Patents Represented by Attorney Gordon L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5262097
    Abstract: New intraocular lenses, fixation member assemblies for use in such lenses and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method for producing a fixation member assembly which includes exposing a fixation member component to a first plasma at conditions effective to enhance, relative to a substantially identical fixation member component which is not subjected to the exposing step, the bondability between the fixation member component and a polymeric coating to be located on the fixation member component; and exposing the fixation member to a second plasma in the presence of at least one material selected from polymeric components, polymerizable components and mixtures thereof at conditions effective to form the polymeric coating located on the fixation member component. Enhanced bondability between the polymeric coating-containing fixation member component and the optic of the intraocular lens and/or enhanced biocompatibility are preferably provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Richard Christ, James E. Francese, Bernard F. Grisoni
  • Patent number: 5256279
    Abstract: A liquid storage system comprising a flexible, closed and freely expandable reservoir for storing liquid medium-containing material. A supply conduit conducts liquid, for example, from a reverse osmosis module, to the reservoir to expand the reservoir. A control valve is movable between an open position in which the control valve allows liquid to flow through the supply conduit to the reservoir and a closed position in which the valve blocks flow of liquid through the supply conduit to the reservoir. A discharge conduit is provided for delivering liquid from the reservoir, and a pump may be used for pumping the liquid from the reservoir through the discharge conduit. The control valve is controlled by a level sensor operable by expansion of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Carr-Griff, Inc.
    Inventors: Hal P. Voznick, Robert S. Bosko
  • Patent number: 5249002
    Abstract: A spectacle system for individuals having impaired vision having at least one ocular implant lens is provided which includes an objective lens for forming a magnified image of a distant object on the individual's retina and a spectacle frame for suporting the objective lens on an individual's head in a spaced apart relationship with the implanted intraocular lens. An actuator and driver are provided to enable manually controlled non-rotational and translational movement of the objective lens along an optical axis defined by the objective lens and the implanted intraocular lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim-Son J. Chou, Charles A. Cummings
  • Patent number: 5244346
    Abstract: A portable wind machine comprising a vehicle movable along the ground and a support carried by the vehicle and extending upwardly substantially above the vehicle. A transverse member is coupled to the support at a location substantially above the vehicle, and it extends transversely of the support on both sides of the support. The transverse member is pivotable between a travel position in which the transverse member extends generally along the vehicle in generally a direction from fore to aft of the vehicle and an operational position in which the transverse member extends laterally of the vehicle. First and second propellers are mounted on the transverse member on opposite sides of the support for rotation about first and second rotational axes, respectively. A tilt angle between each of the rotational axes and a vertical plane is adjustable. At least one power source is provided for rotating the propellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Inventor: Alec H. B. Fergusson
  • Patent number: 5244361
    Abstract: A pump connectible to fluid under pressure comprising a housing having a cavity and a differential area piston reciprocable in the cavity on pumping and reset strokes and dividing the cavity into an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and a reversing chamber. The housing has an inlet port communicating with the inlet chamber and connectible to the fluid under pressure, a water port communicating with the outlet chamber and a reversing port communicating with the reversing chamber. The piston has a passage leading from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. A first valve opens and closes the passage and a second valve is provided in the housing. A cam assembly opens and closes the first and second valves as a function of the position of the piston in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Product Research and Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5242281
    Abstract: A pump assembly comprising a housing having a cavity therein, an inlet leading to the cavity and an outlet leading from the cavity and a wobble plate mounted for nutating movement in the cavity. The wobble plate divides the cavity into first and second pumping chambers, and during its nutating movement, liquid entering the inlet into the pumping chambers is pumped by the wobble plate through the outlet. The pump can be driven by a motor. The cavity has opposing wall sections and a resilient member is provided for resiliently urging the wobble plate toward the opposing wall section to improve the priming capability of the pump. Other features improve the priming capability of the pump along the periphery of the wobble plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventors: E. Dale Hartley, F. Scott Hartley
  • Patent number: 5237072
    Abstract: A method for producing an amino-2-imidazoline derivative comprises contacting an imidazoline sulfonic acid with at least one amine component in the presence of an alcohol-containing liquid medium at conditions effective to form the amino-2-imidazoline derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Gluchowski
  • Patent number: 5236970
    Abstract: Optically clear, reinforced cross-linked silicone elastomers of the invention contain 12 to 18 mol percent of aryl substituted siloxane units of the formula R.sub.4 R.sub.5 -SiO, end blockers containing silioxane units of the formula R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 -SiO..sub.5, and dialkyl siloxane units of the formula R.sub.6 R.sub.7 -SiO. R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyl, aryl or substituted alkyl or substituted aryl groups, and R.sub.3 is an alkenyl group. R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are phenyl or mono lower alkyl substituted phenyl groups. R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are methyl or ethyl groups. The polymer has a degree of polymerization between 100 to 2000, and preferably approximately 250. The polymer also contains trimethyl silyl treated silica as a reinforcer in the weight ratio of approximately 15 to 45 parts of reinforcer to 100 parts of the polymer. After cross-linking, the polymer has properties of an optical refractive index which is at least 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Christ, Brian A. Nash, Del J. Petraitis
  • Patent number: 5232591
    Abstract: A storage tank comprising a container having an interior space and a pressure responsive wall defining a fluid storage chamber. The pressure responsive wall is displaceable as fluid is supplied to the storage chamber to increase the volume of the storage chamber. The storage tank also includes a variable volume chamber and movement of the pressure responsive wall to increase the volume of the storage chamber reduces the volume of the variable volume container. A compressible medium under pressure is provided in the variable volume container and the change in volume of the fluid storage chamber for a given displacement of the pressure responsive wall is greater than the change in volume of the variable volume container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5233007
    Abstract: A new class of polysiloxanes is disclosed. Such polysiloxanes have the formula ##STR1## wherein each R and R.sup.4 is independently selected from alkyl radicals, substituted alkyl radicals, aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals; each R.sup.1 is independently selected from divalent radicals; each R.sup.2 is independently selected from aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals; each R.sup.3 is independently selected from monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having a multiple bond and monovalent substituted hydrocarbon radicals having a multiple bond; n is an integer in the range of about 6 to about 500; and m is an integer in the range of 0 to about 500. Methods for making such polysiloxanes are also disclosed. In addition, high refractive index, that is having a refractive index of at least about 1.46, silicone compositions useful in the fabrication of lens bodies are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Liang S. Yang
  • Patent number: 5225858
    Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens adapted for implantation in the eye or to be disposed on or in the cornea. The lens has an optical axis, a central zone and a plurality of annular zones circumscribing the central zone. Two of the annular zones have a first region with a far vision correction power and a second region with a near vision correction power. In an IOL embodiment, the vision correction power between far and near is progressive, and each of the second regions has a major segment in which the near vision correction power is substantially constant. The power in the central zone varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Valdemar Portney
  • Patent number: 5222972
    Abstract: A forceps comprising first and second elongated elements having proximal and distal end portions. The proximal end portions are joined together so that the distal end portions are movable toward and away from each other. The distal end portion of the first elongated element includes a platform having a substantially flat surface sized and adapted to carry a foldable intraocular lens in an unfolded state. The distal end portion of the second elongated element includes an elongated rod which is narrower than the substantially flat surface of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Hill, Daniel Brady, Lyle E. Paul
  • Patent number: 5201763
    Abstract: An intraocular lens for implantation in an eye comprising a deformable silicone optic configured so that the optic can be deformed to permit the intraocular lens to be passed through a scleral tunnel incision no longer than about 3.2 mm into the eye. The intraocular lens can be provided in a range of diopter powers. When the intraocular lens is implanted in the eye, the optic has sufficient rigidity to be substantially free of optical distortion resulting from force from the eye acting on the intraocular lens and the optic is of sufficient size to substantially prevent glare resulting from interaction of light and the periphery of the optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan G. Brady, Bernard F. Grisoni, Christopher E. Doyle
  • Patent number: 5197636
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a liquid medium containing dissolved chlorine dioxide comprises a reservoir which defines a receptacle adapted for holding a precursor liquid medium having chlorine dioxide precursor dissolved therein and a tip assembly into which the precursor liquid medium passes after the precursor liquid exits the receptacle. The tip assembly comprises a chamber in which is located a promoter component effective to promote the generation of chlorine dioxide from the chlorine dioxide precursor in the liquid medium present in the chamber, an outlet providing a path for the liquid medium containing dissolved chlorine dioxide to exit the chamber, and an isolation assembly acting to effectively separate the precursor liquid medium in the reservoir from the promoter when it is desired that the precursor liquid medium from the reservoir be separated from the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Mitchell, John Baker, Hampar Karageozian, Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 5196028
    Abstract: A ophthalmic lens system comprising an intraocular lens adapted for implantation in the eye and spectacles. The intraocular lens has a negative IOL portion. The spectacles include a positive lens system for directing light toward the negative lens portion of the intraocular lens. The positive lens system includes a positive lens and a negative lens, with the negative lens being located posteriorly of the positive lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Valdemar Portney, Jeffrey E. Koziol
  • Patent number: 5193988
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Product Research And Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5187411
    Abstract: A method of extending discharge lamp life includes slowing electrode deterioration by powering the discharge lamp so that a lamp arc current having a reduced crest factor results, either by retrofitting an existing discharge lamp system with a waveform conditioning module, by powering the discharge lamp with a ballast producing a squarewave-type waveform, or by slowing deterioration of an emissive coating on a discharge lamp electrode by such means as preheating the electrode prior to use in order to bond the emissive coating on the electrode. A discharge lamp system includes a discharge lamp and components operatively coupled to the discharge lamp for supplying a lamp arc current to the discharge lamp that has a reduced crest factor and controlled lamp watt loading, such as a ballast configured to supply a lamp arc current with a waveform that is substantially a squarewave or an existing ballast retrofitted with waveform conditioning circuitry that causes the lamp arc current to have a reduced crest factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Systems and Service International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dudley G. Boyd, Nian Chen
  • Patent number: 5184152
    Abstract: A printing apparatus including a supporting structure and structure for mounting a reel for rotation on the supporting structure. Tubing is wound on the reel and encoded information relating to a characteristic of the tubing is provided on the reel. The tubing can be pulled from the reel and moved through the printing apparatus. A controllable printer is mounted on the supporting structure for printing on the tubing. A sensor senses the encoded information and a microprocessor controls the printer in accordance with the encoded information sensed by the sensor so that the printer is controlled in accordance with the characteristic of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sumimoto Electric Interconnect Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. French
  • Patent number: 5179262
    Abstract: Complex small objects such as ophthalmic lenses are quickly and accurately fabricated from plastic or glass blanks of ablatable material such as plastic or glass by cutting, shaping, and radiusing the blank entirely by laser light, using appropriate masks with focusing and imaging optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Valdemar Portney, Albert C. Ting, Timothy R. Willis
  • Patent number: 5175016
    Abstract: A method for making a sensing element, and an assembled sensing element, useful in sensing the concentration of a gas, e.g., carbon dioxide, in a medium, e. g. blood, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises placing a quantity of a sensing composition precursor between and in contact with a transparent, gas impermeable solid disc and an opaque, gas permeable film, the sensing composition precursor comprises a sensing component, a polymer precursor and a cross-linking agent; and forming a gas sensing composition from this quantity of sensing composition precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Masao Yafuso, Mark Z. Holody, Thomas P. Maxwell, Thomas G. Hacker