Abstract: Regions-of-interest discovered from analyses of images obtained from one imaging modality can be further observed, analyzed, supplemented, and further analyzed by one or more additional imaging modalities and in an automated way. In addition, one or more pathologies identified from analyses of these regions-of-interest, and a metric of the likelihood of the presence of disease, and/or a metric of risk of disease progression can be derived therefrom.

Abstract: An article for use in an OCT method, the article comprising a solid substrate and nanoparticles dispersed in or on the substrate in at least one light transmissive portion of the article such that the nanoparticles result in an increased extinction of the light transmissive portion along a transmission direction of the light transmissive portion compared to the substrate being free of nanoparticles. The extinction of the light transmissive portion along the transmission direction is less than 6, wherein the extinction is defined as a negative decadic logarithm of a ratio of an intensity of light which is transmitted through the light transmissive portion to an intensity of light which is incident on the light transmissive portion, wherein the light is in at least one of a visible and a near infrared wavelength range.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A system for the improved imaging of eye structures based on optical coherence tomography. The system includes an interferometric measuring arrangement, which has an optical element arranged in the measurement arm or reference arm for influencing the polarization state of the light before the light is interferometrically superimposed, a scanning unit arranged in the measurement arm for implementing OCT scans, a detector for recording the produced interference pattern, and an evaluating and documenting unit. At least two different polarization states of the light are produced. The interference patterns produced in the interferometric measuring arrangement are recorded and forwarded to the evaluating and documenting unit which reconstructs OCT scans from the transmitted interference patterns, combines the OCT scans, and presents and/or stores the resulting OCT signals. The system can be used for pachymetry in addition to the pre- and post-operative imaging for analysis and measurement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a burner design and method for a high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) liquid fuel gun that generates turbulent atomization and uses one or more jets as an injection method for liquid fuel and oxygen to improve the combustion inside the combustion chamber. The burner uses preheated oxygen and preheated fuel to improve vaporization prior to combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: An article for use in an OCT method, the article comprising a solid substrate and nanoparticles dispersed in or on the substrate in at least one light transmissive portion of the article such that the nanoparticles result in an increased extinction of the light transmissive portion along a transmission direction of the light transmissive portion compared to the substrate being free of nanoparticles. The extinction of the light transmissive portion along the transmission direction is less than 6, wherein the extinction is defined as a negative decadic logarithm of a ratio of an intensity of light which is transmitted through the light transmissive portion to an intensity of light which is incident on the light transmissive portion, wherein the light is in at least one of a visible and a near infrared wavelength range.

Abstract: An optical deflection unit for targeted radiation, e.g., produced by laser or superluminescent diodes, in scanning, ophthalmological measuring and therapy systems, comprises a deflection mirror, a position sensor and a control unit, which form a control circuit for minimizing the deviation of the actual positions, detected by the position sensor, from the desired positions of the deflection mirror, whereby the optical deflection unit comprises a deflection mirror, oscillatingly movable by means of non-contacting electromagnetic drives around at least one rotation axis, and which is positioned in the direction of the, at least, one rotation axis between at least two bearings. The optical deflection unit is designed may also be used for beam guidance in high and ultrahigh vacuum installations, such as UV and EUV exposure installations for semiconductor lithography.

Abstract: A device for controlling a laser therapy of the eye, including an evaluation unit that determines an intensity of a transient temperature effect by analysis of interferometric signals obtained from the eye and a control unit that controls the laser therapy, which is based on said transient temperature effect, the control unit being connected with said evaluation unit. A method for controlling a laser therapy of the eye, includes determination of the intensity of a transient temperature effect that is utilized for the control of the laser therapy, based on the effect, by analysis of interferometric signals.

Abstract: A short coherence interferometer apparatus for measuring multiple axially spaced regions of a specimen, in particular the eye, which has at least one measuring beam path, through which multiple individual measuring beams are incident on the specimen, and one reference beam path, through which a reference beam runs, with which the individual measuring beams are superimposed and brought into interference. The individual measuring beams are axially offset to one another upon incidence on the specimen by an amount which is adapted to the axial spacing. The interferometer apparatus superimposes each individual measuring beam with the reference beam in an interfering manner and conducts it to a detector associated with the particular individual measuring beam. The individual measuring beams are combined into a mixture in which they have varying phasing in the superposition with the reference beam.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography device is disclosed for improved imaging. Reduced levels of speckle in the images generated by the device are obtained by forming a B-scan from a plurality of A-scans, wherein each resolution cell of the B-scan is generated through compounding of a subset of the A-scans and wherein at least some of the subset of A-scans are separated by at least half the diameter of a speckle cell both tangent to and orthogonal to the B-scan at that cell.

Abstract: A device for swept-source optical coherence domain reflectometry (SS OCDR) on moveable samples, particularly human eyes, for obtaining A-scans, having a measuring range according to the sample length and having a laser light source which can be adjusted by a main wave number k0 and at least one receiver for the light dissipated from the sample, wherein the sample is illuminated on the sample surface by a measurement beam having a diameter D by way of a coupling device. The light source has a spectral line width of ?k<168 m?1 and the adjustment of the light source is carried out in ?<44 s/(D*k0).

Abstract: A method and device for processing materials with laser pulses having a large spectral bandwidth and a device for carrying out said method. The aim of the invention is to create an easy, flexible method enabling universally applicable processing which can, however, be adapted to specific processing and methodological requirements. According to the invention, one or several spectral parameters of the laser pulses, i.e. the spectral amplitude and/or spectral phase and/or spectral polarization thereof, is/are specifically modified, preferably according to a measuring process variable, in order to process material or during the occurrence of said processing. The invention is used in order to process material with laser pulses having a large spectral bandwidth, particularly femto-second pulses and pico-second pulses.

Abstract: A system for determining the surface shape of the cornea of an eye by analyzing the reflection of a spatially distributed ring pattern. The system includes an element for generating a ring pattern, an illuminating unit, an image capturing unit, and a control and analyzing unit. The element for generating rings is a fresneled axicon with annular structures of different radii. Furthermore, an optical element for illuminating the entire surface of the fresneled axicon with plane waves and an optical element for separating the illuminating and detecting beam path are arranged between the illuminating unit and the fresneled axicon. Furthermore, the image capturing unit consisting of an imaging system and an image sensor is designed for a telecentric distance-independent image detection.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: An SS OCT interferometry device for measuring a sample, in particular from an eye. The device interferometrically generates a measuring signal and from the signal a depth-resolved contrast signal of the sample by spectral tuning of the central wavelength of the measurement radiation of a measuring signal, and has a control unit for this purpose. The device includes a sample motion detector, which provides a motion signal indicating movement of or in the sample, the control unit uses the motion signal to correct the measuring signal with respect to measuring errors that are caused by a movement of or in the sample before or during the generation of the depth-resolved contrast signal.

Abstract: Optimized device for swept source optical coherence domain reflectometry and tomography. In the coherence-optical device, light, with the aid of an interferometer, is used for distance-measuring and imaging purposes on reflecting and scattering areas of the human eye. The optimized device according to the invention consists of includes a tunable light source, matched to the sought-after measurement region ZOCT, with a resonator length LR, an interferometric measurement arrangement, a data capturing unit for capturing the light portions scattered back from the sample and a data processing unit. Here the resonator length LR of the tunable light source is matched not only to the sought-after measurement region ZOCT, but also to the entire interferometric measurement arrangement such that disturbance points present in the interferometric measurement arrangement cannot create disturbance signals in the sought-after measurement region ZOCT.

Abstract: For the model-based determination of the biometry of eyes, the eye is illuminated by a light source via a scanning unit, the focus of the measuring light beam in the eye is moved or shifted laterally and/or axially via an adjusting device and the light fractions back-scattered by the boundary surfaces and from the tissue of the eye via an interferometer are detected by a sensor and relayed to a control and evaluation unit by which a parametric eye model which describes at least two boundary surfaces present in the eye is adapted to the scan or scans. The invention relates to the field of ophthalmology and serves in particular for the optical determination of the biometry of eyes by application of two-dimensional optical coherence tomography images. However, the method is not limited to the use of coherence tomography nor to the utilisation of optical measurements.

Abstract: A method for Determining at Least One Parameter for Diagnosis or Risk Assessment of a Disease, including AMD. The distribution of the macular pigment MP of an eye and at least one area A whose bordering line corresponds to a constant optical density MPD and/or concentration MPC of MP is determined by an analysis unit. The bordering line is subjected to a quantitative shape description. At least one parameter DP, suitable for diagnosing a disease and/or the risk of a disease is derived from the quantitative shape description of the bordering line of the areas A. The method is provided for diagnosis or risk assessment but may also be used in the context of treatment of macular pigment deficiency phenomena to select the required supplements. This method, based on the determination of the fractal dimension, is also suitable for diagnosing other diseases such as edemas, actinomycoses, atrophies or lesions.

Abstract: The eye is illuminated by a variable laser light source with a measurement range corresponding to the eye length, wherein the focus of the laser beam in the eye can be shifted laterally and/or axially by an adjustment mechanism, and the light fractions back-scattered from the sample are captured via an interferometer by a data acquisition unit and forwarded to a data processing unit. In the data processing unit, an OCT whole-eye scan is combined with at least one or several further overlapping tomographic part-eye or whole-eye scans. Reference information is used to register the first whole-eye scan with the further part-eye or whole-eye scans, and the combined whole-eye scan is evaluated and/or displayed on a user surface.

Abstract: A device for performing distance measurements on an eye. The device includes an interferometer, focuses at least one measurement beam records backscattered radiation and interferometrically generates a measurement signal displaying structures of the eye by time-domain, spectral-domain or Fourier-domain coherence reflectometry, has an adjustment apparatus for laterally and/or axially displacing the focus in the eye or for varying a polarization state of the measurement beam and has a control apparatus which actuates the interferometer, wherein the control apparatus generates a plurality of A-scan individual signals from the backscattered radiation, combines these to an A-scan measurement signal and actuates the adjustment apparatus for displacing the position of the focus or for varying the polarization while recording the backscattered radiation from which the control apparatus generates the A-scan individual signals is being recorded.