DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION: PORTABLE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is generally related to portable ophthalmological apparatuses. Particularly, the present disclosure is related to portable ophthalmological apparatuses for examining the anterior regions of a patient’s eye.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The anterior region of an eye is the region inside the eye between the iris and the cornea's innermost surface, the endothelium, and includes conjunctiva, sclera, anterior chamber, iris, and lens. The anterior region also contains aqueous humour, which has two principal functions. It is the medium by which the necessary metabolites are transported to the avascular lens and cornea. It also removes toxic metabolic waste products of the cornea and iris. Second, it has a hydro-mechanical function in maintenance of intraocular pressure.
Therefore, examination of the anterior region of the eye is extremely critical in the diagnosis of eye conditions such as glaucoma and cataract.
Slit lamp with binocular microscope is known. In this instrument, a slit lamp illumination is arranged to the side of the binocular microscope at a fixed angle to the optical axis of the latter. It produces a slit image in the anterior region of the eye to be observed, which is stereoscopically observed through the binocular microscope. The instrument is provided with a cheek support which is applied to the mandibular symphysis region of human skull bone. For focusing, this resting surface can be axially adjusted with respect to the instrument. When examining the eye of the patient, the instruments are moved in order to scan the surface of the eye.
The issue with the slit lamp with binocular microscope is that it is not portable. Though a portable handheld slit lamp is known, it still lacks certain important functions like precise imaging of cornel layers and van-Herrick grading. These issues exist because of the configuration and complicated optical assembly. The entire illumination cum slit system is configured as a vertical tube and moves in a limited axial rotation. Thus, the handheld slit lamp has reduced capabilities in anterior eye imaging.
Further issues with the slit lamp with binocular microscope are its expensive nature and unsuitability for community vision screening, as it cannot be carried to remote locations. Handheld slit lamp is available for community vision screening. However, this is also expensive and does not have the same efficiency as that of the table top slit lamp. One more disadvantage with the hand held instrument is that it is not convenient to use from a user’s perspective. The mechanics of the handheld slit lamp forces the user to bear the weight of the entire instrument in one hand and to adjust the required mechanism in another hand. Further, the battery frequently drains and the user has to subsequently recharge the battery often. If the battery drains during a diagnosis, the user will have to stop the test until the battery gets recharged.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for a portable ophthalmological apparatus that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 illustrates a view of a portable ophthalmological apparatus, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a view of the portable ophthalmological apparatus from the top, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates a projection unit of the portable ophthalmological apparatus, in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A portable ophthalmological apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a binocular microscope that is removably attachable to the apparatus; a joint arch segment that is removably attachable to the apparatus; a slider joint that is removably attachable to the apparatus; a cylindrical arm that is removably attachable to the apparatus; and a projection unit that is removably attachable to the apparatus.
A user views the anterior portions of a patient’s eye through the binocular microscope, said binocular microscope comprising two eye piece lenses, two objective lenses, and two porro prisms for stereoscopic viewing.
The joint arch segment is a hollow semi-circular segment that is attached to the base of the binocular microscope, said joint arch segment holding a cylindrical arm and a projection unit via a removably attachable slider joint that moves along the semi-circle path of the joint arch segment to hold the cylindrical arm and the projection unit at different angles.
The cylindrical arm illuminates the patient’s eye through the projection unit to facilitate an examination of the anterior portions of the patient’s eye through the binocular microscope.
The cylindrical arm comprises: a miniature high intensity Light Emitting Diode (LED) that is powered by a removably attachable and powerful rechargeable battery, with the brightness of the LED being adjusted with a brightness controller knob that is disposed over the cylindrical arm; a condenser lens that straightens the light rays onto a single beam; an adjustable slit; and a colour filter disc.
The projection unit is associated with the cylindrical arm and comprises two 45 degree inclined mirrors that are disposed vertically parallel to each other, said mirrors transmitting the light beam onto the patient’s eye, which is viewed through the binocular microscope.
The disclosed apparatus can be used for community screening in minimal time; is easy to operate; is user-friendly and can be comfortably operated with two hands; is compact, light-weight, cost-effective, and portable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and “include” and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", “includes”, and “including” may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.
Throughout this specification, the user of the phrase ‘handheld device’, and its variations are to be construed as ‘any computing or electronic device that is compact and portable enough to be held and used in one or both hands, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a personal digital assistant.
A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) is disclosed. As illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 2, and Figure 3, the apparatus (100) comprises a binocular microscope (1); a joint arch segment (2); a slider joint (3); a cylindrical arm (4); and a projection unit (5). The binocular microscope (1); the joint arch segment (2); the slider joint (3); the cylindrical arm (4); and the projection unit (5) are removably attachable to the apparatus (100).
The binocular microscope (1) is the viewing system of the apparatus (100). Through this microscope (1), a user can view the anterior portions of a patient’s eye (8), such as Cornea, Conjunctiva, Sclera, Iris, Anterior Chamber, Lens, Eye Lids and Eye Lashes. This helps to identify if any disorders are present in the anterior portion of the eye (8). The binocular microscope (1) comprises two eye piece lenses, two objective lenses, and two porro prisms for stereoscopic viewing.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the binocular microscope (1) has a magnification of 10X.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the binocular microscope (1) has a magnification of 16X.
The joint arch segment (2) is a hollow semi-circular segment that is attached to the base of binocular microscope (1), and holds the cylindrical arm (4) and the projection unit (5) via the slider joint (3). The slider joint (3) moves along the semi-circle path of the joint arch segment (2).
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the joint arch segment (2) is made of plastic.
The Slider joint (3) holds the projection unit (5) and moves over the joint arch segment (2) to hold the cylindrical arm (4) and the projection unit (5) at different angles, which helps to diagnose different disorders in the eye (8).
The cylindrical arm (4) illuminates the patient’s eye (8) through the projection unit (5) to facilitate an examination of the anterior portions of the patient’s eye (8) through the viewing system. The cylindrical arm (4) comprises: a miniature high intensity Light Emitting Diode (LED) (6) that is powered by a powerful rechargeable battery that is removably attachable; a condenser lens that straightens the light rays onto a single beam; an adjustable slit; and a colour filter disc. The battery may be recharged through a power bank or through a power source using an adaptor, based on the user’s preference.
The brightness of the LED (6) is adjusted with a brightness controller knob that is disposed over the cylindrical arm (4). The different colour filters and adjustable slit are useful to diagnose different type of conditions in the eye (8), with each filter or slit size being useful at various stages of examination.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery is a Lithium-ion battery.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery is a 3.7 V, 1,830 mAh Lithium-ion battery.
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the slit sizes are 0.15 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.6 mm, and 12 mm.
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the colours are Cobalt Blue, Grey, and Yellow.
In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the filter types are neutral density, red-free, and heat absorbing.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery is recharged through a type-C USB (Universal Serial Bus) port that is disposed on the cylindrical arm (4).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery is recharged through a micro USB port that is disposed on the cylindrical arm (4).
The projection unit (4) is associated with the cylindrical arm (4). As illustrated in Figure 3, the projection unit (5) comprises two 45 degree inclined mirrors (7A, 7B) that are disposed vertically parallel to each other, said mirrors transmitting the light beam onto the patient’s eye (8), which is viewed through the binocular microscope (1).
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a space is available to include a control unit that connects with the USB plug-in. This space is disposed in the cylindrical arm (4). The control unit provides resistance to the LED (6), as well as controls the operations of the apparatus (100). Further, the control unit enables the apparatus (100) can be operated remotely through an application on a handheld device or a computing device.
The computing device includes, but is not limited to, laptop computers, desktop computers, mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, phablets, and smart watches.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit is a microcontroller.
The working mechanism and method of operation of the apparatus (100) shall now be explained. The LED (6) which is powered by the Lithium-ion battery generates light rays in the cylindrical arm (4). The condenser lens converts the light rays into a high intensity light beam, which subsequently passes through the slit and the filter disc. The light beam then passes through the projection unit (5) and finally falls on the patient’s eye (8) for examination, which is viewed through the binocular microscope (1). The cylindrical arm (4) that is associated with the projection unit (5) is movable along the path of the joint arch segment (2) to create specific angles for certain critical diagnoses.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can capture an image of any view of the eye (8) that is viewable through the viewing system by connecting a the handheld device or the computing device with the apparatus (100). The captured images may subsequently be used for diagnosis.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus (100) is held in position through a neck strap when the apparatus (100) is not in use.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus (100) is an external add-on attachment to any fundus examination device or any eye examination device.
In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, images/videos taken through the handheld device or the computing device are stored on a server or shared through a server. The server is preferably the cloud.
The disclosed apparatus (100) can be used for community screening in minimal time; is easy to operate; is user-friendly and can be comfortably operated with two hands; is compact, light-weight, cost-effective, and portable.
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure may be made by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, additions, alterations and improvements should be construed as being within the scope of this disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Portable Ophthalmological Apparatus
1 – Binocular Microscope
2 – Joint Arch Segment
3 – Slider Joint
4 – Cylindrical Arm
5 – Projection Unit
6 – LED
7A. 7B - 45 degree inclined mirrors
8 - Eye ,CLAIMS:1. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100), comprising:
a binocular microscope (1) that is removably attachable to the apparatus (100), with a user viewing the anterior portions of a patient’s eye (8) through the binocular microscope (1), said binocular microscope (1) comprising two eye piece lenses, two objective lenses, and two porro prisms for stereoscopic viewing;
a joint arch segment (2) that is removably attachable to the apparatus (100), said joint arch segment (2) being a hollow semi-circular segment that is attached to the base of the binocular microscope (1), and said joint arch segment (2) holding a cylindrical arm (4) and a projection unit (5) via a removably attachable slider joint (3) that moves along the semi-circle path of the joint arch segment (2) to hold the cylindrical arm (4) and the projection unit (5) at different angles;
the cylindrical arm (4) that is removably attachable to the apparatus (100), said cylindrical arm (4) illuminating the patient’s eye (8) through the projection unit (5) to facilitate an examination of the anterior portions of the patient’s eye (8) through the binocular microscope (1), said cylindrical arm (4) comprising:
a miniature high intensity Light Emitting Diode (LED) (6) that is powered by a removably attachable and powerful rechargeable battery, with the brightness of the LED (6) being adjusted with a brightness controller knob that is disposed over the cylindrical arm (4);
a condenser lens that straightens the light rays onto a single beam;
an adjustable slit; and
a colour filter disc; and
the projection unit (5) that is removably attachable to the apparatus (100), said projection unit (5) being associated with the cylindrical arm (4) and comprising two 45 degree inclined mirrors (7A, 7B) that are disposed vertically parallel to each other, said mirrors transmitting the light beam onto the patient’s eye (8), which is viewed through the binocular microscope (1).
2. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the binocular microscope (1) has a magnification of 10X or 16X.

3. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery is a battery is a 3.7 V, 1,830 mAh Lithium-ion battery.

4. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slit sizes are 0.15 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.6 mm, and 12 mm.

5. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the colours are Cobalt Blue, Grey, and Yellow.

6. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter types are neutral density, red-free, and heat absorbing.

7. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user can capture an image of any view of the eye (8) that is viewable through the binocular microscope (1) by connecting a handheld device or a computing device with the apparatus (100).

8. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a space is disposed in the cylindrical arm (4) to include a control unit, said control unit providing resistance to the LED (6), controlling the operations of the apparatus (100), and enabling remote operations of the apparatus (100) through an application on a handheld device or a computing device.

9. A portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is a microcontroller.

10. A method of operation of the portable ophthalmological apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of:
powering the LED (6) which by the Lithium-ion battery to generate light rays in the cylindrical arm (4);
converting the light rays into a high intensity light beam by the condenser lens, said high intensity light beam subsequently passing through the slit and the filter disc;
passing of the light beam through the projection unit (5) and falling of the light beam on the patient’s eye (8) for examination, which is viewed through the binocular microscope (1); and
creating of specific angles if needed.