Victor M Elner

US Patent:

RE37585, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Aug 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/366685

Inventors:

Detao Du - Fremont CA
Subrata K. Dutta - Ann Arbor MI
Victor Elner - Ann Arbor MI
Ron Kurtz - Ann Arbor MI
Paul R. Lichter - Ann Arbor MI
Xinbing Liu - Acton MA
Peter P. Pronko - Dexter MI
Jeffrey A. Squier - San Diego CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B23K 2602

US Classification:

21912169

Abstract:

In one aspect the invention provides a method for laser induced breakdown of a material with a pulsed laser beam where the material is characterized by a relationship of fluence breakdown threshold (F ) versus laser beam pulse width (T) that exhibits an abrupt, rapid, and distinct change or at least a clearly detectable and distinct change in slope at a predetermined laser pulse width value. The method comprises generating a beam of laser pulses in which each pulse has a pulse width equal to or less than the predetermined laser pulse width value. The beam is focused to a point at or beneath the surface of a material where laser induced breakdown is desired. The beam may be used in combination with a mask in the beam path. The beam or mask may be moved in the x, y, and Z directions to produce desired features. The technique can produce features smaller than the spot size and Rayleigh range due to enhanced damage threshold accuracy in the short pulse regime.

US Patent:

7512436, Mar 31, 2009

Filed:

Feb 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/777423

Inventors:

Howard R. Petty - Livonia MI, US
Victor M. Elner - Ann Arbor MI, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

A61B 3/12

US Classification:

600476, 600473, 600558, 351205, 351206, 351211, 351213, 351221

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for measuring the retinal auto-fluorescence of a subject retina includes an excitation light source for providing an excitation light at a wavelength of at least 450 nm and an image capture device for recording an ocular auto-fluorescence signal generated in response to the excitation light. The image capture device includes a filter for reducing background non-signal wavelengths from the ocular auto-fluorescence signal and an image intensifier for increasing the ocular auto-fluorescence signal strength. The method and apparatus may further include a processor that analyzes the ocular auto-fluorescence signal to determine a contrast change or pattern to thereby detect retinal disease or damage. The processor may compare the images with control images, past images of the same eye or other diagnostic modalities such as fundus photography, angiography, or visual field testing to detect the retinal disease or damage.

US Patent:

20090143685, Jun 4, 2009

Filed:

Nov 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/270725

Inventors:

Victor M. Elner - Ann Arbor MI, US
Howard R. Petty - Livonia MI, US
Matthew G. Field - Ann arbor MI, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

A61B 6/00
A61K 49/00
G06K 9/00

US Classification:

600476, 424 92, 600558, 382128, 382168

Abstract:

Disease may be detected, monitored, etc. by detecting metabolic dysfunction in a patient's eyes. In one embodiment of an apparatus, an excitation light is generated by an excitation light source to induce autofluorescence in an ocular tissue (e.g., retinal tissue), wherein the excitation light excites flavoprotein autofluorescence (FA) and minimizes the excitation of non-flavoprotein autofluorescence. At least a single image representing the induced ocular tissue autofluorescence is captured. The at least single image is intensified to increase the signal strength of the ocular tissue autofluorescence. The at least single image is analyzed to generate an indicator of whether a patient has one or more of eye damage, a disease that causes eye damage, or to generate an indicator of the progression of a disease, an indicator of the effectiveness of a treatment, a personalized treatment for a subject, etc.

US Patent:

20100004545, Jan 7, 2010

Filed:

Feb 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/366921

Inventors:

Victor M. Elner - Ann Arbor MI, US
Howard R. Petty - Livonia MI, US

Assignee:

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

A61B 6/00

US Classification:

600477, 600476

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for measuring the retinal auto-fluorescence of a subject retina includes an excitation light source for providing an excitation light at a wavelength of at least 450 nm and an image capture device for recording an ocular auto-fluorescence signal generated in response to the excitation light. The image capture device includes a filter for reducing background non-signal wavelengths from the ocular auto-fluorescence signal and an image intensifier for increasing the ocular auto-fluorescence signal strength. The method and apparatus may further include a processor that analyzes the ocular auto-fluorescence signal to determine a contrast change or pattern to thereby detect retinal disease or damage. The processor may compare the images with control images, past images of the same eye or other diagnostic modalities such as fundus photography, angiography, or visual field testing to detect the retinal disease or damage.

US Patent:

56561865, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

Apr 8, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/224961

Inventors:

Gerard A. Mourou - Ann Arbor MI
Detao Du - Ann Arbor MI
Subrata K. Dutta - Ann Arbor MI
Victor Elner - Ann Arbor MI
Ron Kurtz - Ann Arbor MI
Paul R. Lichter - Ann Arbor MI
Xinbing Liu - Ann Arbor MI
Peter P. Pronko - Dexter MI
Jeffrey A. Squier - Ann Arbor MI

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B23K 2602

US Classification:

21912169

Abstract:

In one aspect the invention provides a method for laser induced breakdown of a material with a pulsed laser beam where the material is characterized by a relationship of fluence breakdown threshold (F. sub. th) versus laser beam pulse width (T) that exhibits an abrupt, rapid, and distinct change or at least a clearly detectable and distinct change in slope at a predetermined laser pulse width value. The method comprises generating a beam of laser pulses in which each pulse has a pulse width equal to or less than the predetermined laser pulse width value. The beam is focused to a point at or beneath the surface of a material where laser induced breakdown is desired. The beam may be used in combination with a mask in the beam path. The beam or mask may be moved in the x, y, and Z directions to produce desired features. The technique can produce features smaller than the spot size and Rayleigh range due to enhanced damage threshold accuracy in the short pulse regime.

US Patent:

20150029464, Jan 29, 2015

Filed:

Jul 25, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/341625

Inventors:

- Ann Arbor MI, US
Christopher R. Ranella - Macomb MI, US
Daniel L. Albertus - Ann Arbor MI, US
Nathan T. Patel - Ann Arbor MI, US
Victor M. Elner - Ann Arbor MI, US
Matthew K. Johnson-Roberson - Chestnut Hill MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 3/12
G06T 7/00
A61B 3/00

US Classification:

351246

Abstract:

A method for for automatically measuring changes in retinal, retinal pigment epithelial, or choroidal disease includes retrieving a set of images of a fundus and selecting a plurality of images from the set of images. The plurality of images are co-registered and pre-processed such that the quality, contrast, and gain of each of the plurality of images is made similar. Then, a comparison is made between the plurality of images to determine a change in retinal, retinal pigment epithelial, or choroidal disease, wherein the change in retinal, retinal pigment epithelial, or choroidal disease is determined based on various disease metrics. Finally, an indication of the change in retinal, retinal pigment epithelial, or choroidal disease is generated for display to a user on a computing device.