With Single Or Parallel Objectives Patents (Class 359/377)
  • Publication number: 20090086313
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the telescope type includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system and in the second beam path a second telescope system are provided, wherein the magnifications of both telescope systems are equal and can be changed synchronously to each other, and wherein a common main objective is allocated to both beam paths. In order to increase the resolution without loss in depth of field, it is proposed that at least one optical element of the first telescope system has, compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system, a different optically effective diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann, Harald Schnitzler
  • Patent number: 7512437
    Abstract: The three-dimensional observation system of the present invention comprises an image picking-up part which has a parallax with respect to the object of observation and captures two images of the object of observation, an image display part which respectively displays the two images of the object of observation captured by the image picking-up part, and an optical system which is used to guide the two images of the object of observation displayed by the image display part to respective position in front of the left and right eyes of the observer facing the object of observation, such that the parallax direction of the image picking-up part and the parallax direction of the observer coincide, thus causing a three-dimensional image to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Banju, Masahiro Kudo, Shingo Nogami, Takahiro Kogasaka, Kazuo Morita, Masayuki Irie
  • Publication number: 20090052020
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a telescope-type stereomicroscope which is outfitted with an objective and two magnification changers which are arranged downstream of the objective. The invention provides a telescope-type stereomicroscope in which the light coming from an object that is being examined enters the objective, two light bundles of the light re-exiting from the objective which are oriented parallel to one another enter the magnification changers, the optical axes of the magnification changers are arranged at a fixed distance B from one another, each magnification changer has an entrance pupil for the light bundle associated with it, which entrance pupil has a diameter DEP that depends on the respective selected magnification, and wherein the condition DEP>B/1.07 is met at the maximum selected magnification. Optionally, the stereomicroscope according to the invention meets the condition tan(?)?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROIMAGING GMBH
    Inventor: Johannes Winterot
  • Patent number: 7489442
    Abstract: Stereoscopic microscope comprising an optical inverter system (21a, 21b) for erecting a pseudo-stereoscopic image and reversing the viewing beams thereof, wherein the inverter system comprises at least one deflector element (21a, 21b) having a focal power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Sander
  • Publication number: 20090002813
    Abstract: A microscope comprising a main objective having a variable focal length and comprising an illuminating unit including a light source and an illuminating optical system for generating an illuminating beam path directed onto the object plane and extending outside the main objective. A unit is provided for centering the illumination dependent on a variation of the focal length of the main objective. The illuminating optical system is mounted at least in part in a laterally shiftable manner for centering the illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: HAW CHONG SOON
  • Patent number: 7468835
    Abstract: A microscopy system method for inspecting a retina of an eye including generating an inverted intermediate image of the retina using an ophthalmoscopic lens; detecting a left image of the intermediate image from a left viewing direction and detecting a right image of the intermediate image from a right viewing direction; and displaying an inverted representation of the detected left image to a right eye of a user and displaying an inverted representation of the detected right image to a left eye of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Luecke, Alfons Abele, Dirk Brunner, Frank Rudolph, Fritz Straehle, Joachim Steffen, Michael Wirth
  • Publication number: 20080304144
    Abstract: A surgical microscope (100) has viewing beams (109a, 109b) passing through a microscope imaging optic which includes a microscope main objective system (101) having a magnification system of variable magnification. The microscope imaging optic transposes a convergent viewing beam (109a, 109b) from the object region (114) into a parallel beam. The surgical microscope includes an OCT-system (120) for examining the object region (114). The OCT-system (120) makes available an OCT-scanning beam (190) which is guided through the microscope imaging optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Reimer, Christoph Hauger, Alfons Abele, Markus Seesselberg
  • Patent number: 7453631
    Abstract: By adding perspective information in addition to binocular parallax, the invention provides a three-dimensional medical imaging apparatus that allows surgery to be performed with a more natural three-dimensional view, similar to that achieved with the naked eye. The three-dimensional medical imaging apparatus includes an image-acquisition optical system and an imaging device for acquiring three-dimensional images of a subject. The image-acquisition optical system includes an objective optical system for forming an image of the subject at an image-forming plane, and an entrance pupil position of the image-acquisition optical system is disposed between the objective optical system and the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Namii, Kenji Hirose, Koji Yasunaga
  • Publication number: 20080266657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope or stereomicroscope for representing an object that can be placed on an object plane (1) of the stereomicroscope, the latter providing at least one pair of optical paths (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) and comprising at least one deflection element with a reflecting surface (3; 3?) and a representation system (26; 26*; 26**; 26?) containing several optical elements. The optical elements comprise a plurality of lenses (4-8, 11, 13, 14, 16?-21?, 16?-21?, 16??-21?? 16??-21??). In addition, the optical elements are configured in such a way, that pupil planes (27a, 27b) of the optical representation paths (2a, 2b) intersect the reflecting surface (3; 3?) of the deflection element or am located at a distance (S, S?; S*, S*?) form said reflecting surface (3; 3?). The distance (S, S?; S*, S*?) is less than 1.5 times, in particular less than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Fritz Strahle, Christoph Hauger
  • Patent number: 7423807
    Abstract: Microscope, especially stereoscopic microscope, with a main objective (2), a magnification system (8, 7) disposed thereafter, and a supplementary optical system (30, 32a) for carrying out intraocular surgery, wherein the supplementary optical system comprises at least one ophthalmoscopic lens (30a) disposed before the main objective lens (2) and at least one optical component (32a) disposed behind the main objective lens (2) for providing a refraction and a focussing of a viewing beam path passing through the main objective (2), and the optical axis (12d) of the magnification system (7) disposed behind the main objective extending essentially perpendicularly to the optical axis (11) of the main objective (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Sander
  • Publication number: 20080212171
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microscopy system for representing an object that can be placed on an object plane (1) of the microscopy system, the latter comprising a representation system (26) containing several optical elements for providing at least one optical representation path (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d). According to one embodiment of the invention, the optical elements comprise a plurality of optical lenses (4-8, 11, 13, 14), through which the optical representation path(s) (2a-2d) pass(es) in sequence and which represent the object plane (1) in an intermediate image (P). The optical lenses (4-8, 11) are configured in such a way that the representation of the object plane (1) in the intermediate image (P) is reduced a maximum 0.9 times, preferably a maximum 0.8 times, preferably a maximum 0.6 times, with 0.5 times being the preferred maximum reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SURGICAL GMBH
    Inventors: Fritz Strahle, Christoph Hauger
  • Publication number: 20080174861
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has, in order form the object side, a single objective lens system; afocal relay optical systems, each including a front lens unit with positive refracting power and a rear lens unit with positive refracting power and having an intermediate image between the front lens unit and the rear lens unit; variable magnification optical systems; a plurality of aperture stops including at least aperture stops for right and left eyes, located at positions decentered from the optical axis of the objective lens system; and a plurality of imaging lens systems located at positions corresponding to the plurality of aperture stops. In this case, when each of the variable magnification optical systems lies at the low-magnification position, an entrance pupil of an optical system ranging from the objective lens system to each of the imaging lens systems is located closest to the objective lens system to satisfy the following condition: 0<L—enp—w/f—ob<0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Tsutomu Uzawa, Yasushi Namii
  • Patent number: 7356211
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display device is provided. The stereoscopic display device includes an optical waveguide member and a first main surface and a second main surface. The first and second main surfaces face each other. A first light path changing member is provided on at least one of the first and second main surfaces, and is operative to change the path of light guided by the optical waveguide member. A second light path changing member is provided on at least one of the first and second main surfaces, and is operative to change the path of the light guided by the optical waveguide member. A reflector body is disposed so as to face the second main surface and reflects the light emitted from the second light path changing member to the first main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takuro Sugiura, Hideaki Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 7283298
    Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope including a light source section, an illumination optical system, and an observation optical system. The illumination optical system has an optical axis and includes a projection optical system. The projection optical system forms an intermediate image and irradiates a light flux from the light source section onto an observation object. The observation optical system includes an objective lens, a pair of left and right zooming optical systems for changing the magnification of the observation optical system, and a pair of left and right eyepiece optical systems. A center position of the light source section is de-centered from the optical axis of the illumination optical system. Also, the illumination optical system includes a reflecting member which has two rounded notches and is inserted into and removed from a space on the object side of the objective optical system in conjunction with a zooming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Namii
  • Patent number: 7167304
    Abstract: A binocular stereoscopic observation apparatus includes an imaging section forming left and right images with parallax in at least two directions and an observing section in which the images with parallax are stereoscopically observed with a viewer's eyes. In this case, the imaging section has an imaging lens forming images of an object at imaging positions on each of left and right optical paths and i imaging positions on the optical axis of the imaging lens, satisfying the following conditions: L(j?1)<Lj Ek=Lj?L(j?1) Dd<Ek where Lj is a distance, measured along the optical axis, from the imaging lens to the jth imaging position, Ek is a difference between distances, measured along the optical axis, from adjacent imaging positions to the imaging lens, and Dd is an image-side depth of an optical system of the imaging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Toyoharu Hanzawa
  • Patent number: 7136229
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a stereoscopic microscope objective. A microscope objective of this kind contains five lenses. The first lens, considered from the object side, has a focal length between ?2.11f and ?1.20f; f is the total focal length of the microscope objective. This is followed by a second lens with a focal length between 1.30f and 1.45f, a third lens with a focal length between 1.15f and 1.37f, a fourth lens with a focal length between 0.65f and 1.7f, and a fifth lens with a focal length between ?0.96f and 0.48f. Combined, the amount of the refractive power of the last two lenses is less than 0.31f. In the first lens and fifth lens, at least 80% of the refractive power is concentrated on the image-side surfaces. In the second lens, at least 60% of the refractive power is concentrated on the image-side surface. In the third lens, at least 60% of the refractive power is concentrated on the object-side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Wartmann, Jan Thirase
  • Patent number: 7133198
    Abstract: The invention proposes a changer device for optical elements (2a–2e) in stereomicroscopes with which a pair of optical elements (2) can be inserted in the two stereo channels (3) of a stereomicroscope. A particularly compact construction can be achieved by arranging the optical elements (2) side by side in an arc, more particularly in a circle, while between the elements of a pair of elements (2a, 2d) associated with the two stereo channels (3), at least one other optical element (2e; 2b, 2c) is provided, and in that the center (4) of the arcuate or circular arrangement (1) is shifted laterally away from the middle (5) of the stereobase of the stereo channels (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Harald Schnitzler, Heinz Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6985287
    Abstract: This invention serves to solve the problem of the large irradiation angle upon an observation target of an inclined illuminator type medical binocular microscope, and the problem of structural complexity and light attenuation of a coaxial illuminator type microscope. The microscope A includes the illumination system 2 comprised of the illumination unit 6 with the condensing lens 6d attached at a front tip of the illumination unit, disposes the illumination system retaining member 7 in close proximity to the two observation optical systems structured at the body tube 3, defines the plane 8 including the prescribed lenses of the objective lenses of the left and right observation optical systems 1 (secondary objective lens 1b) arranged closest to the observation target, and arranges the optical axis 2a of the illumination system 2 inside the circle 9 having a diameter connecting the optical axis 1a of the two observation optical systems with respect to the plane 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Mani, Inc.
    Inventors: Norio Kaneko, Toshiyuki Takase, Kanji Matsutani
  • Patent number: 6982825
    Abstract: Stereomicroscope having an objective (6) and a zoom system (8) downstream of the objective, the optical axis (6a) of the objective forming an angle with an axis (9) of the zoom system (8), and a plurality of deflector elements (10, 12a to 12e) by means of which at least one observation beam emerging from the objective (6) can be guided into the zoom system (8), and at least one observation beam emerging from the zoom system (8) can be guided at least on to another axis (15) extending substantially parallel to the axis (9) of the zoom system (8), while on the axis (9) of the zoom system (8) and/or on the minimum of one axis (15) extending substantially parallel thereto, there is provided at least one optical element (19) for extending the beam path of the at least one observation beam along the optical axis (9) of the zoom system (8) and/or the at least one axis (15) parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Sander
  • Patent number: 6882473
    Abstract: An arrangement for generating a stereoscopic image of an object for viewing by an observer includes an imaging optic for imaging the object and defining an imaging beam path as well as an entry pupil and an exit pupil. Illuminating optics illuminate the object by providing an imaging beam coming from the object and passing through the imaging optic and along the imaging beam path. The imaging beam is sectioned in the imaging beam path into two component beams at one of the following locations: in the exit pupil, near the exit pupil or at a position along the imaging beam path which is optically conjugated to the exit pupil, thereby forming stereoscopic sectioned images. The stereoscopic section images are allocated in a clocked manner to the left and the right eyes of the observer. The invention is also directed to a method of generating a stereoscopic image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Geier, Hans Tandler, Gudrun Nordt
  • Patent number: 6798570
    Abstract: A light microscope illuminator with a light source off the conjugate objective aperture allowing light beam shaping and modifying devices to be located at the conjugate objective aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Gary Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20040120033
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring in-band crosstalk in an optical amplifier, such as a Raman amplifier, in which a modulated optical signal is generated using an input modulator. The extinction ratio of the input optical modulator is measured. The modulated optical signal is passed through the optical amplifier to obtain a first output optical signal, the power level of which is measured when the input modulator is in its off-state. The modulated optical signal is then attenuated by a factor equal to the extinction ratio of the input modulator to obtain an attenuated modulated optical signal which is passed through the optical amplifier to obtain a second output optical signal. The power level of the second output optical signal when the input modulator is in its on-state. The in-band crosstalk is calculated by subtracting the power level of the second output optical signal from the power level of the first output optical signal. The input and output modulators may be acousto-optic modulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Beal, John Bernard Medberry, Patricia S. Miller
  • Patent number: 6678090
    Abstract: A microscope is disclosed for observing a magnified area. Fade-in means (32a) arranged in the path (1) of the rays of the microscope (82) reflect a thin focused beam of light (101) into the path (1) of rays. The beam of light (101) is deflected or modulated by deflecting means (102) to supply an image that can be recognised by an observer (100). The image may be projected onto the object (22) either directly or indirectly, for example through a diffusing screen (108a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventor: Roger Spink
  • Publication number: 20030227672
    Abstract: The invention relates to an objective (2) for stereomicroscopes of the telescope type which comprises three optical assemblies (G1, G2, G3), the first assembly (G1) being arranged towards the object side and the third assembly (G3) being arranged towards a magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) meets the conditions 0.44≦ENP/F≦0.6, where ENP denotes the diameter of the entry pupil of the magnification changer (3L, 3R) at the maximum magnification and F denotes the focal length of the objective (2), and tan(w1)≧0.16, where w1 denotes the maximum field angle of the objective (2) at the lowest magnification of the magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) makes it possible to use a stereomicroscope with maximum resolution and a field of vision which is adapted to the full range of magnifications of the microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann
  • Patent number: 6661572
    Abstract: A stereo microscope comprises: a main objective; a main observation output configured so that a left-hand beam path and a right-hand beam path are formed between the main objective and the main observation output; at least one input reflection beam splitter in each of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths configured to reflect additional information into its corresponding beam path; at least one output reflection beam splitter in at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths; at least one first switchable shutter associated with at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths, located in front of a corresponding input reflection beam splitter; and at least one second switchable shutter associated with at least one of the left-hand and right-hand beam paths, located between the main observation output and a corresponding output reflection beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Jacques Alain Deverin, Benno Moser, Juergen Mannss
  • Patent number: 6657796
    Abstract: A variable size sector-shaped aperture mask used in an optical imaging system, such as a microscope, increases contrast and depth of field without loss of resolution and permits different angled views of an object to be captured and compared to create focal plane-specific images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Gary Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6614595
    Abstract: A stereo endoscope having right and left optical systems for stereoscopic observation which form the right and left images, respectively. The stereo endoscope further including a third optical system which has a wider field of view and a smaller maximum lens diameter than the right and left optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6603876
    Abstract: Two pictures of a subject obtained by objective lenses and from different locations of viewpoint are respectively rotated by dove prisms, 90 degrees clockwise, and then merged into a single picture by total reflection mirrors. The picture after synthesis is reduced at a predetermined ratio by a condenser lens, and then projected onto a pickup plane of a CCD. It is therefore possible to obtain stereoscopic pictures having parallax as a single picture using a single camera without narrowing the effective fields of view of right and left pictures of different viewpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Matsuo, Kazuyuki Imagawa, Yuji Takata
  • Patent number: 6525878
    Abstract: A 3-D viewing system is disclosed that enables multiple operators to share a common objective element while readily adjusting the orientation of images that are displayed to one or more moveable display units. The orientation of images that are displayed at a movable display unit can be made to automatically depend on the position/orientation of the display unit. Thus greater freedom in viewing postures is provided than previously available in 3-D viewing systems that share a common objective element, and each operator may view a 3-D image with proper perspective for his position/orientation. In order to reduce the number of optical components, the need to adjust optical components, and reduce costs, images from at least two different optical perspectives may be time-division multiplexed onto a single optical detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6473229
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has an objective system, a zoom system, and an eyepiece system. The zoom system consists of two systems that are juxtaposed at the same height. This arrangement reduces the vertical size of a body (2) of the stereomicroscope, allows an observer to easily see a target below the stereomicroscope with the naked eye as and when required, and improves workability when an assistant microscope (7) is attached to the stereomicroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsushige Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20020126374
    Abstract: A microscope is disclosed for observing a magnified area. Fade-in means (32a) arranged in the path (1) of the rays of the microscope (82) reflect a thin focused beam of light (101) into the path (1) of rays. The beam of light (101) is deflected or modulated by deflecting means (102) to supply an image that can be recognised by an observer (100). The image may be projected onto the object (22) either directly or indirectly, for example through a diffusing screen (108a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Roger Spink
  • Patent number: 6396627
    Abstract: The stereoscopic microscope includes a common close-up optical system that faces an object, a pair of zoom optical systems that form a pair of primary image, a pair of field stops, a pair of relay optical systems that relay the primary images to form a pair of secondary images, an inter-axis distance reducing element, an image taking device and an illuminating optical system. The object light rays incident on the close-up optical system form the primary images having predetermined parallax at the field stops through the zoom optical systems. The inter-axis distance reducing element reduces the inter-axis distance of the right and left light rays. The primary images are re-imaged by the relay optical systems as the secondary images on the adjacent regions on the single image taking surface of the image taking device, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Tachihara, Chinari Tanaka, Daisuke Koreeda, Tetsuya Nakamura, Nobutaka Minefuji, Takaomi Sekiya, Eiichi Ito
  • Patent number: 6348994
    Abstract: An arrangement for generating a stereoscopic image of an object for viewing by an observer includes an imaging optic for imaging the object and defining an imaging beam path as well as an entry pupil and an exit pupil. Illuminating optics illuminate the object by providing an imaging beam coming from the object and passing through the imaging optic and along the imaging beam path. The imaging beam is sectioned in the imaging beam path into two component beams at one of the following locations: in the exit pupil, near the exit pupil or at a position along the imaging beam path which is optically conjugated to the exit pupil, thereby forming stereoscopic sectioned images. The stereoscopic section images are allocated in a clocked manner to the left and the right eyes of the observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Geier, Hans Tandler, Gudrun Nordt
  • Patent number: 6344039
    Abstract: A device for eliminating decentration error due to parallax during ophthalmic laser surgery comprises a stereo microscope having a first ocular and a second ocular and an objective lens for viewing a patient's eye, a laser for projecting a laser beam at a patient's eye during ophthalmic laser surgery; and structure for aligning the objective lens relative to the first ocular to center the laser beam with a patient's eye. The device for eliminating decentration error due to parallax also comprises prism positioned between either the first ocular and the objective lens or the objective lens and the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: LaserSight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuqian Tang, David Voorhees
  • Patent number: 6337765
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a left and a right stereo radiation path and an adjusting device for selecting a stereo base. A main lens is arranged between an object to be observed and the adjusting device, which may be designed as an opto-mechanical switching device. The arrangement allows an integrated structure with low light losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Bernhard Braunecker, John Rice Rogers, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6320696
    Abstract: A light microscope with lenses projecting the rear aperture of an objective lens at a location remote from the objective lens enhancing high power stereoscopic viewing and photographing with a binocular (two eyepiece) viewing system and when combined with an iris in close proximity to the projected image of the rear aperture of the objective lens, controls flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Gary Greenberg, Robert Ginsberg
  • Patent number: 6317260
    Abstract: A video-type stereoscopic microscope is composed of a close-up optical system which emits object light rays from an object as parallel rays, a pair of zoom optical systems which converges the object light rays having passed through different parts of the close-up optical systems and a relay optical system which relays images formed by the respective zoom optical systems to a CCD. Zoom lens barrels which hold the respective zoom optical systems individually are fixed in a zoom housing such that the position thereof can be adjusted in the axial direction. This zoom housing is fixed in a casing of the stereoscopic microscope such that the position thereof can be adjusted in the direction of the optical axis of the close-up optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiichi Ito
  • Patent number: 6313952
    Abstract: An adapter lens for a Greenough-type stereomicroscope (SM1), the adapter comprising a negative lens group (4) and a positive lens group (5) along an optical axis (AX3). The adapter lens attaches to the objective lens side of the Greenough-type stereomicroscope. Variation of the distance (D54L, D54H) between the positive and the negative lens group allows an operator of the stereomicroscope to position the eye pieces (8 and 8′) of the stereomicroscope to a comfortable height for ease of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 6288838
    Abstract: Right and left image taking optical systems are respectively composed of an objective optical system forming an image of an object, and a relay optical system relaying the image formed by the objective optical system on the corresponding region on the CCD. At the surface of the image formed through each of the objective optical system, a field stop is disposed to shield a region on the CCD that does not correspond to itself. Each of the field stops is embedded in a field stop frame. The field stop frame penetrates the corresponding field stop holder in the vertical direction and is rotatably held. Each of the field stop holders is movably supported by a base frame such that it can slide in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes of both of the objective optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiichi Ito
  • Patent number: 6275335
    Abstract: A method and teaching for creating stereographic images with the use of a single lens is presented. A leading linear polarizing filter, a passive half-wave retarder, an electric switched quarter-wave retarder, and a trailing linear polarizing filter are then used in various combination to create: a 3D microscope, a 3D video adapter for microscopes, a general purpose 3D video lens, a 3D video adapter, and a 3D light-valve. A neutral density filter replaces those components to then create a 3D ocular and a 3D ocular adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: SL3D, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Costales
  • Patent number: 6271964
    Abstract: A close-up attachment lens for a binocular includes a close-up lens group located on the object side of a pair of objective lenses of the binocular and is detachably attached to the binocular on the object side of the objective lenses. The close-up lens group is provided with a single optical system of positive power which covers the pair of objective lenses and has an optical axis parallel with and spaced from optical axes of the objective lenses at an equal distance. A pair of aperture stops are provided in front of the corresponding objective lenses of the binocular when the close-up attachment lens is attached to the binocular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Abe
  • Patent number: 6268957
    Abstract: A computerized control and display system for a stereo microscope is disclosed. The objective lens is selected for a minimum and maximum magnification range and then two sets of movable lenses within the stereo module are positioned through computer control to achieve a precisely desired magnification. In the preferred embodiment, a lookup table is used to smoothly select the proper position of the two movable lenses in relationship to one another as the magnification is either increased or decreased. A stereoscopic image is transmitted by cameras to a computer screen with the use of a wireless eyewear/shutter system cycling at 120 cycles per second for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventors: Rex A. Hoover, Robert G. Hoover
  • Patent number: 6239904
    Abstract: A forensic microscope, particularly for examination of writing, comprising a single-channel microscope with stereo viewing by synchronized interchange of the illumination angle in front of the microscope objective and/or of the angle of observation following the microscope objective and, further, by fluorescence excitation in a range of approximately 340 to 360 nm and/or between 400 nm and approximately 590 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Serfling, Volker Heerich
  • Patent number: 6236502
    Abstract: In an operation microscope, target light flux that is parallel light flux is projected at eyes of an operator, light reflected thereon is used to obtain an image of the pupil of the eye, and the position of a Purkinje image is detected to calculate the direction of the visual line of the operator's eyes. Observation magnification of an observation optical system is also calculated from the output of a potentiometer. The resultant direction of the visual line and observation magnification are used to calculate the position of the visual line of the operator. A liquid crystal display is arranged behind a half mirror when viewed from eyepiece side of a branch observation optical system, and displays as a spot image the position information indicating the calculated position of the visual line of the operator's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventor: Nobuaki Kitajima
  • Patent number: 6081372
    Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope which makes use of two pairs of lenses, each pair having a different magnification. Both pairs of lenses are supported in a disk-shaped drum along a pair of orthogonally related diameters and rotatable through an angle of 90.degree. by a draw lever to place the two pairs of lenses alternatively in position for use by an operator for a direct observation of the image of the patient's eye structure and for all operating functions of a video recording camera. The optical scheme makes use in one direction of a right-angle prism arrangement for deviating rays from a patient's eye in an opposite direction, towards the video recording camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: C.S.O. SRL
    Inventor: Sergio Mura
  • Patent number: 6040940
    Abstract: A reflecting fluorescence microscope has a reflecting fluorescence illumination optical system, an observation optical system, and a specimen supporting means for mounting a specimen. In this case, an optical member for attenuating excited light supplied from the reflecting fluorescence illumination optical system is interposed between the specimen and the specimen supporting means. Thus, an observation in which little auto-fluorescent light is produced and a contrast is good can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6020993
    Abstract: A 3-D photo attachment for the phototube of a light microscope which enables a 2-D camera port to be enhanced to take 3-D stereo pair photography both sequentially and simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Edge Scientific Instrument Company LLC
    Inventor: Gary Greenberg
  • Patent number: 5991090
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an afocal zoom system for a surgical microscope. The zoom system has an even number of members and is symmetrically configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventor: Fritz Strahle
  • Patent number: 5986801
    Abstract: An inverting and reversing prism system for a stereo microscope having an optical longitudinal axis and left and right eye viewing systems having left and right longitudinal axes, respectively, along which left and right beam paths are transmitted, respectively, comprising: at least four reflecting surfaces (13, 15, 16, 13A and 13A, 15A, 16A, 13) in each beam path (14, 14A), two of the reflecting surfaces (13, 13A and 13A, 13) in each beam path comprising inlet and outlet surfaces, respectively, for deflecting the beam path by 90.degree., the inlet and outlet surfaces in each beam path being oriented 45.degree. relative to the optical longitudinal axis of the microscope and 90.degree. relative to each other, with a line of intersection (26) of planes containing the inlet and outlet surfaces in each beam path defining an angle of 45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Donald A. Volk, Fernando Diaz-Estevez
  • Patent number: 5969888
    Abstract: An optical unit coupling mechanism for coupling optical units 10, 11 having a plurality of mutually parallel optical paths 10a, 10b with each other, said optical unit coupling mechanism comprising a round dovetail consisting of a male dovetail 1 and a female dovetail 4, wherein said male dovetail 1 has a minor diameter part 1b of predetermined diameter d.sub.2, part 1d of which is sized larger than the diameter d.sub.2 of the minor diameter part 1b. By virtue of this optical unit coupling mechanism, the system performance can be enhanced without causing a system enlargement and the system compatibility can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minoru Sukekawa