Having A Short Coherence Length Source Patents (Class 356/479)
  • Patent number: 10835124
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography apparatus and control method thereof. According to the polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography apparatus and control method thereof of the present invention, the local phase delay value of each layer of a multiple of layers using Jones matrix for a birefringent material having the multiple of layers where each layers optical axis is random based on a polarized signal detected in an optical detector may be calculated. According to the present invention, a skin aging level can be accurately examined by obtaining an accurate accumulated phase delay value for a multiple of layers of birefringent material having a random optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jun Lee, Jungho Chung
  • Patent number: 10830667
    Abstract: Described are systems and techniques for characterizing optical fibers. Disclosed systems and techniques employ optical metrology, functional metrology, or both to characterize microstructured optical fibers and determine fiber characteristics, errors, and quality control metrics. The characteristics, errors, and quality control metrics are useful for improving the manufacturing of optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Dalrymple, Andrew C. Duenner, Mark Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10816789
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a device comprise a light-guiding component; an optical-focusing component, wherein the light-guiding component and the optical-focusing component are aligned on an optical axis; and an optical-correction component that includes a reflecting surface and a correction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Canon U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Badr Elmaanaoui
  • Patent number: 10809750
    Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical source that generates an optical beam that propagates from a proximal end to a distal end of an optical fiber that imparts a transformation of a spatial profile of the optical beam. An optical control device imparts a compensating spatial profile on the optical beam that at least partially compensates for the transformation of the spatial profile of the optical beam imparted by the optical fiber in response to a control signal from a signal processor. A distal optical source generates a calibration light that propagates through the one or more optical waveguides from the distal end to the proximal end of the optical fiber. An optical detector detects the calibration light and generates electrical signals in response to the detected calibration light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: OFS Fitel, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Swanson, Tristan Kremp, Paul S. Westbrook, David DiGiovanni
  • Patent number: 10809050
    Abstract: Various optical systems equipped with diode laser light sources are discussed in the present application. One example system includes a diode laser light source for providing a beam of radiation. The diode laser has a spectral output bandwidth when driven under equilibrium conditions. The system further includes a driver circuit to apply a pulse of drive current to the diode laser. The pulse causes a variation in the output wavelength of the diode laser during the pulse such that the spectral output bandwidth is at least two times larger the spectral output bandwidth under the equilibrium conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Alexandre R. Tumlinson, Nathan Shemonski, Yuan Liu
  • Patent number: 10801830
    Abstract: The present invention aims to obtain a tomographic image free from image noise due to reflection on a container wall surface and having a good image quality by a simple configuration. In a FD-OCT imaging apparatus which images an imaging object stored in a container having an optical transparent wall part tomographically, when the focal depth is set such that a distance D from a first surface Sa of the wall part on the side of the imaging object to a focal point FP of the objective optical system is smaller than a predetermined threshold value smaller than a thickness T of the wall part, the distance between a second surface Sb of the wall part on a side opposite to the imaging object out of the wall surfaces and a reference plane which is perpendicular to the optical path of the illumination light and to which an optical path length is equal is set a value equal to the thickness of the wall part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kato, Naoki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10799111
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved interferometric imaging are presented. One embodiment is a partial field frequency-domain interferometric imaging system in which a light beam is scanned in two directions across a sample and the light scattered from the object is collected using a spatially resolved detector. The light beam could illuminate a spot, a line or a two-dimensional area on the sample. Additional embodiments with applicability to partial field as well as other types of interferometric systems are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.
    Inventors: Tilman Schmoll, Alexandre R. Tumlinson, Matthew J. Everett, Nathan Shemonski
  • Patent number: 10800899
    Abstract: A method to reversibly assembly micro and nanostructures with a force provided by light inside a host medium which behaves as solid during steady state and as a fluid during assembly state. The host medium is a material capable to change from solid to fluid state during assembly and from fluid to solid state during fixation. The change in state at the host medium is controlled with the temperature and/or shear strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Yunuen Montelongo Flores
  • Patent number: 10794763
    Abstract: An optical system having an OAP mirror collimator is disclosed with a housing, an OAP mirror located within the housing and has an optical axis, a fold plane and a focal point. A fiber optical cable is coupled to the housing and has first and second optical fibers, each having an exit end that form a common end face of the fiber optic cable, wherein the fiber optical cable is rotationally and translationally aligned to the OAP mirror such that the common face is perpendicular to and centered upon the optical axis of the OAP mirror and positioned a fixed distance from the focal point, and wherein the optical axes of the first and second optical fibers are jointly angularly aligned to the fold plane, and the optical axes of the first and second optical fibers deviate from being parallel to the optical axis by no more than 0.15 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Verity Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Meloni, John D. Corless
  • Patent number: 10790899
    Abstract: An indexing system includes an indexing component; a redundant optical path; and a fiber tap arrangement. Multiple indexing components can be daisy-chained together in the indexing system. The redundant optical path is created between any forward port and any rearward port in the network. Multiple redundant optical paths can be created within the network. One or more tap arrangements can be disposed along each redundant optical path. Accordingly, feed signals in a bidirectional indexing environment can be supplied to each drop line along the redundant optical path from either direction without recabling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Erik J. Gronvall
  • Patent number: 10775569
    Abstract: An optical connector comprises a first optical waveguide including a plurality of cores each extending along a first direction, the first optical waveguide having a first end face, wherein the cores are arranged on the first end face at positions except a position of a central axis of the first optical waveguide, and a first lens having a second end face and a third end face in the first direction, the first lens having an optical axis extending along the first direction. The first optical waveguide and the first lens are arranged so that the central axis of the first optical waveguide coincides with the optical axis of the first lens. The second end face is positioned facing the first end face, and the third end face extends along a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the first optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsu Morishima, Osamu Shimakawa
  • Patent number: 10754134
    Abstract: A biological tissue inspection apparatus is disclosed. The biological tissue inspection apparatus comprises a stage and a probe. The probe comprises an optical imaging device, an optical interference detector, and a light guide. The probe acquires data regarding optical images and optical interference, through the optical imaging device and the optical interference detector. The stage or the probe moves such that a selected area of the inspection object is positioned in the FOV of the optical imaging device and of the optical interference detector. The light guide is configured such that illumination light from the optical imaging device and measurement light from the optical interference detector are coaxially emitted to the inspection object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: KOH YOUNG TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Hong Ki Kim, Min Kyu Kim, Min Young Hwangbo
  • Patent number: 10743758
    Abstract: An OCT system for imaging multiple depth positions includes a light source, a sample arm and two or more reference arms. The sample arm propagates light to the object and directs object return light having a first return light beam from a first position and a second return light beam from a second position, the second return light having a dispersion level higher than the first return light beam by a dispersion difference amount. The first and second reference arms produce light beams having substantially the same dispersion as the first and second return light beams, respectively. The optical pathway combines all of the object return light and the reference light beams. An OCT detector measures the resulting interferogram. Imaging information is obtained for both the first position and the second position based on the dispersion difference amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventor: Georg Schuele
  • Patent number: 10741910
    Abstract: An optical system for producing an optical probe beam includes an optical source that generates a free-space optical beam. An optical element is positioned in a path of the free-space optical beam to project the free-space optical beam to generate a projected free-space optical beam. A photonic integrated phased-array component positioned in a path of the projected free-space optical beam to reflect the projected free space optical beam, thereby generating the optical probe beam. The photonic integrated phased-array component comprises a plurality of antenna elements and a substrate positioned proximate to the plurality of antenna elements, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of fan-out electrical connections from at least some of the plurality of antenna elements such that a size of a region comprising the fan-out electrical connections is larger than a size of a region comprising the plurality of antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Eric Swanson
  • Patent number: 10732263
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for classifying an object (6) in a lateral surrounding area (5) of a motor vehicle (1), in which a signal is transmitted into the lateral surrounding area (5) by a sensor device (3) on-board the vehicle for monitoring the lateral surrounding area (5) and the signal reflected at the object (6) is received by said sensor device (3), wherein a monitoring area (E) of the sensor device (3) for monitoring the lateral surrounding area (5) is segmented into a first detection area (E1) and a second detection area (E2), wherein a first value for a distance (AL) from the object (6) to the motor vehicle (1) is defined on the basis of the signal received from the first detection area (E1) and it is determined whether the object (6) is a stationary object located laterally in relation to the motor vehicle (1), a second value for the distance (AL) from the object (6) to the motor vehicle (1) is determined on the basis of the signal received from the second detection area (E2) and it is defi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Urs Luebbert, Stefan Goerner
  • Patent number: 10732354
    Abstract: A system for analyzing a tissue sample includes two wavelength-division multiplexers and a fiber coupler. The first wavelength-division multiplexer combines visible and near infrared electromagnetic radiation and directs the combined electromagnetic radiation to the fiber coupler. The fiber coupler emits a sample beam of visible and near infrared electromagnetic radiation toward a tissue sample, and a reference beam of visible and near infrared electromagnetic radiation toward a reference mirror. The sample beam reflects off the tissue sample back to the fiber coupler. The reference beam reflects off the reference mirror back to the fiber coupler. The fiber coupler combines the reflected sample and reference beams and directs the combined electromagnetic radiation to the second wavelength-division multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ji Yi, Weiye Song
  • Patent number: 10727862
    Abstract: A photonic monobit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes an incoherent optical source configured to generate an optical noise signal, an optical modulator, at least one coupler, a photodetector, a limiter, and a DSP. The optical modulator is configured to modulate an input optical signal using an analog input electrical signal to generate an optical modulated signal. The coupler is configured to couple the optical modulated signal with the optical noise signal to generate at least one coupled signal. The photodetector is configured to generate a phase difference between the optical modulated signal and the optical noise signal using the at least one coupled signal. The limiter is configured to generate a decision signal based on the phase difference, and the DSP is configured to output a digital signal representative of the analog input electrical signal based on the decision signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Bishara Shamee, Steven R. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 10717962
    Abstract: Provided is a method for non-invasively and quantitatively determining multilayerization and differentiation when culturing a cell sheet. Provided is a method for determining a cell state by imaging a cell sheet by using an optical instrument characterized by having a high resolution, and then analyzing the inner structure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoko Senda, Kentaro Osawa
  • Patent number: 10705407
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures providing speckle reduction in photonic phased array structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Analog Photonics LLC
    Inventors: Ehsan Hosseini, Michael Watts, Peter Russo
  • Patent number: 10677580
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems using a polarization switch and/or a polarization beam splitter are generally described. In an example, an OCT system includes a light source configured to emit a beam and an interferometer configured to receive the beam. The interferometer includes a reference path and an interferometer sample path. The OCT system further includes a polarization switch configured to selectively change a polarization state of the beam and a lens system that includes a first sample path and a second sample path. The polarization switch is further configured to direct the beam onto the first sample path upon selection of a first polarization state and to direct the beam onto the second sample path upon selection of a second polarization state that is different from the first polarization state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 10677581
    Abstract: The invention provides for generating a set of signature signals that correspond to a range of depths within a target. These signature signals can include multiple individual reference signals and be can modified to compensate for specific characteristics of the target. In the preferred embodiment the members of the set of signature signals are correlated with data sets by phase rotating individual reference signals to determine maximum and minimum correlation and thereby enabling determination of the scattering characteristic of the target at each depth. Also a pilot signal is monitored to dynamically determine the phase relationship between individual reference signals and thereby avail of phase sensitive detection techniques to enhance SNR at deeper regions where multiple individual reference signals exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Joshua Noel Hogan
  • Patent number: 10678117
    Abstract: An optical phased array (OPA) may be included in a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system and may be configured to perform beam steering. The OPA may include a cascading structure of splitters configured to enable a branch operation to be performed M times. Each splitter may split an input optical signal in a ratio of 1:1 and output the split input optical signal. The OPA may include a plurality of sets of first phase shifters (PSs), each set of first PSs located exclusively on one output end of a separate splitter, each set of first PSs including a particular quantity of first PSs based on a branch position at which the separate splitter is located. The OPA may be included in a LiDAR system that is further included in a vehicle that is configured to enable navigation of the vehicle, including autonomous navigation, through an environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-jae Shin, Hyun-il Byun, Kyoung-ho Ha, Seong-gu Kim, Jin-kwon Bok, Jung-ho Cha, Dong-hyun Kim, Yong-sang Park, Min-kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 10667707
    Abstract: A microangiography method and system based on full-space modulation spectrum splitting and angle compounding is disclosed. Label-free three-dimensional optical coherence tomography angiography is realized by combining the three-dimensional space resolution capability of an optical coherence tomography and the motion recognition capability of a dynamic scattering technology. Probe light of different incident angles is encoded with a transverse scanning modulation spectrum in a spatial frequency domain, incident angle-resolved sub-angiograms which are independent of one another are obtained by splitting the modulation spectrum, and an angiogram with multiple space angles compounded is realized. Conjugate mirror images are removed from a depth (z) domain, a complex-valued OCT interference spectra are reconstructed, the full-space modulation spectrum is obtained in the spatial frequency domain, and the overlap of the modulation spectrum conjugate mirror images is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peng Li, Pei Li, Yuxuan Cheng, Liping Zhou, Zhihua Ding
  • Patent number: 10656336
    Abstract: A system for photonic computing, preferably including an input module, computation module, and/or control module, wherein the computation module preferably includes one or more filter banks and/or detectors. A photonic filter bank system, preferably including two waveguides and a plurality of optical filters optically coupled to one or more of the waveguides. A method for photonic computing, preferably including controlling a computation module, controlling an input module, and/or receiving outputs from the computation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Luminous Computing, Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell A. Nahmias
  • Patent number: 10627210
    Abstract: A method for interferometrically determining geometric and/or optical parameters of a cavity comprises the method steps of: tuning the frequency f of a coherent light source (10) over a frequency range ?f, deriving a target beam and a reference beam from the coherent light source (10), wherein the target beam passes through the cavity at least once, generating an interference signal I(f) which is dependent on the frequency f of the light source by superimposing the reference beam on the target beam, capturing an interference spectrum of the interference signal I(f) over the frequency range ?f of the frequency f of the coherent light source, evaluating a plurality of measurement points of the captured interference spectrum over the frequency range ?f by numerically fitting the measurement points to a mathematical function produced, and determining the geometric and/or optical parameters of the cavity (40, 45) by determining the parameters of the mathematical function produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Björn Habrich
  • Patent number: 10614280
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for rapid validation of identity from tissue using registered two dimensional and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan images. The preferred embodiment provides, for a human fingerprint, validation that the surface fingerprint matches the primary fingerprint. An alternate embodiment provides validation of “aliveness” by ascertaining blood flow. Various embodiments are taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: Joshua Noel Hogan
  • Patent number: 10610105
    Abstract: An optical probe, according to one embodiment, comprises: an optical fiber into which light for irradiating an object is incident from a light source; a lens which focuses the light incident into the optical fiber; and a wavefront modulator on which a pattern is formed so that the wavefront of the light incident into the optical fiber can be modulated, wherein the optical fiber, the lens, and the wavefront modulator are arranged on the same axis, the light passing through the wavefront modulator can form a focus on the same axis, and the resolution or focal depth of the light can be adjusted through a pattern design formed on the wavefront modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY)
    Inventors: Hong Ki Yoo, Jun Young Kim, JingChao Xing
  • Patent number: 10571243
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for sequential angle illumination to achieve ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. One example OCT system includes a light source, a beam divider, sample arm optics, a detector, and a processor. The light source generates a light beam to illuminate the sample. The beam divider separates the light beam into reference and sample arms. The sample arm optics sequentially illuminates a location in the sample with the light beam from different angles. The detector receives light returned from the reference arm and the sample illuminated at each angle and generates signals. The processor combines the signals to generate an image, which has a transverse resolution that is higher than the transverse resolution achieved from the signal generated from a single angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC., CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Tilman Schmoll, Nathan Shemonski, Alexandre R. Tumlinson
  • Patent number: 10568515
    Abstract: An OCT apparatus and method for characterization of a fluid adjacent to a tympanic membrane has a low coherence source which is coupled to a splitter which has a measurement path and a reference path. The reference path is temporally modulated for length, and the combined signals from the reference path and the measurement path are applied to a detector. The detector examines the width of the response and the time variation when an optional excitation source is applied to the tympanic membrane, the width of the response and the time variation forming a metric indicating the viscosity of a fluid adjacent to the tympanic membrane being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: OtoNexus Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Moehring, Jay A. Chesavage
  • Patent number: 10565774
    Abstract: For visualization in medical imaging, a hybrid volume (22) and surface (24) renderer (16) uses unified ray tracing. Rather than separately rasterizing the surface (24) and ray tracing the volume (22), a same ray or set of rays is used for both the volume (22) and the surface (24). Various effects may be modeled by determining (34) the intersection of the ray with the surface (24) or surfaces (24) and integrating (36) the volume (22) data in parallel. For medical imaging (38), more complex effects, interactive rendering, and/or real-time rendering may be provided by altering the integration for ray tracing based on the detected intersections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Kaloian Petkov
  • Patent number: 10557700
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for selectively producing half-depth and full-depth OCT images, based on a swept-source OCT interference signal. An example method comprises selecting from a first sampling rate and a second sampling rate, the second sampling rate being twice the first sampling rate, and sampling the swept-source Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) interference signal at the selected sampling rate, using a k-clock signal having a frequency range corresponding to the first sampling rate, to produce a sampled OCT interference signal. The method further comprises processing the sampled OCT interference signal to obtain an OCT image, such that the resulting OCT image is a half-depth image in the event the first sampling rate is selected and a full-depth image in the event the second sampling rate is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Muhammad K Al-Qaisi, Guy Holland
  • Patent number: 10548480
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the invention is for generating a tomographic image corresponding to a cross-section of an imaging object. The image processing apparatus 1 comprises: a data acquisitor 20 which obtains image data corresponding to a plurality of imaging with respect to the imaging object; and an image generator 30 which generates the tomographic image corresponding to the cross-section parallel to the depth direction based on the image data. The plurality of imaging are performed with mutually different focus positions in a depth direction and imaging ranges overlapped in the depth direction. The image generator 30 sets a value of each pixel in the tomographic image at a value obtained by a calculation process between the image data of a same position of the imaging object corresponding to the pixel obtained at each of the plurality of imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10551245
    Abstract: Exemplary spectrally encoded probes are provided having forward view capabilities. These probes are configured such that the detection element comprises a plurality of light collecting components, where the distal ends at least partially surround the illumination element and the proximal ends form a linear array that is optically connected to a dispersive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: CANON U.S.A., INC., THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dukho Do, Dongkyun Kang, Mitsuhiro Ikuta, Guillermo J. Tearney
  • Patent number: 10537389
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a surgical system, an image processing device, and an image processing method capable of obtaining the posture of an eye more firmly and with a high degree of accuracy. An image information acquisition unit acquires a tomographic image that is a cross-sectional image taken in a direction substantially parallel to an eye axis direction of an eye of a patient. An image recognition unit recognizes each part of the eye on the tomographic image by means of image recognition on the basis of the tomographic image. The control unit calculates the posture of the eye on the basis of the result of recognition of each part of the eye. In this way, by recognizing each part of the eye on the basis of the tomographic image and calculating the posture of the eye on the basis of the result of recognition, the posture of the eye can be obtained more firmly and with a high degree of accuracy. The present technology can be applied to a surgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ootsuki
  • Patent number: 10512433
    Abstract: Provided is a correction data generation method that includes acquiring captured image data by imaging an indicator that is related to a predetermined illness; plotting a real imaging data point that corresponds to the acquired captured image data in a predetermined color space that is associated with the predetermined illness in accordance with a color component of the data point; calculating a correction value for correcting the values of pixels that make up a captured image captured by an electronic endoscope based on the distance between the data point and a predetermined target point in the predetermined color space; and storing the calculated correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yousuke Ikemoto, Tadashi Minakuchi, Atsushi Komoro, Toshio Tachibana, Yoichi Hitokata, Noriko Ota
  • Patent number: 10502544
    Abstract: An efficient OCT data collection and processing method for obtaining a high-axial-resolution image with explicit ranging over an extended depth is described. The method includes collecting a first dataset at a transverse location of the sample. The first dataset comprises spectra of a bandwidth (?k1) sampled at a spectral sampling interval (dk1). A second dataset comprising spectra of a bandwidth (?k2) sampled at a spectral sampling interval (dk2) is collected. The bandwidth ?k2 is less than ?k1 and spectral sampling interval dk2 is less than dk1. The first and the second datasets are processed to generate at least one A-scan with an axial resolution higher than the axial resolution corresponding to the bandwidth ?k2 and a depth range larger than the depth range provided by sampling interval dk1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.
    Inventors: Yuan Liu, Nathan Shemonski, Matthew J. Everett
  • Patent number: 10495438
    Abstract: A measurement device includes: an optical system that splits incident light into two lights to emit one light as measurement light to a measurement object and the other light as reference light to a reference surface, and recombines the two lights to emit combined light; a light emitter that emits light entering the optical system; an imaging system that takes an image of output light emitted from the optical system; and a processor that executes measurement with regard to a predetermined measurement area of the measurement object, based on an interference fringe image taken by the imaging system, wherein the processor: obtains complex amplitude data at a predetermined position in an optical axis direction at predetermined intervals in at least a predetermined range in the optical axis direction, with regard to a specific area set in advance in the measurement area based on the interference fringe image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishigaki, Takahiro Mamiya
  • Patent number: 10488179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for signal processing in optical coherence tomography by means of a tunable light source (swept source), comprising the following steps: tuning the light source and sensing a signal intensity of the light source in linear dependence on the respective wave number (k) of the tunable light source and producing a signal intensity distribution in dependence on k; applying a window function to the sensed signal intensity distribution and producing a weighted signal intensity distribution; and applying a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to the weighted signal intensity distribution; and characterized in that, in the tuning of the light source, the tuned frequency spectrum is limited to a passband of the window function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Björn Martensen, Andreas Fritz
  • Patent number: 10470656
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that utilize electroactive polymer actuators to impart motion to an optical fiber positioned within an imaging probe are provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic imaging apparatus comprises an optical probe having a handle sized and shaped for handheld grasping by a user; and a cannula coupled to the handle, the cannula sized and shaped for insertion into an eye to be treated; an optical fiber positioned at least partially within the optical probe, the optical fiber configured to receive an imaging light from an imaging light source and guide the imaging light to an optical element positioned within the cannula of the optical probe; and an actuator system configured to impart motion to the optical fiber, the actuator system including an electroactive polymer (EAP) actuator positioned within the optical probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Barry L. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 10474002
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for generating supercontinuum laser pulses within a continuous mid-infrared spectral range in a chalcogenide material. This method includes focusing an input laser beam of femtosecond pulses with a pulse energy higher than 10 microjoule along an optical path of the input laser beam; placing a chalcogenide material at a selected location along the optical path of the laser beam so that the laser intensity at the chalcogenide material is sufficiently high to cause nonlinear optical absorption that causes conversion of input optical energy into supercontinuum laser pulses of a pulse energy at or above a microjoule level at optical wavelengths within a broad continuous mid-infrared spectral range without damaging the chalcogenide material; and simultaneously moving the chalcogenide material laterally relative to the input laser beam to avoid damage to the chalcogenide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Poul B. Petersen, Ashley Stingel
  • Patent number: 10466649
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneous multi-channel off-axis holography are described. Multi-channel imaging systems can include a light system including a plurality of light sources configured to generate illumination and reference beams at a plurality of wavelengths, an illumination system configured to illuminate a target object with the illumination beams, an optical assembly configured to receive a reflected target beam and condition the target beam for recording at an optical imaging system, and a reference system configured to propagate the reference beams to the optical imaging system. The reference beams are interfered with the target beam at the optical imaging system to create interference patterns, which can be recorded in a collective image having a plurality of side lobes. Holographic information in the side lobes can be combined to generate 3D images having a substantially reduced signal to noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Centauri, LLC
    Inventor: James A. Georges, III
  • Patent number: 10448827
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic imaging apparatus that includes a first optical system, a first driver, and a first focus controller. The first optical system includes a first focus lens and a diopter correction lens, and guides light from a subject's eye to a first light receiving element. The first focus lens is movable along the optical axis of a first optical path. The diopter correction lens is insertable into and removable from the first optical path. The first driver moves the first focus lens. The first focus controller executes mutually different focus control of the first driver in a removed state in which the first diopter correction lens is removed from the first optical path and in an inserted state in which the diopter correction lens is inserted into the first optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventor: Youki Okuda
  • Patent number: 10451890
    Abstract: A method includes: producing a light beam made up of pulses having a wavelength in the deep ultraviolet range, each pulse having a first temporal coherence defined by a first temporal coherence length and each pulse being defined by a pulse duration; for one or more pulses, modulating the optical phase over the pulse duration of the pulse to produce a modified pulse having a second temporal coherence defined by a second temporal coherence length that is less than the first temporal coherence length of the pulse; forming a light beam of pulses at least from the modified pulses; and directing the formed light beam of pulses toward a substrate within a lithography exposure apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cymer, LLC
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Patrick Elisabeth Maria op 't Root, Thomas Patrick Duffey, Herman Philip Godfried, Frank Everts, Joshua Jon Thornes, Brian Edward King
  • Patent number: 10444003
    Abstract: An interferometric measuring machine includes an exchangeable lens module system for an optical probe. The probe includes a lens body containing the optical apparatus of an interferometer and a lens module containing an objective lens along an object arm of the interferometer that can be exchanged with other lens modules for varying the measuring characteristics of the probe. The lens modules are adapted to accommodate objective lenses having different focal lengths while maintaining a desired optical path length of the object arm of the interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Quality Vision International, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Kay
  • Patent number: 10436569
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are interferometric measurement systems and methods. In one exemplary embodiment an interferometric measuring system for measuring the distance to or displacement of an object includes: a light source; an interferometer with a measuring arm and a reference arm; a dispersive medium; and a detector. The interferometer is disposed between the light source and the object. The dispersive medium is arranged to unbalance the dispersion between the measurement arm and the reference arm. The detector is arranged to detect spectrum interference from the interferometer. In one example, the dispersive medium is a chirped fiber Bragg grating. In another example, the dispersive medium is a highly dispersive optical fiber. In one example, the light source is a broadband light source, and the detector includes a spectrometer. In another example, the light source is a wavelength swept laser, and the detector includes a photodetector or a balanced photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: AP Robotics, LLC
    Inventors: Kam Chiu Lau, Yongwoo Park
  • Patent number: 10429245
    Abstract: An optical system comprising a randomizer that has a plurality of randomly positioned scatterers for scattering and thereby randomizing light to generate a speckle pattern and a detector for detecting the speckle pattern to determine at least one property of the light and/or change in at least one property of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
    Inventors: Kishan Dholakia, Michael Mazilu, Klaus Metzger
  • Patent number: 10426335
    Abstract: An ophthalmic image display device having, a display controller that displays a B mode image, a blood vessel enhanced image representing a same cross section as the B mode image, and one or more front images individually formed based on a three dimensional data set acquired by performing optical coherence tomography on a subject's eye in a predetermined layout. Further, the display controller displays a cross section position indicator that indicates a position of a cross section of the B mode image over at least one of the one or more front images. In addition, the display controller synchronously performs changing of a display position of the cross section position indicator and updating of a display of each of the B mode image and the blood vessel enhanced image in accordance with an operation for moving the cross section position indicator performed using an operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Masahiro Akiba, Atsushi Kubota
  • Patent number: 10422621
    Abstract: Provided is an optical measurement device configured so that a high-accuracy three-dimensional image can be obtained. An emission angle of a ray of light is changed in such a manner that the rotation frequencies of two motors configured to rotatably drive a first optical path changing unit and a second optical path changing unit is controlled. The ray of light is emitted to a front three-dimensional region, and reflected light is obtained. Then, calculation is made by a computer, and in this manner, three-dimensional data on a measurement target object is obtained. The amount (vibration amount) of axial backlash or play of a rotary mechanism, such as a motor shaft, along which the ray of light is emitted is measured in real time, and such a backlash or play amount is subtracted from a three-dimensional image obtained by the computer. Consequently, a high-accuracy three-dimensional image is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Adamant Namiki Precision Jewel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamazaki, Eri Fukushima, Takuya Tateyama, Takafumi Asada
  • Patent number: 10413175
    Abstract: Exemplary apparatus, arrangement and method can be provided for obtaining information associated with an anatomical structure or a sample using optical microscopy. For example, a light radiation can be separated into first light radiation(s) directed to an anatomical sample and second light radiation directed to a reference. A wavelength of the radiation can vary over time, and the wavelength can be shorter than approximately 1150 nm. An interference can be detected between third and fourth radiations associated with the first and second radiations and fourth radiation, respectively. At least one image corresponding to portion(s) of the sample can be generated using data associated with the interference. In addition, source(s) can be provided which can be configured to provide an electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength that varies over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Seok-Hyun Yun, Johannes F. De Boer
  • Patent number: 10393502
    Abstract: Real-time swept source OCT data is most often sampled using a specially cut hardware k-clock. The present invention involves mathematically resampling signals within an FPGA-based data acquisition board based on data sampled from a wide free spectral range reference interferometer. The FPGA can then multiply up the reference clock rate to achieve greater imaging depth. The Nyquist fold-over depth can thus be programmed from a standard reference to an arbitrary depth, much as PLL frequency synthesizer can produce many frequencies from a standard stable reference. The system is also capable of real-time performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: AXSUN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bartley C. Johnson, Noble G. Larson, Brian Goldberg, Mark E. Kuznetsov