US1767080A - Eye-treating device - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1930,. F. KING EYE TREATING DEVICE led y 16. 1928 J/VVEN TOR ligflcth' Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS KING, or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO VERA M. KING, onsaiv BERNABDINO, CALIFORNIA EYE-TREATING nnvion Application filed July 16, 1828. Serial No. 292,959.

My invention relates to an ophthalmic instrument that is especially designed for imparting pressure and suction to the eye-ball for the treatment of various irregularities such as inflamed and congested eyes, or in fact any irregular condition of the eye that will lend itself to scientific treatment with the aid of pressure or suction of a fluid medium such as air or water.

lvly present invention is an improvement upon the ophthalmic massage instrument patented by me January 3, 1928, No. 1,654,888.

The principal objects of my present invention are to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the instrument disclosed in my aforesaid patent, as well as other existing forms of similar instruments, further to provide a relatively simple and practical instrument that may be readily used by patients for self-treatment; to pro vide an ophthalmic device of the character referred to that may be used after the man-v ner of an ordinary eye cup for the purpose of treating the front portion of the eye-ball .with water, either pure or containing healing agents; and further, to construct the device so that itmay be partially collapsed or contracted in order that the water or liquid contained within the device will exert pressure against the front portion of the eye-ball for the treatment of certain irregular conditious.

Further objects of my invention are to provide an eye treating and massaging device that is relatively simple in construction composed of but few parts, capable of being easily and cheaply manufactured and assembled, and which requires a relatively small quantity of fluid when filled or made ready for use.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

ing and massaging device of my improved construction.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an eye treat-' Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through the center of the instrument.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a practical embodiment of my invention, 10 designates a hollow collapsible body that is formed of rubber or flexible composition of which rubber is one ofthe principal ingredients, and at the lower end or base of this hollow body formed a flange 11, and projecting outwardly or downwardly therefrom is a short cylindrical stud 12.

Mounted on the stud 12 and secured thereto in any suitable manner, preferably by a suitable cement, is a metal cap 13 having a base flange '14 and the inner surface of the wall of this cap is threaded or corrugated as designated by 15, and the grooves between the threads or corrugations provide ample space for the cement that is utilized in securing the cap 13 to the stud 12.

The upper orforward end of the hollow body 10 terminates in a short tubular neck 16, immediately below which is formed an externally arranged rib or bead 17, and secured on the neck, preferably by cement, is a metal cap 18, ,thelower or inner end of which terminates adjacent to the flange 17.

The inner surface of the annular wall of the cap 18 is-ribbed or corrugated for the accommodation of the cement that is utilized in attaching said cap to the tubular neck16. The outer plate of the cap 18 is provided with an aperture 19 that coincides with the opening in the neck 16, and removably seated in the neck is atubular stem 20 that is formed integral with the center of a concave applicator 21 of such size and shape as to fit over the front portion of the eye-ball.

When my improved instrument is to be used the chamber within the hollow body is filled The applicator or cup 21 is now positioned directly over and against the front portion of the eye and the member 10 is partially collapsed so as to force the liquid forwardly through stem 20 into eye cup 21, thereby applying gentle pressure to the eye ball and its muscles, aft-er which pressure upon member 10 is relieved so as to permit the liquid to return thereto, thus exerting gentle suction on the front portion of the eye which action is highly effective and beneficial in the treatment of various unnatural conditions of, the eye ball and its muscles.

The device may be used as an ordinary eye cup for the purpose of washing and cleansing eyes, and likewise for applying to the eyes a cleansing agent, such as a boric acid solution.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an ophthalmic instrument that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, and which may be very easily manipulated for the purpose of imparting gentle pressure, and suction to the eye-ball and its nuscles in order to relieve and correct various ailments.

Obviously he cups or applicators used in connection with my improved instrument may be made in various sizes and interchangeably used on the forward end of the collapsible body and the outer edges of said applicator or the edges that make direct ,contact with the eye may be made either round or oval in shape.

lhe instrument when properly assembled for use is practically a one-piece structure, and, being composed of relatively few parts, the device may be very economically produced. Further, the chamber within the collapsible body is relatively small and therefore the filling of said collapsible body requires but a small volume of fluid. 7

The base flange M- of the cap '13, provides means whereby the instrument may be readily engaged by the thumb and fingers when said instrument is manipulated during treatment of th eye, and said flange also provides a relatively broad base that permits the instrument to be placed in an upright position on a flat surface.

In some instances it may be found desirable to form the entire device, including the base member and the eye cup or applicator, from a single piece of rubber or analogous material.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and'construction of the various parts of my improved eye treating device may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an eye treating device, a hollow collapsible body provided at one end with an opening, a cap secured on the end of said: collapsible body and provided with an opening that coincides with the opening in said body, a tubular stem removably positioned in the openings in said cap and body, and a concave applicator carried by the outer end of said stem.

2. In an eye treating device, a hollow collapsible body provided at one end with an opening, a cap secured on the end of said collapsible body and provided with an opening that coincides with the opening in said body, a tubular stem removably positioned in the openings in said cap and body, a concave applicator carried by the outer end of said stem, and a base cap secured on the opposite end of said collapsible body.

8. In an eye treating device,-a hollow collapsible body provided at one end with an opening, a cap secured on the end of said (:01- lapsible body and provided with an opening that coincides with the opening in said body, a tubular stem removably positioned in the openings in said cap and body, a concave applicator carried by the outer end of said stem, :1. base cap secured on the opposite end of said coll apsible body, and a base flange on said last mentioned cap.

In testimony whereof I aflix my FRANCIS si nature.

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