Patents by Inventor Christopher Saxer

Christopher Saxer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11385447
    Abstract: Surgical microscopes are provided including at least one ocular, an objective lens; a collimated space between the at least one ocular and the objective lens; an illumination system optically coupled into the collimated space of the surgical microscope, wherein an illumination from the illumination system is directed along a path at least partially contained within the collimated space of the surgical microscope and through the objective lens; and one of a field diaphragm and obscuration mask positioned within the illumination system, and outside of a field of view of the at least one ocular, wherein the one of the field diaphragm and the obscuration mask blocks, attenuates or diverts rays from the illumination system that reflect from a surface of the objective lens such that the reflected rays are not visible through the at least one ocular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Saxer, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Robert H. Hart, Eric L. Buckland
  • Patent number: 10791255
    Abstract: A scanning optical system is provided including a source of optical radiation; an optical scanning beam delivery system for delivering optical radiation to a subject, wherein the optical scanning beam delivery system includes a plurality of optical elements including at least one steerable mirror; at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror; a detection system for detecting optical radiation returned from a subject; a communications device including a user interface and configured to process a set of instructions at least partially responsive to inputs from the user interface; a controller comprising memory, a microcontroller and an field programmable gate array (FPGA), the microcontroller and FPGA receiving instructions derived from the communications device; and at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Ghofrani, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Christopher Saxer
  • Publication number: 20190339499
    Abstract: Surgical microscopes are provided including at least one ocular, an objective lens; a collimated space between the at least one ocular and the objective lens; an illumination system optically coupled into the collimated space of the surgical microscope, wherein an illumination from the illumination system is directed along a path at least partially contained within the collimated space of the surgical microscope and through the objective lens; and one of a field diaphragm and obscuration mask positioned within the illumination system, and outside of a field of view of the at least one ocular, wherein the one of the field diaphragm and the obscuration mask blocks, attenuates or diverts rays from the illumination system that reflect from a surface of the objective lens such that the reflected rays are not visible through the at least one ocular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Saxer, AI-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Robert H. Hart, Eric L. Buckland
  • Patent number: 10409046
    Abstract: Field diaphragms for use in surgical microscopes are provided. The field diaphragms are positioned along an optical axis of a microscope illumination system. The field diaphragms include a frame portion configured to be received by the surgical microscope; and a non-circularly symmetric mask portion integrated with the frame portion. The mask portion is aligned such that marginal rays from an edge of the field diaphragm along a meridian of minimum diameter that reflect from a surface of an objective lens of the microscope reflect outside of an acceptance angle for relay through any ocular channel of the microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Saxer, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Robert H. Hart, Eric L. Buckland
  • Publication number: 20190200854
    Abstract: A model eye for use with an imaging system is provided. The model eye includes a shape that mimics a shape of a real eye of a subject and focal parameters of the real eye of the subject. The model eye is positioned in the imaging system in place of the real eye to assess and/or calibrate the imaging system. Related methods, systems and devices are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Murnan, Nestor O. Farmiga, Christopher Saxer, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Eric L. Buckland, Robert H. Hart
  • Patent number: 10271725
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems are provided including a source of broadband optical radiation coupled to a sample arm of the OCT imaging system; a beam shaping optical assembly in the sample arm, the beam shaping optical assembly being configured to receive optical radiation from the source as a beam of optical radiation and to shape the spatial profile of the beam of optical radiation; a scan mirror assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly; and objective lens assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly. The beam shaping optical assembly includes a lens assembly configured to change a NA of the OCT system without changing a focus; to change a focus of the OCT system without changing a NA of the system; or to change both the NA and the focus of the OCT system responsive to a control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Andrew Murnan, Nestor O. Farmiga, Robert H. Hart, Christopher Saxer
  • Patent number: 10048057
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system including a source of broadband optical radiation and a beamsplitter coupled to the source is provided. The beamsplitter divides the source radiation into a reference path and a sample path. The reference path includes an optical switch to switch the reference path between a first path having a first reference reflection at a first reference optical path length and a second path having a second reference reflection at a second reference optical path length. The system further includes a beam combiner that mixes source radiation reflected from a subject in the sample path with source radiation returned from the first reference reflection and the second reference reflection. A detection system detects a first wavelength dependent interferogram during the first time interval and a second wavelength dependent interferogram during the second time interval. A processor preconditions the first and second wavelength dependent interferograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Nestor O. Farmiga, Mehran Ghofrani, Robert H. Hart, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer
  • Patent number: 9949634
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems are provided including a source of broadband optical radiation coupled to a sample arm of the OCT imaging system; a beam shaping optical assembly in the sample arm, the beam shaping optical assembly being configured to receive optical radiation from the source as a beam of optical radiation and to shape the spatial profile of the beam of optical radiation; a scan mirror assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly; and objective lens assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly. The beam shaping optical assembly includes a lens assembly configured to change a NA of the OCT system without changing a focus; to change a focus of the OCT system without changing a NA of the system; or to change both the NA and the focus of the OCT system responsive to a control input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Andrew Murnan, Nestor O. Farmiga, Robert H. Hart, Christopher Saxer
  • Publication number: 20180084993
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems are provided including a source of broadband optical radiation coupled to a sample arm of the OCT imaging system; a beam shaping optical assembly in the sample arm, the beam shaping optical assembly being configured to receive optical radiation from the source as a beam of optical radiation and to shape the spatial profile of the beam of optical radiation; a scan mirror assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly; and objective lens assembly coupled to the beam shaping optical assembly. The beam shaping optical assembly includes a lens assembly configured to change a NA of the OCT system without changing a focus; to change a focus of the OCT system without changing a NA of the system; or to change both the NA and the focus of the OCT system responsive to a control input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Andrew Murnan, Nestor O. Farmiga, Robert H. Hart, Christopher Saxer
  • Patent number: 9924863
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for integration with a microscope. The OCT system includes a sample arm coupled to the imaging path of a microscope. The sample arm includes an input beam zoom assembly including at least two movable lenses configured to provide shape control for an OCT signal beam; a scan assembly including at least one scanning mirror and configured for telecentric scanning of the OCT signal beam; and a beam expander configured to set the OCT signal beam diameter incident on the microscope objective. The shape control includes separable controls for numerical aperture and focal position of the imaged OCT beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Nestor O. Farmiga, Robert H. Hart, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer
  • Publication number: 20170347001
    Abstract: A scanning optical system is provided including a source of optical radiation; an optical scanning beam delivery system for delivering optical radiation to a subject, wherein the optical scanning beam delivery system includes a plurality of optical elements including at least one steerable mirror; at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror; a detection system for detecting optical radiation returned from a subject; a communications device including a user interface and configured to process a set of instructions at least partially responsive to inputs from the user interface; a controller comprising memory, a microcontroller and an field programmable gate array (FPGA), the microcontroller and FPGA receiving instructions derived from the communications device; and at least one actuator coupled to the at least one steerable mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Bioptigen, inc.
    Inventors: Mehran GHOFRANI, Al-Hafeez Z. DHALLA, Christopher SAXER
  • Patent number: 9733152
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurement system for precision measurement of a translucent sample is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Saxer, Robert H. Hart, Eric L. Buckland
  • Publication number: 20170131533
    Abstract: Field diaphragms for use in surgical microscopes are provided. The field diaphragms are positioned along an optical axis of a microscope illumination system. The field diaphragms include a frame portion configured to be received by the surgical microscope; and a non-circularly symmetric mask portion integrated with the frame portion. The mask portion is aligned such that marginal rays from an edge of the field diaphragm along a meridian of minimum diameter that reflect from a surface of an objective lens of the microscope reflect outside of an acceptance angle for relay through any ocular channel of the microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Saxer, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Robert H. Hart, Eric L. Buckland
  • Publication number: 20160360961
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for integration with a microscope. The OCT system includes a sample arm coupled to the imaging path of a microscope. The sample arm includes an input beam zoom assembly including at least two movable lenses configured to provide shape control for an OCT signal beam; a scan assembly including at least one scanning mirror and configured for telecentric scanning of the OCT signal beam; and a beam expander configured to set the OCT signal beam diameter incident on the microscope objective. The shape control includes separable controls for numerical aperture and focal position of the imaged OCT beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Nestor O. Farmiga, Robert H. Hart, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer
  • Patent number: 9498121
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems for integration with a microscope. The OCT system includes a sample arm coupled to the imaging path of a microscope. The sample arm includes an input beam zoom assembly including at least two movable lenses configured to provide shape control for an OCT signal beam; a scan assembly including at least one scanning mirror and configured for telecentric scanning of the OCT signal beam; and a beam expander configured to set the OCT signal beam diameter incident on the microscope objective. The shape control includes separable controls for numerical aperture and focal position of the imaged OCT beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Nestor O. Farmiga, Robert H. Hart, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer
  • Publication number: 20160298953
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system including a source of broadband optical radiation and a beamsplitter coupled to the source is provided. The beamsplitter divides the source radiation into a reference path and a sample path. The reference path includes an optical switch to switch the reference path between a first path having a first reference reflection at a first reference optical path length and a second path having a second reference reflection at a second reference optical path length. The system further includes a beam combiner that mixes source radiation reflected from a subject in the sample path with source radiation returned from the first reference reflection and the second reference reflection. A detection system detects a first wavelength dependent interferogram during the first time interval and a second wavelength dependent interferogram during the second time interval. A processor preconditions the first and second wavelength dependent interferograms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Nestor O. Farmiga, Mehran Ghofrani, Robert H. Hart, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer
  • Patent number: 9402540
    Abstract: Scanning optical beam imaging systems for imaging extended structures of an eye and providing biometry of an eye are provided. The systems include a focal system for shifting the focus of the scanning system from the front to the back of the eye. The systems provide for converging rays that can scan through the pupil of the eye, enabling scanning of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye using a common objective and a fixed working distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer, Robert H. Hart, Nestor O. Farmiga
  • Patent number: 9377291
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system including a source of broadband optical radiation and a beamsplitter coupled to the source is provided. The beamsplitter divides the source radiation into a reference path and a sample path. The reference path includes an optical switch to switch the reference path between a first path having a first reference reflector at a first reference optical path length and a second path having a second reference reflector at a second reference optical path length, different from the first reference optical path length. The system further includes a beam combiner that mixes source radiation reflected from a subject in the sample path with source radiation returned from the first reference reflector during a first time interval and the second reference reflector during a second time interval. A detection system detects a first wavelength dependent interferogram during the first time interval and a second wavelength dependent interferogram during the second time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Bioptigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Al-Hafeez Z. Dhalla, Nestor O. Farmiga, Mehran Ghofrani, Robert H. Hart, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer
  • Patent number: 9304038
    Abstract: Wavenumber linear spectrometers are provided including an input configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from an external source; collimating optics configured to collimate the received electromagnetic radiation; a dispersive assembly including first and second diffractive gratings, wherein the first diffraction grating is configured in a first dispersive stage to receive the collimated electromagnetic radiation and wherein the dispersive assembly includes at least two dispersive stages configured to disperse the collimated input; and an imaging lens assembly configured to image the electromagnetic radiation dispersed by the at least two dispersive stages onto a linear detection array such that the variation in frequency spacing along the linear detection array is no greater than about 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Biotigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Saxer, Robert H. Hart, Eric L. Buckland, Peter Huening, Bradley A. Bower
  • Publication number: 20150335238
    Abstract: Scanning optical beam imaging systems for imaging extended structures of an eye and providing biometry of an eye are provided. The systems include a focal system for shifting the focus of the scanning system from the front to the back of the eye. The systems provide for converging rays that can scan through the pupil of the eye, enabling scanning of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye using a common objective and a fixed working distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Eric L. Buckland, Andrew Murnan, Christopher Saxer, Robert H. Hart, Nestor O. Farmiga