Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Liquefracture handpiece
    Patent number: 6206848
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to great an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the annular passage. The electrodes are insulated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sussman, Martin J. Padget, Donald M. Cohen
  • Neuroprotective agents having antioxidant and NMDA antagonist activity
    Patent number: 6200990
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of novel compounds, compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of neuronal tissue damage in mammals. The novel compounds comprise an antioxidant and a NMDA antagonist activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdelmoula Namil, Mark R. Hellberg
  • Tip for liquefracture handpiece
    Patent number: 6196989
    Abstract: A tip for a liquefracture surgical handpiece. The tip uses at least two channels or tubes. One tube is used for aspiration and at least one other tube is used to inject heated surgical fluid for liquefying a cataractous lens. The distal portion of the injection tube terminates just inside of the aspiration tube and directs the heated fluid through an orifice in the wall of the aspiration tube opposite the injection tube. The handpiece may also contain other tubes, for example, for injecting relatively cool surgical fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Padget, Glenn Sussman
  • Substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of prostaglandins as ocular hypotensives
    Patent number: 6197812
    Abstract: Substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of prostaglandins and methods of their use in treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Selliah, Mark R. Hellberg, Peter G. Klimko, Verney L. Sallee, Paul W. Zinke
  • Topical use of &kgr; opioid agonists to treat ocular pain
    Patent number: 6191126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical treatment of pain. In particular, the present invention relates to the topical use of kappa opioid receptor agonists and partial agonists for the prevention or alleviation of pain in the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Gamache
  • Chilled temperature polishing method for soft acrylic articles
    Patent number: 6186868
    Abstract: A method of polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, alumina, sodium hydroxide, water, a surfactant, and the articles to be polished, and agitated for a period of time and at a speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. The polishing step is completed below the glass transition (Tg) point of the acrylic article being polished but above 0° C. Following the polishing step, the polished articles are cleaned by rinsing them with water for a period of time to clean the surface of the polished articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Cremeans, Teresa L. Pickett, Jennia Tucker
  • Intraocular lens coating compositions
    Patent number: 6187042
    Abstract: Intraocular lens coating compositions for reducing the risk of posterior capsule opacification are disclosed. The coating materials, which differ from the substrate material, consist essentially of at least two aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers of the formula wherein: X is H or CH3; m is 0-10; Y is nothing, O, S, or NR wherein R is H, CH3, CnH2n+1 (n=1−10) iso OC3H7, C6H5, or CH2C6H5; Ar is any aromatic ring which can be unsubstituted or substituted with CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, iso-C3H7, OCH3, C6H11, Cl, Br, C6H5, or CH2C6H5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Sheets, Jr., Albert R. Leboeuf, Anilbhai S. Patel, Mutlu Karakelle, Stephen J. Van Noy
  • Liquid enzyme compositions and methods of use in contact lens cleaning and disinfecting systems
    Patent number: 6184189
    Abstract: Stable liquid enzyme compositions containing an 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 lenses. Methods for a daily use regimen are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bahram Asgharian, Bor-Shyue Hong
  • Use of cloprostenol and fluprostenol analogues to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension
    Patent number: 6184250
    Abstract: Disclosed is the use of cloprostenol and fluprostenol analogues and combinations thereof with other medicaments for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension and ophthalmic compositions therefor. Also disclosed are methods of treating optic nerve disorders using the cloprostenol and fluprostenol analogues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Klimko, John E. Bishop, Verney L. Sallee, Paul W. Zinke, Tom R. Dean, George E. Barnes, Michael L. Chandler
  • In vivo polymerizable ophthalmic compositions and methods of using
    Patent number: 6180687
    Abstract: In vivo polymerizable intraocular lens compositions which comprise substituted fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl monomers having anionic, cationic, and/or nonionic surface active functionality in the unsaturated fluorophobic ends. The compositions are preferably cured by UV photoinitiation and are useful in repairing torn or detached retinal tissue or forming intraocular lenses in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignees: Alcon Laboratories, Inc., University of Southern Mississippi
    Inventors: Mark E. Hammer, Steven T. Charles, John C. Lang, Robert Y. Lochhead, Lon J. Mathias
  • Liquefracture handpiece
    Patent number: 6179805
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to create an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the annular passage. The distal end of the annular gap is sealed by sealing together the distal ends of the first and second tube and a plurality or orifices or ports may be formed near the seal. As the expanding gas is propelled down the annular gap, the gas/liquid stream is forced out of the distal orifices in a controlled and directed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sussman, Donald M. Cohen
  • Method of controlling the operating parameters of a surgical system
    Patent number: 6179808
    Abstract: A control system for a surgical system that includes an irrigation fluid flow sensing capability. The sensing capability may be placed in the control console or in the handpiece. Irrigation flow measurements provided by the sensing capability allows the control system to vary irrigation pressure and/or flow, aspiration pressure and/or flow and power supplied to the handpiece more accurately than prior art sensors that monitor aspiration flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Michael D. Morgan
  • Treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension
    Patent number: 6177427
    Abstract: Compositions of non-steroidal glucocorticoid antagonists for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Abbot F. Clark, Raymond E. Conrow
  • Topical use of kappa opioid agonists to treat otic pain
    Patent number: 6174878
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating otic pain are disclosed. In particular, the invention discloses compositions and methods of using kappa opioid agonists locally for the prevention or alleviation of otic pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Gamache, John M. Yanni
  • Gelling ophthalmic compositions containing xanthan gum
    Patent number: 6174524
    Abstract: Ophthalmic drug delivery vehicles which are administrable as a liquid and which gel upon contact with the eyes are disclosed. The vehicles contain xanthan gum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajan Bawa, Rex E. Hall, Bhagwati P. Kabra, James E. Teague
  • Method of inhibiting cytokine release from human ocular cells
    Patent number: 6174914
    Abstract: Ophthalmic formulations containing as an active ingredient 11-(3-dimethylaminopropylidene)-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]oxepin-2-acetic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are useful for inhibiting cytokine release (e.g., IL-6 and IL-8) from human ocular cells. Such formulations can be used to treat or prevent ocular neovascularization and non-allergic inflammatory disorders such as dry-eye, keratitis, blepharitis, uveitis and inflammation related to infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yanni, Daniel A. Gamache, Lori K. Weimer
  • Combination therapy for lowering and controlling intraocular pressure
    Patent number: 6172054
    Abstract: Angiostatic agents and another IOP lowering compound are combined in ophthalmic compositions to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Methods for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Use of carbon dioxide and carbonic acid to clean contact lenses
    Patent number: 6171404
    Abstract: Simple, efficacious, easily manufacturable, convenient to use and cost-effective contact lens care cleaning compositions comprising carbon dioxide and carbonic acid as cleansing agents are disclosed. The compositions do not require abrasive agents such as polymeric beads, nor ocularly irritating agents such as enzymes or surfactants in order to effectively clean proteinaceous and nonproteinaceous deposits from the surface of contact lenses. Also disclosed is a one-step cleaning and disinfecting regimen, whereby an effervescent tablet composition capable of generating carbon dioxide and carbonic acid is dissolved in a disinfecting solution or rinsing/disinfecting/storage solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajkumar Bhatia, Alok K. Kulshreshtha, Geoffrey R. Owen, Yusuf Ali
  • 13-Thia prostaglandins for use in glaucoma therapy
    Patent number: 6172109
    Abstract: 13-thia prostaglandins are useful in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Also disclosed are ophthalmic, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said prostaglandins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Zinke, Mark R. Hellberg
  • Tip wrench
    Patent number: D437535
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Grace C. Liao, Michael D. Lockwood, Mel M. Oliveira