Patents by Inventor Juergen Meinl

Juergen Meinl 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: 11633090
    Abstract: An endoscope is provided that includes a first component, a second component, a light source, an image capturing element, and a light guide. The second component has a proximal end and a distal end with proximal end coupled to the first component. The light source is integrated in the first component and includes a laser and a converter. The laser emits primary light and the converter converts the primary light at least partially into secondary light that has a different wavelength. The image capturing element is arranged at the distal end. The light guide has an optical fiber that extends through the second component. The converter is coupled to the proximal end such that the primary and secondary light is injected into the optical fiber, is conducted from the proximal end to the distal end, and emitted at the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schultheis, Martin Cramer, Hubertus Russert, Holger Werner, Jens Vietor, Volker Hagemann, Jürgen Meinl, Jonas Grimm, Oliver Keiper
  • Publication number: 20230087914
    Abstract: An illumination system for a medical technology therapy and/or diagnosis system is provided. The system includes a light source, preferably a laser light source, and a light guide, which at a proximal end can be connected to the at least one light source and/or can be assigned thereto, and which system has at the distal end of the light guide a diffuser element having a longitudinal axis which extends into or in the diffuser element perpendicularly with respect to an input face of the light guide, wherein the diffuser element emits light laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis over its active length in the operating state, wherein the diffuser element has at least one diffuser base body and the diffuser base body contains a matrix that has at least one scattering element and is enclosed at least on its cladding surface by a solid encapsulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schultheis, Lothar Willmes, Oliver Keiper, Hubertus Russert, Jonas Grimm, Juergen Meinl, Martin Cramer
  • Publication number: 20210318494
    Abstract: An illumination system for medical therapeutic and/or diagnostic system is provided. The illumination system includes a laser light source and a light guide. The light guide has a proximal end that is connectable and/or assignable to the one laser light source. The light guide has a distal end with a diffuser element having a radial, spherical emission characteristic. The diffuser element includes a diffuser main body made of an inorganic material, in particular a glass, a glass ceramic, a glass-like substance or a composite substance of the aforementioned substances. The diffuser main body has a scattering element and has a surface that is pore-free and smooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd SCHULTHEIS, Oliver KEIPER, Jürgen MEINL, Hubertus RUSSERT, Jonas GRIMM, Lothar WILLMES, Martin CRAMER
  • Publication number: 20210282631
    Abstract: An endoscope is provided that has a first component having an LED that emits light and a second component having a proximal end, a distal end, an image capturing element, and a light guide. The proximal end is coupled to the first component. The image capturing element being arranged at the distal end. The light guide comprising an optical fiber extending through the second component. The LED is coupled to the proximal end such that the light is injected into the optical fiber and is conducted from the LED at the proximal end to the distal end and to emit the light at the distal end. The optical fiber has a cross section of at least 80 ?m and has a polymer-based coating or a protective sheathing made of a polymer-based tube material arranged on an outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schultheis, Martin Cramer, Hubertus Russert, Holger Werner, Jürgen Meinl, Jonas Grimm, Oliver Keiper, Steffen Astheimer, Björn Bleisinger, Christian Schwedler
  • Publication number: 20210169316
    Abstract: An endoscope is provided that includes a first component, a second component, a light source, an image capturing element, and a light guide. The second component has a proximal end and a distal end with proximal end coupled to the first component. The light source is integrated in the first component and includes a laser and a converter. The laser emits primary light and the converter converts the primary light at least partially into secondary light that has a different wavelength. The image capturing element is arranged at the distal end. The light guide has an optical fiber that extends through the second component. The converter is coupled to the proximal end such that the primary and secondary light is injected into the optical fiber, is conducted from the proximal end to the distal end, and emitted at the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schultheis, Martin Cramer, Hubertus Russert, Holger Werner, Jens Vietor, Volker Hagemann, Jürgen Meinl, Jonas Grimm, Oliver Keiper
  • Patent number: 10900651
    Abstract: A method and device for aligning a light spot of light exiting from at least one light guide on an optical converter are provided. The device includes a light guide from which light exits and is incident on an optical converter to at least a substantial fraction, thereby forming a light spot thereon, wherein the exit surface of the fiber has an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the fiber which is different from 0°, and the position of the light spot on the converter is aligned by adjusting the angle. A conversion module as a part of a lighting device is also provided that is operated with excitation light of a light source using a fiber-optical light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Hubertus Russert, Thomas Reichert, Jürgen Meinl, Volker Hagemann, Michael Kluge, Christian Rakobrandt, Alexander Penkert
  • Publication number: 20200222712
    Abstract: An illumination system is provided that includes a laser light source and an optical waveguide connected to and/or associated with the laser light source at a proximal end thereof. The illumination system includes a diffuser element at the distal end of the optical waveguide with a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the coupling surface of the optical waveguide into the diffuser element. The diffuser element emits light over its active length laterally of the longitudinal axis and has at a base body with a scattering element. The scattering element is aligned along the longitudinal axis substantially parallel or at an angle thereto. An emission intensity homogenizer along the longitudinal axis is provided. The illumination system exhibits an intensity distribution of lateral emission deviating by at most ±50% from an average lateral emission intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd SCHULTHEIS, Hubertus RUSSERT, Oliver KEIPER, Martin CRAMER, Jürgen MEINL, Lothar Wilhem WILMES, Jonas GRIMM
  • Patent number: 10444447
    Abstract: An assembly and method for aligning a light beam that is exiting from a light source/guide are provided. The assembly includes an outer housing and an inner housing which is at least partially arranged inside the outer housing and is adjustably mounted to the outer housing. The inner housing accommodates and fixes the light source/guide such that the optical axis of the light beam is fixed relative to the longitudinal direction of the inner housing and such that different inclinations are adjustable between the longitudinal direction of the inner housing and the longitudinal direction of the outer housing in order to align the optical axis of the light beam relative to the longitudinal direction of the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Juergen Meinl, Steffen Astheimer
  • Patent number: 10261230
    Abstract: LED lighting devices are provided that include two optical waveguides and at least one LED in an intermediate region between end faces of the optical waveguides so that radiation from the LED is coupled into the optical waveguides through the end faces. A de-coupler is on outer circumferential surface regions of each of the two separate optical waveguides. The de-coupler reflects the radiation guided in the optical waveguides so that the radiation passes through the optical waveguides and is coupled out of the optical waveguides laterally. The intermediate region has a length that is selected so that a brightness difference, measured perpendicular to an axis of the optical waveguides in the center of the intermediate region, at a distance of 10 mm perpendicular to the axis of the optical waveguides is at most 25% based on a maximum value of brightness along the axis of the optical waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Gaydoul, Armin Plichta, Juergen Meinl, Bjoern Bleisinger, Martin Cramer, Thomas Reichert, Marc Timon Sprzagala, Sandra Mattheis
  • Patent number: 10261229
    Abstract: A lighting device having a side-emitting fiber bundle is provided. The fiber bundle is inserted in a sleeve that has an extension, which is effective as a light mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Woelfing, Hubertus Russert, Juergen Meinl, Jia Guo
  • Publication number: 20180180789
    Abstract: A method and device for aligning a light spot of light exiting from at least one light guide on an optical converter are provided. The device includes a light guide from which light exits and is incident on an optical converter to at least a substantial fraction, thereby forming a light spot thereon, wherein the exit surface of the fiber has an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the fiber which is different from 0°, and the position of the light spot on the converter is aligned by adjusting the angle. A conversion module as a part of a lighting device is also provided that is operated with excitation light of a light source using a fiber-optical light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Hubertus RUSSERT, Thomas REICHERT, Jürgen MEINL, Volker HAGEMANN, Michael KLUGE, Christian RAKOBRANDT, Alexander PENKERT
  • Publication number: 20180074269
    Abstract: An assembly and method for aligning a light beam that is exiting from a light source/guide are provided. The assembly includes an outer housing and an inner housing which is at least partially arranged inside the outer housing and is adjustably mounted to the outer housing. The inner housing accommodates and fixes the light source/guide such that the optical axis of the light beam is fixed relative to the longitudinal direction of the inner housing and such that different inclinations are adjustable between the longitudinal direction of the inner housing and the longitudinal direction of the outer housing in order to align the optical axis of the light beam relative to the longitudinal direction of the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Juergen Meinl, Steffen Astheimer
  • Patent number: 9845930
    Abstract: A fiber-optic conversion module is provided as part of a lighting device on a vehicle. The module includes optical fibers with connectors, a light exit head, and a converter mounted on a cooling element. Shorter wavelength excitation light is fed to the optical fibers that emit the excitation light towards the converter arranged at an angle relative to the beam direction, at a light spot that remits useful light in a radiation angle in form of a cone of useful light and reflects excitation light as a Fresnel reflection substantially outside the cone of useful light, where Fresnel reflection is made harmless by a light stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Wölfing, Volker Hagemann, Jürgen Meinl, Hubertus Russert, Thomas Reichert
  • Patent number: 9618671
    Abstract: LED lighting devices are provided that include two optical waveguides and at least one LED in an intermediate region between end faces of the optical waveguides so that radiation from the LED is coupled into the optical waveguides through the end faces. A de-coupler is on outer circumferential surface regions of each of the two separate optical waveguides. The de-coupler reflects the radiation guided in the optical waveguides so that the radiation passes through the optical waveguides and is coupled out of the optical waveguides laterally. The intermediate region has a length that is selected so that a brightness difference, measured perpendicular to an axis of the optical waveguides in the center of the intermediate region, at a distance of 10 mm perpendicular to the axis of the optical waveguides is at most 25% based on a maximum value of brightness along the axis of the optical waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Gaydoul, Armin Plichta, Juergen Meinl, Bjoern Bleisinger, Martin Cramer, Thomas Reichert, Marc Timon Sprzagala, Sandra Mattheis
  • Patent number: 9611988
    Abstract: Lighting equipment for generating white light from blue or violet excitation light and converted emitted yellow light is provided. The excitation light is directed at an oblique angle towards a converter that is attached to a carrier device, without the emitted illumination light impinging on the carrier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Woelfing, Volker Hagemann, Juergen Meinl
  • Patent number: 9605825
    Abstract: A fiber-optic conversion module is provided as part of a lighting device on a vehicle. The module includes optical fibers with connectors, a light exit head, and a converter mounted on a cooling element. Shorter wavelength excitation light is fed to the optical fibers that emit the excitation light towards the converter arranged at an angle relative to the beam direction, at a light spot that remits useful light in a radiation angle in form of a cone of useful light and reflects excitation light as a Fresnel reflection substantially outside the cone of useful light, where Fresnel reflection is made harmless by a light stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Wölfing, Volker Hagemann, Jürgen Meinl, Hubertus Russert, Thomas Reichert
  • Publication number: 20170082258
    Abstract: A fiber-optic conversion module is provided as part of a lighting device on a vehicle. The module includes optical fibers with connectors, a light exit head, and a converter mounted on a cooling element. Shorter wavelength excitation light is fed to the optical fibers that emit the excitation light towards the converter arranged at an angle relative to the beam direction, at a light spot that remits useful light in a radiation angle in form of a cone of useful light and reflects excitation light as a Fresnel reflection substantially outside the cone of useful light, where Fresnel reflection is made harmless by a light stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Wölfing, Volker Hagemann, Jürgen Meinl, Hubertus Russert, Thomas Reichert
  • Patent number: 9599313
    Abstract: An arrangement for generating white light is provided. The arrangement generates the white light by combining blue light and yellow light. The yellow light originates from a converter which transforms into yellow light virtually all blue light that enters the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Woelfing, Volker Hagemann, Juergen Meinl
  • Publication number: 20170031077
    Abstract: LED lighting devices are provided that include two optical waveguides and at least one LED in an intermediate region between end faces of the optical waveguides so that radiation from the LED is coupled into the optical waveguides through the end faces. A de-coupler is on outer circumferential surface regions of each of the two separate optical waveguides. The de-coupler reflects the radiation guided in the optical waveguides so that the radiation passes through the optical waveguides and is coupled out of the optical waveguides laterally. The intermediate region has a length that is selected so that a brightness difference, measured perpendicular to an axis of the optical waveguides in the center of the intermediate region, at a distance of 10 mm perpendicular to the axis of the optical waveguides is at most 25% based on a maximum value of brightness along the axis of the optical waveguides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Schott AG
    Inventors: Ekkehard Gaydoul, Armin Plichta, Juergen Meinl, Bjoern Bleisinger, Martin Cramer, Thomas Reichert, Marc Timon Sprzagala, Sandra Mattheis
  • Publication number: 20160313486
    Abstract: A lighting device having a side-emitting fiber bundle is provided. The fiber bundle is inserted in a sleeve that has an extension, which is effective as a light mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd WOELFING, Hubertus RUSSERT, Juergen MEINL, Jia GUO