Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for applying a marking to the human eye, in particular on the cornea, comprising a marking head ( 1 ) and a retaining device ( 2 ) that supports the marking head ( 1 ), wherein the marking head ( 1 ) comprises a marking element ( 4 ) and a support that retains the marking element ( 4 ) in a specifiable or changeable angular position, wherein the support is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to the retaining device ( 2 ) or a reference line and wherein the marking head ( 1 ) can be detached from the retaining device ( 2 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage application filed under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application No. PCT/DE2010/001357, filed Nov. 23, 2010, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2010 044 764.1, filed Sep. 8, 2010, German Patent Application No. 10 2010 027 051.2, filed Jul. 13, 2010, and German Patent Application No. 10 2010 006 009.7, filed Jan. 27, 2010, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a device for applying a marking to the human eye, in particular to the cornea. 
     There is a need in principle for marking the cornea of the human eye, namely in preparation for ophthalmological intervention for correction of astigmatism, preferably for fixing a lens accurately on the iris. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Generic devices are already known in the art, generally under the designation “marking instrument”. 
     A generic marking instrument is known from DE 20 2008 004 593 U1, in which this instrument serves to generate markings for ophthalmological surgery. The known instrument comprises a marking head which is pivotably connected to an instrument handle. A marking element provided on the instrument head is disposed so as to be adjustable in its angular position relative to a vertical weight, so that markings can be produced with an angular setting relative to the vertical. 
     The known generic device is exclusively in a hand-held surgical instrument. The marking head is firmly connected to the instrument. Because of the fixed co-ordination of the marking head with the instrument handle, the production of a marking is limited to the application of the specific instrument. Moreover there is always—inevitably—a relationship to the vertical, according to the selected setting. Moreover, the setting of the angular position of the marking element provided there is complex, and necessitates a separate tool, wherein for the setting the entire instrument should be positioned on a holding block. 
     The object of the present invention is to configure and to modify a device for applying a marking to the human eye, in particular to the cornea of the human eye, in such a way that with the simplest design it can be set simply in the angular position to discontinue and can be used both in conjunction with hand-held instruments and in conjunction with conventional devices from the field of ophthalmology. 
     SUMMARY OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the various embodiments described herein. Accordingly the device according to the invention comprises a marking head and a retaining device which supports the marking head. The marking head is equipped with a marking element and a support which retains the marking element in a predeterminable or variable angular position. The support is non-rotatably disposed relative to the retaining device or a reference line, wherein the marking head can be detached from the retaining device. 
     According to the invention it has been recognised that it is extremely advantageous if the marking head is a component which can be manipulated independently and can be co-ordinated with any retaining device. In this case it is essential that the marking head supports the marking element which serves for marking the cornea, wherein the angular position of the marking head and thus of the marking element relative to a retaining device or a reference line is adjustable. In other words, the marking head is rotatable relative to the retaining device and can be detached therefrom or replaced. 
     In an advantageous manner the marking element comprises a marking tool which can be wetted by marking ink, preferably for marking a straight line or at least two points or sections of a straight line. By means of ink applied there a marking can be applied to the cornea, for example by means of water-soluble colour or ink. 
     In a particularly advantageous manner the marking tool which serves for marking consists of two serrated, preferably at least partially bent marking flanks which are pressed against the cornea of the eye. The colour which serves for marking should be applied beforehand to the surface of the marking tool. This may be done with a kind of stamp pad, a sponge or the like containing the colour. 
     For a particularly simple change to the angular position of the marking element or of the marking tool belonging thereto, the marking element is fastened on or in an inner rotating ring, wherein the rotating ring is rotatable in the support designed as an outer retaining ring—by hand or by means of a tool. Although the use of a tool could simplify the adjustment, the marking element or the inner rotating ring with the marking tool could be simply moved or rotated by hand, namely in the outer retaining ring. 
     It is also conceivable that the adjustment takes place before coupling of the marking head onto the retaining device, so that it is conceivable to rotate the inner rotating ring with a finger or by engagement in the inner passage of the rotating ring. In any case the angle setting can be carried out effortlessly with the marking head uncoupled. 
     In a further advantageous manner the inner rotating ring comprises a marker which symbolizes the angular position. The outer retaining ring may be equipped with a scale to indicate the angular position, preferably in the range from 0 to 180 degrees. Likewise a contrary arrangement or co-ordination of marker and scale is conceivable. In any case it is essential that the combination of inner rotating ring and outer retaining ring ensure a structurally simple adjustability, ideally actuated by hand, and independently of a retaining device which supports the marking head. 
     For coupling of the marking head to any retaining device, the marking head comprises special coupling means, namely for direct or indirect connection to the retaining device. In particular the coupling means are designed for a connecting piece to be inserted and received, wherein the connecting piece is co-ordinated with the retaining device or an interposed adapter. 
     In a particularly advantageous manner the coupling means and/or the connecting piece can be latched reciprocally, wherein the latching means which serve for this purpose are preferably spring-loaded. A secure coupling is possible in this way, regardless of the specific retaining device. Only the coupling means or receptacles and connecting pieces which are tailored to one another are essential. 
     In a particularly advantageous embodiment the retaining device is a conventional ophthalmological device, but without the actual functional head. Instead of this the marking head will be connected to the device. Stated more precisely, the retaining device may be a so-called slit lamp or a tonometer which is used in any case in ophthalmology. For connection of the marking head special coupling means are necessary in order to create a secure operative connection between the actual tonometer or the slit lamp and the marking head. The coupling means or the connecting piece should be adapted at the equipment end to the ophthalmological device. In terms of function, coupling means should be provided in the form of a special connecting piece to which the marking head can be securely connected. It is also conceivable that the marking head is equipped on the connection side with special coupling means which can be coupled directly to the slit lamp or to corresponding devices/housing parts of the slit lamp. 
     Alternatively it is conceivable that the same marking head with its coupling means can be connected—via an adapter or directly—to a hand-held ophthalmological instrument, wherein the hand-held ophthalmological instrument may preferably be an instrument with a gravity-loading pendulum mount which aligns with the horizontal or vertical. Here too the coupling ability and correspondingly the replaceability of the marking head plays a quite special role in order for example to be able—as required—to use marking heads with differently defined marking tools. 
     The ease of uncoupling of the marking head in this case also ensures convenient handling in the adjustability of the angular position of the marking tool. 
     Moreover it may be noted that the removability of the marking head favours handling thereof during cleaning. 
     Within the context of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention a direct coupling to a slit lamp can be achieved, and then the marking head can be coupled to the slit lamp without the adapter. Accordingly the marking element comprises an integral insertion zone for direct coupling to a retaining device or to the slit lamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       There are now various possibilities for configuring and modifying the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. In this connection reference is made on the one hand to the various embodiments described herein and on the other hand to the following explanation of two preferred embodiments of the invention with the aid of the drawings. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments and modifications of the teaching are also explained in general. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a marking head for coupling to a component of a slit lamp with an adapter interposed, 
         FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  show schematic partial views of the subject of  FIG. 1 , wherein the ophthalmological component is a part of a slit lamp, 
         FIG. 3  shows schematic partial views of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, wherein without the provision of an adapter the marker can be coupled to an integral insertion zone directly to a slit lamp, 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of the same marking head as shown in  FIG. 1 , but for direct coupling to a hand-held instrument for ophthalmological surgery, 
         FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  show schematic partial views of the subject of  FIG. 4 , wherein the retaining device is an ophthalmological hand-held instrument, and 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of an ophthalmological hand-held instrument with a marking head which can be coupled to it, wherein the marking head can be fitted directly onto the hand-held instrument. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of the individual components of a device for applying a marking to the human eye, namely to the cornea. 
     The device comprises a marking head  1  and a retaining device  2  which supports the marking head  1 , wherein the retaining device is a component of a conventional slit lamp or a tonometer. 
     The coupling of the marking head  1  to the retaining element  2  takes place via coupling means  3  in the form of a adapter. 
     The marking head  1  is equipped with a marking element  4  which is fastened on an inner rotating ring  5  is. The inner rotating ring  5  is rotatable relative to an outer retaining ring  6 , wherein the two rings—inner rotating ring  5  and outer retaining ring  6 —are rotatable against one another. 
     Furthermore it can be seen from  FIG. 1  that the marking element  4  of the marking head  1  is equipped with two claws  7  with serrated marking flanks. Moreover the marking head  1  comprises a receptacle  9  for introduction or insertion of a connecting piece  10  which is an integral component of the adapter  3 . Thus a secure operative connection can be produced between the marking head  1  and the adapter  3 . The adapter  3  comprises an insertion zone  11  which can be inserted into the part of the slit lamp which symbolizes the retaining device  2 . Thus it is possible to connect the marking head  1  in a simple manner to a conventional slit lamp and to use the entire device for marking the cornea of the human eye, similar to the use of a conventional slit lamp or a tonometer. 
       FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  show the adapter  3  inserted into the retaining device, wherein the connecting piece  10  serves for insertion into the receptacle  9  of the marking head  1 . The receptacle  9  may be designed as a metal sleeve or as a corresponding hollow section. 
       FIG. 2   a  clearly shows the marking head  1 , consisting of the inner rotating ring  5  with marker  12  and the outer retaining ring  6  with a scale  13  defining the angle setting. The scale  13  comprises a graduation from 0 to 180 degrees, so that any angle settings of the marking element  4  or of the claws  7  defining the marking tool are possible. 
     Furthermore,  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  show clearly that the connecting piece  10  is designed as a profile which can be inserted into the receptacle  9 , wherein the connecting piece  10  comprises a spring clip  14  for latching or securing the connection between the adapter  3  and the marking head  11 . 
     The essential parts of the marking head  1  can be made of plastic. The marking element  4  or the claws  7  are advantageously made of metal. The same applies to the receptacle  9  of the marking head  1 . Also the connecting piece  10  of the adapter  3  should be made of metal, preferably aluminium or stainless steel. The adapter  3  otherwise be a component made substantially from plastic. 
       FIG. 3  shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, namely an embodiment which is modified relative to the device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  for direct coupling to a slit lamp. More precisely, according to  FIG. 3  the so-called cornea marker, i.e. the marking head  1 , can be mounted directly on a slit lamp without the interposition of an adapter. More precisely, the marking head  1  comprises an integral insertion zone  11  for direct insertion into the retaining device  2 . All further components of the device are provided with the same reference numerals as the embodiment according to the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , so that further statements with reference to the description of  FIGS. 1 and 2  are unnecessary. 
       FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention, wherein the marking head  1  is identical to the marking head  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c . By means of the receptacle  9  the marking head  1  can be connected directly to the connecting piece  10  of a hand-held instrument, wherein this is any hand-held instrument with an appropriately designed connecting piece  10 . In conjunction with the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c  the versatility of use of the marking head  1  can be seen, wherein a satisfactory coupling between the marking head  1  and any retaining device  2  can be implemented. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  the retaining device  2  is designed as a hand-held ophthalmological instrument with gravity-loaded pendulum mount for the marking head  1 . 
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show the embodiment of  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  in detailed side view, wherein according to  FIG. 5   a  the marking head  1  is uncoupled from the hand-held instrument or from the retaining device  2 .  FIG. 5   b  shows the retaining device  2  which is supported by a so-called pendulum marker. A connecting piece  10  which comprises a spring clip  14  for securing is co-ordinated with the retaining device  2  or the pendulum marker. The connecting piece  10  with the spring clip  14  serves for introduction/insertion into a receptacle  9  co-ordinated with the marking head  1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention, specifically a so-called pendulum marker. The basic design corresponds to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In contrast to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the embodiment according to  FIG. 6  is equipped with an integral connector  15  which is designed in the manner of a slotted sleeve. 
     The marking head  1  can be inserted with a connecting piece  16 , which comprises an insertion zone  11 , into the connector  15  and can be fixed or locked there. 
     With regard to the connector  15  it may be remarked that the wall thereof is closed in the front region, and is slotted further back, i.e. on the side facing away from the insertion side. The wall acts like a spring, so that by utilising the material-specific tension the connecting piece  16  can be inserted into the connector  15  and can be held there by material tension. 
     Otherwise the other components of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  correspond to the components of the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     Finally it may be remarked that the retaining device may be any equipment in the sense of hand-held instruments or free-standing devices which are suitable for positioning of the marking head relative to the human eye. 
     The statements above serve only to explain the claimed teaching by way of example, but do not limit the teaching to the two embodiments.