Abstract: The present invention relates to a deformable mirror, specifically a gimbaled deformable mirror for use with wavefront sensors, which mirror separates the tilt correction from the higher order modes (e.g. defocus, spherical, astigmatism, and coma at higher order aberrations, up to the limits of a particular mirror design) in order to use all of the available mirror deformation stroke for correcting the higher order modes. The separation is done by placing the deformable mirror in a gimbaled structure, so that the deformable mirror can be tilted in two independent, orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A new technique which uses a pump-probe methodology to place a molecule into one or more excited rotational and/or vibrational states. By evaluating spectral changes due to at least one discrete frequency of pump photons a multi-dimensional characterization of the molecule's excited state energy level results. This multi-dimensional characterization typically involves evaluating the changes between excited and unexcited state measurements. The differential nature of the evaluation makes the technique self-referencing and solves problems common to many spectroscopic techniques. The multi-dimensionality of the technique provides high specificity and immunity to interferents. The preferred embodiments involve excitation by using photons suited to pumping the rotational states and evaluating the effects by probing the energy levels of one of more vibrational states.

Abstract: A new technique which uses a pump-probe methodology to place a molecule into one or more excited rotational and/or vibrational states. By evaluating spectral changes due to at least one discrete frequency of pump photons a multi-dimensional characterization of the molecule's excited state energy level results. This multi-dimensional characterization typically involves evaluating the changes between excited and unexcited state measurements. The differential nature of the evaluation makes the technique self-referencing and solves problems common to many spectroscopic techniques. The multi-dimensionality of the technique provides high specificity and immunity to interferents. The preferred embodiments involve excitation by using photons suited to pumping the rotational states and evaluating the effects by probing the energy levels of one of more vibrational states.

Abstract: A new technique which uses a pump-probe methodology to place a molecule into one or more excited rotational and/or vibrational states. By evaluating spectral changes due to at least one discrete frequency of pump photons a multi-dimensional characterization of the molecule's excited state energy level results. This multi-dimensional characterization typically involves evaluating the changes between excited and unexcited state measurements. The differential nature of the evaluation makes the technique self-referencing and solves problems common to many spectroscopic techniques. The multi-dimensionality of the technique provides high specificity and immunity to interferents. The preferred embodiments involve excitation by using photons suited to pumping the rotational states and evaluating the effects by probing the energy levels of one of more vibrational states.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the neurological function of a patient by examining ocular responses.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the neurological function of a patient by examining ocular responses.

Abstract: Medical images are automatically segmented by customizing the morphological segmentation of features identified in the image based upon statistical analysis of the features within each region to be analyzed. The statistical description of the features, as reported through a feature vector, informs the system as to which input variables to select for further segmentation analysis for features residing within the region of the image analyzed. By customizing the automatic segmentation analysis to produce an enhanced image, features within the image are characterized more efficiently and precisely. False positive identification of lesions are minimized without sacrifice of true positive identifications.

Abstract: The device and method of the present invention are useful for determining the characteristics of an infrared wavefront. The present invention involves positioning a beam of light containing the infrared wavefront to be characterized onto a distorted grating, using the grating to produce a plurality of images, determining the infrared wavefront from the plurality of images and analyzing the infrared wavefront for features that characterize the infrared wavefront.

Abstract: An enhanced entropy camera provides enhanced image quality by utilizing a custom analog-to-digital conversion function. The analog-to-digital conversion occurs according to a custom non-linear quantization function that provides enhanced entropy in the digitized image, yet avoids the harsh artifacts that tend to arise in images quantized according to a maximum entropy function. A plurality of custom non-linear functions are made available for selection depending upon imaging conditions, such as light intensity, pigmentation of the retina, or the part of the retina being imaged. Each of the plural non-linear quantization function comprises a distinct non-linear look up table for each of plural bands (e.g., red, green, and blue color channels).

Abstract: An enhanced entropy camera provides enhanced image quality by utilizing a custom analog-to-digital conversion function. The analog-to-digital conversion occurs according to a custom non-linear quantization function that provides enhanced entropy in the digitized image, yet avoids the harsh artifacts that tend to arise in images quantized according to a maximum entropy function. A plurality of custom non-linear functions are made available for selection depending upon imaging conditions, such as light intensity, pigmentation of the retina, or the part of the retina being imaged. Each of the plural non-linear quantization function comprises a distinct non-linear look up table for each of plural bands (e.g., red, green, and blue color channels).

Abstract: An enhanced entropy camera provides enhanced image quality by utilizing a custom analog-to-digital conversion function. The analog-to-digital conversion occurs according to a custom non-linear quantization function that provides enhanced entropy in the digitized image, yet avoids the harsh artifacts that tend to arise in images quantized according to a maximum entropy function. A plurality of custom non-linear functions are made available for selection depending upon imaging conditions, such as light intensity, pigmentation of the retina, or the part of the retina being imaged. Each of the plural non-linear quantization function comprises a distinct non-linear look up table for each of plural bands (e.g., red, green, and blue color channels).

Abstract: A ophthalmic aberrometer uses a wavefront sensor aligned with an eye under examination through an optical path and a light source for introducing a light beam into the eye via the optical path, wherein the optical path has a reference through which the light beam passes before passing to an eye retina to form a reference spot on the retina, a focus dynamic range extender, and an astigmatism dynamic range extender positioned in the optical path between the reference and an eye under examination. The wavefront sensor is positioned to receive a wavefront reflected from the eye retina via the optical path.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a functional signal in retinal images. An optical imaging device comprises a stimulation light source, an interrogating light source, and a detector. The retina is stimulated by the stimulation light source. The retina is then illuminated by an interrogation light, and the reflected intensity from the retina is measured at an interrogating spectral band that indicates the state of hemoglobin saturation before and after visual stimulation. The optical changes that result from retinal neuronal activity are captured by the detector. The signal representing the state of hemoglobin saturation before and after visual stimulation is isolated. In an embodiment of the present invention, this signal is isolated using principle components analysis (PCA).

Abstract: The device and method of the present invention are useful for determining the characteristics of an infrared wavefront. The present invention involves positioning a beam of light containing the infrared wavefront to be characterized onto a distorted grating, using the grating to produce a plurality of images, determining the infrared wavefront from the plurality of images and analyzing the infrared wavefront for features that characterize the infrared wavefront.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a functional signal in retinal images. An optical imaging device comprises a stimulation light source, an interrogating light source, and a detector. The retina is stimulated by the stimulation light source. The retina is then illuminated by an interrogation light, and the reflected intensity from the retina is measured at an interrogating spectral band that indicates the state of hemoglobin saturation before and after visual stimulation. The optical changes that result from retinal neuronal activity are captured by the detector. The signal representing the state of hemoglobin saturation before and after visual stimulation is isolated. In an embodiment of the present invention, this signal is isolated using principle components analysis (PCA).

Abstract: Optical instruments having, inter alia, optics to process wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to produce an interferogram. The instruments include at least one optical path and optical elements positioned along this path for splitting and recombining the wavelengths which interfere with each other to produce a plurality of different fringes of different wavelengths. In one group, the optics include matched gratings which are positioned along the optical path outside of the interferometer optics to produce first and second sets of spectrally dispersed beams. The interferometer optics also includes a beam splitter and first and second mirrors. The gratings may be positioned in a variety of locations along the optical path. In another group, the optics include a beam splitter having a plurality of surfaces, wherein each of the surfaces is either 100% reflective, 100% transmissive or 50% reflective and 50% transmissive.

Abstract: An Optical Imaging Device of Retinal Function has been developed to detect changes in reflectance of near infrared light from the retina of human subjects in response to visual activation of the retina by a pattern stimulus. The measured changes in reflectance correspond in time to the onset and offset of the visual stimulus in the portion of the retina being stimulated. Any changes in reflectance can be measured by interrogating the retina with a light source. The light source may be presented to the retina via the cornea and pupil or through other tissues in and around the eye. Different wavelengths of interrogating light may be used to interrogate various layers of the retina. Additionally, various novel patterns and methods of stimulation have been developed for use with the imaging device and methods.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining if a cornea (whether in vitro or in vivo) has been modified (either surgically or otherwise). The method includes the steps of: passing a beam of collimated light a (either coherent or incoherent) through the cornea to produce a distorted wavefront; determining the characteristics of the distorted wavefront; and analyzing the distorted wavefront for characteristics that identify the presence of a modification. The analysis of the distorted wavefront can be for the presence of higher order aberrations, or Gausian characteristics which are indicative of modifications.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument (for obtaining high resolution, wide field of area hyperspectral retinal images for various sized eyes) includes a fundus retinal imager, (which includes optics for illuminating and imaging the retina of the eye); apparatus for generating a real time image of the area being imaged and the location of the hyperspectral region of interest; a high efficiency spatially modulated common path Fourier transform hyperspectral imager, a high resolution detector optically coupled to the hyperspectral and fundus imager optics; and a computer (which is connected to the real time scene imager, the illumination source, and the high resolution camera) including an algorithm for recovery and calibration of the hyperspectral images.