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).

  • Patent number: 9504606
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Gunn, Andrew D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9456924
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Zahra Noroozi, Ray Karam, Nicholas M. Gunn
  • Patent number: 9375348
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Nicholas M. Gunn
  • Patent number: 9259353
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Leslie A. Field
  • Publication number: 20150297341
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Zahra Noroozi, Ray Karam, Nicholas M. Gunn
  • Publication number: 20150230984
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventor: Nicholas M. Gunn
  • Publication number: 20150230982
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: NICHOLAS M. GUNN, ANDREW D. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8864701
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr., Leslie A. Field, Chen Ning
  • Publication number: 20140107557
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Leslie A. Field
  • Publication number: 20140046439
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Leslie A. Field, Chen Ning