Patents by Inventor Rico Fuchs

Rico Fuchs 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: 11759105
    Abstract: An illumination system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern for measuring the cornea of an eye and, in particular, for determining the topography of the eye. In so doing, the system facilitates distance-independent measurements. The illumination system includes an illumination unit, an optical element for collimating the illumination light and a unit for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern in the form of a fraxicon. In particular, the illumination unit includes a plurality of illumination modules which are arranged such that each illumination module illuminates part of the fraxicon, and consequently a full-area illumination is facilitated. The system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern serves to determine the topography of the cornea of an eye. Here, the system is designed as a compact module, and so it can be easily combined with other measurement systems, without interfering with the beam paths thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Beate Böhme, Rico Fuchs, Günter Rudolph, Michael Güntzschel, Jörg Meissner, Thomas Mohr, Daniel Bublitz
  • Patent number: 11298015
    Abstract: An illumination system for producing an illumination pattern for measuring the cornea of an eye and, in particular, for determining the topography thereof and in so doing facilitating distance-independent measurements. The illumination system according to the invention for determining the topography of the cornea of an eye includes an illumination unit and a unit for producing an illumination pattern, wherein the illumination unit includes a plurality of illumination modules. A lens array which produces a spatially distributed, collimated illumination pattern is used as a unit for producing an illumination pattern. The illumination system produces an illumination pattern, by which the topography of the cornea of an eye can be determined. Here, the illumination system is designed as a compact module, and so it can be easily combined with other measurement systems, without colliding with the beam paths thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Beate Böhme, Rico Fuchs, Günter Rudolph
  • Publication number: 20220035116
    Abstract: A device and method of compensating for the temperature dependence of a facet lens used for determining the topography of an eye. According to the invention, temperature sensors are present for determining the temperature of the facet lens. In addition, the temperature dependence of the beam angles of the beam bundles is stored in a control and evaluation unit, which, in addition to the temperature of the facet lens transmitted by the temperature sensors, are taken into account by the control and evaluation unit when evaluating the recordings of the image recording unit. The device and method are described in the context of facet lenses that are used to determine the topography of an eye. However, in principle, they are usable wherever an existing temperature dependence, in particular of optical components, should be compensated for.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Ferid BAJRAMOVIC, Rico FUCHS
  • Publication number: 20190246899
    Abstract: An illumination system for producing an illumination pattern for measuring the cornea of an eye and, in particular, for determining the topography thereof and in so doing facilitating distance-independent measurements. The illumination system according to the invention for determining the topography of the cornea of an eye includes an illumination unit and a unit for producing an illumination pattern, wherein the illumination unit includes a plurality of illumination modules. A lens array which produces a spatially distributed, collimated illumination pattern is used as a unit for producing an illumination pattern. The illumination system produces an illumination pattern, by which the topography of the cornea of an eye can be determined. Here, the illumination system is designed as a compact module, and so it can be easily combined with other measurement systems, without colliding with the beam paths thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Beate BÖHME, Rico FUCHS, Günter RUDOLPH
  • Publication number: 20190223715
    Abstract: An illumination system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern for measuring the cornea of an eye and, in particular, for determining the topography of the eye. In so doing, the system facilitates distance-independent measurements. The illumination system includes an illumination unit, an optical element for collimating the illumination light and a unit for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern in the form of a fraxicon. In particular, the illumination unit includes a plurality of illumination modules which are arranged such that each illumination module illuminates part of the fraxicon, and consequently a full-area illumination is facilitated. The system for producing a spatially distributed illumination pattern serves to determine the topography of the cornea of an eye. Here, the system is designed as a compact module, and so it can be easily combined with other measurement systems, without interfering with the beam paths thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Beate BÖHME, Rico FUCHS, Günter RUDOLPH, Michael GÜNTZSCHEL, Jörg MEISSNER, Thomas MOHR, Daniel BUBLITZ
  • Patent number: 10213103
    Abstract: A module for ophthalmological devices which enables ophthalmological devices to carry out keratometry and topography measurements of the eye. The proposed topography module is provided for ophthalmological devices with a distance-independent keratometer. The topography module, which is used to generate the luminous pattern, is arranged in a fixed or moveable manner in the beam path between the ophthalmological device and the eye. A control unit is provided to control the topography module for generating luminous patterns. The provided evaluation unit is also suitable to carry out keratometric as well as topographic evaluations of the reflection images of an eye, captured and transmitted by the detection unit. The invention enables ophthalmological devices, which are equipped with a distance-independent keratometer, to carry out additional topographical measurements on the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reich, Rico Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9855169
    Abstract: A method for marking coagulation sites on a retina by application of a light source including projecting a serial spot sequence from a sequential, one-dimensional series of spots on the retina, wherein the individual spots indicate the coagulation sites; waiting for confirmation of the sequence of individual spots; after confirming, recalculating an automated sequence of steps having a further serial spot sequence and projecting them on the retina according to the first step; and subsequent repeating of the second and third steps. Also, a system for coagulating the retina, having an imaging diagnostic unit, a therapy beam for coagulating coagulation sites, a pilot beam for marking the coagulation sites by a spot sequence, a beam deflecting unit for generating the spot sequence and for positioning the therapy beam, an electronic control unit for controlling the above devices, a software interface, and an interactive interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Gerald Kunath-Fandrei, Jenny Dünger, Rico Fuchs, Manfred Dick
  • Publication number: 20170188821
    Abstract: A module for ophthalmological devices which enables ophthalmological devices to carry out keratometry and topography measurements of the eye. The proposed topography module is provided for ophthalmological devices with a distance-independent keratometer. The topography module, which is used to generate the luminous pattern, is arranged in a fixed or moveable manner in the beam path between the ophthalmological device and the eye. A control unit is provided to control the topography module for generating luminous patterns. The provided evaluation unit is also suitable to carry out keratometric as well as topographic evaluations of the reflection images of an eye, captured and transmitted by the detection unit. The invention enables ophthalmological devices, which are equipped with a distance-independent keratometer, to carry out additional topographical measurements on the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Matthias REICH, Rico FUCHS
  • Patent number: 9560958
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Martin Kuehner, Rico Fuchs, Matthias Reich
  • Patent number: 9364144
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Ferid Bajramovic, Rico Fuchs, Martin Kühner
  • Patent number: 9351635
    Abstract: A solution for the individual automatic rough positioning of ophthalmological equipment with respect to ensure the diagnostic or therapeutic treatment of the patient. The assembly includes a positioning aid and a control unit for the automatic alignment of the axis of vision of the eye with the optical axis of the ophthalmological equipment. The positioning aid includes a chin rest and a forehead support which have corresponding controllable actuating devices. The assembly has an additional measuring device for recording the geometry of the face of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Steinmetz, Michael Güntzschel, Rico Fuchs
  • Patent number: 9084564
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Günter Rudolph, Martin Hacker, Tobias Bühren, Roland Bergner, Burkhard Wagner, Rico Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20150164691
    Abstract: A method for marking coagulation sites on a retina by application of a light source including projecting a serial spot sequence from a sequential, one-dimensional series of spots on the retina, wherein the individual spots indicate the coagulation sites; waiting for confirmation of the sequence of individual spots; after confirming, recalculating an automated sequence of steps having a further serial spot sequence and projecting them on the retina according to the first step; and subsequent repeating of the second and third steps. Also, a system for coagulating the retina, having an imaging diagnostic unit, a therapy beam for coagulating coagulation sites, a pilot beam for marking the coagulation sites by a spot sequence, a beam deflecting unit for generating the spot sequence and for positioning the therapy beam, an electronic control unit for controlling the above devices, a software interface, and an interactive interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Gerald KUNATH-FANDREI, Jenny DÜNGER, Rico FUCHS, Manfred DICK
  • Patent number: 8986289
    Abstract: A method for marking coagulation sites on a retina by application of a light source including: projecting a serial spot sequence from a sequential, one-dimensional series of spots on the retina, wherein the individual spots indicate the coagulation sites; waiting for confirmation of the sequence of individual spots; after confirming, recalculating an automated sequence of steps having a further serial spot sequence and projecting them on the retina according to the first step; and subsequent repeating of the second and third steps. Also, a system for coagulating the retina, having an imaging diagnostic unit, a therapy beam for coagulating coagulation sites, a pilot beam for marking the coagulation sites by a spot sequence, a beam deflecting unit for generating the spot sequence and for positioning the therapy beam, an electronic control unit for controlling the above devices, a software interface, and an interactive interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Gerald Kunath-Fandrei, Jenny Dünger, Rico Fuchs, Manfred Dick
  • Publication number: 20150057989
    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: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Martin Kuehner, Rico Fuchs, Matthias Reich
  • Patent number: 8857443
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Martin Kuehner, Rico Fuchs, Matthias Reich
  • Publication number: 20140078468
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Daniel Bublitz, Günter Rudolph, Martin Hacker, Tobias Bühren, Roland Bergner, Burkhard Wagner, Rico Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20130286353
    Abstract: A solution for the individual automatic rough positioning of ophthalmological equipment with respect to a to ensure the diagnostic or therapeutic treatment of the patient. The assembly includes a positioning aid and a control unit for the automatic alignment of the axis of vision of the eye with the optical axis of the ophthalmological equipment. The positioning aid includes a chin rest and a forehead support which have corresponding controllable actuating devices. The assembly has an additional measuring device for recording the geometry of the face of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Steinmetz, Michael Güntzschel, Rico Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20130242259
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Martin Hacker, Ferid Bajramovic, Rico Fuchs, Martin Kühner
  • 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