Patents Assigned to Alcon, Inc.
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Publication number: 20240099807Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described which guide a surgeon in performing a reconstructive or cosmetic procedure. The apparatus and methods utilize three-dimensional presentations of the target surgical site incorporating one or more virtual surgical guides which help attain proper alignment and orientation of the post-surgical outcome.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Ashok Burton Tripathi, Michael A. Weissman
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Patent number: 11938058Abstract: An illustrative method for reducing intraocular pressure in a patient may comprise deploying an ocular implant adapted to reside at least partially in a portion of Schlemm's canal of an eye and administering a therapeutic agent comprising a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor to the patient. The ocular implant may be configured to lower the intraocular pressure from an initial to a second pressure within a first range and the therapeutic agent may lower an intraocular pressure to a third pressure within a second range, the third pressure lower than the second pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Andrew T. Schieber, Charles L. Euteneuer, David T. Van Meter, Kenneth M. Galt
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Patent number: 11930902Abstract: A system and techniques for identifying an absence of any contact fitting lens in an user-friendly manner for automated replenishment. The system includes an assembly stocked with fitting lenses of know types that are depletable from known compartment locations of the assembly. Further, depletion of a compartment through the natural course of fitting lens distribution to customers results in the automatic display of a visual indicator at the corresponding compartment location. Thus, an imaging application of the front of the assembly may be utilized to immediately ascertain lens types of the assembly which are depleted. As a result, the image may be used to facilitate automatic replenishment of such depleted fitting lenses.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Simone Jacqueline Stad, Adam Kayser
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Patent number: 11931104Abstract: A system and method of assessing vision quality of an eye is presented, with a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The controller is configured to selectively execute at least one machine learning model. Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to: receive wavefront aberration data of the eye and express the wavefront aberration data as a collection of Zernike polynomials. The controller is configured to obtain a plurality of input factors based on the collection of Zernike polynomials. The plurality of input factors is fed into the at least one machine learning model, which is trained to analyze the plurality of input factors. The machine learning model generates at least one vision correction factor based in part on the plurality of input factors.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Ramesh Sarangapani, Mark VonTress
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Patent number: 11931247Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for storing and/or shipping an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge are provided. A system comprises the IOL cartridge. The IOL cartridge comprises a nozzle and a compartment comprising an IOL. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge further comprises a dial disposed adjacent to the compartment, wherein an inner surface of the dial is exposed to the compartment. The dial is configured to fold the IOL upon rotation of the dial. The IOL cartridge further comprises a plunger case in fluid communication with the compartment, wherein a plunger is movably disposed within the plunger case. The IOL cartridge is configured to removably attach to a handpiece.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Sudarshan B. Singh, Todd Taber, Douglas Brent Wensrich, Yinghui Wu, Trevor Haney, Andrew Check, Justin Benacquisto, Joe Marietta, Jonathan Penrod, Tim LaRoy, Bryce Porter
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Patent number: 11931454Abstract: The invention is generally related to a soft hydrogel ocular insert that is composed of at least one hydrogel material in fully hydrated state and can be comfortable for wearing. The hydrogel material comprises polymer chains, which are derived from at least one arylborono-containing hydrophilic copolymer and at least one mucoadhesive polymer, and cyclic boronic ester crosslinks for crosslinking those mucoadhesive polymer chains and arylborono-containing hydrophilic copolymer chains to form a 3-dimensional polymer network. Those cyclic boronic ester crosslinks can be hydrolyzed slowly in the tear of the eyes of a patient, resulting in the disintegration (dissolution) of the 3-dimensional polymer network and thereby providing mucoadhesisve polymers and optionally drugs impregnated in the hydrogel ocular insert in a controlled manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Junhao Ge, Steve Yun Zhang, Daqing Wu, Jing Cheng
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Patent number: 11933941Abstract: The invention is related to contact lenses that not only comprise the much desired water gradient structural configurations, but also have a minimized uptakes of polycationic antimicrobials and a long-lasting surface hydrophilicity and wettability even after going through a 30-days lens care regime. Because of the water gradient structural configuration and a relatively-thick, extremely-soft and water-rich hydrogel surface layer, a contact lens of the invention can provide superior wearing comfort. Further, a contact lens of the invention is compatible with multipurpose lens care solutions present in the market and can endure the harsh lens care handling conditions (e.g., digital rubbings, accidental inversion of contact lenses, etc.) encountered in a daily lens care regime. As such, they are suitable to be used as weekly- or monthly-disposable water gradient contact lenses.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Yongxing Qiu, John Dallas Pruitt, Newton T. Samuel, Chung-Yuan Chiang, Robert Carey Tucker, Yuan Chang, Ethan Leveillee
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Patent number: 11931297Abstract: Certain embodiments describe an endoilluminator having a tube that includes an interior compartment between a proximal end and a distal end of the tube, wherein the distal end of the tube is configured to be inserted into an eye. The endoilluminator also includes a handpiece coupled to a light source and the proximal end of the tube, wherein the endoilluminator is configured to filter an incident component of light transmitted by the light source and emit a polarized component of the transmitted light through the distal end of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11931248Abstract: An IOL system includes a capsular ring having a concave exterior surface extending around its circumference that is configured, upon insertion into a capsular bag of a patient's eye, to engage an equatorial region of the capsular bag. The concave exterior surface extends between an anterior surface and a posterior surface of the capsular ring. A first one or more flaps are arranged on the anterior surface such that at least a portion of each of the first one or more flaps, upon insertion into the capsular bag of a patient's eye, engages an anterior portion of the capsular bag. Similarly, a second one or more flaps are arranged on the posterior surface such that at least a portion of each of the second one or more flaps, upon insertion into a capsular bag of a patient's eye, engages a posterior portion of the capsular bag.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Stephen Collins, Niranjana Nandakumar, John Radle, Stephen Van Noy, Douglas B. Wensrich
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Patent number: 11934209Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a vacuum generation system with an override PID controller, a proportional valve, and a vacuum generator. The override PID controller allows the vacuum generation system to control the operating range of supply air pressure that is provided to the vacuum generator. By controlling the operating range of the supply air pressure, the vacuum generation system is able to avoid entering the decreasing or non-monotonic region of the vacuum generator.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Brian T. Chiem
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Publication number: 20240089616Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging platform includes a stereoscopic camera configured to record left and right images of a target site. A robotic arm is operatively connected to the stereoscopic camera, the robotic arm being adapted to selectively move the stereoscopic camera relative to the target. The stereoscopic camera includes a lens assembly having at least one lens and defining a working distance. The lens assembly has at least one focus motor adapted to move the at least one lens to selectively vary the working distance. A controller is adapted to selectively execute one or more automatic focusing modes for the stereoscopic camera. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The automatic focusing modes include a target locking mode. The target locking mode is adapted to maintain a focus of the at least one stereoscopic image while the robotic arm is moving the stereoscopic camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: ALCON INC.Inventors: Patrick Terry, David Roe
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Patent number: 11927512Abstract: The invention provides a method for imaging and thickness determination of coatings on coated contact lenses. The method comprises selectively staining a negatively-charged-groups-containing coating over the lens body of a coated contact lens by immersing the coated contact lens in an aqueous solution comprising a fluorescently-labeled polycationic polymer and having a pH of from about 6.5 to 8.0; orthogonally cutting the selectively-stained coated contact lens; and determining the thickness of the coating on the coated contact lens. In addition, the invention provides a method for selecting a candidate coating material comprising negatively charged groups for applying a coating with a desired thickness onto silicone hydrogel contact lenses and for optimizing a coating process for producing coated silicone hydrogel contact lenses with a desired thickness coating thereon.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Yuan Chang, Ying Zheng, Junhao Ge, Steve Yun Zhang, Karen Belinda Sentell, Jinbo Dou
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Patent number: 11926689Abstract: The invention provides a hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinker which comprises (1) a polydiorganosiloxane polymer chain comprising dimethylsiloxane units and hydrophilized siloxane units each having one methyl substituent and one monovalent C4-C40 organic radical substituent having two to six hydroxyl groups, wherein the molar ratio of the hydrophilized siloxane units to the dimethylsiloxane units is from about 0.035 to about 0.15, and (2) two terminal (meth)acryloyl groups. The hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinker has a number average molecular weight of from about 3000 Daltons to about 80,000 Daltons. The present invention is also related to a silicone hydrogel contact lens, which comprises repeating units derived from a hydrophilized polydiorganosiloxane vinylic crosslinker of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Jinyu Huang, Frank Chang, Steve Yun Zhang, Feng Jing
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Publication number: 20240074900Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Applicant: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Thomas A. SILVESTRINI, Eugene DE JUAN, JR.
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Patent number: 11918457Abstract: Intraocular lens (IOL) designs include having an optic with an anterior surface and a posterior surface surrounded by an optic edge. In some examples, the IOL has a plurality of haptics, each attached to the optic at a gusset, where each gusset extends beyond the optic edge toward an optic center such that the gusset at least partially overlaps with the anterior surface of the optic. In some examples, the IOL includes a ring structure integral with the optic and surrounding the perimeter of the optic edge, the ring structure having a thickness and the optic edge having a thickness, the ring structure thickness greater than the optic edge thickness.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Mark Andrew Zielke
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Patent number: 11918514Abstract: An ocular implant delivery system is provided with a number of features. In some embodiments, the delivery system comprises a rotation mechanism configured to rotate and orient a cannula of the system, and an advancement mechanism configured to advance and retract an ocular implant through the delivery system and into an eye of a patient. In some embodiments, the cannula is sized and configured to be inserted into Schlemm's canal of the eye. The ocular implant is configured to maintain its orientation within the delivery system as the cannula is rotated. In some embodiments, the ocular implant automatically disengages the delivery system when it is advanced beyond a distal tip of the delivery system. Methods of implanting an ocular implant are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: John Wardle, Andrew T. Schieber
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Publication number: 20240066704Abstract: A robotic imaging system includes a body with a head unit, a robotic arm and a coupling plate. A camera is positioned in the head unit and configured to record one or more images of a target site. The camera is operatively connected to one or more handles. A plurality of sensors is configured to transmit sensor data. The sensors include at least one primary sensor configured to detect respective force and/or respective torque applied at the body and at least one auxiliary sensor configured to detect the respective force and/or the respective torque applied at the one or more handles. A controller is configured to receive the sensor data and execute a contact management mode, including determining a contact location of the body with an external object based in part on the sensor data and determining a reverse trajectory for moving the body away from the contact location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Patrick Terry
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Publication number: 20240073399Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging platform includes a stereoscopic camera configured to record left and right images of a target site. A robotic arm is operatively connected to the stereoscopic camera, the robotic arm being adapted to selectively move the stereoscopic camera relative to the target. The stereoscopic camera includes a lens assembly having at least one lens and defining a working distance. The lens assembly has at least one focus motor adapted to move the at least one lens to selectively vary the working distance. A controller is adapted to selectively execute one or more automatic focusing modes for the stereoscopic camera. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The automatic focusing modes include a disparity mode and/or a sharpness control mode which are adapted to at least partially rely on disparity feedback to change the working distance in order to achieve focus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Patrick Terry, Devin Reed
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Publication number: 20240070970Abstract: A visualization system includes a housing assembly having a head unit configured to be at least partially directed towards a target site. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) module and a stereoscopic camera are located in the housing assembly. A controller is in communication with the OCT module and the stereoscopic camera. The controller is adapted to acquire left OCT data and right OCT data of the target site, via the OCT module, and synchronously acquire left camera data and right camera data of the target site, via the stereoscopic camera. The controller is adapted to generate volume-rendered images, including: first and second OCT images based on the OCT data and first and second camera images based on the camera data. The first and second OCT images and the first and second camera images have matching parallax.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11911263Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for storing and/or shipping an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge are provided. A system comprises a packaging comprising a passage. The IOL cartridge is removably disposed within the passage. The IOL cartridge comprises a nozzle and a compartment configured to receive an IOL. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge further comprises a dial configured to rotate upon withdrawal of the IOL cartridge from the passage, wherein an inner surface of the dial is exposed to the compartment. The dial is configured to fold the IOL and release the IOL cartridge from the packaging upon rotation of the dial.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Sudarshan B. Singh, Todd Taber, Yinghui Wu, Douglas Brent Wensrich, Trevor Haney, Andrew Check, Justin Benaquisto, Joe Marietta, Jonathan Penrod, Tim LaRoy, Bryce Porter