Patent Description:
When an examiner such as a doctor examines the eyes of a subject by using an ophthalmologic apparatus, the examiner needs to determine the position of the head or face of the subject to fix the positions of the eyes of the subject with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus. <CIT> and <CIT>, for example, each disclose a technique for fixing the head of a subject.

A head fixing device for an ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in <CIT> includes a forehead support portion coming into contact with the forehead of a subject to support the same, and cheekbone support portions for supporting the weight of the head of the subject by cheekbone portions. The forehead support portion and the cheekbone support portions are connected and fixed to left and right columns. Hence, the positions of the cheekbone support portions are fixed at the respective columns.

The ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in <CIT> includes a forehead pad provided above an opening of a casing, and abutting members provided below the opening of the casing. The forehead pad is pressed by the forehead of a subject and moves in a direction of an optical path of the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject. The abutting members are pressed by regions near the cheekbones and move in the direction of the optical path of the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject. The forehead pad and the abutting members push back the face of the subject, move in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject, and fix the face of the subject by keeping the balance between action and reaction.

Incidentally, in the head fixing device for an ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in <CIT>, the forehead of the subject is supported by the forehead support portion, and the cheekbone portions of the subject are supported by the cheekbone support portions. Moreover, in the ophthalmologic apparatus disposed in <CIT>, the forehead of the subject is supported by the forehead pad, and the regions near the cheekbones of the subject are supported by the abutting members. More specifically, the ophthalmologic apparatuses disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT> each do not include a chin rest. For this reason, the chin of the subject is not supported. Therefore, when the subject needs to orally respond to questions and the like of the examiner during, for example, a subjective examination, the subject can orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed to the ophthalmologic apparatus.

However, as descried above, the cheekbone support portions disclosed in <CIT> are fixed to the columns. Also, the positions of and the distance between the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject vary from subject to subject. Therefore, a problem with the ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in <CIT> is that it is difficult to more securely support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject and to allow the subject to be able to orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in <CIT>, although the abutting members move in the direction of the optical path of the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the unevenness of the face of the subject, the abutting members cannot move in the horizontal direction (i.e., lateral direction) and the up-down direction with respect to the face of the subject. Therefore, a problem with the ophthalmologic apparatus disclosed in <CIT> is that it is difficult to more securely support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject and to allow the subject to be able to orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

<CIT> proposes multi-purpose, automatic, comprehensive, optometry equipment provided with means for supporting left and right cheekbone portions of a subject's face, according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. <CIT> proposes a subjective optometric apparatus which enables the subject to undergo a vision test in a manner as if wearing a trial frame.

The present invention has been contrived to solve the foregoing problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of more securely supporting the left and right cheekbone portions of a subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject so that the subject can respond orally while having the positions of the eyes of the subject fixed.

The foregoing problems can be solved by an ophthalmologic apparatus for examining an eye of a subject according to claim <NUM>.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the head or the face of the subject is supported in a three-point support form by the forehead contact portion which is a first support section, the first cheek-contact body which is a second support section, and the second cheek-contact body which is a third support section. The first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion in the direction of coming close to each other and the direction of separating from each other in the horizontal direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Therefore, the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed so as not to move with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus. Moreover, the head or the face of the subject is stably supported comfortably without restraining the chin. The ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, therefore, can more securely support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject in such a manner that the subject can orally respond in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the first contact member of the first cheek-contact body and the second contact member of the second cheek-contact body are each in a spherical shape, and therefore can support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject more securely in accordance with the positions and shapes of the cheekbone portions of the subject. Furthermore, since the first contact member and the second contact member are each in a spherical shape, even when the first contact member comes into direct contact with the one of the cheeks of the subject and the second contact member comes into direct contact with the other one of the cheeks of the subject, the head or face of the subject can be supported without discomfort.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion at an angle equal on left and right sides in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can support the respective cheeks more stably in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at a same height position with respect to each other in the vertical direction.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at the same height position with respect to each other in the vertical direction of the ophthalmologic apparatus. Therefore, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be positioned on the respective cheeks while moving in the vertical direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject, thereby supporting the respective cheeks more stably.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body by rotating the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body in the vertical direction about an axis extending in the horizontal direction as a center, so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at a same height position with respect to each other.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the opening/closing mechanism portion can move the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body by rotating the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body in the vertical direction of the ophthalmologic apparatus about the axis extending in the horizontal direction as a center so that the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are at the same height position with respect to each other. Thus, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body can be positioned on the respective cheeks while rotating in the vertical direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject, thereby supporting the respective cheeks more stably.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the ophthalmologic apparatus be a subjective examination apparatus.

In conducting a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can prevent the chin and the mouth of the subject from being restrained, while stably and securely determining the positions of the eyes with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Therefore, in order to carry out a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject, the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention can support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject more securely in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject, so that the subject can respond orally in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the subjective examination apparatus be attached to a pedestal in a state of being suspended.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, even in a state in which the subjective examination apparatus is suspended on the pedestal, in order to perform a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject, the chin and the mouth of the subject can be prevented from being restrained, while having the positions of the eyes determined stably and securely with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Thus, in order to perform a subjective examination on the eyes of the subject using the suspended subjective examination apparatus, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can support the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject more securely in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject in such a manner that the subject can respond orally in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the subjective examination apparatus be an objective/subjective examination apparatus for performing subjective refraction optometry and objective refraction optometry.

In conducting subjective refraction optometry and objective refraction optometry, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can determine the positions of the eyes of the subject with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus stably and securely in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Since the chin and the mouth of the subject are not restrained, the subject can respond orally. Consequently, objective refraction optometry and subjective refraction optometry can be executed smoothly.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferred that the cheek contact portion be attached to a base portion by a support member in a detachable manner, and that a schematic eye holder for mounting a schematic eye for calibration can be attached to the base portion in place of the support member.

According to the ophthalmologic apparatus of the present invention, the cheek contact portion is attached to the base portion by the support member in a detachable manner. Also, the schematic eye holder for mounting the schematic eye can be attached to the base portion in place of the support member supporting the cheek contact portion. Therefore, optical calibration (correction) of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention can reliably executed.

The present invention can provide an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of more securely supporting the left and right cheekbone portions of a subject in accordance with the shape of the face of the subject so that the subject can respond orally in a state where the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are now described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings.

Note that, since the embodiments described below are favorable specific examples of the present invention, various technically favorable limits are applied thereto; however, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless the following description specifically states that the present invention is limited. Further, in each drawing, identical components are designated the same reference numerals; thus, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted accordingly.

<FIG> is a front view showing a binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus which is an example of an ophthalmologic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus shown in <FIG>.

Note that <FIG> omits the illustration of a part of a pedestal.

A binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> include an examination apparatus main body <NUM> and a pedestal <NUM>. The binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment is an example of the "ophthalmologic apparatus" of the present invention. The examination apparatus main body <NUM> is supported on the pedestal <NUM>. The pedestal <NUM> has a flat plate-like base portion <NUM> placed on the floor, column portions <NUM>, <NUM>, and a table <NUM>. The examination apparatus main body <NUM> is provided in a suspended manner at an upper end portion of the column portion <NUM>. It is preferred that the examination apparatus main body <NUM> be fixed so as to be detachable with respect to the column portion <NUM>. In the present specification, a lateral direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> is indicated as an X direction, an up-down direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> (i.e., vertical direction) is indicated as a Y direction, and a front-back direction (depth direction) of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> is indicated as a Z direction.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the examination apparatus main body <NUM> of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> has a first eyepiece portion <NUM>, a second eyepiece portion <NUM>, a main body base portion <NUM>, and a head fixing device <NUM>. The first eyepiece portion <NUM> is provided to the right of the head fixing device <NUM> as viewed from a subject (as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the page of <FIG>), to show a visual target and the like to the right eye of the subject and acquire information on the characteristics of the right eye of the subject. The second eyepiece portion <NUM> is provided to the left of the head fixing device <NUM> as viewed from the subject (as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the page of <FIG>), to show a visual target and the like to the left eye of the subject and acquire information on the characteristics of the left eye of the subject. The first eyepiece portion <NUM>, the second eyepiece portion <NUM>, and the main body base portion <NUM> are each provided with an examination optical system. The binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> has a simultaneous objective refraction measurement function for both eyes of the subject, and a simultaneous subjective refraction measurement function for both eyes of the subject. The first eyepiece portion <NUM> and the second eyepiece portion <NUM> are provided below the main body base portion <NUM>. A space portion <NUM> is provided between the first eyepiece portion <NUM> and the second eyepiece portion <NUM>. The main body base portion <NUM> is provided with a depressed curved portion <NUM> in order to avoid a part of the head of the subject that is above the forehead of the subject.

The objective refraction examination described herein means an examination that ignores senses of the subject. According to the objective refraction examination, examination items such as myopia and hyperopia can be tested even on infants and unconscious subjects. The subjective refraction examination means an examination that focuses on senses of the subject. Since the subjective refraction examination requires the subject to respond orally, it is difficult to test the examination items such as myopia and hyperopia on infants and unconscious subjects. In the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>, the objective refraction examination is performed on both eyes of the subject simultaneously, and upon completion of the objective refraction examination, the interactive subjective refraction examination between an examiner such as a doctor and an oral response of the subject is performed based on the objective refraction examination.

Note that examples of a case where the subject is required to respond during an eye exam, that is, a case where the subject has no choice but responding orally, include examinations requiring subjective responses (subjective refraction examination, visual performance examination, visual field examination), responses about fixation targets (fixation targets include the center, periphery, symbols, visual targets, diagrams, images, videos, etc.), responses to questions from the examiner, responses to checking on the health of the subject (e.g., "are you sleepy?" "your eyes are closing", "are you feeling okay?") (examples of the responses to these questions include "I am tired", "I need a short break", etc.).

A structure of the head fixing device <NUM> is described next.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an enlargement of the head fixing device of the present embodiment.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the head fixing device of the present embodiment.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the head fixing device <NUM> is provided in the space portion <NUM> of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the head fixing device <NUM> is disposed in such a manner as to be suspended along the Y direction at the space portion <NUM> of the main body base portion <NUM> of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the head fixing device <NUM> is made of metal or plastic, and has a forehead contact portion <NUM>, a cheek contact portion <NUM>, and a rod-shaped support member <NUM>.

First, the forehead contact portion <NUM> of the head fixing device <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The forehead contact portion <NUM> is a part that comes into contact with the forehead of the subject to support the forehead, and has a forehead rest surface <NUM> and a rod-shaped supporting member <NUM>. The forehead rest surface <NUM> is shaped so as to match the curved shape of the forehead of the subject, and has, for example, a depressed curved surface so as to be able to support the forehead of the subject. As shown in <FIG>, one end portion <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM> is connected to the back of the forehead rest surface <NUM>. Preferably, the forehead rest surface <NUM> is attached in such a manner that the angle thereof with respect to the one end portion <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM> can be changed. In this manner, the forehead rest surface <NUM> can come into contact with the forehead of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the specific face of the subject, to stably support the forehead of the subject.

As shown in <FIG>, the supporting member <NUM> is fixed to a base connecting portion <NUM> of the main body base portion <NUM> in such a manner as to extend downward from the base connecting portion <NUM> to the front side. Another end portion <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM> is fixed to the base connecting portion <NUM> by means of, for example, screws or the like. Preferably, the supporting member <NUM> is fixed in a detachable manner to the base connecting portion <NUM>. Therefore, the forehead contact portion <NUM> is removable separately from the support member <NUM> at the time of maintenance or the like of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>.

A member made of a biocompatible material that is soft to the touch when the subject brings his/her forehead into contact with the forehead rest surface <NUM>, such as rubber film, silicon film, or non-woven fabric, may be stuck in a detachable manner to the forehead rest surface <NUM>. Since the examiner can pay attention to hygiene by replacing the member stuck to the forehead rest surface <NUM> each time the subject changes, the subject can place his/her forehead on the forehead rest surface <NUM> to support his/her forehead without discomfort.

The cheek contact portion <NUM> of the head fixing device <NUM> is described next with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The cheek contact portion <NUM> is a part that comes into contact with the left and right cheekbone portions of the subject simultaneously, to support the left and right cheekbone portions. The cheek contact portion <NUM> includes a first cheek-contact body <NUM>, a second cheek-contact body <NUM>, and an opening/closing mechanism portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion. The first cheek-contact body <NUM> supports the right cheek of the subject, which is one of the cheeks, by coming into contact therewith. The second cheek-contact body <NUM> supports the left cheek of the subject, which is the other cheek, by coming into contact therewith.

As shown in <FIG>, the first cheek-contact body <NUM> has a shaft portion <NUM> and a first contact member <NUM> having a spherical shape. The first contact member <NUM> having a spherical shape is fixed to a tip of the shaft portion <NUM>. Similarly, the second cheek-contact body <NUM> has a shaft portion <NUM> and a second contact member <NUM> having a spherical shape. The second contact member <NUM> having a spherical shape is fixed to a tip of the shaft portion <NUM>. In a case where the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> are fixed in a detachable manner to the respective shaft portions <NUM>, <NUM>, the examiner, from a hygienic perspective, can replace the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> as necessary, each time when the subject changes. For example, female screws are formed on the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM>. On the other hand, male screws are formed on the tips of the shaft portions <NUM>, <NUM>. For this reason, the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> are fixed in a detachable manner to the shaft portions <NUM>, <NUM>. Note that the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> have an identical structure. Furthermore, the shaft portion <NUM> and the first contact member <NUM> having a spherical shape may be formed integrally. The shaft portion <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> having a spherical shape, too, may be formed integrally.

Since the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> are spherical objects, the right and left cheekbone portions of the subject can be supported more securely in accordance with the positions and shapes of the cheekbone portions of the subject. Again, since the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> are spherical objects, the head or face of the subject can be supported without discomfort even when the first contact member <NUM> comes into direct contact with the position of the right cheekbone of the subject and the second contact member <NUM> comes into direct contact with the left cheekbone of the subject. Examples of materials for the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> that come into direct contact with the face of the subject include a relatively soft material that has little physical impact on the subject and is biocompatible, such as an elastic material using rubber such as silicon.

Next, the opening/closing mechanism portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion of the head fixing device <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a plan view in which the head fixing device of the present embodiment is viewed from above.

The opening/closing mechanical portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> supports the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> in such a manner that the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> can open and close evenly to the left and right in synchronization in directions R1 of coming close to each other and in a direction R2 of separating from each other. The directions R1 and R2 are opposite to each other. Further, the opening/closing mechanism portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> rotate the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> to the same positions in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane) along a rotation direction R3 shown in <FIG>.

The opening/closing mechanical portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> has a horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> for opening and closing the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> evenly to the left and right in, for example, the horizontal direction (within X-Z plane). The horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> is capable of opening/closing the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> at an angle equal on left and right sides in, for example, the horizontal direction, with respect to the axis in the Y direction as the center, the axis being the centerline in the vertical direction.

The horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> are now described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> has a base portion <NUM>, a first rotating body <NUM>, and a second rotating body <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> is formed of substantially fan-shaped upper plate 65A and lower plate 65B, side plates 65C and 65D, and a back plate 65E, and has a front opening portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> supports the first rotating body <NUM> and the second rotating body <NUM> in a rotatable manner, and accommodates therein the first rotating body <NUM> and the second rotating body <NUM> side by side.

As shown in <FIG>, the first rotating body <NUM> and the second rotating body <NUM> share the same structure. In the base portion <NUM>, the first rotating body <NUM> is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotational central axis <NUM>. Similarly, in the base portion <NUM>, the second rotating body <NUM> is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotational central axis <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first rotating body <NUM> has a gear <NUM> and a circular attachment portion <NUM>. The second rotating body <NUM> has a gear <NUM> and a circular attachment portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the gears <NUM> and <NUM> have the same number of teeth of the same size. The gears <NUM> and <NUM> mesh with each other. The circular attachment portion <NUM> is fixed above the gear <NUM>, and has the shaft portion <NUM> fixed along a diametrical direction. Similarly, the circular attachment portion <NUM> is fixed above the gear <NUM>, and has the shaft portion <NUM> fixed along the diametrical direction. Therefore, when the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> come into contact with a right cheek M1 (see <FIG> and <FIG>) and a left cheek M2 (see <FIG> and <FIG>) of the subject respectively, the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> can be opened and closed evenly to the left and right in the directions R1 of coming close to each other and in the direction R2 of separating from each other in accordance with the positions of the right cheek M1 and the left cheek M2. Opening the first contact member <NUM> of the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> of the second cheek-contact body <NUM> evenly to the left and right can prevent the face and head of the subject from being supported in a tilted manner.

As and shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the opening/closing mechanism portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> also has an up-down direction rotation mechanism <NUM> in addition to the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM>. The up-down direction rotation mechanism <NUM> is fixed to a lower end portion 55D of the rod-shaped or cylindrical support member <NUM> and supports the horizonal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> so as to be turnable in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane) along the rotation direction R3.

As shown in <FIG>, the up-down direction rotation mechanism <NUM> has a fixture <NUM> having a substantially inverted U-shape. The fixture <NUM> is fixed to the lower end portion 55D of the support member <NUM>. The fixture <NUM> has an adjusting screw <NUM>. The adjusting screw <NUM> supports a protrusion <NUM> of the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> in the fixture <NUM>. For example, when the examiner or the like rotates the adjusting screw <NUM> using a specialized tool, the entire horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> turns in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane) along the rotation direction R3. As a result, the first contact member <NUM> of the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> of the second cheek-contact body <NUM> move up and down evenly in the direction R3, with respect to an up-down turning central axis <NUM> as the center, the up-down turning central axis <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction. Subsequently, the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> are positioned at the same position in the up-down direction (within Y-Z plane). In a case where the cheek contact portion <NUM> is not necessary, the examiner or the like can turn the entire horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM>, for example, downward along the rotation direction R3, to pull the cheek contact portion <NUM> away from the examiner and the subject.

Thus, when the first contact member <NUM> of the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> of the second cheek-contact body <NUM> that are integrated with the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> are turned in the direction R3, the height position of the first contact member <NUM> on the right and the height position of the second contact member <NUM> on the left with respect to the Y direction are the same. Specifically, when the entire horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> is rotated by the up-down direction rotation mechanism <NUM> in the direction R3 around the up-down turning central axis <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction, with respect to the up-down direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> are disposed in the same height position. As a result, the right cheek M1 and the left cheek M2 of the subject are supported by the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> having the spherical shape, at the same height position in the up-down direction (Y direction) of the ophthalmologic apparatus. In addition, while preventing the face of the subject from tilting, the right cheek M1 and the left cheek M2 of the subject can be supported stably without discomfort. Since the up-down direction rotation mechanism <NUM> can move the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> evenly so that the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> are disposed at the same height position with respect to the up-down direction (Y direction) of the ophthalmologic apparatus, the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> can position the right cheek M1 and the left cheek M2 at the same height position while moving in the up-down direction in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Accordingly, the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment can support the right cheek M1 and the left cheek M2 more stably.

Next is described, with reference to <FIG>, an example in which the positions of the eyes of the subject are fixed by supporting the head or face of the subject using the head fixing device <NUM> so that the head or face of the subject does not move with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>, when an objective refraction examination and a subjective refraction examination are executed on both eyes using the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing an example in which the head fixing device of the present embodiment supports the head or face of the subject.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the face, forehead, right cheek, and left cheek of the subject are supported.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams showing an example of the skull of the subject.

Note that <FIG> is a side view showing the skull of the subject. <FIG> is a plan view in which the skull of the subject is viewed from the front.

In <FIG>, the forehead rest surface <NUM> of the forehead contact portion <NUM> supports a forehead <NUM> of a subject <NUM> in contact therewith. The forehead rest surface <NUM> can support the forehead <NUM> of the subject <NUM> by following the curved shape of the forehead <NUM>. It is preferred that the forehead rest surface <NUM> be attached in such a manner that the angle thereof with respect to the one end portion <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM> can be changed. The forehead rest surface <NUM> can stably support the forehead <NUM> of the subject <NUM> in contact therewith, in accordance with the size and shape of the specific face of the subject <NUM>. Moreover, since the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> are spherical objects, when the first contact member <NUM> comes into direct contact with the right cheek M1 of the subject <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> comes into direct contact with the left cheek M2 of the subject <NUM>, the head or face of the subject <NUM> can be supported without discomfort.

In <FIG> showing the face of the subject <NUM>, the position where the forehead rest surface <NUM> comes into contact with the forehead <NUM>, the positions where the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> come into contact with the right cheek M1 and the left cheek M2 respectively, and the positions where the first eyepiece portion <NUM> and the second eyepiece portion <NUM> approach a right eye E1 and a left eye E2 respectively, are shown. <FIG> also shows a state in which the head or face of the subject <NUM> is supported in a three-point support form by the forehead rest surface <NUM>, the first contact member <NUM>, and the second contact member <NUM>.

In the skull shown in <FIG>, the forehead rest surface <NUM> shown in <FIG> comes into contact with and supports a bone portion at a position of the forehead <NUM> of the subject (a part in the frontal bone), and the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> shown in <FIG> come into contact with and support a part of a cheekbone <NUM> of the right cheek M1 and a part of a cheekbone <NUM> of the left cheek M2, respectively. Therefore, the head fixing device <NUM> can support the head or face of the subject stably at the part of the frontal bone and a part of the sternum without going through a mandible part.

Therefore, the head or face of the subject <NUM> is stably supported in a three-point support form by the forehead rest surface <NUM> which is the first support section, the first contact member <NUM> which is the second support section, and the second contact member <NUM> which is the third support section. The first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> can be opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> in the direction R1 of coming close to each other and the direction R2 of separating from each other, in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject. Thus, the positions of the eyes E1, E2 of the subject <NUM> shown in <FIG> are fixed stably so as not to move with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> which is the ophthalmologic apparatus. Moreover, the head or face of the subject is supported stably without discomfort, without having the chin restrained. Consequently, the head fixing device <NUM> can stably and securely determine the positions of the eyes E1, E2 with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> by means of the three-point support form, in accordance with the size and specific shape of the face of the subject <NUM>. Furthermore, since the chin and mouth are not restrained, the subject <NUM> can respond orally during an eye exam, thereby realizing smooth objective refraction optometry and subjective refraction optometry.

In this manner, the head fixing device <NUM> shown in <FIG> can support the skull of the subject stably by the three-point support form in such a manner that the positions of the eyes E1, E2 do not move with respect to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>. The chin and mouth of the subject are not restrained and therefore are in a free state. For this reason, the subject can freely respond orally to questions and the like from the examiner. As described above, the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present embodiment can securely support the parts of the right and left cheekbones <NUM>, <NUM> of the subject in accordance with the size and shape of the face of the subject, so that the subject can orally respond while having the positions of the eyes of the subject fixed. Since the skull is supported by the three-point support form, the positions of the eyes of the subject can be kept easily when an examination is performed with the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>.

The first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> on the right and left are supported at the same height position with respect to the Y direction which is the up-down direction of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>, and can be opened at an angle equal on the left and right sides in, for example, the horizontal direction, with respect to the Y direction as the center. The first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> can therefore support, more stably, the face of the subject so as not to tilt the face of the subject. Further, when bringing the right cheek M1 into contact with the spherical first contact member <NUM> and the left cheek M2 into contact with the spherical second contact member <NUM>, the subject can freely move the spherical first and second contact members <NUM> and <NUM> to the positions that the subject find comfortable. The first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> move when pushed by the cheeks of the subject.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the head fixing device <NUM> of the present embodiment is used in the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> which is an example of an ophthalmologic apparatus. When the examiner executes an eye exam away from the subject by using an ophthalmologic apparatus in which the subject needs to respond orally, it is often difficult to obtain information on the condition of the subject. For example, the examiner and the subject have more opportunities to perform exams away from each other in which the examiner performs an eye exam remotely using an information network such as the internet, to maintain social distancing.

By using the head fixing device <NUM>, the subject can be free without having the chin and mouth of the subject restrained. As a result, the examiner can ask the subject questions and have the subject answer orally. The head fixing device <NUM> of the present embodiment is capable of fixing the eyes of the subject with respect to the ophthalmologic apparatus while enabling conversations required in remote examinations (examinations operated remotely) that are expected to take place in the future; thus, the head fixing device <NUM> can be applied to a variety of ophthalmologic apparatuses that are normally used.

In contrast, when using only the chin rest in the conventional ophthalmologic apparatuses, the position of the face of the subject, that is, the positions of the eyes of the subject, cannot always be supported stably because, depending on the shape of the face of the subject, the chin of the subject needs to be supported at one point. No matter how the subject situates his/her chin, such as clenching his/her teeth, having his/her mouth half-opened, or having his/her mouth wide open, the position of the face of the subject does not always become stable. In addition, since the chin is restrained by the chin rest, it is difficult for the subject to respond orally.

Further, when using only the forehead pad in the conventional ophthalmologic apparatuses, the head of the subject may be supported at one point, depending on the shape of the face of the subject. In such a case, the position of the face of the subject, that is, the positions of the eyes of the subject, do not always become stable.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an example in which a schematic eye holder is mounted in place of the head fixing device shown in <FIG>.

A schematic eye holder <NUM> is mounted prior to production and shipping of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>. The schematic eye holder <NUM> is a calibration prototype (correction prototype) for optically calibrating (correcting) the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>. By mounting a schematic eye <NUM> such as a lens for myopia, hyperopia or the like, a correction can be executed on the optical system on the basis of the schematic eye <NUM>, and writing of examination software of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> can be performed.

In <FIG>, the schematic eye holder <NUM> is attached to the base connecting portion <NUM> using an attachment plate <NUM> by means of, for example, screwing or the like. Thus, the schematic eye holder <NUM> functions as a device for attaching the schematic eye <NUM> to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM>. The schematic eye holder <NUM> can perform an optical calibration (correction) of the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> by using the schematic eye <NUM>. Thereafter, when the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> is actually shipped, the schematic eye holder <NUM> is removed, and an upper end portion of the support member <NUM> of the head fixing device <NUM> shown in <FIG> is attached to the base connecting portion <NUM>. Since the schematic eye <NUM> for calibrating (correcting) the ophthalmologic apparatus is attached to the binocular objective/subjective examination apparatus <NUM> in this manner, the schematic eye holder <NUM> can be attached.

An ophthalmologic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described next with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a head fixing device of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the head fixing device <NUM> of the first embodiment shown in <FIG>, the gear <NUM> of the first rotating body <NUM> and the gear <NUM> of the second rotating body <NUM> mesh with each other. In a head fixing device 20A of the second embodiment shown in <FIG>, on the other hand, the first rotating body <NUM> and the second rotating body <NUM> do not have gears but have ringshaped friction materials 61T, 62T, respectively. The friction material 61T of the first rotating body <NUM> and the friction material 62T of the second rotating body <NUM> are brought into abutment against each other by a predetermined force. The first rotating body <NUM> and the second rotating body <NUM> rotate in opposite directions. Thus, in the head fixing device 20A shown in <FIG>, the first cheek-contact body <NUM> and the second cheek-contact body <NUM> are supported so as to be openable and closable evenly to the left and right in synchronization in the directions R1 of coming close to each other and the direction R2 of separating from each other.

An ophthalmologic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described next with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a side view showing a head fixing device of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the head fixing device <NUM> according to the first embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the opening/closing mechanism portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> further includes the up-down direction rotation mechanism <NUM> in addition to the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM>. In a head fixing device 20B of the third embodiment shown in <FIG>, on the other hand, the opening/closing mechanism portion <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> further includes an up-down direction movement mechanism <NUM> in addition to the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM>. The up-down direction movement mechanism <NUM> has a cylindrical moving body <NUM>, and a retaining screw <NUM> for fixing the moving body <NUM> at an arbitrary height position in the lower end portion 55D of the support member <NUM>. The moving body <NUM> fixes the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM>.

The support member <NUM> passes through the cylindrical moving body <NUM>. The examiner can manually move the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> linearly along the Y direction by loosening the retaining screw <NUM>, and can fix the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism <NUM> at an arbitrary height position by tightening the retaining screw <NUM>. Therefore, even with such a simpler mechanism as the up-down direction movement mechanism <NUM>, the right cheek and the left cheek of the subject can be supported stably at the same height position by the spherical first and second contact members <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> are schematic diagrams showing a cheek contact portion of an ophthalmologic apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in <FIG>, the first contact member <NUM> of the first cheek-contact body <NUM> of the cheek contact portion <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> of the second cheek-contact body <NUM> are each a spherical object. In a cheek contact portion 40A of the embodiment shown in <FIG>, on the other hand, a first contact member <NUM> and a second contact member <NUM> are not spherical but are substantially U-shaped. Also, in a cheek contact portion 40B of the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a first contact member <NUM> and a second contact member <NUM> are formed by bending the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> of the embodiment shown in <FIG> in a direction of facing each other. In a cheek contact portion 40C according to the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a first contact member <NUM> and a second contact member <NUM> are not spherical but are disc-shaped. In addition to a spherical shape, the first contact member <NUM> and the second contact member <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be in other shapes such as a football shape and a hemispherical shape.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and therefore various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of claims. The configurations of the foregoing embodiments can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined so as to be different from the foregoing embodiments.

Examples of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention include ophthalmologic diagnostic apparatuses, examination apparatuses, and therapeutic apparatuses. Examples of the ophthalmologic diagnostic apparatuses include three-dimensional fundus photographing apparatuses, fundus cameras, slit lamps, and optical ocular axial length measuring apparatuses. Examples of the examination apparatuses include autokerato-refractometers, autorefractometers, ophthalmotonometers, specular microscopes, autokerato-refracto tonometers, and wavefront analyzers. Examples of the therapeutic apparatuses include pattern scan lasers, laser photocoagulators, and operating microscopes.

In addition, the chin rest unit that is commonly used has an up-down drive unit for moving the chin rest up and down. The up-down drive unit may be used to drive the head fixing device of the present embodiment as described hereinafter. Specifically, the chin rest itself is removed, and the up-down drive unit is used in the head fixing device of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention. Then, the first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body are opened and closed by the opening/closing mechanism portion of the cheek contact portion. The first cheek-contact body and the second cheek-contact body may or may not be moved up and down in the Y direction using the up-down drive unit. In this manner, the same effects as those of the ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention described above can be achieved.

Claim 1:
An ophthalmologic apparatus (<NUM>) for examining an eye (E1, E2) of a subject (<NUM>), the apparatus comprising:
a forehead contact portion (<NUM>) coming into contact with a forehead (<NUM>) of the subject (<NUM>); and
a cheek contact portion (<NUM>) coming into contact with cheeks (M1, M2) of the subject (<NUM>), wherein
the cheek contact portion (<NUM>) has:
a first cheek-contact body (<NUM>) that supports one (M1) of the cheeks (M1, M2) of the subject (<NUM>);
a second cheek-contact body (<NUM>) that supports the other one (M2) of the cheeks (M1, M2) of the subject (<NUM>); and
an opening/closing mechanism portion (<NUM>) that opens and closes in a horizontal direction the first cheek-contact body (<NUM>) and the second cheek-contact body (<NUM>) in a direction (R1) of coming close to each other and a direction (R2) of separating from each other,
the first cheek-contact body (<NUM>) has a first shaft portion (<NUM>) and a first contact member (<NUM>), the first contact member (<NUM>) being fixed to a tip of the first shaft portion (<NUM>), having a spherical shape and coming into contact with the one (M1) of the cheeks (M1, M2),
the second cheek-contact body (<NUM>) has a second shaft portion (<NUM>) and a second contact member (<NUM>), the second contact member (<NUM>) being fixed to a tip of the second shaft portion (<NUM>), having a spherical shape and coming into contact with the other one (M2) of the cheeks (M1, M2), characterised in that
the opening/closing mechanism portion (<NUM>) has a horizontal even opening/closing mechanism (<NUM>) which can open and close the first cheek-contact body (<NUM>) and the second cheek-contact body (<NUM>) at an angle equal on left and right sides in the horizontal direction with respect to an axis in a vertical direction as a center, and
the horizontal even opening/closing mechanism (<NUM>) has a first rotating body (<NUM>) and a second rotating body (<NUM>), the first rotating body (<NUM>) being supported so as to be rotatable about the axis (<NUM>) in the vertical direction as the center and having the first shaft portion (<NUM>) fixed along a diametrical direction, the second rotating body (<NUM>) meshing with the first rotating body (<NUM>), being supported so as to be rotatable about the axis (<NUM>) in the vertical direction as the center and having the second shaft portion (<NUM>) fixed along the diametrical direction.