Patents by Inventor Klaus-Peter Zimmer

Klaus-Peter Zimmer 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: 7777941
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the Greenough type includes a first monocular microscope and a second monocular microscope, which define a first beam path and a second beam path, respectively, wherein the first and second microscopes are arranged at a convergence angle to one another and comprise magnification systems for producing equal magnifications which can be varied synchronously with one another. At least one optical element in the first microscope has a different optically effective diameter compared to at least one corresponding optical element in the second microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7751120
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the telescope type includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system and in the second beam path a second telescope system are provided, wherein the magnifications of both telescope systems are equal and can be changed synchronously to each other, and wherein a common main objective is allocated to both beam paths. In order to increase the resolution without loss in depth of field, it is proposed that at least one optical element of the first telescope system has, compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system, a different optically effective diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann, Harald Schnitzler
  • Patent number: 7605975
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the telescope type includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system and in the second beam path a second telescope system are provided, wherein the magnifications of both telescope systems are equal and can be changed synchronously to each other, and wherein a common main objective is allocated to both beam paths. In order to increase the resolution without loss in depth of field, it is proposed that at least one optical element of the first telescope system has, compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system, a different optically effective diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann, Harald Schnitzler
  • Patent number: 7583434
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system is provided and in the second beam path a second telescope system is provided. An observation unit comprising a first and a second observation unit is also provided. At least one optical element of the first telescope system compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system has a different optically effective diameter. Between the first telescope system and the second telescope system and the first and the second observation units a prism group is provided which can be moved in the beam path of the first telescope system with the larger diameter of the entrance pupil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20090086313
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the telescope type includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system and in the second beam path a second telescope system are provided, wherein the magnifications of both telescope systems are equal and can be changed synchronously to each other, and wherein a common main objective is allocated to both beam paths. In order to increase the resolution without loss in depth of field, it is proposed that at least one optical element of the first telescope system has, compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system, a different optically effective diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann, Harald Schnitzler
  • Patent number: 7394593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmitted-light base (1) for illuminating an object (15) for imaging through a zoom microscope (21), the transmitted-light base (1) comprising an integrated light source (3) having an associated electrical power regulation system (31) for generating a suitable radiation flux, and means (5, 6), capable of being added downstream, for generating a specified spectral intensity distribution. To allow compensation for brightness changes of low dynamic range, such as those occurring in particular during zooming, a continuously controllable mechanical brightness regulator (4) is proposed which is activatable by means of an associated adjustment device (41) in such a way that the illumination intensity of the transmitted-light base (1) is controllable with no change in the spectral intensity distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Ruedi Rottermann, Patrick Kopf, Otto Geschwentner, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20080030848
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system is provided and in the second beam path a second telescope system is provided. An observation unit comprising a first and a second observation unit is also provided. At least one optical element of the first telescope system compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system has a different optically effective diameter. Between the first telescope system and the second telescope system and the first and the second observation units a prism group is provided which can be moved in the beam path of the first telescope system with the larger diameter of the entrance pupil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20070047072
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the Greenough type includes a first monocular microscope and a second monocular microscope, which define a first beam path and a second beam path, respectively, wherein the first and second microscopes are arranged at a convergence angle to one another and comprise magnification systems for producing equal magnifications which can be varied synchronously with one another. At least one optical element in the first microscope has a different optically effective diameter compared to at least one corresponding optical element in the second microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20070047073
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope of the telescope type includes a first beam path and a second beam path, wherein in the first beam path a first telescope system and in the second beam path a second telescope system are provided, wherein the magnifications of both telescope systems are equal and can be changed synchronously to each other, and wherein a common main objective is allocated to both beam paths. In order to increase the resolution without loss in depth of field, it is proposed that at least one optical element of the first telescope system has, compared to at least one corresponding optical element of the second telescope system, a different optically effective diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems(Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann, Harald Schnitzler
  • Patent number: 7170694
    Abstract: A magnetically positioned precision holder for optical components in an optical device comprises a carrier for replaceably holding at least one optical component. The carrier is arranged in positionally adjustable fashion in a housing recess including a precision stop surface. Magnet pairs (A1/A2 and B1/B2) are oriented with identical polarity being provided in order to achieve a continuous contact pressure of the carrier (2; 3) against the stop surface (6), in such a way that the one magnet (A1, B1) is located in the recess and the corresponding magnet (A2, B2) is located in the carrier. The use of identically poled magnet pairs for movable precision holders and for precision positioning systems is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG (Schweiz)
    Inventors: Heinz Zimmermann, Harald Schnitzler, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20060133084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmitted-light base (1) for illuminating an object (15) for imaging through a zoom microscope (21), the transmitted-light base (1) comprising an integrated light source (3) having an associated electrical power regulation system (31) for generating a suitable radiation flux, and means (5, 6), capable of being added downstream, for generating a specified spectral intensity distribution. To allow compensation for brightness changes of low dynamic range, such as those occurring in particular during zooming, a continuously controllable mechanical brightness regulator (4) is proposed which is activatable by means of an associated adjustment device (41) in such a way that the illumination intensity of the transmitted-light base (1) is controllable with no change in the spectral intensity distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Ruedi Rottermann, Patrick Kopf, Otto Geschwentner, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6816321
    Abstract: The invention relates to an afocal zoom (1) for use in microscopes of high resolution and high zoom factors having a tube lens (11), the zoom comprising four successive optical assemblies (G1, G2, G3, G4) when viewed from the object end, the first assembly (G1) having a positive focal length (f1), the second assembly (G2) a negative focal length (f2), the third assembly (G3) a positive focal length (f3), and the fourth assembly (G4) a negative focal length (f4), and the first and the fourth assembly (G1, G4) being arranged in stationary fashion and the second and the third assembly (G2, G3) being arranged movably for modifying the magnification of the zoom (1), the zoom magnification decreasing with increasing distance (D23) between the two assemblies (G2, G3). The zoom operates in the range of “useful magnification” of the microscope with sufficient contrast if the zoom meets the meets specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann
  • Publication number: 20040085629
    Abstract: A magnetically positioned precision holder for optical components in an optical device comprises a carrier for replaceably holding at least one optical component. The carrier is arranged in positionally adjustable fashion in a housing recess including a precision stop surface. Magnet pairs (A1/A2 and B1/B2) are oriented with identical polarity being provided in order to achieve a continuous contact pressure of the carrier (2; 3) against the stop surface (6), in such a way that the one magnet (A1, B1) is located in the recess and the corresponding magnet (A2, B2) is located in the carrier. The use of identically poled magnet pairs for movable precision holders and for precision positioning systems is also proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Heinz Zimmermann, Harald Schnitzler, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6717739
    Abstract: The invention relates to an objective (2) for stereomicroscopes of the telescope type which comprises three optical assemblies (G1, G2, G3), the first assembly (G1) being arranged towards the object side and the third assembly (G3) being arranged towards a magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) meets the conditions 0.44≦ENP/F≦0.6, where ENP denotes the diameter of the entry pupil of the magnification changer (3L, 3R) at the maximum magnification and F denotes the focal length of the objective (2), and tan(w1)≧0.16, where w1 denotes the maximum field angle of the objective (2) at the lowest magnification of the magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) makes it possible to use a stereomicroscope with maximum resolution and a field of vision which is adapted to the full range of magnifications of the microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann
  • Publication number: 20030227672
    Abstract: The invention relates to an objective (2) for stereomicroscopes of the telescope type which comprises three optical assemblies (G1, G2, G3), the first assembly (G1) being arranged towards the object side and the third assembly (G3) being arranged towards a magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) meets the conditions 0.44≦ENP/F≦0.6, where ENP denotes the diameter of the entry pupil of the magnification changer (3L, 3R) at the maximum magnification and F denotes the focal length of the objective (2), and tan(w1)≧0.16, where w1 denotes the maximum field angle of the objective (2) at the lowest magnification of the magnification changer (3L, 3R). The proposed objective (2) makes it possible to use a stereomicroscope with maximum resolution and a field of vision which is adapted to the full range of magnifications of the microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann
  • Publication number: 20030210470
    Abstract: The invention relates to an afocal zoom (1) for use in microscopes of high resolution and high zoom factors having a tube lens (11), the zoom comprising four successive optical assemblies (G1, G2, G3, G4) when viewed from the object end, the first assembly (G1) having a positive focal length (f1), the second assembly (G2) a negative focal length (f2), the third assembly (G3) a positive focal length (f3), and the fourth assembly (G4) a negative focal length (f4), and the first and the fourth assembly (G1, G4) being arranged in stationary fashion and the second and the third assembly (G2, G3) being arranged movably for modifying the magnification of the zoom (1), the zoom magnification decreasing with increasing distance (D23) between the two assemblies (G2, G3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Ruedi Rottermann
  • Publication number: 20020057493
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a left and a right stereo radiation path and an adjusting device for selecting a stereo base. A main lens is arranged between an object to be observed and the adjusting device, which may be designed as an opto-mechanical switching device. The arrangement allows an integrated structure with low light losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Bernhard Braunecker, John Rice Rogers, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6337765
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a left and a right stereo radiation path and an adjusting device for selecting a stereo base. A main lens is arranged between an object to be observed and the adjusting device, which may be designed as an opto-mechanical switching device. The arrangement allows an integrated structure with low light losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Bernhard Braunecker, John Rice Rogers, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6069733
    Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a left and a right stereo radiation path and an adjusting device for selecting a stereo base. A main lens is arranged between an object to be observed and the adjusting device, which may be designed as an opto-mechanical switching device. The arrangement allows an integrated structure with low light losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems AG
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Bernhard Braunecker, John Rice Rogers, Klaus-Peter Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6043890
    Abstract: An arrangement for determining the position of a surgical microscope uses signal transmitters and signal receivers. Light emitting diodes that emit coded light signals and light receptors for receiving the coded light signals are arranged in various locations in space. Reflectors having narrow-bond reflection characteristics are arranged on the microscope so that the light reflected can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Leica Mikroskopie Systeme AG
    Inventors: Roger Spink, Bernhard Braunecker, Klaus-Peter Zimmer, Thomas Mayer, John Rice Rogers