U.S. patent application number 12/728782 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-15 for multi-led ophthalmic illuminator.
Invention is credited to Alexander N. Artsyukhovich, Mark J. Buczek, John C. Huculak.
Application Number | 20100177280 12/728782 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39826584 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100177280 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buczek; Mark J. ; et
al. |
July 15, 2010 |
MULTI-LED OPHTHALMIC ILLUMINATOR
Abstract
An ophthalmic endoilluminator has a power supply coupled to a
light source, a controller, a collimation device, an alignment
device, a lens, and an optical fiber. The light source has three
light emitting diodes. Each of the three light emitting diodes
produces a different color light. The controller controls the
operation of the three light emitting diodes. The collimation
device collimates the light produced by at least one of the light
emitting diodes. The alignment device aligns the light individually
produced by the three light emitting diodes into a single light
beam. The lens focuses the single light beam. The optical fiber for
carries the single light beam.
Inventors: |
Buczek; Mark J.; (Oceanside,
CA) ; Artsyukhovich; Alexander N.; (Dana Point,
CA) ; Huculak; John C.; (Mission Viejo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALCON
IP LEGAL, TB4-8, 6201 SOUTH FREEWAY
FORT WORTH
TX
76134
US
|
Family ID: |
39826584 |
Appl. No.: |
12/728782 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11697915 |
Apr 9, 2007 |
7682027 |
|
|
12728782 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 3/0008 20130101;
A61F 9/007 20130101; A61B 2090/309 20160201; A61B 1/0684 20130101;
A61B 2090/306 20160201; A61B 90/36 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/221 |
International
Class: |
A61B 3/10 20060101
A61B003/10 |
Claims
1. An ophthalmic endoilluminator comprising: a light source with at
least three light emitting diodes, each of the at least three light
emitting diodes producing a different color light; one or more
collimation elements for collimating the light produced by the
light emitting diodes; a device for aligning the light individually
produced by the at least three light emitting diodes into a single
light beam; a lens for focusing the single light beam; and a first
optical fiber for carrying the single light beam.
2. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising: a power
supply coupled to the light source.
3. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising: at least one
polarization device for polarizing the light produced by at least
one of the light emitting diodes.
4. The endoilluminator of claim 1 wherein the at least three light
emitting diodes emit a red light, a green light and a blue light,
respectively.
5. The endoilluminator of claim 4 further comprising fourth and
fifth light emitting diodes.
6. The endoilluminator of claim 5 wherein the fourth light emitting
diode emits an amber light and the fifth light emitting diode emits
a white light.
7. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising: a second
optical fiber for carrying the single light beam.
8. The endoilluminator of claim 7 further comprising: an optical
coupling device for coupling the first optical fiber to the second
optical fiber.
9. The endoilluminator of claim 8 further comprising: an instrument
assembly comprising a connector, the second optical fiber, a hand
piece, and a probe.
10. The endoilluminator of claim 8 wherein the connector aligns the
first optical fiber and the second optical fiber.
11. The endoilluminator of claim 9 wherein the probe terminates at
an end of the second optical fiber so that the single beam of light
is transmitted into an eye.
12. The endoilluminator of claim 8 wherein the optical coupling
device is a ball lens.
13. The endoilluminator of claim 1 wherein the device for aligning
the light individually produced by the three light emitting diodes
is selected from a group consisting of a dichroic beam splitter, an
x-prism, and a minor.
14. The endoilluminator of claim 1 further comprising: a controller
for controlling the operation of the three light emitting
diodes.
15. The endoilluminator of claim 14 wherein an intensity of each of
the at least three light emitting diodes is controlled
independently by the controller such that the at least three light
emitting diodes emit light of different intensities.
16. The endoilluminator of claim 14 wherein the controller utilizes
an algorithm to control at least one of the light emitting diodes,
the algorithm selected from the group consisting of: an algorithm
for strobing a light emitting diode, a pulse width modulation
algorithm, and an amplitude modulation algorithm.
17. An ophthalmic endoilluminator comprising: a power supply; a
light source coupled to the power supply, the light source
comprising three light emitting diodes, each of the three light
emitting diodes producing a different color light; a controller
coupled to the power supply, the controller for controlling the
operation of the three light emitting diodes; a collimation device
for collimating the light produced by at least one of the light
emitting diodes; a device for aligning the light individually
produced by the three light emitting diodes into a single light
beam; a lens for focusing the single light beam; and an optical
fiber for carrying the single light beam.
18. The endoilluminator of claim 17 further comprising: at least
one polarization device for polarizing the light produced by at
least one of the light emitting diodes.
19. The endoilluminator of claim 17 wherein the three light
emitting diodes emit a red light, a green light and a blue light,
respectively.
20. The endoilluminator of claim 19 further comprising fourth and
fifth light emitting diodes.
21. The endoilluminator of claim 20 wherein the fourth light
emitting diode emits an amber light and the fifth light emitting
diode emits a white light.
22. The endoilluminator of claim 17 wherein the device for aligning
the light individually produced by the three light emitting diodes
is selected from a group consisting of: a dichroic beam splitter,
an x-prism, and a mirror.
23. The endoilluminator of claim 17 wherein an intensity of each of
the three light emitting diodes is controlled independently by the
controller such that the three light emitting diodes emit light of
different intensities.
24. The endoilluminator of claim 17 wherein the controller utilizes
an algorithm to control at least one of the light emitting diodes,
the algorithm selected from a group consisting of: an algorithm for
strobing a light emitting diode, a pulse width modulation
algorithm, and an amplitude modulation algorithm.
25. A method of providing ophthalmic illumination comprising:
providing current to at least three light emitting diodes to cause
the at least three light emitting diodes to emit light; collimating
the light emitted by the at least three light emitting diodes;
aligning the collimated light into a single light beam; focusing
the single light beam; and transmitting the single light beam over
an optical fiber.
26. The method of claim 25 further comprising: polarizing the
collimated light.
27. The method of claim 27 further comprising: individually
controlling the intensity of the at least three light emitting
diodes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation (CON) of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/697,915, filed Apr. 9, 2007, priority of
which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120, the contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an illuminator for use in
ophthalmic surgery and more particularly to ophthalmic illuminator
utilizing at least three different colored light emitting diodes to
produce a light suitable for illuminating the inside of the
eye.
[0003] Anatomically, the eye is divided into two distinct
parts--the anterior segment and the posterior segment. The anterior
segment includes the lens and extends from the outermost layer of
the cornea (the corneal endothelium) to the posterior of the lens
capsule. The posterior segment includes the portion of the eye
behind the lens capsule. The posterior segment extends from the
anterior hyaloid face to the retina, with which the posterior
hyaloid face of the vitreous body is in direct contact. The
posterior segment is much larger than the anterior segment.
[0004] The posterior segment includes the vitreous body--a clear,
colorless, gel-like substance. It makes up approximately two-thirds
of the eye's volume, giving it form and shape before birth. It is
composed of 1% collagen and sodium hyaluronate and 99% water. The
anterior boundary of the vitreous body is the anterior hyaloid
face, which touches the posterior capsule of the lens, while the
posterior hyaloid face forms its posterior boundary, and is in
contact with the retina. The vitreous body is not free-flowing like
the aqueous humor and has normal anatomic attachment sites. One of
these sites is the vitreous base, which is a 3-4 mm wide band that
overlies the ora serrata. The optic nerve head, macula lutea, and
vascular arcade are also sites of attachment. The vitreous body's
major functions are to hold the retina in place, maintain the
integrity and shape of the globe, absorb shock due to movement, and
to give support for the lens posteriorly. In contrast to aqueous
humor, the vitreous body is not continuously replaced. The vitreous
body becomes more fluid with age in a process known as syneresis.
Syneresis results in shrinkage of the vitreous body, which can
exert pressure or traction on its normal attachment sites. If
enough traction is applied, the vitreous body may pull itself from
its retinal attachment and create a retinal tear or hole.
[0005] Various surgical procedures, called vitreo-retinal
procedures, are commonly performed in the posterior segment of the
eye. Vitreo-retinal procedures are appropriate to treat many
serious conditions of the posterior segment. Vitreo-retinal
procedures treat conditions such as age-related macular
degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and diabetic vitreous
hemorrhage, macular hole, retinal detachment, epiretinal membrane,
CMV retinitis, and many other ophthalmic conditions.
[0006] A surgeon performs vitreo-retinal procedures with a
microscope and special lenses designed to provide a clear image of
the posterior segment. Several tiny incisions just a millimeter or
so in length are made on the sclera at the pars plana. The surgeon
inserts microsurgical instruments through the incisions such as a
fiber optic light source to illuminate inside the eye, an infusion
line to maintain the eye's shape during surgery, and instruments to
cut and remove the vitreous body.
[0007] During such surgical procedures, proper illumination of the
inside of the eye is important. Typically, a thin optical fiber is
inserted into the eye to provide the illumination. A light source,
such as a metal halide lamp, a halogen lamp, or a xenon lamp, is
often used to produce the light carried by the optical fiber into
the eye. These traditional light sources have many drawbacks. They
are inefficient because most of the light they produce falls
outside the visible spectrum. They also produce excess heat which
is undesirable in an operating room. In addition, the ultraviolet
and infrared light produced by such lamps needs to be filtered
prior to introduction into the eye due to aphakic hazard
considerations.
[0008] A better light source is found in light emitting diodes
("LEDs"), and several companies have been working on illuminators
utilizing LEDs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,628, "Light Source
for Ophthalmic Use" assigned to Advanced Medical Optics discloses
the use of a single LED to provide light for an ophthalmic
illuminator. U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,086, "Variable Multiple Color LED
Illumination System," assigned to Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Inc.
discloses another ophthalmic illuminator utilizing LEDs. U.S.
Patent Application No. 20050099824, "Methods and Systems for
Medical Lighting" assigned to Color Kinetics, Inc. discloses a
semiconductor lighting system integrated into a hand piece.
Edmond's Lighting has introduced an "EOS" system that utilizes red,
green, and blue channels of light to produce an illumination
source. Each of these approaches has disadvantages. What is needed
is an ophthalmic illuminator utilizing at least three different
colored LEDs to produce a light suitable for illuminating the
inside of the eye.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one embodiment consistent with the principles of the
present invention, the present invention is an ophthalmic
endoilluminator having a light source, one or more collimation
elements, an aligning device, a lens, and an optical fiber. The
light source has at least three light emitting diodes, each
producing a different color light. The one or more collimation
elements collimate the light produced by the light emitting diodes.
The alignment device aligns the light individually produced by the
at least three light emitting diodes into a single light beam. The
lens for focuses the single light beam. The optical fiber carries
the single light beam.
[0010] In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the
present invention, the present invention is an ophthalmic
endoilluminator having a power supply coupled to a light source, a
controller, a collimation device, an alignment device, a lens, and
an optical fiber. The light source has three light emitting diodes.
Each of the three light emitting diodes produces a different color
light. The controller controls the operation of the three light
emitting diodes. The collimation device collimates the light
produced by at least one of the light emitting diodes. The
alignment device aligns the light individually produced by the
three light emitting diodes into a single light beam. The lens
focuses the single light beam. The optical fiber for carries the
single light beam.
[0011] In another embodiment consistent with the principles of the
present invention, the present invention is a method of providing
ophthalmic illumination including: providing current to at least
three light emitting diodes to cause the at least three light
emitting diodes to emit light; collimating the light emitted by the
at least three light emitting diodes; aligning the collimated light
into a single light beam; focusing the single light beam; and
transmitting the single light beam over an optical fiber.
[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed. The following description,
as well as the practice of the invention, set forth and suggest
additional advantages and purposes of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several
embodiments of the invention and together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an ophthalmic endoilluminator
utilizing five LEDs according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an ophthalmic endoilluminator
utilizing three LEDs according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is diagram of an ophthalmic endoilluminator according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a prism for aligning three different
colored rays of light into a single output beam.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a graph of the wavelengths of three LEDs that can
be implemented in an ophthalmic endoilluminator according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is cross section view of an ophthalmic
endoilluminator located in an eye according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a method of operating an ophthalmic
endoilluminator according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Reference is now made in detail to the exemplary embodiments
of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or
like parts.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an ophthalmic endoilluminator
utilizing five LEDs according to an embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 1, the five LEDs are designated R, G, B, A, and
W and represent red, green, blue, amber and white LEDs,
respectively. The endoilluminator also includes controller 100,
collimating lenses, 105, 110, 115, 120, and 125, dichroic beam
splitters 155, 160, 165, 170, and 175, condensing lens 180, and
endoilluminator assembly 150.
[0023] The light from the five LEDs R, G, B, A, and W is collimated
by collimating lenses 105, 110, 115, 120, and 125. The collimated
light is combined into a single beam by the dichroic beam splitters
155, 160, 165, 170, and 175. The beam is focused by condensing lens
180. The focused beam is carried by an optical fiber in
endoilluminator assembly 150.
[0024] The five LEDs R, G, B, A, and W can be of any type.
Typically, LEDs R, G, B, A, and W are chosen for the wavelength of
light they produce. The eye's natural lens filters the light that
enters the eye. In particular, the natural lens absorbs blue and
ultraviolet light which can damage the retina. Providing light of
the proper wavelength can greatly reduce the risk of damage to the
retina through aphakic hazard, blue light photochemical retinal
hazard, and similar light toxicity hazards. Typically, a light in
the range of about 430 to 700 nanometers is preferable for reducing
the risks of these hazards. LEDs R, G, B, A, and W can be chosen to
produce a light in this wavelength range.
[0025] Utilizing multiple LEDs of different colors, like LEDs R, G,
B, A, and W, can produce the appearance of white light or of a
light of any desired hue. As is commonly known, one or more of the
LEDs can be operated to provide more light output (or greater
intensity) than the other LEDs. The collimation and condensing of
the resulting light beam can resemble any hue. In addition,
different temperature colors of white light, for example, can be
achieved in this manner.
[0026] LEDs provide greater flexibility in operation and light
output. Numerous different control schemes can be used to operate
LEDs R, G, B, A, and W. For example, LEDs R, G, B, A, and W can be
strobed at a high power level, or overdriven, to produce a higher
intensity light. Additionally, LEDs can be strobed faster than any
other conventional light source. Strobing also increases LED life.
Pulse width modulation or amplitude modulation can be used to allow
the appearance of continuous light while reducing heat generation.
In addition, LEDs are highly efficient light sources--approximately
10-12% of current driven through an LED is converted into
light.
[0027] The light from LEDs R, G, B, A, and W is collimated so that
each of the different colors propagates independently of the other
colors. In this manner, the beam of light exiting condensing lens
180 and entering endoilluminator assembly 150 is a collimated beam
of different colors, each with their own intensity. When the
resulting beam is backscattered against a surface to be
illuminated, the resulting color hue is visible. In this manner,
red, green, blue, amber, and white light generated by LEDs R, G, B,
A, and W travels in a collimated and condensed beam through
endoilluminator assembly 150 and into an eye where the light is
backscattered to produce, for example, a white light. The
collimation of multiple LED light sources also allows an optical
fiber to have a greater carrying capacity than utilizing a single
broad spectrum source.
[0028] Collimating lenses 105, 110, 115, 120, and 125 are
configured to collimate the light produced by LEDs R, G, B, A, and
W. As is commonly known, collimation of light involves lining up
the light rays. Collimated light is light whose rays are parallel
with a planar wave front.
[0029] Dichroic beam splitters 155, 160, 165, 170, and 175 combine
the collimated light into a single beam. After the light produced
by LEDs R, G, B, A, and W is collimated by collimating lenses 105,
110, 115, 120, and 125, dichroic beam splitters 155, 160, 165, 170,
and 175 combine the collimated light into a single output beam.
Mirrors in appropriate configurations may also be used to combine
the collimated light into a single output beam.
[0030] Condensing lens 180 focuses the single output beam so that
it can be carried on a small gauge optical fiber. Condensing lens
180 is a lens of suitable configuration for the system. Condensing
lens 180 is typically designed so that the resulting focused beam
of light can be suitable transmitted by an optical fiber. As is
commonly known, a condensing lens may be biconvex and serves to
focus light.
[0031] Endoilluminator assembly 150 includes an optical fiber to
carry the focused beam of collimated light into the eye to
illuminate it. As described in more detail below, endoilluminator
assembly includes a connector portion, an optical fiber, a hand
piece, and a probe. The optical fiber may be in one continuous
strand or it may be in two or more optically coupled strands.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an ophthalmic endoilluminator
utilizing three LEDs according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is similar to the embodiment of
FIG. 1. However, the embodiment of FIG. 2 utilizes three LEDs,
designated R, G, and B for red, green, and blue. The system of FIG.
2 also includes x-prism 205, polarization elements 210, 215, and
220, condensing lens 225, connector 250, optical fiber 255, hand
piece 260, and probe 265. LEDs R, G, and B, collimators (not
shown), and condensing lens are 225 are as described in FIG. 1.
Additionally, LEDs R, G, and B may be operated in a similar manner
to that described with respect to FIG. 1.
[0033] Light from LEDs R, G, and B is collimated to align the light
rays emitted from them. The collimated light is polarized by
polarization elements 210, 215, and 220, respectively. The
polarized light then passes through x-prism 205 to align the
collimated light from the three LEDs into a single beam. The
resulting beam of collimated light is focused by condensing lens
225 and directed at optical fiber 255 through connector 250. The
beam of light is carried by optical fiber 255 through hand piece
260, probe 265, and into the eye.
[0034] Polarization elements 210, 215, and 220 are interposed
between LEDs R, G, and B and x-prism 205 and function to polarize
the light emitted from the LEDs. LEDs R, G, and B emit unpolarized
light which can be lost if not polarized. Up to 50% of the total
light energy emitted by the LEDs can be lost without the use of
polarization elements 210, 215, and 220. As is commonly known,
polarization elements 210, 215, and 220 may be made from a polymer
or other material. Any of a number of different commercially
available polarization materials may be selected to implement
polarization elements 210, 215, and 220.
[0035] X-prism 205 aligns the three collimated and polarized light
beams into a single light beam. X-prism 205 is configured to align
three collimated light beams arranged as shown in FIG. 2. As is
commonly known, x-prism 205 can be made of different prisms each
designed to bend the collimated light beams. Alternatively,
mirrors, diffractive gratings, or prisms may be used to perform the
alignment function.
[0036] While the dichroic beam splitters 155, 160, 165, 170, and
175 of FIG. 1 and the x-prism 205 of FIG. 2 provide excellent
results, an RGB combiner based on dispersion may also be used. For
example, a prism or diffractive grating may be used to perform the
alignment function as shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, three LEDs (R,G,
B) are shown, each producing a colored ray of light. The three
colored rays of light are directed at prism 405 which refracts the
three rays of colored light to produce a single aligned output
beam. The prism 405 may also be embodied in a diffractive
grating.
[0037] The endoilluminator assembly that is handled by the
ophthalmic surgeon includes connector 250, optical fiber 255, hand
piece 260, and probe 265. Connector 250 is designed to connect the
optical fiber 255 to a main console containing the LED light
source. Connector 250 properly aligns the optical fiber with the
beam of light that is to be transmitted into the eye. Optical fiber
255 is typically a small gauge fiber that may or may not be
tapered. Hand piece 260 is held by the surgeon and allows for the
manipulation of probe 265 in the eye. Probe 265 is inserted into
the eye. Probe 265 carries optical fiber 255 which terminates in
the eye. Probe 265 thus provides illumination from optical fiber
255 into the eye.
[0038] Controller 100 controls the operation of the various
components of the system. Controller 100 is typically an integrated
circuit with power, input, and output pins capable of performing
logic functions. In various embodiments, controller 100 is a
targeted device controller. In such a case, controller 100 performs
specific control functions targeted to a specific device or
component, such as directing current or current pulses to LEDs R,
G, B, A, and W. In other embodiments, controller 100 is a
microprocessor. In such a case, controller 100 is programmable so
that it can function to control the current to LEDs R, G, B, A, and
W as well as other components of the machine. Software loaded into
the microprocessor implements the control functions provided by
controller 100. In other cases, controller 100 is not a
programmable microprocessor, but instead is a special purpose
controller configured to control different components that perform
different functions. While depicted as one component in FIG. 1,
controller 100 may be made of many different components or
integrated circuits.
[0039] Controller 100 functions to control the operation of the
LEDs in numerous different ways. As previously mentioned,
controller 100 may strobe the LEDs or use other control schemes
such as pulse width modulation or amplitude modulation. Controller
100 can control the intensity of the LEDs individually. The
different LEDs can be driven individually or together to produce
different light outputs. In one embodiment of the present
invention, a surgeon selects the hue and/or temperature color of
the light for different applications. In other embodiments, several
different light modes are programmed into controller 100 to provide
several different light outputs. These outputs may or may not be
user selectable. Any number of different control algorithms may be
employed in the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 3 is diagram of an ophthalmic endoilluminator according
to an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 3
includes power source 305, light source 310, taper 315, optical
fiber 320, ball lens 325, connector 250, optical fiber 255, hand
piece 260, and probe 265. Power source 305 provides power to light
source 310. Light source 310 is an LED light source as previously
described.
[0041] A light beam from light source 310 enters taper 315 of
optical fiber 320. Optical fiber 320 transmits the light beam,
through balls lens 325 or other suitable optical coupling device,
to optical fiber 255. In this manner, a light beam emitted from
light source 310 travels through optical fiber 320, ball lens 325
or other suitable optical coupling device, optical fiber 255, and
into the eye. Optical fiber 255 extends through connector 250 and
hand piece 260 to form a continuous path for light to travel into
the eye. Connector 250 is designed to attach the hand piece portion
to the console portion of the system. Connector 250 is configured
to align optical ball lens 325 with optical fiber 255 to facilitate
the transmission of light. Hand piece 260 and probe 265 are as
previously described. Optical fiber 255 terminates at the end of
probe 265.
[0042] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the components to the left of
connector 250 are contained in a console to which connector 250 is
attached. This console includes the power source 305, light source
310, optical fiber 320 with optional taper 315, and ball lens 325
or other suitable optical coupling device. The endoilluminator
assembly that is handled by the ophthalmic surgeon includes
connector 250, optical fiber 255, hand piece 260, and probe
265.
[0043] Optical fibers 320 and 255 are selected from any of a number
of different sizes and types. Typically, optical fiber 320 has a
taper 315 that decreases in diameter or gauge from the end nearest
light source 310 to the end nearest ball lens 325. In this manner,
optical fiber 320 narrows from a larger gauge to a smaller gauge.
Ball lens 325 couples optical fiber 320 to optical fiber 255. Any
suitable optical coupling device can be used in place of ball lens
325.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a graph that plots the light intensity versus
wavelength of three LEDs that can be employed in an ophthalmic
endoilluminator according to an embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 5, the light intensity of a red, green, and blue
LED are plotted against the wavelength of the light emitted from
the LEDs. The three LEDs plotted on the graph are suitable because
the light they emit is in the range of about 430 to 700 nanometers.
Any number of different combinations of LEDs can be found in this
range, and any number of them are suitable for use in the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 6 is cross section view of an ophthalmic
endoilluminator located in an eye according to an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 6 depicts hand piece 260 and probe 265 in
use. Probe 265 is inserted into eye 500 through an incision in the
pars plana region. Probe 265 illuminates the inside or vitreous
region 505 of eye 500. In this configuration, probe 265 can be used
to illuminate the inside or vitreous region 505 of eye 500 during
vitreo-retinal surgery.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a method of operating an ophthalmic
endoilluminator according to an embodiment of the present
invention. In 605, current is provided to at least three light
emitting diodes to cause them to produce light. In 610, the
intensity of the light emitting diodes is individually controlled.
In 615, the light produced by the light emitting diodes is
collimated. In 620, the collimated light is polarized. In 625, the
collimated light is aligned into a single light beam. In 630, the
single light beam is focused. In 635, the single light beam is
transmitted over an optical fiber.
[0047] From the above, it may be appreciated that the present
invention provides an improved system for illuminating the inside
of the eye. The present invention provides a light source
comprising multiple LEDs that can be driven in numerous different
ways to provide a suitable light output. A probe containing an
optical fiber carries the light into the eye. The present invention
is illustrated herein by example, and various modifications may be
made by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
[0048] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a
true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *