Patents by Inventor Nicholas M. Gunn
Nicholas M. Gunn 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: 9504606Abstract: A microfluidic pump for implantation proximate an eye of a patient is disclosed herein. The microfluidic pump includes a first substrate with a microfluidic actuator that includes a first chamber and a second chamber coupled by a channel, an electrode in each of the chambers, and a slug positioned within the channel. The slug is displaceable by an electric potential. The microfluidic actuator of the microfluidic pump includes a reservoir aligned with the chamber, a membrane portion separating the reservoir and the chamber, and a second reservoir aligned with the second chamber. A second membrane portion separates the second reservoir and the second chamber. Each of the reservoirs has an inlet and an outlet; each of the inlets has a valve that prevents backflow. A second substrate of the microfluidic pump includes a flow path coupling the outlet of the first reservoir to the inlet of the second reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Nicholas M. Gunn, Andrew D. Johnson
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Patent number: 9456924Abstract: A valve system for an ocular implant device includes a boss structure. The boss structure includes an inlet for fluid inflow, and a number of outlets for fluid outflow. The valve system further includes a deformable membrane positioned over and spaced apart from the inlet, the membrane comprising a piezo-based material, an actuating element to apply pressure to the membrane to deform the membrane into a position that obstructs fluid flow from the inlet, and a control system to detect a position of the membrane based on measured electrical properties of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Zahra Noroozi, Ray Karam, Nicholas M. Gunn
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Patent number: 9375348Abstract: A microfluidic pump for implantation proximate an eye of a patient is provided herein. The pump includes a first substrate portion and a second substrate portion adjacent the first and a chamber that has a bottom surface and a top surface provided by the first and second substrate portions. A gas is produced within the chamber so that it displaces fluid from the chamber. The pump also includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel coupled to the chamber, the inlet channel being separated from the chamber by a first gap and the outlet channel separated from the chamber by a second gap. The gaps inhibit the gas from moving out of the chamber. Other microfluidic pumps and intraocular devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Novartis AGInventor: Nicholas M. Gunn
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Patent number: 9259353Abstract: A fluid flow-regulating system includes an electrolysis chamber configured to contain a liquid, and includes first and second electrodes disposed within the electrolysis chamber. A gap between opposing surfaces is sized to promote capillary action of a liquid in the electrolysis chamber that draws the liquid to at least one of the first and second electrodes in a manner allowing the flow-regulating system to be placed in multiple orientations and still have said one of the first and second electrodes wetted by capillary action.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Leslie A. Field
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Publication number: 20150297341Abstract: A valve system for an ocular implant device includes a boss structure. The boss structure includes an inlet for fluid inflow, and a number of outlets for fluid outflow. The valve system further includes a deformable membrane positioned over and spaced apart from the inlet, the membrane comprising a piezo-based material, an actuating element to apply pressure to the membrane to deform the membrane into a position that obstructs fluid flow from the inlet, and a control system to detect a position of the membrane based on measured electrical properties of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Zahra Noroozi, Ray Karam, Nicholas M. Gunn
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Publication number: 20150230984Abstract: A microfluidic pump for implantation proximate an eye of a patient is provided herein. The pump includes a first substrate portion and a second substrate portion adjacent the first and a chamber that has a bottom surface and a top surface provided by the first and second substrate portions. A gas is produced within the chamber so that it displaces fluid from the chamber. The pump also includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel coupled to the chamber, the inlet channel being separated from the chamber by a first gap and the outlet channel separated from the chamber by a second gap. The gaps inhibit the gas from moving out of the chamber. Other microfluidic pumps and intraocular devices are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: NOVARTIS AGInventor: Nicholas M. Gunn
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Publication number: 20150230982Abstract: A microfluidic pump for implantation proximate an eye of a patient is disclosed herein. The microfluidic pump includes a first substrate with a microfluidic actuator that includes a first chamber and a second chamber coupled by a channel, an electrode in each of the chambers, and a slug positioned within the channel. The slug is displaceable by an electric potential. The microfluidic actuator of the microfluidic pump includes a reservoir aligned with the chamber, a membrane portion separating the reservoir and the chamber, and a second reservoir aligned with the second chamber. A second membrane portion separates the second reservoir and the second chamber. Each of the reservoirs has an inlet and an outlet; each of the inlets has a valve that prevents backflow. A second substrate of the microfluidic pump includes a flow path coupling the outlet of the first reservoir to the inlet of the second reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: NOVARTIS AGInventors: NICHOLAS M. GUNN, ANDREW D. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 8864701Abstract: An implantable MEMS package for the treatment of an ocular condition is provided. The MEMS package includes an outer portion; an active portion attached to the outer portion, the active portion including a fluid regulating element having a moving element; and a fluidic channel at an interface of the outer portion and the active portion. The fluidic channel is formed in at least one of the outer and active portions and permits fluid communication from the MEMS package to the fluid regulating element. A method for forming a MEMS package as above is also provided. An ocular implant for treating glaucoma including an inlet tube for receiving aqueous humor; a MEMS package as above, coupled to the inlet tube; a control system to control the MEMS package; and an outlet tube for draining aqueous humor at a drainage location, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr., Leslie A. Field, Chen Ning
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Publication number: 20140107557Abstract: A fluid flow-regulating system includes an electrolysis chamber configured to contain a liquid, and includes first and second electrodes disposed within the electrolysis chamber. A gap between opposing surfaces is sized to promote capillary action of a liquid in the electrolysis chamber that draws the liquid to at least one of the first and second electrodes in a manner allowing the flow-regulating system to be placed in multiple orientations and still have said one of the first and second electrodes wetted by capillary action.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Leslie A. Field
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Publication number: 20140046439Abstract: An implantable MEMS package for the treatment of an ocular condition is provided. The MEMS package includes an outer portion; an active portion attached to the outer portion, the active portion including a fluid regulating element having a moving element; and a fluidic channel at an interface of the outer portion and the active portion. The fluidic channel is formed in at least one of the outer and active portions and permits fluid communication from the MEMS package to the fluid regulating element. A method for forming a MEMS package as above is also provided. An ocular implant for treating glaucoma including an inlet tube for receiving aqueous humor; a MEMS package as above, coupled to the inlet tube; a control system to control the MEMS package; and an outlet tube for draining aqueous humor at a drainage location, is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Leslie A. Field, Chen Ning