Patents by Inventor Dirk Muhlhoff

Dirk Muhlhoff 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: 10898381
    Abstract: A method for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue, comprises the step of providing laser pulses with a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency from 50 kHz to 1 MHz and with a wavelength between 600 and 2000 nm for acting on the material to be worked. Apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue comprising a pulsed laser, wherein the laser has a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency of from 50 kHz to 1 MHz is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bendett, Mark Bischoff, Mario Gerlach, Dirk Mühlhoff
  • Publication number: 20180110655
    Abstract: A method for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue, comprises the step of providing laser pulses with a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency from 50 kHz to 1 MHz and with a wavelength between 600 and 2000 nm for acting on the material to be worked. Apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue comprising a pulsed laser, wherein the laser has a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency of from 50 kHz to 1 MHz is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Mark Bendett, Mark Bischoff, Mario Gerlach, Dirk Mühlhoff
  • Patent number: 9844464
    Abstract: A method for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue, comprises the step of providing laser pulses with a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency from 50 kHz to 1 MHz and with a wavelength between 600 and 2000 nm for acting on the material to be worked. Apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue comprising a pulsed laser, wherein the laser has a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency of from 50 kHz to 1 MHz is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bendett, Mark Bischoff, Mario Gerlach, Dirk Mühlhoff
  • Publication number: 20170020733
    Abstract: A method for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue, comprises the step of providing laser pulses with a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency from 50 kHz to 1 MHz and with a wavelength between 600 and 2000 nm for acting on the material to be worked. Apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue comprising a pulsed laser, wherein the laser has a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency of from 50 kHz to 1 MHz is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Mark BENDETT, Mark Bischoff, Mario Gerlach, Dirk Mühlhoff
  • Patent number: 8808279
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring an optical penetration that is triggered in a tissue underneath the tissue surface by means of therapeutic laser radiation which a laser-surgical device concentrates in a treatment focus located in said tissue. The inventive device is provided with a detection beam path comprising a lens system which couples radiation emanating from the tissue underneath the tissue surface into the detection beam path. A detector device generating a detection signal which indicates the spatial dimension and/or position of the optical penetration in the issue is arranged downstream of the detection beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Mühlhoff, Michael Kempe, Markus Strehle, Mario Gerlach, Markus Sticker, Mark Bischoff, Dick Manfred, Michael Bergt
  • Patent number: 8652122
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laser device for machining material, comprising a laser beam source which supplies pulsed laser radiation, and a variable deflection unit that introduces said laser radiation into the material at different, selectable points so as to create optical breakthroughs. The inventive laser device further comprises a pulse-selecting apparatus which modifies selected laser pulses of the pulsed laser radiation regarding at least one optical parameter in such a way that no more optical breakthroughs can be created using the modified laser pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Dirk Mühlhoff, Mario Gerlach
  • Patent number: 8597281
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing cuts in a transparent material, in particular in the cornea, by creating optical openings in said material by means of laser radiation that is focused in said material, whereby the focal point is displaced in order to produce the cut from a surface grid-type array of optical openings arranged in sequence. The focal point is displaced along a trajectory and optical openings along said trajectory that are adjacent are not produced immediately after one another. In addition, the surface grid-type array of optical openings is constructed from at least two sub-grids, the optical openings of which are processed sequentially grid by grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Dirk Mühlhoff, Mario Gerlach, Carsten Lang, Markus Sticker, Michael Bergt
  • Patent number: 8425494
    Abstract: An adapter for mechanically coupling a laser processing device to an object. The adapter has a central region which can be moved into the beam path of the laser processing device and a peripheral region located outside the central region. The beam path extends up to the object along an optical axis. The adapter is fixable to the laser processing device on the one hand and provided so as to contact the object with its central region on the other hand. A fixture is provided at the peripheral region that allows the adapter to be releasably fixed to a receiving part of the laser processing device such that, upon application of a determined pulling force along the optical axis, the The fixture is removable from the receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Mühlhoff, Elke Ebert, Karsten Festag, Uwe Wolf
  • Publication number: 20130072917
    Abstract: Improvements in respect of performing cataract surgery, and the result thereof, by application of a laser system. A device for cataract surgery, includes a surgical microscope or stereo microscope and a laser source. A module, consisting of a laser-coupling/deflecting unit, a laser-scan unit, and a focusing unit, can be attached to the surgical microscope or stereo microscope, in which at least one of these units can selectively be introduced between the surgical microscope and eye, and in which the focusing unit can scan a depth-of-focus range of greater than 1 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Michael Kaschke, Ludwin Monz, Tobias Damm, Dirk Mühlhoff, Karlheinz Rein, Gregor Stobrawa, Manfred Dick, Martin Kühner, Artur Högele, Matthias Reich, Dieter Grebner
  • Publication number: 20120136342
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laser device for machining material, comprising a laser beam source which supplies pulsed laser radiation, and a variable deflection unit that introduces said laser radiation into the material at different, selectable points so as to create optical breakthroughs. The inventive laser device further comprises a pulse-selecting apparatus which modifies selected laser pulses of the pulsed laser radiation regarding at least one optical parameter in such a way that no more optical breakthroughs can be created using the modified laser pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Mark BISCHOFF, Dirk MÜHLHOFF, Mario GERLACH
  • Patent number: 8025659
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laser device for machining material, comprising a laser beam source which supplies pulsed laser radiation, and a variable deflection unit that introduces said laser radiation into the material at different, selectable points so as to create optical breakthroughs. The inventive laser device further comprises a pulse-selecting apparatus which modifies selected laser pulses of the pulsed laser radiation regarding at least one optical parameter in such a way that no more optical breakthroughs can be created using the modified laser pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Dirk Mühlhoff, Mario Gerlach
  • Patent number: 7976155
    Abstract: An adapter to be applied in contact with an anterior corneal surface. The adapter includes a contact glass portion having a corneal contact surface curvature that is flatter than the undeformed anterior corneal surface. When the contact glass is applied the cornea assumes a deformed state corneal curvature that is parallel to the flatter corneal contact surface curvature. A mount portion circumferentially surrounds the contact glass portion and defines a suction duct that is structured to secure the adapter to the cornea by negative pressure when the suction duct is brought into contact with a surface of the eye surrounding the contact glass portion. The suction duct is partially defined by a peripheral edge of the mount that extends outwardly away from the mount portion and toward but not intersecting or extending beyond a geometric continuation of the corneal contact surface curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Muhlhoff, Elke Ebert, Karsten Festag, Uwe Wolf
  • Patent number: 7921852
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming curved sections in a transparent material, especially in a cornea, by producing optical breaks at various points in the material by means of pulsed laser beams focused into the material. The laser beam is deviated in a two-dimensional manner from a deviation point in order to form the section by arranging the optical breaks in a sequence. The two-dimensional deviation occurs such that the areas of the optical opening along a curve, whereon the optical openings are arranged in a sequence, are arranged at a distance in relation to the deviation point according to an angle function which is not linear and which is adapted to the curvature of the section. The areas along the curve adjacent to optical openings inside a specific tolerance range are arranged at an even distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mario Gerlach, Carsten Lang, Dirk Mühlhoff, Markus Sticker, Mark Bischoff, Michael Bergt
  • Patent number: 7842030
    Abstract: In a device for detecting eye movements, used in an eye-surgical instrument, which deflects a pulsed treatment laser beam over the cornea in order to form cut areas in the cornea of the eye, and thus forms a sequence of optical breakthroughs in or on the cornea, wherein an optical unit is provided for monitoring the cornea, it is provided that the optical unit monitors the position of at least one optical breakthrough generated in the cornea and recognizes an eye movement on the basis of a migration movement of the monitored optical breakthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventor: Dirk Muhlhoff
  • Publication number: 20100228236
    Abstract: An adapter contact lens to be applied in contact with an anterior corneal surface. The adapter includes a contact glass portion having a corneal contact surface curvature that is flatter than that of the undeformed anterior corneal surface. When the contact glass is applied the cornea deforms assume a deformed state corneal curvature that is parallel to the flatter corneal contact surface curvature. A mount portion circumferentially surrounds the contact glass and defines a suction duct that is structured to secure the adapter to the cornea by negative pressure when it is brought into contact with a surface of the eye surrounding the contact glass portion. The suction duct being partially defined by a peripheral edge of the mount; that extends outwardly away from the mount portion and toward but not intersecting or extending beyond a geometric continuation of the corneal contact surface curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Dirk MÜHLHOFF, Elke EBERT, Karsten FESTAG, Uwe WOLF
  • Patent number: 7784944
    Abstract: A device for determining a movement of an eye includes an illumination unit by which optical radiation can be generated and emitted as an illumination ray bundle for illumination of at least one area of the cornea of the eye, a distance-determining unit, by which the illumination ray bundle returned as a detection ray bundle by the cornea can be received in a temporally resolved manner. A distance signal corresponding to a distance of the cornea from a reference plane can be generated using the received optical radiation of the detection ray bundle. the reference plane is defined relative to the distance-determining unit, and an evaluating unit, by which a position or movement signal corresponding to a position or movement of the eye can be generated using the distance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Muhlhoff, Mario Gerlach
  • Patent number: 7692865
    Abstract: An adapter for coupling a laser processing device to an object, said adapter having a central region which can be moved into the beam path of the laser processing device, an illumination beam path through which illumination radiation can be guided for illumination of an object field which can be covered by the central region, and a peripheral region located outside the central region and by which the adapter can be mounted on the object and/or on the laser processing device, wherein the illumination beam path extends in the peripheral region and guides illumination radiation, coupled into the peripheral region, to the object field direct and/or via the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Mühlhoff, Elke Ebert, Karsten Festag, Uwe Wolf
  • Publication number: 20080243109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing cuts in a transparent material, in particular in the cornea, by creating optical openings in said material by means of laser radiation that is focused in said material, whereby the focal point is displaced in order to produce the cut from a surface grid-type array of optical openings arranged in sequence. The focal point is displaced along a trajectory and optical openings along said trajectory that are adjacent are not produced immediately after one another. In addition, the surface grid-type array of optical openings is constructed from at least two sub-grids, the optical openings of which are processed sequentially grid by grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Dirk Muhlhoff, Mark Bischoff, Mario Gerlach, Carsten Lang, Markus Sticker, Michael Bergt
  • Publication number: 20080243107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser treatment unit for performing eye surgery, comprising a contact glass (23), which can be placed onto the eye (21) and via which a treatment laser beam (2) passes. A safety mechanism (24, 25) is provided that displaceably holds the contact glass (23) in such a manner that the contact glass retreats when the contact glass (23) is subjected to the action of a force contrary to the direction of incidence of the laser beam. The safety mechanism (24, 25) enables this retreating when a force is greater than a force limit value (Fmin) and holds the contact glass (23) in a fixed manner when the force is less than the force limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Dirk Muhlhoff, Carsten Lang, Karsten Festag
  • Publication number: 20080065052
    Abstract: A device for material processing by laser radiation, including a source of laser radiation emitting pulsed laser radiation for interaction with the material, optics focusing the pulsed processing laser radiation to a center of interaction in the material, and a scanning unit shifting the positions of the center of interaction within the material. Each processing laser pulse interacting with the material in a zone surrounding the center of interaction assigned to the laser pulse so that material is separated in the zones of interaction. A control unit controls the scanning unit and the source of laser radiation such that a cut surface is produced in the material by sequential arrangement of zones of interaction. The control unit controls the source of laser radiation and the scanning unit such that adjacent centers of interaction are located at a spatial distance a ?10 ?m from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Dirk Muhlhoff, Gregor Stobrawa