Patents by Inventor Tilman SCHMOLL
Tilman SCHMOLL 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).
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Publication number: 20240115128Abstract: Systems and methods for improved interferometric imaging are presented. One embodiment is a partial field frequency-domain interferometric imaging system in which a light beam is scanned in two directions across a sample and the light scattered from the object is collected using a spatially resolved detector. The light beam could illuminate a spot, a line or a two-dimensional area on the sample. Additional embodiments with applicability to partial field as well as other types of interferometric systems are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.Inventors: Tilman Schmoll, Alexandre R. Tumlinson, Matthew J. Everett, Nathan D. Shemonski
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Publication number: 20240115127Abstract: The system, method and device includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system switchable between single scan mode or multi-scan mode. This is achieved by use of multiple beam splitters to produce multiple OCT beams, but the system still uses a single light source, a single sample arm, and single reference arm to achieve a compact, more cost effective, system. Additionally presented is a spectral domain OCT system with a spectrometer having multiple grating, each providing a different depth and/or resolution imaging capability.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.Inventors: Muzammil A. Arain, Sophie Kubach, Jochen Straub, Tilman Schmoll
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Publication number: 20240081638Abstract: An OCT system is constructed on a micro optical bench or semiconductor optical bench. The present OCT system may use free space optics and avoid the use of fiber optics.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicants: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Carl Zeiss Meditec AGInventors: Matt Everett, Tilman Schmoll
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Publication number: 20240054717Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for acquiring and visualizing OCT signals, comprising an OCT system and a display means designed for the time-resolved display of image data. The system further comprises a control unit configured to drive the OCT system to acquire a time-resolved OCT signal of a selected field of view of the sample and to determine a time-resolved OCT image on the basis of the acquired time-resolved OCT signal and a specifiable virtual viewing direction and to display the time-resolved OCT image on the display means. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method for acquiring and visualizing OCT signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Christoph HAUGER, Tilman SCHMOLL, Nancy HECKER-DENSCHLAG, Joachim STEFFEN
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Publication number: 20240056558Abstract: A system and method for multimodal image acquisition and image visualization, including a surgical-microscopic system with an optical unit and an image sensor and designed for acquiring a time-resolved image signal of a selected field of view of a sample. The system includes an OCT system, which is designed to acquire a time-resolved OCT signal of the selected field of view, a display means designed for the time-resolved display of image data and a control unit. The control unit is configured to ascertain video image data corresponding to the acquired image signal and to present them on the display means, to ascertain a time-resolved OCT image, corresponding at least to a portion of the presented video image data, on the basis of the acquired OCT signal, and to present the OCT image on the display means at the position of the portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Christoph HAUGER, Tilman SCHMOLL, Nancy HECKER-DENSCHLAG, Joachim STEFFEN
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Patent number: 11890052Abstract: Systems and methods for improved interferometric imaging are presented. One embodiment is a partial field frequency-domain interferometric imaging system in which a light beam is scanned in two directions across a sample and the light scattered from the object is collected using a spatially resolved detector. The light beam could illuminate a spot, a line or a two-dimensional area on the sample. Additional embodiments with applicability to partial field as well as other types of interferometric systems are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.Inventors: Tilman Schmoll, Alexandre R. Tumlinson, Matthew J. Everett, Nathan Shemonski
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Patent number: 11688066Abstract: An apparatus for recording and displaying a three-dimensional OCT video includes an OCT system and a data processing unit configured to combine OCT volumes recorded sequentially in time to form a combined OCT volume, to generate display data which facilitate the display of the combined OCT volume, to register a current OCT volume of the OCT volumes, to combine the registered current OCT volume with the previous combined OCT volume to generate an updated combined OCT volume, to carry out a check for combining the registered current OCT volume with the previous combined OCT volume and in respect of which volume regions of the current OCT volume have changed in comparison with the corresponding volume regions of the previous combined OCT volume, and only to combine those volume regions of the current OCT volume that have not changed with the corresponding volume regions of the previous combined OCT volume.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AGInventor: Tilman Schmoll
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Publication number: 20220414875Abstract: An apparatus for recording and displaying a three-dimensional OCT video includes an OCT system and a data processing unit configured to combine OCT volumes recorded sequentially in time to form a combined OCT volume, to generate display data which facilitate the display of the combined OCT volume, to register a current OCT volume of the OCT volumes, to combine the registered current OCT volume with the previous combined OCT volume to generate an updated combined OCT volume, to carry out a check for combining the registered current OCT volume with the previous combined OCT volume and in respect of which volume regions of the current OCT volume have changed in comparison with the corresponding volume regions of the previous combined OCT volume, and only to combine those volume regions of the current OCT volume that have not changed with the corresponding volume regions of the previous combined OCT volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventor: Tilman Schmoll
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Patent number: 11058297Abstract: An OCT system for generating images of an anterior or posterior segment of an eye is described. The system includes a light source, a controller, optics, a detector, and a processor. The light source generates a beam of light and is capable of operating in a posterior or an anterior segment imaging mode. In the posterior segment imaging mode, light source outputs light with a first spectral bandwidth of less than 120 nm and including wavelengths between about 1060 to 1070 nm. In the anterior segment imaging mode the light source outputs light with a second spectral bandwidth that is larger than 120 nm. The controller enables switching between the posterior or anterior segment imaging mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AGInventor: Tilman Schmoll
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Publication number: 20210007601Abstract: Systems and methods for improved interferometric imaging are presented. One embodiment is a partial field frequency-domain interferometric imaging system in which a light beam is scanned in two directions across a sample and the light scattered from the object is collected using a spatially resolved detector. The light beam could illuminate a spot, a line or a two-dimensional area on the sample. Additional embodiments with applicability to partial field as well as other types of interferometric systems are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Tilman SCHMOLL, Alexandre R. TUMLINSON, Matthew J. EVERETT, Nathan SHEMONSKI
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Patent number: 10799111Abstract: Systems and methods for improved interferometric imaging are presented. One embodiment is a partial field frequency-domain interferometric imaging system in which a light beam is scanned in two directions across a sample and the light scattered from the object is collected using a spatially resolved detector. The light beam could illuminate a spot, a line or a two-dimensional area on the sample. Additional embodiments with applicability to partial field as well as other types of interferometric systems are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.Inventors: Tilman Schmoll, Alexandre R. Tumlinson, Matthew J. Everett, Nathan Shemonski
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Patent number: 10571243Abstract: Various systems and methods for sequential angle illumination to achieve ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. One example OCT system includes a light source, a beam divider, sample arm optics, a detector, and a processor. The light source generates a light beam to illuminate the sample. The beam divider separates the light beam into reference and sample arms. The sample arm optics sequentially illuminates a location in the sample with the light beam from different angles. The detector receives light returned from the reference arm and the sample illuminated at each angle and generates signals. The processor combines the signals to generate an image, which has a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AGInventors: Matthew J. Everett, Tilman Schmoll, Nathan Shemonski, Alexandre R. Tumlinson
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Patent number: 10436573Abstract: Various balanced detection systems which reduce alignment requirements of free space optics based balanced detection configurations are discussed. One example system includes a light source, a beam divider, sample optics, return optics, and a processor. The light source generates a light beam. The beam divider separates the light beam into reference and sample arms. The sample optics deliver the light beam in the sample arm to a light scattering object to be imaged. The return optics direct light to a balanced detection system, which has a balanced detection beam divider for combining light scattered from the object and light from the reference arm and directing the combined light into two detection channels and two detectors for collecting the combined light in the two detection channels and generating signals in response thereto. The processor processes the signals and generates image data of the object based on the processed signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AGInventors: Tilman Schmoll, Matthew J. Everett, Nathan Shemonski
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Publication number: 20190216313Abstract: An OCT system for generating images of an anterior or posterior segment of an eye is described. The system includes a light source, a controller, optics, a detector, and a processor. The light source generates a beam of light and is capable of operating in a posterior or an anterior segment imaging mode. In the posterior segment imaging mode, the light source outputs light with a spectral bandwidth equal or narrower than the width of the 1060 nm water absorption window. In the anterior segment imaging mode, the light source outputs light with a spectral bandwidth larger than the width of the 1060 nm water absorption window. The controller enables switching between the posterior or anterior segment imaging mode. The optics scan the light over a set of transverse locations across the eye. The detector measures returning light and generates output signals for use by the processor to generate images.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventor: Tilman SCHMOLL
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Patent number: 10226176Abstract: Techniques are introduced to improve the ability of OCT to determine more accurately the nature of the flow of fluids in the eye, including faster measurements of the flow and a method to reduce geometric uncertainties due to eye movements.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.Inventor: Tilman Schmoll
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Publication number: 20190056214Abstract: Various systems and methods for sequential angle illumination to achieve ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. One example OCT system includes a light source, a beam divider, sample arm optics, a detector, and a processor. The light source generates a light beam to illuminate the sample. The beam divider separates the light beam into reference and sample arms. The sample arm optics sequentially illuminates a location in the sample with the light beam from different angles. The detector receives light returned from the reference arm and the sample illuminated at each angle and generates signals. The processor combines the signals to generate an image, which has a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Matthew J. EVERETT, Tilman SCHMOLL, Nathan SHEMONSKI, Alexandre R. TUMLINSON
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Publication number: 20180364025Abstract: Various balanced detection systems which reduce alignment requirements of free space optics based balanced detection configurations are discussed. One example system includes a light source, a beam divider, sample optics, return optics, and a processor. The light source generates a light beam. The beam divider separates the light beam into reference and sample arms. The sample optics deliver the light beam in the sample arm to a light scattering object to be imaged. The return optics direct light to a balanced detection system, which has a balanced detection beam divider for combining light scattered from the object and light from the reference arm and directing the combined light into two detection channels and two detectors for collecting the combined light in the two detection channels and generating signals in response thereto. The processor processes the signals and generates image data of the object based on the processed signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2016Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Tilman SCHMOLL, Matthew J. EVERETT, Nathan SHEMONSKI
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Patent number: 10113856Abstract: Improved line-field imaging systems incorporating planar waveguides are presented. In one embodiment the optics of the system are configured such that a line of light on the light scattering object is imaged to the planar waveguide in at least one dimension. Embodiments where the waveguide incorporates a beamsplitter of an interferometer, where the beam divider and waveguide are referenced to one or more common surfaces, and wherein the source and waveguide are optically coupled, are also considered. In another embodiment, the planar waveguide is in contact or close proximity to the light scattering object.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Tilman Schmoll, Alexandre R. Tumlinson
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Publication number: 20180116508Abstract: Techniques are introduced to improve the ability of OCT to determine more accurately the nature of the flow of fluids in the eye, including faster measurements of the flow and a method to reduce geometric uncertainties due to eye movements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventor: Tilman SCHMOLL
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Patent number: 9814384Abstract: Techniques are introduced to improve the ability of OCT to determine more accurately the nature of the flow of fluids in the eye, including faster measurements of the flow and a method to reduce geometric uncertainties due to eye movements.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.Inventor: Tilman Schmoll