Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Selectively moveable valve elements for aspiration and irrigation circuits
    Patent number: 10314741
    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: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary P. Sorensen, Michael D. Morgan
  • Balanced phacoemulsification tip
    Patent number: 10258505
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a phacoemulsification tip may include a shaft and a cutting edge portion having at least a first and second bend. The geometry of the tip may be configured to result in a lateral displacement (ux), perpendicular to the shaft during torsional vibration of the tip at frequencies between 10 kHz and 60 kHz, of less than approximately 5% to 25% (e.g., 15%) of the lateral displacement at the distal end point of the tip throughout a portion of the shaft extending from the end of a conical portion of the tip through to the first bend in the cutting edge portion of the tip. Software and/or physical modeling may be used to determine the tip geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikhail A. Ovchinnikov
  • Grin fiber multi-spot laser probe
    Patent number: 10245181
    Abstract: A surgical probe includes a cannula assembly, having a graded index (GRIN) fiber that is configured to receive a multi-spot light beam at a proximal end and to emit the multi-spot light beam at a distal end; an adapter, having a distal end, configured to receive the cannula assembly, with the proximal end of the GRIN fiber, a proximal end, configured to couple to a light guide via a connector and to receive a light delivered by the light guide from a laser source to the adapter, and an interface, configured to couple the light delivered by the light guide to the proximal end of the GRIN fiber; wherein a length of the GRIN fiber is sufficiently long that the interface is outside a patient's eye during a photocoagulation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Ronald T. Smith
  • Display for ophthalmic surgical console with user-selectable sectors
    Patent number: 10238538
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system includes a display device and a user interface. The display device generates a display on an image of a patient's eye comprising a plurality of non-overlapping display sectors. Each display sector displays one of a plurality of user-selectable surgical parameters. A user interface receives a user selection of one or more of the user-selectable surgical parameters to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Alexander N. Artsyukhovich, Raphael Gordon, Tiffany M. Sutliff, Craig G. Wooldridge
  • Solubility optimization of immunobinders
    Patent number: 10221237
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to improve the solubility of immunobinders, and in particular of single chain antibodies (scFvs). The invention provides methods of engineering immunobinders, and in particular scFvs, by performing one or more substitutions with hydrophilic residues identified by analysis of a database of selected, stable scFv sequences. The invention also provides immunobinders with optimized solubility prepared according to the engineering methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Eye position registering and tracking
    Patent number: 10213104
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention refer to a system for registering and tracking the position of a person's eye, in particular for refractive ophthalmic surgery. According to embodiments, the system is structured such that eye images containing at least the iris and the pupil of the eye are made at a first wavelength of light and that eye images containing scleral blood vessels are made at a different second wavelength of light. The invention furthermore refers to a corresponding method for registering and tracking the position of a person's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Horia Grecu, Ralf Weise
  • Intraocular lens inserter
    Patent number: 10188506
    Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include an energy storage portion, an actuator portion, and a lens support portion. The energy storage portion can include a compressible energy storage device, such as a compressible fluid, springs, and other devices. The inserter can include an actuator portion operating with a substantially incompressible fluid, such as liquids or other noncompressible fluids. The actuator can be configured to provide an operator with control over the release of energy from the energy storage portion so as to move a plunger for the discharge of a lens from an intraocular lens cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack R. Auld
  • Intraocular lens inserter with temperature compensation
    Patent number: 10182906
    Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include an energy storage portion, an actuator portion that provides temperature compensation, and a lens support portion. The energy storage portion can include a compressible energy storage device, such as a compressible fluid, springs, and other devices. The inserter can include an actuator portion operating with a substantially incompressible fluid. The actuator can be configured to provide an operator with control over the release of pressurized fluid so as to move a plunger for the discharge of a lens from an intraocular lens cartridge, discharge of the lens being limited based at least in part on pressure feedback from the pressurized fluid due temperature increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, John C. Huculak, Matthew McCawley, Matthew Flowers
  • Immunoglobulin frameworks which demonstrate enhanced stability in the intracellular environment and methods of identifying same
    Patent number: 10125186
    Abstract: Compositions are provided, which can be used as frameworks for the creation of very stable and soluble single-chain Fv antibody fragments. These frameworks have been selected for intracellular performance and are thus ideally suited for the creation of scFv antibody fragments or scFv antibody libraries for applications where stability and solubility are limiting factors for the performance of antibody fragments, such as in the reducing environment of a cell. Such frameworks can also be used to identify highly conserved residues and consensus sequences which demonstrate enhanced solubility and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Kathrin Tissot, Stefan Ewert, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Alcide Barberis, Dominik Escher
  • Cassette clamp mechanism
    Patent number: 10111990
    Abstract: A surgical cassette clamping system includes a mounting plate having a first side and a second side. A bracket system may be disposed adjacent the first side of the mounting plate. A clamp motor may be disposed adjacent the mounting plate and fixed relative to the mounting plate. The clamp motor may be operably connected to the bracket system to displace the bracket system relative to the mounting plate. The system may also include a plurality of pivot arms pivotably connected to the bracket system and extending adjacent the second side of the mounting plate. An engagement portion may be attached to each of the plurality of pivot arms that cooperatively engages the second side of the mounting plate, the engagement portion being operable to pivot the pivot arms when the bracket system moves relative to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Baxter, Daniel J. Wilson
  • Stable and soluble antibodies inhibiting TNF alpha
    Patent number: 10100111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF, and low immunogenicity. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF-mediated disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of said antibodies in medicine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, Tea Gunde, David Urech
  • Protein sustained-release injectable formulation
    Patent number: 10093726
    Abstract: The present invention provides sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations for administering proteins to the eye. In particular, the invention provides formulations comprising single chain antibodies and hydrophobic polyester hexylsubstituted poly(lactic acid) (hexPLA). The invention further provides processes for the production of sustained-release pharmaceutical formulations and medical uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Lutz Asmus, Michael Möller, Robert Gurny, John P. A. Grimshaw
  • Humanization of rabbit antibodies using a universal antibody framework
    Patent number: 10087244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an universal antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a universal antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Jose Borras, David Urech
  • Articulating ophthalmic surgical probe
    Patent number: 10085883
    Abstract: An articulating optical surgical probe includes a handle sized to fit in a single hand and a single rigid cannula extending from the handle having a diameter of 20 Ga or less. The probe further includes a slotted tip at a distal end of the cannula and at least one optical fiber extending through the handle, the single rigid cannula and the slotted tip, and a pull-wire secured to the slotted tip. When the pull-wire exerts tension on the slotted tip, the slotted tip will deviate from straight to a bend angle controlled by the tension in the pull-wire. The slotted tip is formed from a resilient material that will restore to the straight position when the tension exerted by the pull-wire is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Robert Auld, Christopher McCollam, Xiaoyu Yu
  • Optimized pneumatic drive lines
    Patent number: 10070990
    Abstract: In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system. The system includes a pneumatic surgical instrument and a surgical console operable to provide compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. Additionally, the system includes a pneumatic drive line coupling the pneumatic surgical instrument to the surgical console. The pneumatic drive line has an internal bore configured to deliver the compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. The internal bore has a non-uniform cross-section along a length of the pneumatic drive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian W. McDonell, Filip Finodeyev
  • Pressure control in phacoemulsification system
    Patent number: 10052228
    Abstract: A surgical system comprises a pressurized irrigation fluid source; an aspiration pressure sensor associated with an aspiration line; and a controller for controlling the pressurized irrigation fluid source. The controller controls the pressurized irrigation fluid source based on a reading from the aspiration pressure sensor and an estimated flow value modified by a compensation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Raphael Gordon, Michael D. Morgan, Gary P. Sorensen
  • Fine membrane forceps with integral scraping feature
    Patent number: 10039565
    Abstract: Membrane forceps for performing an ILM or ERM peel procedure include a handle, a tube extending from the handle, and forceps jaws extending from the tube. The forceps jaws may be configured to grasp an ILM or ERM, and may include an outer surface having a roughened surface. The roughened surface may be structurally configured to aid in gaining an edge of the ILM or ERM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Guido Vezzu
  • Intraocular lens inserter
    Patent number: 10010408
    Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include a drive device with controllable advance motion. The drive device may include an actuator device and an energy device. The actuator device may include a piston rod that uses the advance motion to push an intraocular lens from a cartridge for insertion into an eye of an animal. The energy device may act upon the actuator device to generate the advance motion. The actuator device may include a dampening medium to control the advance motion, such as by controllably dampening the advance motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, John C. Huculak, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Matthew Braden Flowers
  • Ophthalmic emulsion
    Patent number: 10004685
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic emulsion. The emulsion has a unique combination of ingredients that promotes the stability of small oil droplets within the emulsion. The emulsion also includes a mucoadhesive polymer that aid in delivering a lipid to the ocular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard Allen Ketelson, David L. Meadows
  • Compositions and methods for treating ophthalmic, octic, or nasal infections
    Patent number: 9993483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating an ophthalmic, otic, or nasal infection comprising treating the infected tissue with a composition comprising finafloxacin or a finafloxacin derivative. The present invention also relates to antimicrobial compositions comprising finafloxacin or a finafloxacin derivative. The compositions are suitable for the treatment of ophthalmic, otic, or nasal infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Stroman, Masood A. Chowhan, Kenneth C. Appell