Patent · US Expired

Motorized patient support for eye examination or treatment

US7401921B2 · kind B2 · utility

34Cited by
18References
43Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 12, 2004
Grant dateJul 22, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 28, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B3/113
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A motorized head supporting and positioning apparatus is disclosed, such as is useful for eye examination or treatment. The apparatus includes head-receiving supports, which can include a forehead rest and a chinrest, which can be linked by a single arm assembly. A main assembly of the apparatus contains a motor assembly, which can include three motors driven in a coupled manner to guide a head along a three-dimensional path at a speed that is comfortable to the patient. The apparatus can be relatively compact, owing at least in part to a pivoted approximate Z-axis movement along the optical axis. In addition to open-loop operation, the apparatus can be used with a tracking subsystem to achieve closed-loop positioning in real time, as well as to enable the activation of an examination/treatment instrument when the eye is brought within an acceptable tolerance of a desired position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.