Patent ID: 7819528

Claim:
A device whereby a slit lamp biomicroscope and linked variable slit illumination system or other similar ophthalmic instrument can be suspended and controllably positioned in all three spatial axes using a combination of rollers, plates and frames located above the body of the slit lamp and not requiring a supporting table or joystick base, and wherein a table-free overhead assembly is permits controlled three dimensional movement of the slit lamp bimicroscope and variable slit illumination system, from a weight bearing canopy positioned above the patient, and in which said canopy also supports and positions the patient's head by way of a fixedly attached forehead support and chin rest, while the space beneath the suspended instrument and chin rest remains substantially free of obstructions to facilitate the examination and treatment of patients by overcoming anatomical and ergonomic obstacles commonly encountered in cases exemplified by: 1. A disabled person confined to a wheel chair or stretcher, 2. A person with limited neck mobility or spine disorder such as kyphosis or scoliosis, 3. An ample bosomed individual, 4. A pregnant woman, 5. An overweight or obese person, 6. A person of short stature or a child who has to bend forwards in an elevated examining chair and adopt a hunched posture to reach the chin rest and forehead support, 7. Or a person with a stoma or wound dressing on their abdomen or chest or requiring medical devices attached to their neck or torso.