Abstract: A refractometer provides a reference path coaxial with a measurement path and thereby simplifies construction by reducing the number of parts and simplifies maintenance by halving the number of optical axes to be aligned. The refractometer includes a reference projector for projecting a reference pattern on a reference pattern position on a detector during a reference interval, a site-selector for selecting a measurement site on an optical system, and a measurement projector for projecting a measurement pattern through this selected measurement site and onto a measurement pattern position on the detector during a measurement interval. The reference projector, the site selector, and the measurement projector are all aligned along the same optical axis. In the case in which the optical system is a human eye, the designated site in typically a site on the cornea and the detector is the retina of the eye.

Abstract: A confocal microscope for generating an image of a sample includes a first scanning element for scanning a light beam along a first axis, and a second scanning element for scanning the light beam at a predetermined amplitude along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A third scanning element scans the light beam at a predetermined amplitude along a third axis perpendicular to an imaging plane defined by the first and second axes. The second and third scanning element are synchronized to scan at the same frequency. The second and third predetermined amplitudes are percentages of their maximum amplitudes. A selector determines the second and third predetermined amplitudes such that the sum of the percentages is equal to one-hundred percent.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope has an illuminating aperture and a detecting aperture whose optical axes intersect at an angle. Multiplication of a predominantly transverse section of the point spread function of one aperture with the predominantly axial section of the point spread function of the other aperture results in improved axial resolution to the extent that the transverse section is narrower than the axial section.

Abstract: A confocal microscope for generating an image of a sample includes a first scanning element for scanning a light beam along a first axis, and a second scanning element for scanning the light beam at a predetermined amplitude along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A third scanning element scans the light beam at a predetermined amplitude along a third axis perpendicular to an imaging plane defined by the first and second axes. The second and third scanning element are synchronized to scan at the same frequency. The second and third predetermined amplitudes are percentages of their maximum amplitudes. A selector determines the second and third predetermined amplitudes such that the sum of the percentages is equal to one-hundred percent.

Abstract: An image input device is provided in which an optical deflector is positioned to divide the image of an object into a plurality of sub-images and to deflect the sub-images to an image sensor via an imaging lens. The images sensed by the image sensor are stored in a memory and combined by an image processor to form a composite image of the object. A hybrid zoom arrangement allows the magnification of an image on a display to be adjusted both mechanically and electronically. Techniques and circuitry for image processing allow a user to remove undesirable motion blur from the real time image and allow an input image to be patch-wise warped into an output image. An optical encoder for accurately determining the position of a deflector such as a mirror has also been provided.

Abstract: A beam steering optical system having a system pupil includes an irradiating optical system producing an irradiating light beam for irradiating an object. The system also includes a two-sided rotatable mirror positioned to cover only a first portion of the system pupil and to receive and reflect with a first surface the irradiating light beam. An objective lens receives the irradiating light beam reflected from the mirror and focuses the irradiating light beam on the object. These elements together define an irradiation path for the irradiating light beam. When reflected by the object, the irradiating light beam is denoted as a detecting light beam. The objective lens receives the detecting light beam reflected by the object and directs it to a second portion of the system pupil not covered by mirror.

Abstract: The invention relates to a confocal laser imaging system and method. The system includes a laser source, a beam splitter, focusing elements, and a photosensitive detector. The laser source projects a laser beam along a first optical path at an object to be imaged, and modulates the intensity of the projected laser beam in response to light reflected from the object. A beam splitter directs a portion of the projected laser beam onto a photodetector. The photodetector monitors the intensity of laser output. The laser source can be an electrically scannable array, with a lens or objective assembly for focusing light generated by the array onto the object of interest. As the array is energized, its laser beams scan over the object, and light reflected at each point is returned by the lens to the element of the array from which it originated. A single photosensitive detector element can generate an intensity-representative signal for all lasers of the array.

Abstract: An optical concentrator increases the power density from diffuse optical energy remitted by an optically diffusing surface by at least partially recollimating the diffuse optical energy. The concentrator includes an optical diffuser element illuminated at a first point by optical input energy and remitting incident optical energy. A reflective element has a reflective surface with a concentration point located at the first point and the reflective surface reflects diffuse optical energy incident on it from the diffuser element. At least one aperture is provided for the transmission of an output beam formed by a portion of the diffuse optical energy from at least the diffuser element.

Abstract: A spatially resolved map of the eye's refractive characteristics are provided by measuring the eye's refractive characteristics on a point-by-point basis across the anterior surface of the eye. This spatially resolved refraction data may be obtained subjectively by providing a reference pattern and a measurement beam, by establishing a particular position on the cornea as the location to be measured and manipulating the orientation of the measurement beam at that measurement point to bring the measurement beam to a desired position relative to the reference image. When the patient indicates that the measurement beam is in the desired position relative to the reference pattern, the orientation of the beam is recorded as the refractive data for that measurement point and the process proceeds to another measurement point. This provides relatively rapid, physiologically accurate refractive data on a spatially resolved basis.

Abstract: Eye alignment is determined by producing a combined iris/retinal image by use of an imaging system. The relative position of the centroid of the pupil and various structures on the retina is indicative of the eye alignment. The eye alignment may be determined by comparing a combined iris/retinal image at the present time with a stored iris/retinal image at a past time. The imaging system may be a laser scanning ophthalmoscope.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating an image of an object utilize a scannable microlaser array to provide a flying spot light source. The microlaser array is scan-energized and imaged onto the object to illuminate the object. Light scattered, reflected, or transmitted from the object is collected and detected, and can be converted to a video-level signal for display on a monitor. The microlaser array can be raster-scanned, scanned in a random access mode, or have at least two laser elements energized simultaneously, to enhance contrast, provide multiplexing, and increase dynamic range. A confocal configuration utilizes a detector array that is scan-read synchronously with the laser excitation pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting cross scan error in a two coordinate optical scanning system where the two scanners are spaced apart in the optical system. An anamorphic lens is positioned between the scanner which is introducing the cross scan error and the second scanner, with the lens being formed and positioned so that the focal length on the coordinate of scan from the first scanner is different from its focal length on the coordinate of scan orthogonal to it. An object lens is placed between the second scanner and the object being scanned. This lens in an ophtalmoscope is the lens of the eye.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for providing a two-dimensional output representation of reflection characteristics of an eye fundus in which a laser beam is passed through an anamorphic optical element to produce an output beam focused on a first axis and dispersed on a second axis normal to the first axis forming a line. The line of the output beam is directed onto a scanning element which moves the beam along the first axis and a focusing element directing the output beam from the scanning element through the pupil of the eye onto the fundus, the size of the beam being such that it has a small cross sectional area at the pupillary plane of the eye compared to the diameter of the pupil. The light from the fundus is reflected back through an exit aperture which is large compared to the cross sectional dimension of the input beam at the pupillary plane. The device includes a detector which extends along the non-scanning coordinate of the scanned area.

Abstract: An optical instrument which operates with an incident optical beam scanned at high rates and with correspondingly small sized scanning devices, has a double-scanning optical system. The output reflected beam that is detected overfills the first-stage scanning element, yet the instrument attains a relatively high-contrast image. The instrument provides for astigmatism correction, graphic generation in the scanned beam, and the use of infrared wavelength laser beams as well as visible wavelength laser beams. It also provides for generating system timing pulses from a rotating scanning element.

Abstract: An optical instrument which operates with an incident optical beam scanned at high rates and with correspondingly small sized scanning devices, has a double-scanning optical system. The output reflected beam that is detected overfills the first-stage scanning element, yet the instrument attains a relatively high-contrast image.

Abstract: An optical instrument which operates with an incident optical beam scanned at high rates and with correspondingly small sized scanning devices, has a double-scanning optical system. The output reflected beam that is detected overfills the first-stage scanning element, yet the instrument attains a relatively high-contrast image. The instrument provides for astigmatism correction, graphic generation in the scanned beam, and the use of infrared wavelength laser beams as well as visible wavelength laser beams. It also provides for generating system timing pulses from a rotating scanning element.

Abstract: A scanning ophthalmoscope for repeatedly scanning a selected portion of an eye fundus has a laser source which produces a directed narrow-beam output and means for scanning the fundus with at least one selected scanning sequence. The scanning beam passes through a pivot point located in a preselected plane, preferably within the eye, for providing a wide field of view. An optical system directs light reflected from the fundus to a detector, which produces an electrical output signal proportional to the detected light. An output element provides a visual representation of the magnitude of the output signal in a spatial distribution corresponding to the scanning sequence.