# US 11,298,014 B2 · Photobleaching method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,014 B2 - Document ID: US11298014B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/522,800 - Filed: 2021-11-09 - Published: 2022-03-03 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-15 - Assignees: The UAB Research Foundation - Applicants: The UAB Research Foundation - Inventors: John G. Edwards; Gregory R. Jackson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298014B2 ## CPC - A61B 3/063: {for testing light sensitivity, i.e. adaptation} - A61B 3/0008: {provided with illuminating means (A61B3/117, A61B3/14 take precedence)} - A61B 3/0033: {characterised by user input arrangements} - A61B 3/022: {for testing contrast sensitivity} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides an improved method for photobleaching an eye of a subject. The disclosed method may be used in a number of psychophysical test methods, including, but not limited to, measurement of dark adaptation. The improved method for photobleaching involves at least one of the following improvements: (i) the use of a bleaching light emitting a particular wavelength of light or a tailored spectrum of wavelengths; (ii) restricting or otherwise spatially tailoring the region of the retina that is subject to photobleaching; and (iii) utilizing a bleaching light having an intensity that is at or below the intensity of ambient daylight. The present disclosure additionally provides a combination of a photobleaching light and an apparatus to administer a psychophysical test suitable for use in practicing the disclosed methods. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for measuring an ability of an eye of a test subject to adapt to darkness using a series of responses, received from the test subject over a period of time, which indicate the test subject's observation of a stimulus light beam after exposure to a photobleaching light beam, the apparatus comprising: a housing comprising: a viewing opening; a photobleaching light source configured to generate the photobleaching light beam, the photobleaching light beam having a tailored wavelength spectra spanning within a spectrum visible to human eye; a stimulus light source configured to generate the stimulus light beam for stimulating the eye of the test subject; and a display configured to: a) display a bleach spot generated by the photobleaching light source and direct the photobleaching light beam to the eye of the test subject to photobleach one or more photoreceptors of the eye; and b) display a stimulus spot generated by the stimulus light source and direct the stimulus light beam to the eye of the test subject. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tailored wavelength spectra comprises wavelengths in a green spectrum. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tailored wavelength spectra comprises a range of wavelengths from 490 nm to 510 nm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bleach spot comprises a green flash. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the photobleaching light source comprises an LED light source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the photobleaching light source comprises an OLED light source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the photobleaching light source comprises a photographic flash. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the display comprises a plasma display. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the display comprises a LED display. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bleaching spot is larger than the stimulus spot. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the stimulus spot comprises a circular spot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the stimulus light source is configured to control intensity of the stimulus light. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the display is configured to display the stimulus light at varying intensity levels. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the display is configured to display the stimulus light at varying locations. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the display is configured to display the stimulus light at a first intensity until a response indicating the subject's observation of the stimulus light beam is received. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the display is configured to increase intensity level of the stimulus light until a response indicating the subject's observation of the stimulus light beam is received. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display is configured to display the stimulus light at a second intensity after the response indicating the subject's observation of the stimulus light beam is received, wherein the second intensity is lower than the first intensity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display is configured to display the stimulus spot every 2 seconds. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display is configured to display the stimulus spot every 3 seconds. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display is configured to display the stimulus spot for a 200 millisecond duration. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display is further configured to display a fixation light. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display is configured to display the bleach spot while displaying the fixation light. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the stimulus light comprises a range of wavelengths centered at 505 nm. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the stimulus light comprises a range of wavelengths centered at 450 nm. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the viewing opening is configured to receive a head of the test subject.