Patents by Inventor Chihiro Kato

Chihiro Kato 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: 9835436
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatuses and methods include a first electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) source providing EMR to a first optical path associated with a sample and a second optical path associated with a reference. A multi-beam generator unit (MBGU) generates first and second EMR beams having different wavelength contents. A scanning system illuminates the sample with the first and second EMR beams, at a first and second time, at a first and second location. An interference module generates interference signals based on received EMR returning from the reference and the first and second EMR beams returning from the sample. A detector generates detection signals based on received interference signals and a processor generates OCT data based on the processed detection signals. In some embodiments, three EMR beams having different wavelength contents with linearly independent vectors illuminate at least one same location of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventors: Franck E. M. Jaillon, Naoko Hara, Tsutomu Ohmori, Chihiro Kato
  • Patent number: 9818030
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device capable of obtaining B-scan graphical images at high speed while eliminating positional displacement due to movement of a subject eye. The device includes: anterior eye image obtaining means configured to obtain an image of an anterior eye of a subject eye; eye fundus image obtaining means configured to obtain an image of an eye fundus of the subject eye; and control means configured to detect a moving distance of the subject eye in the anterior eye image using means configured to calculate correlation between a moving distance of the subject eye in the anterior eye image and a moving distance in the eye fundus image, and to control a position for imaging of the eye fundus image based on the detected moving distance of the subject eye and the calculated correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyori Aoki, Tsutomu Ohmori, Naoko Hara, Chihiro Kato
  • Publication number: 20170265741
    Abstract: An ophthalmological device emits light from a measurement optical system to an eye to be examined and calculates a dimension along the eye axis of a target portion of the eye from interfering light composed of reflected light from the eye and reference light. The measurement optical system includes incidence position changing member that changes the incidence position of light emitted to the eye, and driving unit that drives the incidence position changing member so as to scan at the incidence position of emitted light in a predetermined region of the eye. The predetermined region is a region where a straight line passes through when the straight line radially extended from the cornea apex of the eye is circumferentially moved over a predetermined angle range in the case of the eye is viewed from the front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Yuji Nozawa
  • Patent number: 9717410
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus measures a dimension of an eye to be examined. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes a light source, an incidence member, an acquisition unit, and a display unit. The incidence member causes light from the light source to be incident on a plurality of different positions in the eye to be examined. The acquisition unit acquires a two-dimensional tomographic image of an interior of the eye to be examined on the basis of a plurality of interference signals acquired as a result of the incidence member causing the incidence of light on the plurality of different positions. The display unit displays the acquired two-dimensional tomographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Katsumasa Okouchi
  • Patent number: 9700204
    Abstract: An ophthalmological device emits light from a measurement optical system to an eye to be examined and calculates a dimension along the eye axis of a target portion of the eye from interfering light composed of reflected light from the eye and reference light. The measurement optical system includes incidence position changing member that changes the incidence position of light emitted to the eye, and driving unit that drives the incidence position changing member so as to scan at the incidence position of emitted light in a predetermined region of the eye. The predetermined region is a region where a straight line passes through when the straight line radially extended from the cornea apex of the eye is circumferentially moved over a predetermined angle range in the case of the eye is viewed from the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Yuji Nozawa
  • Patent number: 9649028
    Abstract: An ophthalmological device calculates a cornea surface shape of an eye to be examined. The ophthalmological device includes a ring image photographic optical system configured to radiate a plurality of concentric ring light to the cornea surface of the eye and take reflected images of the plurality of ring light reflected from the cornea surface of the eye, an interference optical system configured to radiate measurement light to the eye and detect interfering light composed of reflected light of the measurement light reflected from the eye and predetermined reference light. The shape of the cornea anterior surface of the eye is calculated form the reflected images of the plurality of ring light, the thicknesses of the cornea of the eye at the plurality of incident positions is calculated from the interfering light, and the posterior surface shape of the cornea of the eye is calculated based on these two results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Yuji Nozawa, Keiichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9523568
    Abstract: A wavelength-swept light source apparatus comprises a light source that emits a wavelength-swept light that varies in a predetermined cycle, a mode hop detector that detects a mode hop of the wavelength-swept light emitted from the light source; and a control unit that controls at least one of a parameter that defines a specified period having a predetermined fixed or variable time length provided in the predetermined cycle and a control parameter of the light source, thereby to set an occurrence timing of the mode hop detected by the mode hop detector outside of the specified period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOMEY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Yuji Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20160220109
    Abstract: An ophthalmological device calculates a cornea surface shape of an eye to be examined. The ophthalmological device includes a ring image photographic optical system configured to radiate a plurality of concentric ring light to the cornea surface of the eye and take reflected images of the plurality of ring light reflected from the cornea surface of the eye, an interference optical system configured to radiate measurement light to the eye and detect interfering light composed of reflected light of the measurement light reflected from the eye and predetermined reference light. The shape of the cornea anterior surface of the eye is calculated form the reflected images of the plurality of ring light, the thicknesses of the cornea of the eye at the plurality of incident positions is calculated from the interfering light, and the posterior surface shape of the cornea of the eye is calculated based on these two results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Yuji Nozawa, Keiichiro Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20160224831
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device capable of obtaining B-scan graphical images at high speed while eliminating positional displacement due to movement of a subject eye. The device includes: anterior eye image obtaining means configured to obtain an image of an anterior eye of a subject eye; eye fundus image obtaining means configured to obtain an image of an eye fundus of the subject eye; and control means configured to detect a moving distance of the subject eye in the anterior eye image using means configured to calculate correlation between a moving distance of the subject eye in the anterior eye image and a moving distance in the eye fundus image, and to control a position for imaging of the eye fundus image based on the detected moving distance of the subject eye and the calculated correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Nobuyori Aoki, Tsutomu Ohmori, Naoko Hara, Chihiro Kato
  • Publication number: 20160161244
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatuses and methods include a first electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) source providing EMR to a first optical path associated with a sample and a second optical path associated with a reference. A multi-beam generator unit (MBGU) generates first and second EMR beams having different wavelength contents. A scanning system illuminates the sample with the first and second EMR beams, at a first and second time, at a first and second location. An interference module generates interference signals based on received EMR returning from the reference and the first and second EMR beams returning from the sample. A detector generates detection signals based on received interference signals and a processor generates OCT data based on the processed detection signals. In some embodiments, three EMR beams having different wavelength contents with linearly independent vectors illuminate at least one same location of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Franck E.M. JAILLON, Naoko HARA, Tsutomu OHMORI, Chihiro KATO
  • Patent number: 9282884
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus is provided with a light source, an optical measurement system, an optical reference system, an optical calibration system, a light receiving element, and a processor. The light receiving element receives an interference light for measurement produced by both the reflected light guided by the optical measurement system and the reference light guided by the optical reference system, and also receives an interference light for calibration produced by the calibration light guided by the optical calibration system and the reference light guided by the optical reference system. The processor determines a position of a measuring portion inside an eye to be examined by Fourier-analyzing the interference light for measurement and the interference light for calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: TOMEY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Yuji Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20160068565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a more productive method for culturing and a more productive method for harvesting culture product in cell culture wherein the cell produces the culture product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi SHIBANO, Chihiro KATO
  • Publication number: 20160045106
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for optical coherence tomography. The method includes orienting a first optical path in a first selected orientation in space relative to a second optical path, having lights of the first optical path and the second optical path with no preferential polarization direction relationship. A sample is scanned with light from the first optical path and the second optical path. Light returning from the sample is directed, along the first optical path and the second optical path, to an optical pathway leading to a processing system. The processing system is configured to perform optical coherence tomography motion analysis based on interferences between at least one reference light and at least two lights returning from the sample, at two different instants, and from nearby scanned locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Franck E.M. JAILLON, Naoko HARA, Tsutomu OHMORI, Chihiro KATO
  • Patent number: 9200888
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a multi-beam configuration unit comprising at least a first optical path having a first numerical aperture and a second optical path having a second numerical aperture. The multi-beam configuration unit orients the second optical path in a selected orientation in space relative to the first optical path. A scan system illuminates a sample with non-polarized light received from the multi-beam configuration unit and directs light returning from the sample to the first optical path and the second optical path. The multi-beam configuration unit directs light returning from the sample, along the first optical path and the second optical path, to an optical pathway leading to a processing system. The processing system performs optical coherence tomography motion analysis based on interference between light returning from the sample and a first reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventors: Franck E. M. Jaillon, Naoko Hara, Tsutomu Ohmori, Chihiro Kato
  • Publication number: 20150320309
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus comprises a light source 12, an optical measurement system 13 that radiates first light from the light source to inside an eye to be examined and guides first reflected light from the eye, an optical reference system (24, 22) that radiates second light from the light source to a reference surface and guides second reflected light from the reference surface, a photo detector 26 that detects interfering light between the first reflected light from the optical measurement system and the second reflected light from the optical reference system, and a processor that determines a position of a measuring portion of the inside of the eye based on the detected interfering light. The optical measurement system comprises an incident angle changing member 46 that changes an incident angle of the first light radiated to the eye within a predetermined angular range relative to an axis of vision of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: TOMEY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Tsutomu Ohmori, Yuji Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20150255951
    Abstract: A wavelength-swept light source apparatus comprises a light source that emits a wavelength-swept light that varies in a predetermined cycle, a mode hop detector that detects a mode hop of the wavelength-swept light emitted from the light source; and a control unit that controls at least one of a parameter that defines a specified period having a predetermined fixed or variable time length provided in the predetermined cycle and a control parameter of the light source, thereby to set an occurrence timing of the mode hop detected by the mode hop detector outside of the specified period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Chihiro KATO, Yuji NOZAWA
  • Patent number: 9119571
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus comprises a light source 12, an optical measurement system 13 that radiates first light from the light source to inside an eye to be examined and guides first reflected light from the eye, an optical reference system (24, 22) that radiates second light from the light source to a reference surface and guides second reflected light from the reference surface, a photo detector 26 that detects interfering light between the first reflected light from the optical measurement system and the second reflected light from the optical reference system, and a processor that determines a position of a measuring portion of the inside of the eye based on the detected interfering light. The optical measurement system comprises an incident angle changing member 46 that changes an incident angle of the first light radiated to the eye within a predetermined angular range relative to an axis of vision of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: TOMEY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Tsutomu Ohmori, Yuji Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20150230705
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus measures a dimension of an eye to be examined. The ophthalmologic apparatus includes a light source, an incidence member, an acquisition unit, and a display unit. The incidence member causes light from the light source to be incident on a plurality of different positions in the eye to be examined The acquisition unit acquires a two-dimensional tomographic image of an interior of the eye to be examined on the basis of a plurality of interference signals acquired as a result of the incidence member causing the incidence of light on the plurality of different positions. The display unit displays the acquired two-dimensional tomographic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Katsumasa Okouchi
  • Publication number: 20150124261
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a multi-beam configuration unit comprising at least a first optical path having a first numerical aperture and a second optical path having a second numerical aperture. The multi-beam configuration unit orients the second optical path in a selected orientation in space relative to the first optical path. A scan system illuminates a sample with non-polarized light received from the multi-beam configuration unit and directs light returning from the sample to the first optical path and the second optical path. The multi-beam configuration unit directs light returning from the sample, along the first optical path and the second optical path, to an optical pathway leading to a processing system. The processing system performs optical coherence tomography motion analysis based on interference between light returning from the sample and a first reference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: TOMEY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Franck E.M. JAILLON, Naoko HARA, Tsutomu OHMORI, Chihiro KATO
  • Publication number: 20150085256
    Abstract: An ophthalmological device emits light from a measurement optical system to an eye to be examined and calculates a dimension along the eye axis of a target portion of the eye from interfering light composed of reflected light from the eye and reference light. The measurement optical system includes incidence position changing member that changes the incidence position of light emitted to the eye, and driving unit that drives the incidence position changing member so as to scan at the incidence position of emitted light in a predetermined region of the eye. The predetermined region is a region where a straight line passes through when the straight line radially extended from the cornea apex of the eye is circumferentially moved over a predetermined angle range in the case of the eye is viewed from the front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Chihiro Kato, Yuji Nozawa