Patents Assigned to Alcon, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20250041047
    Abstract: Modular IOL systems including a base and a lens, wherein the lens includes tabs for connection to the base. The modular IOL allows for the lens to be adjusted or exchanged while leaving the base in place, either intra-operatively or post-operatively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicants: Alcon Inc., The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Malik Y. KAHOOK, Glenn SUSSMAN, Rudolph F. ZACHER, Paul J. McLEAN, Harvey UY, Robert CIONNI, Kerry SOLOMON
  • Patent number: 12213734
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking eye movement during a diagnostic procedure include an eye tracker capturing images of an eye, and a control processor configured to detect an eye position and orientation in each of the images, determine an eye fixation position and orientation relative to an optical axis of the eye tracker, estimate eye fixation parameters based at least in part on the determined eye fixation position and orientation, and track the eye position and orientation by analyzing the images to determine the eye position and orientation relative to the eye fixation parameters. The eye fixation parameters may comprise a reference position and orientation of the eye when fixated. A histogram is constructed of detected eye positions and orientations and analyzed to determine an eye fixation position and orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Sascha Birkner, Martin Gründig
  • Patent number: 12214116
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a vacuum generation system with a cascade PID controller, a proportional valve, and a vacuum generator. The cascade PID controller allows the vacuum generation system to control the operating range of supply air pressure that is provided to the vacuum generator. By controlling the operating range of the supply air pressure, the vacuum generation system is able to avoid entering the decreasing or non-monotonic region of the vacuum generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Brian T. Chiem
  • Patent number: 12219228
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a robotic imaging apparatus includes providing the robotic imaging apparatus, calibrating a stereoscopic camera portion of the apparatus to robot space, and registering the robot space to a patient space. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a base section defining the robot space, a robotic arm including a first end connected to the base section, a second end including a coupling interface, and a plurality of joints and links connecting the first end to the second end, each joint including a motor configured to rotate the joint around an axis and a joint sensor configured to transmit a position of the respective joint, a stereoscopic camera connected at the coupling interface, and a sensor positioned at the coupling interface and configured to detect force imparted on the stereoscopic camera by an operator and to transmit output data indicative of the detected force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Maximiliano Ramirez Luna, Michael Weissman, Thomas Paul Riederer, George Charles Polchin, Ashok Burton Tripathi, Patrick Terry
  • Patent number: 12213913
    Abstract: A medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant includes a body having a first end having a first cross-sectional dimension, a second end having a second cross-sectional dimension, and a tapered portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first cross-sectional dimension is larger than the second cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, the body comprises multiple layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Shepard, Tyler Pegoraro, Stuart Williams, Sanjib Kumar Das, Leo Anthony Trevino, Cheng Li
  • Patent number: 12214160
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus is provided for performing a subretinal injection into a subretinal space between a retina and a retinal pigment epithelium of an eye. The apparatus includes an injection needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to be insertable into the subretinal space at a position on a surface of the retina. The apparatus includes a multi-lumen tubing having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the injection needle and a proximal end coupled to a fluid control unit. The apparatus includes a stabilizer configured to immobilize the injection needle at the position on the surface of the retina. The fluid control unit has a plurality of fluid reservoirs containing a non-treatment solution, a treatment solution, and a working fluid which are injectable into the eye via separate lumens of the multi-lumen tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grüebler
  • Patent number: 12207871
    Abstract: An ophthalmic system for generating an ocular model of an eye includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device, an aberrometer, and a computer. The OCT device detects OCT light reflected from the eye. The aberrometer detects aberrometer light reflected from the eye. The computer generates the ocular model of the eye according to the reflected OCT light. The ocular model includes parameters describing the eye. The parameters include lens parameters that describe the lens of the eye. The computer determines an OCT-based wavefront according to the ocular model, determines an aberrometer-based wavefront according to the reflected aberrometer light, and compares the OCT-based and the aberrometer-based wavefronts. If the wavefronts differ beyond a predefined tolerance, the computer adjusts one or more values assigned to the parameters until the wavefronts satisfy the predefined tolerance. At least one adjusted value is assigned to a lens parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: George Hunter Pettit, Daniil Nekrassov, Peter Zieger, Martin Gründig, Horia Grecu, Mark Andrew Zielke, John Alfred Campin
  • Patent number: 12207977
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to visualization systems system for surgical procedures, and more specifically, to an imaging and display support system for ophthalmic visualization systems. The optical system described herein provide improved ergonomics for surgeons, as such systems incorporate an optical head and a corresponding display on a single support arm to provide surgeons a direct and unobstructed view of the corresponding display screen placed in an ergonomically advantageous position for ophthalmic procedures. Such systems also maintain the corresponding display screen in the aforementioned in an ergonomically advantageous position even if the optical head of the system is moved or rotated during ophthalmic procedures without the need for further adjustments by the surgeon or surgical staff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Allen
  • Patent number: 12211211
    Abstract: The techniques described herein provide improved techniques for segmenting corneal epithelium layer. A method includes receiving an optical coherence tomography (OCT) image of an eye; generating, based on the OCT image, a binarized image of the eye; generating, based on the binarized image of the eye and the OCT image, a binary mask of a cornea of the eye; segmenting, based on the binary mask of the cornea of the eye, an anterior cornea of the eye on the OCT image; generating, based on the OCT image and the segmented anterior cornea, a binary mask for an epithelium layer of the eye; segmenting, based on the binary mask for the epithelium layer of the eye, a Bowman's layer in the cornea of the eye on the OCT image; and causing the segmented anterior cornea and the segmented Bowman's layer data to be used for generation of an epithelium map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Parisa Rabbani, Sahar Hosseinzadeh Kassani
  • Patent number: 12208036
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a surgical laser system with illumination. In some embodiments, a laser system comprises a surgical laser and an illumination source having their outputs combined into a fiber-optic cable and directed by the fiber-optic cable to a target surface. The illuminating visible light may be continuous and/or in pulses. Surgical laser pulses and illumination pulses may be synchronized for a stroboscopic effect. The laser system may also monitor laser electromagnetic radiation that is returned back through the fiber-optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Zsolt Bor, Adela Apostol, Daniel Castro, Reza Khazaeinezhad, Mikhail Ovchinnikov, Alireza Malek Tabrizi, Keith Watanabe, Corey Stewart
  • Patent number: 12207874
    Abstract: An ophthalmic system for measuring an eye comprises measuring devices and a computer. The measuring devices comprise an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device and an aberrometer. The OCT device directs OCT light towards the eye, and detects the OCT light reflected from the eye to measure the eye. The aberrometer directs aberrometer light towards the eye, and detects the aberrometer light reflected from the eye to measure the eye. The computer generates an ocular model of the eye according to the reflected OCT light. The ocular model comprises parameters for the eye, where each parameter is assigned a value. The computer determines an OCT-based wavefront according to the ocular model, determines an aberrometer-based wavefront according to the reflected aberrometer light, ascertains a deviation between the OCT-based wavefront and the aberrometer-based wavefront, and evaluates measurements from one or more of the measuring devices according to the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Daniil Nekrassov, George Hunter Pettit, Martin Gründig, Mark Andrew Zielke, John Alfred Campin
  • Patent number: 12208570
    Abstract: A continuous additive fabrication system comprises a bath of photopolymer resin and a light source assembly having a light source and a motorized variable aperture. The light source assembly is operable to generate a focus point in the bath of photopolymer resin, the shape of the focus point at a curing plane within the bath of photopolymer resin corresponding to the shape of the motorized variable aperture. The continuous additive fabrication system further comprises a platform configured to support a build object and a drive mechanism (coupled to at least one of the platform and the light source assembly) configured to continuously move the curing plane through the bath of photopolymer resin. A size and/or shape of the motorized variable aperture is changed while the curing plane in continuously moved through the bath of photopolymer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Craig Cox, Fernando Enrique Ortiz, Austin Xavier Rodeheaver
  • Patent number: 12201514
    Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) insertion apparatus includes a handpiece body having a distal tip and a proximal section. The IOL insertion apparatus also includes a folding chamber located within the handpiece body, the folding chamber shaped to fold an IOL advancing through the folding chamber. The IOL insertion apparatus also includes an advancement system. The advancement system includes an advancement carriage movable between a first position and a second position within the handpiece body. The advancement carriage includes a spring system biasing the advancement carriage in a distal direction toward the second position and a dampening system to dampen motion of the advancement carriage. The advancement system further includes an elongated advancement plunger that includes a distal end to advance the IOL through the folding chamber and a proximal end connected to the advancement carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Asif Fayyaz, Sudarshan B. Singh, Chris Belisle, Bill Hartsig, Sam Jang
  • Patent number: 12201280
    Abstract: A console light guide device for use with a control console includes an interconnected light tube array. The light tube array includes a translucent surface, a shaped body substantially surrounding an output connection port on an external face of a console panel, and linear branches arranged relative to the shaped body. Side-firing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emit light into a corresponding end of the light tube array. An opaque light guard defines a shaped channel and branch channels. The light tube array nests within the opaque light guard such that light from the side-firing LEDs is emitted uniformly through the translucent surface without any internal scattering or bleeding of the light within the console. A control console such as an ophthalmic surgical console is also disclosed herein that includes the console light guide device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Leong
  • Publication number: 20250017776
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ocular implant with a flexible leading tip and methods of deploying the ocular implant. The leading tip can comprise a tip distal segment and a tip proximal segment. The leading tip can be tapered such that a diameter or width of the leading tip along the tip proximal segment is greater than the diameter or width of the leading tip along the tip distal segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Allen TRAUTHEN
  • Patent number: 12193929
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an intralocular-lens (IOL) or ophthalmic device including an optic and at least one haptic, at least a portion of which is formed from a photoresponsive shape memory polymer network, such as a polydomain azo liquid crystalline polymer network (PD-LCN). The present disclosure further provides systems and methods for adjusting the position of such an IOL or other ophthalmic device using polarized laser radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Akinay, Xuwei Jiang, Jian Liu, Jingbo Liu
  • Patent number: 12193754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for intraocular lens selection include obtaining one or more pre-operative measurements of an eye; selecting, from a plurality of historical IOL implantation records, a subset of historical IOL implantation records for evaluating a first plurality of prediction model candidates; evaluating the first plurality of prediction model candidates; selecting a first prediction model from the first plurality of prediction model candidates based on the evaluating; calculating, using the selected first prediction model, a plurality of estimated post-operative MRSE values based on a set of IOL powers and the one or more pre-operative measurements of the eye; determining a first IOL power corresponding to a first estimated post-operative MRSE value that matches a predetermined post-operative MRSE value; and providing the determined first IOL power to a user to aid in selection of an IOL for implantation in the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Padrick, Edwin J. Sarver
  • Patent number: 12194698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing embedded hydrogel contact lenses each having a magnetized insert that comprises magnetic particles and is centrally embedded in the bulk hydrogel material of the embedded hydrogel contact lens. During molding, a magnetized insert can be centered and held in position in a lens mold by using a magnet placed below the lens mold. The invention also relates to an embedded hydrogel contact lens produced from a method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Charles Breitkopf, Zahra Bassampour, Chandana Kolluru, Steve Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 12194699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing embedded hydrogel contact lenses involving a set of 3-mold halves consisting essentially of: one female lens mold half having a molding surface defining the anterior surface of a contact lens; one male lens mold half having a molding surface defining the posterior surface of the contact lens; and an insert mold half having a molding surface defining one of the front and back surfaces of an insert. One of the lens mold halves is used twice: first with the insert mold half for molding an insert during first curing process and then with the other lens mold half for molding an embedded hydrogel contact lens with the molded insert embedded partially or fully therein during second curing process. The invention also relates to embedded hydrogel contact lenses produced from a method of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Zahra Bassampour, Chandana Kolluru, Steve Yun Zhang, Junhao Ge, Yang Zheng, Cornelius Daniel Niculas, David Andrew Icenogle, Jing Cheng, Yuan Chang, Augustine Twum Kumi, Michelle Plavnik
  • Patent number: 12186018
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the position and condition of an eye during an ophthalmic procedure include an ophthalmic device configured to measure characteristics of an eye, an eye tracker configured to capture a stream of eye images, and a logic device configured to analyze the stream of images to determine whether the eye is fixating on a target object, detect a predetermined blink sequence in the first stream of images, delay for a predetermined tear stabilization period, start a stable tear film interval, and during the stable tear film interval, capture at least one measurement of the eye using the ophthalmic device when the eye is fixating. The blink sequence may include a plurality of blinks in succession and the detection of the blink sequence may include processing the images through a neural network trained to detect an open eye and/or a closed eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Sascha Birkner, Martin Gründig, Peter Zieger