Patents Assigned to Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
  • Patent number: 7988295
    Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging system includes a light source, focusing optics, compensating optics, and a computer that coordinates both of the optics to optimize the Diffraction Limited Point Spread Function (DL-PSF) of the imaging light beam. In detail, the compensating optics includes a customized phase plate that provides substantially complete compensation for static aberrations introduced by an eye into the imaging light beam. Further, the computer measures an operational error signal that results from dynamic aberrations. The computer then uses the error signal to control the compensating optics and thereby optimize the DL-PSF by compensating for both static and dynamic aberrations. For an alternate embodiment, an active mirror can be included in the compensating optics to provide additional compensation for the dynamic aberrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Josef F. Bille
  • Patent number: 7971999
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an appliance for examination of the retina, with two-dimensional images of the retina being produced. The invention is based on the object of designing the method and the apparatus so as to allow comprehensive examination and diagnosis of the eye retina in a simple manner. The invention proposes that second data items and two-dimensional depth slice images be produced from the retina, and that the position of these second data items be known in the recorded two-dimensional image of the retina, and/or be predetermined on the basis of the two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Zinser
  • Publication number: 20110152693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for precisely determining the fluorescence in a layer system, such as the eye. The object of the invention is to provide a method that is as simple and requires as little effort as possible for evaluating the fluorescence in a layer system, by means of which the summary decay behavior of the fluorescence can be evaluated very precisely, and by means of which the points of origin of the individual fluorescences of the layer system can be determined at the same time. According to the invention, the time of origin (tci) of each fluorescence in the individual layers of the layer system are determined in that layer-specific, time-dependent parameters are determined for the relevant fluorescences, said parameters each indicating the time of origin of the fluorescence in the relevant layer, and said parameters being considered in the model function for calculating the summary decay behavior of the fluorescence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventor: Dietrich Schweitzer
  • Publication number: 20110001926
    Abstract: A device for a therapeutic treatment of the eye by means of a laser is provided, which allows a real-time monitoring of the treatment. In particular, the laser light is supplied to the treatment region via a fibre. The monitoring of the treatment happens by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT). To this end the OCT measurement beam and the treatment laser light are coupled in a probe that is put onto the eye and allows to focus the OCT measurement beam on the tissue region inside of the eye that is treated at that moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicants: DIETER MANN GMBH, HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Mann, Hans Hoerauf, Christian Winter, Ralf Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 7800760
    Abstract: A system and method for imaging tissue cells at a predetermined depth in the retina of an eye include components that provide for compensation of refractive errors. Specifically, the system basically includes three subassemblies that operate in concert with each other. There is a first subassembly for directing a first light beam into the eye to measure anterior optical aberrations. There is also a second subassembly for directing a second light beam through retinal tissue to a predetermined depth where the tissue cells are located. This second light beam is used to measure phase aberrations introduced by the retinal tissue. And, there is a third subassembly for directing a third light beam to the tissue cell to produce an image of the tissue cell. In the third light beam, the anterior optical aberrations and the phase aberrations have been substantially removed to provide a clearer image of the tissue cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Josef F. Bille
  • Patent number: 7798641
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing the onset of keratoconus in a cornea requires subjecting the cornea of an eye to a pressure that changes its shape. A topography of the cornea's anterior surface (possibly, the posterior surface also) is mapped. The mapped topography is then fitted on a mathematical model of the cornea. Measurements corresponding to biomechanical parameters in the cornea are then taken from the model. Next, a computer is used to evaluate the biomechanical parameters to diagnose whether the cornea is keratoconic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Josef F. Bille
  • Patent number: 7703923
    Abstract: A system and method for imaging retinal tissues in an eye generates an input light beam having ultra-short pulses and an input wavelength (?i) to stimulate the tissue. Depending on the particular type tissue being imaged, the retinal tissue responds to the input beam by generating a return beam of light having first and second components of different wavelengths (?r1 and ?r2). An imaging unit then receives the return light and images the tissue according to the return wavelength (?r1 vis-a-vis ?r2). Additionally, a sensor unit is used to evaluate light returning from the retina to measure optical and phase aberrations introduced by the eye, and to program a compensator (e.g. an active mirror) that compensates the input beam by removing the aberrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Josef F. Bille
  • Publication number: 20100053553
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an appliance for examination of the retina, with two-dimensional images of the retina being produced. The invention is based on the object of designing the method and the apparatus so as to allow comprehensive examination and diagnosis of the eye retina in a simple manner. The invention proposes that second data items and two-dimensional depth slice images be produced from the retina, and that the position of these second data items be known in the recorded two-dimensional image of the retina, and/or be predetermined on the basis of the two-dimensional image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventor: Gerhard Zinser
  • Patent number: 7611244
    Abstract: A device to compensate for asymmetrical aberrations in a beam of light includes at least one dual compensator positioned on the beam path. Structurally, the dual compensator includes two juxtaposed plates, each having a same pattern presented thereon. The patterns, however, are rotated through an angle ? relative to each other. Together, the plates of the dual compensator can then be rotated on the beam path through an angle ? to compensate for asymmetrical aberrations in the light beam. Dual compensators, having appropriate patterns, can be collectively used to compensate for astigmatism, coma and trefoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Bille
  • Patent number: 7203351
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for analysis of 3-dimensional images of an optic nerve head surface topography. Topographic images of the optic nerve head may be analysed to define a topographic model fitted to the topographic image of the optic nerve head about a centre of analysis. The topographic model is defined using model morphological parameters, and the morphological parameters. In some embodiments, the morphological parameters may be used to detect nerve fibre damage or pathology, such as in the diagnosis of glaucoma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas V. Swindale, Adeline Chin, Phillip Hetherington