Patents Assigned to Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
  • Liquefaction handpiece
    Patent number: 6110162
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens mounted to a body. At least one lumen is used for aspiration and at least one other lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second lumen is enlarged to form a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the second lumen. The pumping chamber may use any type of heater, such as a resistive heater or an induction heater. The handpiece may also contain other lumens for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sussman, Thomas G. Capetan, Donald M. Cohen
  • Cyclobutane prostaglandin analogues as ocular hypotensive agents
    Patent number: 6096783
    Abstract: Cyclobutane analogs of PGF.sub.2.alpha., PGD.sub.2, and PGE.sub.2 and methods of their use in treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Hellberg
  • Polishing method for soft acrylic articles
    Patent number: 6095901
    Abstract: A method for polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, alumina, a swelling agent and the articles to be polished, and agitated for a period of time and at a speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. Following the polishing step, the polished articles are cleaned by agitating them with a cleaning slurry comprising cleaning beads of various sizes, alumina, a solvent and a surfactant for a period of time and at a speed sufficient to clean the surface of the polished articles. Agitation is preferably accomplished by a tumbling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Robinson, Kevin Lewellen
  • Multi-slot laser surgery
    Patent number: 6096028
    Abstract: Various embodiments of optical fiber cables and laser probes are disclosed for providing multi-spot laser beams from a single laser beam source. This permits time-intensive but repetitive laser surgical procedures such as panretinal photocoagulation to be performed with increased accuracy and in a fraction of the time currently allotted for such procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Bahmanyar, Mark S. Jones
  • Treatment of GLC1A glaucoma with glucocorticoid antagonists
    Patent number: 6090798
    Abstract: Compositions of glucocorticoid antagonists for treating mammals suffering from GLC1A glaucoma and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Asymmetric intraocular lens injection cartridge
    Patent number: 6083231
    Abstract: A lens injector cartridge having an asymmetric bore. The asymmetric bore initiate; the folding of the lens on one side only, thereby reducing the amount of energy imparted to the lens and the potential for damage to the lens. The gentle folding of the lens also assists in positioning the travel of the haptics down the bore, thereby reducing the potential for damage to the haptics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Van Noy, Kyle Brown, David A. Downer, David Eister, Lars D. Jensen
  • Liquefaction handpiece
    Patent number: 6080128
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece having at least two lumens mounted to a body. At least one lumen is used for aspiration and at least one other lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. A portion of the second lumen is enlarged to form a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the second lumen. The pumping chamber may use any type of heater, such as a resistive heater or an induction heater. The handpiece may also contain other lumens for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sussman, Thomas G. Capetan, Donald M. Cohen
  • Torsional ultrasound handpiece
    Patent number: 6077285
    Abstract: A handpiece having two sets of piezoelectric elements. One set of elements is polarized to produce longitudinal motion. The other set of elements is polarized to produce torsional motion. An appropriate ultrasound driver drives each set of elements at their respective resonant frequencies to produce longitudinal vibration and torsional oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikhail Boukhny
  • Process for manufacturing ophthalmic suspensions
    Patent number: 6071904
    Abstract: Ophthalmic suspensions containing brinzolamide or brinzolamide and a beta-blocker and processes for manufacturing the suspensions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuf Ali, Robert E. Beck, Rex C. Sport
  • TGF.alpha. for the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma
    Patent number: 6071875
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension by using TGF.alpha. are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignees: Alcon Laboratories, Inc., University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
    Inventors: Abbot F. Clark, Robert J. Wordinger
  • Liquid enzyme compositions containing mixed polyols and methods of use
    Patent number: 6069120
    Abstract: Compositions containing a stable, liquid, ophthalmically acceptable enzyme and methods involving the combined use of these compositions with a polymeric antimicrobial agent are disclosed for the simultaneous cleaning and disinfecting of contact lens. Methods for a daily use regimen are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bahram Asgharian, Bor-Shyue Hong
  • Multi-spot laser surgery
    Patent number: 6066128
    Abstract: Various embodiments of optical fiber cables and laser probes are disclosed for providing multi-spot laser beams from a single laser beam source. This permits time-intensive but repetitive laser surgical procedures such as panretinal photocoagulation to be performed with increased accuracy and in a fraction of the time currently allotted for such procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Bahmanyar, Mark S. Jones
  • Treatment of GLC1A glaucoma with 3-benzoyl-phenylacetic acids, esters, or amides
    Patent number: 6066671
    Abstract: Compositions of 3-benzoylphenylacetic acid derivatives for treating GLC1A glaucoma and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yanni, Mark R. Hellberg
  • Identification system for a surgical cassette
    Patent number: 6059544
    Abstract: A cassette having, in a first embodiment, a series of break-off, prismatic tabs integrally formed in the cassette that can be optically sensed by the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Jung, Nader Nazarifar
  • Polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds and their use as ophthalmic antimicrobias
    Patent number: 6051611
    Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds which are useful as disinfectants and/or preservatives in ophthalmic compostions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan P. Kyba, Joonsup Park
  • Treatment of GLC1A glaucoma with non-steroidal glucocorticoid antagonists
    Patent number: 6051573
    Abstract: Compositions of non-steroidal glucocorticoid antagonists for treating GLC1A glaucoma and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Method of preparing 16.alpha., 17.alpha.-dialkylated steroids
    Patent number: 6040468
    Abstract: 16.alpha., 17.alpha.-dialkylated steroids are prepared by reacting a 16.alpha.-alkyl-17(20)-enyl-20-silyl ether with an alkylating agent and an enol silyl ether cleaving agent in a suitable solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Conrow
  • Ultrasonic handpiece tuning and controlling device
    Patent number: 6028387
    Abstract: An apparatus for tuning and controlling an ultrasonic handpiece having a programmable broad spectrum source, a torsional single frequency source and a longitudinal single frequency source that generate a drive signal for an ultrasonic handpiece and a digital signal processor for analyzing a response signal generated by the handpiece in response to the drive signal and generating an adjusting signal for adjusting the torsional single frequency source and the longitudinal single frequency source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikhail Boukhny
  • substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of prostaglandins as ocular hypotensives
    Patent number: 6025392
    Abstract: Substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of F-series prostaglandins and methods of their use in treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Selliah, Mark R. Hellberg, Peter G. Klimko, Verney L. Sallee, Paul W. Zinke
  • Cutting tip wrench
    Patent number: D426130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, George Brody, Alan R. Carl, Gene C. Dinino, Jr., Grace C. Liao, Kurt P. Lieber, Mel M. Oliveira, Marina L. Schneider