Patents Assigned to Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5808396
    Abstract: A system and method for tuning and controlling ultrasonic handpieces by incorporating a broad-spectrum signal as at least a component of the signal used to drive the handpiece. The response of the handpiece to this broad-spectrum signal is measured and the frequency or amplitude or both of the drive signal are adjusted in order to maintain the desired level of handpiece performance. The operation of the systems and the performance of the methods described enables the handpiece to be operated in a most effective manner over a more widely varying range of mechanical load and thermal conditions than was possible through the use of prior control systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikhail Boukhny
  • Patent number: 5803966
    Abstract: A process employing a supercritical fluid anti-solvent for sizing prednisolone acetate is disclosed. The process optionally incorporates sterilization filters. Average particle sizes of about 1 .mu.m or less (number average) and narrow particle size ranges are obtainable. The process comprises the steps of (a) forming a solution by dissolving prednisolone acetate in acetone such that the concentration of prednisolone acetate is approximately 80% or less of its solubility in acetone; and (b) transporting the solution formed in step (a) through an orifice having a diameter of 50-100 .mu.m into a mixer/expander containing compressed CO.sub.2, wherein the compressed CO.sub.2 is at a temperature from about 40.degree. to 80.degree. C. and has a density less than the density of the solution by at least 0.3 g/cc, to expand the solution so that the acetone dissolves in the CO.sub.2 and the prednisolone acetate precipitates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Alok K. Kulshreshtha, Garnet G. Smith, Scott D. Anderson, Val J. Krukonis
  • Patent number: 5800396
    Abstract: A self-contained adapter that is connected to a surgical console. The adapter contains all of the components necessary to allow different cassettes to be used with the surgical console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Fanney, Valentine P. Injev, Richard A. Rossback, Gary P. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5798356
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions containing angiostatic compounds and methods for their use in preventing pathological neovascularization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Rupa Doshi
  • Patent number: 5780450
    Abstract: Compositions and methods directed to the use of adenosine uptake inhibitors for the treatment of retinal and optic nerve head damage following acute or chronic glaucoma, edema, ischemia, hypoxia or trauma are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Debra L. Shade
  • Patent number: 5770592
    Abstract: Methods and formulations for treating ocular neovascularization using angiostatic steroids are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Patent number: 5747824
    Abstract: An array of four infrared LEDs and an array of four phototransistor receivers with each LED and phototransistor mounted inside a light baffle. The LEDs are positioned in a substantially vertical array just outside one side wall of the cassette. The vertical line on which the LEDs are arranged is substantially parallel to the direction in which the fluid/air interface moves within the cassette. The LEDs are aimed upwardly at an angle of approximately 20.degree. from horizontal. A corresponding substantially vertical array of four phototransistor receivers is mounted outside the cassette opposite the LEDs such that each of the receivers is aimed at its corresponding LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Jung, Nader Nazarifar
  • Patent number: 5723421
    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: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Masood A. Chowhan, Ronald P. Quintana, Bahram Asgharian, Bor-Shyue Hong, Thierry Bilbault, Ruth Ann Rosenthal
  • Patent number: 5721273
    Abstract: 9-Halo-13,14-dihydroprostaglandins are useful in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Also disclosed are ophthalmic, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such prostaglandins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Verney L. Sallee, Louis DeSantis, Jr., Paul W. Zinke, John E. Bishop
  • Patent number: 5718677
    Abstract: An aspiration tip having a relatively rigid cannula attached to a hub and an open end opposite the hub. The open end is sealed with a cap made from a soft, flexible material, such as rubber or soft plastic. The soft material reduces the likelihood that the posterior capsule will tear during cortical clean-up and capsule polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Capetan, Valentine P. Injev
  • Patent number: 5719167
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions containing angiostatic compounds and methods for their use in preventing pathological neovascularization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Rupa Doshi, Jon Nixon, Robert J. Collier, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5718895
    Abstract: Compositions containing an ophthalmically acceptable, modified enzyme exhibiting a low pI 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bahram Asgharian, Bor-Shyue Hong, Ronald P. Quintana
  • Patent number: 5716403
    Abstract: A single piece soft foldable IOL having open loop haptics of specific thickness and geometry. The unique geometry provides an IOL with improved fixation and centration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Son Trung Tran, Stephen J. Van Noy
  • Patent number: 5714463
    Abstract: The intraocular use of combinations of stromal cell growth stimulators (e.g., TGF-.beta.) and antimetabolites (e.g., mitomycin C) in connection with glaucoma filtration surgery is described. The combination is applied to the surgical site to attract, mitogenically activate, and neutralize the potential for extracellular matrix synthesis leading to scar formation by stromal cells. Without such treatment, the formation of scar tissue may lead to impairment of the outflow of aqueous humor at the surgical site, particularly the fistula. The mitogenic activation of the stromal cells makes these cells susceptible to the anti-metabolites. This enables the antimetabolites to suppress the proliferation of the fibroblasts and other associated stromal cells to a much greater extent, relative to the proliferation seen when the metabolites alone are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Billie M. York, Jon C. Nixon
  • Patent number: 5705510
    Abstract: The use of certain dopaminergic compounds for controlling elevations of intraocular pressure is disclosed. The compounds are ergoline derivatives. The most preferred compound is cabergoline. The compounds have been found to produce a significant reduction of intraocular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis DeSantis, Jr., Verney L. Sallee, Marsha A. McLaughlin, Manoj L. Maniar
  • Patent number: 5702270
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece holder for use in protecting a surgical handpiece during storage or autoclaving, and providing a template for the storage of excess handpiece wire is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Casica, James Y. Chon
  • Patent number: 5702400
    Abstract: A single piece intraocular lens folder that has a generally planar, open frame in the shape of a rounded "A" with a rimmed, open head at the top of the "A". The base of the "A" forms a pairs of opposing legs or handles that join to form a hinge at the intersection where the handles attach to the head. The hinge allows the handle to be squeezed together and spring apart when released. Squeezing the handles together causes the sides of the head to spread apart, thereby stretching the top edge of the head rim and pulling the top edge downward toward the hinge. The open head contains a pair of support jaws and a pair of serpentine folding jaws. The location of the serpentine jaws is such that when the top edge of the head rim moves toward the hinge, the serpentine jaws are squeezed together, causing the IOL to be folded in half. The serpentine shape of the folding jaws allow the haptics to pivot downward, thereby permitting the IOL to be folded along a plurality of axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Brown, Stephen J. Van Noy, Yi-Ren Woo, Lars D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5700835
    Abstract: Compositions containing 3-Oxa-D-prostaglandins and methods of their use in treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Dean, Mark Hellberg, Verney L. Sallee
  • Patent number: 5700794
    Abstract: Methods for treating ocular hypotony are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Patent number: D397433
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Casica, James Y. Chon