Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Patent number: 4865189
    Abstract: A device for storage, mixing, and dispensing of two separate materials, including but not limited to liquids, semi-liquids, powders, and granulated materials. The first and second containers include neck portions which are matably slidable within one another, the necks defining openings into each container. A plug member is retentively held in the neck of either container, and extends to a stopper portion which blocks fluid flow through the neck of the one container when it is positioned in the neck of the other container, thus separating the two independent materials during storage. A sleeve extends over the second container and at least a portion of the first container. A removable collar can be positioned between the second container and the first container to hold them in a position where the materials are separated for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane R. Guerra, Michael J. Kent, Don A. Clements
  • Patent number: 4864028
    Abstract: Disclosed are substituted or unsubstituted planar tricyclic fluorene or nuclear analogs thereof, spiro-coupled to a five-membered ring containing a secondary amide, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are useful, inter alia, in the treatment of diabetes. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of such compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; and methods of treatment comprising administering such compounds and compositions when indicated for, inter alia, long term, prophylactic treatment of the diabetes syndrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Billie M. York, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4838281
    Abstract: A linear suction control system 10 includes a linear solenoid valve 11 which exhibits a flow through rate having a known proportional relationship with the current through the solenoid 30. Regulated fluid pressure 12 is fed through the linear solenoid valve 11 to a venturi-type pressure vacuum converter 17. The resulting vacuum is proportional to the flow rate through the valve 11 and thus to the current through the solenoid 30. A transducer 16 samples the vacuum output and produces a signal fed to a differential amplifier 17. The signal is compared in negative feedback fashion with a variable input voltage set by a potentiometer 18 or other variable voltage source, so that the transducer signal tracks the voltage source signal. The voltage source can comprise a potentiometer 18 actuated by a foot switch 19 or the like, so that angular position of the foot switch 19 relates directly and predictably to the vacuum output of the converter 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne W. Rogers, Carl C. T. Wang
  • Patent number: 4839082
    Abstract: Contact lens cleaning compositions containing a carboxy vinyl polymer, and a method of cleaning contact lenses with such compositions are descrived. The compositions are capable of cleaning soiled contact lenses very rapidly and completely due to the cleaning action of an abrasive precipitate formed by the carboxy vinyl polymer component when a small amount of compositions is rubbed on the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajkumar P. Bhatia
  • Patent number: 4824202
    Abstract: An assembly for optically coupling a light source and an optical waveguide having an axis of optical transmission and a generally planar end face. A connector encloses the end of the optical waveguide with the end face of the optical waveguide exposed. A housing positionable adjacent the light source defines a chamber extending along a light transmission axis and sized to receive the connector with the optical and light transmission axes coaxial. The connector is supported in the chamber in a first predetermined position by spring-biased ball plungers mounted to the housing. The balls anchor in a groove extending circumferentially in the outer surface of the connector. A lens cap has a sleeve in which the connector is received. An end of the sleeve is closed except for an opening supporting a spherical lens. The lens cap slides within the housing chamber along the axis with the end of the connector contacting the lens cap adjacent the lens opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain G. Auras
  • Patent number: 4822820
    Abstract: Disclosed is the use of Tri-methyl PG-F.sub.2 a, and its derivatives, such as, 15-acetyl Tri-methyl PG-F.sub.2 a and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof in the treatment of glaucoma and intraocular hypertension. Also disclosed are ophthalmic pharmaceutical compositions comprising Tri-methyl PG-F.sub.2 a and its derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis M. DeSantis, Verney L. Sallee
  • Patent number: 4822819
    Abstract: Disclosed is the use of trimoprostil, and its derivatives, such as, 15-acetyl trimoprostil and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Also disclosed are ophthalmic, pharmaceutical compositions comprising trimoprostil and its derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis M. DeSantis, Verney L. Sallee
  • Patent number: 4810242
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a system for providing control of multiple functions needed to perform eye surgery. A microprocessor based system controls a vacuum generation system using venturis and linear valves and a pneumatic system for driving vitrectomy probes and pneumatic scissors in either a variable frequency, multicut mode or a proportional cut mode where the cutting pressure is proportional to the position of a foot operated position sensor. The frequency of the vitrectomy probe cutting action can also be controlled and the level of vacuum can be controlled from a foot operated position sensor which can also be used to turn on or off a fragmentation device. The footswitch can also be used to turn irrigation fluid on or off, and the flow rate can be controlled from a control on the front panel. By making a certain foot motion in any certain aspiration modes, reflux of the aspiration line can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Leif J. Sundblom, Daniel D. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4808239
    Abstract: Nontoxic, aqueous, contact lens cleaning compositions containing a weakly anionic surfactant, and optionally also a chelating agent, urea and/or a source of hydrated protons, and methods of chemically removing protein, lipid and calcium deposits from contact lens utilizing these compositions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Doris Schafer, Rolf Schafer
  • Patent number: 4808170
    Abstract: A hypotraumatic injection needle having substantially no cutting edges is described. The injection needle has a beveled surface with the furthermost end of the beveled surface removed and rounded to form the needle tip. All edges on the tip and beveled portion of the needle are rounded and smoothly polished. The needle tip has a low profile, with the slope of the beveled portion being less than twenty degrees. These features allow the needle to penetrate easily by means of blunt dissection of tissue, rather than cutting tissue. The injection needle is particularly useful for posterior peribulbar or retrobulbar anesthesia in connection with ophthalmic surgery. The injection needle has a "ski-tip" effect, guiding the tip of the needle away from the beveled side. This effect, along with the absence of cutting edges, significantly reduces the hazards associated with ophthalmic surgical injections, such as inadvertent cutting of the eyeball or optic nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer P. Thornton, Rodger W. Williams
  • Patent number: 4792414
    Abstract: Soft and hard contact lenses are freed from deposits by rubbing them with a particulate organic polymer with a carrier, the polymer having a particular size in the range from about one micron to about 600 microns and a Rockwell hardness in the range of from about R30 to about M105, or a shore hardness in the range from about A15 to about D100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai C. Su, Leslie F. Stebbins, Rajkumar P. Bhatia
  • Patent number: 4770654
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a system for providing control of multiple functions needed to perform eye surgery. A microprocessor based system controls a vacuum generation system using venturis and linear valves and a pneumatic system for driving vitrectomy probes and pneumatic scissors in either a variable frequency, multicut mode or a proportional cut mode where the cutting pressure is proportional to the position of a foot operated position sensor. The frequency of the vitrectomy probe cutting action can also be controlled and the level of vacuum can be controlled from a foot operated position sensor which can also be used to turn on or off a fragmentation device. The footswitch can also be used to turn irrigation fluid on or off, and the flow rate can be controlled from a control on the front panel. By making a certain foot motion in any certain aspiration modes, reflux of the aspiration line can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne W. Rogers, Daniel D. Rogers, Carl C. T. Wang, Andrew C. C. Wang, Fu-Ming Lian
  • Patent number: 4770486
    Abstract: There is disclosed a receptacle for a plug on the end of a fiber optic light guide probe used for projecting light into an area in which a surgeon is operating, said receptacle serving to prevent heat transfer from light source to the plug of said probe. A shoulder in the bore of the receptacle engages another shoulder on the plug with minimal area of contact to minimize the area of potential heat transfer. The dimensions of the central bore of the receptacle relative to the plug are such that an air gap exists all around the plug when inserted in the receptacle. The plug is provided with an insulating sleeve behind the plug shoulder, and this sleeve is mechanically supported by a Delrin plate and insert which give the system mechanical support and which minimizes heat transfer between the mechanical support of the receptacle and the plug because of the poor heat conductivity of plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl C. T. Wang, Donald A. Parker
  • Patent number: 4768506
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a system for providing control of multiple functions needed to perform eye surgery. A microprocessor based system controls a pneumatic system for driving pneumatic scissors in either a variable frequency, multicut mode or a proportional cut mode where the cutting pressure is proportional to the position of a foot operated position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Parker, Wayne W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4758238
    Abstract: A fast response, tubeless vacuum aspiration collection cassette includes large and small containers defined within a cassette housing adapted to be removably secured to a surgical aspiration machine. A first wall of the cassette housing abutting the machine includes connectors thereto to provide a controlled variable vacuum level to the small container, and a fixed vacuum level to the large container. Valves formed in the first wall are interconnected by flow channels therein extending to the containers, each valve having an actuating stem extending from the wall to be actuated selectively by the machine. A second wall opposed to the first wall includes a connector extending to a surgical probe or cutting instrument. The channels and valves are arranged so that when the containers are isolated by a first valve, the controlled vacuum level may be applied to the surgical probe through a second valve connecting it to the small ontainer volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Leif J. Sundblom, William T. George
  • Patent number: 4757814
    Abstract: A system 10 for proportional control of a pneumatic cutting device 13 includes a linear solenoid valve 11 having a flow rate therethrough proportional to the current passing through the solenoid 32. The linear solenoid valve 11 is actuated by a selectively varied electrical signal generated by a power supply 18 and controlled by a potentiometer 14 which is itself operated by a pedal foot controller 16. Regulated fluid pressure is fed through the linear soleoid valve 11 to a pneumatic cutting device 13 such as an intraocular microscissors which closes increasingly as the applied pressure increases. The linear solenoid valve 11 includes a flow path which is variably constricted or closed by a valve member 36, and a solenoid 32 which is arranged to pull the valve member 36 to open the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl C. T. Wang, Wayne W. Rogers, Donald A. Parker
  • Patent number: 4758220
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a system for providing control of multiple functions needed to perform eye surgery. A microprocessor based system controls a vacuum generation system using venturis and linear valves and a pneumatic system for driving vitrectomy probes and pneumatic scissors in either a variable frequency, multicut mode or a proportional cut mode where the cutting pressure is proportional to the position of a foot operated position sensor. The frequency of the vitrectomy probe cutting action can also be controlled and the level of vacuum can be controlled from a foot operated position sensor which can also be used to turn on or off a fragmentation device. The footswitch can also be used to turn irrigation fluid on or off, and the flow rate can be controlled from a control on the front panel. By making a certain foot motion in any certain aspiration modes, reflux of the aspiration line can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Leif J. Sundblom, Daniel D. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4755528
    Abstract: Disclosed are 2,3-diamino-1,4-butanedithiol; 4,5-diamino-1,2-dithiane; and their N-acyl and N-alkyl derivatives. Also disclosed are processes for preparing the disclosed compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; and a method of treatment comprising administering such compounds and compositions when an antihypertensive effect or radioprotective effect is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. DuPriest, Billie M. York, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4738355
    Abstract: A two compartment container adapted for the packaging of intraocular lenses, contact lenses and other small, delicate devices requiring hydrated storage is described. The devices are contained in a first, upper compartment, while a second, lower compartment contains a fluid. The two compartments are placed in fluid communication with each other by means of a narrow passage which prevents the devices in the first compartment from entering the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Jobe
  • Patent number: 4737492
    Abstract: The hydrabamine and benzathine salts of cefamandole are useful in aqueous ophthalmic compositions which have good stability and shelf life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven H. Gerson, Wesley W. Han