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).

  • Patent number: 11980575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Dean Richardson
  • Publication number: 20240115345
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: John Park, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230414413
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Alireza Mirsepassi, Neda Dadashzadeh, Yuchao Liu, Conrad Sawicz
  • Patent number: 11844726
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Cook, Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230397968
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Jochen HORN, Alireza MIRSEPASSI, Ronald T. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20230390114
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Gerald David BACHER, Mark Harrison FARLEY, Alireza MIRSEPASSI, Ronald T. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20230346599
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11779427
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Jochen Horn, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11771597
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald David Bacher, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11751970
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Papac, Chenguang Diao
  • Patent number: 11684515
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230181364
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: John Park, Qing Xiang, Ravi Durvasula, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230181367
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Harrison Farley, Chenguang Diao, Mark Alan Hopkins, Alireza Mirsepassi, Timothy C. Ryan, Ronald T. Smith, Dennis Martin Terenzio
  • Patent number: 11628091
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230085961
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Papac, Chenguang Diao
  • Patent number: 11588297
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Alireza Mirsepassi, Mark Harrison Farley
  • Patent number: 11517392
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Papac, Chenguang Diao
  • Patent number: 11493692
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Timothy C. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11432963
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno Lassalas, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220268990
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Ronald T. Smith, Alireza Mirsepassi