Patents by Inventor Heinz Suhner

Heinz Suhner 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: 10823949
    Abstract: A beam splitter device (1) for a microscope (2), and for a microscope imaging method, supports at least two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14). The two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14) have different reflection-to-transmission ratios. The beam splitter device (1) has an optical path (3, 3a, 3b). A first one of the two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14) is configured to be moved from a first operation position (15), in which the first beamsplitting surface (4) is located in the optical path, to a second operation position (16), in which a second (14) of the beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14) is located in the optical path. With this configuration, it is possible to change the available light in the branches (3a, 3b) of the optical path (3) after the beamsplitting surface (4, 14). This is useful if one of the branches (3a, 3b) is directed to an exit port (8) configured to receive a camera. By directing more light to the camera exit port (8), the image quality of the camera is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Manfred Kuster, Heinrich Wilhelm Dreyer, Heinz Suhner, Luca Tobler, Marc Hocke, Patrick Wolf, Ralf Koerber
  • Publication number: 20180307028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beam splitter device (1) for a microscope (2), in particular a stereoscopic microscope and to a microscope imaging method, in particular a stereoscopic microscope imaging method. The beam splitter device (1) supports at least two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14). Each of the at least two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14) has a different reflection-to-transmission ratio. The beam splitter device (1) further comprises an optical path (3, 3a, 3b). At least one of the at least two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14) are configured to be moved from a first operation position (15), in which a first (4) of the at least two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14) is located in the optical path, to a second operation position (16), in which a second (14) of the at least two beamsplitting surfaces (4, 14) is located in the optical path. With this configuration, it is possible to change the available light in the branches (3a, 3b) of the optical path (3) after the beamsplitting surface (4, 14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Manfred KUSTER, Heinrich Wilhelm DREYER, Heinz SUHNER, Luca TOBLER, Marc HOCKE, Patrick WOLF, Ralf KOERBER
  • Patent number: 8941915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminating device for an operating microscope including two observation beam paths for a first observer and two observation beam paths for a second observer. An illuminating system provides two parallel illuminating beam paths and a deflecting device, for deflecting the parallel illuminating beam paths onto an object that is to be observed. The deflecting device includes a first semitransparent deflector element which is associated with a first observation beam path of the first observer and a first observation beam path of the second observer, and a second semitransparent deflector element, which is associated with a second observation beam path of the first observer and a second observation beam path of the second observer. The first illuminating beam path acts exclusively on the first deflector element and the second illuminating beam path acts exclusively on the second deflector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Manfred Kuster, Heinz Suhner
  • Publication number: 20110279892
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminating device for an operating microscope comprising two observation beam paths (152, 154) for a first observer (main surgeon) and two observation beam paths (156, 158) for a second observer (assistant), having an illuminating system (102; 106a, 108a) for providing two parallel illuminating beam paths (106, 108) and a deflecting device (118, 120), for deflecting the parallel illuminating beam paths onto an object (200) that is to be observed, the deflecting device comprising a first semitransparent deflector element (118) which is associated with a first observation beam path (154) of the first observer and a first observation beam path (156) of the second observer, and a second semitransparent deflector element (120), which is associated with a second observation beam path (152) of the first observer and a second observation beam path (158) of the second observer, the first illuminating beam path (106) acting exclusively on the first deflector element (118) and the s
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
    Inventors: Manfred Kuster, Heinz Suhner
  • Patent number: 7894130
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope (20) has first and second main beam paths (21, 22) whose spacing defines a stereo base (23), a microscope axis (24) proceeding through the center of the stereo base (23) parallel to the main beam paths; and an optical beam splitter device (30) for generating an assistant's beam path (31) and a documentation beam path (32), the assistant's beam path being outcoupled from the first main beam path in a first position of the beam splitter device, and from the second main beam path in a second position, and the documentation beam path being outcoupled from the other main beam path; and the direction of the assistant's beam path in the first position being rotated 180° relative to the assistant's beam path in the second position; and the outcoupled documentation beam path extending, in both positions of the beam splitter device, perpendicular to the outcoupled assistant's beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Lothar Knuenz, Heinz Suhner
  • Publication number: 20100060980
    Abstract: A device is described for placing at least one optical element in an observation beam path of a light microscope. This device comprises a rotatably mounted support for the at least one optical element and an electric drive for rotating the support. By rotating the rotatably mounted support the at least one optical element is place in or removed from the observation beam path. The support and the drive are coupled by a stepping gear mechanism converting a continuous movement of the drive into a stepwise movement of the support between defined working positions, the working positions being selected such that the optical element assumes a defined position with respect to the observation beam path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
    Inventor: Heinz Suhner
  • Patent number: 7379239
    Abstract: A zero-degree assistant's device for a microscope has a tube carrier (2) for the principal observer's tube, an interface (5) for the microscope body, an assistant's module (6), pivotable about an axis (4), having an interface (7) for an assistant's tube, and having a retaining device (8, 12) for releasing and immobilizing the assistant's module (6), the tube carrier (2) for the principal observer's tube being mounted tiltably about a rotation axis (10) in such a way that tilting of the tube carrier (2) for the principal observer's tube into a tilted position makes possible unrestricted pivoting of the assistant's module (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Peter Strobel, Heinz Suhner, Lothar Knuenz
  • Publication number: 20080100893
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope (20) has first and second main beam paths (21, 22) whose spacing defines a stereo base (23), a microscope axis (24) proceeding through the center of the stereo base (23) parallel to the main beam paths; and an optical beam splitter device (30) for generating an assistant's beam path (31) and a documentation beam path (32), the assistant's beam path being outcoupled from the first main beam path in a first position of the beam splitter device, and from the second main beam path in a second position, and the documentation beam path being outcoupled from the other main beam path; and the direction of the assistant's beam path in the first position being rotated 180° relative to the assistant's beam path in the second position; and the outcoupled documentation beam path extending, in both positions of the beam splitter device, perpendicular to the outcoupled assistant's beam path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
    Inventors: Lothar Knuenz, Heinz Suhner
  • Publication number: 20060215258
    Abstract: A zero-degree assistant's device for a microscope has a tube carrier (2) for the principal observer's tube, an interface (5) for the microscope body, an assistant's module (6), pivotable about an axis (4), having an interface (7) for an assistant's tube, and having a retaining device (8, 12) for releasing and immobilizing the assistant's module (6), the tube carrier (2) for the principal observer's tube being mounted tiltably about a rotation axis (10) in such a way that tilting of the tube carrier (2) for the principal observer's tube into a tilted position makes possible unrestricted pivoting of the assistant's module (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Strobel, Heinz Suhner, Lothar Knuenz
  • Patent number: 6421173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stereomicroscope (1) with a main body (3) and wit an interface device (2) which is connected to the main body (3) and/or to an accessory (4), either permanently or in a manner that does not permit easy removal, and the interface device (2) permits the rotation of the accessory (4) relative to the main body (3) in the manner of a pivot bearing (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventors: Dennis Corbisiero, Ohm Savanayana, Heinz Suhner, Ulrich Sander
  • Patent number: 5287219
    Abstract: A microscope adapted for use by two or more operators during surgical operations has a main objective lens and at least two mutually independent stereoscopic observation beam paths. Each stereoscopic observation beam path has a magnification system and a focusing system disposed therein. Pupil displacement systems are provided in modular construction of different mechanical lengths but of equal optical path lengths. This modular construction allows individual and customized configurations of the microscope for adaptation to meet the needs and requirements of various operating conditions and the various operating disciplines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Leica Heerbrugg AG
    Inventors: Klaus Hildebrand, Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Heinz Suhner, Juergen Metz, Luitpold Schulz