Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Torsional ultrasound handpiece
    Patent number: 6077285
    Abstract: A handpiece having two sets of piezoelectric elements. One set of elements is polarized to produce longitudinal motion. The other set of elements is polarized to produce torsional motion. An appropriate ultrasound driver drives each set of elements at their respective resonant frequencies to produce longitudinal vibration and torsional oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikhail Boukhny
  • Process for manufacturing ophthalmic suspensions
    Patent number: 6071904
    Abstract: Ophthalmic suspensions containing brinzolamide or brinzolamide and a beta-blocker and processes for manufacturing the suspensions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuf Ali, Robert E. Beck, Rex C. Sport
  • TGF.alpha. for the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma
    Patent number: 6071875
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension by using TGF.alpha. are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignees: Alcon Laboratories, Inc., University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
    Inventors: Abbot F. Clark, Robert J. Wordinger
  • Liquid enzyme compositions containing mixed polyols and methods of use
    Patent number: 6069120
    Abstract: Compositions containing a stable, liquid, 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 lens. Methods for a daily use regimen are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bahram Asgharian, Bor-Shyue Hong
  • Multi-spot laser surgery
    Patent number: 6066128
    Abstract: Various embodiments of optical fiber cables and laser probes are disclosed for providing multi-spot laser beams from a single laser beam source. This permits time-intensive but repetitive laser surgical procedures such as panretinal photocoagulation to be performed with increased accuracy and in a fraction of the time currently allotted for such procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Bahmanyar, Mark S. Jones
  • Treatment of GLC1A glaucoma with 3-benzoyl-phenylacetic acids, esters, or amides
    Patent number: 6066671
    Abstract: Compositions of 3-benzoylphenylacetic acid derivatives for treating GLC1A glaucoma and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yanni, Mark R. Hellberg
  • Identification system for a surgical cassette
    Patent number: 6059544
    Abstract: A cassette having, in a first embodiment, a series of break-off, prismatic tabs integrally formed in the cassette that can be optically sensed by the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Jung, Nader Nazarifar
  • Treatment of GLC1A glaucoma with non-steroidal glucocorticoid antagonists
    Patent number: 6051573
    Abstract: Compositions of non-steroidal glucocorticoid antagonists for treating GLC1A glaucoma and methods for their use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Abbot F. Clark
  • Polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds and their use as ophthalmic antimicrobias
    Patent number: 6051611
    Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds which are useful as disinfectants and/or preservatives in ophthalmic compostions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan P. Kyba, Joonsup Park
  • Method of preparing 16.alpha., 17.alpha.-dialkylated steroids
    Patent number: 6040468
    Abstract: 16.alpha., 17.alpha.-dialkylated steroids are prepared by reacting a 16.alpha.-alkyl-17(20)-enyl-20-silyl ether with an alkylating agent and an enol silyl ether cleaving agent in a suitable solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Conrow
  • Ultrasonic handpiece tuning and controlling device
    Patent number: 6028387
    Abstract: An apparatus for tuning and controlling an ultrasonic handpiece having a programmable broad spectrum source, a torsional single frequency source and a longitudinal single frequency source that generate a drive signal for an ultrasonic handpiece and a digital signal processor for analyzing a response signal generated by the handpiece in response to the drive signal and generating an adjusting signal for adjusting the torsional single frequency source and the longitudinal single frequency source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikhail Boukhny
  • substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of prostaglandins as ocular hypotensives
    Patent number: 6025392
    Abstract: Substituted tetrahydrofuran analogs of F-series prostaglandins and methods of their use in treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Selliah, Mark R. Hellberg, Peter G. Klimko, Verney L. Sallee, Paul W. Zinke
  • Myeloperoxidase assay of endotoxin-induced inflammation
    Patent number: 6022699
    Abstract: An improved model of endotoxin-induced inflammation is obtained by eliminating the interference in the biochemical assay of myeloperoxidase caused by endogenous reductants and cellular constituents containing free thiol functional groups. The interference was eliminated by 1) extensively diluting soluble, interfering substances and 2) blocking tissue sulfhydril functional groups during tissue homogenization. The improved model can be used to assess the therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory agents. For example, the model can be used to evaluate topically administrable ophthalmic anti-inflammatory agents in Lewis rats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustav Graff, Mark R. Hellberg
  • Ophthalmic surgery probe with soft tip
    Patent number: 6015403
    Abstract: A probe for ophthalmic surgery and the like includes a handpiece terminating distally in a needle, a connector for connection to a light source such as a laser source or an illumination source, and an optical fiber for transmitting light from the light source to an eye to be treated. The optical fiber extends substantially through the handpiece needle. The needle has a soft tip to reduce the possibility of injury to the interior of the eye by contact with the metal portion of the needle. The soft tip also acts as a distance guide, allowing the user to position the optical fiber repeatedly at the same distance from the retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Jones
  • N-alkyl-N-alkoxycarboxamides and methods of use in prostaglandin synthesis
    Patent number: 6015922
    Abstract: Novel N-alkyl-N-alkoxycarboxamides useful for prostaglandin synthesis are disclosed. Also disclosed are novel synthetic methods for preparing the novel intermediates of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Conrow
  • Method of preparing foldable hydrophilic ophthalmic device materials
    Patent number: 6015842
    Abstract: Foldable, hydrophilic, ophthalmic device materials are cured by exposure to blue light using a benzoylphosphine oxide photoinitiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert R. LeBoeuf, Mutlu Karakelle
  • Storage-stable prostaglandin compositions
    Patent number: 6011062
    Abstract: The use of polyethoxylated castor oils in prostaglandin compositions enhances the prostaglandin's chemical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Wayne Schneider, Rajan Bawa, Alan L. Weiner
  • Cryogenic polishing method for soft acrylic articles
    Patent number: 6010391
    Abstract: A method for polishing articles comprising soft acrylic materials is disclosed. The method includes a cryogenic polishing step and a cleaning step. In the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with polishing beads of various sizes, sodium bicarbonate, a swelling agent and the articles to be polished, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to remove surface irregularities. Following the polishing step, a receptacle is charged with (a) a cleaning slurry comprising cleaning beads of various sizes and (i) sodium hydroxide and water or (ii) alumina, a surfactant and a solvent and (b) the articles to be cleaned, for a period of time and at a rotation speed sufficient to clean the surface of the polished articles. Agitation is preferably accomplished by a tumbling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lewellen, John W. Sheets, Jr.
  • Plunger
    Patent number: 6010510
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injector plunger having a blunt, rounded tip offset from the centerline of the plunger rod. The offset tip assures that the tip is biased downward against the bottom of the cartridge bore. Such a downward bias helps prevent the tip from riding up over the IOL and being folded within the IOL. The offset also helps prevent the haptics of the IOL from becoming trapped between the plunger rod and the cartridge bore, thereby damaging the haptics and/or preventing the IOL from being advanced down the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Brown, Stephen J. Van Noy
  • Cutting tip wrench
    Patent number: D426130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, George Brody, Alan R. Carl, Gene C. Dinino, Jr., Grace C. Liao, Kurt P. Lieber, Mel M. Oliveira, Marina L. Schneider