US5493109A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical coherence tomography assisted ophthalmologic surgical microscope
Assignee: Carl Zeiss Inc
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Filing: 1994-08-18
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Granted: 1996-02-20
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Expires: 2014-08-18
Abstract
Abstract Ophthalmologic surgical microscope which is combined internally with an optical coherence tomography ("OCT") apparatus wherein auto-focusing is provided by driving a motorized internal focusing lens of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope with a signal output from the OCT apparatus. An embodiment of the inventive ophthalmologic surgical microscope includes: (a) an optical coherence tomography ("OCT") apparatus; (b) a beamcombiner for internally coupling output from the OCT apparatus into the ophthalmologic surgical microscope; and (c) a motor for moving an internal focusing lens of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope in response to a signal from the OCT apparatus, whereby the ophthalmologic surgical microscope is auto-focused.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay Wei
- 👤 Thomas Hellmuth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/0012; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/102; A61B3/13; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02001; G01B9/02002; G01B9/02015; G01B9/02029; G01B9/0203; G01B9/02034; G01B9/02055; G01B9/02062; G01B9/02067; G01B9/02068; G01B9/0209; G01B9/02091; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B2018/00636; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/008; A61F2009/00844; A61F2009/00851; A61F2009/00861; A61F2009/00872; A61F2009/00885; A61F2009/00887; A61F2009/00889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
Ophthalmologic surgical apparatus for examining an object which comprises: an ophthalmologic surgical microscope; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatus; means for internally coupling optical output from the OCT apparatus into the ophthalmologic surgical microscope so that it impinges upon the object and for coupling at least a portion of the optical output which is reflected from the object into the OCT apparatus; in response to the at least a portion of the optical output, the OCT apparatus outputting detection signals; and analysis means for analyzing the detection signals output from the OCT apparatus to identify and locate one or more features of the object; the analysis means further comprising means responsive to a location of at least one of the one or more features for moving internal focusing means of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope so that the ophthalmologic surgical microscope is focused on one of the one or more features.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
Ophthalmologic surgical apparatus for examining an object which comprises: an ophthalmologic surgical microscope; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatus; means for internally coupling optical output from the OCT apparatus into the ophthalmologic surgical microscope so that it impinges upon the object and for coupling at least a portion of the optical output which is reflected from the object into the OCT apparatus; in response to the at least a portion of the optical output, the OCT apparatus outputting detection signals; and analysis means for analyzing the detection signals output from the OCT apparatus to identify and locate one or more features of the object; the analysis means further comprising means responsive to a location of at least one of the one or more features for moving internal focusing means of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope so that the ophthalmologic surgical microscope is focused on one of the one or more features.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for internally coupling comprises: raster scanning means for raster scanning the optical output from the OCT apparatus; relay lens means for transferring the optical output from the OCT apparatus to an intermediate image which is disposed within the raster scanning means; and scanning lens means for transferring the intermediate image to an objective lens means of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope wherein the intermediate image is located close to a back focus of the scanning lens means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 2 wherein the scanning lens means is disposed so that chief rays of scanned output from the raster scanning means are substantially parallel between the scanning lens means and the objective lens means of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 3 wherein the raster scanning means comprises orthogonally mounted mirrors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 2 wherein the analyzing means further comprises: means: (a) for causing the OCT apparatus to generate optical output which produces the detection signals to identify and locate the one or more features of the object along a longitudinal axis which extends into the object; (b) for identifying and locating the one or more features of the object along the longitudinal axis; and (c) for sending an auto-focus signal to motor means for driving the internal focusing means of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope so that it is focused on one of the one or more features.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 5 wherein the identifying and locating means comprises: (a) means for displaying representations of the detection signals; (b) means for receiving user input; and (c) means, in response to the user input, for identifying at least one of the one or more features of the object and for locating the at least one of the one or more features of the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 5 wherein the identifying and locating means comprises means for identifying at least one of one or more maxima of the detection signals output from the OCT apparatus and for locating the at least one of the one or more features from the identification of the at least one of the one or more maxima.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 7 wherein the identifying and locating means further comprises means for determining a distance between pairs of the one or more features.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
An ophthalmologic surgical apparatus for examining an eye which comprises: an ophthalmologic surgical microscope; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatus; means for internally coupling optical output from the OCT apparatus into the ophthalmologic surgical microscope so that it impinges upon the eye and for coupling at least a portion of the optical output which is reflected from the eye into the OCT apparatus; wherein the internal coupling means comprises raster scanning means for raster scanning the optical output from the OCT apparatus; in response to the at least a portion of the optical output, the OCT apparatus outputting detection signals; and analysis means: (a) for causing the OCT apparatus to scan a chamber of the eye along a longitudinal axis which extends into the eye; (b) for analyzing the detection signals output from the OCT apparatus to identify and locate one or more surfaces of the chamber; and (c) for providing a contour map of the one or more surfaces of the chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
163 words
An ophthalmologic surgical apparatus for examining an eye which comprises: an ophthalmologic surgical microscope; an optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatus; means for internally coupling optical output from the OCT apparatus into the ophthalmologic surgical microscope so that it impinges upon the eye and for coupling at least a portion of the optical output which is reflected from the eye into the OCT apparatus; wherein the internal coupling means comprises raster scanning means for raster scanning the optical output from the OCT apparatus; in response to the at least a portion of the optical output, the OCT apparatus outputting detection signals; and analysis means: (a) for causing the OCT apparatus to scan a chamber of the eye along a longitudinal axis which extends into the eye; (b) for analyzing the detection signals output from the OCT apparatus to identify and locate one or more surfaces of the chamber; and (c) for providing a contour map of the one or more surfaces of the chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 9 wherein the analysis means for analyzing detection signals comprises means: (a) for detecting one or more maxima of the detection signals; (b) for associating the one or maxima with the one or more surfaces of the chamber; and (c) for providing the contour map of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 10 wherein the analysis means further comprises means for determining a distance between at least two of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 10 wherein the analysis means further comprises means for determining a radius of at least one of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 10 wherein the analysis means further comprises means for displaying the contour map of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for internally coupling further comprises: relay lens means for transferring the optical output from the OCT apparatus to an intermediate image which is disposed within the raster scanning means; and scanning lens means for transferring the intermediate image to an objective lens means of the ophthalmologic surgical microscope wherein the intermediate image is located close to a back focus of the scanning lens means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The ophthahnologic surgical apparatus of claim 14 wherein: the analysis means for analyzing detection signals comprises means: (a) for detecting one or more maxima of the detection signals; (b) for associating the one or maxima with one or more surfaces of the chamber; and (c) for providing the contour map of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 15 wherein: the analysis means further comprises means for determining a distance between at least two of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 15 wherein: the analysis means further comprises means for determining a radius of at least one of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 15 wherein: wherein the analysis means further comprises means for displaying the contour map of the one or more surfaces.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The ophthalmologic surgical apparatus of claim 15 wherein: the analysis means further comprises means for determining a measure of curvature of a posterior and an anterior surface of a cornea and, from them, a measure of corneal refractive power.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-19 | 1999-08-21 | 2000-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-19 | 2003-08-21 | 2004-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-19 | 2007-08-21 | 2008-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |