Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for powering a strobe for retinal imaging

US7512333B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
4References
18Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 2005
Grant dateMar 31, 2009
Priority date—
Expiry dateMar 14, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03B2215/05
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A lightweight, small, high-voltage power supply for a xenon flash lamp or strobe permits rapid and reliable strobing for retinal imaging. In one embodiment the power supply can develop 500 volts at 720 watt seconds to permit firing the xenon strobe at full power one pulse per second. The power supply, rather than using heavy, bulky transformers, uses a hybrid high-voltage multiplier that involves an AC coupling circuit and a half-wave rectifier, the outputs of which are coupled in series to a capacitor bank to achieve a 500-volt charging source for the capacitor bank. This permits the capacitor bank to be charged with a continuous high voltage so that it can deliver a controlled, reliable high voltage to the xenon strobe.

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