Patents by Inventor Ralf Wolleschensky

Ralf Wolleschensky 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).

  • Publication number: 20240111141
    Abstract: A light sheet microscope for illuminating a sample arranged in an object plane on a sample carrier, comprising: an illumination device having an objective for illuminating the sample via an illumination beam path with a first light sheet, which intersects the sample volume in a first light sheet plane, the first light sheet plane intersecting the object plane at a skew first illumination angle (?), and a detection device for imaging of light coming from the sample, having an objective, the focal plane lying in the sample volume parallel to or in the object plane, and an area detector having a detector plane. The area detector includes a first slit stop in the detection beam path upstream of the area detector so as to mask out such regions of the sample volume which are illuminated by the first light sheet but lie outside the focal plane of the detection objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Richard HOLLINGER, Jörg SIEBENMORGEN, Helmut LIPPERT, Ralf WOLLESCHENSKY
  • Publication number: 20240071057
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method tests a sensitivity of an image processing model trained using training data which includes microscope images. The training data is also used to form a generative model that can produce a generated microscope image from an input parameter set. The generative model is used to produce a series of generated microscope images by varying at least one parameter of the parameter set. An image processing result is calculated from each of the generated microscope images using the image processing model. A sensitivity of the image processing model to the at least one parameter is then ascertained based on differences between the image processing results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Manuel Amthor, Daniel Haase, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 11300772
    Abstract: An immersion objective comprises an objective body in which optical components are accommodated, at least one immersion fluid tank and at least one objective-body coupling connection on the objective body. The immersion fluid tank can be supported in a detachable manner via the objective-body coupling connection. At least one pump is supported via the objective body, wherein the pump is arranged in order to convey immersion fluid from the immersion fluid tank to an objective front side. A control electronics component is supported via the objective body and is configured to control the at least one pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Knoblich, Ingo Fahlbusch, Markus Sticker, Ralf Wolleschensky, Thomas Ohrt
  • Patent number: 11280993
    Abstract: An immersion set for retrofitting an immersion objective comprises at least one immersion fluid tank, at least one pump fluidly connected to the immersion fluid tank, and a control electronics unit configured at least to control the pump. A fastening device is configured to realize the load-bearing fastening of the at least one immersion fluid tank, the at least one pump and the control electronics unit on the immersion objective or on a mounting adapter for the immersion objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Knoblich, Ingo Fahlbusch, Markus Sticker, Ralf Wolleschensky, Thomas Ohrt
  • Publication number: 20220043244
    Abstract: A sample chamber encloses a sample space for positioning a sample and includes a wall that delimits the sample space and has an outer side facing away from the sample space. An illumination beam path is directed through the outer side into the sample space. Detection radiation is detected along a detection axis extending from the sample chamber through the wall of the sample chamber. The sample chamber has an outer surface with a shape of a spherical section with a circular disc as the base surface. The sample chamber and the detection axis are rotated and/or pivoted relative to one another about the center point of the circular disc so that different angular positions of the sample chamber relative to the detection axis are adjusted and image data is recorded at different angular positions of the sample chamber relative to the detection axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Publication number: 20210341723
    Abstract: An immersion set for retrofitting an immersion objective comprises at least one immersion fluid tank, at least one pump fluidly connected to the immersion fluid tank, and a control electronics unit configured at least to control the pump. A fastening device is configured to realize the load-bearing fastening of the at least one immersion fluid tank, the at least one pump and the control electronics unit on the immersion objective or on a mounting adapter for the immersion objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Johannes Knoblich, Ingo Fahlbusch, Markus Sticker, Ralf Wolleschensky, Thomas Ohrt
  • Publication number: 20210341722
    Abstract: An immersion objective comprises an objective body in which optical components are accommodated, at least one immersion fluid tank and at least one objective-body coupling connection on the objective body. The immersion fluid tank can be supported in a detachable manner via the objective-body coupling connection. At least one pump is supported via the objective body, wherein the pump is arranged in order to convey immersion fluid from the immersion fluid tank to an objective front side. A control electronics component is supported via the objective body and is configured to control the at least one pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Johannes Knoblich, Ingo Fahlbusch, Markus Sticker, Ralf Wolleschensky, Thomas Ohrt
  • Patent number: 11163147
    Abstract: An arrangement for microscopy, having an illumination optical unit with an illumination objective for illuminating a specimen on a specimen carrier. An optical axis of the illumination objective lies in a plane which includes an illumination angle that differs from zero with the normal of a specimen plane and the illumination is implemented in the plane. A detection optical unit with a detection objective is located in a detection beam path. The optical axis of the detection objective includes a detection angle that differs from zero with the normal of the specimen plane. The illumination objective and/or the detection objective has an illumination correction element. A meniscus lens is located between the specimen carrier and the illumination and detection objectives being arranged both in the illumination beam path and in the detection beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Siebenmorgen, Helmut Lippert, Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Wolleschensky, Artur Degen, Matthias Wald, Lars-Christian Wittig, Michael Gölles, Wolfgang Singer
  • Patent number: 11024019
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for ascertaining a need for predictive maintenance for a microscope system. A microscope system, which an image sensor for recording digital images of a sample, recording digital images during regular operation of the microscope system, and providing a digital image as an input data set to an image analysis system, is provided. At least one feature relating to a malfunction of the microscope system during regular operation is determined, a status signal is produced, and a component group of the microscope system for which a maintenance procedure is necessary is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Manuel Amthor, Daniel Haase, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 10948705
    Abstract: A device for recording images is provided, an image-recording device and an illumination device being arranged on the same side of a specimen plane in said device. The image-recording device has illumination portions, for example individual light sources, which are actuatable independently of one another in order to be able to illuminate a specimen in the specimen plane at different angles and/or from different directions. In this way, it is possible to record a plurality of images with different illuminations, which can be combined to form a results image with improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Gaiduk, Markus Sticker, Lars Stoppe, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 10732398
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital microscope that includes an objective lens for enlarged optical imaging of a sample in an image plane. An image with an optical resolution may be represented in the image plane by means of the objective lens. The microscope also includes an image sensor for converting the image, depicted on the image sensor by the objective lens, into an electrical signal. The image sensor includes a matrix of pixels by means of which a maximum image resolution of the image sensor is determined, which is finer than the optical resolution of the objective lens. The objective lens has a maximum magnification factor of at most 40. The optical resolution of the objective lens is defined as a minimum distance between two structures that are distinguishable in the image. The maximum image resolution of the image sensor is defined by a pixel pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Gaiduk, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 10698225
    Abstract: A microscope, in particular according to any of the preceding claims, consisting of an illuminating device, comprising an illumination light source and an illumination beam path for illuminating the specimen with a light sheet, a detection device for detecting light emitted by the specimen, and an imaging optical unit, which images the specimen via an imaging objective in an imaging beam path at least partly onto the detection device, wherein the light sheet is essentially planar at the focus of the imaging objective or in a defined plane in proximity of the geometrical focus of the imaging objective, and wherein the imaging objective has an optical axis, which intersects the plane of the light sheet at an angle that is different from zero, preferably perpendicularly, wherein an amplitude and/or phase filter is provided in the illumination beam path, said filter acting as a sine spatial filter in that it limits the illumination light in at least one spatial direction by filtering the spatial frequencies that
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Singer, Jorg Siebenmorgen, Tiemo Anhut, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Publication number: 20200202508
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for ascertaining a need for predictive maintenance for a microscope system. A microscope system, which an image sensor for recording digital images of a sample, recording digital images during regular operation of the microscope system, and providing a digital image as an input data set to an image analysis system, is provided. At least one feature relating to a malfunction of the microscope system during regular operation is determined, a status signal is produced, and a component group of the microscope system for which a maintenance procedure is necessary is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Manuel AMTHOR, Daniel HAASE, Ralf WOLLESCHENSKY
  • Patent number: 10649188
    Abstract: In a high-resolution spectrally selective scanning microscopy of a sample, the sample is excited with illumination radiation in order to emit fluorescence radiation such that the illumination radiation is bundled into an illumination spot in or on the sample. The illumination spot is diffraction-limited in at least one spatial direction and has a minimum extension in said spatial direction. Fluorescence radiation emitted from the illumination spot is imaged into a diffraction image lying on an image plane in a diffraction-limited manner and is detected with a spatial resolution which resolves a structure of a diffraction image of the fluorescence radiation emitted from the illumination spot. The illumination spot is moved into different scanning positions. An individual image is generated for each scanning position, in a diffraction-limited manner onto a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Wolleschensky, Ralf Netz, Yauheni Novikau
  • Patent number: 10539505
    Abstract: In a method for creating a digital fluorescent image, the light emitted per pixel from an object plane is converted into a sequence of amplitudes, each of which is associated with one specific measurement time, the sequence of amplitudes is auto-correlated in a manner that is delayed by at least one time offset, and a specific correlation amplitude, from which a total amplitude is determined, is formed for each of the time offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 10477124
    Abstract: A device and a method for imaging a sample arranged in an object plane. The device includes an optical relay system that images an area of the sample from the object plane into an intermediate image plane. The device may also include an optical imaging system with an objective having an optical axis that lies perpendicularly on the intermediate image plan, and which is focused on the intermediate image plane, with the result that the object plane can be imaged undistorted onto a detector. The device also can include an illumination apparatus for illuminating the sample with a light sheet, wherein the light sheet lies essentially in the object plane and defines an illumination direction, and wherein the normal of the object plane defines a detection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Lippert, Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ingo Kleppe, Joerg Siebenmorgen, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 10459208
    Abstract: In a sample, fluorescence emitters are repeatedly excited to emit fluorescence, and still images are produced of the sample by means of a microscope. At least a subset of the fluorescence emitters is isolated in each still image. The positions of the fluorescence emitters are localized in the still images with a location accuracy exceeding the optical resolution. A high-resolution composite image is generated therefrom. An adaptive mirror is arranged in the imaging beam path, and is adjusted in such a manner that it produces an astigmatism when at least one of the still images is produced. As a result, still images with astigmatism are captured. Depth position information for the fluorescence emitters is derived from the rotational asymmetry. The adaptive mirror is additionally adjusted in such a manner that it does not produce any astigmatism when some of the still images are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Publication number: 20190302441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital microscope that includes an objective lens for enlarged optical imaging of a sample in an image plane. An image with an optical resolution may be represented in the image plane by means of the objective lens. The microscope also includes an image sensor for converting the image, depicted on the image sensor by the objective lens, into an electrical signal. The image sensor includes a matrix of pixels by means of which a maximum image resolution of the image sensor is determined, which is finer than the optical resolution of the objective lens. The objective lens has a maximum magnification factor of at most 40. The optical resolution of the objective lens is defined as a minimum distance between two structures that are distinguishable in the image. The maximum image resolution of the image sensor is defined by a pixel pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander GAIDUK, Ralf WOLLESCHENSKY
  • Patent number: 10401607
    Abstract: For the purposes of high-resolution scanning microscopy, a sample is excited by illumination radiation to emit fluorescent radiation in such a way that the illumination radiation is focused at a point in or on the sample, so as to form a diffraction-limited illumination spot. The point is imaged in a diffraction image on a detector in a diffraction-limited manner, wherein the detector has detector elements and a plurality of location channels which resolve a diffraction structure of the diffraction image. The sample is scanned with various scanning positions with an increment smaller than half the diameter of the illumination spot. An image of the sample with a resolution that is increased beyond a resolution limit of the image is generated from the data of the detector and from the scanning positions associated with these data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kleppe, Ralf Wolleschensky, Yauheni Novikau
  • Patent number: 10371932
    Abstract: An optical device comprises a light source and a detector, and also a sample holder, which is configured to fix an object in the optical path of light. A scanning optical unit is configured, for a multiplicity of scanning positions, in each case selectively to direct light incident from different angular ranges from the object onto the detector. On the basis of a three-dimensional light field represented by corresponding measurement data of the multiplicity of scanning positions, a spatially resolved imaging of the object is generated, said imaging comprising at least two images from different object planes of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Singer, Ralf Wolleschensky, Ingo Kleppe, Toufic Jabbour, Michael Gölles, Kai Wicker