Abstract:
A flash recovery timer and warning device is a hand-held electronic device using a bright flash to create a temporary glare-type vision blur to the eye to be tested and a target and timer to determine the amount of time required for the eye to recover after the flash. The device has a voice chip that, in addition to the timer display, warns that the vision recovery time is unusually flash recovery times are recorded and stored in the device. Other clinical applications may be useful.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/756,637, filed Jan. 4, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,419. 
   My U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/409,027, filed 29 Sep. 1999, is incorporated herein by reference. 
   Priority of my U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/174,430, filed 4 Jan. 2000, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to light flash recovery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for using a flash recovery timer and warning device to monitor flash recovery. 
   2. General Background of the Invention 
   Ordinary work and household illumination levels provide little challenge to the vision tissue of the healthy eye to maintain continuous vision. Brighter light exposure such as looking at fluorescent tubes or bright flashes such as camera flashes can temporarily “flash-blind” or “snow-blind” the central retina. In healthy eyes, the central vision recovers within a few seconds from a single brief bright light exposure. 
   In the presence of eye diseases that produce either edematous swelling of the central retina or deterioration of some of the tissues in the central retina, the amount of time required to recover from such brief bright light exposure is prolonged, in some cases greatly prolonged. Examples of eye diseases that can produce prolonged flash recovery times include diabetes related retina disease (diabetic cystoid macular edema) and macular degeneration with macular edema and other changes. These diseases affect millions of Americans. 
   In the early stages of certain eye diseases, flash recovery times may not be prolonged. With changes or worsening of the disease such as the new appearance of tissue swelling or the appearance of a bad blood vessel with leakage or bleeding, the flash recovery time can be greatly prolonged. The early detection of disease appearing or worsening, which can be warned of by prolongation of flash recovery time, could assist patients in obtaining professional help earlier. 
   The following patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,545,658; 5,080,478; 5,065,767; 4,764,007; 2,247,653; 3,684,355; 2,232,316; and 2,283,769. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,658 discloses a portable flash device designed to temporarily “blind” the eye, and record the time of recovery to normal. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,283,769 discloses eye testing by placing a bright light in the eyes and temporarily “blinding” the person, then measuring the recovery time. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,247,653, 5,080,478, 4,764,007 and 3,684,355 disclose devices for testing glare and darkness on the eyes and measuring recovery. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is an improved flash recovery timer and warning device. 
   The flash recovery timer of the present invention is equipped with an audible and visual warning signal to provide an instrument that is easy to understand and use. The present invention could assist persons at risk for deteriorating vision, detecting that deterioration early so that the patient can seek appropriate professional help. Early detection by an appropriate eye care professional could result in a much better chance of preserving vision. 
   The flash recovery timer and warning device of the present invention is preferably a hand-held electronic device using a bright flash to create a temporary glare-type vision blur to the eye to be tested. A target with a display (e.g. letter) and timer determine the amount of time required for the eye to recover after the flash. The device has a voice chip that, in addition to the timer display, warns that the vision recovery time is unusually prolonged and professional help should be sought. Other clinical applications may be useful. 
   Prolongation of glare or flash recovery time has been recognized for over a century as a sign of trouble with the central retina, There are a number of central retinal problems that can occur in the course of chronic diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetes that can devastate central vision. In some but not necessarily all cases, early detection of these pathologic changes can assist eye care providers in preserving vision. 
   The Flash Recovery Timer and Warning Device of the present invention provides an easy to use and understand portable office and/or home testing method to give early warning about changes in the functional ability of the eye to recover from bright light exposure. 
   Many persons despite careful instruction in the doctor&#39;s office, do not follow through, either from lack of understanding or from lack of motivation or perceived need with checking the function of their eyes monocularly at home. This device offers a simple reminder of the importance of home testing. It also offers a simple way of actually performing the test. 
   The amount of light energy delivered to the ocular surface and macula is below the threshold of damage according to ANSI standards. 
   A base-line of recovery can be established for each eye either in the doctor&#39;s office or at the time of acquiring the instrument. It will then be very easy for the subject to determine that there has been a change (prolongation) of flash recovery time. 
   The timer will also have a pre-programmed upper limit recovery time. If that time is exceeded, a warning will sound. 
   The present invention thus provides a flash recovery timing apparatus of improved construction. The apparatus includes a tubular instrument body having a bore, first and second end portions and a generally cylindrically shaped or tubular wall. 
   An aperture is provided at the first end portion of the instrument body, a lens being mounted in the aperture. 
   A display is positioned within the bore at the focal length of the lens so that a patient can focus on the display by looking through the lens. 
   A strobe or like lighting means is positioned within the bore for generating a bright flash of light within the bore for use during a flash recovery test. A wiring harness is provided that includes one or more switches. One of the switches can be used to activate the strobe. One of the switches can also be used to activate a timer for measuring the patient&#39;s response time of viewing the display after the strobe is activated. 
   A stop is provided for stopping the timer responsive to the patient&#39;s ability to see the display, thus evidencing flash recovery. 
   The stop can include a voice activated timer that times the delay between the strobe flash and the patient&#39;s voice activation. 
   The display is preferably a variable target such as an LCD display that can display different visual images such as different letters or different numbers in sequence. The apparatus can provide a microphone on the instrument body next to the lens for use with the voice activation software carried in the computer. 
   A power source such as a battery can be a part of the instrument body so that the apparatus is self-contained and can be disposable after the battery has been drained with power. 
   The apparatus can include a computer that controls operation of the strobe, the display and the timer. The computer can also be used to provide voice recognition software that listens to the patient&#39;s voice through the microphone and talks after a test through a voice chip. 
   The present invention provides an improved method of measuring a patient&#39;s flash recovery time. The method steps include the providing of an instrument that includes an instrument body with a bore, a viewing aperture at one end of the bore, a strobe in the bore, a timer, a visual display within the bore, a computer and a wiring harness that includes one or more switches. 
   As part of the method, the patient views the display through the aperture. Using one of the switches, the strobe is fired to generate a light flash inside the bore. 
   A firing of the strobe simultaneously activates the timer. The patient indicates when the display can be seen after the light flash of step “c” thus providing an indication of flash recovery. The timer measures the elapsed time between the flash activation and the patient&#39;s ability to once again view the display. 
   A computer can be used to provide an audible indication of test failure if the measured elapsed time in seconds for example, exceeds a pre determined acceptable time value. 
   The visual display preferably changes between the time that the flash is generated and the patient recovers from the flash. 
   The method contemplates the instrument being provided with a voice chip and the voice chip speaks an audible message that the test has failed. 
   The method contemplates a microphone that is carried by the instrument body or which interfaces with the instrument body and its computer for listening to the patient&#39;s voice when the test is completed, as when the patient&#39;s flash recovery is complete and the patient is able to view the image. In such a situation, the patient reads the letter and the voice recognition software stops the timer if the patient correctly identifies the displayed letter or number. 
   The switches that are used as part of the instrument with the method can include an on/off switch and a reset switch. The instrument can include a microphone wherein the computer is voice activated by the microphone and the patient&#39;s voice. Alternatively, the patient can depress a switch to indicate that the display can be seen, thus stopping the timer to indicate that flash recovery is complete. The computer can compare the visual display with the patient&#39;s utterance and determines if the patient has correctly read the display. Thus, the display preferably changes from the time that the test begins until the patient is able to view the LCD display again. For example, a new letter can be displayed a few milliseconds after the strobe has flashed. 
   Preferably, there are storage means for recording and storing a plurality of the patient&#39;s flash recovery times. The storage means is preferably in the instrument. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a cut-away, perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an end view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The flash recovery timer and warning device  10  of the present invention is comprised of a tubular body  11  with a wall  12  that surrounds a hollow bore  15 . Body  10  has first end portion  13  and second end portion  14 . First end portion  13  provides a viewing aperture  16  with focusing lens  17 . Focusing lens  17  fills the viewing aperture  16 , allowing the patient  30  to see a selected display  21  (e.g. letter E) on target  19  at the focal distance  18  of the lens  17 . The target display letter can be variable. For example, the target  19  preferably consists of a clear LCD or similar material that allows a controlled variation in the stimulus display  21  (e.g. letter) to be read. 
   Behind the target  19  sits a strobe  22  or like bright flash device activated by the push of a switch or button  23  positioned on wall  12  at the upper portion of body  11 . When switch button  23  is depressed, the flash occurs and a timer  26  is started simultaneously. The patient  30  views the target  19  display  21  which should be immediately blurred out by the bright flash from strobe  22 . The moment that the display (e.g. letter)  21  becomes clearly discernable through the glare, the patient  30  reads aloud the letter displayed which has been changed from the original focusing display letter  21  at the time of flash delivery by computer  27 . 
   Computer  27  will use the audible saying of the letter viewed to determine both the time delay between strobe flash and the audible uttered by the patient  30 . Microphone  20  picks up this audio and sends it to the computer  27  that is equipped with voice recognition software to verify that the subject has correctly identified the stimulus target. If the stimulus target has been incorrectly identified, the patient is prompted by voice chip  25  to repeat the test. If the timer  26  has gone past a predetermined, pre-set time limit, an audio warning will be activated at voice chip  25  instructing the patient, for example to “see the doctor”. 
   The apparatus  10  can be reset by a push of the stop button  24 . 
   The on/off and start switch button  23  contains an indicator light  29  as well as a connection with a voice chip  25  to indicate when the strobe  22  has charged sufficiently to discharge. 
   The apparatus  10  is preferably hand held and can be battery  28  powered. The apparatus  10  can be manufactured as a self-contained, disposable unit. 
   The present invention also provides an improved method for testing a patient&#39;s flash recovery. 
   This improved method is initiated after the subject is informed of what sensations to expect and instructed in the operation of the device  10 , the on/off switch  23  is placed into the “on” position. After a few seconds, the battery  28  will have charged the strobe  22 . A small indicator  29  on the forward face of the on/off switch  23  will illuminate and the voice chip will sound “ready”. 
   The patient  30  peers through the viewing aperture  16  and lens  17  to obtain a clear view of the target display letter  21 . While watching the target letter, the switch  23  is depressed. This activates the strobe  22  causing temporary glare blindness. At this moment, target letter  21  is also changed by the computer  27 . The timer display  26  at the rear of the device  10  (which was activated at flash delivery by the computer  27 ) records the elapsed time. The charging  26  indicator light  29  is cut off by the activation of the start button. 
   The patient  30  watches steadily through the viewing aperture  16 , the center of the body  11 . As soon as the target display letter  21  becomes discernable, the patient  30  reads the letter aloud, for example, “F”. Simultaneously, the “stop” button is pushed by the patient. Alternatively, voice recognition software can be used to stop the timer if the correct letter is uttered by the patient. When the timer is stopped, it indicates the seconds of recovery from the strobe flash. If the recovery time is longer than a pre-determined interval, the voice chip  25  will be activated and the indicator light  29  will flash instructing the patient  30  to consult the eye doctor. 
   The apparatus  10  can be re-set so that it will be ready for use on the other eye. The same sequence is then repeated. After the apparatus  10  is used, it should be re-set with the stop/reset button  24  and powered off by moving the on/off start button into the “off” position. 
   Long-life batteries  28  can be used to power the apparatus  10 . Each device can be disposable. Sufficient power will be provided for serial uses for approximately ½ year. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention can include instrumentation to record flash recovery times on a serial basis with the capability of downloading this serial information so that the eye doctor will have this available as part of the patient&#39;s record. The instrumentation can be similar to a holter cardiac monitor that a patient wears overnight that records the heart activity over 24 hours and then is downloaded for analysis in the doctor&#39;s office. Preferably, this instrumentation can record at least 20 recovery times, more preferably at least 36 recovery times, and most preferably at least 50 recovery times. This will allow the eye doctor to note if flash recovery times are systematically increasing over time and to predict when treatment might be necessary. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               PARTS LIST 
             
           
        
         
             
               PART NO. 
               DESCRIPTION 
             
             
                 
             
             
               10 
               fast recovery timer apparatus 
             
             
               11 
               tubular body 
             
             
               12 
               cylindrical wall 
             
             
               13 
               first end 
             
             
               14 
               second end 
             
             
               15 
               hollow bore 
             
             
               16 
               viewing aperture 
             
             
               17 
               lens 
             
             
               18 
               focal distance 
             
             
               19 
               target 
             
             
               20 
               microphone 
             
             
               21 
               display 
             
             
               22 
               strobe 
             
             
               23 
               switch (on-off) 
             
             
               24 
               switch (stop-reset) 
             
             
               25 
               voice chip 
             
             
               26 
               timer display 
             
             
               27 
               computer chip 
             
             
               28 
               battery 
             
             
               29 
               light 
             
             
               30 
               patient 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
   The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.