Ophthalmic Endoilluminator with Variable-Wedge Rotating-Disk Beam Attenuator
View Patent ↗An ophthalmic endoilluminator includes a light source, a variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator, a condensing lens, and an optical fiber. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator attenuates the light produced by the light source. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator includes a wedge capable of being adjusted over a variable angle as measured through an arc of the wedge and an axle to which the wedge is attached. The axle rotates such that the wedge rotates around a pivot defined by the axle. The condensing lens focuses the attenuated light. The optical fiber carries the focused light into an eye. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator is located such that it affects the intensity of a light beam transmitted into an eye.
1. An ophthalmic endoilluminator comprising:
a light source for producing light;
a collimating element for collimating the light produced by the light source;
a variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator for attenuating the collimated light, the variable-wedge rotating disk attenuator comprising a wedge capable of being adjusted over a variable angle as measured through an arc of the wedge and an axle to which the wedge is attached, the axle capable of rotating such that the wedge rotates around a pivot defined by the axle;
a condensing element for focusing the attenuated light; and
an optical fiber for carrying the focused light into an eye.
2. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising:
a filter for filtering unwanted wavelengths from the collimated light.
3. The endoilluminator of claim 2 wherein the filter comprises a cold mirror.
4. The endoilluminator of claim 2 wherein the filter comprises a hot mirror.
5. The endoilluminator of claim 1 wherein the condensing element comprises a lens.
6. The endoilluminator of claim 1 wherein the collimating element comprises a lens.
7. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising:
a power supply coupled to the light source.
8. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising:
a connector for aligning the attenuated light with the optical fiber;
a hand piece carrying the optical fiber, the hand piece capable of being manipulated in the hand; and
a probe for carrying the optical fiber into the eye.
9. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising:
a controller for controlling an operation of the variable-wedge rotating disk attenuator.
10. The endoilluminator of claim 1 wherein the variable-wedge rotating disk attenuator controls an intensity of the focused light.
11. The endoilluminator of claim 1 wherein the wedge is pie-shaped.
12. The endoilluminator of claim 1 wherein the wedge comprises movable segments.
13. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising:
a motor coupled to the axle.
14. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising:
a controller for controlling the size of the wedge.
15. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising:
a controller for controlling a rotation of the axle.
16. An ophthalmic endoilluminator comprising:
a light source for producing light;
a variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator for attenuating the light produced by the light source, the variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator comprising a first wedge capable of being adjusted over a variable angle as measured through an arc of the first wedge, a second wedge, and an axle to which the first and second wedges are attached, the axle capable of rotating such that the first and second wedges rotate around a pivot defined by the axle;
a condensing lens for focusing the attenuated light; and
an optical fiber for carrying the focused light into an eye
wherein the variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator is located such that it affects the intensity of a light beam transmitted into an eye.
17. The endoilluminator of claim 16 further comprising:
a collimating lens for collimating the light produced by the light source.
18. The endoilluminator of claim 17 further comprising:
a filter for filtering unwanted wavelengths from the collimated light.
19. The endoilluminator of claim 16 further comprising:
a power supply coupled to the light source.
20. The endoilluminator of claim 16 further comprising:
a connector for aligning the attenuated light with the optical fiber;
a hand piece carrying the optical fiber, the hand piece capable of being held in the hand; and
a probe for carrying the optical fiber into the eye.
21. The endoilluminator of claim 16 further comprising:
a controller for controlling an operation of the variable-wedge rotating disk attenuator.
22. The endoilluminator of claim 16 wherein the first wedge is pie-shaped.
23. The endoilluminator of claim 16 wherein the first wedge comprises movable segments.
24. The endoilluminator of claim 16 further comprising:
a motor coupled to the axle.