Including Illuminator Patents (Class 351/221)
  • Patent number: 8955971
    Abstract: A fundus photographing apparatus comprises: an anterior-segment observation optical system arranged to image an anterior-segment illuminated with infrared light to obtain an anterior-segment image; a fundus photographing optical system arranged to image a fundus illuminated with visible light emitted from a light source to obtain a fundus image; a display controller arranged to selectively display the fundus image and the anterior-segment image on a monitor; a photographing switch for inputting a photographing start signal to start photographing using the fundus photographing optical system; and a time informing part arranged to inform an elapsed time after the photographing start signal is input with the photographing switch or an elapsed time after the visible light is emitted from the light source, wherein the display controller displays the elapsed time informed by the time informing part together with the anterior-segment image on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ichikawa, Yoshiaki Mimura
  • Patent number: 8955969
    Abstract: A system for performing at least one of quasi-elastic light scattering and fluorescent ligand scanning on a subject's eye includes a light source configured to transmit light toward the subject's eye, a lens configured to focus light sent from the source and received from the subject's eye, a measurement reflector disposed to receive at least a portion of the focused light and configured to reflect a first portion of the received light, a camera configured and disposed to receive the first portion of the received light and configured to provide indicia of an image corresponding to the first portion of the received light, and a processor coupled to the camera and configured to analyze intensities of light in the image to determine a location of a reference point corresponding to an interface of a portion of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cognoptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Hartung, Vincent Valvo, Dennis J. Nilan
  • Publication number: 20150042956
    Abstract: An observation device includes: a holding board that holds an observation container accommodating a cornea for transplantation to be observed; a specular reflection optical system including an illumination optical system and an imaging optical system, which include a light source and an imaging unit, for observing the cornea for transplantation; and an auxiliary light source that illuminates the cornea for transplantation from the back and has an auxiliary illumination optical axis inclined with respect to an observation base axis that divides in half an intersecting angle of the illumination optical axis of the illumination optical system and an imaging optical axis of the imaging optical system, wherein the auxiliary light source is installed in a freely pivoting manner about a predetermined rotation axis so that a relative inclination angle with respect to the observation base axis of the auxiliary illumination optical axis can be continuously changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Debra Skelnik, Yoichi Hamada
  • Publication number: 20150042955
    Abstract: Improved systems and methods for determining ocular scattering are provided. These systems and methods can be used to quantify ocular scattering before and/or after a wide variety of different ophthalmic diagnostic procedures, and various surgical and non-surgical treatments. One embodiment provides a system and method for determining ocular scattering that uses two light detectors, with one detector configured to detect light over a relatively narrow angular range, and the other detector configured to detect light over a relatively large angular range. The data from the narrow angular range and the large angular range can then be analyzed to determine a measurement of ocular scattering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Huawei Zhao, Li Chen
  • Patent number: 8950866
    Abstract: A method for reliably determining the axial length of an eye uses optical coherence tomography (OCT), where the eye is aligned with a fixation mark so that the optical axis of the measuring instrument coincides at least approximately with a visual axis of the eye. The axial length is determined from at least one B-scan taken in an initial AS mode (anterior segment mode) and the axial length is also determined from at least one B-scan taken in a second RS mode (retina segment mode). A resultant reliable axial length of the eye is determined using the axial lengths from the AS and RS modes, where available and where possible, or the process is ended without a resultant axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Martin Volkwardt, Ferid Bajramovic, Ralf Ebersbach
  • Patent number: 8944596
    Abstract: A hand held ophthalmic examination instrument uses an illumination system that provides amber colored light from a first light source and white light from a second light source to illuminate a target of interest. An imaging system in cooperation with the illumination system captures digital images of the target of interest as illuminated by the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Wood, Raymond A. Lia, Jon R. Salvati, Robert L. Vivenzio, Ian K. Edwards, Ervin Goldfain
  • Patent number: 8944602
    Abstract: An information system and a method for providing information in correlation with light that is incident on an eye includes a holographic element disposed in front of the eye and a device capable of recording optical signals which detects light that is incident on the eye via the holographic element. The device capable of recording optical signals detects light which is diffracted by the holographic element before the light impinges on the eye such that the diffracted light does not enter the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Metaio GmbH
    Inventors: Roland H. C. Eberl, Matthais Mayer, Heinrich A. Eberl, David Dickerson
  • Patent number: 8944600
    Abstract: An eye tracker includes at least one illuminator for illuminating an eye, at least two cameras for imaging the eye and a controller. The configuration of the reference illuminator and cameras is such that, at least one camera is coaxial with a reference illuminator and at least one camera is non-coaxial with a reference illuminator. The controller selects one of the cameras to be active to increase an image quality metric and avoid obscuring objects. The eye tracker is operable in a dual-camera mode to improve accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tobii Technology AB
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingback, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 8944598
    Abstract: Provided is an actuator formed in a substrate including a handle layer, an elastic body layer, and an insulating layer, the actuator including a movable portion supported to a support portion by an elastic body, a movable comb electrode formed on the movable portion, a fixed comb electrode supported by the support portion, and electrode wirings connected to the respective comb electrodes in which the elastic body supports the movable portion such that the movable portion is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the substrate in accordance with voltages applied to the comb electrodes; the comb electrodes are made up of the handle layer, and the elastic body is made up of the elastic body layer; and a handle layer separation groove is provided to electrically separate between the handle layers of the support portions supporting the comb electrodes, and a structure reinforcing portion is formed across the separation groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tamamori, Hiroyuki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8944603
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an integration unit configured to integrate a light emission amount of a light source for illuminating a subject's eye, a comparison unit configured to compare an integration value by the integration unit with a first reference value, and an initialization unit configured to initialize the integration value if the integration value exceeds the first reference value as the comparison result by the comparison unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshifumi Masaki
  • Publication number: 20150032090
    Abstract: A laser eye surgery system focuses light along a beam path to a focal point having a location within a lens of the eye. The refractive index of the lens is determined in response to the location. The lens comprises a surface adjacent a second material having a second refractive index. The beam path extends a distance from the surface to the focal point. The index is determined in response to the distances from the surface to the targeted focal point and from the surface to the actual focal point, which corresponds to a location of a peak intensity of an optical interference signal of the focused light within the lens. The determined refractive index is mapped to a region in the lens, and may be used to generate a gradient index profile of the lens to more accurately place laser beam pulses for incisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Javier Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8939583
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first fundus image of an eye and a second fundus image of the eye; a first generation unit configured to generate, by performing processing of enhancing contrast of a first characteristic region of a part of the first fundus image, an image which corresponds to the first characteristic region; a second generation unit configured to generate, by performing processing of enhancing contrast of a second characteristic region of a part of the second fundus image which corresponds to the first characteristic region, an image which corresponds to the second characteristic region; and a correction unit configured to correct an acquisition position of a tomographic image of the eye based on a positional displacement between the images which respectively correspond to the first and second characteristic regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Dawid Borycki, Hiroshi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150022781
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the elasticity of crystalline lens and an apparatus for measuring the elasticity of the crystalline lens for measuring stiffness of the crystalline lens 1, wherein the crystalline lens 1 is irradiated with pulse laser light to generate photoelastic waves from the crystalline lens 1, and the photoelastic waves from the crystalline lens 1 are measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: RIKEN
    Inventors: Satoshi WADA, Kazuo TSUBOTA, Atsushi SHINJO
  • Patent number: 8936365
    Abstract: An ophthalmological device (1) comprises an optical transmission system (5) for transmitting femtosecond laser pulses to a projection objective (3) for projecting the femto-second laser pulses onto or into eye (2) tissue. The ophthalmological device (1) further comprises an objective changing device (4) for changing and connecting the projection objective (3) to the optical transmission system (5). The objective changing device (4) comprises more than one different projection objectives (3) connected mechanically with each other, and the objective changing device (4) is configured to convey one of the projection objectives (3) to the optical transmission system (5) for connecting the respective projection objective (3) to the optical transmission system (5). The objective changing device (4) makes it possible to adapt the laser-based ophthalmological device (1) for new applications without the need for extensive reconfigurations and/or costly vario-lense objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Ziemer Holding AG
    Inventor: Christian Rathjen
  • Publication number: 20150015848
    Abstract: A method for estimating an eye/spectacles distance (VG) includes the steps of: a) acquiring at least two images of the wearer (1), in which the head (10) of the wearer exhibits various angular positions; b) determining, for each image acquired, an angle of inclination (?301) of the head of the wearer with respect to the image sensor; c) acquiring at least two simulated values (VG1, VG2, VG3) of the eye/spectacles distance sought; d) calculating, for each image acquired and with each simulated value, a morphological distance (EG1301, EG2301, EG3301) between the eye of the wearer and a median plane of the head of the wearer, having regard to the angle of inclination; and e) selecting, from among the simulated values, the one closest to the eye/spectacles distance of the wearer, as a function of the head/plane distances calculated in step d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Ahmed Haddadi, Jean Delzers
  • Patent number: 8931903
    Abstract: Provided is an ophthalmologic apparatus including: a first control unit which controls a scanning unit for scanning an eye to be inspected with light emitted from a light source; a memory unit which stores control information for causing the first control unit to control the scanning unit to sequentially perform a first scan and a second scan after the first scan; and a second control unit which decreases a light amount irradiating the eye to be inspected after finishing the first scan and before starting the second scan, which are performed based on the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20150011983
    Abstract: A method and a system for detecting a movement of a surface on an irradiated sample involves a light source for irradiating the surface with a coherent light beam, a detector for detecting variations caused by the movement in a speckle pattern produced by reflections of the light beam at the surface, selecting a single speckle from the speckle pattern, and detecting the variations at the selected speckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Medizinisches Laserzentrum Luebeck GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fritz, Ralf Brinkmann
  • Publication number: 20150002814
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microscope system for imaging an object within an eye, wherein the object is a phase object. The microscope system includes imaging optics for generating images of an object plane of the imaging optics in an image plane of the imaging optics by using imaging light. The object plane is optically conjugate to the image plane. The microscope system is configured to store focus shift data representing a focus shift. The focus shift is generated by a different effect on the imaging light generated by phase objects as compared to amplitude objects. The microscope system is configured to image the object depending on the focus shift data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Markus SEESSELBERG, Michael WICK, Christoph HAUGER, Holger MATZ, Jennifer-Magdalena MASCH
  • Patent number: 8919960
    Abstract: An ocular system for detecting ocular abnormalities and conditions creates photorefractive digital images of a patient's retinal reflex. The system includes a computer control system, a two-dimensional array of infrared irradiation sources and a digital infrared image sensor. The amount of light provided by the array of irradiation sources is adjusted by the computer so that ocular signals from the image sensor are within a targeted range. Enhanced, adaptive, photorefraction is used to observe and measure the optical effects of Keratoconus. Multiple near-infrared (NIR) sources are preferably used with the photorefractive configuration to quantitatively characterize the aberrations of the eye. The infrared light is invisible to a patient and makes the procedure more comfortable than current ocular examinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: James Waller Lambuth Lewis, Ming Wang
  • Publication number: 20140375951
    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: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Roland Barth, Roland Bergner, Lothar Mueller, Dietmar Steinmetz, Siegfried Schubert, Klaus-Ditmar Voigt, Frank Behrendt, Burkhard Dietzel, Axel Doering
  • Patent number: 8915593
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus comprises an optical measurement system that radiates measurement light to an eye to be examined, an imaging unit that takes a cross sectional image of the eye by using reflected light of the measurement light from the eye, and a controller that controls the optical measurement system and the imaging unit. When the optical measurement system is positioned at a measurement position, the controller obtains a two-dimensional cross sectional image by the imaging device. One axis of the two-dimensional cross sectional image extends in a vertical direction of the eye, and another axis of the two-dimensional cross sectional image extends in a depth direction of the eye. The controller determines whether the eye is in an examinable state or not based on the two-dimensional cross sectional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Tomey Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8915592
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods employing ocular surface interferometry (OSI) employing polarization and subtraction for imaging, processing, and/or displaying an ocular tear film are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods can be employed for measuring tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, which includes lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). An imaging device is focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device is focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing background signal(s) in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image that can be analyzed to measure tear film layer thickness (TFLT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Publication number: 20140368793
    Abstract: A system for determining biomechanical properties of corneal tissue includes a light source configured to provide an incident light and a confocal microscopy system configured to scan the incident light across a plurality of cross-sections of corneal tissue. The incident light is reflected by the corneal tissue as scattered light. The system also includes a filter or attenuating device configured to block or attenuate the Rayleigh peak frequency of the scattered light, a spectrometer configured to receive the scattered light and process frequency characteristics of the received scattered light to determine a Brillouin frequency shift in response to the Rayleigh peak frequency being blocked or attenuated by the filter or attenuating device, and a processor configured to determine a three-dimensional profile of the corneal tissue according to the determined Brillouin frequency shift. The three-dimensional profile provides an indicator of one or more biomechanical properties of the corneal tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Marc D. Friedman, David Muller, Amit Paranjape
  • Publication number: 20140371731
    Abstract: An electronic SLO/OCT ophthalmoscope is equipped with a femtosecond (fs) laser for intra- or preretinal therapeutic use in the posterior segment of the eye. In one application the retina photoreceptor mosaic or Bruch's membrane is disrupted in such pattern that minimizes loss of visual functioning but reduces metabolic load of the outer retina. Using a beam splitter, one embodiment combines the SLO/OCT scanning beams with the therapeutic fs beam and an aiming beam. The therapeutic channel uses an independent x/y positioner and micro-deflector. Because the duty cycle is appropriate, a second embodiment can use the SLO/OCT scanners to also simultaneously scan a modulated therapeutic laser beam. A biometric OCT probe can be integrated in both configurations for focusing purpose. A method is disclosed to represent focus relevant tilting of the retina in the posterior pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Frans J. Van de Velde
  • Patent number: 8911090
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring eye movement in a patient, includes a frame structured to be worn on the head of the patient. An infrared illumination device structured to illuminate an eye of the patient is supported by the frame. A camera structured to capture images of the eye when illuminated by the infrared illumination device is also supported by the frame. A number of sensors structured to generate data relating to one or more characteristics of the user or environment is further supported by the frame. The apparatus also includes a data storage device associated with the frame for recording the images and the data relating to one or more characteristics of the user or environment along with time information associated therewith. The apparatus is structured to generally not obstruct the patient's view of their surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Joseph M. Furman, Mark S. Redfern
  • Patent number: 8911085
    Abstract: A method of screening a pupil of a subject to determine whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical pupil reflex is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of stimulating the pupil with a stimulus source, such as a pupilometer and determining whether one of various pupillary response conditions is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Neuroptics, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudio Privitera, Kamran Siminou
  • Publication number: 20140362343
    Abstract: An ophthalmology microscopy system for observing fluorescence comprises an imaging system and an illumination system. The imaging system provides at least one optical imaging path producing a magnified multi-dimensional image of an object disposable in a focal plane of the imaging system, and comprises at least one optical observation filter. The illumination system provides an illumination beam path intersecting the focal plane of the imaging system at a variable angle of less than 90°. The microscopy system comprises first and second operating states. In the first operating state, radiation passing through the illumination beam path has at least in a section along the illumination beam path a spectrum free of a pass band of the observation filter. In the second operating state, radiation passing through the illumination beam path has a spectrum having a bandwidth of at least 200 nm in a range from 380 nm to 780 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Christoph HAUGER, Holger MATZ, Anja SEIWERT
  • Patent number: 8905544
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus for guiding positioning an intraocular lens for astigmatism correction, includes: an obtaining unit for obtaining an anterior segment image of a patient's eye and an astigmatic axis of a patient's cornea; a feature point designating unit for defining a feature point of an iris or a sclera on the anterior segment image; and a display control unit for superimposing and displaying a gauge image that models a cornea gauge and an axis that represents the astigmatic axis of the cornea on the anterior segment image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Shimizu, Hiroyuki Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 8905545
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluation tear film thickness and thinning dynamics in an eye with or without wearing a contact lens using a specially configured optical reflectometer. The method and system may address the beam aiming flexibility on the tear film surface by incorporation of a galvanometer scanner with the fiber coupled optical reflectometer. The tear film thickness, tear film thinning dynamics, and tear film breakup thickness can be determined. The system can also be combined with spectral domain OCT or swept source OCT for ophthalmology applications. The advantage is fast and high precision tear film evaluation that can also be extended to water film on contact lens evaluation for the determination of contact lens hydrophilic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Renxun Wang
  • Publication number: 20140354952
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and device for observation of an eye (E) comprising a light source (LSo) for illuminating the eye. Further, the system includes a diffraction grating as an optical relay (OR) for receiving the light reflected from the eye and for deflecting it towards a light sensor (LSe). The incident light ray (r inc) intersects the optical relay at an incidence angle (alphajnc) with the normal (n_OR) to the optical relay in an incidence plane (Pl_inc) formed by the incident light ray (r_inc) and the normal (n_OR). The deflected light ray (r def) forms a deflection angle (alpha def) with the normal (n_OR) in a deflection plane (Pl def) formed by the deflected light ray (r_def) and the normal (n_OR). The optical relay is positioned such that the incidence and the deflection angle and/or the incidence plane and the deflection plane are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE
    Inventors: Jacques Verly, Serge Habraken, Jérôme Wertz
  • Publication number: 20140354953
    Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light source and a beam splitter. The light source is used for emitting an incident beam. The beam splitter is used for dividing the incident beam into a plurality of outgoing beams. The incident beam and the outgoing beam are both invisible light. The outgoing beams enter an eyeball and form a plurality of glints on the eyeball. The glints are formed on the region outside the pupil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: HUI-HSUAN CHEN, WEN-YEN SU, HUNG-CHING LAI
  • Patent number: 8899753
    Abstract: An ophthalmological analysis instrument for measuring a topography of a surface of an eye includes a projection apparatus and a monitoring apparatus. The projection apparatus has at least one illumination device and an aperture device. The illumination device has a first light source. The aperture device images an image pattern on a surface of an eye. The monitoring apparatus has a camera and an objective lens, wherein images of the imaged image pattern being recordable by the monitoring apparatus, and a topography of the surface being derivable from the images. A magnification of the image can be varied by means of the objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Steinmueller
  • Patent number: 8899751
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a tomographic image of a fundus by optical coherence tomography includes the steps of setting a line, based on which the fundus tomographic image is to be obtained, on a first front image of the fundus, the first front image being a still image, establishing a positional correspondence between a second front image of the fundus and the first front image by matching the first and second front images, specifying a line on the second front image based on positional information on the line set on the first front image, and the established positional correspondence, and obtaining the fundus tomographic image that corresponds to the lines on the first and second front images by scanning measurement light with the use of an optical scanner provided to an interference optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Tokio Ueno
  • Publication number: 20140347629
    Abstract: A device for ophthalmic radiation is provided. The device comprises a radiation interface, an optical branch coupler, and a plurality of ophthalmic units. The radiation interface is adapted to at least one of output and capture radiation on an optical path. The optical path is directable towards a patient's eye. The optical branch coupler is adapted to couple output radiation from a plurality of optical branches into the optical path and to couple captured radiation from the optical path into the optical branches. The captured radiation is spectrally split by the optical branch coupler into the optical branches. Each of the optical branches has a different spectral range. Each of the plurality of ophthalmic units is arranged to couple to one of the optical branches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Christof Donitzky, Christian Wuellner
  • Patent number: 8888284
    Abstract: The invention teaches a field of light based method and system suitable for non-invasive target analysis, including in vivo analysis. A embodiment of the system comprises a field of light imaging device; an illuminating module consisting of a plurality of light sources that emit light radiation centered on multiple wavelengths; a partially reflective minor positioned to reflect radiation to the target from the illumination module, and from the target to the field of light imaging device; a display; a processing and control module coordinating target position, and the synchronous output of the illumination module with image capture by the field of light imaging device; and an output and storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Joshua Noel Hogan
  • Patent number: 8888286
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including the lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or the aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The TFLT can be used to diagnose dry eye syndrome (DES). Certain embodiments also include ocular topography devices, systems and methods for deducing corneal shape by capturing an image of a target reflecting from the surface of the cornea. The image of the target contains topography information that is reviewable by a clinician to diagnose the health of the patient's eye by detecting corneal aberrations and/or abnormalities in corneal shape. Certain embodiments also include a combination of the OSI and ocular topography devices, systems and methods to provide imaging that can be used to yield a combined diagnosis of the patient's tear film and corneal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Donald R. Korb
  • Publication number: 20140333898
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing the functionality of a visual system, especially b generate a coded pattern which is illuminated by the light source. Optics project an image of the coded pattern onto the retina of the eye. The sensor detects electrical signals based on the response of the visual system to the image. One or more processors control the DMD and correlate the electrical response from the sensor with the coded DMD pattern to assess the functionality of the visual system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: ANNIDIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Boate, Jeremy Lloyd Gribben
  • Patent number: 8882274
    Abstract: The device and method of the present invention are useful for determining the characteristics of an infrared wavefront. The present invention involves positioning a beam of light containing the infrared wavefront to be characterized onto a distorted grating, using the grating to produce a plurality of images, determining the infrared wavefront from the plurality of images and analyzing the infrared wavefront for features that characterize the infrared wavefront.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventors: Leonard John Otten, III, Paul Harrison, Desirae L. Cuevas, Paul Fournier
  • Patent number: 8882272
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging the choroid. The method comprises indirectly illuminating the choroid of an eye using incident light having a wavelength spectrum in the near-infrared region; and collecting the light passing out through the choroid and the pupil of the eye using an image sensor to obtain an image of the choroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Annidis Health Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Alan Boate, Jeremy Lloyd Gribben, David Alexander Kahn
  • Publication number: 20140327883
    Abstract: Device for determining at least one sight parameter of a subject, includes stimulation elements for stimulating the sight of the subject in a predetermined viewing direction, elements for ophthalmological measurement of at least one sight parameter of a subject, the elements for ophthalmological measurement having at most one optical measurement axis for each eye, at least one optical conjugation system, arranged between the ophthalmological measurement apparatus and the right eye and/or left eye of a subject, and a system for aligning the optical conjugation system, so as to optically conjugate a point Y and a point E, the point Y intended to coincide with the optical centre of rotation of the eye concerned, the point E being situated on the optical measurement axis, so as to align the image of the optical measurement axis with the ocular axis of the right or left eye in a plurality of viewing directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Konogan Baranton, Guilhem Escalier
  • Publication number: 20140327882
    Abstract: A scanning laser ophthalmoscope for scanning the retina of an eye is provided comprising a light source emitting a beam of light, scan relay elements, wherein the light source and the scan relay elements provide a two-dimensional scan of the light beam which is transferred from an apparent point source at a pupillary point of the eye to the retina of the eye, and a static aberration correction element (30) which has a shape defined to provide correction of aberrations of at least some of the scan relay elements and a location within the ophthalmoscope chosen to provide correction of aberrations of at least some of the scan relay elements, which location maintains transfer of the beam of light from the apparent point source at the pupillary point of the eye to the retina of the eye. The present solution further provides an aberration correction element and a method of determining a shape of the aberration correction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Optos PLC
    Inventors: Gonzalo Muyo, Derek Swan
  • Patent number: 8876284
    Abstract: An eye-wear borne electromagnetic radiation refractive therapy system can comprise an electromagnetic radiation source comprising a ring of LEDs that directs one of its on axis or off axis electromagnetic radiation to a desired peripheral retina area of a wearer's eye; a power source for powering the LEDs, an antenna for receiving signals and a processor for controlling the LEDs; wherein the electromagnetic radiation source includes spectral characteristics similar to outdoor light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Myolite, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome A. Legerton
  • Patent number: 8876292
    Abstract: A fundus imaging apparatus includes: an interference optical system configured to detect, with a detector, an interference state between a reference light and a measurement light that is reflected at a fundus; an optical scanner configured to scan the fundus with the measurement light; an optical member configured to adjust an optical path length difference between the measurement light and the reference light; an imaging unit configured to photograph a tomographic image of the fundus based on an output signal from the detector; a first optical path length adjuster configured to move the optical member, based on a light-receiving signal output from the detector corresponding to a position of the optical member; a second optical path length adjuster configured to readjust a position of the optical member; and an optical system adjuster configured to adjust the interference optical system between adjustments by the first and second optical path length adjusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norimasa Satake, Yukihiro Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8876289
    Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument for simulation of multifocal ophthalmic corrections, comprising two optical channels with different optical power values in the beams coming from the object observed, wherein at least one channel comprises a Badal system. This instrument simultaneously provides images of objects near and far focused. The system provides the same optical magnifications for each channel, regardless of the optical power thereof, and produces superimposed retinal images with different degrees of focus which, unlike other devices, are all of the same size. The instrument allows simulating different optical powers for near vision and different refractive corrections for distant vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventors: Carlos Dorronsoro Díaz, Susana Marcos Celestino
  • Publication number: 20140320809
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an examination part, a moving mechanism, an information obtaining part, and a controller. The examination part is configured to include an optical system for optically examining an eye. The moving mechanism is configured to move the optical system. The information obtaining part is configured to obtain information for carrying out position matching of the optical system to the eye. The controller is configured to carry out first control for the moving mechanism based on the information obtained by the information obtaining part to move the optical system, determine whether information optically obtained by the optical system after the first control is appropriate to the examination or not, and when it is determined that this information is not appropriate, carry out second control for the moving mechanism in response to a prescribed trigger to move the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Yasufumi FUKUMA, Kanichi TOKUDA, Taiki AIMI, Atsushi KUBOTA, Yusuke ONO
  • Publication number: 20140320820
    Abstract: There is provided a method of monitoring retinopathy in a subject. The method involves measuring autofluorescence of a retina in response to high intensity blue light and infra-red reflectance of the anterior region of an eye in response to high intensity infra-red light of the subject over a total time period to obtain an autofluorescence intensity profile and an infra-red reflectance intensity profile. The autofluorescence intensity profile and infra-red reflectance intensity profile are processed to obtain a pupillary light reflex measurement that is used to assess the retinopathy status of the retina.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicants: Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Saravana Kumar Kumarasamy, Tien Yin Wong, Barathi Veluchamy Amutha, Shyam Sunder Chaurasia
  • Publication number: 20140320819
    Abstract: A system for applying a treatment to an eye includes a housing having a first end and a second end, a contact element having an open end and a closed end, and a light source disposed within the housing and configured to direct light toward the open end. The contact element is coupled to the first end of the housing at the closed end. The open end is configured to be positioned at an eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Avedro, Inc
    Inventors: David Muller, Marc D. Friedman
  • Patent number: 8870376
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for non-invasive analysis. In particular the inventive system relates optical techniques involving infra-red, visible or ultra violet radiation for imaging and analyzing surface and sub-surface structure of tissue and components of the eye. Embodiments of the invention further include Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) techniques for sub-surface imaging and analysis, and incorporate instruments such as ophthalmoscopes, fundus cameras, for non-invasive imaging and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Joshua Noel Hogan
  • Publication number: 20140313486
    Abstract: A vision testing device includes a hood having an interior space defining a first side and a second side. A first electronic device is operable to project a first image to the first side and a second electronic device is operable to project a second image to the second side. The first image and the second image comprise computer-generated images. A mirror extends from the first side to the second side and is positioned to reflect the first image and the second image. A first viewing lens is in optical communication with the first side and is configured to receive the first image reflected from the mirror. A second viewing lens is in optical communication with the second side and is configured to receive the second image reflected from the mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Kent Tabor
  • Patent number: 8864310
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating human eye tracking. One method includes receiving data representing the location of and/or information tracked by an individual's eye or eyes before, during, or after the individual performs a task; identifying a temporal phase or a biomechanical phase of the task performed by the individual; identifying a visual cue in the identified temporal phase or biomechanical phase; and scoring the tracking of the individual's eye or eyes by comparing the data to the visual cue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: RightEye, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Todd Gross, Melissa Hunfalvay