Patents by Inventor Daniel Bublitz

Daniel Bublitz 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: 10441167
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Broad Line Fundus Imaging (BLFI), an imaging approach that is a hybrid between confocal and widefield imaging systems, are presented. These systems and methods are focused on improving the quality and signal of broad line fundus images or imaging methods to create high contrast and high resolution fundus images. Embodiments related to improved pupil splitting, artifact removal, reflex minimization, adaptable field of view, instrument alignment and illumination details are considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Matthew J. Everett, Csaba Farkas, Michael Kempe, Yue Qiu, Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach
  • Publication number: 20190254514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for examining an eye of a patient by the patient themselves by means of an ophthalmological apparatus, said apparatus having front optics and an apparatus pupil. According to said method, the patient positions the ophthalmological apparatus relative to the eye, a measure of the deviation of the pupil of the eye from the apparatus pupil is determined, and a pupil correction signal is produced depending on the measure of the deviation, said pupil correction signal specifying a direction and/or a degree of the deviation and being output to the patient. The patient can use the pupil correction signal for repositioning in relation to the ophthalmological apparatus with a smaller deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach, Daniel Bublitz, Peter Klopfleisch
  • Publication number: 20190246898
    Abstract: A method for measuring distances and angles in the human eye in a highly sensitive manner in order to insert an intraocular lens having the correct refractive power during a cataract operation. The method is based on low coherence interferometry using the dual beam method, in which the time domain signals are detected using a spatially resolving sensor. The delay line of the interferometric measuring arrangement employed is continuously tuned and the low coherence illumination light source used to illuminate the retina of an eye is periodically modulated in terms of its brightness. The light signals reflected by the retina are captured by a sensor and detected in spatially resolved fashion. The disclosed method is used to measure the eye length of a cataractous eye. Even though the method is provided, in particular, for measuring already cataractous eyes, it can be used, in principle, to measure the axial length of all eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicants: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Daniel BUBLITZ, Roland BERGNER, Manfred DICK
  • Publication number: 20190223715
    Abstract: An illumination system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern for measuring the cornea of an eye and, in particular, for determining the topography of the eye. In so doing, the system facilitates distance-independent measurements. The illumination system includes an illumination unit, an optical element for collimating the illumination light and a unit for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern in the form of a fraxicon. In particular, the illumination unit includes a plurality of illumination modules which are arranged such that each illumination module illuminates part of the fraxicon, and consequently a full-area illumination is facilitated. The system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern serves to determine the topography of the cornea of an eye. Here, the system is designed as a compact module, and so it can be easily combined with other measurement systems, without interfering with the beam paths thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Beate BÖHME, Rico FUCHS, Günter RUDOLPH, Michael GÜNTZSCHEL, Jörg MEISSNER, Thomas MOHR, Daniel BUBLITZ
  • Patent number: 10244940
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomograph that provides wavelength tunable source radiation and an illumination and measurement beam path, a dividing element that divides source radiation into illumination radiation and reference radiation, and collects measurement radiation. The illumination and measurement beam path has scanner. A detection beam path receives measurement radiation and reference radiation and conducts them onto at least one flat panel detector in a superposed manner. A beam splitter separates the measurement radiation from the illumination radiation. The beam splitter conducts the separated measurement radiation to the detection beam path and sets the numerical aperture of the illumination of the illumination field in the eye. An optical element sets the numerical aperture with which the measurement radiation is collected in the eye and a multi-perforated aperture defines the size of an object field and a number of object spots, from which the measurement radiation reaches the flat panel detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Christoph Nieten
  • Publication number: 20180200112
    Abstract: Systems and methods for localizing intraocular lens and/or existing refractive index patterns, to laser write-patterns, and to refractive index patterns in order to modify the refractive index by application of femtosecond laser pulses. OCT-based confocal detection and sectional image systems are provided for localization purposes, the systems being particularly suitable for the detection of phase patterns in addition to the localization of the IOL. With respect to laser write-patterns, the modification of existing refractive index patterns in the IOL is carried out by destroying existing structures or supplementing existing refractive index patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Gerhard KRAMPERT, Johannes KINDT, Daniel BUBLITZ, Robert POMRAENKE, Martin KÜHNER
  • Publication number: 20180020912
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomograph that provides wavelength tunable source radiation and an illumination and measurement beam path, a dividing element that divides source radiation into illumination radiation and reference radiation, and collects measurement radiation. The illumination and measurement beam path has scanner. A detection beam path receives measurement radiation and reference radiation and conducts them onto at least one flat panel detector in a superposed manner. A beam splitter separates the measurement radiation from the illumination radiation. The beam splitter conducts the separated measurement radiation to the detection beam path and sets the numerical aperture of the illumination of the illumination field in the eye. An optical element sets the numerical aperture with which the measurement radiation is collected in the eye and a multi-perforated aperture defines the size of an object field and a number of object spots, from which the measurement radiation reaches the flat panel detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Christoph Nieten
  • Publication number: 20180014727
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for fundus imaging are presented that use sequential selective illumination patterns to suppress unwanted reflections, scattering and haze from various optical components of a fundus-viewing instrument. This is particularly the case with those unwanted reflections produced by the objective lens contained within said instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel BUBLITZ, Lothar MÜLLER, Andrea BERNER
  • Publication number: 20170224208
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomograph includes a wavelength tunable illuminating device, an illumination and measurement beam path with a dividing element and a scanner and a front optical unit and a reference beam path, a detection beam path and a flat panel detector. A beam splitter conducts the separated measurement radiation to the detection beam path and an optical element acts only on the illumination radiation. The optical element sets the numerical aperture of the illumination of the illumination field in the eye. An optical element acts only on the measurement radiation and sets the numerical aperture with which measurement radiation is collected in the eye. An aperture is arranged in front of the flat panel detector in an intermediate image plane and defines the size of an object field. The flat panel detector has a spatial resolution of 4 to 100 pixels in a direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Christopher Nieten, Lars Omlor, Kai Wicker
  • Patent number: 9582927
    Abstract: A multifocal representation device with a digital image generation module and a control unit, which conveys to the digital image generation module two-dimensional image data of a three-dimensional object to be represented, is provided, wherein the digital image generation module, based on the two-dimensional image data conveyed, generates two-dimensional images of the object from at least two different object planes in corresponding different focal planes in such a way that an observer can focus with his eye on the different focal planes in order to perceive the represented object three-dimensionally, and wherein the control unit determines for each two-dimensional image to be represented a sharpness value in sections and sets the image data to dark for the image sections the sharpness value of which lies outside a sharpness value range predetermined for the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Enrico Geissler, Tobias Breuninger, Norbert Kerwien, Christoph Nieten
  • Publication number: 20170049323
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Broad Line Fundus Imaging (BLFI), an imaging approach that is a hybrid between confocal and widefield imaging systems, are presented. These systems and methods are focused on improving the quality and signal of broad line fundus images or imaging methods to create high contrast and high resolution fundus images. Embodiments related to improved pupil splitting, artifact removal, reflex minimization, adaptable field of view, instrument alignment and illumination details are considered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Daniel BUBLITZ, Matthew J. EVERETT, Csaba FARKAS, Michael KEMPE, Yue QIU, Tobias SCHMITT-MANDERBACH
  • Patent number: 9549672
    Abstract: An appliance for recording an image of an ocular fundus includes an irradiating device with a radiation source and optical components for generating an illumination strip. A scanning device is set up to cause a scanning movement of the illumination strip for the purpose of scanning the ocular fundus. An optoelectronic sensor senses detection light issuing from the ocular fundus. The optoelectronic sensor has a plurality of sensor rows and is set up such that charges contained in one sensor row are each shifted, with a time delay, into a further sensor row. A control means is connected to the scanning device and/or to the optoelectronic sensor and is set up to control the scanning movement and/or the time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Daniel Bublitz
  • Patent number: 9456746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Broad Line Fundus Imaging (BLFI), an imaging approach that is a hybrid between confocal and widefield imaging systems, are presented. These systems and methods are focused on improving the quality and signal of broad line fundus images or imaging methods to create high contrast and high resolution fundus images. Embodiments related to improved pupil splitting, artifact removal, reflex minimization, adaptable field of view, instrument alignment and illumination details are considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Matthew J. Everett, Csaba Farkas, Michael Kempe, Yue Qiu, Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach
  • Patent number: 9239293
    Abstract: An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Daniel Bublitz
  • Patent number: 9161687
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for interferometrically measuring the eye length and the anterior eye segment after the optical axis of the measuring system has been aligned with the optical axis of an eye. The device according to the invention for interferometrically measuring the eye length and the anterior eye segment consists of an illumination source, at least one interferometric measuring array with external reference, diverse optical imaging systems, and a control and evaluation unit. The illumination source has high spatial coherence and low coherence of time. Preferably, light is emitted by the illumination device from the NIR range, having a wavelength of 700-1000 nm, for example. Furthermore, an optical imaging system is arranged in front of the eye such that the illumination light impinges on the eye as a nearly collimated beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach, Daniel Bublitz, Roland Bergner
  • Patent number: 9084564
    Abstract: A system for determining the surface shape of the cornea of an eye by analyzing the reflection of a spatially distributed ring pattern. The system includes an element for generating a ring pattern, an illuminating unit, an image capturing unit, and a control and analyzing unit. The element for generating rings is a fresneled axicon with annular structures of different radii. Furthermore, an optical element for illuminating the entire surface of the fresneled axicon with plane waves and an optical element for separating the illuminating and detecting beam path are arranged between the illuminating unit and the fresneled axicon. Furthermore, the image capturing unit consisting of an imaging system and an image sensor is designed for a telecentric distance-independent image detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Günter Rudolph, Martin Hacker, Tobias Bühren, Roland Bergner, Burkhard Wagner, Rico Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20150178980
    Abstract: A multifocal representation device with a digital image generation module and a control unit, which conveys to the digital image generation module two-dimensional image data of a three-dimensional object to be represented, is provided, wherein the digital image generation module, based on the two-dimensional image data conveyed, generates two-dimensional images of the object from at least two different object planes in corresponding different focal planes in such a way that an observer can focus with his eye on the different focal planes in order to perceive the represented object three-dimensionally, and wherein the control unit determines for each two-dimensional image to be represented a sharpness value in sections and sets the image data to dark for the image sections the sharpness value of which lies outside a sharpness value range predetermined for the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Enrico Geissler, Tobias Breuninger, Norbert Kerwien, Christoph Nieten
  • Publication number: 20150131050
    Abstract: Systems and methods for Broad Line Fundus Imaging (BLFI), an imaging approach that is a hybrid between confocal and widefield imaging systems, are presented. These systems and methods are focused on improving the quality and signal of broad line fundus images or imaging methods to create high contrast and high resolution fundus images. Embodiments related to improved pupil splitting, artifact removal, reflex minimization, adaptable field of view, instrument alignment and illumination details are considered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel BUBLITZ, Matthew J. EVERETT, Csaba FARKAS, Michael KEMPE, Yue QIU, Tobias SCHMITT-MANDERBACH
  • Patent number: 8967806
    Abstract: A fundus camera for the recording of high-resolution color images of the fundus of non-dark-adapted eyes, and without the use of a mydriatic. The fundus camera has a strip-shaped pupil division, and includes a coherent or incoherent illumination source with illumination optics, a deflection mirror and an ophthalmoscope lens for illuminating the eye, detection optics and a detector for detecting the light reflected by the eye, and a control and evaluation unit. The deflection mirror has a strip shape, and the spatially resolving detector can be activated and read out in sectors. The control and evaluation unit connects the data read out in sectors in the form of a bright image from the detector and produce a resulting fundus image. The fundus camera records images of the fundus when the eyes are not dark-adapted for this purpose and no mydriatic has been used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Lothar Müller, Uwe Mohrholz, Thomas Mohr, Frank Teige
  • Patent number: 8965065
    Abstract: Determination of biometric parameters of an eye, in which the optical axis of the biometric measurement system is aligned to the optical axis of an eye. The device includes an interferometry measuring arrangement having a measurement light source and a measurement sensor, a fixation light source for capturing the eye with the reflexes that arise, an image sensor, and lens for detecting volume scattered light and an analysis unit for determining the angular deviation of the optical axis of the eye from the optical axis of the biometric measurement system. The analysis unit compares determined angular deviation to a predefined tolerance and, laterally displaces fixation marks on the basis of the calculated angular deviation, or of initiating the biometric measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Tobias Schmitt-Manderbach, Daniel Bublitz, Roland Bergner