Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Eye tracker control system and method
    Patent number: 6568808
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an eye movement tracker includes monitoring a plurality of eye positions by following a feature using the tracker. An optical beam is sent into the eye, and an intensity of a reflected beam from the eye is sensed at each position. If the intensity of the reflected beam fluctuates from a predetermined acceptable intensity range, the tracker is returned to a frozen position. The frozen position comprises a most recent position at which the intensity lay within the intensity range. The tracker is also frozen if the noise in the signal exceeds a predetermined acceptable maximum noise level and for counting a number of times the tracker is frozen. The procedure is aborted if the tracker is frozen repeatedly and for a time exceeding a predetermined maximum acceptable time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventor: John Alfred Campin
  • Surgical knife
    Patent number: 6569175
    Abstract: A knife having a handle into which a knife blade may be inserted. The blade end of the handle is of reduced diameter and contains a pair of spring-like cantilevered locking arms. The locking arms terminate in a clasping mechanism that interact with a latch contained within a bore in a sheath. The bore is sized and shaped to reciprocate linearly over the blade end of the handle so as to alternatively cover the blade for storage or expose the blade for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Robinson
  • Range-extending system and spatial filter for enhancing Hartmann-Shack images and associated methods
    Patent number: 6565209
    Abstract: A range of a wavefront sensor is extended by focusing collimated light onto a lenslet array, an output creating a grid formed by edges of the lenslets and a reference spot in the members of the grid. Each reference spot has a known relationship to the grid member and a centroid. A relationship between the reference centroids is determined. Next a wavefront emanating from an eye is focused onto the lenslet array, with the output from the lenslet array forming the grid and aberrated eye spots thereon, each eye spot having a centroid. A relationship between the eye spot centroids is determined. One known relationship between one reference centroid and the centroid of one eye spot is identified. Finally, at least some of the remaining relationships between the reference centroids and the eye spot centroids are determined. The determined relationships provide a measure indicative of the eye aberration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventor: John Alfred Campin
  • Surgical cassette and consumables for combined ophthalmic surgical procedure
    Patent number: 6561999
    Abstract: A surgical cassette for use in a combined anterior segment and posterior segment ophthalmic surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical cassette includes an irrigation inlet for receiving irrigation fluid from a source, a first irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a first ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, a first manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the first irrigation outlet, a second irrigation outlet for providing irrigation fluid to a second ophthalmic microsurgical instrument, and a second manifold fluidly coupling the irrigation inlet with the second irrigation outlet. The surgical cassette greatly simplifies the combined procedure by eliminating the need for separate anterior segment and posterior segment cassettes for the combined procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Nader Nazarifar, Dennis L. Steppe
  • Anterior chamber phakic lens
    Patent number: 6562070
    Abstract: An anterior chamber phakic lens made from an elastomeric, foldable, highly biocompatible material. The lens has a generally circular optic and integrally formed plate-style haptics, the haptics containing an opening into which project a pair of pincer arms. the pincer arms are sized and shaped so as to pull away from each other when the lens is folded, and are draw back toward each other when the folded lens is released and allowed to return to its unfolded state. Such movement allows the pincers to gather a small section of the iris so as to hold the lens in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Son Trung Tran, Stephen J. Van Noy
  • Fiber optic circuit and module with switch
    Patent number: 6556738
    Abstract: A fiber optic circuit provides signal access and monitoring. A module housing the circuit and the module is mountable to a chassis. The module housing includes mounting flanges for mounting the module to the chassis; and a plurality of exposed adapters along at least one of the front and rear faces. Each of the plurality of adapters is connectable to a fiber optic connector external to the module. The plurality of adapters define first and second transmit signal ports and first and second receive signal ports. A transmit signal pathway is between the first and second transmit signal port. A receive signal pathway is between the first and second receive signal ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg C. Pfeiffer, Todd P. Knettel, Michael Nystrom, Jorge A. Cano
  • Method for determining accommodation
    Patent number: 6554429
    Abstract: An automated, objective method for determining the accommodative range and aberration profile of an eye using a wavefront sensor that iteratively determines the change in accommodation of the lens of an eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Campin, Gary P. Gray, George Pettit
  • Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid analogs and methods of their use in treating dry eye disorders
    Patent number: 6552084
    Abstract: Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid analogs and methods of their use in treating dry eye disorders are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter G. Klimko, Mark R. Hellberg, John R. Falck, Raymond E. Conrow
  • Prostaglandin E agonists for treatment of glaucoma
    Patent number: 6545045
    Abstract: This application relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension in mammals utilizing prostaglandin E receptor agonists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter G. Klimko, Najam A. Sharif, Brenda W. Griffin
  • Method of making high refractive index ophthalmic device materials
    Patent number: 6541572
    Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step method of making soft, high refractive index, acrylic ophthalmic device materials. In the first step, a copolymer containing pendant oxirane groups is formed by copolymerizing one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers with one or more compounds of the formula wherein X is H or CH3; and n is 1-4. In the second step, the copolymer containing pendant oxirane groups formed in the first step is reacted with a compound of the formula W—T—H wherein W is H, CH3(CH2)a, or Z(OCH2CH2)b; a is 0-3; b is 1-5; Z is H, or CH3(CH2)p; p is 0-3; and T is O, NH, S; provided that if T≠O, then W≠H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Albert R. LeBoeuf
  • Intraocular lens shipping case and injection cartridge
    Patent number: 6537283
    Abstract: An intraocular lens cartridge having a distal injector portion and a proximal shipping portion. The injector portion and the shipping portion are join be a hinge that allows the shipping portion to be rotated so that the lens, when held in the shipping portion, aligns with the bore of the injector portion. The shipping portion may also be flexible so as to provide a prefold to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Van Noy
  • Olopatadine formulations for topical administration
    Publication number: 20030055102
    Abstract: Topical formulations of olopatadine for treatment of allergic or inflammatory disorders of the eye and nose are disclosed. The aqueous formulations contain approximately 0.17-0.62% (w/v) of olopatadine and an amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone or polystyrene sulfonic acid sufficient to enhance the physical stability of the formulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernesto J. Castillo, Wesley Wehsin Han, Huixiang Zhang, Haresh G. Bhagat, Onkar N. Singh, Joseph Paul Bullock, Suresh C. Dixit
  • Use of TIMP-3 inducers of TIMP-3 expression, and TIMP-3 mimetics to treat ocular neovascularization
    Patent number: 6534475
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating ocular neovascularization with TIMP-3, TIMP-3 inducers, and TIMP-3 mimetics are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Non-peptide bradykinin receptor antagonists for use in treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders
    Patent number: 6531480
    Abstract: This invention relates to the topical ocular use of non-peptide bradykinin receptor antagonists for the treatment of human ocular pain, neovascularization, corneal haze, allergy and inflammatory diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Najam A. Sharif
  • Method of prostaglandin synthesis
    Patent number: 6531614
    Abstract: Methods of synthesizing 9-Halo-13,14-dihydroprostaglandins useful in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension are disclosed. Also disclosed are ophthalmic, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such prostaglandins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Conrow
  • Foldable ophthalmic and otorhinolaryngological device materials
    Patent number: 6528602
    Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic materials having an elongation of at least 150%. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain an aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer as the single principal device-forming monomer. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other ophthalmic or otorhinolaryngological devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, corneal inlays or rings; otological ventilation tubes and nasal implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles Freeman, Douglas C. Schlueter
  • Method of operating microsurgical instruments
    Patent number: 6514268
    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: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell L. Finlay, William W. Furniss, John C. Huculak, Christopher C. Jung
  • Treatment of disorders of the outer retina
    Patent number: 6509355
    Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of glutamate antagonists to treat the disorders of outer retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Collier, Jr., Mark R. Hellberg, Michael A. Kapin, George E. Barnes, Michael L. Chandler
  • Compositions and methods for treating otic, ophthalmic and nasal infections
    Patent number: 6509327
    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 attributable to one or both of two newly identified Microbacterium species, Microbacterium otitidis and Microbacterium alconae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Manufacturing, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerald Cagle, Robert L. Abshire, David W. Stroman, Celeste H. McLean, Linda L. Clark, John M. Yanni
  • Hand-held remote control device
    Patent number: D475026
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Buczek, David Thoe, David M. Weston