Abstract:
A contact lens, according to the present invention, comprises: a housing having a light-incident part on which a therapeutic beam oscillated from a beam generation part is incident, and a light-emitting part for guiding the therapeutic beam incident from the light-incident part to an eyeball; a first sensing part arranged between the light-incident part and the light-emitting part so as to sense the reaction occurring in a healing site of the eyeball on which the therapeutic beam is irradiated; and a second sensing part arranged in a region of the light-emitting part spaced from the first sensing part so as to sense whether contact has been made with the eyeball.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a contact lens and an ophthalmic device having the same and, more particularly, to a contact lens for viewing the retina, etc. of an eye or for generating a treatment beam and guiding it to the eye and an ophthalmic device having the same. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    In general, contact lenses for use in ophthalmology are used when ophthalmologists are required to place them in contact with a patient&#39;s eye for eye examinations. Such contact lenses are used particularly for retinal examination. They are also used to deliver a treatment beam to the eye for ophthalmic therapy purposes. These contact lenses are used together with ophthalmic devices for generating a treatment beam and delivering it to the eye. 
         [0005]    More concretely, a contact lens serves to adjust the path of a treatment beam from an ophthalmic device. For an eye examination or treatment, the ophthalmologist has to bring the contact lens into contact with the patient&#39;s eye by holding it with hand. 
         [0006]    A conventional contact lens and an ophthalmic device having the same are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,886 titled “Iridotomy and trabeculoplasty goniolaser lens”. When using the contact lens disclosed in the related-art document “Iridotomy and trabeculoplasty goniolaser lens”, the ophthalmologist has to rely on their senses or experience in order to tell whether the contact lens is placed in contact with the eye before delivering a treatment beam. They also have to manually adjust the position of the contact lens to place it in contact with the eye to be checked or treated. 
         [0007]    Since the contact lens disclosed in the related-art document requires the ophthalmologist to tell by their own senses or experience how it is being brought into contact with the eye, they cannot make sure whether it is correctly placed in contact with the eye and this may lead to errors in the delivery of a treatment beam. Moreover, the ophthalmologist will feel more fatigue because they have to bring the contact lens into contact with the patient&#39;s eye by holding it with fingers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a contact lens that is improved in structure so as to allow an ophthalmologist to make sure whether it is placed in contact with a patient&#39;s eye and an ophthalmic device having the same. 
         [0009]    In addition, the present invention provides a contact lens that is improved in structure so as to automatically adjust the position of the contact lens to get it placed in contact with the patient&#39;s eye and an ophthalmic device having the same. 
         [0010]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens for guiding a treatment beam directed from a beam generator to the eye may include: a housing including an entrance part through which the treatment beam directed from the beam generator enters and an exit part through which the treatment beam entering through the entrance part is guided to the eye; a first detecting part located between the entrance part and the exit part and detecting a reaction in a treated area of the eye to which the treatment beam is delivered; and a second detecting part located in the area of the exit part, spaced apart from the first detecting part, and detecting whether there is contact with the eye. 
         [0011]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a contact lens for guiding a treatment beam directed from a beam generator to the eye may include: a first housing including an entrance part through which the treatment beam directed from the beam generator enters; a second housing detachably attached to an opening area opposite the entrance part of the first housing and including an exit part through which the treatment beam entering through the entrance part exits; a first detecting part located in either the first housing or the second housing and detecting a reaction in a treated area of the eye to which the treatment beam is delivered; and a second detecting part located in the area of the exit part and detecting whether there is contact between the second housing and the eye. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the first detecting part may be located inside the second housing, spaced apart from the second detecting part. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the first detecting part may detect the amount of bubbles in the treated area of the eye, generated by the delivery of the treatment beam. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the operation of the beam generator may be controlled in response to a detection signal from the second detecting part. 
         [0015]    Any one of the first and second housings may include hooks, and the other housing may include hook joints that engage with the hooks to detachably hold the first housing and the second housing together. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the first housing and the second housing may be held together by either screwing or pinning. 
         [0017]    The first detecting part and the second detecting part may include an ultrasonic sensor and a proximity sensor, respectively. 
         [0018]    The contact lens may further include a gaze part that is located in an inner region visible to the eye and that prevent the patient&#39;s eye from moving by emitting gaze fixation light to forms a point of gaze. 
         [0019]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an ophthalmic device that delivers a treatment beam directed from a beam generator to the eye may include: a main body accommodating the beam generator; a contact lens that is brought close to the eye and guides the treatment beam directed from the beam generator to the eye, the contact lens including a first housing including an entrance part through which the treatment beam directed from the beam generator enters, a second housing detachably attached to an opening area opposite the entrance part of the first housing and including an exit part through which the treatment beam entering through the entrance part exits, a first detecting part located in either the first housing or the second housing and detecting a reaction in a treated area of the eye to which the treatment beam is delivered, and a second detecting part located in the area of the exit part and detecting whether there is contact between the second housing and the eye; a holder unit detachably attached to the contact lens and rotating the contact lens relative to the eye; and a connecting unit located between the main body and the holder unit and connecting the main body and the holder unit together. 
         [0020]    The holder unit may include: a rotation support unit that supports the contact lens and that rotates the contact lens about at least one axis such as an X-axis on which the contact lens pivots, a Y-axis on which the contact lens tilts, or a Z-axis on which the contact lens swivels; and a driving unit that is connected to the rotation support unit and that provides a driving force to cause the rotation support unit to either pivot, tilt, or swivel. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the rotation support unit may be detachably attached to the first housing of the contact lens. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the first housing of the contact lens and the rotation support unit may be detachably held together by either pinning, hooking, or fitting. 
         [0023]    The connecting unit may include: a first connector that is connected to the main body and that reciprocates along the Y-axis on which the holder support tilts; and a second connector that connects the first connector and the holder unit together in a direction transverse to the movement direction of the first connector and that reciprocates along the Z-axis on which the holder support swivels. 
         [0024]    The ophthalmic device may further include: an input part that applies an actuation signal to the holder unit and the connecting unit; and a control unit including a first controller for controlling the operation of the holder unit and of the connecting unit based on the actuation signal from the input part and a second controller for controlling the operation of the beam generator based on signals from the first detecting part and second detecting part. 
         [0025]    Preferably, if the contact lens is deemed to be in contact with the eye, based on a detection signal from the second detecting part, the second controller may control the operation of the beam generator such that the treatment beam is delivered to the eye. 
         [0026]    More preferably, the first detecting part may detect the amount of bubbles in the treated area of the eye, generated by the delivery of the treatment beam. 
         [0027]    A hook located in any one of the first and second housings comprise hook and a hook joint located in the other housing and engaging with the hook to detachably hold the first housing and second housing together are provided. 
         [0028]    The first housing and the second housing may be held together by either screwing or pinning. 
         [0029]    The contact lens may further include a gaze part that is located in an inner region visible to the eye and that prevent the patient&#39;s eye from moving by emitting gaze fixation light to forms a point of gaze. 
         [0030]    Other specific details of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]    A contact lens and an ophthalmic device having the same have the following advantageous effects. 
         [0032]    First, the second detecting part capable of detecting whether the contact lens is placed in contact with the eye and the first detecting part capable of detecting a change in the status of the eye caused by the delivery of a treatment beam may be provided inside the contact lens, thus improving the reliability of the product. 
         [0033]    Second, the contact lens includes a housing that accommodates the first and second detecting parts and a housing that can be held by the operator, and these housings may be detachably held together. Accordingly, the housings may be replaced individually if the first detecting part or the second detecting part breaks down, thus reducing repair and maintenance costs of this product. 
         [0034]    Third, the detachable contact lens may be adjusted to the accurate contact position with respect to the patience&#39;s eye since it can be automatically adjusted to allow the contact lens to pivot, tilt, or swivel and to move horizontally and vertically. This allows for more accurate treatment and reduces the operator&#39;s fatigue. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  illustrates a contact lens being placed in contact with a patient&#39;s eye according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic device including the contact lens of  FIG. 4  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a control block diagram of an ophthalmic device according to the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a combined perspective view of a contact lens and a rotation support unit according to the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a contact lens and a rotation support unit according to the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  is a view of a first magnetic polarity of the holder support of the rotation support unit of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a view of a second magnetic polarity of the holder support of the rotation support unit of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 11  is an operational view of how the rotation support unit is actuated by the magnetic polarity indicated by the line A-A of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 12  is an operational view of how the rotation support unit is actuated by the magnetic polarity indicated by the line B-B of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    Hereinafter, a contact lens and an ophthalmic device having the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0048]    Prior to describing the invention, it is to be noted beforehand that different reference numerals are used to designate identical elements between contact lenses according to first and second embodiments of the present invention. Also, it should be noted beforehand that a contact lens according to a third embodiment further includes a gaze part, in addition to the elements of the contact lens according to the second embodiment, and the same elements as the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as the second embodiment. 
         [0049]    An ophthalmic device according to an embodiment of the present invention is described as including the contact lens according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  illustrates a contact lens being placed in contact with a patient&#39;s eye according to embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0051]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a contact lens  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing  10 , a lens part  30 , a first detecting part  50 , and a second detecting part  70 . 
         [0052]    The housing  10  includes a main body  10 , an entrance part  14 , and an exit part  16 . The main body  12  of the housing  10  accommodates the lens part  30 , the first detecting part  50 , and the second detecting part  70 . Also, the main body  12  of the housing  10  forms the entrance part  14  and exit part  16  through which a treatment beam enters and exits. The exit part  16  is placed in contact with a patient&#39;s eye. 
         [0053]    The lens part  30  is accommodated in the main body  12  of the housing  10  and guides a treatment beam entering through the entrance part  14  to the exit part  16 . The lens part  30  consists of a plurality of concave lenses or convex lenses, and serves to collimate the treatment beam entering through the entrance part  14  or change the exit path of the treatment beam. 
         [0054]    The first detecting part  50  is located between the entrance part  14  and the exit part  16 , inside the main body  12  of the housing  10 . The first detecting part  50  detects a reaction in a treated area of the eye to which a treatment beam is delivered. That is, the first detecting part  50  detects the amount of bubbles generated when a treatment beam is delivered to the eye. In one embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic sensor is used as the first detecting part  50 . Alternatively, various well-known sensors capable of detecting the amount of bubbles in the eye, generated by the delivery of a treatment beam, as well as the ultrasonic sensor, may be used as the first detecting part  50 . 
         [0055]    The second detecting part  70  is located in the area of the exit part  16  of the housing  10 , spaced apart from the first detecting part  50 . The second detecting part  70  detects whether there is contact with the eye. In one embodiment of the present invention, a proximity sensor is used as the second detecting part  70 . The ophthalmologist can tell whether the contact lens  1  is placed in contact with the eye, based on a detection signal from the second detecting part  70 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0057]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a contact lens  3000  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first housing  3100 , a second housing  3300 , a lens part  3500 , a first detecting part  3700 , and a second detecting part  3800 . Unlike the contact lens  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first and second housings  3100  and  3300  of the contact lens  3000  according to the second embodiment of the present invention are detachably held together. 
         [0058]    The first detecting part  3700  is located in either the first housing  3100  or the second housing  3300  and detects a reaction in a treated area of the eye to which a treatment beam is delivered. Preferably, the first detecting part  3700  and the second detecting part  3800  may be located together inside the second housing  3300 , as in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0059]    The second detecting part  3800  is located inside the second housing  3300  and detects whether there is contact with the eye. A proximity sensor is used as the second detecting part  3800 . 
         [0060]    As such, the contact lens  3300  according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that the first housing  3100  and the second housing  3300  may be replaced individually if the first detecting part  3700  or the second detecting part  3800  breaks down, since the first housing  3100  and the second housing  3300  are detachably held together. Therefore, repair and maintenance costs of this product may be reduced. 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a contact lens according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0062]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a contact lens  300  according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a first housing  3100 , a second housing  3300 , a lens part  3500 , a first detecting part  3700 , a second detecting part  3800 , and a gaze part  3900 . That is, the contact lens  300  according to the third embodiment of the present invention further includes a gaze part  3900 , in addition to the contact lens  3000  according to the second embodiment. 
         [0063]    The gaze part  3900  is located in an inner region visible to the eye and emits gaze fixation light for the patient to look at that forms a point of gaze. The gaze part  3900  is prepared as a light source that is located inside the contact lens  3000 , close to the eye and that emits light for the patient to look at that is visible to the eye. In particular, the gaze part  3900  emits a wide wavelength band of light for the patient to look at to form a point of gaze visible to the eye. The light for the patient to look at that is emitted by the gaze part  3900  forms a point of gaze at which the eye is looking, thereby preventing the eye from moving when the contact lens  3000  is in contact with the eye. 
         [0064]    The gaze part  3900  is applicable to the contact lens  1  of the first embodiment of the present invention, as well as to the contact lens  3000  of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0065]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic device including the contact lens of  FIG. 4  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a control block diagram of an ophthalmic device according to the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a combined perspective view of a contact lens and a rotation support unit according to the present invention.  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a contact lens and a rotation support unit according to the present invention. 
         [0066]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 to 8 , an ophthalmic device  100  including the contact lens  3000  according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a main body  1000 , a beam generator  2000 , the contact lens  3000 , a holder unit  4000 , a connecting unit  5000 , an input part  6000 , a measuring part  7000 , and a control unit  8000 . 
         [0067]    The main body  1000  constitutes the outer appearance of the ophthalmic device  100 , and includes an eye examination part (not shown) such as a microscope that can magnify, with which the patient&#39;s eye can be examined. 
         [0068]    The beam generator  2000  is equipped within the main body  1000  and generates a treatment beam and emits it to the contact lens  3000 . The beam generator  2000  includes a laser diode in order to generate and emit laser light used as a treatment beam. For example, a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, etc. may be used as the beam generator  2000 . 
         [0069]    The contact lens  3000  includes a first housing  3100 , a second housing  3300 , a lens part  3500 , a first detecting part  3700 , a second detecting part  3800 , and a gaze part  3900 . The first and second housings  3100  and  3300  of the contact lens  3000  are detachably held together. The first housing  3100  is held in the holder unit  4000 , and the second housing  3300  is detachably attached to the first housing  3100  held in the holder unit  4000 . 
         [0070]    The first housing  3100  includes a first housing body  3110 , an entrance part  3130 , hooks  3150 , and connecting pins  3170 . The first housing body  3110  forms the outer appearance of the first housing  3100 , and one side of the first housing body  3110  forms the entrance part  3130  through which a treatment beam generated from the beam generator  3000  enters. 
         [0071]    The hooks  3150  are provided to detachably hold the first housing  3100  and the second housing  3300  together. While the hooks  3150  are provided on the first housing  3110  in one embodiment of the present invention, they may be switched with hook joints  3350  of the second housing  3300  to be described later and provided on the second housing  3300 . Using the hooks  3150  is an example of the method of detachably holding the first housing body  3110  and a second housing body  3310  together, and various well-known joining methods such as pinning or screwing may be used instead of using the hooks  3150 . 
         [0072]    The connecting pins  3170  is located downward from the first housing body  3110 . The connecting pins  3170  are attached to the holder unit  4000 . More specifically, the connecting pins  3170  are attached to pin joints  4113  of a holder support  4110  to be described later to hold the holder unit  4000  and the first housing  3100  of the contact lens  3000  together. Needless to say, the connecting pins  3170  are merely an example, and the holder unit  4000  and the first housing  3100  of the contact lens  3000  may be held together by various well-known joining methods such as hooking or screwing. 
         [0073]    The second housing  3300  includes the second housing body  3310 , an exit part  3330 , and the hook joints  3350 . The second housing body  3310  guides a treatment beam entering through the entrance part  3130  of the first housing  3100  to the patient&#39;s eye. In this instance, the exit part  3330  needs to be placed in contact with the patient&#39;s eye. The hook joints  3350  are provided on the second housing  3310  in one embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the hook joints  3350  are provided at points where the first housing body  3110  and the second housing body  3310  are held together. As described above, the hook joints  3350  may be switched with the hooks  3150  of the first housing  3100 , rather than being provided on the second housing body  3310 . For example, if the hooks  3150  of the first housing  3100  are located on the second housing  3300 , the hook joints  3350  of the second housing  3300  are provided on the first housing  3100 . 
         [0074]    The lens part  3500  is accommodated in the first housing body  3110  and the second housing body  3310 . The lens part  3500  is a combination of convex lenses and concave lenses, and serves to collimate a treatment beam entering through the entrance part  3130  or regulate the exit path of the treatment beam and guide it to the exit part  3330 . 
         [0075]    The first detecting part  3700  and the second detecting part  3800  are accommodated in the second housing body  3310  in one embodiment of the present invention. An ultrasonic sensor and a proximity sensor are used as the first detecting part  3700  and the second detecting part  3800 , respectively. The first detecting part  3700  is accommodated in the second housing body  3310 , spaced apart from the second detecting part  3700 . The first detecting part  3700  detects a reaction in the treated area of the eye and sends a detection signal to the control unit  8000 . More specifically, the first detecting part  3700  detects the amount of bubbles in the treated area of the eye, generated by the delivery of a treatment beam and sends a detection signal to the control unit  8000 . Based on the detection signal from the first detecting part  3700 , the control unit  8000  may control the operation of the beam generator  3000  or of a beam delivery part that is not shown in the present disclosure. 
         [0076]    The second detecting part  3800  is located in the area of the exit part  3330  of the second housing  3300 . The second detecting part  3800  detects whether the contact lens  3000  is placed in contact with the patient&#39;s eye. A detection signal from the second detecting part  3800  is sent to the control unit  8000 . Based on the signal from the second detecting part  3800 , the operation of the beam generator  2000  or of the beam delivery part is controlled. For example, if the contact lens  3000  is deemed to be in contact with the eye, based on the signal from the second detecting part  3800 , a second controller  8300  of the control unit  8000  to be described later controls the operation of the beam generator  2000  so as to deliver a treatment beam to the treated area of the eye. 
         [0077]      FIG. 9  is a view of a first magnetic polarity of the holder support of the rotation support unit of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a view of a second magnetic polarity of the holder support of the rotation support unit of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 11  is an operational view of how the rotation support unit is actuated by the magnetic polarity indicated by the line A-A of  FIG. 9 . FIG.  12  is an operational view of how the rotation support unit is actuated by the magnetic polarity indicated by the line B-B of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0078]    The holder unit  4000  is detachably attached to the contact lens  3000 , and rotates the contact lens  3000  relative to the eye. That is, the holder unit  4000  operates in a way that automatically adjusts the position of the contact lens  3000  in response to an input signal from the operator. In one embodiment of the present invention, the holder unit  4000  includes a rotation support unit  4100 , a driving unit  4300 , and a driving detecting part  4500 . 
         [0079]    The rotation support unit  4100  includes a holder support  4110 , a rotation stage  4130 , and a rotary joint part  4150 . The rotation support unit  4100  supports the contact lens  3000 , and rotates the contact lens  3000  about at least one axis such as an X-axis on which the contact lens  3000  pivots, a Y-axis on which the contact lens  3000  tilts, or a Z-axis on which the contact lens  3300  swivels. The pivoting, tilting, and swiveling of the rotation support unit  4100  are caused by a driving force from the driving unit  4300 . 
         [0080]    The holder support  4110  includes a support body  4111  and the pin joints  4113 . The holder support  4110  detachably supports the contact lens  3000 . The holder support  4110 , in response to the operation of the rotation stage  4130  and of the rotary joint part  4150 , causes the contact lens  3000  to pivot, tilt, and swivel. 
         [0081]    The support body  4111  is formed in the shape of a magnetic disk. The support body  4111  is made from a magnetic material having an N pole and an S pole so that a magnetic force is generated between the support body  4111  and magnetic regions  4311  of a first driver  4310  to be described later. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the support body  4111  is made of a magnet that is split into four sections about the Z-axis, and each pair of two sections facing each other across the center point has the same pole. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the support body  4111  may be a magnet that is split into two horizontally, i.e., in the direction of the X-axis and has opposite N and S poles, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Regarding the operation of the support body  4111 , the support body  4111  depicted in  FIG. 9 , together with the magnetic regions  4311  of the first driver  4310 , will be described with reference to the operational views of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0082]    The pin joints  4113  are pierced through the surface of the support body  4111  on which the contact lens  3000  is supported. The pin joints  4113  and the connecting pins  3170  of the first housing  3100  are attached together. As such, the first housing  3100  of the contact lens  3000  is detachably attached to the holder support  4110 . As the first housing  3100  is substantially detachably attached to the second housing  3300 , it is deemed that the contact lens  3000  is detachably attached to the holder support  4110 . The pin joints  4113  are merely an example of the present invention, and if hooks, etc. are used in place of the connecting pins  3170  of the first housing  3100  because of a design change, other types may substitute for the pin joints  4113 . 
         [0083]    The rotation stage  4130  is formed in a way that the holder support  4110  swivels. The rotation stage  4130  is connected to a second driver  4330  of the driving unit  4300  and rotates by the driving force of the second driver  4330 . In this instance, the holder support  4110  and the rotation stage  4130  are connected together by the rotary joint part  4150 , and the rotational force of the rotation stage  4130  is delivered to the holder support  4110  by the rotary joint part  4150 . 
         [0084]    The rotary joint part  4150  connects the holder support  4110  and the rotation stage  4130  together. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotary joint part  4150  includes a first rotary joint part  4151 , a second rotary joint part  4153 , and a fastener member  4155 . The rotary joint part  4150  is capable of receiving a rotational force from the rotation stage  4130  and transmitting a rotational driving force that swivels the holder support  4110 . Also, a magnetic force generated between the support body  4111  of the holder support  4110  and the magnetic regions  4311  of the first driver  4310  make the rotary joint part  4150  pivot or tilt, thus pivoting or tilting the holder support  4110 . 
         [0085]    The first rotary joint part  4151  is rotatably attached to the bottom of the holder support  4110  and tilts the holder support  4110 . The first rotary joint part  4151  does not substantially tilt the holder support  4110  in an active way, but instead guides the tilting of the holder support  4110  that rotates by a magnetic force between the S pole of the support body  4111  facing each other across the cross-section of the line B-B of  FIG. 9  and the S pole of the magnetic regions of  FIG. 12 . 
         [0086]    The second rotary joint part  4153  connects the first rotary joint part  4151  and the rotation stage  4130  together, and the second rotary joint part  4153  is attached to the first rotary joint part  4151  so that its axis of rotation (X-axis) is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first rotary joint part  4151 . The second rotary joint part  4153  pivots the holder support  4110  by a driving force from the first driver  4310 . The second rotary joint part  4153  does not substantially pivot the holder support  4110  in an active way, but instead guides the pivoting of the holder support  4110  that rotates by a magnetic force between the N pole of the support body  4111  facing each other across the cross-section of the line A-A of  FIG. 9  and the N pole of the magnetic regions  4311  of  FIG. 11 . 
         [0087]    The fastener member  4155  fastens the holder support  4110  and the first rotary joint part  4151  together so as to allow the holder support  4110  to tilt relative to the first rotary joint part  4151 . Also, the fastener member  4155  fastens the first rotary joint part  4151  and the second rotary joint part  4153  so as to allow the holder support  4110  to pivot. 
         [0088]    The driving unit  4300  includes the first driver  4310  and the second driver  4330 . The first driver  4310  generates driving force to make the holder support  4110  pivot or tilt. The first driver  4310  includes the magnetic regions  4311  and a current supply part  4313 . 
         [0089]    The magnetic regions  4311  are having a pair of N pole and a pair of S pole, each pair facing each other along the X-axis and the Y-axis, respectively, and are placed at regular interval in a circumferential direction. The magnetic regions  4311  are located between the holder support  4110  and the rotation stage  4130 , corresponding to the four sections of the holder support  4110  having an N pole and an S pole. 
         [0090]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic regions  4311  form a magnetic force repulsive on the N pole or S pole of the holder support  4110 , corresponding to the direction or amount of electric current from the current supply part  4313 , thereby causing the holder support  4110  to pivot or tilt. Needless to say, the amount of electric current supplied from the current supply unit  4311  to the magnetic regions  4311  needs to be controlled so as to allow the holder support  4110  to pivot or tilt by adjusting the strength of the magnetic force of opposing magnetic regions. The magnetic regions  4311  of the holder support  4110  may be either permanent magnets or electromagnets. 
         [0091]    The second driver  4330  transmits driving force to the rotation stage  4130 . Preferably, a stepping motor may be used as the second driver  4330  to allow the holder support  4110  to swivel at a certain angle. Besides, various well-known driving mechanisms, such as motors, capable of finely adjusting the swivel angle or angular speed of the holder support  4110  may be used as the second driver  4330 . 
         [0092]    The driving detecting part  4500  is placed on the rotation stage  4130  and detects the adjusted position of the holder support  4110  relative to the operation of the holder support  4110 . That is, the driving detecting part  4500  detects a changed position of the holder support  4110  caused by pivoting, tilting, or swiveling of the holder support  4110 . The driving detecting part  4500  may be implemented as an optical sensor including a light source for emitting light and a light receiving part for detecting emitted light. The driving detecting part  4500 , implemented as an optical sensor including the light source and the light receiving part, may detect the adjusted position of the holder support  4110  based on the amount of light received by the light receiving part. 
         [0093]    Next, the connecting unit  5000  includes a first connecting unit  5000  and a second connecting unit  5000 . The connecting unit  5000  connects the main body  1000  and the holder unit  4000  together. Also, the connecting unit  5000  reciprocates the holder unit  4000  along the Y-axis and the X-axis. 
         [0094]    That is, the first connector  5100  of the connecting unit  5000  is connected to the main body  1000 , and reciprocates along the Y-axis (horizontally) on which the holder support  4110  tilts. The second connector  5200  connects the first connector  5100  and the holder unit  4000  together in a direction transverse to the movement direction of the first connector  5100 , and reciprocates along the Z-axis (vertically) on which the holder support  4110  swivels. The connecting unit  5000  may further include a connecting unit driver (not shown) that delivers driving force to the connecting unit  5000 . 
         [0095]    The input part  6000  is provided to apply an actuation signal to the holder unit  4000  and the connecting unit  5000 . The input part  6000  may substantially apply an actuation signal to actuate the driving unit  4300  of the holder unit  4000  and an actuation signal to actuate the connecting unit  5000 . Preferably, the input part  6000  may be located in an area the operator&#39;s hands can access easily. 
         [0096]    The measuring part  7000  serves to measure a detection signal sent from the first detecting part  3700  of the contact lens  3000 . For example, the measuring part  7000  measures a detection signal sent in real time from the first detecting part  3700 , that is, information about the amount of bubbles generated in the treated area of the eye. In this way, the measuring part  7000  analyzes a signal sent in real time from the first detecting part  3700  and transmits it to the control unit  8000 . For reference, although the measuring part  7000  is provided to analyze and measure a signal from the first detecting part  3700  in one embodiment of the present invention, the measuring part  7000  may be omitted so long as it has an algorithm by which a detection signal from the first detecting part  3700  is analyzed directly by the control unit  8000 . 
         [0097]    Lastly, the control unit  8000  may control the operation of the holder unit  4000  and of the connecting unit  5000  based on an actuation signal applied from the input part  6000 , and also may control the operation of the beam generator  2000  or of the beam delivery part based on signals from the first detecting part  3700  and second detecting part  3800 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit  8000  includes a first controller  8100  and a second controller  8300 . 
         [0098]    The first controller  8100  controls the operation of the holder unit  4000  and of the connecting unit  5000  based on an actuation signal from the input part  6000 . The second controller  8300  controls the operation of the beam generator  2000  based on signals from the first detecting part  3700  and second detecting part  3800 . More specifically, as well as controlling the operation of the beam generator  2000  based on a signal from the measuring part  7000  that has measured a detection signal from the first detector  3700 , the second controller  8300  of the present invention applies a control signal based on a detection signal from the second detecting part  3800  in such a way as to actuate the beam generator  2000  if the contact lens  3000  is in contact with the eye, or to stop the operation of the beam generator  2000  (or to keep the beam generator  2000  stopped) if the contact lens  3000  is not in contact with the eye. 
         [0099]    With this construction in mind, the operational process of the ophthalmic device  100  according to the present invention will be described below. Prior to the description, it is to be noted that the operational process of the ophthalmic device  100  including the contact lens  3000  according to the third embodiment of the present invention will described. 
         [0100]    First, the first housing  3100  and second housing  3300  of the contact lens  3000  are held together, and then the contact lens  3000  and the holder support  4110  are held together with the connecting pins  3170  of the first housing  3100  and the pin joints  4113  of the holder support  4110 . Alternatively, the first housing  3100  may be attached to the holder support  4110  first, and then the second housing  3300  of the contact lens  3000  may be attached to the first housing  3100 . 
         [0101]    Next, the following first to fourth operational process steps are performed by applying an actuation signal to the input part  6000  so as to place the contact lens  3000  in contact with the patient&#39;s eye. 
         [0102]    First, the connecting unit  5000  is actuated to bring the contact lens  3000  close to the eye 
         [0103]    Second, if pivoting of the contact lens  3000  is required, the current supply part  4313  of the first driver  4310  applies an electric current to the magnetic regions  4311  so as to generate a magnetic force between the holder support  4110  and the magnetic regions  4311 . 
         [0104]    Third, if tilting of the contact lens  3000  is required, the current supply part  4313  of the first driver  4310  applies an electric current to the magnetic regions  4311 . 
         [0105]    Fourth, if swiveling of the contact lens  3000  is required, the second driver  4330  is actuated to rotate the rotation stage  4130 , thus causing the holder support  4110  to swivel. 
         [0106]    Once the contact lens  3000  is placed in contact with the eye, the gaze part  3900  emits gaze fixation light for the patient to look at to prevent the eye from moving. 
         [0107]    The above-mentioned first to fourth operational process steps are not sequentially performed, but may be performed selectively by the operator. 
         [0108]    When the contact lens  3000  is brought close to the patient&#39;s eye by the operation of the holder unit  4000  and of the connecting unit  5000 , the second detecting part  3800  generates a detection signal indicative of whether the contact lens  3000  is in contact with the eye. If the contact lens  3000  is deemed to be in contact with the eye, based on the detection signal from the second detecting part  3800 , the second controller  8300  generates a control signal to actuate the beam generator  2000 . The beam generator  2000  may be actuated automatically or by unlocking a device that applies an input signal to the beam generator  2000 , in response to the control signal from the second controller  8300 . On the contrary, if the contact lens  3000  is deemed to be not in contact with the eye, based on the detection signal from the second detecting part  3800 , the second controller  8300  generates a control signal to not actuate the beam generator  2000 . 
         [0109]    During the delivery of a treatment beam to the treated area of the eye in response to a control signal from the second controller  8300 , the first detecting part  3700  detects the amount of bubbles in the area to which the treatment beam is delivered. If it is deemed that a preset amount of bubbles is detected, based on a signal from the first detecting part  3700 , the second controller  8300  generates a control signal to stop the operation of the beam generator  2000 . 
         [0110]    In view of this, the second detecting part capable of detecting whether the contact lens is placed in contact with the eye and the first detecting part capable of detecting a change in the status of the eye caused by the delivery of a treatment beam may be provided inside the contact lens, thus improving the reliability of the product. 
         [0111]    Although the foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary in all aspects and do not limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description as described above, and it will be construed that all changes and modifications derived from the meanings and scope of the following claims and the equivalent concept fall within the scope of the present invention.