Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Christie

Bruce A. Christie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220280285
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Patent number: 11357617
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Publication number: 20210174706
    Abstract: An injection apparatus and training system for prophylactic, curative, therapeutic, acupuncture, or cosmetic injection training and certification. In an embodiment, an injection training system is described that includes a testing tool having a needle and a position sensor, where the position sensor is configured to obtain position information of the testing tool. The system also includes an injection apparatus configured to receive a simulated injection by the testing tool. The system includes a display device configured to receive the position information and to display position data reflective of the position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Clark B. Foster, Gabrielle A. Rios, Bruce A. Christie, Khoi Turner
  • Publication number: 20210154002
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Patent number: 10896627
    Abstract: An injection apparatus and training system for prophylactic, curative, therapeutic, acupuncture, or cosmetic injection training and certification. In an embodiment, an injection training system is described that includes a testing tool having a needle and a position sensor, where the position sensor is configured to obtain position information of the testing tool. The system also includes an injection apparatus configured to receive a simulated injection by the testing tool. The system includes a display device configured to receive the position information and to display position data reflective of the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Truinjet Corp.
    Inventors: Clark B. Foster, Gabrielle A. Rios, Bruce A. Christie, Khoi Turner
  • Patent number: 10869752
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20200000576
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Patent number: 10449036
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Publication number: 20180240365
    Abstract: An injection apparatus and training system for prophylactic, curative, therapeutic, acupuncture, or cosmetic injection training and certification. In an embodiment, an injection training system is described that includes a testing tool having a needle and a position sensor, where the position sensor is configured to obtain position information of the testing tool. The system also includes an injection apparatus configured to receive a simulated injection by the testing tool. The system includes a display device configured to receive the position information and to display position data reflective of the position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Clark B. Foster, Gabrielle A. Rios, Bruce A. Christie, Khoi Turner
  • Patent number: 9922578
    Abstract: An injection apparatus and training system for prophylactic, curative, therapeutic, acupuncture, or cosmetic injection training and certification. In an embodiment, an injection training system is described that includes a testing tool having a needle and a position sensor, where the position sensor is configured to obtain position information of the testing tool. The system also includes an injection apparatus configured to receive a simulated injection by the testing tool. The system includes a display device configured to receive the position information and to display position data reflective of the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TRUINJECT CORP.
    Inventors: Clark B. Foster, Gabrielle A. Rios, Bruce A. Christie, Khoi Turner
  • Publication number: 20170143477
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Patent number: 9492272
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Patent number: 9427311
    Abstract: Corneal inlays and masks and methods of improving vision of a patient with corneal inlays and masks are provided. Masks with an aperture can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. For example, a mask can have an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion, such as a clear lens or aperture. This provides an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The mask may also include nutrient transport structures that provide nutrient flow through mask to prevent nutrient depletion. These nutrient transport structures can be configured to concentrate nutrient transmission near a center region of the mask to provide more nutrient flow near the center region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Edward W. Peterson, Corina van de Pol
  • Publication number: 20150366658
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Patent number: 9138142
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device that includes a mask configured to be implanted posterior of the cornea. The mask is configured to increase the depth of focus of the patient. The mask includes an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all incident light and a substantially opaque portion surrounding at least a portion of the aperture. The ophthalmic device can further include a plurality of light transmission structures configured to allow some light to pass through the substantially opaque portion. The light transmission structures are configured to minimize generation of visible artifacts due to the transmission of light through the light transmission structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20150206456
    Abstract: An injection apparatus and training system for prophylactic, curative, therapeutic, acupuncture, or cosmetic injection training and certification. In an embodiment, an injection training system is described that includes a testing tool having a needle and a position sensor, where the position sensor is configured to obtain position information of the testing tool. The system also includes an injection apparatus configured to receive a simulated injection by the testing tool. The system includes a display device configured to receive the position information and to display position data reflective of the position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Clark B. Foster, Gabrielle A. Rios, Bruce A. Christie, Khoi Turner
  • Patent number: 9005281
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Publication number: 20150025627
    Abstract: Intraocular implants and methods of making intraocular implants are provided. The intraocular implants can improve the vision of a patient, such as by increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. In particular, the intraocular implants can include a mask having an annular portion with a relatively low visible light transmission surrounding a relatively high transmission central portion such as a clear lens or aperture. This construct is adapted to provide an annular mask with a small aperture for light to pass through to the retina to increase depth of focus. The intraocular implant may have an optical power for refractive correction. The intraocular implant may be implanted in any location along the optical pathway in the eye, e.g., as an implant in the anterior or posterior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Alexei N. Kosmynine
  • Patent number: 8864824
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Bruce A. Christie, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Patent number: 8858624
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen