Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Patent number: 11886045
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing photochromic contact lenses, in particular, photochromic silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The method comprises a step of cast molding of a lens-forming composition including an iniferter to form an unprocessed contact lens having iniferter moieties covalently incorporated into its polymer matrix and a step of iniferter-induced graft-polymerization of a photochromic vinylic monomer to the polymer matrix only in its central region which is circular and concentric with the central axis of the unprocessed contact lens. The obtained photochromic contact lens has a central pupillary region that only can undergo a reversible color change upon exposure to UV/HEVL-radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Chang, Junhao Ge, Steve Yun Zhang, Michelle Plavnik, Augustine Twum Kumi
  • Patent number: 11883096
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adaptive optics system including at least one active pixel sensor array that detects light and sends a signal to a processor. The adaptive optics system also includes a wavefront correction system including at least one wavefront control structure and the processor, and that executes instructions on the processor to produce a digital image in which at least one wavefront distortion in the light detected by the active pixel sensor array is partially or fully corrected. The disclosure also provides methods of using the adaptive optics system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 11883325
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
  • Patent number: 11883328
    Abstract: A surgical system corrects a surgical parameter based on a nomogram specific for a refractive laser surgery system to provide a nomogram-based corrected surgical parameter; stores the surgical parameter and the nomogram-based corrected surgical parameter as data for a patient or for one or both eyes of the patient; and compares the surgical parameter and nomogram-based corrected surgical parameter to generate a graphical representation of the surgical parameter, a target outcome parameter associated with the surgical parameter, or both, and the nomogram-based corrected surgical parameter, to generate a warning based on a comparison of the nomogram-based corrected surgical parameter to the surgical parameter or an absolute value, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Riedel, Johannes Agethen
  • Publication number: 20240027180
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a housing assembly having a head unit configured to be at least partially directed towards a target site. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) module and a visualization module are located in the housing assembly and configured to respectively obtain OCT data and visualization data of the target site. The system includes a controller configured to generate a scanning pattern for a region of calibration selected in a calibration target. OCT data of the region of calibration is synchronously acquired. The controller is configured to obtain a projected two-dimensional OCT image of the region of calibration based on the OCT data, as an inverse mean-intensity projection. The controller is configured to register the projected two-dimensional OCT image to a corresponding view extracted from the visualization data, via a cascaded image registration process having a coarse registration stage and a fine registration stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Wei, Parisa Rabbani, Sahar Hosseinzadeh Kassani, Qiang Li, Lance Noller
  • Patent number: 11877956
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to small-gauge instrumentation for surgical procedures, and more specifically, to vitreoretinal instruments for retinal repair and reattachment procedures, as well as associated methods of use. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a curved or articulating probe configured to provide illumination, fluid aspiration, and endophotocoagulation. Accordingly, the probe enables aspiration of subretinal fluid that re-accumulates after initial drainage and during endophotocoagulation without the need to exchange surgical instruments or insert an additional instrument into the intraocular space. Furthermore, the combined functionalities of the probe enable a surgeon to simultaneously perform scleral depression with the surgeon's other hand while aspirating fluid and/or performing retinal endophotocoagulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 11878072
    Abstract: Particles, compositions, and methods that aid particle transport in mucus are provided. The compositions and methods may include, in some embodiments, modifying the surface coatings of particles including pharmaceutical agents that have a low water/aqueous solubility. In some embodiments, a surface coating includes a synthetic polymer having pendant hydroxyl groups on the backbone of the polymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Such compositions and methods can be used to achieve efficient transport of particles of pharmaceutical agents though mucus barriers in the body for a wide spectrum of applications, including drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostic applications. In certain embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition including such particles is well-suited for administration routes involving the particles passing through a mucosal barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Alexey Popov
  • Patent number: 11881306
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system that may receive first sensor data associated with first measurements of multiple components of respective multiple medical systems; may determine first one or more classifiers based at least on first user input; may receive second sensor data associated with second measurements of the multiple components; may determine, based at least on the first one or more classifiers and based at least on the second sensor data, at least two services to be provided to respective at least a first two of the multiple medical systems; may receive third sensor data associated with third measurements of multiple components respectively associated with the at least the first two of the multiple medical systems; and may determine, without the first user input and without second user input, second one or more classifiers based at least on the third sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Heiko Bohn, Peter Martin
  • Patent number: 11877952
    Abstract: Various arrangements of fluidics systems are disclosed. In one arrangement, an aspiration circuit for a fluidics system is disclosed that selectively controls aspiration. The aspiration circuit comprises an aspiration line operatively connected to a surgical instrument, an aspiration exhaust line operatively connected to a waste receptacle; an aspiration vent line connected at a first end to the aspiration line; and a selectively variable vent valve operatively connected to the aspiration vent line. The variable vent valve may be selectively moved to vary aspiration pressure within the aspiration line. Other fluidics systems are disclosed that include a selectively positionable irrigation valve that may also be incorporated into a fluidics system that includes a variable vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Gary P. Sorensen, Michael D. Morgan, Mel Matthew Oliveira
  • Patent number: 11877955
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to an infusion cannula for infusion/venting of fluids to/from the eye to control intraocular pressure. The infusion cannula includes a tubular body with a tubular inlet located at a proximal end of the tubular body and a tubular outlet located at a distal end of the tubular body. The tubular outlet is aligned with a first longitudinal axis and configured to extend through a septum of a valved cannula hub. The infusion cannula includes a retention piece extending from or coupled to the tubular body. The retention piece has an annular body surrounding the tubular body at the distal end of the tubular body and configured to be coupled to the valved cannula hub. An inner surface of the annular body has a profile configured to form a snap fit with an overhang formed along an outer surface of the valved cannula hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: James Y. Chon, Robert Jeffrey Heng, Grace Chuang Liao, Ashish Sinha, Satish Yalamanchili
  • Patent number: 11878105
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a surgical cassette for an ophthalmic surgical system comprises an irrigation conduit that is in fluid communication with a handpiece and carries fluid toward a surgical site. An aspiration conduit is in fluid communication with the handpiece and carries fluid away from the surgical site. An aspiration pump creates a vacuum pressure in the aspiration conduit to draw fluid through the aspiration conduit towards a drain reservoir. A reservoir couples with a pressure-vacuum source to manage the reservoir pressure. A valve is in fluid communication with the aspiration conduit and the reservoir, and provides one or more channels between the aspiration conduit and the reservoir. Each sensor detects a pressure associated with the surgical site. A computer controls the valve in response to the pressure detected by the one or more pressure sensors to mitigate a pressure or volume change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent A Baxter, David Dyk, Satish Yalamanchili, Raphael Gordon
  • Patent number: 11873806
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing pulsations in peristaltic pumps. In some examples, a cassette comprises a cassette body and a flexible sheet joined to the cassette body, wherein a transition region of the flexible sheet comprises at least one ridge that has a maximum height at a position that is offset from a center line of a cassette body transition channel. In some examples, a cassette body transition channel comprises side walls that taper toward an active region of the fluid path and/or toward a bottom of the transition channel. An example method of operating a peristaltic pump comprises operating rollers at a higher speed during portions of a revolution that otherwise would result in a lower than average flow rate and at a lower speed during portions of the revolution that otherwise would result in a higher than average flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Brian William McDonell
  • Patent number: 11871993
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide dry eye and/or tear film hydration monitoring in the context of ocular aberrometry. An ocular aberrometry system includes a wavefront sensor configured to provide wavefront sensor data associated with an optical target monitored by the ocular aberrometry system and a logic device configured to communicate with the wavefront sensor. The logic device is configured to receive ocular aberrometry output data including at least the wavefront sensor data provided by the wavefront sensor, determine a tear film hydration state associated with the optical target based, at least in part, on the received ocular aberrometry output data, and generate user feedback corresponding to the determined tear film hydration state based, at least in part, on the received aberrometry output data and/or the determined tear film hydration state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Max Hall, Thomas Padrick, Edwin Jay Sarver
  • Patent number: 11872091
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described which guide a surgeon in performing a reconstructive or cosmetic procedure. The apparatus and methods utilize three-dimensional presentations of the target surgical site incorporating one or more virtual surgical guides which help attain proper alignment and orientation of the post-surgical outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Weissman, Ashok Burton Tripathi
  • Patent number: 11872121
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye, are provided. An apparatus comprises an IOL cartridge comprising a nozzle, a compartment, and a plunger case. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment, and the plunger case is in fluid communication with the compartment. The plunger is disposed within the plunger case. The plunger case is configured to removably attach to a handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Yinghui Wu
  • Publication number: 20240008974
    Abstract: Intraocular lens loading devices and methods of use. In some embodiment the devices are used to sequentially splay first and second haptics while loading the intraocular lens into a delivery lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Vinton MATTHEWS
  • Patent number: 11864992
    Abstract: A Bernoulli gripper for ophthalmic lenses includes a gripper body with a first cavity corresponding in shape to an optic zone of an ophthalmic lens and a first channel formed within the gripper body. The first channel penetrates the first cavity at one end and includes a first port in the gripper body at another end of the first channel. The first channel is enabled to supply a fluid medium from the first port to the first cavity at a first velocity such that the ophthalmic lens positioned with the optic zone in proximity to the first cavity is subject to a first pressure force against the first cavity by the Bernoulli effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Dominik Huehn, Jochen Koehler
  • Patent number: 11867874
    Abstract: The invention is generally related to an insert for being embedded in a silicone hydrogel contact lens. The insert is made of a crosslinked materials which are rigid in dry state at room temperature (from about 22° C. to about 26° C.), have a high oxygen permeability and a high refractive index in fully hydrated state, and can become softer at a temperature great than 32° C. Such materials are useful for making inserts in embedded contact lenses for correcting corneal astigmatism, presbyopia, and color blindness lenses and for imparting photochromic characteristics to the lenses. The invention is also related to a method for making embedded silicone hydrogel contact lenses comprising an insert of the invention therein and to embedded silicone hydrogel contact lenses comprising an insert of the invention therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Cheng, Wei Liang, Steve Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11865245
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for improved irrigation sleeves for ophthalmic instruments to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the irrigation sleeve twisting and/or buckling upon inserting the irrigation sleeve into the eye. In some embodiments, an irrigation sleeve comprises a side opening for irrigation having an elongated shape, wherein the elongated shape is longer in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal tube of the irrigation sleeve than in a direction around a circumference of the distal tube of the irrigation sleeve. In some embodiments, an irrigation sleeve comprises at least one rib on an internal surface of the distal end of the irrigation sleeve. In some embodiments, the irrigation sleeve has been subjected to one or more manufacturing steps adapted to stiffen the irrigation sleeve, such as being coated with a stiffening coating or being treated by being exposed to gamma irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: James Y. Chon, Andrea Kim
  • Patent number: 11863882
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging platform includes a stereoscopic camera configured to record left and right images of a target site. A robotic arm is operatively connected to the stereoscopic camera, the robotic arm being adapted to selectively move the stereoscopic camera relative to the target. The stereoscopic camera includes a lens assembly having at least one lens and defining a working distance. The lens assembly has at least one focus motor adapted to move the at least one lens to selectively vary the working distance. A controller is adapted to selectively execute one or more automatic focusing modes for the stereoscopic camera. The controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. The automatic focusing modes include a target locking mode. The target locking mode is adapted to maintain a focus of the at least one stereoscopic image while the robotic arm is moving the stereoscopic camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Terry, David Roe