Apparatus for capturing an image of the eye

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus including a base, a hollow receiving element joined to the base, and at least one positioning attachment that positions an imaging device received by the hollow receiving element to capture an image of at least one eye of a user. The present invention also relates to a method of capturing at least one image of at least one eye of a user using the above described apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a base;   a hollow receiving element joined to the base, the receiving element configured to receive an imaging device; and   at least one positioning attachment configured to position the imaging device to capture an image of at least one eye of a user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one extension extending radially from a center of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the base comprises four extensions. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the receiving element magnetically connects to a case attached to the smartphone. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one positioning attachment comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion shorter than the second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one positioning attachment is configured to position the imaging device to capture a front image of the at least one eye of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion is positioned in front of a camera of the imaging device and the second portion is positioned on an opposite side of the camera, the second portion preventing movement of the imaging device while an image is captured. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one positioning attachment is configured to position the imaging device to capture a 90° temporal side image of the at least one eye of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first portion is positioned in front of a camera of the imaging device and the second portion is positioned on an opposite side of the camera extending over a center of the imaging device towards a side of the imaging device comprising the camera, the second portion preventing movement of the imaging device while an image is captured. 
     
     
         11 . A method of capturing an image of at least one eye of a user, comprising:
 inserting an imaging device in an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a base; 
 a hollow receiving element joined to the base, the receiving element configured to receive an imaging device; and 
 at least one first positioning attachment configured to position the imaging device to capture a front image of at least one eye of a user; and 
   capturing at least one image of the at least one eye of the user.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transmitting the at least one captured image to a database. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising replacing the at least one first positioning attachment with at least one second positioning attachment configured to position the imaging device to capture a 90° temporal side image of the at least one eye of the user. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the base comprises at least one extension extending radially from a center of the base. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the base comprises four extensions. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the imaging device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the receiving element magnetically connects to a case attached to the smartphone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one first positioning attachment comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion shorter than the second portion, wherein the first portion is positioned in front of a camera of the imaging device and the second portion is positioned on an opposite side of the camera, the second portion preventing movement of the imaging device while an image is captured. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one second positioning attachment comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion shorter than the second portion, wherein the first portion is positioned in front of a camera of the imaging device and the second portion is positioned on an opposite side of the camera extending over a center of the imaging device towards a side of the imaging device comprising the camera, the second portion preventing movement of the imaging device while an image is captured.