Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Method of treating neurodegenerative disorders of the retina and optic nerve head
    Patent number: 6638976
    Abstract: The use of 3-benzolphenylacetic acids and derivatives, including nepafenac, to treat neurodegenerative retinal disorders is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Gamache, Gustav Graff, John M. Yanni, Michael A. Kapin
  • Dual-path optical system for measurement of ocular aberrations and corneal topometry and associated methods
    Patent number: 6634752
    Abstract: A unitary system for measuring both eye aberrations and corneal topography. includes a sensor for receiving wavefront data, a first optical path, and a second optical path. The first optical path includes means for introducing a collimated incident beam of radiation into the eye and for directing a wavefront exiting from the eye to the sensor as retinal wavefront data. Means are also provided for determining from the retinal wavefront data aberrations in the optical system. The second optical path includes means for introducing the incident beam onto the corneal surface and for directing a reflected beam therefrom to the sensor as corneal wavefront data. Means are additionally provided for determining from the corneal wavefront data a topography of an corneal surface. Finally, the system comprises means for switching the incident beam between the first and the second optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Curatu
  • Viscoelastics for use in middle ear surgery
    Patent number: 6632423
    Abstract: Disclosed are viscoelastic compositions and methods of their use in surgical and non-surgical packing and in effecting drug delivery, especially in conjunction with trauma to of disorders of the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Masoud R. Jafari, Uday Doshi
  • Covalently-bound, hydrophilic coating compositions for surgical implants
    Patent number: 6632905
    Abstract: Covalently-bound, hydrophilic copolymer coatings for implants are disclosed. The copolymer coatings comprise 2-phenylethyl (meth)acrylate, a hydrophilic monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates and acrylamides, and a reactive plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventor: Albert R. Leboeuf
  • Coating compositions and methods for reducing edge glare in implantable ophthalmic lenses
    Patent number: 6632887
    Abstract: Hydrophilic coatings for implantable ophthalmic lenses are disclosed. The coatings, which are applied to the edge surface of the ophthalmic lens, comprise a hydrophobic (meth)acrylic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. When hydrated, the coatings reduce or eliminate edge glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Albert R. LeBoeuf, John W. Sheets, Jr.
  • Liquid venting surgical cassette
    Patent number: 6632214
    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: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Morgan, Gary P. Sorensen
  • Use of sustained release antibiotic compositions in ophthalmic surgical procedures
    Patent number: 6630135
    Abstract: An improved method of sterilizing the field of surgery prior to an ophthalmic surgical procedure is described. The invention eliminates the need for painful 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: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald D. Cagle, Tai-Lee Ke, Barry A. Schlech, Ole J. Lorenzetti
  • Method of correcting vision
    Patent number: 6626893
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Frey, James H. Burkhalter, Gary P. Gray, Neil Zepkin, George Richard Downes, Jr., John E. McWhirter
  • Laser beam delivery system
    Patent number: 6626895
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Frey, James H. Burkhalter, Gary P. Gray, Neil Zepkin, George Richard Downes, Jr., John E. McWhirter
  • Flying spot laser ablation method
    Patent number: 6626898
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Frey, James H. Burkhalter, Gary P. Gray, Neil Zepkin, George Richard Downes, Jr., John E. McWhirter
  • Method of correcting vision
    Patent number: 6626896
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Frey, James H. Burkhalter, Gary P. Gray, Neil Zepkin, George Richard Downes, Jr., John E. McWhirter
  • Method of ablating a moving eye
    Patent number: 6626894
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Frey, James H. Burkhalter, Gary P. Gray, Neil Zepkin, George Richard Downes, Jr., John E. McWhirter
  • Method of redirecting an ablating laser beam
    Patent number: 6626897
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser system includes a laser beam delivery system and an eye tracker responsive to movement of the eye operable with a laser beam delivery system for ablating corneal material of the eye through placement of laser beam shot on a selected area of the cornea of the eye. The shots are fired in a sequence and pattern such that no laser shots are fired at consecutive locations and no consecutive shots overlap. The pattern is moved in response to the movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Frey, James H. Burkhalter, Gary P. Gray, Neil Zepkin, George Richard Downes, Jr., John E. McWhirter
  • Cart for surgical console
    Patent number: 6626445
    Abstract: An improved cart for a surgical console. The cart includes a base, an internal frame coupled to the base, and an external housing substantially encasing the internal frame. The external housing comprises a single piece of molded plastic. The external housing prevents operating room fluid ingress into the internal frame. Therefore, the internal frame, its various portions, and the various electronic apparatus and consumables that are stored therein are protected from corrosion and damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian G. Murphy, Earl F. Robinson
  • Implantable drug delivery system
    Publication number: 20030176854
    Abstract: An implantable medicament delivery device includes a core body which further includes a single basin or multiple smaller basins for containing a drug or a medicament. Each basin is covered by a screen. The implantable drug delivery device is placed within the body of an animal, and the drug is allowed to diffuse through the holes in the screen to provide treatment of a disease or condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Theron Robert Rodstrom
  • Compounds for use in 11-oxa prostaglandin synthesis
    Patent number: 6620947
    Abstract: Novel processes and intermediates useful in the preparation of 11-oxa prostaglandin analogs are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete Delgado, Raymond E. Conrow, William D. Dean, Michael S. Gaines
  • Artificial tear composition containing a combination of three demulcents
    Patent number: 6620797
    Abstract: Improved artificial tear compositions are described. The compositions are preferably formulated as sterile, isotonic solutions. The solutions contain a unique combination of three demulcents. The solutions preferably also contain one or more electrolytes and may also contain a nonionic surfactant. The solutions provide ocular comfort and are particularly useful in patients that are experiencing mild to moderate dryness or other irritation of the cornea. The solutions may be packaged as either an unpreserved unit dose product or as a preserved multi-dose product. The multi-dose products contain a very mild antimicrobial preservative system, and consequently can be frequently applied to the eye with little risk of ocular irritation attributable to the preservative components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Masood A. Chowhan, Huagang Chen
  • Accommodative intraocular lens
    Patent number: 6616691
    Abstract: A two-optic accommodative lens system. The first lens has a negative power and is located posteriorly within the capsular bag and laying against the posterior capsule. The periphery of the first optic contains a pair of generally T-shaped haptics having a generally rectangular slot within the top portion of the “T”. The second optic is located anteriorly to the first optic outside of the capsular bag and is of a positive power. The peripheral edge of the second optic contains a pair of encircling haptics having a notched tab sized and shape to fit within the slots in the haptics on the first optic to lock the second optic onto the first optic. Hinge structures on the encircling haptics allow the second optic to move relative to the first optic along the optical axis of the lens system in reaction to movement of the ciliary muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Son Trung Tran
  • Ultrasound handpiece
    Patent number: 6602193
    Abstract: A handpiece having a set of longitudinally vibrating piezoelectric elements and which may additionally have an electric motor to provide rotational or oscillatory movement to the ultrasound horn. The piezoelectric elements are surrounded by a high temperature plastic sleeve, and the sleeve is filled with high temperature potting material. The potting material seal the piezoelectric elements against moisture without affecting the performance of the piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: James Y. Chon
  • Footswitch
    Patent number: D478323
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Peterson, Dac Vu, Jiansheng Zhou, David M. Weston