Eye Patents (Class 601/37)
  • Patent number: 12036180
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a left cover, sized and shaped to fit over a left eye of a patient to define a left cavity between the left cover and an anterior surface of the left eye and a right cover, sized and shaped to fit over a right eye of the patient to define a right cavity between the right cover and an anterior surface of the right eye. The apparatus can include a left pressure source to apply a left working fluid to the left cavity, the left pressure source capable of generating a left cavity pressure including a left negative gauge pressure and a right pressure source to apply a right working fluid to the right cavity, the right pressure source capable of generating a right cavity pressure including a right negative gauge pressure, where the right pressure source can be separate from the left pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Balance Ophthalmics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Berdahl, George Tsai
  • Patent number: 11281022
    Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses and methods for an active projection system that may be incorporated into spectacles, contact lenses or provided as an add-on layer to existing spectacles or lenses. The active projection system operates to generate a stimulus or stimuli for viewing by a person's eye. The stimulus or stimuli creates an image that is defocused in front of the person's retina and can assist in slowing or stopping the progression of myopia or other refractive errors in the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ACUCELA INC.
    Inventors: Philip M. Buscemi, Ryo Kubota
  • Patent number: 11019319
    Abstract: Disclosed are implementations, including a method for video presentation to cause controllable stimulation of a subject's eyes, that includes preparing a video presentation comprising successive frames of moving images, and, for one or more of the successive frames, selecting a target feature(s) represented in the moving images, with the moving images further comprising one or more background features, the target feature causing stimulation of one of a first eye or a second eye of the subject. For at least some of the frames in which the target feature(s) appears, the method also includes controlling a first contrast characteristic of the target feature(s) to form a first portion of the moving images, and controlling a second contrast characteristic of the one or more background features to form a second portion of the moving images. The method further includes providing the prepared video presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Tufts Medical Center, Inc.
    Inventor: Vicki M. Chen
  • Patent number: 10806659
    Abstract: An eye exercise device comprising a single open goggle chamber with no binocular or magnified optical lens of any sort having a front portion, protective first plate and second plate, light emitting diodes (LEDs), a control panel and a power supply, is disclosed. The control panel is coupled to the power supply, smart electronic glass and LEDs. The first plate is disposed at the front portion of the single open goggle chamber and the second plate is disposed behind the first plate. The second plate comprises a smart electronic glass and the first plate comprises a polycarbonate protective screen, disposed at a center region across an eye of a user. The smart electronic glass is configured to switch to an opaque state for short-sightedness and switch to a transparent state for farsightedness. The LEDs disposed at the periphery of the second plate is configured to emit light in a predefined sequence, thereby encouraging specific ocular movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen Tolle
  • Publication number: 20150085248
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the peripheral vision of a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method, which may be embodied on a system, for improving peripheral vision of a subject using a visual marker on a display screen, the method includes, displaying a peripheral target on the display screen, the peripheral target having a visually discernable characteristic and determining whether the subject is able to correctly identify the peripheral target displayed on the display screen using the peripheral vision. The visual marker is intended for viewing using central vision of the subject and the peripheral target is intended for identification using the peripheral vision of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Sina Fateh
  • Publication number: 20140276268
    Abstract: A method for facilitating performance of ocular exercises includes providing an ocular exercise eyewear comprising one or more focusing elements, the one or more focusing elements positioned on the ocular exercise eyewear to guide a wearer's vision to a location at or near a perimeter of the wearer's field of vision. Instructions are provided directing the wearer's vision to the one or more focusing elements to perform an ocular range of motion exercise. An ocular exercise apparatus and a method of making the ocular exercise apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Paffett
  • Publication number: 20140100495
    Abstract: A speech therapy device configured to be placed in a mouth of a speaker. The speech therapy device includes a first bite plate and a second bite plate disposed opposite the first bite plate. The speech therapy device further includes at least one connecting member disposed between the first bite plate and the second bite plate. A method for using the speech therapy device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Susan Ann Haseley
  • Publication number: 20140039361
    Abstract: A method for retarding or reversing progression of myopia of a viewer includes providing an object in front of the viewer; providing a transparent layer between the viewer and the object; and providing a primary image on the transparent layer, the transparent layer allows the viewer to see the object as a secondary image simultaneously with the primary image, wherein the secondary image is focused in front of the central region of the retina. A method for reducing hyperopia of a viewer includes providing an object in front of the viewer to provide a primary image; providing a transparent layer between the viewer and the object; providing a secondary image on the transparent layer, the transparent layer allows the viewer to see the primary image simultaneously with the secondary image, wherein the secondary image is focused behind the central region of the retina. Other systems are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lam Siu Yin, Tse Yan Yin, To Chi Ho
  • Publication number: 20140012165
    Abstract: A system of a magnetic attachment handle and attachment devices includes an attachment handle and a plurality of devices. Each of plurality of devices includes a device magnet which attaches with a handle magnet of the attachment handle so that the attachment handle can be interchangeably attached with a chosen device from the plurality of devices. The chosen device that attaches with the attachment handle is selected by a user as the plurality of devices can be different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas D. COCKLEY
  • Publication number: 20130278894
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the peripheral vision of a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure includes a method, which may be embodied on a system, for improving peripheral vision of a subject using a visual marker on a display screen, the method includes, displaying a peripheral target on the display screen, the peripheral target having a visually discernable characteristic and determining whether the subject is able to correctly identify the peripheral target displayed on the display screen using the peripheral vision. The visual marker is intended for viewing using central vision of the subject and the peripheral target is intended for identification using the peripheral vision of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Sina Fateh
  • Publication number: 20130201446
    Abstract: A substrate includes a diffracting structure providing a hologram which encodes one or more holographic images. Every image of the one or more holographic images has a holographic location at either a finite or substantially infinite effective optical distance. The hologram is to be used as an ophthalmic eye chart or an eye exercise device or to provide a scale for measuring distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Simon Richard Geoffrey Hall, Richard Frederick Stevens
  • Patent number: 8500662
    Abstract: A power device for visual care includes a circuit control fixed with a pneumatic cylinder. The circuit control panel includes a homing sensor, a positive air pressure micro switch and a negative air pressure micro switch respectively correspond to the homing position, the utmost positive air pressure position and the utmost negative air pressure position of a piston unit. The circuit control panel further includes a guide member with an inductive part. Accordingly, when the power unit is activated, a power screw drives the piston unit to bring the inductive part of the guide member to the homing sensor for return-to-zero setting, and to bring it to touch the positive air pressure micro switch and the negative air pressure micro switch so as to provide proper positive air pressure and negative air pressure for visual care.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Yuan Tsang Lin
  • Patent number: 8491505
    Abstract: An eyes-massage device includes a head strap and a hot or cold eyes-compressing mechanism mounted on the head strap. The hot or cold eyes-compressing mechanism includes a compressing bag, a transmitter, and a semiconductor. The compressing bag has a connecting hole defined therein for receiving the transmitter. The semiconductor is mounted on the transmitter. The compressing bag is heated or cooled by the semiconductor to control a temperature of the compressing bag for adapting to provide a heat or cool compressing effect on eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Cheng-Chuan Yang
  • Patent number: 8491508
    Abstract: A device for stimulating the meibomian glands of the eyelid comprising: a handle; a head that is non-removable and integral to the handle, the head comprising an eyepiece that oscillates to provide a massaging action to an eyelid and that comprises a front end that is concave in shape to fit over an eyelid; a heater located inside of the eyepiece; a temperature sensor located inside of the eyepiece, wherein the temperature sensor causes the eyepiece to heat to a predetermined temperature and then stop heating; and a charging base that supplies power to a motor that causes the eyepiece to oscillate, wherein the motor comprises a motor shaft. A method of applying heat and massaging action to the eyelid at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventors: Walton F. Smith, David Yakos, Randy Larimer
  • Publication number: 20130169929
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for amblyopia and ocular deviation correction are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for amblyopia correction, the system includes, an image processing unit to identify a set of image parameters and, when, in operation, the image processing unit modifies a source visual content based on one or more of the set of image parameters to generate visual content and a visualization unit coupled to the image processing unit operable to receive visual content from the image processing unit, the visualization unit having a screen, when, in operation, the screen displays the visual content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Atheer, Inc.
    Inventor: Atheer, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130072828
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of shuttering glasses are disclosed. One apparatus includes a first lens operable to blank for a first blocking time, a second lens operable to blank for a second blocking time, and a controller for controllably setting at least one of the first blocking time and the second blocking time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Jason Sweis, Vivian Liane Rice, David Chao, Zhiyang Guo
  • Publication number: 20120320336
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for rehabilitating and/or causing binocular motivity through sensory stimulation of a patient, said device including a planar stand (10) that is defined by a longitudinal axis of symmetry (AA?), the stand (10) including a plurality of means for transmitting at least one sensory stimulus, said transmission means including means for viewing a visual stimulus (101-136) and means for transmitting an auditory stimulus adjacent to the means for viewing a visual stimulus. The transmission means are evenly arranged along isovergence arcs (201-204) that are placed along the stand (10). Said device moreover includes a control system (20) that is at least intended for controlling the transmission of said at least one sensory stimulus (101-136).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Zoi Kapoula, Qing Yang, Thomas Eggert, Gintautas Daunys, Christophe Orssaud
  • Publication number: 20120265109
    Abstract: The visual focusing and/or vergence abilities of a subject may be trained and/or tested using apparatuses and methods in accordance with the present invention. The subject may be provided with an apparatus having optical elements having different optical characteristics and instructed to look through an optical element having a first optical characteristic and to focus on an indicia or object. The subject may be instructed to rotate the apparatus and to look through optical elements having a second optical characteristic and to focus on the same or different indicia or object. The subject may be instructed to repeat this process with this or further apparatuses having optical elements having the same or different optical characteristics. The visual focusing and/or vergence abilities of a subject may thus be tested and/or trained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Herb Yoo
  • Publication number: 20120265110
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an eye alignment training device that may be used to train and improve an individual's ability to align their vision. In using this device, a base piece of the device is held by the user, a connector may extend from the base piece while another end of the connector may be secured, for example, to a wall. Between each end, sliding markers slideably positioned on the connector may have various visual characteristics. For example, each marker may be of a different color. The markers may be moved to different locations on the connector, and the subject may move his focus between the various markers. When not in use, the connector may be stored in a cavity within the base piece, such as by being wound around a groove in the base piece, retained within a gap in the base piece, or retained within a cavity enclosed within the base piece. The device may have a retraction mechanism which retracts the connector into the cavity of the base piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Herb Yoo
  • Publication number: 20120179076
    Abstract: A system and method for treating amblyopic individuals through an engaging treatment modality which considers binocular function in adapting treatment. The present invention may be practiced by providing a dichoptic display having multiple sub-displays; providing a video game system and controller in communication with the dichoptic display; running a game program having a graphical presentation; using one sub-display to display a first view of the presentation and a second sub-display to display a second view of the presentation; and altering at least one of the first or second view of the presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Daphne Bavelier, Dennis Levi, Zhong-Lin Lu, Alvaro Pascual-Leone
  • Publication number: 20120123306
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for eye-exercise utilizing a set of goggles, the set of goggles containing a display suitably positioned for a wearer to observe a set of LEDs, which when lit in a sequential manner cause the wearer to exercise the muscles of the eye. One set of LEDs is arranged in linear patterns along a horizontal line, a vertical line and two oblique lines at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. Another set of LEDs is arranged in a circular pattern around the periphery of the display. Alternate embodiments include the feature of illuminating cartoon characters or other interesting graphics so that the eye-exercise method may be effective for children.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Raffaele Martini Pandozy
  • Patent number: 8177359
    Abstract: A pair of health-caring glasses consists of two lenses, a bridge and two temples. The bridge is fixed between the lenses by screws, provided with two nose pads respectively inlaid with a loadstone. The temples are respectively positioned at an outer portion of the lenses, provided with a rubber sleeve made of far infrared material, and a plurality of massage projections closely spread on the rubber sleeve. By means of resonance created by the loadstone, far infrared released by the rubber sleeves and massage projections to massage acupuncture points about head, a user wearing the glasses can ease eyes fatigue, has his or her face beautified and brain stimulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Kuo-Jen Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120019775
    Abstract: Accommodative and vergence systems training method and multifocal ophthalmic lenses of Horizontal periodic or quasi-periodic Optical Power Stepless Alternating (HOPSA-lenses) therefor are proposed. Reading the text with HOPSA-lenses worn, while the head is stationary, provides a continuous alternating of accommodation and vergence strain/relaxation and, therefore, provides dynamic training of both systems. The method is applicable for human visual system therapy, eye diseases treatment/prevention and ophthalmology researches. The method enables combining the effective visual trainings with documents reading/processing, visual target examining, watching TV/video, playing computer games, etc., as well as combining the training with conventional vision correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Albert Tyrin, Nina Kushnarevich
  • Publication number: 20110282252
    Abstract: A vision training system comprises a display device configured to display dynamic visual content having a flicker rate, a flicker generator configured to adjust the flicker rate according to a duty cycle, a visual signal source configured to provide a visual signal in the form of dynamic content to the flicker generator, or, alternatively, to the display device, and a receiver configured to receive indications that the flicker rate should be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Herb Yoo, Alan W. Reichow
  • Publication number: 20100198104
    Abstract: A system to measure a subject's gaze stability, comprising: a display device; a data processor in communication with the display device; a data input device in communication with the data processor; and a motion detector in communication with the data processor, the motion detector being adapted to be worn by the subject under observation, wherein the data processor is configured to cause the display device to display a predetermined visual target based on a motion signal detected by the motion detector, the data processor is adapted to receive information from the data input device concerning a response of the subject in identifying the predetermined visual target, and the data processor is further adapted to generate an output characterizing the subject's gaze stability based on the received information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Michael C. Schubert, Americo A. Migliaccio, Vallabh Easwara Das, Charles Coleman Della Santina
  • Publication number: 20100182564
    Abstract: An eyewear system for the treatment of unilateral neglect syndrome is disclosed. The eyewear system is comprised of an eyewear device, a lens system, flashcards, an LED system integrated into the eyewear device, a remote control for selective activation of the LED system, and instructional media on the use of the eyewear system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Patrick Smith, Ashanti R. Young
  • Publication number: 20100097571
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a system and method to enable a person wishing to improve his vision capabilities to carry with him a training device and to be able to train his vision whenever and wherever he wishes. The current invention makes use of widely available and familiar infrastructure of hand held devices such as cellular phone and cellular network. Other mobile digital devices having visual display may be used, for example: Pocket PC, Palm computer electronic notebook, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and even some digital music players such as iPod. Training session comprises of displaying to the trainee sequence of images on the built in display of there hand held device and receiving his response to the displayed images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Uri Polat
  • Patent number: 7637878
    Abstract: The eye massaging device contains a main member having built-in air pump and actuation elements, an inflatable fomentation member, and a belt member where the main member and the fomentation member are attached, and a controller for adjusting the settings of the massaging device. The main member contains a number of slidably engaged pieces that elastically expand along with the belt member when the device is tied around a user's head. Additionally, the eye massaging device can also provide simultaneous massages to the appropriate acupuncture spots at the sides of the head such as temples by having additional built-in vibrating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Pin-Hung Lin
  • Publication number: 20090264800
    Abstract: A method for creating worksheets for eye-tracking therapy includes steps of specifying a pattern including a plurality of characters in an order for recognition. Steps generate at least one scramble of characters arranged in a plurality of rows containing a plurality of characters where the pattern is contained in the scramble in the order. Steps present the scramble in the worksheet for training eyes of a person to make correct saccadic movements by recognizing the pattern in the order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Jacob Gestetner
  • Publication number: 20090225275
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a vision recovery training apparatus capable of efficiently conducting vision recovery training and conducting training without inputting a training parameter according to an improvement state of an image formation adjustment function of each trainee every training. In a vision recovery training apparatus 1 for training an image formation adjustment function of an eye, the vision recovery training apparatus of the invention comprises a display part 4 for displaying an image for vision recovery, and a main controller 11 which calculates a new training parameter based on a training parameter which is acquired from a storage device for storing a training history and is applied to a trainee at least one time and conducting training to which the calculated new training parameter is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TECHNOMASTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidenori Horie, Hisashi Akiyama, Eiichi Ookawa
  • Patent number: 7563242
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgery apparatus capable of setting surgical conditions properly in accordance with hardness of a nucleus lentis and performing surgery with efficiency is disclosed. The ultrasonic surgery apparatus includes an ultrasonic vibration inducing unit, having an ultrasonic chip which induces ultrasonic vibrations to fragment and emulsify a nucleus lentis, an input unit which inputs a judgment result of hardness of the nucleus lentis, and a setting unit which sets a condition of the ultrasonic vibrations thereafter based on the inputted judgment result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Yaguchi, Hidenori Kanda
  • Publication number: 20090156970
    Abstract: A method and system to exercise and relax the eyes is provided. In one embodiment, a computer or video display system is configured to alter the way that a user's activity and tasks are displayed in order to exercise and/or relax the eyes and components of the eyes, such as the eye focusing muscles. For example, in one embodiment, images that relate to a user activity are displayed in a manner configured to cause the eyes to refocus and/or move while the user continues to perform the activity, with or without the user being aware their eyes are being refocused and/or moved. In another embodiment, images related to a user activity are displayed with the color, contrast, and/or brightness of the display changed over a predetermined time in a manner to relax the eyes, with or without the user being aware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Shannon E. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20090062700
    Abstract: A face-contour-compliable eyeshade includes a hollow shade member in which a flexible unit is arranged. The flexible unit has predetermined resiliency, such as being made of metals, plastics, rubbers, and other flexible and bendable materials, for flexibly bending and shape setting, and has a shape corresponding to a portion around the user's eyes and is further provided with a plurality of bosses and a vibration unit that is attached thereto at a predetermined location, whereby the shade member is shape adjustable in order to comply with the user's face contour for tightly attaching to and engaging the portion around the eyes so that the vibration unit can make the plurality of bosses to vibrate for effecting acupressure and massage on acupuncture points around the eyes and the shade member is foldable for easy carrying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Pin-Hung Lin
  • Publication number: 20080300514
    Abstract: The method provides an exercising environment which contains a display device positioned on a platform, a servo motor to move the platform forward towards a trainee or backward away from the trainee, an illuminating device producing lighting to the exercising environment a switch to turn on and off the illuminating device, and a computing device controlling a video or image displayed on the display device. Then, while the trainee is watching the video or image shown on the display device, by adjusting the distance of the display device to the trainee, the brightness of the illuminating device, and the location of the image on the display device, ail within appropriate ranges and at appropriate frequencies, the ciliary body, the iris, and the extraocular muscles of the trainee's eyes are automatically exercised by the method without boring the trainee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: HONG-BING TSAI
  • Patent number: 6270467
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, apparatus, and method for preventing Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) that addresses the various causes of CVS. To help maintain a proper preocular tear film the present invention provides a device to generate a blink reminder signal and a blink indicator, such as a light, a speaker, or a portion of a display monitor, to communicate the blink reminder signal to the computer user. The device may incorporate feedback devices such as a blink monitor, a temperature monitor, a humidity monitor, an elapsed time monitor, or a clock. The present invention also provides an eye enclosure that defines an enclosed area about the computer user's eye that is at least partially enclosed. The invention incorporates components aimed at optimizing the environment within the enclosed area. For example, air moisteners communicating with the enclosed area maintain a relatively high humidity within the enclosed area and reduce the evaporation of fluid from the eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Richard W. Yee
  • Patent number: 6152857
    Abstract: Apparatus for exercising the face and neck comprises a frame with multiple perforations in its upper and lower parts for fastening flexible bands of various size and elasticity horizontally, vertical or at angles to produce elastic resistance fields for receiving a person's face to exercise facial muscles. Two ocular accessories with adjustable sockets are positioned within the frame on the flexible bands for exercise of the opening and closing of the eyelid. Support and fastening elements firmly retain the bands and accessories in place on the frame for exercising the facial muscles. A portable version of the apparatus provides handles for manually controlling the muscular pressure of the flexible bands on the facial and neck muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Hector Aureliano Gonzalez-Leal
  • Patent number: 6062691
    Abstract: A system kit is provided for reducing ocular discomfort and vision problems associated with sustained close-range viewing of a video display terminal. The system kit comprises, in combination, eyewear for reducing the amount of accommodation or focusing required by eyes of an operator of the video display terminal in order to see the video display terminal at close range, at least one visual therapy device to enable the operator to perform ocular exercises to improve eye muscle control, and an information display and a record medium providing information for improving ergonomic conditions while viewing the video display terminal and instructions on how to use the eyewear and the visual therapy device. The combination of the eyewear, the visual therapy device, the visual display and the record medium enable the reduction of ocular discomfort and vision problems associated with sustained close-range viewing of the video display terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Jeffrey Markson
  • Patent number: 5902257
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device and a method to prevent RSI symptoms when keys are operated, and it contains a measuring device (4) to determine the force acting on the key, a device to compare the measured force with a finger stress model, and a device to make critical finger impact values (14, 16) perceptible. The inventive device may be positioned directly on the keyboard (2) as a stand-alone device, or it may be designed as part of a data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Hans-Erdmann Korth
  • Patent number: 5628772
    Abstract: A therapeutic massage mask comprises an elongated resilient plastic pouch having a length and width which is greater than the thickness thereof. The pouch is filled with a plurality of spherical balls made of a thermal transfer material, such as hard plastic, ceramic, or hollow spheres filled with BLUE ICE.RTM. material. The pouch is placed in a freezer to lower the temperature of the balls located within it. Subsequently, the pouch then may be applied to overlie a portion of the human body and a gentle rolling action on the side of the pouch opposite the body causes the balls to transfer a massaging action to the portion of the body underlying the pouch. At the same time, the balls function to cool the underlying body portion, thereby serving a dual function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: R-Jayco Ltd., Inc.
    Inventor: Robin Russell
  • Patent number: 5520543
    Abstract: A visual acuity recuperation training apparatus comprising a plurality of small light emitting elements dispersed and arranged on a panel plane in the up and down, and left and right directions, and a light emitting elements control section configured so that it is possible to blink at least some of the small light emitting elements with the blinking pattern modes in which they are lit one after another with appointed patterns. And comprising a half mirror plate arranged roughly parallel to the front side of the arrangement plane of the small light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Norio Mitui
  • Patent number: 5384593
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a blink reaction of a person using a computer terminal display. Blinking is selectively triggered by a macro shift in the dominant object viewed by the person or a macro tactile event simultaneously with a shift in a non-dominant object viewed by the person or a micro tactile event. The macro shift may be in the form of foreground/background reversal, display color changes, blank screen, etc. caused by hardware switching device or programed ANSI escape sequence changes. The non-dominant object may be a cursor, the last character typed, etc. The macro or micro tactile event may be a vibration, sound, puff of air, etc. The person is conditioned to blink in response to the non-dominant visual cue or micro tactile event by the association between the non-dominant or micro event and the dominant or macro event which causes involuntary blinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventors: Harold A. Gell, Jr., Constantine Haralambopoulos
  • Patent number: 5333009
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for triggering the reflex blink reaction of a person using a computer terminal display. Blinking is triggered by a macro shift in the dominant object viewed by the person. The macro shift may be in the form of foreground/background reversal, display color changes, blank screen, etc. caused by hardware switching means or programed ANSI escape sequence changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Harold A. Gell, Jr., Constantine Haralambopoulos