Patents by Inventor Andreas W. Dreher

Andreas W. Dreher 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).

  • Publication number: 20080180635
    Abstract: Wavefront measuring systems and methods are disclosed which may be employed, for example, in detecting phase aberrations in a spectacle lens and in an eye. Various embodiments include disposing a modulation pattern in the path of a return beam from the spectacle lens or the eye, and imaging a diffraction pattern at a self-imaging plane relative to the modulation pattern with a detector. The diffraction pattern is analyzed and the results are used to produce a representation of the wavefront phase characteristics that describe aberrations in the lens or eye being measured. Illumination and processing techniques for improving the measurement results are disclosed. Various embodiments comprise systems adaptable to both measure aberrations in lenses in spectacles as well as in a patient's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Laurence Warden, John Ferro, Andreas W. Dreher, William G. Foote
  • Publication number: 20080151184
    Abstract: A very low inventory method of making eyeglasses. Two lens elements having special complementary surfaces are provided. These lens elements can be positioned relative to each other to provide wide ranges of focus correction and astigmatism correction. Various preferred embodiments of the invention are described. In one embodiment the required inventory is only identical sets of two complementary lenses for providing correction for almost all needed eye correction for a typical population. In this embodiment, the lens units are first adjusted relative to each other to provide a desired focusing power. Astigmatism may be corrected by a small adjustment in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction followed by a rotation of the two lenses about the axis of the two lenses. When the adjustments have been made the two lenses are fixed with respect to each other and installed in eyeglass frames. Cutting to the shape of the eyeglass frames can occur either before or after the fixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Brett Spivey, Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 7371804
    Abstract: Compositions comprising a matrix polymer and a mixture of monomers are used for making polymer mixtures containing the matrix polymer and a second polymer formed from the monomer mixture. Preferably, the matrix polymer comprises a polyester, polystyrene, polyacrylate, thiol-cured epoxy polymer, thiol-cured isocyanate polymer, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the monomer mixture comprises a thiol monomer and at least one second monomer selected from the group consisting of ene monomer and yne monomer. The compositions may be used to fabricate optical elements such as lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jagdish Jethmalani, Andreas W. Dreher, Gomaa Abdel-Sadek, Jeffrey Chomyn, Jieming Li, Maher Qaddoura
  • Patent number: 7293871
    Abstract: The wavefront aberrator is applicable to correct aberrations of the human eye. In one embodiment, the aberrator device comprises a pair of transparent lenses separated by a layer of curable resin comprising monomers and polymerization initiators. By controlling the extent of its curing, this monomer layer provides an adjustable index of refraction profile across the layer. Curing of the resin may be made by exposure to light, such as ultraviolet light. By controlling the extent of light exposure across the surface of the curable resin, for example, a particular and unique refractive index profile can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas W. Dreher, Shui T. Lai, Donald G. Bruns
  • Patent number: 7249847
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens and manufacturing method using epoxy aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 7234810
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing an optical lens that is configured to correct optical aberrations, including, e.g., high order aberrations such as described by Zernike polynomials. The system can include a measurement system configured to measure optical aberrations in a patient's eye and to create measured optical aberration data. A calculation system is configured to receive the measured optical aberration data and to determine a lens definition based on the measured optical aberration data. A fabrication system is configured to produce a correcting lens based on the lens definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence Warden, Andreas W. Dreher, John Ferro, Jagdish M. Jethmalani, Shui T. Lai
  • Patent number: 7188950
    Abstract: A method of making corrective eyeglasses is disclosed. One embodiment is a method of making corrective eyeglasses. The method includes obtaining vision parameters of a patient's eyes, obtaining an eyeglass frame comprising at least one mounted optical element, and programming the optical element to define a pattern of refraction that is associated with the vision parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas W. Dreher, Jagdish M. Jethmalani, Laurence Warden, Shui T. Lai
  • Patent number: 7114808
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the objective refraction of a patient's eye includes a transparent window and a wavefront measurement device that determines aberrations in a return beam from the patient's eye after the beam passes through a corrective test lens in the apparatus. The wavefront measurement device outputs an instant display representative of the quality of vision afforded the patient through the test lens. The display can be a representation of a Snellen chart, convoluted with the optical characteristics of the patient's vision, an overall quality of vision scale or the optical contrast function, all based on the wavefront measurements of the patient's eye. The examiner may use the display information to conduct a refraction examination and other vision tests without the subjective response from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Shui T. Lai, Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 7021764
    Abstract: An eyeglass manufacturing method using epoxy aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ophtohonix, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 6942339
    Abstract: An eyeglass manufacturing method using epoxy aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 6840619
    Abstract: An eyeglass manufacturing method using epoxy aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Publication number: 20040189935
    Abstract: Two or more images captured from digital cameras record an image of spectacle frames on a subject. The image is analyzed using automated image-processing techniques to identify the relation of specific points of interest on the frame to the location of each of the subject's eyes allowing the optical center of the lens to be placed in the correct location in the frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Laurence Warden, Andreas W. Dreher, Tro Murphey
  • Publication number: 20040160574
    Abstract: An eyeglass manufacturing method using epoxy aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 6712466
    Abstract: An Eyeglass Manufacturing Method Using Epoxy Aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 6682195
    Abstract: A Custom Eyeglass Manufacturing Method includes a wavefront measuring device with a plurality of cameras directed at a patient's face. The resulting images are processed by a computer to determine the location of pupils, center of pupils, pupil distance, width of face, ear location, distance of corneal apex from the wavefront measuring device, distance from ear to corneal apex, and other desired parameters necessary to quantify a patient's face for custom eyeglass fittings. Moldings may be applied to patient's nose, temples, and ears in order to construct a pair of eyeglasses that fix perfectly on patient's head. Additionally, a test frame may be used in combination with the wavefront measuring device in order to allow computer to find some of the areas automatically. Lastly, registration markers may be applied to either the test frame, the moldings, or both in order to further aide the computer in locating desired parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Patent number: 6640124
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for separating light remitted by a target into a directly scattered light component and at least one multiply scattered light component, detecting the components at least substantially simultaneously, and forming independent sets of image information from each component. The apparatus and the method can be employed in conjunction with techniques such as scanning and tomography to attain precise imaging of biological tissue, including the retina of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: The Schepens Eye Research Institute
    Inventors: Ann E. Elsner, Stephen A. Burns, Andreas W. Dreher, Robert H. Webb
  • Publication number: 20030081173
    Abstract: A Custom Eyeglass Manufacturing Method includes a wavefront measuring device with a plurality of cameras directed at a patient's face. The resulting images are processed by a computer to determine the location of pupils, center of pupils, pupil distance, width of face, ear location, distance of corneal apex from the wavefront measuring device, distance from ear to corneal apex, and other desired parameters necessary to quantify a patient's face for custom eyeglass fittings. Moldings may be applied to patient's nose, temples, and ears in order to construct a pair of eyeglasses that fix perfectly on patient's head. Additionally, a test frame may be used in combination with the wavefront measuring device in order to allow computer to find some of the areas automatically. Lastly, registration markers may be applied to either the test frame, the moldings, or both in order to further aide the computer in locating desired parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Publication number: 20030081172
    Abstract: An Eyeglass Manufacturing Method Using Epoxy Aberrator includes two lenses with a variable index material, such as epoxy, sandwiched in between. The epoxy is then cured to different indexes of refraction that provide precise corrections for the patient's wavefront aberrations. The present invention further provides a method to produce an eyeglass that corrects higher order aberrations, such as those that occur when retinal tissue is damaged due to glaucoma or macular degeneration. The manufacturing method allows for many different applications including, but not limited to, supervision and transition lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Andreas W. Dreher
  • Publication number: 20030003295
    Abstract: The wavefront aberrator is applicable to correct aberrations of the human eye. In one embodiment, the aberrator device comprises a pair of transparent lenses separated by a layer of curable resin comprising monomers and polymerization initiators. By controlling the extent of its curing, this monomer layer provides an adjustable index of refraction profile across the layer. Curing of the resin may be made by exposure to light, such as ultraviolet light. By controlling the extent of light exposure across the surface of the curable resin, for example, a particular and unique refractive index profile can be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Andreas W. Dreher, Shui T. Lai, Donald G. Bruns
  • Publication number: 20020101566
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for separating light remitted by a target into a directly scattered light component and at least one multiply scattered light component, detecting the components at least substantially simultaneously, and forming independent sets of image information from each component. The apparatus and the method can be employed in conjunction with techniques such as scanning and tomography to attain precise imaging of biological tissue, including the retina of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Ann E. Elsner, Stephen A. Burns, Andreas W. Dreher, Robert H. Webb