Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Steppe
Dennis L. Steppe 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).
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Patent number: 7717129Abstract: A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, John C. Huculak, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.
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Patent number: 7565972Abstract: A medical equipment tray system includes a two piece platform, a foldable liner which fits over the two piece platform and a handpiece cradle which may be elevated with respect to the two piece platform.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 7523967Abstract: A tubing fitting for use in microsurgery including a female tubing fitting and a male tubing fitting. The female tubing fitting has an external surface with a pair of opposing projections disposed thereon and an internal bore. The male tubing fitting has a second internal bore and a collar at least partially surrounding the second internal bore. The collar has an internal surface with two pairs of opposing sloping ramps disposed thereon. The pairs of opposing sloping ramps are arranged so as to create a pair of opposing spaces for removably receiving the pair of opposing projections.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Publication number: 20080308698Abstract: A medical equipment tray system includes a two piece platform, a foldable liner which fits over the two piece platform and a handpiece cradle which may be elevated with respect to the two piece platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Publication number: 20080086093Abstract: A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. Two of the portals are input portals and one of the portals is an exit portal. Located in one of the input portals is a normally closed back flow prevention valve. The normally closed back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of fluid through the fitting when the fluids flowing through the fitting are changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, John C. Huculak
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Publication number: 20080066816Abstract: A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, John C. Huculak, Robert J. Sanchez
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Patent number: 7331462Abstract: A kit management system for use in microsurgery is disclosed. The kit management system includes a plurality of tubing, surgical instruments, connectors, an instrument tray, a connector tray, and a tubing organizer. A tubing organizer for removably receiving and holding a plurality of tubing in a spaced relationship during microsurgery is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 7244240Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical cassette for removably receiving in a cassette receiving mechanism of an ophthalmic surgical system. The system includes first and second plunger valves. The cassette includes a body having a rear surface, an irrigation inlet for receiving irrigation fluid from a source, a first irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a first ophthalmic microsurgical instrument for use in an anterior segment ophthalmic surgical procedure, a first manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the first irrigation outlet, a second irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a second ophthalmic microsurgical instrument for use in a posterior segment ophthalmic surgical procedure, and a second manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the second irrigation outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Alcon, Inc.Inventors: Nader Nazarifar, Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 6824525Abstract: A surgical cassette for use in a combined anterior segment and posterior segment ophthalmic surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical cassette includes an irrigation inlet for receiving irrigation fluid from a source, a first irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a first ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, a first manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the first irrigation outlet, a second irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a second ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, and a second manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the second irrigation outlet. The surgical cassette greatly simplifies the combined procedure by eliminating the need for separate anterior segment and posterior segment cassettes for the combined procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.Inventors: Nader Nazarifar, Dennis L. Steppe
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Publication number: 20030204172Abstract: A dual pump aspiration system having both a vacuum level control loop and a flow rate control loop. The system can be operated either as a vacuum priority system or a flow rate priority system and uses a vacuum chamber of variable volume within the vacuum pathways.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Publication number: 20030163138Abstract: A surgical cassette for use in a combined anterior segment and posterior segment ophthalmic surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical cassette includes an irrigation inlet for receiving irrigation fluid from a source, a first irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a first ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, a first manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the first irrigation outlet, a second irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a second ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, and a second manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the second irrigation outlet. The surgical cassette greatly simplifies the combined procedure by eliminating the need for separate anterior segment and posterior segment cassettes for the combined procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Nader Nazarifar, Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 6561999Abstract: A surgical cassette for use in a combined anterior segment and posterior segment ophthalmic surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical cassette includes an irrigation inlet for receiving irrigation fluid from a source, a first irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a first ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, a first manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the first irrigation outlet, a second irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a second ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, and a second manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the second irrigation outlet. The surgical cassette greatly simplifies the combined procedure by eliminating the need for separate anterior segment and posterior segment cassettes for the combined procedure.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.Inventors: Nader Nazarifar, Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 5474532Abstract: A cutting blade for a rotary vitreous cutter having an opening separated by a cutting bar having two cutting edges so that one of the openings is always in communication with the cutting port in the outer tube of the vitreous cutter as the cutting blade rotates.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1994Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 5217465Abstract: A flexible and steerable aspiration tip for microsurgery includes a tip portion, the configuration of which may be remotely altered to access different areas at a surgical site. The aspiration tip includes a flexible portion which includes a spring material therewith which may be configured in a relaxed and pre-curved state or, alternatively, a stressed and straight configuration. The aspiration tip may be combined with a handpiece assembly which includes means to remotely alter the configuration of the aspiration tip. Different surgical procedures can be formed with a single flexible and steerable aspiration tip which results in a reduction of trauma and stress to the surgical site by elimination of the use of several surgical instruments and complicated surgical techniques.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1992Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: Alcon Surgical, Inc.Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 5106366Abstract: There is provided a medical fluid cassette made of thermoformed plastic material which cooperates with a medical control unit having retaining structure cooperable with the cassette to assist in controlling the flow of fluid through tubing associated with the cassette.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Nestle, S.A.Inventor: Dennis L. Steppe
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Patent number: 4983160Abstract: An improved irrigation fluid conduit for use with a coaxial surgical irrigator-aspirator for ophthalmic surgery. The conduit includes a hollow body adapted for attachment to the surgical irrigator-aspirator and a thin-walled tubular sleeve extending from the hollow body to surround the aspiration conduit of the instrument. The body and sleeve are homogeneously molded from polypropylene, which permits a rigid thin wall sleeve having a wall thickness not greater than 0.006 inches and a length-to-wall thickness ratio of more than two, and which is transparent when immersed in the aqueous humor of the eye for increased visibility by the surgeon of the adjacent tissues.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1988Date of Patent: January 8, 1991Assignee: Nestle S.A.Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, Stephen W. Haines
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Patent number: 4787889Abstract: An improved irrigation fluid conduit for use with a coaxial surgical irrigator-aspirator for ophthalmic surgery comprises a hollow body adapted for attachment to the surgical irrigator-aspirator and a thin-walled tubular sleeve extending from the hollow body to surround the aspiration conduit of the instrument. The body and sleeve are homogeneously molded from polypropylene, which permits a rigid thin wall sleeve having a wall thickness not greater than 0.006 inches and which is transparent for increased visibility of the adjacent tissues.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1987Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: CooperVision, Inc.Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, Stephen W. Haines
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Patent number: 4713051Abstract: A cassette is structurally adapted to receive at least a portion of an irrigation manifold and an aspiration manifold, so that when the cassette is firmly secured to a cassette mechanism on an emulsifier/aspirator unit: (1) the flow to irrigation solution through the irrigation manifold is regulated; (2) the flow of aspirated fluid and tissue from the surgical site is regulated; (3) the vacuum control system (VCS) within the unit is applied to the aspiration manifold. The cassette defines, at its leading edge, an irrigation opening, an aspiration pump opening, and a vacuum control system opening. The cassette housing defines an irrigation boss having a flat leading edge surface in register with the irrigation opening, while an aspiration boss is located in register with the aspiration pump opening. A cassette mechanism is located on the emulsifier/aspirator unit and is structurally adapted to receive the cassette to complete the fluidic connection upon insertion of the cassette.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1985Date of Patent: December 15, 1987Assignee: CooperVision, Inc.Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, Larry L. Hood, Gary D. Boggs