Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • Publication number: 20230414410
    Abstract: Methods and devices are adapted for implanting into the eye. An incision is formed in the cornea of the eye and a shunt is inserted through the incision into the anterior chamber of the eye. The shunt includes a fluid passageway. The shunt is passed along a pathway from the anterior chamber through the scleral spur of the eye into the suprachoroidal space and positioned in a first position such that a first portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the anterior chamber and a second portion of the fluid passageway communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid passageway between the suprachoroidal space and the anterior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene DE JUAN, JR., Stephen BOYD, Mark E. DEEM, Hanson S. GIFFORD, III, Dan ROSENMAN
  • Publication number: 20230421737
    Abstract: A method for enhancing digital images during a microsurgery, e.g., an eye surgery, includes collecting digital images of target anatomy using a digital camera as the target anatomy is illuminated by warm white light. The method includes identifying, via a processor in communication with the digital camera, a predetermined stage of the microsurgery. Within the images, the processor digitally isolates a first pixel region, e.g., a pupil pixel region, from a second pixel region, e.g., an iris pixel region, and adjusts a characteristic of constituent pixels thereof. The method, possibly recorded as instructions in a computer-readable medium, may be used to enhance a red reflex at predetermined stages of an eye surgery. A system includes a lighting source for emitting warm white light having a color temperature of less than about 4000° K, the camera, and the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Gillian Myers, Alan Fridman, Maximiliano Ramirez Luna
  • Patent number: 11851291
    Abstract: A method for transporting a blister strip of ophthalmic lenses: only one single blister strip is provided at a start location and one magazine compartment of two magazine compartments contains n blister strips while the other magazine compartment contains n+1 blister strips, the single buster strip is picked up at the start location by one of the gripper units of a first gripper and is transported into that magazine compartment containing the n blister strips, by moving the first gripper to that magazine compartment containing the n blister strips and releasing the single blister strip from the first gripper into that magazine compartment, or by moving the first gripper to a hand-over station and releasing the single blister strip from the first gripper into the hand-over station, transporting the single blister strip from the hand-over station into that magazine compartment containing the n blister strips using a second gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Brinckmann, Nils Schweizer, Jens Wolfstädter
  • Patent number: 11852902
    Abstract: A cleaner for cleaning grippers for the transport of ophthalmic lenses comprises: an exhaust air box comprising at least one inlet opening for allowing ambient air as well as lenses, lens parts, debris and fluid adhered to the grippers to be sucked into an interior of the exhaust air box, an outlet opening in fluid communication with the interior of the exhaust air box and a cleaner head arranged on the exhaust air box and comprising a plurality of receiver sleeves for receiving the grippers to be cleaned, a plurality of shutters, wherein each individual shutter of the plurality of shutters is arranged to open or close the fluid communication of at least one receiver sleeve (5) of the plurality of receiver sleeves (5) and the interior of the exhaust air box (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Brinckmann, Nils Schweizer, Roger Biel
  • Patent number: 11844725
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with a light emitting, visibly discrete traceable probe cap. The light emitting, visibly discrete character of the probe cap may aid a surgeon in tracing the end of a needle of the vitrectomy during a vitrectomy procedure. The probe cap may be of a biocompatible polymer accommodating phosphorescent pigment or of another suitable light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: James Y. Chon, Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood, Ravi Durvasula
  • Patent number: 11849101
    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 disparity mode and/or a sharpness control mode which are adapted to at least partially rely on disparity feedback to change the working distance in order to achieve focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Terry, Devin Reed
  • Patent number: 11844726
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a thermally robust laser probe assembly comprising a cannula, wherein one or more optical fibers extend at least partially through the cannula for transmitting laser light from a laser source to a target location. The probe assembly further comprises a lens housed in the cannula and a protective component press-fitted to the distal end of the cannula, wherein the lens is positioned between the one or more optical fibers and the protective component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Cook, Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230398021
    Abstract: An ocular implant adapted to be disposed within Schlemm's canal of a human eye with a body extending along a curved longitudinal central axis in a curvature plane, a first strut on one side of the implant and a second strut on an opposite side of the implant, the circumferential extent of the first strut with respect to the plane of curvature being greater than the circumferential extent of the second strut with respect to the plane of curvature. The invention also includes methods of using the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. SCHIEBER, Iqbal K. AHMED
  • Patent number: 11840033
    Abstract: The invention provides a method producing contact lenses, comprising the step of: separating the mold into the male and female mold halves, with the silicone hydrogel contact lens adhered on one of the male and female mold halves; cooling the lens-adhere mold half with the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens adhered thereon; bringing a shaped ultrasonic horn in direct contact with at least one area of a non-optical surface of the female mold half or the male mold half having the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens attached thereon; and applying a ultrasonic vibrational energy to the at least one area of the non-optical surface of the female mold half or the male mold half having the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens attached thereon so as to separate the molded silicone hydrogel contact lens from the mold half attached thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Lindsay Olson, Mark Neely, David Saenz Landazabal, Uwe Haken
  • Patent number: 11840035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system capable of control the temperature, viscosity and colorant concentration of an ink in an ink cup. Such controls are achieved by continuously adding and mixing a cold ink having a composition identical to the ink in the ink cup but having a lower temperature. The continuous addition of a small amount of a cold ink into the ink cup could compensate heat generated by the friction between the ink cup and a cliché and could minimize the evaporation of a diluent in the ink and change in the concentration of colorants in the ink and ink viscosity. The invention also relates to use of a pad printing instrument comprising an ink supply system of the invention for producing colored hydrogel or silicone hydrogel contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Charles Breitkopf, Changhong Yin, Steve Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11839571
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Eugene De Juan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11833771
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for producing a contact lens comprising a central photochromic zone that has a diameter of about 13 mm or less and is concentric with the central axis of the contact lens. The method comprises: applying, in the center of the molding surface of a male mold half, a drop (having a volume of about 5 ?L or less) of a first polymerizable fluid composition containing at least one photochromic compound and a relatively-high molecular weight polysiloxane vinylic crosslinker for increasing the viscosity and adhesion on the molding surface of the male mold half; dosing a second polymerizable fluid composition in a female mold hald; closing the female mold hald with the male mold half with the drop thereon to form a molding assembly; and curing the second polymerizable fluid composition and the drop of the first polymerizable fluid composition in the molding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Chang, Junhao Ge, Steve Yun Zhang, Michelle Plavnik, Yang Zheng, Jing Cheng, Augustine Twum Kumi
  • Patent number: 11833770
    Abstract: The invention is generally related to a method for producing, in a relatively efficient and consistent manner, embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lenses, and also to unprocessed embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lenses, according to conventional cast-molding technologies. A method of the invention involve use of a polymeric non-reactive diluent in preparing a polymerizable composition for forming the silicone hydrogel material of the unprocessed embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lens, which is cast-molded with a lens mold. The unprocessed cast-molded embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lens has no or a minimal water-swelling degree, so that lens distortion or delamination during the hydration of the unprocessed embedded or hybrid silicone hydrogel contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Zheng, Junhao Ge, Steve Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11833032
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for removably attaching a drive mechanism handpiece to an intraocular lens (IOL) cartridge that folds the IOL upon retraction of a cap, are provided. The IOL cartridge comprises a nozzle and a compartment configured to receive an IOL. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the compartment. The IOL cartridge also includes a retractable cap that covers the nozzle and the compartment. The retractable cap is configured to expose the nozzle and fold the IOL upon retraction of the retractable cap. The IOL cartridge may also include a plunger case that is in fluid communication with the compartment, wherein a plunger is movably disposed within the plunger case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Sudarshan B. Singh, Todd Taber, Yinghui Wu, Douglas Brent Wensrich, Sam Jang, Chris Pinkham
  • Patent number: 11832901
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for integrating and optimizing a surgical suite. An ophthalmic suite can include a surgical console, a heads-up display communicatively coupled with a surgical camera for capturing a three-dimensional image of an eye, and a surgical suite optimization engine. The surgical suite optimization engine can performs a wide variety of actions in response to action codes received from the other components in the surgical suite. The surgical suite optimization engine can be integrated within another component of the surgical suite, can be a stand-alone module, and can be a cloud-based tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Hallen
  • Publication number: 20230380961
    Abstract: Delivery devices for delivering an ophthalmic device into an eye. In some embodiments the delivery devices are adapted to deliver an intraocular lens into an eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Terah Whiting SMILEY, John A. SCHOLL, David John SMITH, Russell J. REDMOND, Derek L. MORAN, Barry CHESKIN, John REGGIE, Gregory Vinton MATTHEWS, Claudio ARGENTO
  • Patent number: 11826101
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a scene camera system including a scene camera that includes a lens and may detect light reflected off an exterior of an eye into the lens and send a signal corresponding to the detected light to a processor. The system further includes a main camera that may detect light reflected off an interior structure of the eye and send a signal corresponding to the detected light to the processor. The system also includes an image processing system including the processor that executes instructions to produce a scene camera digital image of the eye and a main camera digital image of the eye. The system further includes a multiple picture-in-picture display that displays the scene camera digital image of the eye and the main camera digital image of the eye concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 11820170
    Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a retractable guard assembly coupled to a caster of a mobile equipment, comprising a housing and one or more guards at least partially disposed in the housing. The one or more guards are independently movably coupled to the housing. The retractable guard assembly further comprises corresponding one or more biasing elements coupled to the one or more guards and to the housing for biasing the one or more guards towards a fully deployed state. When the one or more guards are in the fully deployed state, contact between a fixed object and a portion of the one or more guards disposed outside the housing causes the one or more guards to transition into a retracted state, and when the contact is removed, the corresponding one or more biasing elements cause the one or more guards to transition into the fully deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon L. Spoelstra
  • Patent number: 11819274
    Abstract: A retina viewing system and method of using the same includes an ophthalmic microscope, a disposable lens attachment, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The microscope has an optical head and a set of internal focusing lenses, the latter providing the microscope with a variable working distance or focal length. The disposable lens attachment includes a resilient body with a proximal end connected to the optical head and a distal end connected to a high-power/high-diopter distal lens. The ECU executes instructions for viewing a retina or other intraocular anatomy of a patient eye. Execution of the instructions causes the ECU to automatically adjust the variable working distance or focal length of the microscope when viewing an image of the retina through the distal lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Ashok Burton Tripathi
  • Patent number: 11816929
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system that may receive an identification of a first patient; may retrieve, based at least on the identification of the first patient, first eye identification information that includes a first plurality of iris structures associated with a first eye of the first patient; may determine a second plurality of iris structures of an eye of a current patient; may determine if the second plurality of iris structures match the first plurality of iris structures; if the second plurality of iris structures match the first plurality of iris structures, may provide an indication that the first eye has been correctly identified; and if the second plurality of iris structures do match the first plurality of iris structures, may provide an indication that the first eye has not been correctly identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wittnebel, Oliver Kern