Patents by Inventor Eberhart Zrenner

Eberhart Zrenner 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: 20240122467
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a computer program product for determining a refractive error of an eye of a user are disclosed, as well as a method for producing a spectacle lens. The method for determining includes: displaying an image with a spatial modulation to the user; optionally, recording a reaction of the user to a variation of the spatial modulation over time; detecting a point in time at which a perception threshold of the user is reached; and determining the refractive error of the user from the spatial modulation, wherein the image contains a source image with several picture elements, wherein values for an image parameter are assigned to the picture elements, and wherein the spatial modulation is generated such that the values of the image parameter determine the values of a modulation parameter of the spatial modulation in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Alexander Leube, Torsten Strasser, Arne Ohlendorf, Eberhart Zrenner, Siegfried Wahl
  • Publication number: 20230064322
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a computer program product for determining a refractive error of an eye of a user are disclosed, as well as a method for producing a spectacle lens. The method for determining includes: a) displaying an image with a spatial modulation to the user; b) optionally, recording a reaction of the user to a variation of the spatial modulation over time; c) detecting a point in time at which a perception threshold of the user is reached; and d) determining the refractive error of the user from the spatial modulation, wherein the image contains a source image with several picture elements, wherein values for an image parameter are assigned to the picture elements, and wherein the spatial modulation is generated such that the values of the image parameter determine the values of a modulation parameter of the spatial modulation in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Leube, Torsten Strasser, Arne Ohlendorf, Eberhart Zrenner, Siegfried Wahl
  • Patent number: 9162060
    Abstract: An active retinal implant (10) to be implanted into an eye has an array (16) of stimulation elements (17) that emit stimulation signals to cells of the retina, wherein the stimulation elements (17) are designed as radiation-emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Retina Implant AG
    Inventors: Walter G. Wrobel, Eberhart Zrenner, Albrecht Rothermel
  • Publication number: 20120130302
    Abstract: An active retinal implant (10) to be implanted into an eye has an array (16) of stimulation elements (17) that emit stimulation signals to cells of the retina, wherein the stimulation elements (17) are designed as radiation-emitting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Retina Implant AG
    Inventors: Walter G. WROBEL, Eberhart Zrenner, Albrecht Rothermel
  • Patent number: 7751896
    Abstract: An active retina implant has a multiplicity of pixel elements that convert incident light into electric stimulation signals for cells of the retina with which stimulation electrodes are to make contact. Each pixel element is provided with at least one image cell that converts incident light into electric signals, there being provided at least one amplifier whose input is connected to the image cell and whose output is connected to at least one stimulation electrode to which it supplies a stimulation signal. Also provided is an energy supply which provides externally coupled external energy as supply voltage for the image cells and the amplifiers. The image cell has a logarithmic characteristic according to which incident light of specific intensity is converted into electric signals of specific amplitude. The stimulation signal is supplied in the form of analog voltage pulses of specific pulse length and pulse spacings, the pulse amplitude being a function of the intensity of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Retina Implant AG
    Inventors: Heinz-Gerhard Graf, Alexander Dollberg, Bernd Hoefflinger, Wilfried Nisch, Hugo Haemmerle, Alfred Stett, Martin Stelzle, Eberhart Zrenner
  • Publication number: 20090216295
    Abstract: An active retina implant (10) for implantation into an eye has a multiplicity of stimulation electrodes (22) that emit electrical stimulation signals to cells of the retina that are to be contacted. Further, the implant has a multiplicity of image elements (18) that convert incident light into the stimulation signals. Said multiplicity of stimulation electrodes (22) are divided into at least two groups of stimulation electrodes (22) that are triggered in chronological succession to emit stimulation signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Eberhart Zrenner, Walter G. Wrobel, Florian Gekeler, Alex Harscher, Robert Wilke
  • Patent number: 7272447
    Abstract: An electrode arrangement for electrical stimulation of biological material has at least one stimulation electrode via which the biological material can be fed a stimulus signal. Furthermore, a counter electrode is present which forms a counter pole to the stimulation electrode, one sensor electrode is provided with the aid of which it is possible to determine a polarization voltage across the stimulation electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Retina Implant GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Stett, Wilfried Nisch, Martin Stelzle, Eberhart Zrenner
  • Publication number: 20060184245
    Abstract: An active retina implant has a multiplicity of pixel elements that convert incident light into electric stimulation signals for cells of the retina with which stimulation electrodes are to make contact. Each pixel element is provided with at least one image cell that converts incident light into electric signals, there being provided at least one amplifier whose input is connected to the image cell and whose output is connected to at least one stimulation electrode to which it supplies a stimulation signal. Also provided is an energy supply which provides externally coupled external energy as supply voltage for the image cells and the amplifiers. The image cell has a logarithmic characteristic according to which incident light of specific intensity is converted into electric signals of specific amplitude. The stimulation signal is supplied in the form of analog voltage pulses of specific pulse length and pulse spacings, the pulse amplitude being a function of the intensity of the incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Heinz-Gerhard Graf, Alexander Dollberg, Bernd Hoefflinger, Wilfried Nisch, Hugo Haemmerle, Alfred Stett, Martin Stelzle, Eberhart Zrenner
  • Publication number: 20060069416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retina implant for the functional electrostimulation of a retina as a function of incident light. The retina implant has a stimulation chip that is designed to be implanted in the area of the retina of an eye. It further includes a radiation receiver that provides energy for the stimulation chip as a function of invisible radiation that occurs. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the radiation receiver is designed so as to be implanted in the area of the eye in a fashion spatially separated from the stimulation chip. The stimulation chip also has decoupling means in order to separate invisible scattered radiation from impinging visible light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Martin Stelzle, Heinz-Gerhard Graf, Eberhart Zrenner, Markus Schubert, Hugo Haemmerle
  • Patent number: 6847847
    Abstract: A retina implant including a chip adapted to be implanted into the interior of eye in subretinal contact with the retina. The chip has a plurality of pixel elements on a side thereof facing the lens for receiving an image projected into the retina and a plurality of electrodes for stimulating retina cells. The implants further includes a receiver coil for inductively coupling thereinto electromagnetic energy. The receiver coil coupled to a means for converting an alternating voltage induced into the receiver coil in a direct voltage suited for supplying the chip. The receiver coil is configured as a component separate from the chip, and for being positioned on the eye ball outside the sclera. The chip is connected to the receiver coil via a connecting lead which, in the implanted condition interconnects the interior and the exterior of the eye ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Eberhard-Karls Universitat Tubingen, Universitatsklinikum
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Alfred Stett, Markus Schubert, Michael Graf, Heinz Gerhard Graf, Hugo Hämmerle, Eberhart Zrenner, Martin Stelzle, Helmut Sachs
  • Patent number: 6804560
    Abstract: A retina implant, comprises a surface and a plurality of pixel elements disposed on the surface for receiving and converting incoming light energy into electric energy. At least one amplifier is provided in the implant, and a plurality of stimulation electrodes supplied via the at least one amplifier as a function of signals received by the pixel elements. At least one light-sensitive reference element is coupled with the at least one amplifier for controlling amplification thereof as a function of light energy impinging on the at least one reference element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eberhard-Karls-Universitat Tubingen Universitatsklinikum
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Alfred Stett, Markus Schubert, Michael Graf, Heinz Gerhard Graf, Hugo Hammerle, Eberhart Zrenner, Martin Stelzle
  • Patent number: 6761724
    Abstract: An operation kit is provided for access into the subretinal region of the eye. The kit comprises an elongated flat body of soft material, which can be inserted into the subretinal region from the side through an incision in the sclera. The body is formed as a strip, whose one surface is configured as a guiding surface for a medical device, for example for implanting a microphotodiode chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen Universitätsklinikum
    Inventors: Eberhart Zrenner, Veit-Peter Gabel, Karin Kobuch
  • Publication number: 20020198573
    Abstract: A retina implant to be implanted into an eye having an eye ball with an exterior and an interior, a sclera, a lens, and a retina is disclosed. The implant comprises a chip adapted to be implanted into the interior of the eye in contact with the retina. The chip, when in an implanted condition, has a plurality of pixel elements on a side thereof facing the lens for receiving an image projected onto the retina. The chip, further, comprises a plurality of electrodes for stimulating retina cells. The electrodes are located on the side of the chip having the pixel elements thereon, such that the chip is adapted to be implanted into a subretinal space of the eye. The implant, further, comprises a receiver coil for inductively coupling thereinto electromagnetic energy. The receiver coil is coupled to a means for converting an alternating voltage induced into the receiver coil in a direct voltage suited for supplying the chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Alfred Stett, Markus Schubert, Michael Graf, Heinz Gerhard Graf, Hugo Hammerle, Eberhart Zrenner, Martin Stelzle, H. Sachs
  • Publication number: 20020177895
    Abstract: A retina implant, comprises a surface and a plurality of pixel elements disposed on the surface for receiving and converting incoming light energy into electric energy. At least one amplifier is provided in the implant, and a plurality of stimulation electrodes supplied via the at least one amplifier as a function of signals received by the pixel elements. At least one light-sensitive reference element is coupled with the at least one amplifier for controlling amplification thereof as a function of light energy impinging on the at least one reference element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Alfred Stett, Markus Schubert, Michael Graf, Heinz Gerhard Graf, Hugo Hammerle, Eberhart Zrenner, Martin Stelzle
  • Patent number: 6347250
    Abstract: An optically controllable microelectrode array for stimulating cells within a tissue is disclosed. The array comprises a substrate having a surface. The substrate is adapted to be placed on the tissue with the surface adjoining the cells. The substrate further comprises a plurality of electrodes on the surface in contact with the cells for stimulating the cells. The electrodes are dimensioned such that a first surface area on the electrodes in contact with the cells is essentially smaller than a second surface area on the cells in which the cells may be contacted by the electrodes. An electrical stimulus is exerted from the electrodes to the cells under the control of light impinging on the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Martin Stelzle, Stefan Weiss, Eberhart Zrenner, Elke Günther, Alfred Stett, Heinz Gerhard Graf, Michael Graf, Markus B. Schubert, Harald N. Wanka, Anke Hierzenberger
  • Patent number: 6298270
    Abstract: A retina implant has a substrate with a surface for applying same to a retina. The substrate comprises electrodes for stimulating cells within the retina. The electrodes are provided on the surface and are exposed to visible light impinging on the retina such that stimuli are exerted on the cells by the electrodes. The implant, further, comprises a photovoltaic layer responsive to non-visible light. The stimuli are locally switched utilizing a voltage generated by the photovoltaic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Eberhard-Karls-Universitat Tubingen Universitatsklinkum
    Inventors: Wilfried Nisch, Martin Stelzle, Stefan Weiss, Eberhart Zrenner, Alfred Stett, Heinz Gerhard Graf, Michael Graf, Markus B. Schubert, Harald N. Wanka, Anke Hierzenberger