JP3233060U - Slit lamp for ophthalmology - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the position of a related mirror unit with respect to an evaluation of an anatomical and functional state of an eye, a slit lamp for examining an eyeball, and related appendages as an aid in diagnosing an eye disease. To this end, an improved ophthalmic slit lamp is provided. A desired tilting motion having a light decentralization function required for an illumination beam can be easily obtained by simply rotating the mirror unit with a hinge joint 5 associated with the mirror unit 4. By simply rotating the reduced light portion, it is considerably easier to operate, more reliable, does not wear or break, and is more expensive for the operator, in addition to reducing labor. A highly stable assembly is achieved with an oblique locking screw 6 that allows for quick response in sensitivity, accuracy and positioning. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

Description The present invention relates to the field of ophthalmology, and particularly to the field of instruments for observing the eyes of patients as an aid in the diagnosis of eye diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to slit lamps for eye examination and related appendages, as well as assessment of the anatomical and functional status of the eye.

Such instruments essentially include a lighting unit and an observation unit, i.e. a microscope, in which variable magnification can be set, both of which are supported by a frame. The latter rises from a base mounted on a horizontal plane and conveniently supports the above-mentioned unit by allowing the unit to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. In the elevated lighting unit, the light beam is optically "shielded" in a known manner, producing a fine linear light suitable for viewing the cornea, which is why it is straight down. The thin linear light projected onto the cornea is horizontally deflected toward the patient's eye by the lower mirror unit.

In many cases, the focal point of the light and the center of observation are the same because they are both the focal plane and the focal position. However, when performing some tests, such as so-called "scattering sclero-corneal illumination" and "indirect retro-illumination", the light of the illumination beam is decentralized. Need to be decentralized. In practice, the illumination beam is intervened to move the focal point away from the center of observation and towards the inside of the eye.

In practice, such a result is that in known slit lamps, the so-called tilt of the slit that emits light radiation by rotating around its vertical axis across the support tower of the lighting unit 1 controlled by the knob. Has been achieved by. In practice, this tilt axis coincides with the output axis of the illumination beam from the illumination unit and represents the alignment axis between the unit itself and the mirror unit. Since such units are bulky and heavy, such movement is relatively difficult because it is difficult to guarantee the desired controllability and accuracy.

In some other slit lamp models, the light of the illumination beam is more comfortable, reliable and accurate than that enabled by the tilting operation of the illumination unit as described above. A mechanism is in place to achieve decentralization.

The present invention provides a solution that can be made more convenient than that of any known solution by adopting a new form.

Therefore, such a result is achieved by the ophthalmic slit lamp according to the present invention, which has the essential feature according to claim 1.

The present invention will now be described in more detail by reference to the accompanying drawings according to embodiments provided as non-limiting examples.

It is an isometric view of the slit lamp which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing only the main part according to the present invention in the area of the mirror unit taken along the vertical plane including the tilt axis of the slit lamp of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the slit lamp in the plane III-III of FIG.

Described with reference to the drawings, the slit lamp according to the present invention includes a lighting unit 1 and an observation unit 2, both of which are supported by a frame generally indicated by 3. The latter rises from a base 31 resting on a horizontal plane and supports the unit by a device that allows the above-mentioned unit to move, especially rotate, around the vertical axis of rotation Z. In the elevated illumination unit 1, the light beam is optically "shielded" in a known manner, producing a fine linear light suitable for viewing the cornea, for this purpose. The thin linear light projected straight down is deflected horizontally towards the patient's eye through the lower mirror unit 4.

The lighting unit 1 is affected by so-called tilting motion with respect to its vertical axis Z', which does not include the entire support tower 32 that is actually fixed. Only the mirror unit 4 is rotatable about the tilt axis Z'with respect to the support tower 32, and the support tower is precisely attached and fixed with respect to the Z'to the rest of the frame (base). It remains possible to bend around the main axis Z.

To this end, the mirror unit 4 is attached to the support tower 32 by a hinge joint 5, which may include, for example, a pin 5a into which the mirror unit 4 is integrated, and a cup underneath the mirror unit. A shaped base 5b may be included, with the pins rising along the tilt axis Z'from the adjacent portion of the support tower 32 by a rotatable connection.

Therefore, a screw 6 with a manually operated knob 6a is included in the tower 32, the vertical axis of which is angled with respect to a horizontal plane (ie, more generally, a plane XY orthogonal to the axis Z'). It is attached and applies a locking action to the pin 5a by mechanical interference to prevent it from rotating once the desired position is obtained. The angle α of the screw 6 is preferably towards the slit lamp base 31 between the above-mentioned plane passing through the engagement point between the screw and the pin and the longitudinal axis of the screw starting from such a point. When measured in the downward direction toward, it is about 20 ° to 40 °.

Conveniently, the locking screw 6 also has the function of repositioning the pin 5a. In fact, the screw creates pressure on the pin and moves at an angle that can push the pin upwards. This means that the pressure can be used to remove all axial clearances and thus provide more centering stability. The outer surface of the pin 5a has a cavity 5c for engaging the spheroid of the screw 6 or, in any case, the cap-shaped tip 6b in the area where the screw 6 is placed. Such a cavity, shown in a horizontal cross section in FIG. 3, has a bottom of a V-shaped profile, and the pressure engagement of the spheroidal end of the screw 6 accurately centers the mirror. Therefore, it is not necessary to rotate the unit 4 to restore centering, and it is sufficient to re-screw the screw 6 to automatically regain the desired centering.

The desired tilting motion (which correlates with each other due to angular changes), which has the function of decentralizing the light required for the illumination beam, is simply to rotate the mirror unit 4 by the hinge joint 5 associated with the mirror unit 4. Can be easily obtained by By simply rotating the reduced light portion, it is considerably easier to operate, more reliable, less wear and tear (because of lower stress), and also laborious for the operator. In addition to reduction, it allows for higher sensitivity, accuracy, and quick response of positioning. In general, a significant reduction in motor inertia improves the quality of adjustments and, along with them, diagnostic tests. The oblique screw locking system 6 according to the present invention provides a more stable assembly for axial and rotational clearance issues.

Therefore, using a structurally simple technique (which actually goes in the direction of making the instrument totally simple), the advantages in use are clearly achieved, and this is also already achieved by known techniques. Improve what is being done.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated above, and includes arbitrary embodiments.

Claims (8)

It ’s a slit lamp,
A support frame (3) having a support base (31) and
A lighting unit (1) integrated with a support tower (32) of the support frame (3) that rises along an inclination axis (Z').
Similarly, the observation unit (2) supported by the support frame and
Includes a mirror unit (4) attached to the support tower (32) aligned with the lighting unit (1) along the tilt axis (Z').
The support tower (32) is fixed in rotation about the tilt axis (Z') with respect to the rest of the support frame (3).
The mirror unit (4) is rotatably attached to the support tower (32) by a hinge joint (5) so as to be rotatable around the tilt axis (Z') with respect to the support tower (32), and the said at a desired position. Means for controlling rotation of the mirror unit around the tilt axis (Z'), including selective locking means (6) for rotation of the mirror unit, are provided, the selective locking means being longitudinal. The tip of the screw includes a screw (6) arranged on the support tower (32) with the shaft angled with respect to a plane (XY) perpendicular to the tilted axis (Z'). A gap lamp provided by (6b) so as to mechanically interfere with the hinge joint (5). The slit lamp according to claim 1, wherein the screw (6) has the vertical axis pointing downward from the tip portion (6b) toward the base (31). The slit lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle (α) between the vertical axis of the screw (6) and the plane (XY) is 20 ° to 40 °. The hinge joint includes a pin (5a) that rises along the tilt axis (Z'), and the pin integrates the mirror unit (4) with the hinge joint and a cup-shaped base (5b). The slit lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pin (5a) is rotatably connected to an adjacent portion of the support tower (32). The screw (6) included in the support tower (32) has the pin (6b) due to mechanical interference between the tip portion (6b) and the cavity (5c) formed on the outer surface of the pin (5a). The slit lamp according to claim 4, which is provided so as to add a locking action to 5a). The slit lamp according to claim 5, wherein the cavity (5c) has a bottom represented by a V-shaped profile in a cross section along a plane orthogonal to the tilt axis (Z'). The slit lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tip portion (6b) of the screw (6) has a shape like a spheroid or a cap as a whole. The screw (6) has a steering knob (6a) at an end facing the tip (6b) outside the support tower (32), according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Slit lamp.

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