U.S. patent application number 16/334005 was filed with the patent office on 2021-09-09 for eye examination kiosk system and method for remote eye examination.
This patent application is currently assigned to Globechek Intellectual Holdings, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Globechek Intellectual Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to David Gary Eldridge, Adam M. Katz, William J. Mallon.
Application Number | 20210275021 16/334005 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005795456 |
Filed Date | 2021-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210275021 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Katz; Adam M. ; et
al. |
September 9, 2021 |
EYE EXAMINATION KIOSK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE EYE
EXAMINATION
Abstract
The eye examination kiosk and method may comprise a structure
for rotating and/or translating ophthalmologic examination devices
such as an auto-refractor, an auto-keratometer, a corneal
topographer, a fundus camera, an external photo camera, a
perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular microscope, a retinal and
external eye imager, an Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT), or a
non-contact tonometer into a position such that they may be used
for examination of a patient. The kiosk outer shell may comprise an
opening allowing the ophthalmologic examination equipment to
perform eye examinations of a patient. Eye examination results are
transmitted to a remote location where they are read by a
physician, who transmits examination findings and recommendations
for follow up treatment to the patient. The results may include the
identity of qualified physicians who practice geographically near
the patient, or who are qualified to treat a patient for a specific
condition indication.
Inventors: |
Katz; Adam M.; (Vero Beach,
FL) ; Mallon; William J.; (Vero Beach, FL) ;
Eldridge; David Gary; (Brentwood, CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Globechek Intellectual Holdings, LLC |
Kent Country |
DE |
US |
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Assignee: |
Globechek Intellectual Holdings,
LLC
Kent Country
DE
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190290126 A1 |
September 26, 2019 |
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Family ID: |
1000005795456 |
Appl. No.: |
16/334005 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
September 17, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US17/51946 PCKC 00 |
371 Date: |
March 16, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US16/68410 |
Dec 22, 2016 |
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16334005 |
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15268572 |
Sep 17, 2016 |
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PCT/US16/68410 |
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15268572 |
Sep 17, 2016 |
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15268572 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 3/024 20130101;
A61B 3/165 20130101; A61B 3/103 20130101; A61B 3/0083 20130101;
A61B 3/102 20130101; A61B 3/0025 20130101; A61B 3/18 20130101; A61B
3/107 20130101; A61B 3/13 20130101; A61B 3/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 3/18 20060101
A61B003/18; A61B 3/10 20060101 A61B003/10; A61B 3/103 20060101
A61B003/103; A61B 3/13 20060101 A61B003/13; A61B 3/14 20060101
A61B003/14; A61B 3/024 20060101 A61B003/024; A61B 3/00 20060101
A61B003/00; A61B 3/107 20060101 A61B003/107; A61B 3/16 20060101
A61B003/16 |
Claims
1. An eye examination kiosk, comprising: a controllable rotable
table rotable about an axis, said rotable table in communication
with a controller and controllable to be indexed to predefined
points of rotation; at least one eye examination device, wherein
said at least one eye examination device is mounted to a surface of
said rotable table; wherein said rotable table is rotable upon
command from said controller such that said at least one eye
examination device can be rotated into a predefined point of
rotation such that said at least one eye examination device
presented to a patient for eye examination of the patient; and
wherein said at least one eye examination device is capable of
producing eye examination results and communicating said eye
examination results to said controller, and wherein said controller
is in communication with a remote storage server computer via a
data network for transmitting said eye examination results to said
remote storage server computer.
2. The eye examination kiosk of claim 1, wherein said at least one
eye examination device is further defined as being selected from
the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an auto-keratometer, a
corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an external photo camera, a
perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular microscope, a retinal and
external eye imager, an Optical Coherence Tomographer, and a
non-contact tonometer.
3. The eye examination kiosk of claim 2, wherein said autorefactor
and said autokeratometer are housed with a single housing.
4. The eye examination kiosk of claim 1, further comprising a kiosk
outer shell enclosing said rotable table and said at least one eye
examination device, wherein said kiosk outer shell comprises an
examination opening at said predefined point of rotation, said
opening allowing said patient's head to be disposed such that the
patient may be examined by said at least one eye examination device
without physical interference between said patient's head and said
kiosk outer shell.
5. The eye examination kiosk of claim 2, further comprising a kiosk
outer shell enclosing said rotable table and said at least one eye
examination device, wherein said kiosk outer shell comprises an
examination opening, said opening allowing said patient's head to
be disposed such that the patient may be examined by said at least
one eye examination device without physical interference between
said patient's head and said kiosk outer shell.
6. The eye examination kiosk of claim 3, further comprising a kiosk
outer shell enclosing said rotable table and said at least one eye
examination device, wherein said kiosk outer shell comprises an
examination opening, said opening allowing said patient's head to
be disposed such that the patient may be examined by said at least
one eye examination device without physical interference between
said patient's head and said kiosk outer shell.
7. The eye examination kiosk of claim 2, further comprising a
vertical lift assembly adapted to lift said rotary table and said
outer shell to accommodate patients with differing heights from a
ground level to the patient's line of sight.
8. The eye examination kiosk of claim 7, wherein said vertical lift
assembly is further defined as comprising an first tube having a
first axis, said first tube slidingly engaged with a second tube
having a second axis, wherein said first axis and said second axis
are coaxial and wherein said sliding engagement between said first
tube and said second tube allows said first tube and said second
tube to slide along one another along said first and second axes,
one tube within the other; and wherein said vertical lift assembly
further comprises a controllable vertical lift actuator having a
first end and a second end, said first end attached to said first
tube and said second end attached to said second tube, said
actuator disposed such that when it extends, said second tube is
translated on said sliding engagement along said first tube in a
first axial direction along said axis, and when said actuator
retracts, said second tube is translated on said sliding engagement
along said first tube in a second axial direction along said axis;
and wherein said rotary table and said outer shell are attached
either directly or indirectly to said outer tube; and wherein said
first tube is attached to a plurality of legs for supporting said
vertical lift assembly on a support surface; such that when said
controllable vertical lift actuator is extended upon command, said
rotary table and said outer shell are translated in an upward
direction, away from said support surface, and when said
controllable vertical lift actuator is retracted, said rotary table
and said outer shell are translated in an downward direction,
towards said support surface; wherein said controllable actuator is
in communication with said controller for commanding the extension
and retraction of said controllable vertical lift actuator; such
that said controllable vertical lift actuator is commandable to
raise or lower the rotary table and outer shell such that the eye
examination axis of said eye examination device is alignable with
the eye of patients of differing heights.
9. The eye examination kiosk of claim 8, wherein an attachment
between at least one of said eye examination devices and said
rotary table further comprises a controllable eye examination
device actuator and slide assembly in communication with said
controller disposed between said eye examination device and said
rotary table, said controllable eye examination device actuator and
slide assembly being extendable and retractable upon command by
said controller, such that said eye examination device is
translatable towards or away from said outer shell by command to
said controllable eye examination device actuator from said
controller.
10. The eye examination kiosk of claim 9, wherein said kiosk
comprises a plurality of eye examination devices, and where the
attachment between each of said eye examination devices and said
rotary table further comprises a controllable eye examination
device actuator and slide assembly in communication with said
controller disposed between said eye examination device and said
rotary table, said controllable eye examination device actuator and
slide assembly being extendable and retractable upon command by
said controller, such that each of said plurality of eye
examination devices is translatable towards or away from said outer
shell by command to said controllable eye examination device
actuator from said controller.
11. The eye examination kiosk of claim 10, further comprising a
point of sale system in communication with said controller.
12. The eye examination kiosk of claim 2, wherein said rotable
table comprises a male V-groove, and wherein said rotable table is
supported by a plurality of rotable thrust bearings each comprising
a complimentary V-groove such that when said rotable table male
V-groove is engaged with said rotable thrust bearing V-grooves,
said rotable table is supported by said rotable thrust bearings
while said rotable table is allowed to rotate about an axis, and
wherein said of rotable thrust bearings are attached to a surface
of support plate, and wherein a rotary gear ring is attached to a
surface of said rotable table, said rotary gear ring having a
arcuate pattern of teeth in a toothed engagement with a rotary
drive gear driven by a controllable rotary drive motor in
communication with said controller such that when said controller
commands said rotary drive motor to rotate about an axis, said
rotary drive gear drives said rotary gear ring causing said rotable
table to rotate about an axis.
13. The eye examination kiosk of claim 8, wherein said rotable
table comprises a male V-groove, and wherein said rotable table is
supported by a plurality of rotable thrust bearings each comprising
a complimentary V-groove such that when said rotable table male
V-groove is engaged with said rotable thrust bearing V-grooves,
said rotable table is supported by said rotable thrust bearings
while said rotable table is allowed to rotate about an axis, and
wherein said of rotable thrust bearings are attached to a surface
of support plate, and wherein a rotary gear ring is attached to a
surface of said rotable table, said rotary gear ring having a
arcuate pattern of teeth in a toothed engagement with a rotary
drive gear driven by a controllable rotary drive motor in
communication with said controller such that when said controller
commands said rotary drive motor to rotate about an axis, said
rotary drive gear drives said rotary gear ring causing said rotable
table to rotate about an axis.
14. The eye examination kiosk of claim 9, wherein said rotable
table comprises a male V-groove, and wherein said rotable table is
supported by a plurality of rotable thrust bearings each comprising
a complimentary V-groove such that when said rotable table male
V-groove is engaged with said rotable thrust bearing V-grooves,
said rotable table is supported by said rotable thrust bearings
while said rotable table is allowed to rotate about an axis, and
wherein said of rotable thrust bearings are attached to a surface
of support plate, and wherein a rotary gear ring is attached to a
surface of said rotable table, said rotary gear ring having a
arcuate pattern of teeth in a toothed engagement with a rotary
drive gear driven by a controllable rotary drive motor in
communication with said controller such that when said controller
commands said rotary drive motor to rotate about an axis, said
rotary drive gear drives said rotary gear ring causing said rotable
table to rotate about an axis.
15. A method for eye examination, comprising the steps of: a.
providing an eye examination kiosk comprising: a plurality of eye
examination devices mounted onto a rotable table, each eye
examination device of said plurality of eye examination devices
having a predefined plane of examination, said rotable table
attached to a rotating surface of a rotary table, said rotary table
in communication with a controller, said controller in
communication with non-transitory physical computer readable media
containing computer readable instructions for rotating said rotary
table rotable to predefined points of rotation, one for each eye
examination device, such that each of said plurality of eye
examination devices is presented to a patient for eye examination
of the patient such that the predefined axis of the eye examination
device is located coincident with the eye of a patient when said
rotable table is commanded by said controller to rotate to the
predefined point of rotation that eye examination device; b.
commanding said rotary table to rotate into a first predefined
points of rotation such that the predefined axis of examination of
a first eye examination device of said plurality of said eye
examination devices is disposed so as to be in line with a
patient's eye, allowing a first examination of said patient's eye;
c. conducting said first eye examination of said patient's eye
using said first eye examination device, thereby producing a first
eye examination result; d. commanding said rotary table to rotate
into a second predefined points of rotation such that the axis of
examination of a second eye examination device of said plurality of
said eye examination devices is disposed so as to be in line with
said patient's eye, allowing a second examination of said patient's
eye; e. conducting said second eye examination of said patient's
eye using said second examination device, thereby producing a
second eye examination result; f. repeating steps d.-e. until said
patient's eye has undergone examination by each of said plurality
of eye examination devices, thus producing a plurality of eye
examination results, one result for each examination; g. storing
each of said plurality of examination results; and h. transmitting
said plurality of eye examination results to a remote computer for
retrieval and review by a physician.
16. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: j.
retrieval of said plurality of eye examination results by said
physician; k. review of said plurality eye examination results by
said physician; l. generation of an eye examination report by said
physician; and m. transmitting said eye examination report to said
patient.
17. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of generation of said
eye examination report by said physician is further defined as
including the step of generating recommendations for follow up
treatment or diagnostic testing of said patient.
18. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of
transmitting said eye examination report to a person designated by
said patient.
19. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of
transmitting said eye examination report to a person designated by
said patient.
20. The method of claim 15, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the selected from the group consisting of an auto-refractor,
an auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
21. The method of claim 16, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
22. The method of claim 17, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
23. The method of claim 18, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
24. The method of claim 19, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
25. A method for eye examination, comprising the steps of: a.
providing an eye examination kiosk comprising: a plurality of eye
examination devices mounted onto a controllable rotable table, each
eye examination device of said plurality of eye examination devices
having a predefined axis of examination, said controllable rotary
table in communication with a controller, said controller in
communication with non-transitory physical computer readable media
containing computer readable instructions for rotating said rotary
table to a desired angular position, said kiosk having an outer
shell comprising and examination opening located at predefined
points of examination; b. placing a patient's head in said patient
head locating structure such that an eye of said patient is located
at a kiosk plane of examination; c. commanding said rotary table to
rotate into a first desired position such that the predefined plane
of examination of a first eye examination device of said plurality
of said eye examination devices is disposed so as to be coplanar
with said kiosk plane of examination, allowing a first examination
of said patient's eye; d. conducting said first eye examination of
said patient's eye using said first eye examination device, thereby
producing a first eye examination result; e. commanding said rotary
table to rotate into a second desired position such that the plane
of examination of a second eye examination device of said plurality
of said eye examination devices is disposed so as to be coplanar
with said kiosk plane of examination, allowing a second examination
of said patient's eye; f. conducting said second eye examination of
said patient's eye using said second examination device, thereby
producing a second eye examination result; g. repeating steps e.-f.
until said patient's eye has undergone examination by each of said
plurality of eye examination devices, thus producing a plurality of
eye examination results, one result for each examination; h.
storing each of said plurality of examination results; and i.
communicating said plurality of eye examination results to a
controller for automatic analyses of said plurality of eye
examination results, said automatic analyses producing an eye
examination report.
26. The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of: j.
transmitting said eye examination report to said patient.
27. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of generation of said
eye examination report by said physician is further defined as
including the step of generating recommendations for follow up
treatment or diagnostic testing of said patient.
28. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of
transmitting said eye examination report to a person designated by
said patient.
29. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of
transmitting said eye examination report to a person designated by
said patient.
30. The method of claim 29, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the selected from the group consisting of an auto-refractor,
an auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
31. The method of claim 30, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
32. The method of claim 31, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
33. The method of claim 32, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
34. The method of claim 33, in which each of the eye examination
devices of said plurality of eye examination devices is selected
from the group consisting of an auto-refractor, an
auto-keratometer, a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an
external photo camera, a perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular
microscope, a retinal and external eye imager, an Optical Coherence
Tomographer (OCT), and a non-contact tonometer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
[0001] This international patent application, filed under the
Patent Cooperation Treaty, claims benefit of priority to, and is a
continuation in part of, international patent application number
PCT/US16/68410 titled EYE EXAMINATION KIOSK, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
REMOTE EYE EXAMINATION which was filed in the United States
Receiving Office (USRO) on Dec. 22, 2016, which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety and which claimed benefit
of priority to U.S. non provisional patent application Ser. No.
15/268,572 for EYE EXAMINATION KIOSK, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE
EYE EXAMINATION, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office on Sep. 17, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety: this international patent application also claims
benefit of priority to, and is a continuation in part of, U.S. non
provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/268,572 for EYE
EXAMINATION KIOSK, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE EYE EXAMINATION,
filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Sep. 17,
2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISK
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The field of the invention relates generally to systems and
methods for providing screening eye examinations for patients. More
specifically, the field of the invention relates to systems and
methods for providing screening eye examinations wherein test
results are taken at an examination site, transmitted to a remote
site, and analyzed by a qualified person at the remote site, with
examination results and recommendations for medical follow up being
transmitted to the patient via a communication means.
2. Background Art
[0005] Eye examinations typically occur in an ophthalmologist's
office. A patient generally follows a series of steps to secure an
ophthalmologic examination, the steps typically comprising
contacting the ophthalmologist's office, setting an appointment at
a future time and date, traveling to the ophthalmologist's office,
waiting for the ophthalmologist to become available, sitting for
the ophthalmologic examination, holding a discourse with the
ophthalmologist, holding a discourse with office staff which may
include making arrangements for paying for the examination and
setting of future appointments, and returning from the
ophthalmologist's office. The time required to secure an
ophthalmologic examination may range up to several hours depending
upon such factors as the distance to the ophthalmologist's office,
the ophthalmologist office workload, unforeseen interruptions or
emergencies and the like. The total completion time, from setting
of appointment until the examination is completed, can take weeks
or longer.
[0006] What is needed in the art, therefore, is an apparatus and/or
method adapted to increasing the convenience of securing an
ophthalmologic screening examination by, for example, reducing the
time required for examination, integrating the opportunity for
ophthalmologic examination into the activities and routines of
daily life, and providing quick and easy follow up for future
ophthalmologic care and treatment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention comprises an apparatus and method that
have one or more of the following features and/or steps, which
alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject
matter.
[0008] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art in that it provides a method and apparatus for reducing
the time required for eye examination, allowing for the integrating
of ophthalmologic examination into the activities and routines of
daily life, and providing quick and easy follow up for future
ophthalmologic care and treatment.
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
the invention comprises an eye examination kiosk that may be placed
in any area convenient to prospective patients. Such areas may
include retail centers such as shopping malls; travel centers such
as airports; schools; or any other building or facility. The eye
examination kiosk may also be located on a mobile platform such as
a motor vehicle or trailer such that it can be transported to any
location convenient for prospective patients.
[0010] The eye examination kiosk may comprise an internal structure
for attaching ophthalmologic examination devices. The internal
structure may comprise a mechanical structure for attaching
ophthalmologic examination devices and for rotating and/or
translating the ophthalmologic examination devices into a position
such that the ophthalmologic examination equipment may be used for
ophthalmologic examination of a patient. The kiosk may also
comprise an outer housing, shell, or cover, within which the
internal structure and ophthalmologic examination equipment are
contained. The kiosk may be able to be translated up or down along
an axis by command of a controller such that patients of vaiying
heights may be examined, including patients in a wheelchair,
scooter, or other mobility device. The kiosk outer shell may
provide one or more openings adapted to allow a user to access the
ophthalmologic examination devices and for interacting with a kiosk
management system by, for example, accessing a touch screen monitor
or keyboard, and for viewing information displayed on a visual
display that is a part of the kiosk management system. Eye
examination results may be transmitted to a remote location where
they may be stored and remotely read and interpreted by a qualified
physician, who may transmit the examination findings to the
patient, the patient's health care provider, or any other person or
entity designated by the patient. The eye examination results may
include recommendations for follow up treatment and recommendations
as to the identity of qualified physicians who practice in a
location that is geographically near the patient, or who are
specially qualified to treat a patient for a specific condition or
medical indication.
[0011] The ophthalmologic examination devices may be a computer
controlled system that executes non-transitory computer executable
instructions stored in a physical non-transitory computer readable
media for carrying out the method steps of the invention. The
computer, or controller, of the invention may be in communication
with each of the actuators of the kiosk, the rotary table upon
which the eye examination devices are mounted, and with external
data networks for communicating eye examination results to at least
one remote server for reading by a physician. Each of the functions
of the ophthalmologic examination devices may be commanded by the
controller executing non-transitory computer executable
instructions stored in a physical non-transitory computer readable
media.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The
drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred
embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as
limiting the invention. In the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an exterior side view of an embodiment of the
eye examination kiosk of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of an perspective view of the eye
examination kiosk of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the eye
examination kiosk of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of an embodiment
of the eye examination kiosk of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 depicts an internal perspective view of an embodiment
of the eye examination kiosk of the invention in which the outer
shell and eye examination devices are not shown.
[0018] FIG. 6 depicts an internal top view of an embodiment of the
eye examination kiosk of the invention in which the outer shell and
eye examination devices are not shown.
[0019] FIG. 7 depicts an internal perspective view, from
underneath, of an embodiment of the invention. In this view, the
outer shell and eye examination equipment of the invention are not
shown.
[0020] FIG. 8 depicts an internal perspective view of an embodiment
of the invention in which eye examination equipment is not shown.
In this view, the outer shell of the invention is not shown.
[0021] FIG. 9 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the eye
examination kiosk of the invention in which the eye examination
kiosk has been raised to accommodate eye examination of a tall
standing person. The eye examination kiosk is depicted in a raised
position.
[0022] FIG. 10 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the eye
examination kiosk of the invention in which the eye examination
kiosk has been lower to accommodate eye examination of a patient
who is sitting in a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility device.
The eye examination kiosk is depicted in a lowered position.
[0023] FIG. 11 depicts a side cross section view of an embodiment
of the vertical lift assembly of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of the legs and casters
and an embodiment of the support structure for same.
[0025] FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of the legs and casters
and an embodiment of the support structure for same, also showing
the leg cover and cable snorkel.
[0026] FIG. 14 depicts a partially exploded, perspective view of
the legs and casters and an embodiment of the support structure for
same.
[0027] FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of the legs and casters
and an embodiment of the support structure for same, also showing
the leg cover and cable snorkel.
[0028] FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention in which eye examination devices are mounted to a rotable
table. In this view, the kiosk outer shell is not shown. The
rotable table is rotable about axis A in direction B, and certain
eye examination equipment may be translatable upon rotable table
108 as depicted arrows M, L, and J.
[0029] FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention in which eye examination devices are mounted to a rotable
table. In this view, the kiosk outer shell is not shown. The
rotable table is rotable about axis A in direction B, and certain
eye examination device may be translatable as depicted arrows M, L,
and J.
[0030] FIG. 18 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the
invention in which eye examination devices are mounted to a rotary
table. In this view, the kiosk outer shell is not shown. The rotary
table is rotable about axis A in direction B.
[0031] FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention in which eye examination devices are mounted to a rotary
table. In this view, the kiosk outer shell is not shown. Certain
eye examination device may be translatable as depicted arrows M, L,
and J. The actuator and slide assembly allowing translation of the
eye examination devices is shown in exploded view.
[0032] FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of a portion of the
rotary drive assembly of an embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIGS. 21A and 21B depict a side cross section view of a
portion of the rotary drive assembly of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0034] FIG. 22 depicts a top view of the legs and leg support
structure of an embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 23 depicts a perspective view of the leg cover, one of
tubes of the vertical lift assembly, and cable snorkel of an
embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 24 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
leg cover of the invention, showing the recess to accommodate a
wheelchair, scooter or other mobility device of a patient
undergoing eye examination at the eye examination kiosk.
[0037] FIG. 25A depicts a partial block diagram of an embodiment of
the eye examination kiosk of the invention, depicting the displays,
computer readable media, camera, keyboard, mouse, joystick,
point-of-sale system and thermal printer in communication with the
controller of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 25B depicts a partial block diagram of an embodiment of
the eye examination kiosk of the invention, depicting eye
examination devices, cameras, wireless transceiver and Ethernet
connections in communication with the controller of the
invention.
[0039] FIG. 25C depicts a partial block diagram of an embodiment of
the eye examination kiosk of the invention depicting the three axis
positioning and rotating system elements of the invention and
communication with the controller.
[0040] FIG. 26 is a block diagram depicting the eye examination
kiosk of the invention connected to a remote storage server
computer via a network connection, which may be wired or wireless,
and which may be the internet or world wide web. Also depicted is a
remote eye examination report reviewing computer, or server, which
may be utilized by a physician for remote reading of eye
examination results. The remote eye examination report reviewing
computer is connected to the remote storage server, patient,
patient's physician, and kiosk via a data network which may be, for
example, the Internet.
[0041] FIG. 27 depicts a flow diagram of the eye examination steps
of an embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 28 depicts a flow diagram of the remote reading of eye
examination results according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0043] FIG. 29 is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of the
invention in which the eye examination results are made available
to one or more, but preferably a plurality, of physicians, and
wherein one of the physicians may select a particular eye
examination result for reviewing. The reviewing physician may be
located geographically remote from the kiosk.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] The following documentation provides a detailed description
of the invention.
[0045] Although a detailed description as provided in the
attachments contains many specifics for the purposes of
illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that many variations and alterations to the following details are
within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following
preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any
loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the
claimed invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be
determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and
not merely by the preferred examples or embodiments given.
[0046] As used herein, "memory", "medium", "media", "computer
readable memory", "computer readable medium", "computer readable
media", "storage media", "computer readable storage media" and
"computer readable storage medium" shall include within their
meanings only physical non-transitory computer readable hardware,
and such terms shall specifically exclude signals per se, carrier
waves, propagating signals and other transitory signals. Such
physical non-transitory computer readable media may comprise
hardware memory that comprises a physical structure for storing
data which may include computer executable instructions or
data.
[0047] As used herein, "controller" shall include within its
meeting any electronic device or combination of electronic devices
or other electronic elements which is or are capable of executing
non-transitory computer readable instructions. Such devices or
elements may include processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers,
firmware controllers, field programmable gate arrays, programmable
array logic devices, or any other devices or systems known in the
art capable of performing the above functions. Such electronic
devices or other electronic elements may comprise any number of
actual physical hardware devices or emulators that need not be
co-located; in other words, the execution of non-transitory
computer readable instructions to carry out the steps of the
invention, or to provide features of the invention may be
distributed among one or more such actual physical hardware devices
or emulated devices. The execution of non-transitory computer
readable instructions may be used to carry out any of the steps of
the invention, or provide any feature of the invention, that such
instruction execution is capable of providing as is known in the
art.
[0048] As used herein, "computer" and "server" shall include within
their meanings any combination of electrical devices as is known in
the art for inputting instructions to a controller and receiving
information from a controller such as, for example, by means of a
visual display such as a computer monitor. Include within the
meaning of "computer" and "server" are controllers, input devices,
transceivers for data connections and non-transitory computer
readable media for the storage of computer executable instructions,
all of which may be in communication with one another, such that
the controller is able to read non-transitory computer readable and
executable instructions, and to execute such instructions for the
purposes of carrying out the objects, steps and functions of the
invention.
[0049] As used herein, "eye examination device" and "ophthalmologic
examination device" have the same meaning.
[0050] The eye examination kiosk of the invention may comprise a
rotable table upon which is mounted one or more eye examination
devices. The rotable table may be enclosed and rotable within a
kiosk outer shell. The rotable table and outer shell may be
translatable in a vertical direction, up or down, as may be desired
by a user. Such translation allows the alignment of the eye
examination devices with the eye of a user, and thus enables the
kiosk to adapt its effective examination height to users of various
heights. The kiosk may comprise legs that may rest upon a support
surface such as a floor, or the legs may be supported by optional
casters which provide a rolling engagement between the support
surface and the eye examination kiosk, allowing the kiosk of the
invention to be rolled into a desired location and orientation. The
kiosk outer shell may take any desired shape such as, for example,
a portion of a parallelepiped, which may be a portion of a
rectangular parallelepiped, but which, in a preferred embodiment,
may be defined as a sphere or a portion of a sphere. One such
spherical embodiment, of many embodiments, is depicted in the
figures. The eye examination devices may comprise any eye
examination device, including but not limited to one or more of the
following, in any combination: an auto-refractor, auto-keratometer,
corneal topographer, fundus camera, external photo camera,
perimeter, lensmeter, specular microscope, retinal and external eye
imager, Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT), and non-contact
tonometer. While the figures of the drawings depict embodiments of
the invention that comprise some of these instruments, in alternate
embodiments of the invention any combination of these inventions,
in any number, may be present. The examinations performed by the
eye examination devices may occur in any order. The eye examination
devices may be rotated into an examination position by rotation of
the rotable table, which is in communication with a controller that
controls the table rotation.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exterior side view of eye
examination kiosk 001 of the invention is depicted. Kiosk 001 may
comprise a kiosk outer shell 100 and a leg cover 910 that may cover
a plurality of legs comprising caster assemblies 130. While the
kiosk may comprise any number of legs, a preferred number of legs
for stability of the kiosk is five, and although caster assemblies
130 are optional, it is preferred that each leg comprise one caster
130. The optional caster assemblies 130 may comprise wheels, balls
or other structures for providing a rolling engagement between the
eye examination kiosk 001 and a surface 002 upon which it rests.
The eye examination kiosk 011 may comprise a first display 105a, a
second display 105b (not shown in FIG. 1, but shown in FIG. 2) and
a third display 104 each of which may be electronic displays such
as, for example liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting
diode (LED) displays, plasma displays, cathode ray tube (CRT)
displays, or any other displays known in the art. Displays 105a and
105b are preferably electronic flat screen displays but may be any
display, such as static, no-electronic signs. In the embodiments in
which displays 104, 105a and 105b are electronic displays, they may
each be in communication with a controller 700 (not shown in FIG.
1) that provides display information to the displays. The display
information may be any information, for example, advertisements,
patient queues, eye-related or other health related information, or
more specifically may be advertisements for services or products
related to eye health, eye care, eye examination, corrective
lenses, or other eye-related products or services. Furthermore,
displays 104, 105a and 105b may also be touch screen displays for
use by a patient or other person to provide input to the
controller. Each eye examination device may comprise a chin rest or
a forehead rest, or both, usable to positively locate a patient's
head in a desired location such that the patient's eye is located
at a predefined plane of examination. As the eye examination
devices are rotated into an examination position by command of the
rotary table 108, as described further herein, the plane of
examination of each device is presented to a patient in examination
opening 121, which is an opening in outer shell 100, such that the
patient may place their eye or eyes at the place of examination of
the eye examination device and thus undergo eye examination. The
plane of examination for an eye examination device is defined to be
a plane that is located a predefined distance from an eye
examination device as required for a specific eye examination
device to perform a desired eye examination of a patient. Keyboard
111, mouse 112 and joystick 114 (not shown in FIG. 1) may reside on
a keyboard shelf 110 for use by a user, which may be a patient or
examination assistant. Keyboard 111, mouse 112, joystick 114 and
other computer input and output devices, may be in communication
with the controller 700 of the invention (not shown in FIG. 1) and
may be used by a patient, examination assistant, or other person to
provide input signals to the controller to command the controller
to carry out the steps and functions of the invention. The eye
examination kiosk 001 may further comprise electronic display 913
or 914, or both, each of which may be in communication with an eye
examination device for controlling the device, viewing test
results, viewing eye examination device status, or otherwise
communicating with the eye examination device. Electronic display
913 or 914 may be touch screens. The eye examination kiosk outer
shell 100 may further comprise a recess 911 for accommodating the
legs or lower torso of a patient who may be bound to a wheelchair,
scooter or other mobility device. Keyboard shelf 110, which may
support keyboard 111, mouse 112, and joystick 114, may be attached
to, or form a part of, outer shell element 100.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an embodiment
of eye examination kiosk 001 of the invention is depicted. Kiosk
outer shell 100 may comprise a kiosk rear surface 103, which may be
useful for locating the kiosk against a wall or other vertical flat
surface when in operation or storage. Optional casters 130 are
shown for reference. Displays 104 and 105b, keyboard 111, keyboard
shelf 110, are also shown for reference. Recess 911, examination
opening 121 leg cover 910, and displays 913 and 914 are shown for
reference. Optional air vent 912 allows air to be pulled into or
exhausted from within the outer shell 100 by an internal fan.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 3, a top orthogonal view of an
embodiment of eye examination kiosk 001 is depicted. Air vent 912,
outer shell 100, keyboard 111 and keyboard shelf 110, and
examination opening 121 are depicted for reference. Outer shell may
comprise a removable portion 100a to allow access for internal
cleaning and maintenance of the eye examination kiosk 001.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of an embodiment
of eye examination kiosk 001 is depicted. The outer shell 100 may
be comprised of any number of sections that together make up a
complete shell, which may be of any geometric shape. In the
embodiment shown, the shape of outer shell 100 is spherical and may
comprise portions 100b and 100c that are adapted to be attached by
any means known in the mechanical arts such as such as threaded
fasteners, rivets, complementary locking structures, chemical
bonding or any other known means for mechanical assembly, but may
be preferably be attached by threaded fasteners, and shell portion
100a, which is removable from shell 100 to allow access for
maintenance, inspection or cleaning of eye examination kiosk 100.
Displays 104, 105a, 105b, 913 and 914 are shown for reference. Leg
cover 910 is also shown for reference.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 5, an internal perspective view of an
embodiment of the eye examination kiosk of the invention, in which
the outer shell and eye examination devices are not shown, is
depicted. Displays 105a, 105b and 104, as well as shell 100, as
well as internal support structure 920, may be attached directly or
indirectly to kiosk internal structure 916 via intermediate
mechanical structure. Kiosk internal structure 916 may be attached
to a tube 920 of the kiosk vertical lift assembly as is shown in
FIG. 11 such that it, and displays 104, 105a and 105b, displays 913
and 914, and keyboard 911 and keyboard shelf 910, as well as shell
100 and internal support structure 920, are translated up or down
by the operation of vertical lift actuator 905. Legs 900 and
optional casters 130 are shown for reference. Legs 900 are
attached, directly or indirectly, to tube 901 as shown in FIG. 11,
and thus do not translate upward with the extension of actuator
905, but remain resting upon support surface 002 or remain in a
rolling engagement with support surface 002 by the operation of
casters 130.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, top and underneath
perspective views, respectively, of an embodiment of the invention.
In these figures, the outer shell 100 of the invention is not
shown. Displays 104, 105a, 105b 913 and 914 are depicted attached
to intermediate structure 1000, which is attached directly or
indirectly to structure 916, which is in turn attached to tube 902
that is translated up or down in a sliding engagement on tube 901
as is further depicted in FIG. 11. Legs 900 and casters 130 are
depicted for reference. Fan 917 may be utilized to draw air into
the outer shell 100, or exhaust air from outer sell 100, in order
to provide cooling to the internal electronic components of the eye
examination kiosk.
[0057] At least one, but preferably a plurality, of eye examination
devices such as, for example 200, 201, 202, and other eye
examination device may be attached, or mounted, to an upper surface
of rotable table 108 either directly or by way of an intermediary
linear actuator and slide that is controllable for translating the
eye examination devices towards or away from a patient.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 8, an internal perspective view of an
embodiment of the invention is depicted in which eye examination
device is not shown. In this view, the outer shell of the invention
is not shown. Displays 104, 105a, and 105b are depicted attached to
intermediate structure 1000, which is attached directly or
indirectly to structure 916, which is in turn attached to tube 902
that is translated up or down in a sliding engagement on tube 901
as is further depicted in FIG. 11. Legs 900 and casters 130 are
depicted for reference. Support plate 945 and rotary table drive
ring 940 are depicted for reference, as well as are rotary drive
motor 922 and thrust bearings 921.
[0059] In the embodiment depicted in the figures, rotable table 108
is rotable in direction B about axis A. The rotation of rotable
table 108 is such that any of eye examination devices are 200, 201,
and 202, rotated about axis A into a predefined position in order
to perform an eye examination on a patient. Such rotation may be
controlled by the controller (not shown in FIG. 8) either
automatically or using instructions from the kiosk operator input
into the controller using keyboard 111 (not shown in FIG. 8),
joystick 114 (not shown in FIG. 8), mouse 112 (not shown in FIG. 8)
or any other input device attached to the controller. For instance,
in an embodiment, a microphone may be attached to the controller so
that the kiosk operator may speak voice commands into the
microphone which may be interpreted by the controller in order to
carry out steps and functions of the invention.
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 9, a side view of an embodiment of the
eye examination kiosk of the invention is depicted in which the eye
examination kiosk has been raised in a direction of arrow D to
accommodate eye examination of a standing patient 003 at an eye
height H1 above support surface 002. The eye examination kiosk is
thus depicted in a raised position. In this example, the operation
of the vertical lift assembly shown in FIG. 11 has raised the outer
shell 100, rotary table 108, and eye examination device 201 from a
lowered position to a raised position H1 along axis A by extension
of the vertical lift actuator 905, which extension may be commanded
by an operator through keyboard, touch screen, voice or other
command to controller 700 (not shown in FIG. 9). Rotary table 108
has been commanded by controller 700 to rotate about axis A in a
direction of arrow B such that eye examination device 201 is
located within examination opening 121, so that patient 003 may
lean forward into examination opening 121 to present their eyes for
examination to eye examination device 201. Eye examination device
201 has been translated on controllable actuator and slide 935 in
direction M so as to be in proximity with the eye of patient 003,
enabling eye examination of patient 003's eye or eyes.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 10, a side view of an embodiment of
the eye examination kiosk of the invention is depicted in which the
eye examination kiosk has been lowered in a direction of arrow D to
accommodate eye examination of a patient 003 sitting in a
wheelchair, scooter or mobile assistance device, presenting an eye
height H2 above support surface 002. The eye examination kiosk is
thus depicted in a lowered position. In this example, the operation
of the vertical lift assembly shown in FIG. 11 has lowered the
outer shell 100, rotary table 108, and eye examination device 201
from a raised position to a lowered position H2 along axis A by
retraction of the vertical lift actuator 905, which retraction may
be commanded by an operator through keyboard, touch screen, voice
or other command to controller 700 (not shown in FIG. 9). Rotary
table 108 has been commanded by controller 700 to rotate about axis
A in a direction of arrow B such that eye examination device 201 is
located within examination opening 121, so that patient 003 may
lean forward into examination opening 121 to present their eyes for
examination to eye examination device 201. Eye examination device
201 has been translated on actuator and slide 935 in direction M so
as to be in proximity with the eye of patient 003, enabling eye
examination of patient 003's eye or eyes.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 11, a side cross section view of an
embodiment of the vertical lift assembly of the invention is
depicted. The vertical lift assembly is adapted to lift said rotary
table and said outer shell to accommodate patients with differing
eye examination heights, the eye examination defined as the
distance from support surface 002 to the patient's line of sight.
The vertical lift assembly is further may have a first tube 901
having a first axis slidingly engaged with a second tube 902 having
a second axis, wherein the first axis the said second axis are
coaxial with axis A. The sliding engagement between first tube 901
and second tube 902 may be provided by bearings 903 and 904, which
may be any material that that provides a low enough coefficient of
frictions so as to allow first tube 901 and second tube 902 to
slide along one another along the first and second axes, one tube
within the other. Bearings 903 and 904 may be constructed, for
example, of Teflon.RTM., Delrin and like materials. The vertical
lift assembly further comprises a vertical lift actuator 905 that
has a first end and a second end, the first end attached to first
tube 901, for example, via tube end cap 950, and the second end
attached to second tube 902 at plate 906, the actuator disposed
such when it extends, second tube 902 is translated on the sliding
engagement along inner tube 901 in a first axial direction along
axis A, and when actuator 905 retracts, the outer tube 902 is
translated on the sliding engagement along inner tube 901 in a
second axial direction along axis A. Actuator 905 may be in
communication with controller 700 so that controller 700 may
command actuator 905 to extend or retract. Rotary table 108 and
outer shell 100 (not shown in FIG. 11) are attached either directly
or indirectly to second tube 902. Legs 900 may be attached to first
tube 901. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, when actuator 905 is
extended, rotary table 108 and said outer shell 100 are translated
in an upward direction, away from support surface 002, and when
actuator 905 is retracted, rotary table 108 and outer shell 100 are
translated in a downward direction, towards support surface 002.
This operation of the vertical lift assembly allows an operator to
command the eye examination kiosk to raise or lower the eye
examination device so as to be alignable with the eye of patients
of differing heights. In the embodiment shown, first tube 901 is of
smaller outer diameter than second tube 902, and slides within tube
902 on bearings 903 and 904. In other embodiments, tube 902 may
slide within tube 901. Likewise, in other embodiments, the cross
section of tubes 901 and 902 may take any cross sectional shape.
They need not be of circular cross section, nor do they need to be
of a closed cross section. Thus, tubes 901 and 902 may be of
circular cross section but they may also be of square or
rectangular cross section, or they may be of an I-shaped cross
section or any other cross section.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 15, views of the legs
and casters and an embodiment of the support structure for same,
also showing the leg cover 910 and cable snorkel 931 are depicted.
Vertical lift assembly first tube 901 is attached to legs 900,
which may comprise casters 130 to create a rolling engagement
between the eye examination kiosk of the invention and support
surface 002 (shown in FIG. 15). The invention may comprise one or
more cable snorkel(s) 931 to protect cabling for power and
electronic signals that is routed through the snorkeling and up
into the support structure 920 or other support structure (not
depicted in FIG. 12, 13, 14, or 15). Vertical lift actuator 905,
bearing 903 and tube end cap 950 are depicted in FIG. 13 for
reference.
[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 16, 17, 18 and 19, the kiosk outer
shell is not shown. At least one examination device such as 200,
201 or 202 are attached to the rotable table 108, either directly
or by way of actuator and slide assemblies 934, 935 and 932,
respectively. The rotable table 108 is rotable about axis A in
direction B by the rotary drive assembly shown in FIGS. 21A and
21B, and the eye examination devices may be translatable by way of
actuator and slide assemblies 934, 935 and 932 as depicted arrows
L, M, and J. Each of the actuator and slide assemblies 933, 934,
935 and 932 are in communication with and controllable by
controller 700. Thus, each of the actuator and slide assemblies may
be commanded by controller 700 to extend or retract, moving the
respective eye examination device 200, 201 or 202 closer to, or
further away from, axis A. The eye examination kiosk of the
invention may also comprise a still or video camera 936 which may
be used for taking any desired still or video images but may be
used as a means for capturing photographs of a patient for
transmittal along with other patient information and examination
results to a remote server or other user. The attachment between
any of the eye examination devices 200, 201, 202 and camera 936 and
said rotary table 108 may include the actuators and slide assembly
933, 934, 935 and 932. The slides may be translatable by the
actuators upon command from controller 700 such that each eye
examination device and the camera 936 are controllably translatable
towards or away from said outer shell by command from the
controller 700. Controllable rotary table motor 922 (see FIG. 20)
may be in communication with controller 700, and controller 700 may
be in communication with non-transitory physical computer readable
media containing computer readable instructions for rotating said
rotary table rotable to predefined points of rotation, one
predefined points of rotation for each eye examination device, such
that each of the plurality of eye examination devices is presented
to a patient for eye examination of the patient such that the
predefined axis of the eye examination device is located coincident
with the eye of a patient when rotable table 108 is commanded by
said controller to rotate to the predefined point of rotation for a
specific eye examination device. The predefined point of rotation
of rotable table 108 are each located at the examination opening
121.
[0065] Referring now to FIG. 20, a perspective view of a portion of
the rotary drive assembly of an embodiment of the invention is
depicted. Rotary table drive ring 940 is attached to a surface,
such as an upper surface, of support plate 945. A plurality of
thrust bearings support rotary table drive ring 940 in a
complimentary V-groove rolling engagement, allowing rotary table
drive ring 940 to rotate when controllable rotary table motor 922,
which is in communication with controller 700, is commanded by
controller 700 to rotate, causing rotary drive gear 943, which
comprises gear teeth that are engaged with complimentary gear teeth
in rotary gear ring 944 (shown in FIG. 21), to rotate about axis A.
Rotary gear ring 944 is attached to a surface, such as a lower
surface, of rotary table drive ring (shown in FIG. 21).
[0066] Referring now to FIGS. 21A and 21B, cross section views of a
portion of the rotary drive assembly of an embodiment of the
invention is depicted. Rotary table drive ring 940 is attached to a
surface, such as an upper surface, of support plate 945. A
plurality of thrust bearings support rotary table drive ring 940 in
a complimentary V-groove rolling engagement, allowing rotary table
drive ring 940 to rotate when controllable rotary table motor 922,
which is in communication with controller 700, is commanded by
controller 700 to rotate on axis G as shown by arrow H, causing
rotary drive gear 943, which comprises gear teeth that are engaged
with complimentary gear teeth in rotary gear ring 944 (shown in
FIG. 21), to rotate about axis A. Rotary gear ring 944 is attached
to a surface, such as a lower surface, of rotary table drive ring
(shown in FIG. 21). Thrust bearings 921 may be adapted by internal
bearings to rotate on axis E as shown by arrow F while supporting
the load applied on rotary table drive ring 940. In operation,
support plat 945 does not rotate; the operation of controllable
rotary table motor 922 causes the rotation of rotary drive gear
943, which, through its toothed engagement with rotary gear ring
944, causes rotary table drive ring 940 and thus rotary table 108
to rotate about axis A as shown by arrow B when commanded by
controller 700. V-groove 946, which is complimentary as between
thrust bearings 921 and rotary table drive ring 940, enables rotary
table drive ring 940 to support the load applied by rotary table
108.
[0067] Referring now to FIG. 22, a top view of an embodiment of a
leg assembly of the invention, showing five legs 900 and optional
casters on each leg, and showing exemplary supporting structure for
same, is depicted. Pull handle 930 may be attached to the leg
assembly, and is useful for comfortably pulling or pushing a kiosk
of the invention in a rolling engagement on support surface 002
(not shown in FIG. 22) into a desired location.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 23, a perspective view of the leg
cover 910, one of tubes of the vertical lift assembly 901, optional
casters 130, and cable snorkels 931 of an embodiment of the
invention are depicted.
[0069] Referring now to FIG. 24, a perspective view of an
embodiment of the leg cover 910 of the invention, showing a recess
cover 910a, that, when removed, accommodates a wheelchair, scooter
or other mobility device of a patient undergoing eye examination at
the eye examination kiosk is depicted. Also shown is an exemplary
utility tray and cover 910b, the tray being for storage of tools or
other useful articles.
[0070] Referring now to FIG. 25A, a partial block diagram of the
eye examination kiosk of the invention, depicting displays 105a and
105b, computer readable media 701, security camera 705, keyboard
111, mouse 112, joystick 114, point-of-sale system 710 and thermal
printer 711 in communication with controller 700, is depicted.
Controller 700 may be in communication with computer readable media
701, which may be a computer memory device or plurality of devices,
which comprises non-transitory computer readable and executable
instructions which, when read and executed by controller 700,
perform the steps and functions of the invention, either
autonomously or on command from an operator through voice, touch
screen or directly typed commands, or by way of wired or wireless
communication from a remote computing devices which may be, for
example, any remote computer, a tablet, smart phone or other device
that is in communication with controller 700. Controller 700 is
also in communication with displays 105a and 105b which may be
used, for example, to display advertising and other messaging so as
to be visible to persons who are in proximity to the eye
examination kiosk of the invention. Controller 700 may also be in
communication with optional point of sale terminal 710 and printer
711 which may be used to receive payment from patients or other
persons and to print receipts. Such payments may be transacted, for
example, by a patient's use of a credit card or debit card, or
other similar readable device, capable of transmitting payment
authorization as may be required to pay for services provided by
the eye examination kiosk of the invention. Controller 700 may also
be in communication with display 104 which may be, for example, a
flat screen display of any type or maybe a touch screen capable of
receiving input from a user. Display 140 may also be utilized for
displaying any information, video, or other images to a viewer or
other person, including kiosk status and patient information and
examination results. Controller 700 may also be in communication
with keyboard 111, mouse 112, and/or joystick 114 all of which may
be used by a patient, kiosk operator, or other person to enter
commands to control the steps and functions of the eye examination
kiosk and method of the invention. Controller 700 may also be in
communication with a camera 705 which may be disposed inside the
kiosk outer shell or made be disposed on outer surface of the kiosk
outer shell or other surface so as to provide video information to
a remote viewer through the kiosk network connection, or maybe used
to capture video which is recorded in computer readable media 701
or other storage media as may be known in the art. Controller 700
may also be in communication with a camera 936 which may be
utilized to capture images of a patient.
[0071] Referring now to FIG. 25B, a partial block diagram of the
eye examination kiosk of the invention, depicting eye examination
devices 201 and 202, wireless transceiver 720 and antenna 721 and
Ethernet or other wired data connections in communication with
controller 700, is depicted. Controller 700 is in communication
with eye examination devices such as, for example, 201, 202, and
200. Eye examination devices 201 and 202 may comprise visual
displays 913 and 914 which may be touch screens and may be intended
to provide information to an operator and to allow control of the
devices. Controller 700 may also be in communication with wireless
transceiver 720 which may in turn be in communication with antenna
721, enabling wireless RF communication between controller 700 and
a data network as further depicted in FIG. 13. In this manner, the
eye examination kiosk of the invention may be in wireless data
communication with the Internet or World Wide Web as further
described below. Controller 700 by also be in wired communication
with an exterior data network via an Ethernet or other wired data
connection. Thus controller 700 may be in communication with the
Internet, World Wide Web, or other data network via a wired
connection.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 25C, a partial block diagram of the
eye examination kiosk of the invention depicting the three axis
positioning and rotating system elements of the invention and
communication with controller 700, is depicted. Controller 700 is
in communication with controllable rotary table motor 922; eye
examination device and controllable camera actuators/slides 932,
933, 934 and 935; and controllable vertical actuator 905 forming a
multi-axis positioning system with rotation.
[0073] Referring now to FIG. 26, a block diagram depicting eye
examination kiosk 001 connected to remote storage server computer
011 via network connection 020, which may be wired or wireless, and
which may be any network including but not limited to the Internet
or World Wide Web, is depicted. Also depicted is remote eye
examination report reviewing computer 010 and display 010a which
may be utilized by a physician for remote reading of eye
examination results or reports. Remote eye examination report
reviewing computer 010 is connected to remote storage server 011,
patient, patient's physician, and kiosk 001 via data network 005
which may be, for example, the world wide web or Internet. Remote
eye examination report reviewing computer 010 is in communication
with data network 005 via data connection 021. Likewise, patient
node 012 which may be an electronic device capable of communicating
via a data network such as a smart phone, computer, tablet, or any
other electronic device, may be in communication with data network
005 through data connection 023 such that a remote reviewing
physician utilizing a remote reviewer server 010 may communicate
eye examination results, diagnoses, and suggestions for follow-up
treatment to patient 003. Still further, a remote reviewing
physician may transmit this information to predesignated patient
physician node 013, which may be for example, a computer, tablet or
other electronic device, such that the patient's physician or other
patient-designated person or entity may also receive eye
examination results, suggestions for follow-up treatment, or the
like. Patient physician node 013 is in communication with data
network 005 via data connection 024. Patient eye examination
results, remote physician results, diagnoses, suggestions for
follow-up treatment, payment information and any other information
related to the eye examination of a patient may be stored in remote
storage server 011 which is in communication with data network 005
by connection 022. This information may be retrieved by any user of
the system who has authorization through data network 005 and
connection 022. Any of the data network connections 020, 021, 022,
023, or 024 may be wired or wireless, serial or parallel, or any
other data connection type known in the art. Data network 005 may
be any data network, including but not limited to the Internet or
World Wide Web.
[0074] Referring now to FIG. 27, a flow diagram of an embodiment of
the eye examination steps of the invention is depicted. Elements of
FIGS. 1-13 are also referred to in describing the eye examination
steps. In first step 500, the eye examination process is initiated.
This may occur by a patient approaching the eye examination kiosk
of the invention and providing patient identification information,
past medical history, current symptoms or other medical
information, and making payment using, for example, point-of-sale
system 710. The inputting of this information may be automated by
sequential display of prompts on display 104, or may be assisted by
a kiosk operator. The information may be inputted to controller 700
by the patients or operators use of keyboard 111, mouse 112,
joystick 114, or in the case in which display 104 is a touchscreen,
by utilizing the touchscreen features of display 104. The patient
may also input to controller 700 the identification of the
patient's current medical providers, if any. The information thus
provided by the patient may be transmitted to remote storage server
011 via data connection 020, data networks 005 and data connection
022. In the second step 501, the kiosk height may be adjusted by
the vertical lift actuator assembly so that the kiosk eye
examination devices are aligned with the patient's eyes, so that
eye examination of the patient may occur. In the third step 502, a
kiosk operator may determine which eye examination device is
desired to be used for an eye examination of patient 003 and may
command controller 700 to rotate rotable table 108 and to translate
rotable table 108 using the three axis positioning system of the
invention such that the desired eye examination device is disposed
so that its plane of examination is aligned with the patient's eye
or eyes, allowing eye examination to begin. In the fourth step 503,
the kiosk operator may command controller 700 to issue an initiate
command to the eye examination device such that an eye examination
is initiated. In the fifth step 504, after the eye examination has
concluded, the eye examination results may be transmitted to remote
storage server 011 for later retrieval and review by a remote
physician operating remote reviewer server 010. In a sixth step
505, a determination is made as to whether further eye examination
is required. If no further eye examination is required, the eye
examination procedure is terminated, and the patient may wait to be
contacted by the remote reviewing physician, or by the patient's
own physician who was previously identified during the initial step
in which the patient provided this information. If further eye
examination is required, steps 501 through 504, or steps 502
through 504, are repeated until all eye examinations have been
completed.
[0075] In an embodiment, a camera such as 936 in communication with
controller 700 may be utilized to provide images of a patient for
purposes of determining the proper height to which the eye
examination devices must be translated in order for proper
alignment with the patient's eye may be realized. Controller 700
may execute non transitory computer readable instructions for the
steps of 1) determining whether the patient's eyes are below or
above an examination axis of the eye examination device; 2)
estimating the amount of travel required to translate the eye
examination device to be property aligned with the patient's eyes;
3) translating the eye examination device up or down by the amount
of estimated travel required to cause the eye examination device to
be property aligned with the patient's eyes 4) capturing a new
camera still or video image to determine whether the patient's eyes
are below or above an examination axis of the eye examination
device; and 5) repeating steps 2, 3 and 4 until the eye examination
device is property vertically aligned with the patient's eye or
eyes such that eye examination can take place.
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 28, a flow diagram of an embodiment of
the remote reading of eye examination results is depicted. Once an
eye examination has taken place as described relative to FIG. 14,
the eye examination results are transmitted to remote storage
server 011 via connections 020, 022 and data network 005 which may
be, for example, the Internet. Thus, in the first step 600, the eye
examination results are received and stored at remote storage
server 011. A remote physician may utilize remote reviewer server
010, data connection 021, data networks 005, and data connection
022 to retrieve the eye examination results for particular patient
003. Once the eye examination results have been retrieved they may
be reviewed in step 601 by the remote physician. The remote
physician may then generate information useful to the patient and
to the patient's physician such as an eye examination report with
findings, suggestions for follow-up, and identification of
appropriate physicians in the local community in which the patient
resides if, for example, the patient has not indicated that they
currently have a physician. This information may be transmitted in
step 603 to the patient and/or the patient's designated recipient
who may be any person, but is preferably the patient's physician.
If the eye examination report recommends follow-up treatment step
604, the patient follows up either with a suggested medical
provider or with their own physician as appropriate.
[0077] Referring now to FIG. 29, a description of one embodiment of
the invention in which the eye examination results are made
available to a plurality of physicians 031a, 031b, through 031n,
where "n" can be any number of physicians, and wherein one of the
plurality of physicians may select a particular eye examination
results for reading, is depicted. In this embodiment of the
invention, the remote reading, analysis, interpretation of eye
examination results, and the generation of suggestions for follow
up treatment or care may be performed by any one of a plurality of
physicians 031a-031n, each of whom may log into the system remotely
for the purpose of reading eye examination results by communicating
with executive manager 800 over one of network connections 030a
through 030n, data network 005, and network connection 032.
Executive manager 800 may keep a first list comprising a current
listing of eye examination results that have not been read or
reviewed by a physician ("unread examination results"). Executive
manager 800 is in communication with data network 005 via network
connection 032, and data network 005 may in turn be in
communication with a plurality of eye examination kiosks 001a, 001b
through 001m, where "m" can be any number. Executive manager 800
may also have a second list comprising a listing of the identities
of physicians who are available to read eye examination results
("currently available physicians"). Any physician 031i who wishes
to have his/her name included in the list of currently available
physicians may notify executive manager 800 that he/she is
available by transmitting a signal containing a first predetermined
data field to executive manager 800. Likewise, any physician 031i
who is listed by executive manager 800 as being a currently
available physician may make himself or herself unavailable by
transmitting a signal containing a second predetermined data field
to executive manager 800. Each currently available physician may
log into a communication portal, which may for example be a
password protected internet-connected web site, and which is in
communication with executive manager 800. In an embodiment, the
logging in of a physician into the communication portal may be an
event that causes executive manager 800 to designate that physician
as a currently available physician, and the logging out of a
currently available physician may be an event that causes executive
manager 800 to designate that physician as currently unavailable.
Any of data network connections 020a-020n, 032, or 030a-030n may be
wired or wireless, serial or parallel, or any other data connection
type known in the art.
[0078] Still referring to FIG. 29, once a currently available
physician has logged into the communication portal, executive
manager 800 may cause the current listing of unread examination
results to be transmitted to a currently available physician's
electronic device 801a, 801b through 801n whereupon the current
listing of unread examination results may be displayed upon the
display of the electronic device 801i for review by the currently
available physician 031i. The currently available physician 031i
may then select an unread examination result for reading, analysis,
and generation of recommendations for follow up treatment. Once
selected, the unread examination is removed from the unread
examination list. The unread examination list presented to a
currently available physician may be organized and presented in any
order, such as, for example, "first in-first out" or any other
order as may be desired. Upon selection of an unread examination
result for reading, analysis, and generation of recommendations for
follow up treatment, the physician's electronic device 801i may
transmit a message to executive manager 800, causing the unread
examination result to be transmitted to the electronic device 081i
of the physician and to be displayed upon the electronic display of
electronic device 081i. The currently available physician 031i may
then read the downloaded eye examination results, generate a
report, and transmit the report to executive manager 800. Executive
manager 800 may then cause the report to be transmitted to the
patient and to any person or entity the patient has designated,
including but not limited to the patient's personal physician. The
system of the invention may comprise any number of currently
available physicians 031i, and it may comprise any number of kiosks
001i. Because the currently available physicians and the kiosks are
in communication with executive manager 800 through network
connections 030a-030n and 020a-020n, and data network 005, the
currently available physicians 031i and the kiosks 001i may be
geographically located anywhere, and thus need not be co-located,
as long as communication with data network 005 is maintained.
[0079] In still a further embodiment of the invention, eye
examinations in which photographs or other images of the eye are
taken using the above described apparatus or method, and the
analyses of the images may be performed automatically by the system
of the invention. Such automatic analyses may be carried out by a
controller in communication with the system of the invention, in
which the controller executes non-transitory computer executable
instructions for identifying pre-defined image features that may
indicate medical or other conditions of which the patient should be
made aware, which indicate the likelihood of certain diseases in
the patient, or which may indicate further follow up medical care
and treatment by a physician. The non-transitory computer
executable instructions may be stored in a computer readable media
that is in communication with the controller. The controller may be
any controller that is in communication with remote storage server
011 (FIG. 26) or is in direct communication with the examination
devices, and may therefore be geographically located anywhere,
including remotely located from the examination devices, or
co-located with the examination devices in, on, or near the kiosk.
The results of the automatic image analyses performed by the
controller may be transmitted to a physician for inclusion in the
reviewing physician's report, or may be transmitted directly to the
patient or to the patient's personal physician. Using this
automatic reading function, certain eye examinations may be carried
out immediately upon completion of the kiosk eye examination, and
may be transmitted to the patient within a short time of the
examination. It can be seen that this embodiment of the invention
may eliminate the need for a remote server and reading center
altogether, and will eliminate the need for any reading physician
in order for the reading and analyses of the images and other
examination information recorded by the eye examination device. In
this embodiment of the invention, the eye examination, reading,
analysis and referral steps of the invention are carried out with
any human action required.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0080] The eye examination kiosk and method provides a useful and
novel system and method for providing ophthalmologic telemedicine
health care services to individuals. Using the system and method of
the invention, a user may have may have ophthalmologic diagnostic
images taken at virtually any geographic location and may receive a
reading of the examination and recommendations for referral to a
treating physician by electronic means such as email, text
messaging or otherwise. The system and method of the invention
comprise a structure for rotating and/or translating ophthalmologic
examination devices such as an auto-refractor, an auto-keratometer,
a corneal topographer, a fundus camera, an external photo camera, a
perimeter, a lensmeter, a specular microscope, a retinal and
external eye imager, an Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT), or a
non-contact tonometer into a position such that they may be used
for examination of a patient. The kiosk outer shell may comprise an
opening allowing the ophthalmologic examination equipment to
perform eye examinations of a patient. Eye examination results are
transmitted to a remote location where they are read by a
physician, who transmits examination findings and recommendations
for follow up treatment to the patient. The results may include the
identity of qualified physicians who practice geographically near
the patient, or who are qualified to treat a patient for a specific
condition indication.
* * * * *