Patents Assigned to Alcon, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12642598
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method of performing ophthalmic surgical procedures. The method includes ingesting and preparing pre-operative data and intra-operative data associated with a patient's eye for further processing. In certain embodiments, the method further includes integrating the pre-operative data and intra-operative data to generate context sensitive data for further processing. The method also includes classifying and annotating the pre-operative data, the intra-operative data, and the context sensitive data. The method also includes extracting one or more actionable inferences from the pre-operative data, the intra-operative data, context sensitive data, and the classified and annotated data. The method further includes triggering, based on the one or more actionable inferences, one or more actions on an imaging system or a surgical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Burton Tripathi, Lu Yin, Ramesh Sarangapani
  • Patent number: 12508161
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 12500988
    Abstract: A system and method for visually enhancing an original image of an eye includes a visualization module. A controller is configured to convert an output of the visualization module to a first pixel cloud in a first color space and map the first pixel cloud to a second pixel cloud in a second color space. The method includes identifying at least one selected zone in the second color space. The controller is configured to move the selected zone from an original location to a modified location in the second color space. The second pixel cloud is updated to obtain a modified second pixel cloud, which is transformed into a third pixel cloud in the first color space. An enhanced image is formed based in part on the modified second pixel cloud and provides selective visual enhancement in the selected zone without affecting contrast in a remainder of the original image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Lu Yin, Ashok Burton Tripathi, Ramesh Sarangapani
  • Patent number: 12491065
    Abstract: A modular intraocular lens (IOL) with a ring configured to prevent glare artifacts. The ring includes a flange on the posterior rim, in which an anterior surface on the flange has a first profile and a posterior surface of the flange has a second profile non-parallel with the first profile. Non-parallel surfaces of the flange can be configured to defocus light transmitted at off-axis angles through an optic and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen John Collins, Philip Matthew McCulloch, Rudolph F. Zacher
  • Patent number: 12458227
    Abstract: A visualization system for dynamically visualizing an eye includes a laser module operable for outputting a primary laser beam along a beam axis, a beam splitter positioned in the beam axis and configured to direct a first beam portion along the beam axis and a second beam portion along a detection axis that is orthogonal to the beam axis. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanner is arranged on the beam axis and configured, in response to the first beam portion, to output a scanning laser along a visualization path. An avalanche photodiode (APD) detector receives the second beam portion. A 4F correlator optical system has a spatial filter arranged along the visualization path. An optional optical flat may be disposed between the eye and the 4F correlator optical system to achieve stereo parallax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 12427058
    Abstract: An ultrasonic handpiece includes a piezoelectric element assembly. Control signals drive the piezoelectric element assembly simultaneously in a first mode of oscillation and a second mode of oscillation. Feedback of a resulting oscillation of the piezoelectric element assembly in the first mode and the second mode is generated. Based on the feedback, the frequency of each of the first mode and second mode is independently adjusted, as needed, so that the resulting oscillation of each of the first mode and the second mode is each approximately at its respective resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: James Y. Chon, Ahmad Salehi, Kurt D. Leukanech, Satish Yalamanchili, Dan Teodorescu, Ho Man Michael Fong
  • Patent number: 12323749
    Abstract: A method for enhancing digital images during an eye surgery includes producing warm white light via a lighting source by blocking blue and green wavelengths of light using an excitation filter. The method includes illuminating a pupil and iris of the eye with the warm white light during the eye surgery and collecting digital images of target anatomy using a digital camera. Within the images, a processor digitally isolates a pupil pixel region from an iris pixel region and adjusts a characteristic of constituent pixels of one of the regions. The method may be performed by executing instructions from a computer-readable storage medium to enhance a red reflex at predetermined stages of an eye surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Gillian Myers, Alan Fridman, Maximiliano Ramirez Luna
  • Patent number: 12279917
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for performing intraocular lens implantation using real-time surgical reference indicium are disclosed. An example method includes recording a patient specific pre-operative still image of an eye prior to cyclorotation of the eye when a patient lies down for surgery and generating at least one real-time multidimensional visualization of at least a portion of the eye for display. The method further includes using the patient specific pre-operative still image to at least produce at least one virtual surgical reference indicium including an ocular natural vertical axis of the eye and align the at least one virtual surgical reference indicium to the eye in conjunction with the real-time multidimensional visualization of at least a portion of the eye. The patient specific pre-operative still image is captured under a dilation condition selected from the group consisting of natural dilation, chemical dilation, and no dilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Ashok Burton Tripathi
  • Publication number: 20250095152
    Abstract: A system for spatially binding images from multiple modalities includes a controller having at least one processor and at least one non-transitory, tangible memory. The controller is adapted to receive first and second imaging datasets of a target site from a first and a second modality. The controller is adapted to extract a first feature set in the first imaging dataset, via a first neural network. A second feature set is extracted from the second imaging dataset, via a second neural network. Feature pairs are generated by matching respective datapoints in the first feature set and the second feature set. The controller is adapted to determine a coordinate transformation between the feature pairs and generate at least one spatially bound image of the target site based in part on the coordinate transformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Vignesh Suresh, Lu Yin, Ramesh Sarangapani
  • Patent number: 11974053
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging platform includes a stereoscopic camera configured to record left and right images of a target site. A robotic arm is operatively connected to the stereoscopic camera, the robotic arm being adapted to selectively move the stereoscopic camera relative to the target. The stereoscopic camera includes a lens assembly having at least one lens and defining a working distance. The lens assembly has at least one focus motor adapted to move the at least one lens to selectively vary the working distance. A controller is adapted to selectively execute one or more automatic focusing modes for the stereoscopic camera. The automatic focusing modes include a continuous autofocus mode adapted to maintain a focus of the at least one stereoscopic image while the robotic arm is moving the stereoscopic camera and the target site is moving along at least an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Terry
  • Patent number: 11863882
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging platform includes a stereoscopic camera configured to record left and right images of a target site. A robotic arm is operatively connected to the stereoscopic camera, the robotic arm being adapted to selectively move the stereoscopic camera relative to the target. The stereoscopic camera includes a lens assembly having at least one lens and defining a working distance. The lens assembly has at least one focus motor adapted to move the at least one lens to selectively vary the working distance. A controller is adapted to selectively execute one or more automatic focusing modes for the stereoscopic camera. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The automatic focusing modes include a target locking mode. The target locking mode is adapted to maintain a focus of the at least one stereoscopic image while the robotic arm is moving the stereoscopic camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Terry, David Roe
  • Patent number: 11849101
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging platform includes a stereoscopic camera configured to record left and right images of a target site. A robotic arm is operatively connected to the stereoscopic camera, the robotic arm being adapted to selectively move the stereoscopic camera relative to the target. The stereoscopic camera includes a lens assembly having at least one lens and defining a working distance. The lens assembly has at least one focus motor adapted to move the at least one lens to selectively vary the working distance. A controller is adapted to selectively execute one or more automatic focusing modes for the stereoscopic camera. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The automatic focusing modes include a disparity mode and/or a sharpness control mode which are adapted to at least partially rely on disparity feedback to change the working distance in order to achieve focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Terry, Devin Reed
  • Patent number: 11571272
    Abstract: A stereoscopic camera with fluorescence visualization is disclosed. An example stereoscopic camera includes a visible light source, a near-infrared light source, and a near-ultraviolet light source. The stereoscopic camera also includes a light filter assembly having left and right filter magazines positioned respectively along left and right optical paths and configured to selectively enable certain wavelengths of light to pass through. Each of the left and right filter magazines includes an infrared cut filter, a near-ultraviolent cut filter, and a near-infrared bandpass filter. A controller of the camera is configured to provide for a visible light mode, an indocyanine green (“ICG”) fluorescence mode, and a 5-aminolevulinic acid (“ALA”) fluorescence mode by synchronizing the activation of the light sources with the selection of the filters. A processor of the camera combines image data from the different modes to enable fluorescence emission light to be superimposed on visible light stereoscopic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Burton Tripathi, Maximiliano Ramirez Luna, George Polchin, Thomas Riederer, Alan Fridman
  • Patent number: 11448854
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide to angle adjustment systems using one or more spring arrangements. In certain aspects, an angle adjustment system comprises a component and a first spring arrangement coupled to the component, wherein the first spring arrangement comprises at least three spring elements. Further, the first spring arrangement is configured to allow the component to rotate around a first axis of rotation and prevent a first translational movement of the component with respect to the first axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Honaryar, Mauricio Jochinsen
  • Patent number: 11432961
    Abstract: Ophthalmic surgical devices, systems, and methods for automatically controlling the injection or extraction of viscous fluids from a patient's eye are provided. A syringe pump connected with an actuation line and a powered syringe provides pressures for viscous fluid injection or extraction in a vitreous chamber of the eye. A sensor disposed adjacent to or inside the eye determines sensor data relating to an intraocular pressure (IOP). The controller receives the sensor data and regulates the injection or extraction of the viscous fluid in response to the detected IOP, such as by controlling the syringe pump. The controller may determine whether the IOP is above an upper threshold or below a lower threshold and may control the syringe pump to regulate the injection or extraction of viscous fluid to maintain the IOP between the upper and the lower thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammo Heeren, Andrew David Johnson
  • Patent number: 11284992
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens includes an optic comprising an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and an optic edge extending between the anterior surface and the posterior surface, the optic having an optical axis. The ophthalmic lens further includes a plurality of haptics extending from a periphery of the optic, each of the plurality of haptics including a gusset region, a distal region, and an elbow region connecting the gusset region to the distal region. The gusset region of each of the plurality of haptics extends from the periphery of the optic and spans a portion of the periphery of the optic. In addition, the gusset region of each of the plurality of haptics monotonically increases in thickness with increased distance from the periphery of the optic, while the distal region of each of the plurality of haptics monotonically decreases in thickness with increased distance from the elbow region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen John Collins, Rakhi Jain, John Evan Radle, Jian Liu, Michael Lee Mangum
  • Patent number: 11259915
    Abstract: An IOL utilizes a haptic formed as a toroid portion configured to fit into a capsular bag of an aphakic eye of a patient. The toroid portion may be separate from an IOL optic and may include a receiving feature for the IOL optic. The toroid portion may be configured for intraoperative fluid-filling for snug fitting at the equator of the capsular bag, in order to immobilize the IOL optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Alan Cable, II
  • Publication number: 20220008158
    Abstract: A stereoscopic camera with fluorescence visualization is disclosed. An example stereoscopic camera includes a visible light source, a near-infrared light source, and a near-ultraviolet light source. The stereoscopic camera also includes a light filter assembly having left and right filter magazines positioned respectively along left and right optical paths and configured to selectively enable certain wavelengths of light to pass through. Each of the left and right filter magazines includes an infrared cut filter, a near-ultraviolent cut filter, and a near-infrared bandpass filter. A controller of the camera is configured to provide for a visible light mode, an indocyanine green (“ICG”) fluorescence mode, and a 5-aminolevulinic acid (“ALA”) fluorescence mode by synchronizing the activation of the light sources with the selection of the filters. A processor of the camera combines image data from the different modes to enable fluorescence emission light to be superimposed on visible light stereoscopic images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Burton Tripathi, Maximiliano Ramirez Luna, George Polchin, Thomas Riederer, Alan Fridman
  • Patent number: 11058513
    Abstract: A stereoscopic visualization camera and platform are disclosed. An example stereoscopic visualization camera includes a main objective assembly and left and right lens sets defining respective parallel left and right optical paths from light that is received from the main objective assembly of a target surgical site. Each of the left and right lens sets includes a front lens, first and second zoom lenses configured to be movable along the optical path, and a lens barrel configured to receive the light from the second zoom lens. The example stereoscopic visualization camera also includes left and right image sensors configured to convert the light after passing through the lens barrel into image data that is indicative of the received light. The example stereoscopic visualization camera further includes a processor configured to convert the image data into stereoscopic video signals or video data for display on a display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Maximiliano Ramirez Luna, Michael Weissman, Thomas Paul Riederer, George Charles Polchin, Ashok Burton Tripathi
  • Patent number: 11051884
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus and associated methods for the generation of at least one user adjustable, accurate, real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium. A method includes recording an image of an eye and producing a real-time multidimensional visualization using the recorded image. The method also includes determining at least one distinct visible feature within a patient specific pre-operative still image and producing the real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium in conjunction with the patient specific pre-operative still image. The method further includes aligning the real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium with the real-time, multidimensional visualization of the eye using the at least one distinct visible feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok B. Tripathi, Michael A. Weissman