Patents by Inventor Ronald M. Kurtz

Ronald M. Kurtz 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: 9456925
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of treating a hard lens region of an eye with a laser where one method includes identifying a boundary of the hard lens region, selecting a laser-parameter to enable a photodisruptive procedure in the hard lens region and to control a spreading of bubbles in the hard lens region, modifying a mechanical property of a posterior portion of the hard lens region in a proximity of the identified boundary by the photodisruptive procedure, and modifying a mechanical property of a portion anterior to the modified posterior portion of the hard lens region by the photodisruptive procedure. The laser bubbles can be applied to form incisions which are non transverse to an axis of the eye and intersect the lens fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ALCON LENSX, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Peter Goldstein
  • Patent number: 9408749
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Michael Karavitis
  • Patent number: 9402714
    Abstract: A method of transplanting a cornea from a donor to a recipient is disclosed. An undercut is incised within stromal tissue of the donor cornea. Following formation of the undercut, the donor cornea is grafted onto a recipient. The undercut may be formed before or after the cornea is removed from the donor, and is preferably formed by photoaltering the stromal tissue using a laser. A sidecut may also be incised in the donor cornea, thereby forming a corneal flap, prior to grafting. In addition, a corneal section may be excised from the donor cornea using a trephine, a laser, or other appropriate surgical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald M. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20150328045
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Michael Karavitis
  • Publication number: 20150297403
    Abstract: A system and method of resecting corneal tissue for transplantation is disclosed. In each of the recipient cornea and the donor cornea, an annular incision is made at a predetermined incision depth. A first sidecut incision is made in each cornea, running from the outer periphery of the annular incision to one of the anterior corneal surface or the posterior corneal surface. The first sidecut incision forms an acute angle with the annular incision. A second sidecut incision is also made in each cornea, running from the inner periphery of the annular incision to the other of the anterior corneal surface or the posterior corneal surface. The second sidecut incision forms an acute angle with the annular incision. The combination of the incisions in each cornea resects corneal tissue from the recipient cornea and donor tissue from the donor cornea. The donor tissue is grafted into the recipient cornea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: AMO DEVELOPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Tibor Juhasz, Melvin A. Sarayba, Roger Steinert
  • Publication number: 20150250651
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Guy Holland, Adam Juhasz, Ronald M. Kurtz, Kostadin Vardin
  • Publication number: 20150209184
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomographic (SS-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SS-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Guy Holland, Adam Juhasz, Ronald M. Kurtz, Kostadin Vardin
  • Patent number: 9066784
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Guy Holland, Adam Juhasz, Ronald M. Kurtz, Kostadin Vardin
  • Patent number: 9044303
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Michael Karavitis
  • Patent number: 9023016
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Guy Holland, Adam Juhasz, Ronald M. Kurtz, Kostadin Vardin
  • Publication number: 20140371771
    Abstract: A system and method for resecting and transplanting corneal tissue is disclosed. In a recipient cornea, a resection depth from the anterior surface of the recipient cornea is determined based upon a biomechanical model of the recipient cornea. A resection incision for resecting a posterior portion of the recipient cornea is made at the resection depth. Preferably, the incision is made using a surgical laser. Optionally, a contact lens may be placed against the anterior surface of the recipient cornea, wherein the shape of the anterior surface is conformed to the shape of the contact lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Gagik Jotyan, Tibor Juhasz, Melvin A. Sarayba
  • Publication number: 20140257258
    Abstract: Techniques, systems are described for performing laser eye surgery. In one aspect, a method for improving an optical function of an eye includes preparing the eye for surgery by determining an optical characteristic of the eye. Laser marking pulses are applied to generate a laser mark in a region of the eye in relation to the determined optical characteristic. Also, a surgical procedure is performed in a surgical region selected in relation to the generated laser mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20140188093
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: ALCON LENSX, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Michael Karavitis
  • Patent number: 8764736
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery are described to provide protection of sensitive tissues from surgical laser pulses. For example, an ophthalmic surgical method may include determining a surgical target region in an eye, selecting a protection region between the surgical target region and a photosensitive tissue, estimating a damage-threshold of the photosensitive tissue and a protection-threshold of the protection region, applying preliminary laser-pulses to the protection region with parameters between the damage-threshold and the protection threshold to form a protection barrier, and applying surgical laser pulses to the surgical target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8764737
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Michael Karavitis
  • Patent number: 8568394
    Abstract: An ophthalmic patient interface system includes an interface device and an ocular device. The interface device includes a frame having a first end and a second end, a lens disposed at the first end, and a skirt affixed to the first end. The second end is adapted to couple with a surgical laser system, and the skirt is adapted to seal against an anterior surface of an eye. The ocular device includes magnifying optics and is adapted to be removably seated within the second end. The magnifying optics image a region on a corneal side of the lens when the ocular device is seated within the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: AMO Development LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Lummis, Ronald M. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20130158531
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Ilya GOLDSHLEGER, Guy HOLLAND, Adam JUHASZ, Ronald M. KURTZ, Kostadin VARDIN
  • Publication number: 20130158530
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Guy Holland, Adam Juhasz, Ronald M. Kurtz, Kostadin Vardin
  • Patent number: 8231612
    Abstract: A method of photoaltering a material using a pulsed laser beam includes selecting a first pulse energy and a first focal point separation based on a relationship of pulse energy and focal point separation combinations enabling layer separation of the material by photoalteration, and scanning the pulsed laser beam along a scan region at the first pulse energy and the first focal point separation. The relationship has a slope and has a distinct change in the slope. The distinct change in the slope is associated with a second pulse energy of the relationships and the first pulse energy is equal to or less than the second pulse energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: AMO Development LLC.
    Inventors: Ruben Zadoyan, Michael Karavitis, Ronald M. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8075552
    Abstract: A system and method for preparation of donor corneal tissue is disclosed. The system includes two surgical lasers. The first surgical laser is adapted to incise a recipient cornea to enable resection of recipient corneal tissue. The second surgical laser is adapted to incise a donor cornea to enable resection of donor corneal tissue. Both surgical lasers are adapted to make corneal incisions which are defined by incision parameters. Further, both surgical lasers are calibrated to make substantially precise corneal incisions when provided with identical incision parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: AMO Development LLC.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Melvin A. Sarayba, Michael Brownell