Patents Assigned to Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
  • Myeloperoxidase assay of endotoxin-induced inflammation
    Patent number: 6022699
    Abstract: An improved model of endotoxin-induced inflammation is obtained by eliminating the interference in the biochemical assay of myeloperoxidase caused by endogenous reductants and cellular constituents containing free thiol functional groups. The interference was eliminated by 1) extensively diluting soluble, interfering substances and 2) blocking tissue sulfhydril functional groups during tissue homogenization. The improved model can be used to assess the therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory agents. For example, the model can be used to evaluate topically administrable ophthalmic anti-inflammatory agents in Lewis rats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav Graff, Mark R. Hellberg
  • Method of preparing foldable hydrophilic ophthalmic device materials
    Patent number: 6015842
    Abstract: Foldable, hydrophilic, ophthalmic device materials are cured by exposure to blue light using a benzoylphosphine oxide photoinitiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert R. LeBoeuf, Mutlu Karakelle
  • Ophthalmic surgery probe with soft tip
    Patent number: 6015403
    Abstract: A probe for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes a handpiece terminating distally in a needle, a connector for connection to a light source such as a laser source or an illumination source, and an optical fiber for transmitting light from the light source to an eye to be treated. The optical fiber extends substantially through the handpiece needle. The needle has a soft tip to reduce the possibility of injury to the interior of the eye by contact with the metal portion of the needle. The soft tip also acts as a distance guide, allowing the user to position the optical fiber repeatedly at the same distance from the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Jones
  • N-alkyl-N-alkoxycarboxamides and methods of use in prostaglandin synthesis
    Patent number: 6015922
    Abstract: Novel N-alkyl-N-alkoxycarboxamides useful for prostaglandin synthesis are disclosed. Also disclosed are novel synthetic methods for preparing the novel intermediates of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Conrow
  • Plunger
    Patent number: 6010510
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injector plunger having a blunt, rounded tip offset from the centerline of the plunger rod. The offset tip assures that the tip is biased downward against the bottom of the cartridge bore. Such a downward bias helps prevent the tip from riding up over the IOL and being folded within the IOL. The offset also helps prevent the haptics of the IOL from becoming trapped between the plunger rod and the cartridge bore, thereby damaging the haptics and/or preventing the IOL from being advanced down the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Brown, Stephen J. Van Noy
  • Storage-stable prostaglandin compositions
    Patent number: 6011062
    Abstract: The use of polyethoxylated castor oils in prostaglandin compositions enhances the prostaglandin's chemical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Wayne Schneider, Rajan Bawa, Alan L. Weiner
  • Cryogenic polishing method for soft acrylic articles
    Patent number: 6010391
    Abstract: A method for polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a cryogenic polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, sodium bicarbonate, a swelling agent and the articles to be polished, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. Following the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with (a) a cleaning slurry comprising cleaning beads of various sizes and (i) sodium hydroxide and water or (ii) alumina, a surfactant and a solvent and (b) the articles to be cleaned, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to clean the surface of the polished articles. Agitation is preferably accomplished by a tumbling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lewellen, John W. Sheets, Jr.
  • Angiostatic steroids
    Patent number: 6011023
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for preventing and treating neovascularization with steroids is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Abbot F. Clark, Raymond E. Conrow
  • Surgical handpiece
    Patent number: 6004284
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece driver having a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of a fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling a piston down the length of the pumping chamber. The piston may be attached to the operative shaft or rod of a surgical probe and produce reciprocal motion. Alternatively, the piston may be attached to a cam or gear to product rotary motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sussman, Thomas G. Capetan
  • Materials for use in glaucoma filtration devices
    Patent number: 6001128
    Abstract: Improved glaucoma filtration device materials comprise at least one monomer having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: X is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 0-10;Y is nothing, O, or S;R is nothing, H, or an aliphatic, aromatic or aliphatic/aromatic combination of up to twelve carbon atoms, which can be unsubstituted or substituted with Cl, F, Br, or an alkoxy of up to four carbon atoms; anda cross-linking monomer having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav Graff, Mutlu Karakelle, John W. Sheets, Jr., John M. Yanni
  • Esters of non-steroidal anti-flammatory carboxylic acids
    Patent number: 5998465
    Abstract: Compounds having anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity are disclosed. The compounds are useful in preventing and treating inflammatory disorders through several mechanisms. Methods of treatment employing these properties of the compounds and corresponding pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hellberg, Pete Delgado, Jon C. Nixon
  • Tip for a liquefaction handpiece
    Patent number: 5997499
    Abstract: A tip for a liquefraction surgical handpiece. The tip uses at least two lumens. One lumen is used for aspiration and another, smaller lumen is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. The distal portion of the injection lumen terminates just inside of the aspiration lumen so that heated fluid escaping the injection lumen is reflected off of the internal wall of the aspiration lumen prior to entering the eye. Such an arrangement prevents the injected fluid from directly entering the eye. The handpiece may also contain other lumen, for example, for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sussman, Donald M. Cohen
  • Substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of prostaglandins as ocular hypotensives
    Patent number: 5994397
    Abstract: Substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of prostagladins and methods of their use in treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Selliah, Peter G. Klimko
  • Pumping chamber for a liquefaction handpiece having a countersink electrode
    Patent number: 5989212
    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 a pair of electrodes, at least one of the electrodes containing a countersink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sussman, Donald M. Cohen
  • Angiostatic agents and methods and compositions for controlling ocular hypertension
    Patent number: 5990099
    Abstract: Compositions of angiostatic agents for treating GLC1A glaucoma and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Preservative systems for pharmaceutical compositions containing cyclodextrins
    Patent number: 5985310
    Abstract: Disclosed are preservative systems useful in aqueous pharmaceutical compositions containing an active agent and a cyclodextrin. The preservative systems comprise boric acid and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of C.sub.16 benzalkonium halide compounds, polymeric quatemary ammonium compounds, and quatemary ammonium alkylene glycol phospholipid derivatives of the following structure ##STR1## where a+b=3; R.sup.1 is C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl or alkene; X is NH, O, or CH.sub.2 ; R.sup.2 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkyl; each R.sup.3 is independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or alkene; and Y is nothing or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or alkene; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernesto J. Castillo, Ramon L. Espino
  • Sustained release ophthalmic antibiotic compositions
    Patent number: 5985259
    Abstract: An improved method of sterilizing the field of surgery prior to an ophthalmic surgical procedure is described. The invention eliminates the need for painfull and potentially traumatic injections of antibiotics by utilizing sustained release compositions which allow the antibiotics contained therein to penetrate deeply into the eye, thereby ensuring a sterile field of surgery during intraocular surgical procedures. The compositions may also be utilized to prevent post-surgical infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Cagle, Tai-Lee Ke, Barry A. Schlech, Ole J. Lorenzetti
  • Intraocular lens injection system
    Patent number: 5976150
    Abstract: A hinged, relatively rigid substrate on which a foldable IOL is held by a thin, relatively non-elastic film of esterified hyaluronate. When the substrate is folded along the hinge, the film covering the IOL causes the IOL to also fold along the hinge. The folded lens can then be placed in a conventional IOL injector handpiece that has been modified to include a cutter or the like to separate the film-encased IOL from the substrate prior to injection into the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry L. Copeland
  • Steroids which inhibit angiogenesis
    Patent number: 5972922
    Abstract: Novel angiostatic .DELTA..sup.4,9(11) -steroids (I), ##STR1## C.sub.21 -oxygenated steroids (II) and other known steroidal compounds have been found to be useful in treating angiogenesis in mammals who have a need for the same. These steroids are useful in treating diseases of neovascularization such as cancer, diabetes and arthritis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Wilks, Thomas F. DeKoning, Paul A. Aristoff
  • Intraocular data display device
    Patent number: 5969791
    Abstract: An intraocular data display device having an N.times.M display with each row (N) and column (M) of the display confined by a planar waveguide array. The waveguides will form uniform pixel size anywhere on the display and ensure uniform pixel luminance across the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: T. Scott Rowe