Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological device materials
    Patent number: 6806337
    Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials having improved strength. The materials contain cross-linked acrylate or methacrylate microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon
    Inventors: Douglas C. Schlueter, Albert R. LeBoeuf, Mutlu Karakelle
  • Microkeratome blade
    Patent number: 6805698
    Abstract: A microkeratome blade for use for the removal of the epithelial layer and underlying Basement Membrane while leaving a smooth and undisturbed Bowman's Membrane in preparation for a laser refractive surgical procedure. The blade is capable of cutting through the epithelial layer and Basement Membrane, but not capable of cutting through Bowman's Membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Shimmel, Alex C. Sacharoff, George A. Kocar, Peter Austin
  • Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid analogs and methods of their use in treating dry eye disorders
    Patent number: 6803385
    Abstract: Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid esters and methods of their use in treating dry eye disorders are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Klimko, Mark R. Hellberg, John R. Falck, Raymond E. Conrow
  • Fiber optic circuit and module with switch
    Patent number: 6798944
    Abstract: A method of monitoring fiber optic circuits. Included is manipulating a first switch between a first state, with first connection points optically linked along a first optical signal pathway and second connection points optically linked along a second optical signal pathway, and a second loopback state, with the first and second connection points of a first pair of connection locations in communication along a path along a portion of the first and second optical signal pathways. With the first switch in the first state, a third pair of connection locations are linked to the first optical pathway and the optical throughout observed. The third pair of connection locations are then linked to the second optical pathway and the optical throughout observed. These steps are repeated as long as the first and second optical pathways transmit the optical throughout normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg C. Pfeiffer, Todd P. Knettel, Michael Nystrom, Jorge A. Cano
  • Dual function UV-absorbers for ophthalmic lens materials
    Publication number: 20040157948
    Abstract: Disclosed are UV absorbers that contain a labile functional group capable of initiating free radical polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Schlueter
  • Method of operating microsurgical instruments
    Patent number: 6773445
    Abstract: A method of operating a microsurgical instrument, such as a vitrectomy probe, is disclosed. The probe includes a port for receiving tissue and an inner cutting member. A flow of tissue is induced into the port with a vacuum source, and the member is actuated in a cyclic manner to open and close the port over a plurality of cut rates. A duty cycle of the member is varied with the cut rate to vary the flow of the tissue into the port. The method yields the ability to adjust flow rate into the probe and aperture of the probe for a given cut rate so as to effectively perform a wide variety of vitreoretinal surgical objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell L. Finlay, William W. Furniss, John C. Huculak, Christopher C. Jung
  • Eye registration and astigmatism alignment control systems and method
    Publication number: 20040143244
    Abstract: An orientation system and method for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. This procedure may also be performed at different times during surgery to permit “real-time” data on orientational changes undergone by the eye to be collected. In both cases the data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon RefractiveHorizons, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Paul Gray, John Alfred Campin, Qiping Shen
  • Eye registration and astigmatism alignment control systems and method
    Publication number: 20040143245
    Abstract: An orientation system for corrective eye surgery includes a camera for performing a first image mapping of a patient's eye using a predetermined eye feature and software for processing the first image map to determine an edge location of the feature. A second image mapping of the eye is performed with the patient in a different position. The second image map is processed to locate the predetermined eye feature. Correlation of the mappings is used to calculate an orientational change of the eye between the two positions. The data are used to calculate an adjustment to be applied to a corrective prescription for application by the surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon RefractiveHorizons, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Paul Gray, John Alfred Campin, Qiping Shen
  • Metal end shell and easy opening can end for beer and beverage cans
    Patent number: 6761280
    Abstract: A sheet metal end shell for conversion into easy opening beer and beverage ends with reduced metal usage while maintaining commercially acceptable buckle resistance. The end shell has an upper chuckwall portion that is disposed at an angle of about 20-35 degrees to vertical, a countersink bead having a width of about 0.020-0.040 inch, and further preferably having a countersink depth of less than about 0.250 inch and a panel depth less than about 0.070 inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Harry R. Zonker, Gary L. Myers, Robert E. Dick, Darl G. Boysel, John S. Ward
  • Apparatus and method for measuring vision defects of a human eye
    Publication number: 20040130677
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring vision characteristics of an eye includes a laser for providing an optical beam and a focusing element for focusing the optical beam behind a retina of the eye for providing a finite source of secondary radiation on the retina of the eye. The secondary radiation is emitted from the retina as a reflected wavefront of radiation that passes outward from the eye. A polarizer is placed within a path of the optical beam for transmitting a polarized wavefront therethrough. A wavefront analyzer receives the polarized wavefront for measuring distortions associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Junzhong Liang, James H. Burkhalter
  • Bioerodible film for ophthalmic drug delivery
    Publication number: 20040126408
    Abstract: Drug delivery film compositions containing a combination of a water-soluble, film-forming polymers and a fatty acid glyceride or ester are suitable for delivering ophthalmic drugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhagwati P. Kabra, Janet D. Howie, Youqin Tian, David Allen Marsh, Gustav Graff
  • 11,12-oxidoarachidonic acid derivatives and methods of their use in treating dry eye disorders
    Patent number: 6750250
    Abstract: 11,12-Oxidoarachidonic acid derivatives and methods of their use for treating dry eye are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Belanger, Peter G. Klimko
  • LED illuminator
    Publication number: 20040111133
    Abstract: An illumination system to be used within the body of an animal includes a cannula mounted on a handle. On the end of the cannula to be inserted within the animal is a light emitting diode. Either a wired or a wireless system controls the illumination of the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, James W. Phillips
  • Asynchronous method of operating microsurgical instruments
    Patent number: 6743245
    Abstract: An improved, asynchronous method of operating a microsurgical instrument, such as a vitrectomy probe. The instrument includes a port for receiving tissue and an inner cutting member. A flow of tissue is induced into the port with a vacuum source. The port is at least partially occluded with the tissue. The occlusion is detected, and the inner cutting member is actuated to close the port and cut the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventor: Donn D. Lobdell
  • Ophthalmic compositions containing copolymers of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride
    Patent number: 6743439
    Abstract: Aqueous pharmaceutical solution compositions preserved with a cationic preservative and comprising a cationic drug and a sulfonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer are disclosed. The compositions are particularly well suited for topical ophthalmic use, but may also be used as topically administrable otic or nasal compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernesto J. Castillo, Wesley Wehsin Han, Huixiang Zhang, Ronald F. Berry
  • Use of proteasome inhibitors to treat dry eye disorders
    Patent number: 6740674
    Abstract: Proteasome inhibitors are useful for treating dry eye disorders and other disorders requiring the wetting of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Klimko, Mark R. Hellberg
  • Methods for treating otic and ophthalmic infections
    Patent number: 6740664
    Abstract: Ophthalmic, otic and nasal compositions containing a new class of antibiotics (e.g., moxifloxacin) are disclosed. The compositions preferably also contain one or more anti-inflammatory agents. The compositions may be utilized to treat ophthalmic, otic and nasal conditions by topically applying the compositions to the affected tissues. The compositions and methods of the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of acute otitis externa infections and ophthalmic infections attributable to one or both of two newly identified Microbacterium species, Microbacterium otitidis and Microbacterium alconae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Cagle, Robert L. Abshire, David W. Stroman, Celeste H. McLean, Linda L. Clark, John M. Yanni
  • Liquid venting surgical cassette
    Patent number: 6740074
    Abstract: A surgical system having a cassette with an aspirant collection chamber and an aspiration vent line that draws fluid from the aspirant collection chamber. The pressure within the collection chamber is maintained near ambient so that when the aspiration vent line is open, fluid flows from the collection chamber and into the aspiration line. Such a system does not require a second source of irrigation fluid, minimizes pressure surges into the irrigation fluid line and does not affect the fluidic performance of the aspiration system. In addition, various vent pressures can be achieved by varying the vertical position of the reservoir relative to the aspiration line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Morgan, Gary P. Sorensen
  • Use of an anti-allergy agent and a steroid to treat nasal conditions
    Publication number: 20040097474
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating rhinitis with certain combinations of antiallergic agents and steroids are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Cagle, G. Michael Wall, John M. Yanni, Rajni Jani, Haresh G. Bhagat
  • Microsurgical instrument
    Patent number: D491268
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Dyson W. Hickingbotham