Patents by Inventor Ronald T. Smith
Ronald T. Smith 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: 11980575Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-core optical fiber cable (MCF). In some embodiments, an MCF comprises a plurality of cores surrounded by a cladding and a coating surrounding the cladding, wherein a refractive index of one or more of the plurality of cores is greater than a refractive index of the cladding. The MCF further comprises a probe comprising a probe tip coupled with a distal end of the MCF and a lens located at a distal end of the probe tip. In some embodiments, the lens is configured to translate laser light from the distal end of the MCF to create a multi-spot pattern of laser beams on a target surface and a distal end of the MCF terminates at an interface with the lens.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Dean Richardson
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Publication number: 20240115345Abstract: A surgical microscope is configured to capture images of an eye of a patient and defines an optical axis. An illumination source is configured to emit a plurality of beams onto the eye of the patient at a plurality of angles relative to the optical axis. A controller is coupled to the surgical microscope and the illumination source, the controller configured to independently control values for illumination parameters for each beam of the plurality of beams to facilitate imaging of the eye of the patient. The illumination parameters may compensate for reflections from the iris, offset of the eye relative to the optical axis, and reflections of ambient light. The illumination parameters may be controlled subject to inputs received from a surgeon or other user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: John Park, Ronald T. Smith
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Publication number: 20230414413Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for performing a safety test of a laser diode associated with an ophthalmic surgical apparatus. An example method determining a measured slope efficiency of the laser diode based on a plurality of different current levels applied to an input of the laser diode and a plurality of different output power levels associated with the laser diode, determining an expected slope efficiency of the laser diode based on a measured operating temperature of the ophthalmic surgical apparatus, determining a result of the safety test of the laser diode based on the measured slope efficiency of the laser diode and the expected slope efficiency for the laser diode, and outputting an electrical signal indicating a result of the safety test of the laser diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Alireza Mirsepassi, Neda Dadashzadeh, Yuchao Liu, Conrad Sawicz
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Patent number: 11844726Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a thermally robust laser probe assembly comprising a cannula, wherein one or more optical fibers extend at least partially through the cannula for transmitting laser light from a laser source to a target location. The probe assembly further comprises a lens housed in the cannula and a protective component press-fitted to the distal end of the cannula, wherein the lens is positioned between the one or more optical fibers and the protective component.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Christopher Cook, Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith
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Publication number: 20230397968Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multi-spot laser light beams, multiplexing an illumination light and the multi-spot laser light beams, and delivering the multiplexed light to a surgical handpiece via a multi-core optical fiber cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Jochen HORN, Alireza MIRSEPASSI, Ronald T. SMITH
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Publication number: 20230390114Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multi-spot laser light beams, multiplexing an illumination light and the multi-spot laser light beams, delivering the multiplexed light to a surgical handpiece via a multi-core optical fiber cable, and delivering the multiplexed light onto patient anatomy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Gerald David BACHER, Mark Harrison FARLEY, Alireza MIRSEPASSI, Ronald T. SMITH
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Publication number: 20230346599Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to improved surgical laser systems with single-core single-optical fiber-illuminated laser probes, which are configured to propagate both treatment laser beams and illumination light beams. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide surgical laser systems with color adjustability of illumination light, as well as improved laser probe stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
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Patent number: 11779427Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multi-spot laser light beams, multiplexing an illumination light and the multi-spot laser light beams, and delivering the multiplexed light to a surgical handpiece via a multi-core optical fiber cable.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Jochen Horn, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
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Patent number: 11771597Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multi-spot laser light beams, multiplexing an illumination light and the multi-spot laser light beams, delivering the multiplexed light to a surgical handpiece via a multi-core optical fiber cable, and delivering the multiplexed light onto patient anatomy.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Gerald David Bacher, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
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Patent number: 11751970Abstract: A process of making a diverging-light fiber optics illumination delivery system includes providing a micro-post comprising a glass-ceramic light-scattering element that includes at least one of a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an immiscible glass, a porous glass, opal glass, amorphous glass, an aerated glass, and a nanostructured glass; and fusion-splicing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by pulling an arc between electrodes across a gap formed by the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post; maintaining the arc for a time sufficiently long to make facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post one of malleable and molten; and pushing and thereby fusing together the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post. Some embodiments can include fusing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by applying a laser beam to heat up at least one of the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Papac, Chenguang Diao
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Patent number: 11684515Abstract: Multi-fiber laser probes utilize relative motion of fibers and other laser probe elements to preserve small-gauge compatibility while providing for multi-spot beam deliver, or to provide for the selectively delivery of single-spot or multi-spot beam patterns. An example probe includes fibers having distal ends that are movable as a group onto a distal ramp element affixed to a distal end of a cannula, so that the distal ends of the fibers can be moved between a retracted position, in which the distal ends of the fibers are within the cannula or ramp element, and an extended position, in which distal ends of the fibers are guided by grooves or channels of the ramp so as to extend at least partially through external openings in the distal end of the laser probe and so as to be pointed angularly away from a longitudinal axis of the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
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Publication number: 20230181364Abstract: In certain embodiments, an optical system for obtaining surgical information includes a probe housing a first optical fiber, a light source, a photoanalyzer, and an optical circulator optically coupled to each of the first optical fiber, the light source, and the photoanalyzer. The optical circulator has a first port configured to receive source light generated from the light source, a second port configured to transmit the source light from the first port to the first optical fiber, and a third port configured to transmit return light in the first optical fiber from the second port to the photoanalyzer. The first optical fiber is configured to emit at least a portion of the source light in the first optical fiber from the probe to contact a body structure, and collect light returning from the body structure as a result of the portion of the source light contacting the body structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: John Park, Qing Xiang, Ravi Durvasula, Ronald T. Smith
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Publication number: 20230181367Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and devices for coupling optical fibers with laser surgical systems. In particular, certain aspects provide a push-pull connector and adapter for releasably coupling an optical fiber with a port of a laser surgical system. The connector and adapter facilitate mechanical lateral and rotational guidance of the optical fiber during insertion into the port to ensure proper alignment (e.g., clocking) of the optical fiber’s cores with a laser beam pattern propagated by the laser surgical system. Accordingly, the connector and adaptor enable improved coupling efficiency between the laser beam pattern and one or more cores of the optical fiber, and therefore improved power uniformity between multiple laser beams transmitted through the cores.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Mark Harrison Farley, Chenguang Diao, Mark Alan Hopkins, Alireza Mirsepassi, Timothy C. Ryan, Ronald T. Smith, Dennis Martin Terenzio
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Patent number: 11628091Abstract: An example multi-fiber, multi-spot laser probe comprises a plurality of fibers extending from a proximal end of the laser probe to at least near a distal end of the laser probe, where the proximal end of the laser probe is configured to be coupled to a laser source via an adapter interface, and a cannula having a distal end and surrounding the plurality of fibers along at least a portion of the laser probe at or near the distal end of the laser probe, where a distal end of each of the plurality of fibers is angle-polished so that the distal end of each fiber is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the cannula and relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cannula. Additional embodiments employ lensed fibers, a distal window, ball lens, lens array, or faceted wedge.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith
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Publication number: 20230085961Abstract: A process of making a diverging-light fiber optics illumination delivery system includes providing a micro-post comprising a glass-ceramic light-scattering element that includes at least one of a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an immiscible glass, a porous glass, opal glass, amorphous glass, an aerated glass, and a nanostructured glass; and fusion-splicing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by pulling an arc between electrodes across a gap formed by the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post; maintaining the arc for a time sufficiently long to make facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post one of malleable and molten; and pushing and thereby fusing together the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post. Some embodiments can include fusing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by applying a laser beam to heat up at least one of the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Papac, Chenguang Diao
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Patent number: 11588297Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for an optical component mounting system for supporting an optical component such as a laser. The mounting system comprises a first component comprising a first surface, a second component comprising a second surface facing the first surface, and adhesive between the first surface of the first component and the second surface of the second component, wherein the first component comprises at least three mounting pads extending from the first surface for contacting the second surface of the second component and providing direct support between the first component and the second component. The component comprising the mounting pads may be a lower mount, an upper mount such as an upper clamping mount, or a bonding pad or other component in the stack of components. A method of assembling the stack of components may comprise curing the adhesive at a temperature at or above an upper end of an expected temperature operating range for the optical component mounting system.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Alireza Mirsepassi, Mark Harrison Farley
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Patent number: 11517392Abstract: A process of making a diverging-light fiber optics illumination delivery system includes providing a micro-post comprising a glass-ceramic light-scattering element that includes at least one of a ceramic, a glass ceramic, an immiscible glass, a porous glass, opal glass, amorphous glass, an aerated glass, and a nanostructured glass; and fusion-splicing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by pulling an arc between electrodes across a gap formed by the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post; maintaining the arc for a time sufficiently long to make facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post one of malleable and molten; and pushing and thereby fusing together the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the micro-post. Some embodiments can include fusing the glass-ceramic micro-post to the optical fiber by applying a laser beam to heat up at least one of the facing surfaces of the optical fiber and the glass-ceramic micro-post.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Papac, Chenguang Diao
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Patent number: 11493692Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser probe assembly coupled to a laser system through an optical fiber cable. In one example, the laser probe assembly comprises a probe tip coupled to the probe body, the probe tip housing multiple fibers. Each of the multiple fibers comprises a proximal end that couples to the laser system and a distal end that terminates in the probe tip, a single core for transporting a laser beam provided by the laser system, and a cladding surrounding the core. The laser probe assembly also comprises a lens for projecting multiple laser beams provided by the multiple fibers on to a surgical site. Within the probe tip, parts of outer surfaces of portions of any two adjacent fibers of the multiple fibers touch. Also, the multiple fibers are at least substantially centered with respect to the lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Timothy C. Ryan
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Patent number: 11432963Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a surgical laser system comprising first laser source configured to emit a first laser beam with a first wavelength and a second laser source configured to emit a second laser beam with a second wavelength. The surgical laser system further comprises a first diffraction optical element (DOE) tuned to the first wavelength and a second DOE tuned to the second wavelength, wherein the first DOE is configured to diffract the first laser beam into one or more first diffracted beams at a diffraction angle and the second DOE is configured to diffract the second laser beam into one or more second diffracted beams at the same diffraction angle. The surgical laser system further comprises one or more beam splitters configured to reflect the one or more first diffracted beams and the one or more second diffracted beams onto a lens.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Bruno Lassalas, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
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Publication number: 20220268990Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber and a laser probe assembly with a probe tip that houses the fiber. In certain aspects, the fiber includes a core, an outer cladding surrounding the core, and an end face at a proximal and/or distal end of the fiber. The core is configured to transmit a laser light beam while the core and the outer cladding are both configured to transmit an illumination light. In certain aspects, a surface area of the end face corresponding to a cross-section of at least the outer cladding is treated with a roughening or polishing process to modulate an illumination light output angle of the fiber. Using a fiber that is configured to transmit a laser light beam as well as a wide-angle illumination light allows for a more compact fiber and probe tip, allowing for medical procedures that require a narrower probe.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Ronald T. Smith, Alireza Mirsepassi