Ophthalmic apparatus

An ophthalmic apparatus capable of providing a printout of measurement results on a plurality of different eye characteristics in a required format. An ophthalmic apparatus capable of measuring a plurality of different eye characteristics of an eye of an examinee simultaneously or successively has a printer for providing a printout of a first measurement result on a first eye characteristic and a second measurement result on a second eye characteristic on predetermined paper, including a printing part which performs printing on the paper and a cutting part which cuts the paper, and a control part which controls the printing part to separately print the first measurement result in a first printing area of the paper and the second measurement result in a second printing area of the paper, and controls the cutting part to cut the paper so that the first printing area and the second printing area are separated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ophthalmic apparatus capable of measuring a plurality of different eye characteristics of an eye of an examinee.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, there is proposed a multifunction ophthalmic apparatus capable of measuring a plurality of different eye characteristics of an eye of an examinee simultaneously or successively by a single apparatus. In this kind of apparatus, a printer for providing a printout of measurement results on predetermined paper is included, and the measurement results on the respective eye characteristics of the eye of the examinee are printed on a piece of paper.FIG. 7is a view showing an example of the printout thereof. On the paper from the top, an examination number, a space to include a name of the examinee, and an examination date and time are sequentially printed on the paper, and the measurement results on the respective eye characteristics (i.e., eye refractive power and a corneal shape (corneal radius of curvatures) inFIG. 7) are subsequently printed thereunder.

Incidentally, most ophthalmology clinics and the like adopt a policy of keeping the paper on which the measurement results are printed while sticking on patient charts, and there is a case where the measurement results on the different eye characteristics are stuck on separate positions on the patient charts. In such a case, as the measurement results on the respective eye characteristics are printed on a piece of paper in the conventional multifunction ophthalmic apparatus, troubles need be taken such as cutting the paper with a pair of scissors or the like, and writing down the examination number and the like thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to overcome the problems described above and to provide an ophthalmic apparatus capable of providing a printout of measurement results on a plurality of different eye characteristics in a required format.

To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, an ophthalmic apparatus capable of measuring a plurality of different eye characteristics of an eye of an examinee simultaneously or successively has a printer for providing a printout of a first measurement result on a first eye characteristic and a second measurement result on a second eye characteristic on predetermined paper, including a printing part which performs printing on the paper and a cutting part which cuts the paper, and a control part which controls the printing part to separately print the first measurement result in a first printing area of the paper and the second measurement result in a second printing area of the paper, and controls the cutting part to cut the paper so that the first printing area and the second printing area are separated.

In another aspect of the present invention, an ophthalmic apparatus capable of measuring a plurality of different eye characteristics of an eye of an examinee simultaneously or successively has a printer for providing a printout of a first measurement result on a first eye characteristic and a second measurement result on a second eye characteristic on predetermined paper, including a printing part which performs printing on the paper and a cutting part which cuts the paper, a mode selecting part for selecting a first mode for providing the printout while connecting the first and the second measurement results and a second mode for providing the printout while separating the first and second measurement results, and a control part which, when the second mode is selected, controls the printing part to separately print the first measurement result in a first printing area of the paper and the second measurement result in a second printing area of the paper, and controls the cutting part to cut the paper so that the first printing area and the second printing area are separated.

Yet, in another aspect of the present invention, an ophthalmic apparatus capable of measuring at least three kinds of different eye characteristics of an eye of an examinee simultaneously or successively has a printer for providing a printout of a first measurement result on a first eye characteristic, a second measurement result on a second eye characteristic, and a third measurement result on a third eye characteristic on predetermined paper, including a printing part which performs printing on the paper and a cutting part which cuts the paper, a mode selecting part for selecting a first mode for providing the printout while connecting all the first, second, and third measurement results, a second mode for providing the printout while separating all the first, second, and third measurement results, and a third mode for providing the printout while connecting two of the first, second, and third measurement results and separating the other one, and a control part which, when the second mode is selected, controls the printing part to separately print the first measurement result in a first printing area of the paper, the second measurement result in a second printing area of the paper, and the third measurement result in a third printing area of the paper, and controls the cutting part to cut the paper so that the first printing area, the second printing area, and the third printing area are separated.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in the description which follows, are obvious from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the ophthalmic apparatus in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A detailed description of one preferred embodiment of an ophthalmic apparatus embodied by the present invention is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a multifunction apparatus capable of measuring intraocular pressure, eye refractive power and a corneal shape (corneal radius of curvatures) will be taken as an example.FIG. 1is a view showing a schematic configuration of a measurement system of an ophthalmic apparatus consistent with the present invention.

Inside a measurement unit1, an intraocular pressure measurement part1afor performing noncontact measurement of the intraocular pressure of an eye E of an examinee is arranged movably in a back/forth direction with reference to the eye E (the direction of a Z-arrow), and an eye refractive power/corneal shape measurement part1bfor measuring the eye refractive power and the corneal shape of the eye E is fixedly arranged above the measurement part1a. Further, a reflection mirror9and a reflection mirror10are arranged.

At the time of intraocular pressure measurement, the mirror9is removed from between the eye E and a nozzle13in the measurement part1a, and the measurement part1ais moved in a direction toward the eye E so that the nozzle13faces the eye E. On the other hand, at the time of eye refractive power measurement and corneal shape measurement, the mirror9is inserted between the eye E and the nozzle13, and the measurement part1ais moved in a direction away from the eye E so as to retreat to the rear of the mirror9.

Incidentally, while only the measurement unit1is illustrated in a configuration of the ophthalmic apparatus inFIG. 1, the apparatus is also provided with other elements such as a base for the apparatus, a mobile base which bears the measurement unit1thereon and is horizontally movable in back/forth and right/left directions on the base, a movement mechanism part for moving the measurement unit1in back/forth, right/left, and up/down directions with respect to the mobile base, and a face supporting unit fixedly arranged on the base for supporting a face (head) of the examinee. As those elements have little relevance to the present invention, description on a configuration thereof is omitted.

The measurement system arranged in the measurement unit1will be hereinafter described. Firstly, an air (fluid) blowing mechanism102in the measurement part1awill be described. A cylinder11is for air compression. A piston12is moved inside the cylinder11by driving force of a rotary solenoid103described later. The air compressed inside the cylinder11by the movement of the piston12is blown through the nozzle13to a cornea Ec of the eye E. Two transparent glass plates14hold the nozzle13. A transparent glass plate15is provided behind the nozzle13. Behind the glass plate15, optical systems for observation and alignment are arranged. A pressure sensor16detects pressure inside the cylinder11.

Next, the optical systems in the measurement part1awill be described. In this regard, when using the measurement part1a(i.e., at the time of the intraocular pressure measurement), the mirror9is moved (removed) to a retreat position where it does not influence the intraocular pressure measurement.

Four infrared light sources20for anterior-segment illumination are arranged having a measurement optical axis L1coincident with an axial line of the nozzle13as their center. An image of an anterior-segment of the eye E formed by the light sources20is transmitted through the glass plate15, an objective lens22, a dichroic mirror23, and a filter24, each arranged on the optical axis L1, to be picked up by a CCD camera25being an image-pickup element (these elements constitute an observation optical system). Besides, the dichroic mirror23has a property of transmitting infrared light and reflecting visible light. Additionally, the filter24has a property of not transmitting light from a light source40described later. The image of the anterior-segment of the eye E picked up by the camera25is displayed on a monitor26described later.

A visible light source35is for fixation target projection, and light from a fixation target36illuminated by the light source35is transmitted through a projection lens37, the dichroic mirror23, the objective lens22, and the glass plate15, to head for the eye E.

The infrared light source40is for detection of a deformation state of the cornea Ec, and the light therefrom is made into an approximately parallel light bundle by a collimator lens41to be projected onto the cornea Ec. An image of corneal reflection of the light source40is transmitted through a photo-receiving lens42, a filter43, a half mirror (or a reflection mirror)44, and a pinhole plate45, to be photo-received on a photo-detector46. The filter43has a property of transmitting only the light from the light source40. A corneal-deformation-state detection optical system (an intraocular pressure measurement optical system) constituted of these elements is arranged such that a photo-receiving amount on the photo-detector46is at the maximum when the cornea Ec is in a predetermined deformation state (a flat state).

Next, optical systems in the measurement part1bwill be described. When the measurement part1bis used (i.e., at the time of the eye refractive power measurement and the corneal shape measurement), the mirror9is moved (inserted) to a measurement reference position between the eye E and the nozzle13.

The image of the anterior-segment of the eye E formed by the light sources20is reflected by the mirror9, and is transmitted through the mirror10, a half mirror51, a half mirror (or a dichroic mirror)52, and an image forming lens53, each arranged on a measurement optical axis L2made coaxial with the optical axis L1by the mirror9, to be picked up by a CCD camera54being an image-pickup element (these elements constitute an observation optical system). The image of the anterior-segment of the eye E picked up by the camera54is displayed on the monitor26described later.

A visible light source65is for fixation target projection, and light from a fixation target66illuminated by the light source65is transmitted through a projection lens67, the half mirror52, the half mirror51, the mirror10, and the mirror9, to head for the eye E. In addition, the projection lens67is moved in a direction of an optical axis, so that the eye E is fogged.

An infrared light source70is for the eye refractive power measurement. Light therefrom passes through slits provided in a rotation sector71, and is transmitted through a projection lens72, a diaphragm73, a half mirror74, the half mirror51, the mirror10, and the mirror9, to be projected onto a fundus of the eye E while being scanned. The light reflected from the fundus is transmitted through the mirror9, the mirror10, the half mirror51, the half mirror74, a photo-receiving lens75and a diaphragm76, and is photo-received on a photo-receiving part77provided with a plurality of pairs of photodetectors. Incidentally, for details of the optical system for the eye refractive power measurement, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,388 corresponding to Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. Hei10-108836.

Four infrared light sources80for the corneal shape measurement are arranged having the optical axis L1as their center. Two of them are arranged in a horizontal direction of the apparatus, and the other two are arranged in a vertical direction of the apparatus, in order that each of their projection optical axes intersects at a predetermined angle with the optical axis L1. Light from the light sources80is transmitted through spot diaphragms81and collimating lenses82to be projected onto the cornea Ec. Images of corneal reflection of the light sources80are transmitted through the mirror9, the mirror10, the half mirror51, the half mirror52, and the image forming lens53, to be picked up by the camera54. Besides, for details of the optical system for the corneal shape measurement, see Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication No. Sho61-85920.

FIG. 2is a view showing a schematic block diagram of a control system of the apparatus consistent with the present invention. A control part100is connected with a printer110which provides a printout of measurement results on dedicated paper and a memory120which stores data such as the measurement results. As shown inFIG. 3, the printer110is constituted of paper111, a paper-feeding part112, a printing part113, a cutting part114, and the like. The printing part113prints the measurement results and the like on the paper111through right/left movements, and the paper-feeding part112feeds the paper each time one line has been printed. The cutting part114cuts the paper111at predetermined positions. The paper-feeding part112, the printing part113, and the cutting part114are driven and controlled by the control part100.

Further, the control part100is connected with the monitor26, the camera25, the photo-detector46, the rotary solenoid103, the camera54, the photo-receiving part77, a switch part121, and the like. The switch part121is provided with a printout mode selecting switch121afor selecting (setting) a printout mode of the measurement results from one of a separated-output mode and a connected-output mode, and a PRINT switch121bfor inputting (emitting) an instruction signal for printout. In addition, the control part100is provided with a clock part100afor indicating a present date and time.

In the ophthalmic apparatus having the aforementioned constitution, its operations will be described. The present apparatus includes a first measurement mode for performing only the eye refractive power measurement, a second measurement mode for performing only the corneal shape measurement, a third measurement mode for performing only the intraocular pressure measurement, a fourth measurement mode for successively performing the eye refractive power measurement and the corneal shape measurement, and a fifth measurement mode for successively performing the eye refractive power measurement, the corneal shape measurement and the intraocular pressure measurement. These measurement modes may be selected by an unillustrated measurement-mode selecting switch in the switch part121. Besides, while the respective eye characteristics may be measured in any order, it is preferable that the intraocular pressure is measured last. This is because, if the intraocular pressure is measured first, an influence of the blow of the compressed air and the like possibly remains. Hereinafter, the fifth measurement mode will be described.

In the eye refractive power measurement and the corneal shape measurement, the mirror9is inserted between the eye E and the nozzle13, and the image of the anterior-segment of the eye E is picked up by the camera54. Once an alignment state of the measurement part1bwith the eye E falls within a predetermined permissible range, the control part100automatically controls to generate a trigger signal and obtain the eye refractive power based on output signals from the respective photodetectors in the photo-receiving part77. In addition, the control part100controls to obtain a position of the image of corneal reflection of the light sources80and calculate the corneal shape, based on an output signal from the camera54. Further, based on a travel (displacement) amount in the right/left direction of the measurement unit1at the time of measuring a right eye and a left eye of the examinee, a pupillary distance between the right and left eyes may also be obtained. The respective measurement results thereby obtained are stored in the memory120.

In the fifth measurement mode, when the eye refractive power measurement and the corneal shape measurement satisfy a predetermined condition for measurement termination such that the predetermined number of measurement results are obtained respectively, the control part100automatically controls to generate a switching signal to the intraocular pressure measurement. Based on the switching signal to the intraocular pressure measurement, the control part100controls to move the measurement part1aforward (in a direction toward the eye E), and thrust a tip of the nozzle13from a front surface of the measurement unit1. At this time, the mirror9is removed from between the eye E and the nozzle13in conjunction with the movement of the measurement part1a.

Once an alignment state of the measurement part1awith the eye E falls within a predetermined permissible range, the control part100automatically controls to generate the trigger signal to drive the rotary solenoid103. When the piston12is moved by the driving of the rotary solenoid103, the air inside the cylinder11is compressed and blown through the nozzle13to the cornea Ec. The cornea Ec is gradually deformed by the blow of the compressed air, and when it reaches the flat state, the maximum amount of light enters the photo-detector46. The control part100controls to calculate the intraocular pressure based on an output signal from the pressure sensor16and an output signal from the photo-detector46. The measurement results thereby obtained are stored in the memory120.

At the time of providing the printout of the obtained measurement results from the printer110, the control part100reads out the respective measurement results on the eye refractive power, the corneal shape, and the intraocular pressure which are newly stored in the memory120, and controls to provide the printout on the basis of a predetermined format. In the present embodiment, the printing is performed in the order of the eye refractive power (right/left), the corneal shape (right/left), and the intraocular pressure (right/left).

Here, in a case where the separated-output mode is selected by the switch121a, when the instruction signal for printout from the switch121bis inputted to the control part100upon completion of the measurement (the instruction signal for printout may be automatically generated taking a measurement completion signal as a trigger), the measurement results are started to be printed out from the printer110.

FIG. 4is a view showing an example of a printout in the separated-output mode. On printing-paper portions (printing areas)150a,150b, and150cwhich are cut and separated, an eye refractive power (hereinafter referred to as “R”) measurement result151, a corneal shape (hereinafter referred to as “K”) measurement result152, and an intraocular pressure (hereinafter referred to as “T”) measurement result153are respectively printed. To be more specific, printed on the printing-paper portion150aas the R measurement result151are measurement values obtained through three times of measurement of the eye refractive power (S (spherical power), C (astigmatic (cylindrical) power), and A (an astigmatic axial angle)) and their average values, and the like for the respective right and left eyes. Printed on the printing-paper portion150bas the K measurement result152are measurement values of corneal radius of curvatures R1, R2and their average value, values where the corneal radius of curvatures R1, R2are converted into refractive power (diopter values) and their average value, and the like for the respective right and left eyes. Further, printed on the printing-paper portion150cas the T measurement result153are measurement values obtained through three times of measurement of the intraocular pressure and their average value, and the like for the respective right and left eyes. In addition, on the printing-paper portion150a, a pupillary distance PD between the right and left eyes and a vertex distance VD are printed.

Furthermore, on the respective printing-paper portions150a,150b, and150c, common identification information154is printed above each of the measurement results. As the identification information154, an examination number154autilized for distinguishing whose examination (measurement) is completed and the like is printed. The examination number154ais increased by one when the instruction signal for printout is inputted or generated upon completion of the measurement. The examination number154ais managed and determined by the control part100. As the other identification information154, a space154bto include a name of the examinee, and an examination date and time154cindicated by the clock part110aare printed. The examination date and time154cis determined as the time when the instruction signal for printout is inputted or generated. Thus, by printing the common identification information154on each of the printing-paper portions, the examination number, the examination date and time, and the like may be confirmed in each printing-paper portion. Therefore, the cut and separated printing-paper portions may be easily identified to enable accurate management and the like. Incidentally, the identification information is not limited to that provided above, and various information is included.

Besides, dashed lines A1, A2and B1inFIG. 4indicate cutting positions of the paper111by the cutting part114in the printer110. The line A1indicates a boundary between the printing-paper portions150aand150b, and the line A2indicates a boundary between the printing-paper portions150band150c. The line B1indicates a boundary between the printing-paper portion for the current measurement and a printing-paper portion for the next measurement (the examination number154ais increased by one). These cutting positions are determined based on the format on the respective measurement results read out from the memory120and the setting of whether or not the paper is cut and separated (i.e., the setting of the printout mode).

If the constitution as above is employed, when the plurality of different eye characteristics are measured and the respective measurement results are printed out, the printout is provided while the paper is automatically separated for the respective measurement results. Therefore, in a case where the respective measurement results are stuck on separate positions on the patient charts, there is no need of cutting and separating with a pair of scissors or the like, and troubles may be saved. Besides, according to the above-mentioned separating method, the printing-paper portions are totally cut and separated at the cutting positions (boundaries); however, if the printing-paper portions are kept in a partly connected state (for example, in a perforated state, or in a state where a slight connecting portion is remained) so that an examiner may easily separate, the respective printing-paper portions are prevented from scattered. Such constitutions are also included in the separated state.

On the other hand, also in a case where the connected-output mode is selected by the switch121a, when the switch121bis depressed upon completion of the measurement (or the measurement completion signal is generated), the measurement results are started to be printed out from the printer110. In such a case, as shown inFIG. 5, the R measurement result151, the K measurement result152, and the T measurement result153are printed on one printing-paper portion (printing area)156in a connected state, and the control part100drives the cutting part114only at the boundary line B1. Further, in the connected-output mode, the identification information154such as the examination number154a, the space154bto include the name of the examinee, and the examination date and time154care printed only above the R measurement result151.

Incidentally, the eye characteristics to be measured are not limited to the eye refractive power, the corneal shape, and the intraocular pressure as above, and various eye characteristics are included.

Next, in the apparatus capable of measuring more than three kinds of eye characteristics as the present embodiment, a combination of the measurement result to be printed out while separated and the measurement result to be printed out while connected may be set in more detail.FIG. 6is a view showing a screen example for setting the combination thereof. When “R+K+T” is selected by moving a selecting cursor200through operation of an unillustrated switch in the switch part121, the respective R, K and T measurement results are printed out in a connected state. Further, when “R,K,T” is selected, the respective R, K and T measurement results are printed out in a separated state. Furthermore, when “R+K,T” is selected, the R and K measurement results are printed out in a connected state and only the T measurement result is printed out in a separated state. Same applies to the other settings. In other words, on the setting screen, the measurement results linked with “+” are printed out in a connected state, and the measurement results linked with “,” are printed out in a separated state. Thus, in a case where more than three kinds of measurement results are printed out, if the combination of separation and connection is made arbitrarily selectable, it becomes possible to cope with a large variety of patient charts.

Description has been given on a case where three kinds of eye characteristics: the eye refractive power; the corneal shape; and the intraocular pressure are measured. When one or two eye characteristics among them are newly measured, the printing and cutting by the printer110are controlled as provided below.

For example, in a case where the separated-output mode is set or the combination “R,K,T”, “R,K+T”, or “R+T,K” is selected (i.e., in a case where the R and K measurement results are printed out in a separated state), when only the eye refractive power and the corneal shape are measured after the previous printout, new measurement results on the eye refractive power and the corneal shape are stored in the memory120. When the instruction signal for printout is generated at this stage, based on the newly stored measurement results on the eye refractive power and the corneal shape, the control part100controls to print out only the printing-paper portions150aand150binFIG. 4. Since the measurement result on the intraocular pressure is not newly stored in the memory120, the printing-paper portion150cis not printed out.

On the other hand, in a case where the connected-output mode is set or the combination “R+K+T” or “R+K,T” is selected (i.e., in a case where the R and K measurement results are printed out in a connected state), when the instruction signal for printout is generated at the stage where only the eye refractive power and the corneal shape are measured after the previous printout, the R measurement result151and the K measurement result152are printed out on one printing-paper portion in a connected state. That is to say, the printout is provided while omitting the part of the T measurement result153in the printing-paper portion156inFIG. 5.

Incidentally, the measurement results stored in the memory120are cleared at the stage where the instruction signal for printout is inputted or generated and the measurement results are printed out, or at the stage where the new measurement of any eye characteristic is performed after the instruction signal for printout is inputted or generated (or after the printout).