Patents Assigned to Alcon Research, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 10478532
    Abstract: A surgical hand piece is described that maintains a vacuum pressure within the hand piece at a selected level. A check valve is provided substantially near an inlet of an integrated aspirating pump. The check valve opens to introduce fluid into the hand piece to maintain the vacuum pressure within the hand piece at or above the selected level so as to prevent or substantially reduce post-occlusion flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Glenn Robert Sussman, Mikhail Boukhny, John Morgan Bourne
  • Patent number: 10470926
    Abstract: A cyclic aperture flow regulator system has an adjustable fluid aperture in a fluid path connecting the aspiration port of a surgical probe with a vacuum source. The cross-sectional area of the fluid aperture can be modified by an actuator. The actuator is controlled to modify the cross-sectional area of the adjustable fluid aperture in cycles. During each cycle, the fluid aperture cross-sectional area is substantially reduced or closed. The cycles occur at a rate fast enough to produce a substantially steady flow, with minimum flow ripple and pressure ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaime Zacharias
  • Patent number: 10398300
    Abstract: A method for generating a radial alignment guide for an eye includes collecting preoperative alignment data relative to a pupil from an eye that is not dilated. The method also includes locating a pupil center of the eye while dilated. The method further includes displaying the alignment data on an image of the dilated eye relative to the pupil center. In particular embodiments, software embodied in a computer-readable medium is executable by a processor to perform the steps of such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilias Levis, Katariina Lahti, Boris Nalibotski
  • Patent number: 10328025
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic emulsion. The emulsion has a unique combination of ingredients that promotes the stability of small oil droplets within the emulsion. The emulsion also includes a mucoadhesive polymer that aid in delivering a lipid to the ocular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Howard Allen Ketelson, David L. Meadows
  • Patent number: 10314741
    Abstract: Various arrangements of fluidics systems are disclosed. In one arrangement, an aspiration circuit for a fluidics system is disclosed that selectively controls aspiration. The aspiration circuit comprises an aspiration line operatively connected to a surgical instrument, an aspiration exhaust line operatively connected to a waste receptacle; an aspiration vent line connected at a first end to the aspiration line; and a selectively variable vent valve operatively connected to the aspiration vent line. The variable vent valve may be selectively moved to vary aspiration pressure within the aspiration line. Other fluidics systems are disclosed that include a selectively positionable irrigation valve that may also be incorporated into a fluidics system that includes a variable vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary P. Sorensen, Michael D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10258505
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a phacoemulsification tip may include a shaft and a cutting edge portion having at least a first and second bend. The geometry of the tip may be configured to result in a lateral displacement (ux), perpendicular to the shaft during torsional vibration of the tip at frequencies between 10 kHz and 60 kHz, of less than approximately 5% to 25% (e.g., 15%) of the lateral displacement at the distal end point of the tip throughout a portion of the shaft extending from the end of a conical portion of the tip through to the first bend in the cutting edge portion of the tip. Software and/or physical modeling may be used to determine the tip geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikhail A. Ovchinnikov
  • Patent number: 10245181
    Abstract: A surgical probe includes a cannula assembly, having a graded index (GRIN) fiber that is configured to receive a multi-spot light beam at a proximal end and to emit the multi-spot light beam at a distal end; an adapter, having a distal end, configured to receive the cannula assembly, with the proximal end of the GRIN fiber, a proximal end, configured to couple to a light guide via a connector and to receive a light delivered by the light guide from a laser source to the adapter, and an interface, configured to couple the light delivered by the light guide to the proximal end of the GRIN fiber; wherein a length of the GRIN fiber is sufficiently long that the interface is outside a patient's eye during a photocoagulation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10238538
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system includes a display device and a user interface. The display device generates a display on an image of a patient's eye comprising a plurality of non-overlapping display sectors. Each display sector displays one of a plurality of user-selectable surgical parameters. A user interface receives a user selection of one or more of the user-selectable surgical parameters to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Alexander N. Artsyukhovich, Raphael Gordon, Tiffany M. Sutliff, Craig G. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 10111990
    Abstract: A surgical cassette clamping system includes a mounting plate having a first side and a second side. A bracket system may be disposed adjacent the first side of the mounting plate. A clamp motor may be disposed adjacent the mounting plate and fixed relative to the mounting plate. The clamp motor may be operably connected to the bracket system to displace the bracket system relative to the mounting plate. The system may also include a plurality of pivot arms pivotably connected to the bracket system and extending adjacent the second side of the mounting plate. An engagement portion may be attached to each of the plurality of pivot arms that cooperatively engages the second side of the mounting plate, the engagement portion being operable to pivot the pivot arms when the bracket system moves relative to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Baxter, Daniel J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10085883
    Abstract: An articulating optical surgical probe includes a handle sized to fit in a single hand and a single rigid cannula extending from the handle having a diameter of 20 Ga or less. The probe further includes a slotted tip at a distal end of the cannula and at least one optical fiber extending through the handle, the single rigid cannula and the slotted tip, and a pull-wire secured to the slotted tip. When the pull-wire exerts tension on the slotted tip, the slotted tip will deviate from straight to a bend angle controlled by the tension in the pull-wire. The slotted tip is formed from a resilient material that will restore to the straight position when the tension exerted by the pull-wire is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Robert Auld, Christopher McCollam, Xiaoyu Yu
  • Patent number: 10070990
    Abstract: In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system. The system includes a pneumatic surgical instrument and a surgical console operable to provide compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. Additionally, the system includes a pneumatic drive line coupling the pneumatic surgical instrument to the surgical console. The pneumatic drive line has an internal bore configured to deliver the compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. The internal bore has a non-uniform cross-section along a length of the pneumatic drive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian W. McDonell, Filip Finodeyev
  • Patent number: 10052228
    Abstract: A surgical system comprises a pressurized irrigation fluid source; an aspiration pressure sensor associated with an aspiration line; and a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source. The controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the aspiration pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Raphael Gordon, Michael D. Morgan, Gary P. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 10039565
    Abstract: Membrane forceps for performing an ILM or ERM peel procedure include a handle, a tube extending from the handle, and forceps jaws extending from the tube. The forceps jaws may be configured to grasp an ILM or ERM, and may include an outer surface having a roughened surface. The roughened surface may be structurally configured to aid in gaining an edge of the ILM or ERM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Guido Vezzu
  • Patent number: 10004685
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic emulsion. The emulsion has a unique combination of ingredients that promotes the stability of small oil droplets within the emulsion. The emulsion also includes a mucoadhesive polymer that aid in delivering a lipid to the ocular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard Allen Ketelson, David L. Meadows
  • Patent number: 9993483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating an ophthalmic, otic, or nasal infection comprising treating the infected tissue with a composition comprising finafloxacin or a finafloxacin derivative. The present invention also relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising finafloxacin or a finafloxacin derivative. The compositions are suitable for the treatment of ophthalmic, otic, or nasal infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Stroman, Masood A. Chowhan, Kenneth C. Appell
  • Patent number: 9937077
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical console may include a pneumatic valve to drive a pneumatic tool coupled to the surgical console. The console may further include a controller operable to control and adjust the valve open/close cycle times according to a valve duty cycle. The valve may switch between ports (valve open time for a first port and valve close time for a second port) such that a total valve time may approximately equal the valve open time plus the valve close time. The valve duty cycle may indicate a percentage of the total valve time for the controller to signal the valve to open and may include an adjustment that corresponds to a signal timing of the open and/or closed valve positions that will result in open and closed operating pressures above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiansheng Zhou, Kurt D. Leukanech, Dan Teodorescu
  • Patent number: 9910338
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system may include a housing, one or more lenses, and a scanning system. The housing has an interior region. A lens is disposed within the interior region and transmits a light beam. The scanning system is disposed within the interior region and comprises a number of scanning cells, where each scanning cell comprises an electro-optical (EO) material. The scanning system performs the following for a number of iterations to yield a spot pattern: receive one or more voltages and electrically steer the light beam with the EO material from a current direction to a next direction in response to the voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 9878075
    Abstract: A surgical hand piece is described that maintains a vacuum pressure within the hand piece at a selected level. A check valve is provided substantially near an inlet of an integrated aspirating pump. The check valve opens to introduce fluid into the hand piece to maintain the vacuum pressure within the hand piece at or above the selected level so as to prevent or substantially reduce post-occlusion flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Glenn Robert Sussman, John Morgan Bourne, Mikhail Boukhny
  • Patent number: 9861522
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical hand piece comprises a driver coupled to a horn. The horn is coupled to a needle. An aspiration pump is integral with the hand piece and is located close to the needle. A rigid length of aspiration line is located between the aspiration pump and the needle. An optional pressure sensor is located between the aspiration pump and the needle as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary Sorensen, Glenn Sussman
  • Patent number: 9849030
    Abstract: A surgical system comprises a pressurized irrigation fluid source; an irrigation line fluidly coupled to the pressurized irrigation fluid source; a hand piece fluidly coupled to the irrigation line; an irrigation pressure sensor located at or along the pressurized irrigation fluid source or irrigation line; and a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source. The controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the irrigation pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Raphael Gordon, Michael D. Morgan, Gary P. Sorensen