Patents Assigned to Alcon, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11844726
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a thermally robust laser probe assembly comprising a cannula, wherein one or more optical fibers extend at least partially through the cannula for transmitting laser light from a laser source to a target location. The probe assembly further comprises a lens housed in the cannula and a protective component press-fitted to the distal end of the cannula, wherein the lens is positioned between the one or more optical fibers and the protective component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Cook, Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230398021
    Abstract: An ocular implant adapted to be disposed within Schlemm's canal of a human eye with a body extending along a curved longitudinal central axis in a curvature plane, a first strut on one side of the implant and a second strut on an opposite side of the implant, the circumferential extent of the first strut with respect to the plane of curvature being greater than the circumferential extent of the second strut with respect to the plane of curvature. The invention also includes methods of using the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. SCHIEBER, Iqbal K. AHMED
  • Patent number: 11840035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system capable of control the temperature, viscosity and colorant concentration of an ink in an ink cup. Such controls are achieved by continuously adding and mixing a cold ink having a composition identical to the ink in the ink cup but having a lower temperature. The continuous addition of a small amount of a cold ink into the ink cup could compensate heat generated by the friction between the ink cup and a cliché and could minimize the evaporation of a diluent in the ink and change in the concentration of colorants in the ink and ink viscosity. The invention also relates to use of a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system of the invention for producing colored hydrogel or silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Charles Breitkopf, Changhong Yin, Steve Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11840033
    Abstract: The invention provides a method producing contact lenses, comprising the step of: separating the mold into the male and female mold halves, with the silicone hydrogel contact lens adhered on one of the male and female mold halves; cooling the lens-adhere mold half with the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens adhered thereon; bringing a shaped ultrasonic horn in direct contact with at least one area of a non-optical surface of the female mold half or the male mold half having the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens attached thereon; and applying a ultrasonic vibrational energy to the at least one area of the non-optical surface of the female mold half or the male mold half having the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens attached thereon so as to separate the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens from the mold half attached thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Lindsay Olson, Mark Neely, David Saenz Landazabal, Uwe Haken
  • Patent number: 11839571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Eugene De Juan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11833771
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing a contact lens comprising a central photochromic zone that has a diameter of about 13 mm or less and is concentric with the central axis of the contact lens. The method comprises: applying, in the center of the molding surface of a male mold half, a drop (having a volume of about 5 ?L or less) of a first polymerizable fluid composition containing at least one photochromic compound and a relatively-high molecular weight polysiloxane vinylic crosslinker for increasing the viscosity and adhesion on the molding surface of the male mold half; dosing a second polymerizable fluid composition in a female mold hald; closing the female mold hald with the male mold half with the drop thereon to form a molding assembly; and curing the second polymerizable fluid composition and the drop of the first polymerizable fluid composition in the molding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Chang, Junhao Ge, Steve Yun Zhang, Michelle Plavnik, Yang Zheng, Jing Cheng, Augustine Twum Kumi
  • Patent number: 11832901
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for integrating and optimizing a surgical suite. An ophthalmic suite can include a surgical console, a heads-up display communicatively coupled with a surgical camera for capturing a three-dimensional image of an eye, and a surgical suite optimization engine. The surgical suite optimization engine can performs a wide variety of actions in response to action codes received from the other components in the surgical suite. The surgical suite optimization engine can be integrated within another component of the surgical suite, can be a stand-alone module, and can be a cloud-based tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Hallen
  • Patent number: 11833770
    Abstract: The invention is generally related to a method for producing, in a relatively efficient and consistent manner, embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lenses, and also to unprocessed embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lenses, according to conventional cast-molding technologies. A method of the invention involve use of a polymeric non-reactive diluent in preparing a polymerizable composition for forming the silicone hydrogel material of the unprocessed embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lens, which is cast-molded with a lens mold. The unprocessed cast-molded embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lens has no or a minimal water-swelling degree, so that lens distortion or delamination during the hydration of the unprocessed embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Zheng, Junhao Ge, Steve Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11833032
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for removably attaching a drive mechanism handpiece to an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge that folds the IOL upon retraction of a cap, are provided. 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 also includes a retractable cap that covers the nozzle and the compartment. The retractable cap is configured to expose the nozzle and fold the IOL upon retraction of the retractable cap. The IOL cartridge may also include a plunger case that is in fluid communication with the compartment, wherein a plunger is movably disposed within the plunger case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Sudarshan B. Singh, Todd Taber, Yinghui Wu, Douglas Brent Wensrich, Sam Jang, Chris Pinkham
  • Publication number: 20230380961
    Abstract: Delivery devices for delivering an ophthalmic device into an eye. In some embodiments the delivery devices are adapted to deliver an intraocular lens into an eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Terah Whiting SMILEY, John A. SCHOLL, David John SMITH, Russell J. REDMOND, Derek L. MORAN, Barry CHESKIN, John REGGIE, Gregory Vinton MATTHEWS, Claudio ARGENTO
  • Patent number: 11826101
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a scene camera system including a scene camera that includes a lens and may detect light reflected off an exterior of an eye into the lens and send a signal corresponding to the detected light to a processor. The system further includes a main camera that may detect light reflected off an interior structure of the eye and send a signal corresponding to the detected light to the processor. The system also includes an image processing system including the processor that executes instructions to produce a scene camera digital image of the eye and a main camera digital image of the eye. The system further includes a multiple picture-in-picture display that displays the scene camera digital image of the eye and the main camera digital image of the eye concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 11820170
    Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a retractable guard assembly coupled to a caster of a mobile equipment, comprising a housing and one or more guards at least partially disposed in the housing. The one or more guards are independently movably coupled to the housing. The retractable guard assembly further comprises corresponding one or more biasing elements coupled to the one or more guards and to the housing for biasing the one or more guards towards a fully deployed state. When the one or more guards are in the fully deployed state, contact between a fixed object and a portion of the one or more guards disposed outside the housing causes the one or more guards to transition into a retracted state, and when the contact is removed, the corresponding one or more biasing elements cause the one or more guards to transition into the fully deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon L. Spoelstra
  • Patent number: 11819274
    Abstract: A retina viewing system and method of using the same includes an ophthalmic microscope, a disposable lens attachment, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The microscope has an optical head and a set of internal focusing lenses, the latter providing the microscope with a variable working distance or focal length. The disposable lens attachment includes a resilient body with a proximal end connected to the optical head and a distal end connected to a high-power/high-diopter distal lens. The ECU executes instructions for viewing a retina or other intraocular anatomy of a patient eye. Execution of the instructions causes the ECU to automatically adjust the variable working distance or focal length of the microscope when viewing an image of the retina through the distal lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Ashok Burton Tripathi
  • Patent number: 11813160
    Abstract: A method and system provide an ophthalmic device. The ophthalmic device includes an ophthalmic lens having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, at least one diffractive structure and at least one base curvature. The at least one diffractive structure for provides a first spherical aberration for a first focus corresponding to at least a first focal length. The at least one base curvature provides a second spherical aberration for at least a second focus corresponding to at least a second focal length. The first spherical aberration and the second spherical aberration are provided such that the first focus has a first focus spherical aberration and the second focus has a second focus spherical aberration. The first focus spherical aberration is opposite in sign to the second focus spherical aberration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Myoung-Taek Choi, Xin Hong, Yueai Liu
  • Patent number: 11816929
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system that may receive an identification of a first patient; may retrieve, based at least on the identification of the first patient, first eye identification information that includes a first plurality of iris structures associated with a first eye of the first patient; may determine a second plurality of iris structures of an eye of a current patient; may determine if the second plurality of iris structures match the first plurality of iris structures; if the second plurality of iris structures match the first plurality of iris structures, may provide an indication that the first eye has been correctly identified; and if the second plurality of iris structures do match the first plurality of iris structures, may provide an indication that the first eye has not been correctly identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wittnebel, Oliver Kern
  • Publication number: 20230355375
    Abstract: Fluids incorporated into intraocular lenses and their methods of use. In some embodiments the fluids are silicone oils, and in some embodiments they are used in accommodating intraocular lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: David J. ANVAR, Andrew GOODWIN, David CHAZAN
  • Patent number: 11806105
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high dexterity manipulation systems for microsurgical procedures. The surgical system includes a master apparatus controllably coupled to a slave apparatus configured to couple to a patient's head with a dual tripod structure having two pluralities of linear actuator links pivotally supporting a surgical tool shaft. The motions of the linear actuator links are controlled to provide at least 6 degrees of freedom for the surgical tool shaft. The slave apparatus may further include a redundant axis rotatable tool shaft, thus enabling 7 degrees of freedom for a surgical tool. The surgical system includes sensors enabling forces of interaction between the slave apparatus and its environment to be reflected back to the master apparatus. Forces imparted onto the master apparatus by an operator can be fed forward to control the slave apparatus and scaled down to reduce the forces on target tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20230346541
    Abstract: Disclosed are toric accommodating intraocular lenses. In one embodiment, a toric accommodating intraocular lens comprises an anterior element and a posterior element. The anterior element can comprise an anterior optical surface. The posterior element can comprise a posterior optical surface. A fluid-filled optic fluid chamber can be defined in between the anterior element and the posterior element. The toric accommodating intraocular lens can be configured to correct for corneal astigmatism, spherical aberration, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. WALZ, Robert Demitri ANGELOPOULOS, Nathan LEWIS
  • Patent number: 11801130
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye may be provided. In an exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a haptic optic management system. The haptic management system may include a housing that includes a bore and a cavity disposed in a first surface of the housing. The cavity may include a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion, wherein the cavity provides access to the bore through the first surface of the housing. The haptic management system may include arms coupled to the housing. The haptic management system may include edge rollers coupled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Robert Auld, Matthew Braden Flowers, Matthew Douglas Mccawley, Andrew Thomas Schieber, Marcus Antonio Souza, Sudarshan B. Singh
  • Patent number: 11802182
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to inherently wettable silicone hydrogel contact lenses having relatively high oxygen permeability, relatively high equilibrium water content and relatively low elastic modulus. The present invention is also related to a method for making such inherently wettable silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Yun Zhang, Daqing Wu, Junhao Ge, Richard Charles Breitkopf, Xinming Qian, Zach Munoz, Matthew D. Nelson, Augustine Twum Kumi, Weihong Lang, Ying Zheng, Feng Jing, Frank Chang