JPS6227817B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for ophthalmological examination, and more particularly to a mechanism for adjusting the position of the apparatus on the eye to be examined.

Ophthalmological optical machines have very poor stability in terms of refractive index and movement of the eyeball to be examined, especially in the case of refractometers, slit light microscopes, etc., which use illumination light inside the eyeball for observation. In the case of a fundus camera or the like having a photographic device, it is important to be able to operate quickly and smoothly, and to firmly fix the position of the photographing means with respect to the base body and to maintain the shutter speed. For this reason, various considerations have been made in the development of conventional ophthalmological optical machines, but the results have not always been satisfactory. In other words, the positioning table on which the objective optical system and the photographic system are placed can be moved back and forth and left and right with respect to a fixed table, and the photographic shutter button is provided at the top of a substantially columnar operation rod, or the operation rod can be rotated. This means that the optical system and imaging system can be moved up and down.

This operation rod is configured to engage with both the positioning table and the fixed table, and by tilting it, the positioning table can be moved in the direction of inclination relative to the fixed table by an amount corresponding to the amount of inclination ( For example, in the 40s
−1261). However, devices that have a command operation section such as a switch on the top of the operation column have cords connected to them, so it is inconvenient to rotate them up and down, and it is also difficult to rotate the optical system or photographing system in the front, back, left, or right directions. Since fine adjustments are made by tilting the operating rod around the fulcrum, it is extremely difficult to rotate the operating rod for vertical adjustment while maintaining the tilted axis.

In this way, conventional ophthalmological optical machines still have insufficient operability, and it is quite difficult to make the machine operation follow the movements and changes of the subject's eye.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmological optical machine with improved rough adjustment operability. In the embodiment described later, a guide path 59 for guiding a guided element 63 in a predetermined direction is provided on a fixed base 5a that movably supports a positioning base on which an ophthalmological examination device body is placed, and the guided element 63 is guided in a predetermined direction. By moving the operation stick 6 along the guide path, it is possible to roughly adjust the position of the positioning table relative to the fixed table in the direction of the guide path.

An embodiment of the present invention using a fundus camera as an example will be described below. FIG. 2 is a side view of the operating state as observed by the operator 4 through his left eye 4a, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 viewed from above. In other words, the stage 5 placed on the approximately horizontal machine installation base surface 101 can be moved in the direction of inclination by tilting the grip 6 of the operation stick.
It has a known approximately three-layer structure that allows a mechanical support column 8 which is protruded from the upper surface 5S of the stage upper part and has a fundus camera body attached thereto to be moved within a required range approximately parallel to the base surface 101.

By this operation, the objective lens 2a of the photographing optical system section 2 relative to the eye 1a to be examined can be aligned with the desired horizontal plane position, and the vertical position adjustment is performed by driving the motor M, for example.

As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the motor M is connected to, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism R, and the rotational force is converted into linear motion, while the mechanical support part 8 is fitted with a cylindrical column. The cylindrical column is fixed to the upper surface 5S. The rack of the rack and pinion mechanism R is attached to the piston-shaped column.

As shown in Fig. 3, the motor M is controlled by a neutral point return type seesaw switch 10 disposed on the side of the grip 6 of the operation stick, and when tilted upward with the operator's thumb, the photographing optical system is activated. The system part 2 moves upward with respect to the eye to be examined, and moves downward when tilted downward. In the illustrated example, the operator can easily perform the desired positioning while holding the annular grip 6 with his right hand, and immediately rotate the lower ring 7 with his left hand to fix the operation of the stage 5. With the same hand, rotate the focusing knob 2b that moves a predetermined element of the photographing optical system in the direction of the optical axis to adjust the focus, and use the thumb of the hand holding the operation stick grip 6 to issue a photographing command. A photograph can be taken by pressing the push button switch 11 (connected to the camera release means). In other cases, after rotating and fixing the lower ring 7 of the operating rod with the left hand, it is possible to prevent the subject's upper eyelid from lowering to cover the pupil, which often occurs when using an ophthalmological optical machine with the left hand. After holding it up to focus, the user can rotate the focusing knob 2b with the right hand to focus, and then press the photographing command switch.

Furthermore, instead of changing the length of the mechanical support section 8 by operating the seesaw switch 10 to move the photographing optical system main body 2 up and down, this section is fixed, and a head support is attached to the bottom of the stage. The heights of the eye 1a to be examined and the objective lens 2a can be made to match by moving the upper part including the chin rest 9a and the forehead rest 9b up and down by another motor (not shown). It is also possible to control a variable height chair (not shown).

Note that the example of the control switch in the above explanation is a single neutral point return type seesaw switch, and the operating direction is also vertical along the longitudinal direction of the operating stick, facing its axis. Up and down 2
A push-button switch, a switch that operates in an arc shape with respect to the axis along the side circumference of the operating stick, or a variable resistor whose resistance value changes in place of a switch is used to control the commanded part according to the amount of operation. It is also possible to use a device whose operating speed changes for predetermined control.

Referring to the more detailed drawings, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part including an operating rod portion of an embodiment of the present invention.

In this example, in addition to the above-mentioned neutral point return type seesaw switch 10 for controlling the vertical movement of the photographing optical system (connected to means for vertically moving the photographing optical system, e.g. motor M), this Another control push button switch 12 is disposed at a half-rotation position on the circumference.

This switch 12 is connected to, for example, a mechanism such as a solenoid for inserting and removing an auxiliary optical system for adjusting the alignment between the optical axis of the objective optical system and the center of the pupil of the subject's eye in the optical path of the photographing optical system. It is for control. (When this auxiliary optic is inserted into the optical path of the photographing optical system, the front part of the eye to be examined can be seen in the viewfinder 3a, and when it is removed from the optical path, the fundus of the eye can be seen.) Figure 4 is a view of Figure 3 viewed from the XX direction. , 8th
The figure is a sectional view in the YY direction. The switch 12 is provided at an angle of 180 degrees from the seesaw switch 10, so that it can be operated with the middle of the index finger. The stage 5 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a fixed table 5a, a middle plate 5b, and a positioning table 5c.
The middle plate 5b is rotated horizontally as seen from the operator by two or more steel balls 53 inserted between the V-groove 52 and the V-groove 54 provided in the protrusion 51 of the middle plate 5b relative to the fixed base 5a. The positioning table 5c is movable, and a steel ball 57 is inserted between the V-grooves 56 and 58 provided in the protrusion 55 of the intermediate plate 5b (see Fig. 5). The fixed base 5a is movable in the direction
The positioning table 5c is movable within a required range in any direction. Note that the balls 53 and 57 are prevented from falling off from each V-groove by a suitable falling-off preventing member (not shown). Further, the required range shall be limited by an appropriate method such as a stopper (not shown).

Next, the fixed base 5a has a horizontal shaft 59 with a bottom surface 59b substantially parallel to the lower end surface of the base 5a (equivalent to the base surface 101) and a long groove 59a that is longer than a normal eyelid.
is attached by a small screw 60 (see FIG. 5), and a sleeve 63 that can slide in the coaxial direction is fitted onto the horizontal shaft 59.

The upper part of the sleeve is provided with a female threaded part 63a, into which a fixing threaded rod 65 is screwed, and a ball 62 is connected to the upper part of the sleeve through a universal joint part 68 which serves as a fulcrum for the tilting of the operating rod by means of a coupling pin 66.
The operating rod main shaft 69 extends upwardly. The main shaft 69 has a hollow portion 69a for holding a conductor (not shown) connected to switches. The lower part of the operating rod, which forms the fixed part, is used to screw into the upwardly opening spherical part 61c provided on the upper end surface 61a of the cylindrical part 61 that protrudes above the positioning table 5c at the top of the stage, and the screw 61b on the outer periphery of the upper end. The ball 62 is tightened and fixed by a downwardly opening spherical portion 7a at the center of the upper end of the rod lower ring 7.

At the upper part of the operating rod, a main shaft 69 passes through the center of a lower plate 71 that blocks the lower end surface of the annular grip 6, and a restriction collar 74 and a compression spring 7 that limit the amount of slide are attached.
A screw plate 75 is screwed into the upper part of the main shaft while sandwiching 3.

In this manner, the annular gripping portion 6 is fitted onto the main shaft 69. Eight radial arcuate grooves 71a are provided on the lower surface of the lower plate 71 (see FIG. 4), and a pin 70 that is screwed into the main shaft 69 and protrudes is inserted into one of the arcuate grooves.
Individually depressed. (Switch position adjustment mechanism)
The upper end surface of the gripping portion 6 is covered by an upper plate 76 having a push button switch 11 for photographing commands attached to the center thereof.

Because of this structure, in the case of practical operation, depending on whether the eye to be examined is on the right or left side, the lower ring 7 is first rotated and moved upward, thereby freeing the rotation of the ball 62 within the two spherical parts. Afterwards, if the grip part 6 is rotated in the loosening direction (the direction in which the fixing screw advances upward) originating from the screw direction of the fixing screw rod 65, the sleeve 63 will be released from the fixed state with respect to the horizontal shaft 59, so it can remain as it is. By moving the operating rod largely in the left-right direction of the operator, the positioning base 5c can be moved relative to the fixed base 5a, and the objective lens 2a can be held approximately in front of any left or right side of the eye to be examined, and the gripping portion 6 can be moved. When rotated in the opposite direction, the lower end surface of the fixed threaded rod 65 is pressed against the bottom surface 59b of the long groove 59a, and the sleeve 63 is fixed to the horizontal shaft 59, completing coarse adjustment of the position of the photographing optical system. Note that the above-mentioned rotation of the gripping part 6 and the main shaft 69 connected thereto is caused by the threaded pin 67 protruding below the universal joint part 68 and the sleeve 63.
A stop pin 64 provided protrudingly restricts the rotation to a range smaller than one rotation, and the above-mentioned loosening and fixing are possible within this range.

Next, the annular grip 6 is pulled upwards against the compression spring 73 as far as it is limited by the restriction collar 74, and the switches 10, 12 on the side periphery of the grip 6 are moved in a direction that matches the operator's operating fingers. etc., then lower it and drop the pin 70 into the groove 71a closest to it (see Fig. 4). The rotation of the gripping portion 6 is also limited to a range smaller than one rotation by a stopper 72 and a pin 70 protruding from the lower plate 71. In this way, the switches can be placed at the most appropriate position with respect to the finger pressing direction. Next, by grasping the gripping part 6 and tilting the operating stick in any direction, the positioning table 5c of the stage 5 is moved in the same direction by the main shaft 69 around the universal joint 68 to correspond to the above-mentioned tilt amount with respect to the fixed table 5a. The position of the optical system is finely adjusted because the optical system moves the same distance. As mentioned above, when the switch 12 is pressed, the auxiliary optical system in the fundus camera (not shown) is inserted into the optical path, and since the anterior segment of the subject's eye can be seen in the viewfinder 3a, the seesaw switch 10 is operated to move the imaging optical system up and down. By moving the operator and adjusting the tilting of the operating rod as appropriate, the position of the imaging system relative to the eye to be examined can be adjusted to the desired position.

If the lower ring 7 is rotated in this state to pinch the ball 62, the ball cannot be rotated and the axial direction of the shaft 69 cannot be changed, so the movement of the positioning table 5c within the plane is completely locked. By the way, the following measures have been taken to ensure the exposure operation for the above-mentioned position adjustment of the fundus camera.

As shown in the lower left of FIG. 3, a micro switch 81 (connected to the power supply) operated by a fine adjustment screw 85 touching the lower end of the lower ring 7 is attached to the stage positioning base 5c by machine screws 82, 83 and a metal fitting 84. The lower ring 7 is attached and can be tightened or loosened.
(lower ring 7 is free at the top and locked at the bottom), and by combining this detection as shown in the circuit diagram of Fig. 6, the lower ring 7 is loosened. In this case, when the above-mentioned fine adjustment by tilting the operation stick is possible, the exposure command for photographing is cut off to the photographing system 3 side even if the push button switch 11 is pressed, and in the tightened state, the see-saw switch 10 The up and down commands for the photographing system and optical systems 2 and 3 are sent to the motor M side.
Further, the above-mentioned instruction to insert the auxiliary optical system into the optical path by the switch 12 is cut off.

As described above, according to the present invention, the stage movement in the front and back direction can be substantially ignored by moving the operating rod along the guide means whose movement direction is restricted in the left and right direction when switching between the left and right eyes. Position adjustment can be performed easily and quickly. Furthermore, movement of the stage along the guide means and stopping can be switched by a simple operation of rotating the operating stick.
In addition, since coarse adjustment and fine adjustment are separated, and coarse adjustment allows for extremely quick alignment to the rough position determined according to the requirements of the inspection equipment, and then fine adjustment is performed, the overall time is extremely short. The adjustment operation can be completed within 30 minutes.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining the usage state of a fundus camera, which is an example of an ophthalmological optical machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of essential parts of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 3 as seen from the Y-Y direction, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an electric circuit in the embodiment of FIG. 3. 2 is the optical system part, 3 is the film camera body part,
5 is a stage, 5a is a fixed base, 5c is a positioning base, 6 is an operating rod gripping portion, 7 is a lower ring of the operating rod, 8 is a mechanical support column, 10, 11, 12 are switch operating portions, 59 is a pivot, 59a 63 is a long groove, 63 is a sleeve, and 69 is an operating rod main shaft.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A positioning table on which the ocular optical system is placed; a fixed table on which the positioning table is movably placed; In an ophthalmological optical machine, the ophthalmological optical machine is equipped with an operation rod that moves a positioning table in the tilting direction relative to a fixed table by tilting it in a direction, and the fixed table is provided with a guide means for guiding the guided element only in the left and right direction. A member capable of contacting a predetermined surface of the guide means and connected to the fulcrum is provided to be screwed to the guided element, and the operating rod is rotated to avoid contact with the predetermined surface of the guide means. By moving the operation stick along the guide means in the state, coarse adjustment of the position of the positioning base in the left-right direction when switching between left and right eyes with respect to the fixed base is possible, and by rotating the operation stick, the guide means can be adjusted. An ophthalmological adjustment machine, characterized in that movement along the guide means is stopped in a state in which it is in contact with a predetermined surface of the means.