Patents by Inventor Steven T. Charles

Steven T. Charles 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).

  • Publication number: 20200337901
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a cannula system with a retention mechanism comprising a cannula, a hub coupled to the cannula, wherein a distal end of the cannula is configured to be inserted into a body part up to the hub, and a retention mechanism configured to create resistance for retaining the cannula inside the body part in response to force exerted on the cannula for pulling the cannula out of the body part. The retention mechanism may include retention elements coupled to a bottom surface of the hub, and by rotating the hub in a first direction, the one or more retention elements that are parallel to a surface of the body part are configured to penetrate the body part. In other embodiments, the retention mechanism may include halfpipe elements that pivot on fulcrum points to hold or release the hub and cannula from the body part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20200337722
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an adjustable length infusion cannula having a cannula including a first proximal end and a first distal end, and a hub having a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a central aperture that extends between the second proximal end and the second distal end. The central aperture is configured to accept the first distal end of the cannula and allow the cannula upward movement and downward movement through the hub. The adjustable length infusion cannula also includes a locking mechanism configured to lock the cannula within the hub such that the first distal end extends a first distance past the second distal end of the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20200337899
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and method of using a multifunctional device to cut/tab a graft from a donor region of an eye. The apparatus includes a multifunctional device for ophthalmic surgery, having an insertion sleeve comprising an inner surface defining a compartment, a flat wire contained within the compartment folded to form a loop, wherein the flat wire comprises a sharp edge (continuous or tabbed) operable for cutting retinal tissue, and wherein the loop is positioned at a distal end of the insertion sleeve, and a handpiece coupled to the insertion tube and configured to adjust a size of the loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 10702415
    Abstract: A method and system provide a surgical hand piece including an aspiration line, a tip and a sensor. The tip is coupled with the aspiration line. The sensor is in the aspiration line. The sensor measures a change in at least one of flow through the aspiration line, pressure in the aspiration line and motion of an additional portion of the hand piece within the aspiration line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20200178964
    Abstract: A surgical clamp for aligning the margins of incised or wounded tissue has jaws with parallel clamping faces, and a handle for manipulating the clamp to align the margins of the tissue. The jaws are in a normally closed position, however they can be opened by compressing the handle to open the jaws. Prongs project from the inferior surface of the jaws. The clamp is positioned in a desired position over the margins of a wound to be closed, the prongs engage the margins of the wound to be aligned, and the jaws are closed by releasing compressive force on the handle. As the jaws close the prongs help move the tissue into alignment. Suture guide slots through the jaws assist in the placement of precisely placed sutures across the incision. The disclosed surgical clamp is particularly suited for selectively closing and reopening surgical incisions, such as a sclerotomy incision in the eye. Methods are disclosed for using the clamp during intraocular and other surgical or minimally invasive procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVIC
    Inventors: Vladimir R. Khristov, Steven T. Charles, Juan A. Amaral, Arvydas Maminishkis, Kapil Bharti
  • Patent number: 10675180
    Abstract: Various membrane delamination devices for removing proliferative membranes from underling tissues are disclosed herein. In some implementations, the delamination device may include a first shearing part and a second shearing part. One of the first shearing part and the second shearing part may be moveable relative to the other of the first shearing part and the second shearing part. One or more of the shearing parts may include a plurality of teeth formed at a leading edge thereof. A shearing action produced by operation of the shearing parts may be used to sever fibers joining proliferative membranes from an underlying tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Reto Grueebler, Thomas Linsi, Rodolfo Wolfer, Bogdan Vigaru, Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 10646375
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for pressure-driven micro-surgical tool actuation. The systems and methods may encompass the use of a remote handle held by a first hand of a user as well as a surgical tool located in the eye of a patient. A primary actuator may be included in remote handle and operable to be actuated by a mechanical force exerted on the handle. Actuating the primary actuator pressurizes a fluid within a length of tubing. The pressurized fluid may be transmitted to a dynamic tool held by a second hand of the user, where the pressurized fluid may be used to actuate a subordinate actuator. Actuation of the subordinate actuator may actuate a dynamic component of the dynamic tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20200102949
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a fluidic pump system includes a brushless slotless direct current (BSDC) motor mechanically coupled to a fluidic pump, and a motor controller communicably coupled to the BSDC motor. The BSDC motor is configured to drive the fluidic pump, and the motor controller is configured to generate command signals to drive the BSDC motor. The fluidic pump system further includes commutation circuitry coupled to the BSDC motor that is configured to provide digital sine-wave commutation of the BSDC motor and to provide an indication of movement of the BSDC motor to the motor controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20200078214
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tissue separation system to separate the posterior vitreous cortex from the inner limiting membrane in the eye, and to the separation of other body tissues. A system includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible elongate member is coupled to a fluid reservoir and has a lumen configured to deliver fluid from the reservoir for use in a surgical procedure and further includes a pump system coupled to the proximal end of the flexible elongate member and to the fluid reservoir, configured to pressurize the fluid to a pressure suitable for separating tissues. The system also includes a control system arranged to control the pump system to provide a series of pulses of fluid through the flexible elongate member and out from the distal end thereof to suitably separate the tissues during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 10555834
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of and for an ophthalmic surgical system are disclosed. An ophthalmic surgical system may include a vitrectomy probe having a housing sized and shaped for grasping by a user. The vitrectomy probe may also include a cutter extending from the housing and being sized to penetrate and treat a patient eye. The cutter may include an outer cutting tube coupled to the housing. The outer cutting tube may have an outer port formed therein that is sized and shaped to receive tissue. The cutter may include a rotatable inner cutting member disposed within the outer cutting tube. The inner cutting member may include a first cutting surface that rotates across the outer port to cut the tissue when the inner cutting member is rotated. The vitrectomy probe may include a pneumatic vane actuator positioned within the housing and configured to rotate the inner cutting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 10555728
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. A surgical tool that includes an integrated camera may be used in conjunction with the surgical device. The image produced by the camera integrated with the surgical tool may be associated with the composite image generated by the plurality of cameras integrated in the surgical device. The position and orientation of the cameras and/or the surgical tool can be tracked, and the surgical tool can be rendered as transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: CAMPLEX, INC.
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, John Tesar
  • Publication number: 20190380566
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together. A surgical tool that includes an integrated camera may be used in conjunction with the surgical device. The image produced by the camera integrated with the surgical tool may be associated with the images generated by the plurality of cameras integrated in the surgical device. The position and orientation of the cameras and/or the surgical tool can be tracked, and the surgical tool can be rendered as at least partially transparent. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: STEVEN T. CHARLES, JOHN TESAR
  • Patent number: 10507134
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a tissue separation system to separate the posterior vitreous cortex from the inner limiting membrane in the eye, and to the separation of other body tissues. A system includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The flexible elongate member is coupled to a fluid reservoir and has a lumen configured to deliver fluid from the reservoir for use in a surgical procedure and further includes a pump system coupled to the proximal end of the flexible elongate member and to the fluid reservoir, configured to pressurize the fluid to a pressure suitable for separating tissues. The system also includes a control system arranged to control the pump system to provide a series of pulses of fluid through the flexible elongate member and out from the distal end thereof to suitably separate the tissues during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20190350757
    Abstract: A foot pedal device configured to provide force feedback to an operator during ophthalmic surgery is described. The foot pedal device includes a processor and a memory containing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to transmit, in response to a movement of a moveable member, a control signal to a surgical console for initiating an action of an ophthalmic surgery tool coupled with the surgical console. The foot pedal device includes a force feedback mechanism configured to selectively apply a resistance force in opposition to the movement of the movable member. The memory contains instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, from the surgical console, a trigger signal, and send a force feedback signal to the force feedback mechanism. The force feedback mechanism is configured to apply the resistance force to the movable member upon receiving the force feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 10463533
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for controlling infusion pressure, such as during a medical procedure, using systemic blood pressure are described. Systemic blood pressure, such as brachial arm blood pressure or radial artery blood pressure, may be used to estimate central retinal artery blood pressure to estimate critical closing pressure. Further, the disclosure relates to controlling infusion pressure to prevent an increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure when such is not desired, and, when such is desired, using systemic blood pressure and infusion pressure to control an intentional increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure to stop intraocular bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20190313902
    Abstract: A method and system are described for automatically centering in an XY plane a field of view of a patient's eye under high magnification during ophthalmic surgery. The method includes automatically moving the center of the field of view to the center of a circular image detected in a real-time video signal acquired from the field of view of the patient's eye under high magnification during ophthalmic surgery. The system configured to perform the method has a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium accessible to the processor containing instructions executable by the processor to perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20190307523
    Abstract: A surgical probe system comprising a surgical probe having an instrument tip, and at least one motion sensor located within the surgical probe that measures movement and orientation data. The system further includes a processor that is configured to determine movement and orientation of the instrument tip based on the movement and orientation data, and adjust at least one surgical parameter of the surgical probe based on the movement and orientation of the instrument tip to affect a predetermined surgical outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Tammo Heeren
  • Patent number: 10438576
    Abstract: Active noise cancellation is employed to address unwanted acoustical noise generated by various equipment associated with an ophthalmic surgical system. Active noise cancellation may be used within a chassis of the ophthalmic surgical system, within an air compressor used with the ophthalmic surgical system, and within a reciprocating surgical probe used with the ophthalmic surgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Kirk Wellington Todd, Johan Gustaf Ekvall, Paul J. Essex, Steven T. Charles, Nicholas Max Gunn
  • Patent number: 10398307
    Abstract: Curvature of field transformation of OCT images during ophthalmic surgery may be performed with an OCT scanning controller that interfaces to an OCT scanner used with a surgical microscope. Real-time OCT images may be acquired by the OCT scanner, while an anamorphic transformation is applied to the OCT images to match the curvature of field for optical images viewed using the surgical microscope. The transformed OCT images may be displayed during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20190254868
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a surgical instrument for detecting light, such as by measuring light traveling in a waveguide, for instance. Some embodiments are particularly directed to a determining one or more parameters associated with ocular surgery based on detection of the light. In one or more embodiments, for example, a surgical instrument may include a cannula, a waveguide, a transducer, and logic implemented in circuitry communicatively coupled with the transducer. In one or more such embodiments, the cannula may comprise at least a portion of the waveguide. In some embodiments, the transducer may detect light traveling in a first direction in the waveguide. In some such embodiments, the logic may determine at least one parameter associated with ocular surgery based on the light detected by the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles