Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Intra-surgical optical coherence tomographic imaging of cataract procedures
    Patent number: 9456926
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic (SD-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SD-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ALCON LENSX, INC.
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Guy Holland, Adam Juhasz, Ronald M. Kurtz, Kostadin Vardin
  • Image processor for intra-surgical optical coherence tomographic imaging of laser cataract procedures
    Patent number: 9456927
    Abstract: A cataract surgical system includes a laser source to generate a first set of laser pulses; a guiding optic to guide the first set of laser pulses to a cataract target region in an eye; a laser controller to generate an electronic representation of a target scan pattern, and to control the guiding optic to scan the first set of laser pulses according to a portion of the target scan pattern to create a first photo-disrupted region in the cataract target region; and a Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomographic (SS-OCT) imaging system to generate an image of a portion of the first photo-disrupted region. The laser controller can generate an electronic representation of a modified scan pattern in relation to the image generated by the SS-OCT imaging system, and control the guiding optic to scan a second set of laser pulses according the modified scan pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ALCON LENSX, INC.
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Guy Holland, Adam Juhasz, Ronald M. Kurtz, Kostadin Vardin
  • Photodisruptive laser treatment of the crystalline lens
    Patent number: 9456925
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of treating a hard lens region of an eye with a laser where one method includes identifying a boundary of the hard lens region, selecting a laser-parameter to enable a photodisruptive procedure in the hard lens region and to control a spreading of bubbles in the hard lens region, modifying a mechanical property of a posterior portion of the hard lens region in a proximity of the identified boundary by the photodisruptive procedure, and modifying a mechanical property of a portion anterior to the modified posterior portion of the hard lens region by the photodisruptive procedure. The laser bubbles can be applied to form incisions which are non transverse to an axis of the eye and intersect the lens fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: ALCON LENSX, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Peter Goldstein
  • Injectable aqueous ophthalmic composition and method of use therefor
    Patent number: 9446093
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of an ophthalmic composition suitable for intravitreal injection. The composition includes an amount of complexing agent that reacts with one or more endogenous components (e.g., hyaluronic acid) in the eye to form a mass of enhanced viscosity. This mass can aid in creating a desirable release profile of therapeutic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masood A. Chowhan, Thomas C. Hohman, Ernesto J. Castillo, Wesley Wehsin Han
  • Phacoemulsification hand piece with integrated aspiration and irrigation pump
    Patent number: 9445943
    Abstract: A method of irrigating a surgical site and aspirating fluid from the surgical site. The method includes directing a fluid through an aspiration conduit in a phacoemulsification hand piece using a vacuum pressure created from a pump in the hand piece interfacing with the aspiration conduit and directing an irrigation fluid through an irrigation conduit in the hand piece using a pressure created from the pump interfacing with the irrigation conduit. The method also includes increasing an irrigation fluid flow through the irrigation conduit by activating the pump in the hand piece, detecting a pressure associated with a surgical site using a sensor, and controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) by adjusting the pump speed based on the detected pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Wilson, Partha Chandrakant
  • Combined coaxial and bimanual irrigation/aspiration apparatus
    Patent number: 9433725
    Abstract: A hand piece having an irrigation portion and an aspiration portion that are releasably coupled is disclosed. In an assembled configuration, the irrigation portion and the aspiration portion are coupled such that the hand piece may be manipulable by a user as a single unit. In a separated configuration, the irrigation portion and the aspiration portion may be utilized separate from each other. The irrigation portion and the aspiration portion may be freely moved between the assembled configuration and the separated configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Philipp Schaller, Reto Grueebler, Stephen Lane
  • Photodisruptive laser fragmentation of tissue
    Patent number: 9427356
    Abstract: A method of photodisruptive laser surgery includes selecting a target region of a tissue for fragmentation, directing a beam of laser pulses to the selected target region of the tissue, and forming cells in the target region of the tissue by directing the laser beam to generate cell boundaries. The cells can be arranged in regular or irregular arrays. The cells can be generated in parallel or successively, with cell sizes and laser parameters which reduce the time of ophthalmic surgery considerably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ALCON LENSX, INC.
    Inventor: Ferenc Raksi
  • INFUSION PRESSURE CONTROL USING BLOOD PRESSURE
    Publication number: 20160243304
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for controlling infusion pressure, such as during a medical procedure, using systemic blood pressure are described. Systemic blood pressure, such as brachial arm blood pressure or radial artery blood pressure, may be used to estimate central retinal artery blood pressure to estimate critical closing pressure. Further, the disclosure relates to controlling infusion pressure to prevent an increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure when such is not desired, and, when such is desired, using systemic blood pressure and infusion pressure to control an intentional increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure to stop intraocular bleeding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Stable and soluble antibodies inhibiting TNF alpha
    Patent number: 9422366
    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: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Esbatech, An Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, Tea Gunde, David Urech
  • Aqueous pharmaceutical compositions containing borate-polyol complexes
    Patent number: 9421265
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of multi-dose, ophthalmic compositions. The compositions possess sufficient antimicrobial activity to satisfy USP preservative efficacy requirements, as well as similar preservative standards (e.g., EP and JP). The compositions include at two different polyols in conjunction with borate and a low concentration of benzalkonium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, LTD.
    Inventor: Bhagwati P. Kabra
  • Automated intraocular lens injector device
    Patent number: 9421092
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injector cartridge assembly contains a pre-loaded lens and an integral lens-contacting plunger rod. Configured for removably mating with an injector handpiece, the cartridge assembly is suitable for use with either manual or automated injector systems. The injector cartridge assembly includes a tubular body having a longitudinal bore extending between a distal end and a proximal end, an IOL disposed within said longitudinal bore, and a lens-contacting plunger rod retained within said bore, between the IOL and the proximal end of the tubular body. The lens-contacting plunger rod is configured for translation along the longitudinal bore upon engagement by an injector rod introduced by the injector handpiece into the proximal end of the tubular body, so that the IOL is folded and ejected from the distal end of the tubular body by the translation of the lens-contacting plunger rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyle Brown, David A. Downer, Sushant Muchhala, Stephen J. Van Noy, Dengzhua (Dan) Yan, Marshall K. Proulx
  • Infusion pressure control using blood pressure
    Patent number: 9415162
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for controlling infusion pressure, such as during a medical procedure, using systemic blood pressure are described. Systemic blood pressure, such as brachial arm blood pressure or radial artery blood pressure, may be used to estimate central retinal artery blood pressure to estimate critical closing pressure. Further, the disclosure relates to controlling infusion pressure to prevent an increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure when such is not desired, and, when such is desired, using systemic blood pressure and infusion pressure to control an intentional increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure to stop intraocular bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Acceptor framework for CDR grafting
    Patent number: 9409979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a particularly well suited antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ESTABECH, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventor: Dominik Escher
  • Precise targeting of surgical photodisruption
    Patent number: 9408749
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems for laser surgery including imaging-guided surgery techniques, apparatus and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Kurtz, Ferenc Raksi, Michael Karavitis
  • Method of treating middle ear infections
    Patent number: 9402805
    Abstract: Aqueous suspension formulations containing dexamethasone and ciprofloxacin are disclosed for the treatment of middle ear infections in human patients having an open tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
    Inventors: G. Michael Wall, Peter J. Conroy
  • Acceptor framework for CDR grafting
    Patent number: 9403903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a particularly well suited antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ESBATECH, AN ALCON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT LLC
    Inventor: Dominik Escher
  • Multi-spot laser surgical probe using faceted optical elements
    Patent number: 9387040
    Abstract: An optical surgical probe includes a handpiece having a metal cannula at a distal end, a light guide within the metal cannula that carries a light beam from a light source through the metal cannula, and a multi-spot generator formed within a distal opening of the metal cannula that seals the distal opening of the metal cannula. The multi-spot generator includes a proximally-facing faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide that includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam and a ball lens located distal to the faceted end surface. A high-conductivity ferrule surrounds the distal end of the light guide, is in thermal contact with the metal cannula, and includes a side-shield portion extending beyond the distal end of the light guide. The ferrule shields the cannula from a portion of the light beam reflected by the faceted end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Michael Arthur Zica, Dustin Jacob Bouch
  • Vitrectomy probe with adjustable cutter port size
    Patent number: 9381114
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
  • Functionalized polypeptides
    Patent number: 9371525
    Abstract: The invention provides functionalized polypeptides, especially therapeutic polypeptides (e.g., scFv), comprising a linker sequence that can be rapidly and specifically functionalized by the addition of one or functional moieties (e.g., PEG) or binding specificities (e.g., an amino acid sequence with a particular binding specificity). Such functionalized polypeptides are advantageous in that they have improved pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., improved in vivo half-life, tissue penetration and tissue residency time) over non-functionalized polypeptides. Methods for the rapid and reproducible generation of functionalized polypeptides are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Esbatech, an Alcon Biomedical Reseach Unit LLC
    Inventor: David Urech
  • Attenuated RF power for automated capsulorhexis
    Patent number: 9351872
    Abstract: A capsulorhexis apparatus includes a capsulorhexis probe configured for insertion into an eye through an incision and a pulse generator configured to deliver at least one radio-frequency (RF) pulse to the capsulorhexis probe. The delivered RF pulse has a pre-determined attenuation profile such that the power level of the delivered RF pulse is substantially attenuated over the RF pulse's duration. In some embodiments, the pulse generator is configured to deliver a series of two or more RF pulses to the eye, such that the energy of each of the second and subsequent pulses of the series is substantially attenuated relative to the energy of the immediately preceding pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Guangyao Jia, Ahmad Salehi, Glenn Robert Sussman, Ann Yadlowsky