Patents by Inventor Werner Nahm

Werner Nahm 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: 11771322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented method (10) for determining the blood volume flow (IBI) through a portion (90i, i=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of a blood vessel (88) in an operating region (36) using a fluorophore. A plurality of images (801, 802, 803, 804, . . . ) are provided, which are based on fluorescent light in the form of light having wavelengths lying within a fluorescence spectrum of the fluorophore, and which show the portion (90i) of the blood vessel (88) at different recording times (t1, t2, t3, t4, . . . ). By processing at least one of the provided images (801, 802, 803, 804, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Ady Naber, Werner Nahm, Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler
  • Publication number: 20230080925
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented method (10) for determining the blood volume flow (IBI) through a portion (90i, i=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of a blood vessel (88) in an operating region (36) using a fluorophore. A plurality of images (801, 802, 803, 804, . . . ) are provided, which are based on fluorescent light in the form of light having wavelengths lying within a fluorescence spectrum of the fluorophore, and which show the portion (90i) of the blood vessel (88) at different recording times (t1, t2, t3, t4, . . . ). By processing at least one of the provided images (801, 802, 803, 804, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ady NABER, Werner NAHM, Christoph HAUGER, Roland GUCKLER
  • Patent number: 11138728
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines a geometric feature of a section of a blood vessel in an operating region. An image of the section is provided. An adapted blood vessel model is provided via image processing for the section by adapting a blood vessel model, which describes the section as a flow channel with a wall delimiting the latter and with an axis of symmetry. A centerline of the section of the blood vessel is determined as a contiguous pixel line. A relative spatial position of the side of the wall is ascertained based on the centerline and the image provided. The geometric feature is derived from the adapted blood vessel model. The disclosure also relates to a method for determining the length of a contiguous pixel line in an image and a system for determining a geometric feature of a section of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Ady Naber, Daniel Berwanger, Werner Nahm, Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler
  • Publication number: 20210241453
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines a geometric feature of a section of a blood vessel in an operating region. An image of the section is provided. An adapted blood vessel model is provided via image processing for the section by adapting a blood vessel model, which describes the section as a flow channel with a wall delimiting the latter and with an axis of symmetry. A centerline of the section of the blood vessel is determined as a contiguous pixel line. A relative spatial position of the side of the wall is ascertained based on the centerline and the image provided. The geometric feature is derived from the adapted blood vessel model. The disclosure also relates to a method for determining the length of a contiguous pixel line in an image and a system for determining a geometric feature of a section of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Ady Naber, Daniel Berwanger, Werner Nahm, Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler
  • Patent number: 9727962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for visualizing characteristic tissue with a colorant in a surgical region. The system contains a detection unit which detects light from at least one object point in the surgical region. The system has a computer unit which is connected to the detection unit and drives a visualization unit which displays an image of an area in the surgical region. The computer unit determines the color coordinate in a color space with respect to the light from a point from the object point in the surgical region. Depending on the position of the color coordinate determined with respect to the object point, the computer unit calculates a color coordinate information (“0”, “1”) for controlling the visualization unit by comparing information concerning the determined color coordinate of the object point with information concerning a characteristic reference color coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler, Helge Jess, Joachim Steffen, Werner Nahm
  • Patent number: 9510730
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method are provided. The probe for an imaging apparatus includes a manually manipulable proximal portion; a straight distal portion with a distal tip for locating at a site to define an observational field; and a curved portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The imaging method includes the steps of locating a distal tip of an imaging probe at a site to define an observational field; irradiating the observational field from the distal tip; and collecting a return signal at the distal tip; wherein the probe comprises a manually manipulable proximal portion. The apparatus and method provided herein are useful for various applications including but not limited to endomicroscopy and other microsurgical procedures performed under optical stereoscopic magnified visualization, such as neurosurgery, ENT/facial surgery and spinal surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: Optiscan Pty Ltd., Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Miesner, Christoph Hauger, Werner Nahm, Frank Rudolph, Guido Hattendorf, Peter M. Delaney, John D. Allen
  • Patent number: 9357931
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 9351644
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 9320438
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 9129366
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Publication number: 20150230715
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Publication number: 20150230710
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Publication number: 20150230711
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to medical systems and methods. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining a fluorescent light intensity at one or more points on each of multiple recorded images, and producing an image based on the determined fluorescent light intensity at the one or more points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Werner Nahm, Roland Guckler, Thomas Holzhauer
  • Publication number: 20150073270
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and method are provided. The probe for an imaging apparatus includes a manually manipulable proximal portion; a straight distal portion with a distal tip for locating at a site to define an observational field; and a curved portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The imaging method includes the steps of locating a distal tip of an imaging probe at a site to define an observational field; irradiating the observational field from the distal tip; and collecting a return signal at the distal tip; wherein the probe comprises a manually manipulable proximal portion. The apparatus and method provided herein are useful for various applications including but not limited to endomicroscopy and other microsurgical procedures performed under optical stereoscopic magnified visualization, such as neurosurgery, ENT/facial surgery and spinal surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicants: OPTISCAN PTY LTD., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS SURGICAL GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Miesner, Christoph Hauger, Werner Nahm, Frank Rudolph, Guido Hattendorf, Peter M. Delaney, John D. Allen
  • Patent number: 8929974
    Abstract: In a system and a method for examining an object containing a fluid liquid, the object is illuminated with measuring light and images are temporarily shortly subsequently recorded. The images are evaluated per pixel to determine perfusion data from a high frequency portion above 1 kHz and to determine further information about properties of the object from a low frequency portion below 100 Hz, such as a degree of oxygenation of hemoglobin, a concentration of hemoglobin or a concentration of ICG. This information determined by evaluation is displayed in a form of an image in superposition with a white light image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Werner Nahm, Theo Lasser, Marcel Leutenegger, Erica Martin-Williams, Antonio Lopez
  • Patent number: 8659651
    Abstract: A surgical microscope for observing an infrared fluorescence includes a camera system 25 having three chips, wherein infrared light emanating from an object is supplied to only one of the three camera chips via a dichroic beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Helge Jess, Dieter Quendt, Werner Nahm, Joachim Steffen
  • Publication number: 20130307953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for visualizing characteristic tissue with a colorant in a surgical region. The system contains a detection unit which detects light from at least one object point in the surgical region. The system has a computer unit which is connected to the detection unit and drives a visualization unit which displays an image of an area in the surgical region. The computer unit determines the color coordinate in a color space with respect to the light from a point from the object point in the surgical region. Depending on the position of the color coordinate determined with respect to the object point, the computer unit calculates a color coordinate information (“0”, “1”) for controlling the visualization unit by comparing information concerning the determined color coordinate of the object point with information concerning a characteristic reference color coordinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler, Helge Jess, Joachim Steffen, Werner Nahm
  • Patent number: 8483796
    Abstract: An arrangement quantitatively determines the blood flow within blood vessels through which blood flows in a volume of a tissue defining a surface. Three-dimensional first image data of a first volume portion of the volume is detected and optical second image data is detected continuously in time of a first surface portion of the surface. A calibrating unit of the arrangement calibrates the relative value of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels disposed directly below the first surface portion based on the absolute values of the flow speed and/or of the volumetric flow of the blood. An output unit outputs the absolute values of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels arranged directly below the first surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventor: Werner Nahm
  • 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: 20120190967
    Abstract: An arrangement quantitatively determines the blood flow within blood vessels through which blood flows in a volume of a tissue defining a surface. Three-dimensional first image data of a first volume portion of the volume is detected and optical second image data is detected continuously in time of a first surface portion of the surface. A calibrating unit of the arrangement calibrates the relative value of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels disposed directly below the first surface portion based on the absolute values of the flow speed and/or of the volumetric flow of the blood. An output unit outputs the absolute values of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels arranged directly below the first surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Werner Nahm