Patents by Inventor Martin Hacker

Martin Hacker 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: 8491122
    Abstract: A solution for attaining high-precision and reproducible measurements during opthalmological biometry and imaging includes an illumination unit for producing a fixation marker, a device for transmitting the light of the produced fixation marker into the eye, a measurement device and a control unit. The illumination unit includes a device for the targeted change of the beam direction of the produced fixation marker. A camera for the detection of the line of vision of the eye is connected to the control unit. The control unit determines the sufficient congruity between detected line of vision and displayed beam direction of the produced fixation marker and, in dependence of the degree of probability of the congruity, triggers a measurement. The suggested arrangement is applicable for opthalmological diagnostic devices, which exhibit a camera and a measuring system, whereby measurements can be taken in all areas of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Scott A. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130120711
    Abstract: An ophthalmological measuring system for determining distances and/or for tomographic imaging of ocular structures, based on an OCT method. The measuring system includes a light source with a spectral centroid (?), an interferometric measuring device, a scanner system, which in addition to the lateral deflection of the sample beam also has axial modulations with a frequency (f) in the sample arm, and a control and evaluation unit. The scanner performs a lateral, two-dimensional deflection of the sample beam with the aid of one or even two separate mirror elements and can in particular have axial modulation amplitudes zM>>?/2. The system can also be used for scanner systems in other fields that use an OCT method, in particular a swept-source OCT method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Thomas Pabst, Ralf Ebersbach, Gerard Antkowiak
  • Publication number: 20130107209
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Rudolf Murai von Bünau, Burkhard Wagner
  • Patent number: 8427653
    Abstract: Frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) systems and methods are provided. Thereby, a first measurement and a second measurement is performed, wherein in the first measurement an object region is illuminated by measuring light having a spectrum with a first spectral width and in the second measurement the object region is illuminated with measuring light having a spectrum with a second spectral width, wherein the first spectral width is at least 10% greater than the second spectral width. Further, during the first measurement intensities of spectral ranges of light having interacted with the object and being superimposed with reference light are detected, wherein a width of these spectral ranges is greater than a corresponding width during the second measurement. Thus, switching an axial field of view of structural information of the object across a depth direction is enabled upon minimizing radiation damage at the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Christoph Hauger, Keith O'Hara, Scott Meyer
  • Patent number: 8408703
    Abstract: A spectrometer is described, especially for an optical coherence tomograph for detecting parameters of the human eye, with said spectrometer having an input for measurement radiation to be analyzed, fanning the measurement radiation spectrally out along a direction in a fan and guiding it onto a detector that extends along the direction and comprises a plurality of detector pixels that are sensitive to the measurement radiation, with the spectrometer having an adjusting element which can be adjusted in a controlled manner to adjust the relative position of the fan and the detector, thereby optimizing the incidence position of the fan on the detector, in which it is provided that the detector has at least two superimposed, adjacent pixel lines, and a control device is provided which reads out the superimposed pixels of a plurality of pixel lines in a combined manner for a spectral analysis of the measurement radiation in a pixel binning and evaluates signal differences between superimposed pixels to control th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Roland Bergner, Ralf Ebersbach, Klaus-Ditmar Voigt, Roland Barth, Eberhard Hofmann, Peter Klopfleisch
  • Patent number: 8388135
    Abstract: An ophthalmological biometric or image-producing system and method for detection and analysis of measurement data including a measurement arrangement with an illumination unit for illuminating the eye with at least one measurement beam, a signal detection unit for the detection of the light portions scattered or reflected back from the eye, a central control unit with an output unit, and a pattern generating unit which includes an optical scan unit, a control unit as well as a position sensor for measuring the realized deflections of the optical scan unit, whereby control unit, optical scan unit and position sensor can form a control circuit. Thereby, the position sensor, except for the connection within the possible control circuit, includes a connection to a unit of the measurement arrangement for optimizing measurement value logging or to the central control unit for correcting the biometric measurements or tomograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Thomas Pabst, Ralf Ebersbach, Gerard Antkowiak, Wilfried Bissmann, Matthias Reich
  • Patent number: 8363958
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Claus Flachenecker, Martin Hacker, Scott A. Meyer, Keith E. O'Hara, Rick A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120310337
    Abstract: Selection of an appropriate intraocular lens (IOL) and/or the applicable surgical parameters for optimizing the results of refractive procedures on the eye. Features of the IOL are crucial for the selection and/or adjustment of the optimal IOL, but so is the IOL selection method (and parameters) from a surgical perspective. For the method, corresponding output parameters are determined from predetermined, estimated, or measured input parameters and/or their mean values, wherein at least two input parameters are varied with one another and which have at least one input parameter as a distribution function. The resulting function is optimized by means of corresponding target values and the determined distribution function of one or more output parameters is used as a decision aid. The present solution is used for selecting an appropriate IOL and/or the applicable surgical parameters and is applicable in the field of eye surgery for implanting IOLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Martin Kuehner, Rico Fuchs, Matthias Reich
  • Publication number: 20120229766
    Abstract: A method and devices for detecting deposits, in particular amyloid plaques, in the eye, in particular in the human eye. The subject is an optical method for detecting deposits, in particular ?-amyloid, in the retina, which is locally resolved and wherein the local resolution is better than the layer thickness of individual layers of the retina. The invention includes a device for optically detecting ?-amyloid in the retina, which generates a locally resolved image of the retina and wherein the local resolution is better than the layer thickness of individual layers of the retina.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Christoph Russmann, Martin Hacker, Manfred Dick, Ingrid Hilger, Werner A. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 8230866
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for imaging an eye portion or for treating glaucoma in an eye of a patient. In a first step an optical microscopic image of a portion of the eye is acquired. In the optical microscopic image a distinguishable anatomical structure is identified to predict a location of a volume portion to be imaged three-dimensionally. Three-dimensional imaging of the located volume portion is performed by acquiring an optical coherence tomography image of the located volume portion. The volume portion is treated by either directing a laser beam to the volume portion or inserting an implant based on the OCT-image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Peter Andrews, Werner Nahm, Ralf Kuschnereit, Martin Hacker, Gabor Scharioth
  • Publication number: 20120128222
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Claus Flachenecker, Martin Hacker, Scott A. Meyer, Keith E. O'Hara, Rick A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120008651
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Mark Bischoff, Martin Hacker, Roland Sauerbrey, Gregor Stobrawa, Wolfgang Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8085408
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Martin Hacker
  • Publication number: 20110299038
    Abstract: An ophthalmological measuring system, for obtaining biometric data of an eye, provided with the necessary calibration and check devices for monitoring the functionality and the calibration status. The ophthalmological measuring system includes an illumination source for illuminating an eye with light and with a sensor for recording and analyzing back-scattered or reflected light components and a controller. At least one calibration and check system integrated in the ophthalmological measuring system for monitoring the functional and calibration status is provided. A device is also provided which houses the calibration and test structures and which reads off the individual physical data therefrom by an interface. The ophthalmological measuring system is in particular provided for determining biometrical data but can also be used for ophthalmological, dermatological or other devices which require calibration and/or functional checking at regular intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Gerard Antkowiak, Martin Hacker, Ingo Koschmieder, Roland Bergner, Ralf Ebersbach, Thomas Pabst, Eberhard Hofmann, Michael Guentzschel, Steffen Dubnack
  • Patent number: 8050504
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeis Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Claus Flachenecker, Martin Hacker, Scott A. Meyer, Keith E. O'Hara, Rick A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110261320
    Abstract: A solution for attaining high-precision and reproducible measurements during opthalmological biometry and imaging includes an illumination unit for producing a fixation marker, a device for transmitting the light of the produced fixation marker into the eye, a measurement device and a control unit. The illumination unit includes a device for the targeted change of the beam direction of the produced fixation marker. A camera for the detection of the line of vision of the eye is connected to the control unit. The control unit determines the sufficient congruity between detected line of vision and displayed beam direction of the produced fixation marker and, in dependence of the degree of probability of the congruity, triggers a measurement. The suggested arrangement is applicable for opthalmological diagnostic devices, which exhibit a camera and a measuring system, whereby measurements can be taken in all areas of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Scott A. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20110255054
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Ralf Ebersbach, Thomas Pabst, Ulf Peterlein, Gerard Antkowiak, Roland Bergner, Ingo Koschmieder
  • Publication number: 20110238046
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Manfred Dick, Martin Hacker, Michael Kempe
  • Publication number: 20110228218
    Abstract: Imaging systems are provided allowing examination of different object regions spaced apart in a depth direction by visual microscopy and by optical coherence tomography. An axial field of view and a lateral resolution is varied depending on which object region is examined by the imaging system. The proposed imaging systems are in particular applicable for thorough examination of the human eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Markus Seesselberg, Martin Hacker, Keith O'Hara
  • Publication number: 20110199577
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Wilzbach, Martin Hacker, Christoph Hauger