophoria, and prescription data indicating a suitable prism. The generator unit generates a right simulation image for the right eye and a left simulation image for the left eye, wherein the right and left simulation images each represent the same object or scene looked at by the respective viewing angles of the eyes. The viewing device has separate displays or display sections for displaying the simulation image to the right eye and the left eye of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH
    Inventors: Maria Jose Barraza-Bernal, Siegfried Wahl
  • Patent number: 10299672
    Abstract: A subjective optometric apparatus includes: a projection optical system that includes a target presenting unit configured to emit a target light flux, the projection optical system being configured to project, onto an examinee's eye, the target light flux emitted from the target presenting unit; a housing configured to accommodate the projection optical system; a presentation window configured to project the target light flux onto the examinee's eye by transmitting the target light flux emitted from the projection optical system and outputting the target light flux from an inside of the housing to an outside of the housing; and an observation unit configured to observe, via the presentation window, a positional relationship between the examinee's eye and an eye refractivity measuring unit configured to change an optical property of the target light flux output from the inside of the housing to the outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Shibata, Ryoji Suzuki, Yukito Hirayama, Hidenori Kanda
  • Patent number: 10182713
    Abstract: A monitor/display is used to display a vision test. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor/display during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor/display to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting vision testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's vision under such circumstances and provides an indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem. An assembly allows an existing vision testing system to be easily modified to provide glare light testing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: M&S TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Butler
  • Patent number: 10117478
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure with a sole member. The sole member can be manufactured using a system that modifies the heel cushioning of the sole member over a series of footwear purchases. The modifications can be configured to correspond to a customer's evaluation of the heel cushioning previously purchased. The sole member can include a set of apertures that are formed along various surfaces of the sole member to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the sole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Patent number: 10028653
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described that can facilitate automated administration of a low contrast visual acuity test to a user. The low contrast visual acuity test can be administered using a display device and a computing device. The computing device can score results of the low contrast visual acuity test and determine a visual status of the user based on the score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Jay L. Alberts, Robert Bermel, Stephen Rao, David D. Schindler
  • Patent number: 10032202
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing articles of footwear that includes steps of providing articles to a customer, receiving evaluations of one or more structural characteristics of the articles and making new customized articles for the customer based on the evaluations of one or more structural characteristics. The method can be conducted as a cycle that is repeated each time the customer buys a new pair of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Cook, Shane S. Kohatsu, Bret Schoolmeester, Daniel T. Rowe
  • Patent number: 9883793
    Abstract: In some example implementations, there is provided a method. The method may include determining a probabilistic model representing threshold sensitivities across the visual field, the probabilistic model determined based on the data, the connection strengths, and the noise values. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed. In some implementations, the probabilistic model may include a continuous probability distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp Benner, Tobias Elze, Peter Bex
  • Patent number: 9820644
    Abstract: A monitor/display is used to display a vision test. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor/display during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor/display to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting vision testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's vision under such circumstances and provides an Indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem. An assembly allows an existing vision testing system to be easily modified to provide glare light testing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: M&S TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Butler
  • Patent number: 9788715
    Abstract: An optotype presenting apparatus that is capable of carrying out examinations accurately is provided. An optotype presenting apparatus includes a display and a controller. The display includes left eye optotype display regions and right eye optotype display regions. The left eye optotype display regions output light having a first polarization axis. The right eye optotype display regions output light having a second polarization axis orthogonal to the first polarization axis. The left eye optotype display regions and the right eye optotype display regions are alternately arranged along pixel lines. The controller is capable of displaying a plurality of optotypes selectively on the display. Further, the controller controls the display based on a type of an optotype displayed on the display to change display luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventor: Tomohiro Sakurada
  • Patent number: 9731092
    Abstract: A light treatment apparatus for simulating a psychophysical borderline experience comprises a light emitting apparatus for emitting light perceivable by the human eye as well as a control apparatus for controlling the light emission apparatus. Said light emission apparatus has at least one permanent light source as well as at least one flickering light source whose flickering light can be superimposed on the permanent light of the permanent light source in the region of a treatment area, with the control apparatus having a frequency control circuit which increases or reduces the frequency of the flickering light source from a starting frequency to a target frequency in at least one acceleration or deceleration passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Engelbert Winkler, Dirk Proeckl
  • Patent number: 9700201
    Abstract: Data is received characterizing a result of a first visual sensitivity test assessing capacity to detect spatial form across one or more different target sizes, and different contrasts. Using the received data, one or more first parameters defining a first estimated visual sensitivity for a first range of contrasts and a second range of spatial frequencies is determined. One or more second parameters defining a second estimated visual sensitivity for a third range of contrasts and a fourth range of spatial frequencies is determined using the one or more first parameters and a statistical inference by at least presenting a first visual stimulus, receiving a response, and determining a second visual stimulus based at least on the response and at least a rule. The one or more second parameters is provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignees: The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc., The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Peter Bex, Michael Dorr, Luis Lesmes, Zhong-Lin Lu
  • Patent number: 9595126
    Abstract: A solution for targeting a visual function of an observer is provided. The solution presents an animation for display to an observer. The animation includes a background and at least a portion of the animation also includes one or more foreground areas, each of which is located in a portion of the background. The background and the foreground area(s) include a set of common attributes substantially continuously changing during the animation and at least one different attribute between the background and the foreground area. At least one attribute of the background changes randomly during the animation. The at least one different attribute targets the visual function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Konan Medical USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 9462940
    Abstract: An optometric apparatus includes an optotype presenting optical system for presenting part of a plurality of optotypes corresponding to visual acuity to be measured to an examinee's eye and a visible light source for irradiating illumination light to the optotypes presented to the eye through the optotype presenting optical system. A controller is configured to execute processing of changing a light amount of the illumination light to be irradiated to the optotypes from the visible light source between a predetermined first light amount and a second light amount lower than the first light amount and processing of switching the optotypes to be presented to the eye at the time of changing the light amount of the illumination light from the first light amount to the second light amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9179835
    Abstract: The present invention is a glare tester attachment for use with a phoropter, comprising a pair of eye cups, both eye cups each comprising a wall partially enclosing a hollow interior chamber and having a viewing aperture defining a respective viewing line of sight axis for each eye cup, a portion of each wall being provided with a plurality of lights disposed around said line of sight axis. The invention may be incorporated into a phoropter or a hand-held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Alice Epitropoulos
  • Patent number: 9155461
    Abstract: A handheld vision tester and a method of self-testing vision of a user of the handheld vision tester are provided. The method ensures that a display of the handheld vision tester is within an acceptable distance to eyes of the user. Variations of the acceptable distance are compensated for. The method further displays different shapes, either dynamically or statically, on the display to the user. The method also allows for input to the handheld vision tester by the user in response to the different shapes displayed. Results of the self-test are determined from the inputs to the handheld tester by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: VITAL ART AND SCIENCE, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bartlett, Yi-Zhong Wang
  • Patent number: 9095295
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which comprises a display adapted to display a sequence of rapidly alternating images, and a keypad electrically coupled to the display, for entering a perceived sequence by a user. The device is configured to compare a perceived sequence input by the user to the displayed sequence, and to measure the speed of visual perception of the user. Also disclosed are methods of visually, non-invasively assessing an individual's speed of visual perception (visual window of integration), or detecting any changes that have occurred in the individual's speed of visual perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: David M. Eagleman, Matthew P. Fiesta, Chess A. Stetson
  • Patent number: 9098742
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for analyzing a plurality of images acquired of an eye to be inspected includes a photoreceptor cell analysis unit configured to analyze an area of each photoreceptor cell in a first image, a fundus analysis unit configured to analyze a characteristic of a fundus from a second image, an image associating unit configured to associate the first image with the second image, a characteristic value calculation unit configured to calculate a value of the characteristic for the area of the each photoreceptor cell from the association, and a display unit configured to display an image based on the value of the characteristic calculated for the each photoreceptor cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiko Yonezawa, Mitsuro Sugita, Hiroshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 9089257
    Abstract: My invention is an automated self-testing method utilizing binary choice, which is applicable to monocular and binocular eye tests and can be administered on computer, cellular phones, and other electronic devices. Binary choice of match or no match, yes or no, present or absence provides simple means of automated testing by stepwise progression through staircase algorisms. Necessary devices have been introduced in order to fully utilize the power of binary choice self testing, such as, (1) printed display overlays for testing fine visual acuity at near, (2) bright illuminator of printed overlays to allow automated potential vision testing, (3) the use of complementary color lenses and color test isopters for binocular perimetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Albert John Hofeldt
  • Publication number: 20150116667
    Abstract: A test of visual function and/or functional vision may be performed at varying luminance levels. A first course may be selected for a subject. A given course may comprise a layout having a beginning point, at least one turn, at least one obstacle, and an ending point. The first course may be illuminated with a first luminance level based on an estimated lower light sensitivity cutoff. The subject may be prompted to perform a first run of the test. The test may comprise, from the beginning point to the ending point, navigating the layout of the first course by walking around the at least one turn and avoiding the at least one obstacle. A determination may be made as to whether the subject successfully completed the first course based on one or both of speed or accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Katherine A. High, Jean Bennett, Daniel Chung, Albert Maguire, Jennifer Wellman, Sarah McCague, Gregory Podsakoff
  • Patent number: 8992022
    Abstract: A monitor is used to display a visual acuity test operated by software from an associated computer. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting acuity testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's acuity vision under such circumstances and provides an indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: M&S Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Butler
  • Patent number: 8974060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting device comprising a light concentrator device operatively associated with a light source comprising a plurality of LED devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Centervue S.p.A.
    Inventor: Andrei Plaian
  • Patent number: 8967807
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus includes: an illuminating optical system for irradiating an examinee's eye with illuminating light; an imaging optical system including an imaging device for receiving a reflected light flux from the eye, the imaging optical system having an imaging optical axis inclined with respect to an optical axis of the illuminating optical system; and a first optical member for reducing an imaging incidence angle, the imaging incidence angle being defined as an angle between a normal direction of an imaging surface of the imaging device and a principal ray of the reflected light flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuyasu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8851672
    Abstract: A fundus photographing apparatus includes: an illuminating optical system for illuminating a fundus of an examinee's eye; a focus target presenting unit for projecting a focus target for focusing to the fundus via an objective lens; a photographing element for photographing the fundus to obtain a fundus image and detect the focus target; a diaphragm in a position substantially conjugate with a pupil of the examinee's eye with the objective lens therebetween; a focusing lens moved along an optical axis to focus on the fundus; and a controlling device for moving the focusing lens along the optical axis based on a result of detection of the focus target by the photographing element with a position where a first distance from the diaphragm to the fundus is substantially equal to a second distance from an image of the diaphragm to the fundus image as a reference position of the focusing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Nanbara
  • Patent number: 8833942
    Abstract: There is provided a method of monitoring retinopathy in a subject. The method involves measuring autofluorescence of a retina of the subject in response to high intensity blue light over a total time period to obtain an autofluorescence intensity profile. The autofluorescence intensity profile is processed to assess the retinopathy status of the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Lang Zhuo, Saravana Kumar
  • Publication number: 20140211164
    Abstract: An optometric apparatus includes an optotype presenting optical system for presenting part of a plurality of optotypes corresponding to visual acuity to be measured to an examinee's eye and a visible light source for irradiating illumination light to the optotypes presented to the eye through the optotype presenting optical system. A controller is configured to execute processing of changing a light amount of the illumination light to be irradiated to the optotypes from the visible light source between a predetermined first light amount and a second light amount lower than the first light amount and processing of switching the optotypes to be presented to the eye at the time of changing the light amount of the illumination light from the first light amount to the second light amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8746885
    Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, cataracts in the human eye are assessed and mapped by measuring the perceptual impact of forward scattering on the foveal region. The same method can be used to measure scattering/blocking media inside lenses of a camera. Close-range anisotropic displays create collimated beams of light to scan through sub-apertures, scattering light as it strikes a cataract. User feedback is accepted and analyzed, to generate maps for opacity, attenuation, contrast and sub-aperture point-spread functions (PSFs). Optionally, the PSF data is used to reconstruct the individual's cataract-affected view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ramesh Raskar, Vitor Pamplona, Erick Passos, Jan Zizka
  • Patent number: 8708490
    Abstract: A method for automatically measuring at least one refractive characteristic of both eyes of a person, includes: a) adjusting at least one position of a person's head, in a reference system connected to an image capture apparatus set up to convert each captured image into a signal representing the image; b) illuminating both eyes with at least one light source, whose position is known within the reference system; c) measuring at least one sight direction parameter connected to the sight direction of the person within a reference system connected to the head thereof; d) capturing at least one retinal reflection image from the light source onto the retina of both eyes; f) determining, from the captured image in Step d), the refractive characteristic of the eyes; and h) storing the sight direction parameter in relation to the predetermined refractive characteristic during the image capture in Step c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Konogan Baranton, Bjorn Drobe
  • Patent number: 8696128
    Abstract: An optical measurement apparatus comprises an optical system (100) having a receiving axis (115). The optical system (100) comprises a source (102) that generates a probe beam that is directed to a location to be measured (114). A detector (112) of the optical system receives a reflected beam from the location to be measured (114). The apparatus also comprises a processing resource that receives an output signal from the detector (112) and makes an assessment of a characteristic of the output signal in order to determine a degree of alignment of the location to be measured (114) with the receiving axis (115) of the optical system (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lein Applied Diagnostics
    Inventors: Richard Holley, Robin Taylor
  • Patent number: 8690332
    Abstract: The present invention is a glare tester attachment for use with a conventional ophthalmic instrument, comprising a pair of eye cups, both eye cups each comprising a wall partially enclosing a hollow interior chamber and having a viewing aperture defining a respective viewing line of sight axis for each eye cup, a portion of each wall being provided with a plurality of lights disposed around said line of sight axis. The invention may be incorporated into a phoropter or a hand-held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Epico, LLC
    Inventor: Alice Epitropoulos
  • Publication number: 20140036232
    Abstract: A monitor is used to display a visual acuity test operated by software from an associated computer. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting acuity testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's acuity vision under such circumstances and provides an indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: M&S TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Butler
  • Patent number: 8596793
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for optimization of the conditions of execution of the vision contrast test and the corresponding system with which to implement said method so as to be able to guarantee optimal conditions throughout the test session even when not it is not possible to respect the standards. Furthermore, the method comprises a self-calibration procedure, which definitively eliminates the operations of calibration of the system by specialized centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: SIFI MedTech Srl
    Inventors: Cesare Tanassi, Gianluigi Meneghini, Walter Zanette
  • Patent number: 8579440
    Abstract: An eyesight testing apparatus includes an imaging device for virtual imaging a test object located within a focal length of the imaging device and imaged at different distances into eyes of a subject located in a focal point of the imaging device, an optical deflection device arranged in a beam path between the imaging device and the test object to deflect the beam path by 180°, wherein the deflection device is displaceable in the direction of the beam path and the test object is not, a monitor device that generates the test object and that comprises a single monitor, optical components lying in the beam path sized so that both eyes are able to take part in a test, and so a partial beam path is formed for each eye, and a blocking device arranged in the beam path, which comprises two LCD blocking elements for the partial beam paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Feiertag, Rainer Kirchhuebel
  • Patent number: 8550631
    Abstract: A monitor is used to display a visual acuity test operated by software from an associated computer. A patient is spaced a predetermined distance from the monitor during the testing procedure, and individual, multiple LED housings are equally spaced about a center point of the monitor to direct light toward the patient during at least a portion of the test procedure. The light emanating from the individual housings is a diffuse, unfocused light to simulate glare, and the intensity of the light may be selectively altered. Conducting acuity testing under glare conditions determines if there is any reduction or fall off in the patient's acuity vision under such circumstances and provides an indication of whether the patient may require cataract surgery or has another ocular problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: M&S Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Butler
  • Patent number: 8366274
    Abstract: A subjective refraction technique uses a plane wave light source including substantially a point as a viewing target. The refraction method provide for a number of distinct identifiable end points. By finding such end points the process leads to an aberration-corrected vision. A defocus corrector assembly (DCA) includes a lens that is moveable along an optical axis between a patient's eye and the point light source for adjusting defocus power until the patient indicates that the blurry image has become a relatively focused line image. An astigmatism corrector assembly (ACA) which is capable of continuously variable in its amplitude is provided including a pair of astigmatism plates for adjusting astigmatism power and axis angle. The ACA is adjusted until the patient indicates that the line image has become a substantially round image. A reference marker provides displayed items including a sweep line overlapping at the point source and having an orientation which is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Shui T. Lai