Variable-wedge rotating-disk beam attenuator for ophthalmic endoilluminator

1. A variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator for use in an ophthalmic endoilluminator comprising:

a wedge whose size is capable of being adjusted over a variable angle as measured through an arc of the wedge;

a second wedge located opposite the wedge; and

an axle to which the wedge is attached, the axle capable of rotating such that the wedge rotates around a pivot point defined by the axle;

wherein the variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator is located such that it affects the intensity of a light beam transmitted into an eye.

2. A variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator for use in an ophthalmic endoilluminator comprising:

a first spine, the approximate center of which is located at a pivot point;

a second spine, the approximate center of which is located at the pivot point, the first and second spines being independently rotatable; and

a substantially optically opaque material located between the first and second spines, the substantially optically opaque material forming two wedges, each wedge capable of being adjusted, the two wedges located opposite each other with respect to the pivot point;

wherein the two wedges are rotated such that they attenuate the intensity of a light beam transmitted into an eye.

3. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 2 further comprising:

a first axle to which the first spine is attached, the first axle located along a line containing the pivot point that is substantially perpendicular to the first spine; and

a second axle to which the second spine is attached, the second axle located along a line containing the pivot point that is substantially perpendicular to the second spine.

4. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 3 further comprising:

a first motor connected to the first axle, the first motor for rotating the first axle; and

a second motor connected to the second axle, the second motor for rotating the second axle.

5. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 4 further comprising:

a controller for controlling the operation of the first and second motors wherein the controller operates the first and second motors at the same rotation rate but out of phase with each other.

6. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 5 wherein an amount that the first and second motors are out of phase corresponds to a size of the two wedges.

7. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 2 wherein the two wedges are located such that the attenuator is balanced about the pivot point.

8. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 2 wherein the two wedges can be adjusted to an angle in the range of almost zero degrees to 180 degrees.

9. A variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator for use in an ophthalmic endoilluminator comprising:

a first spine, the approximate center of which is located at a pivot point;

a second spine, the approximate center of which is located at the pivot point, the first and second spines being independently rotatable;

a substantially optically opaque material located between the first and second spines, the substantially optically opaque material forming two wedges, each wedge capable of being adjusted, the two wedges located opposite each other with respect to the pivot point;

a first axle to which the first spine is attached, the first axle located along a line containing the pivot point that is substantially perpendicular to the first spine;

a second axle to which the second spine is attached, the second axle located along a line containing the pivot point that is substantially perpendicular to the second spine;

a first motor connected to the first axle, the first motor for rotating the first axle;

a second motor connected to the second axle, the second motor for rotating the second axle; and

a controller for controlling the operation of the first and second motors;

wherein the controller operates the first and second motors at the same rotation rate but out of phase with each other to cause the variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator to affect the intensity of a light beam transmitted into an eye.

10. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 9 wherein an amount that the first and second motors are out of phase corresponds to a size of the two wedges.

11. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 9 wherein the two wedges are located such that the attenuator is balanced about the pivot point.

12. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 9 wherein the two wedges can be adjusted to an angle in the range of almost zero degrees to 180 degrees.

13. The variable-wedge rotating-disk attenuator of claim 9 further comprising:

a third spine spine, the approximate center of which is located at the pivot point, the third spine rigidly connected to and perpendicular to the first spine, the third spine connected to the first axle;

a fourth spine, the approximate center of which is located at the pivot point, the fourth spine rigidly connected to and perpendicular to the second spine, the fourth spine connected to the second axle; and

a substantially optically opaque material located between the third and fourth spines, the substantially optically opaque material forming third and fourth wedges, each third and fourth wedge capable of being adjusted over an angle, the third and fourth wedges located opposite each other with respect to the pivot point.