Objective Type Patents (Class 351/205)
  • Patent number: 8356900
    Abstract: Example embodiments of a large dynamic range sequential wavefront sensor for vision correction or assessment procedures are disclosed. An example embodiment optically relays a wavefront from an eye pupil or corneal plane to a wavefront sampling plane in such a manner that somewhere in the relaying process, the wavefront beam from the eye within a large eye diopter range is made to reside within a desired physical dimension over a certain axial distance range in a wavefront image space and/or a Fourier transform space. As a result, a wavefront beam shifting device can be disposed there to fully intercept and hence shift the whole beam to transversely shift the relayed wavefront.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Clarity Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, William Shea
  • Patent number: 8353596
    Abstract: Among other items, an illumination device (110) is [provided] for an observation device (100) having one, two or more observation beam paths, each with at least one observation beam bundle, in particular for an operating microscope, having at least one light source (112) for producing at least one illumination beam path with at least one illumination beam bundle (121, 122, 123) for illuminating an object to be observed, in particular, an eye to be observed, in addition having at least one illumination optics unit (11)*, which is constructed according to the Köhler principle of illumination, as well as an objective element (119), wherein the at least one illumination beam path or the at least one illumination beam bundle (121, 122, 123) runs coaxially to an observation beam path or observation beam bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditech AG
    Inventor: Artur Hoegele
  • Publication number: 20130010257
    Abstract: An in vivo method of characterizing dynamic tear films has been developed using a near infrared phase-shifting interferometer. This interferometer continuously measures light reflected from the tear film, allowing precision analysis of the dynamic surface topography. Movies showing the tear film behavior may be generated along with quantitative metrics describing the tear film surface as it changes in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Brian C. Primeau, John E. Greivenkamp, JR., James William Haywood, Gregory A. Williby
  • Publication number: 20130010258
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate an object to be examined with a plurality of measuring beams, a scanning unit configured to perform scanning with the plurality of measuring beams, a specifying unit configured to specify a size of an overlap region where scanning regions of the plurality of measuring beams on the object to be examined overlap one another, and a change unit configured to change one of a center-to-center distance of the scanning regions and a size of each of the scanning regions according to the size of the overlap region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsutomu Utagawa
  • Patent number: 8348425
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems establish an optical surface shape that mitigates or treats a vision condition in a patient. An optical surface shape for a particular patient can be determined using a set of patient parameters for the specific patient by using a compound modulation transfer function (CMTF). The compound modulation transfer function can include a combination of modulation transfer functions (MTF's) at a plurality of distinct frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC.
    Inventors: Guang-Ming Dai, Kingman Yee
  • Patent number: 8348426
    Abstract: An optical image measurement device is configured to form a tomographic image at each of a plurality of cross sections of a measurement object, and the optical image measurement device comprises: an image processor configured to execute an arithmetic operation based on a tomographic image at one cross section of the plurality of cross sections and another tomographic image at each of one or more cross sections other than the one cross section, thereby forming a new tomographic image at the one cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsukada, Hiroyuki Aoki, Yasufumi Fukuma, Tsutomu Kikawa
  • Patent number: 8342688
    Abstract: A multifocal capable ophthalmic aberrometer has an afocal relay defining an optical axis, an object plane, and an image plane. The image plane is conjugated to the object plane. A probe beam is projected along the optical axis and is propagated toward the object plane. Reflection of the probe beam from a subject eye located at the object plane generates a wavefront emerging from the object plane. A Hartmann-Shack sensor positioned at the image plane and produces an image of Hartmann-Shack spots of the wavefront. A control electronics acquires the images of the Hartmann-Shack spots in a single measurement. A processing electronics calculates an optical power map of the subject eye with respect to a center of the wavefront and averages the optical power map over the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Casimir Andrew Swinger
  • Patent number: 8342686
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems establish an optical surface shape that mitigates or treats a vision condition in a patient. An optical surface shape for a particular patient can be determined using a set of patient parameters for the specific patient by using a compound modulation transfer function (CMTF). The compound modulation transfer function can include a combination of modulation transfer functions (MTF's) at a plurality of distinct frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC.
    Inventor: Guang-Ming Dai
  • Publication number: 20120320337
    Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and implanting a customized intra-ocular lens (IOL) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes an eye analysis module that analyzes a patient's eye and generates biometric information relating to the eye. The system also includes eye modeling and optimization modules to generate an optimized IOL model based upon the biometric information and other inputted parameters representative of patient preferences. The system further includes a manufacturing module configured manufacture the customized IOL based on the optimized IOL model. In addition, the system can include an intra-operative real time analyzer configured to measure and display topography and aberrometry information related to a patient's eye for assisting in proper implantation of the IOL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Stefano SALVATI, Cesare TANASSI, Gianluigi MENEGHINI, Renato FRISON, Walter ZANETTE
  • Patent number: 8333474
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus for precisely positioning an optical instrument, such as a wavefront aberrometer, in three dimensions with respect to a patient's eye. The ophthalmic apparatus may include an optical instrument directed in a first direction toward a target area to receive light therefrom and a camera directed in a second direction toward the target area to receive light therefrom, the first and second directions being non-parallel. The camera may include imaging optics to form an optical image on a photodetector array using light reflected from the target area. The ophthalmic apparatus may also include a processor configured to correlate a position of the optical image on the photodetector array with the distance between the optical instrument and the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: WaveTec Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Michaels, Max Hall, Diego Cueto, T. Scott Rowe, Thomas Padrick
  • Patent number: 8333475
    Abstract: An electro-oculography measuring device includes: an electro-oculography measuring unit configured to measure an electro-oculography original signal; a view capturing unit configured to capture a view picture; a drift estimation processing unit configured to estimate a drift signal; and a subtractor which subtracts the drift signal from the electro-oculography original signal to output an electro-oculography signal, and the drift estimation processing unit includes: an electro-oculography change amount calculating unit configured to calculate an electro-oculography change amount; a motion vector estimating unit configured to estimate a motion vector of a moving object included in the view picture; a drift change amount estimating unit configured to estimate a drift change amount assuming that a change in a gaze direction follows a motion of the moving object; and a drift estimating unit configured to estimate the drift signal by adding the drift change amount to a past drift signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Sugio, Daisuke Sato
  • Publication number: 20120307205
    Abstract: One embodiment disclosed is a compact wavefront sensor module to be attached to or integrated with an ophthalmic instrument for eye examination and/or vision correction procedures. The front lens for relaying the wavefront from the eye to a wavefront sampling plane is positioned at the optical input port of the wavefront sensor module. The front lens is shared by the wavefront sensor and the ophthalmic instrument, and the wavefront sensor module can be made very compact while still being able to cover a large eye wavefront measurement diopter range. Another embodiment disclosed is an ophthalmic device for measuring properties of a subject eye including an ophthalmic instrument integrated with the wavefront sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: CLARITY MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, William Shea
  • Patent number: 8322853
    Abstract: A diagnostic method is disclosed wherein the potential preserved visual acuity in the retina of a patient is determined from the amount of tissue connecting the inner and outer plexiform layers remaining in the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Optos PLC
    Inventors: John Marshall, Lucia Pelosini
  • Patent number: 8317325
    Abstract: The apparatus represents a device having one or two sensors for capturing a single image or two images having the subject's eyes, and processor(s) in a housing with the one or two sensors and/or in a computer system which receives the single image or two images. Such processor(s) determine a head tilt angle between a virtual line extending between the two eyes of the subject in accordance with a predefined features associated with the eyes and a dimension characterizing zero head tilt in the single image or two images, segment left and right iris images, and rotate the segmented left and right iris images in accordance with the angle to substantially remove head tilt when present. The apparatus may also determine head tilt using predefined features associated with a single eye in the image. The resulting iris image(s) are utilized for enrollment or identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Cross Match Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Raguin, James L. Cambier
  • Patent number: 8317326
    Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging method is provided in which light from a light source is split into a measuring beam and a reference beam, the measuring beam being moved by a scanning optical system and guided to an object to be examined, the reference beam being guided to a reference mirror, and in which a tomogram of the object is generated from a return beam of the measuring beam reflected or scattered by the object and the reference beam reflected by the reference mirror. The method includes acquiring longitudinal sectional information on the object, calculating depth-position information on the object from the longitudinal sectional information, and acquiring a three-dimensional surface image of the object by controlling a reference-path length defined by the reference mirror and a scanning operation of the scanning optical system in accordance with the depth-position information on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Nozato, Mitsuro Sugita, Futoshi Hirose, Akihiro Katayama
  • Publication number: 20120293769
    Abstract: A phase diversity wavefront sensor includes an optical system including at least one optical element for receiving a light beam; a diffractive optical element having a diffractive pattern defining a filter function, the diffractive optical element being arranged to produce, in conjunction with the optical system, images from the light beam associated with at least two diffraction orders; and a detector for detecting the images and outputting image data corresponding to the detected images. In one embodiment, the optical system, diffractive optical element, and detector are arranged to provide telecentric, pupil plane images of the light beam. A processor receives the image data from the detector, and executes a Gerchberg-Saxton phase retrieval algorithm to measure the wavefront of the light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: AMO Wavefront Sciences, LLC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Raymond, Paul Pulaski, Stephen W. Farrer, Daniel R. Neal, Alan H. Greenaway, David M. Faichnie, Heather I. Campbell Dalgarno, Graham N. Craik
  • Patent number: 8313429
    Abstract: A handheld device for performing an optical medical examination of a patient. The device comprises a handle; an image sensor positioned at an end of the handle; a trigger provided in the handle; an image memory for storing the image data upon activation of the trigger; a roll of print media mounted in the handle; an ink supply within a core of the roll of print media; a media transportation mechanism; a pagewidth print head extending longitudinally within the handle; a guillotine mechanism for severing a printed image from the transported print media; and a print engine controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Janette Faye Lee, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20120287399
    Abstract: Combined equipment for non-contacting determination of axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (VKT) and corneal curvature (HHK) of the eye, are also important for the selection of the intraocular lens IOL to be implanted, particularly the selection of an intraocular lens (IOL) to be implanted, preferably with fixation of the eye by means of a fixating lamp and/or illumination through light sources grouped eccentrically about the observation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS JENA GMBH
    Inventors: Roland Barth, Roland Bergner, Lothar Mueller, Dietmar Steinmetz, Siegfried Schubert, Klaus-Ditmar Voigt, Frank Behrendt, Burkhard Dietzel, Axel Doering
  • Patent number: 8303115
    Abstract: A method for quantifying disease progression through retinal health assessment and management. The method comprises obtaining a first image of a retina or iris at a point in time; generating a first vascular map of the first image of the retina or the iris; obtaining a second image of the retina or the iris at a later point in time; generating a second vascular map of the second image of the retina or the iris; registering the first image and the second image on the basis of the first vascular map and the second vascular map; and displaying at least one difference between the registered first image and the second image to quantify a disease progression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Annidis Health Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Zeljko Ribaric, Robert A. Andrews, Eric Desgroseilliers, Alan Boate, Richard Clayton, Derek C. Thorslund
  • Publication number: 20120274896
    Abstract: In depth-resolved imaging of scattering media, incident light interacts with tissue in a complex way before the signal reaches the detector: Light interacts with media between the light source and a specific depth, then scatters at that depth and the backscattered light again interacts with media on its way to the detector. The resulting depth-resolved signal therefore likely does not directly represent a physical or optical property of the media at those depths. Exemplary systems, methods and computer-accessible medium can determine physical or optical properties based on such depth-resolved signals. For example, almost all the light can interact with the media, and that the energy of the incident light at a certain depth is likely therefore related to the integral of the scattered light from all deeper locations. Based on the detected signals, the properties of the media can be estimated in an iterative way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Koenraad Arndt Vermeer, Johannes Fitzgerald De Boer
  • Publication number: 20120274897
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving ophthalmic imaging by correlating the location of a measurement on the pupil of the eye with a quality of the measurement and further controlling subsequent measurements based on the quality are presented. Aspects of the invention include obtaining optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements through cataracts or other media opacities, obtaining B-scans with minimized tilt, and automated OCT data acquisition of select structures in the eye. Embodiments of the invention directed towards imaging tissues with angle dependent layer contrast and mapping the size and location of cataracts in the eye are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Harihar NARASIMHA-IYER, Scott A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8297753
    Abstract: A method for determining correction characteristics for a vision aid for at least one eye of a person wherein: a vision impression of the person is determined in a first usage condition after which a vision impression of the person is determined in a second usage condition after which the wavefront of the person is optimized by determining the correction characteristics for the vision aid until the vision impression of the person in the second usage condition at least approximately matches the vision impression of the person in the first usage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Kelch, Timo Kratzer
  • Publication number: 20120268715
    Abstract: A system for use during a medical procedure. The system includes a pupilometer for obtaining data descriptive of one or more pupilary characteristics from an eye of a subject, and means for delivering a noxious stimulus. The means for delivering a noxious stimulus is in communication with the pupilometer and is activated by the pupilometer thereby sending a noxious stimulus to an anatomical structure of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Stark, Claudio M. Privitera, Kamran Siminou, Jeffrey Oliver
  • Publication number: 20120271413
    Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of an eye of a patient are provided. Exemplary techniques involve obtaining a first induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a first accommodation state of the eye, obtaining a second induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a second accommodation state of the eye, and determining a natural metric of the eye based on the first and second induced metrics. An induced metric may include a pupil size or a spherical aberration. Techniques can also include determining a target metric for the eye base on the natural metric, determining whether an actual metric of the eye meets the target metric, obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of the eye if the actual metric meets the target metric, and determining a treatment for the eye based on the ocular aberration measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventors: Guang-Ming Dai, Leander Zickler
  • Patent number: 8287125
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, and methods for measuring characteristics of at least one eye, and particularly for measuring the physiological changes in eyes under different viewing conditions. An exemplary embodiment provides a pupilometer which measures any changes in location of a pupil center with changes in viewing distances. As the eye often moves significantly during viewing, the pupil center location will often be measured relative to a convenient reference of the eye such as an outer iris boundary. Pupil size may also be recorded, and the measurements from both eyes of a patient may be taken simultaneously. Exemplary embodiments may be configured so as to allow the vergence angle between the eyes to vary with differing viewing distances, regardless of whether one or both eyes are being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC.
    Inventor: Dimitri Chernyak
  • Publication number: 20120257167
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to ophthalmoscopic devices, systems and methods for viewing the anterior chamber, trabecular meshwork, iris root, scleral spur, and/or related nearby structures in the eye. In some embodiments, devices, systems and/or methods may employ a plurality of gonioscopic optical elements that form a virtual image that can be imaged by a microscope directly in front of a patient (e.g., without tilting the patient's head). Various embodiments described herein may be useful for ophthalmologic diagnoses, treatments, monitoring and/or surgical procedures. Some embodiments include a gonioscopic attachment configured to attach to a conventional gonioscope and redirect light emitted by the gonioscope. Various embodiments described herein can be incorporated into disposable, single-use gonioscopes. Some embodiments include a gonioscopic optical element that is movable with respect to another gonioscopic optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Henrick K. Gille, Ali Nikkhah, Leslie Dale Foo, James Patrick McGuire, JR.
  • Patent number: 8282212
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8282211
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device to image the fundus of the eye using polarized light which includes circular polarization. The invention is most broadly comprised of a device to generate polarization states of light, including circularly polarized light (i.e. potentially combinations of elliptically polarized light and depolarized light combined, elliptically polarized light alone, or circularly polarized light with depolarized light or circularly polarized light alone). This light can be used with any fundus imaging device including but not limited to fundus cameras, scanning laser ophthalmoscopes, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopes, optical coherence tomography instruments, with or without some form of wavefront correction. This is a change from common fundus imaging systems which use randomly polarized light or linearly polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Melanie C. W. Campbell, Juan Manuel Bueno Garcia
  • Patent number: 8282210
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a novel progressive glasses lens intended for a presbyopic wearer, which takes into account the postural habits of the wearer, acquired through prior conditions of ophthalmic correction. A design for the novel progressive lens is established by modifying a reference lens in compliance with an aptitude of the wearer to modify his/her postural habits. To this end, variations in a postural parameter are determined using measurements of said parameter, which are carried out on the wearer. The invention enables the reduction of a period of habituation by the wearer to the novel progressive glasses lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Bjorn Drobe, Claude Pedrono
  • Patent number: 8272737
    Abstract: A microscope for performing an opthalmo-surgical intervention, in particular for a contactless wide-angle observation of an eye during an intervention, is provided. The microscope has a tube (1a) having an objective and an ocular, a holding arm (1), at which the tube (1a) is attached such that a movement of the objective with respect to the holding arm (1) along the optical axis of the objective is possible, an optical accessory part (8a) between the objective and the eye and a holding device for the optical accessory part (8a). The holding device for the optical accessory part is attached at the holding arm (1) by means of an attachment device (2) in such a way that the holding device does not take part in movements of the objective along the optical axis of the objective. Thereby, when changing the picture angle, a re-adjustment is highly simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Dieter Mann GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Mann
  • Publication number: 20120236257
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for improving and enhancing vision are disclosed. Adjustable lenses or optical systems may be used to provide adaptive vision modification. In some embodiments, vision modification may be responsive to the current state of the user's visual system. Certain embodiments provide correction of the subject's near and far vision. Other embodiments provide enhancement of vision beyond the physiological ranges of focal length or magnification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120236258
    Abstract: A mechanical scanning device is composed of an oscillating beam onto which a transducer is mounted, part of which is flexible such that the beam will oscillate at a frequency between 8 and 15 Hz when mechanically energized. To sustain oscillation, energy is supplied by means of two electromagnetic coils acting on two permanent magnets mounted on either side of the beam. In order to improve the linear performance of the probe, feedback control was employed. A position sensor along with supporting electronics was designed to provide control signal for the feedback system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Shailesh SHRESTHA, Ahson Nawroj, Yih-Choung Yu, Marcos Sotomayor, Richard Koplin
  • Publication number: 20120238904
    Abstract: An ophthalmic refractor is described that provides a non-linear relationship between spherical power and refractive error by positioning a reference plane for a sensor system of the refractor in front of the cornea. The refractor may have a working distance and dynamic range that enable it to be mounted on a surgical microscope. Also described are computational methods for analysing the output from the ophthalmic refractor, utilising error minimisation, linear regression and Fourier Transform analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Fabrice Manns, Manuel Bacci, David Borja, Stephanie Delgado, Jean-Marie Parel, Arthur Ho, Richard Allen Shelby, Lutz Andersohn, Andres Bernal
  • Patent number: 8267515
    Abstract: Providing multi-focal visual correction includes determining a plurality of visual conditions to which an eye is to be exposed, determining effects of the visual conditions on a pupil of the eye, and determining a target wavefront profile on the basis of the effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Dimitri T. Azar, Damien Gatinel, Jacques Malet
  • Patent number: 8267518
    Abstract: Provided are systems operable to effect a temporary change in a modulation transfer function (MTF) of a target imaging system. The systems include a light source operable to produce light for transient propagation onto at least a portion of the target imaging system, a power source in operative communication with the light source and configured to effect the production of light from the light source, and a transmission unit in operative communication with the light source and configured to propagate the produced light onto at least a portion of the target imaging system. The propagated light is configured for absorbance by the portion of the target imaging system; the absorbance causes an increase in temperature and a change in a refractive index profile of at least the portion of the imaging system. The change in refractive index profile produces a temporary change in the MTF of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ashley J Welch, Rebecca L. Vincelette, Henry Grady Rylander, III, Thomas E. Milner
  • Publication number: 20120229767
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed in which a topographic parameter is determined in each hemidivision of the eye by considering the topography of reflected images from a multiplicity of illuminated concentric rings of the cornea. A simulated spherocylinder is produced to fit into each ring and conform to the topography thereof from which a topographic parameter for each ring can be obtained. All of the topographic parameters of each ring are combined and a mean summated value is obtained representing magnitude and meridian of each hemidivision. From these parameters, a single topographic value for the entire eye (CorT) can be found as well as a value representing topographic disparity (TD) between the two hemidivisions. The topography values for the hemidivisions are used in a vector planning system to obtain treatment parameters in a single step operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Noel Ami ALPINS
  • Patent number: 8262222
    Abstract: A method for correcting aberrations of the eye applied to an ophthalmic instrument operating with an analysis light beam, including: measurement of aberrations of the eye capable of interfering with the analysis beam, correction of the phase of the wave front of the analysis beam as a function of the measured values of the aberrations, measurement of eye movements carried out independently of the measurement of aberrations, and modification of the correction of the phase of the wave front of the analysis beam as a function of the measurement of eye movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Imagine Eyes
    Inventors: Xavier Jean-François Levecq, Nicolas Chateau
  • Patent number: 8262221
    Abstract: The present invention is an ophthalmological diagnostic system adapted for use in urgent care facilities, physicians' offices, hospitals, mobile treatment facilities, and in remote areas. The ophthalmological diagnostic system includes a component for securely holding a digital camera in optical communication with an ophthalmoscope and in various embodiments may include hardware and software for analysis and storage of images or video captured using the ophthalmological diagnostic system. The ophthalmological diagnostic system facilitates viewing of images and video by a single diagnostician or multiple diagnosticians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Paul A. Filar
  • Patent number: 8256897
    Abstract: Certain diseases of the retina are diagnosed by circular profile analysis of retinal parameters, such as thickness. Retinal thickness around a user-defined circle on the retina is measured by various ophthalmological techniques and—+mapped to a circular profile map. The circular profile map does not use segmentation of measurement data into arbitrary arcs, and thickness is mapped to a quasi-continuous range of display bands. The circular profile map is superimposed on a fundus image, or other two-dimensional image of the retina, allowing association of the circular profile map with the presence of blood vessels and other anatomical features. The simultaneous display of a series of circular profile maps generated from sets of measurement data taken at different times permits the ready visualization of the progression of retinal abnormalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Topcon Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yijun Huang, Tetsuyoshi Royama, Alexandre Kotchkin
  • Patent number: 8256898
    Abstract: Tear film stability has an important role in the quality of vision. A system and method for performing Fluctuation Analysis of Spatial Image Correlation (FASIC) provides for a non-invasive system and method for evaluating the dynamics of the tear film surface using spatial autocorrelation analysis. With FASIC, a series of images are obtained using illumination and a camera. The spatial autocorrelation is calculated for image frames produced by the camera. A sinusoidal background appears in this correlation together with other features. The changes in the sinusoidal background of the spatial autocorrelation is extracted and monitored over time. The spatial period of this sinusoidal background correlates with the thickness of the tear film. In this regard, one is able to derive the tear film thickness from the period of this sinusoidal background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Enrico Gratton, Kaveh Azartash, Luisa Marsili
  • Publication number: 20120218514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a shaft having at least a first portion and a second portion that can adopt a closed position in which the first and second portions are positioned adjacent each other and an open position in which the first and second portions are positioned distant from each other, one or both of the first and second portions housing or forming part of one or more of an ophthalmoscope, an otoscope, a tendon hammer, a tuning fork and a red hat pin. Also provided are improved otoscope heads and means to protect the functional heads of medical tools when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: MEDIVENTION LTD
    Inventor: Tsong Yun Kwong
  • Patent number: 8251509
    Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of an eye of a patient are provided. Exemplary techniques involve obtaining a first induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a first accommodation state of the eye, obtaining a second induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a second accommodation state of the eye, and determining a natural metric of the eye based on the first and second induced metrics. An induced metric may include a pupil size or a spherical aberration. Techniques can also include determining a target metric for the eye base on the natural metric, determining whether an actual metric of the eye meets the target metric, obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of the eye if the actual metric meets the target metric, and determining a treatment for the eye based on the ocular aberration measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: AMO Development LLC.
    Inventors: Guang-Ming Dai, Leander Zickler
  • Patent number: 8251511
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for finding the lateral position of the fovea in an OCT image volume. In one instance, a cost function is developed whose minimum is located at or near the foveal center. This cost function includes one or more measures of retinal layer thickness and/or measures of distance from blood vessels or a priori locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Stetson, Homayoun Bagherinia
  • Patent number: 8251508
    Abstract: A method and a system of enhancing ganglion cell function using a gaming environment corresponding to a physical activity. The method and system may be used to implement one or more processes to improve a person's visual processing profile. In particular, the method and system may be used to improve a player's skill in the corresponding physical activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Syed Khizer Rahim Khaderi
  • Patent number: 8246169
    Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging apparatus comprises: a laser emitter that includes an ultrashort pulse light source and emits a laser beam with a tunable wavelength in a predetermined visible wavelength range; an irradiation optical system that includes a scanner for scanning the laser beam two-dimensionally and irradiates the laser beam emitted from the laser emitter to a predetermined portion of an examinee's eye; a light receiving optical system including an apertured plate placed in a substantially conjugate position of a focal point of the laser beam on the predetermined portion and a light receiving element for receiving the laser beam reflected by the predetermined portion and passed through the apertured plate; a controller that controls the laser emitter to continuously change a central wavelength of the laser beam in a predetermined visible wavelength range and controls the scanner in association with the wavelength change of the laser beam to two-dimensionally change an irradiation position of the laser beam
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Sumiya
  • Patent number: 8235528
    Abstract: A fundus photographing apparatus includes a first photographing unit arranged to obtain a first fundus image and including a first illumination optical system including a first light source and a scanning unit, a first photographing optical system and a wavefront compensating unit including a wavefront sensor and a wavefront compensating device, a second photographing unit arranged to obtain a second fundus image of a wide area including a scanning area by the scanning unit and including a second illumination optical system and a second photographing optical system arranged to obtain the second fundus image with a wider view angle under lower magnification than the first fundus image, a monitor, and a control unit arranged to display on the monitor the first and second fundus images, and display an indicator on the second fundus image displayed on the monitor, the indicator indicating a photographed portion of the first fundus image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Mukai, Masaaki Hanebuchi, Yoshihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 8235526
    Abstract: A pupilometer that has image capturing means, a light source that emits light; and imaging software that processes image data obtained by the image capturing means and produces an output is described. The output comprises a single scalar value indicative of a neurological condition of a patient, wherein the scalar value can be applied to a scale indicative of a neurological condition. The image data comprises one or more components of the pupil's dynamic response to light emitted by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Neuroptics, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Stark, Claudio Privitera, Kamran Siminou, Jeffrey Oliver
  • Publication number: 20120188511
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ophthalmic analysis system and a method for measuring a geometry of an eye to be examined using the ophthalmic analysis system that comprises a first interferometric analysis system and a second non-interferometric analysis system. The first analysis system is used for obtaining measured data on optical boundary surfaces of the eye located on a measurement axis, and measured data describing relative distances, and the second analysis system is used for obtaining at least one set of image data on optical boundary surfaces located on the measurement axis. A processing device of the ophthalmic analysis system processes the measured data and the set of image data and corrects the set of image data using the measured data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Oculus Optikgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Gert Köst, Andreas Steinmüller
  • Publication number: 20120188505
    Abstract: A model eye includes an optically transmissive structure having a front curved surface to receive a coherent light beam, and an opposite rear planar surface for directing a portion of the coherent light beam back out the model eye through the front curved surface; and a material structure adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure that has a characteristic to cause a speckle pattern of the portion of the coherent light beam that is directed back out the front curved surface of the optically transmissive structure to have a bright-to-dark ratio of less than 2:1. In some embodiments, the material structure may include a fabric-reinforced polyethylene tape adhered to the rear planar surface of the optically transmissive structure by an adhesive. One example material structure which may be employed is duct tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: AMO WAVEFRONT SCIENCES, LLC
    Inventor: Richard James COPLAND
  • Publication number: 20120188506
    Abstract: In one embodiment a wavefront sensor is configured to measure real time aberration values of a wavefront returned from the eye of a patient while an image of the eye of the patient is being viewed by a surgeon during an on-going vision correction procedure and for providing an output signal indicating real time aberration values and a display, coupled to the wavefront sensor, is configured to show a dynamic display indicating the real time aberration values to the surgeon and configured to be viewed by the surgeon while also viewing the image of the eye of the patient during the on-going vision correction procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CLARITY MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: YAN ZHOU, WILLIAM SHEA, BARRY LINDER, PHILLIP BAKER