Patents Assigned to Alcon
  • COMPOUNDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF POSTERIOR SEGMENT DISORDERS AND DISEASES
    Publication number: 20120004245
    Abstract: The use of certain urea compounds, for the treatment of retinal disorders associated with pathologic ocular angiogenesis and/or neovascularization is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Jesse A. MAY, David P. BINGAMAN, Carmelo ROMANO
  • Implantable Remote Monitoring Sensor
    Publication number: 20120004528
    Abstract: An exemplary implantable sensor includes a housing that generally conforms to a curvature of an anterior chamber of a patient's eye. A sensing device disposed in the housing is configured to detect physiological parameters and transmit a signal representing the physiological parameters. The exemplary sensor may be used to detect physiological parameters such as intraocular pressure, flow velocity of aqueous humor, blood sugar, and blood biochemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Bing Li, Marsha A. McLaughlin, Yin Yang
  • Curved Infusion Sleeve
    Publication number: 20110319810
    Abstract: An infusion sleeve, infusion sleeve assembly, and method of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary infusion sleeve assembly may include a tubular body and a tip inserted into the body. The tubular body may include an insertion end and an attachment end. The insertion end may define a tip aperture and a first fluid aperture adjacent the tip aperture, while the attachment end may be configured to be secured to a surgical tool for fluid exchange therewith. The tubular body includes a curved portion between the insertion end and attachment end such that a first axis of the insertion end is angled relative to a second axis of the attachment end. Further, the tubular body may define a substantially smooth surface throughout the curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventor: Ziad R. Ghannoum
  • Phacoemulsification Fluidics System Having a Single Pump Head
    Publication number: 20110313343
    Abstract: A phacoemulsification fluidics system for irrigating and aspirating a surgical site includes a sterile solution reservoir, an irrigation path configured to extend from the sterile solution reservoir to the surgical site, and an aspiration path configured to extend from the surgical site. The system also includes a single flow control pump head associated with both the irrigation path and the aspiration path. The flow control pump head is arranged within the system to simultaneously pressurize the irrigation path in a manner that drives the irrigation fluid to the surgical site and pressurize the aspiration path in a manner that vacuums waste fluid from the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Ivan Milutinovic, Gary P. Sorensen, Raphael Gordon, Dan Teodorescu
  • USE OF PBO-PEO-PBO BLOCK COPOLYMERS IN OPHTHALMIC COMPOSITIONS
    Publication number: 20110300019
    Abstract: The use of poly(oxybutylene)-poly(oxyethylene)-poly(oxybutylene) block copolymers in pharmaceutical compositions useful, for modifying the surfaces of contact lenses and other medical devices is disclosed. The present invention is based in-part on a discovery that this class of compounds is particularly efficient in wetting hydrophobic surfaces, such as the surfaces of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and other types of ophthalmic lenses, but do not induce foaming when used in conjunction with a peroxide-based contact lens disinfection regimen. Such compounds may also be useful for cleaning purposes. The use of the compounds as surfactants in peroxide-based compositions for disinfecting contact lenses therefore represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd
    Inventors: James W. Davis, Howard Allen Ketelson
  • Inductive Task Light For Surgical Console
    Publication number: 20110301425
    Abstract: A task light system for a surgical console includes a task light that can be held to a coupling location on a surgical console. The task light has an inductive coupling, a light source, and a goose neck connecting the light source to the inductive coupling. The coupling location is located on a face of the surgical console. The coupling location is configured to magnetically attract and hold the inductive coupling. The face of the surgical console where the coupling location is located is a continuous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Christopher C. Jung, John Koontz, David A. Thoe, Asheesh Sah
  • Thermal management algorithm for phacoemulsification system
    Patent number: 8070711
    Abstract: A control system for managing power supplied to a phacoemulsification hand piece includes a power source that provides power to the hand piece and a controller that controls the power source. The controller calculates a thermal value based on irrigation fluid flow and a power level and decreases the power level in proportion to the calculated thermal value when the calculated thermal value exceeds a threshold thermal value. Irrigation fluid flow can be calculated from irrigation fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Bassinger, Mikhail Boukhny, Michael D. Morgan, Ahmad Salehi, Dan Teodorescu
  • Infusion Pressure Monitoring System
    Publication number: 20110295191
    Abstract: An infusion pressure monitoring system for a phacoemulsification or vitrectomy machine to be operated by a health care provider includes an irrigation path configured to carry an irrigation solution to a surgical site and a fluid sensor configured to detect a fluid parameter in the irrigation path. An input device receives a variable fluid flow command from the health care provider commanding an irrigation fluid flow through the irrigation path at a flow rate corresponding to the command. A controller communicates with both the fluid sensor and the input device. The controller determines an expected fluid pressure value and a dynamically variable threshold pressure value based upon the variable fluid flow command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventor: Valentine P. Injev
  • Stable and soluble antibodies inhibiting TNF?
    Patent number: 8067547
    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?-related 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: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Ewert, Alcide Barberis, David M. Urech, Adrian Auf Der Maur, Peter Lichtlen
  • SURGICAL COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SIGMA-RECEPTOR AGONISTS
    Publication number: 20110288101
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to aqueous surgical compositions comprising a sigma-1 receptor agonist. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods of irrigating ocular tissues during an ophthalmic surgical procedure such as cataract surgery. Such methods comprise bathing the ocular tissues with a composition comprising a sigma-1 receptor agonist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Lixin Wang, Marcia Danielle Ong, Chi-Chun Tsai, Michael Hartzer
  • RNAi-Mediated Inhibition of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase-Related Inflammatory Conditions
    Publication number: 20110288157
    Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having a Syk-related inflammatory condition or at risk of developing a Syk-related inflammatory condition such as allergic conjunctivitis, ocular inflammation, dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, allergy, or mast-cell disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: John M. Yanni, Jon E. Chatterton, Daniel A. Gamache, Steven T. Miller
  • Trocar cannula device with retention feature
    Patent number: 8062260
    Abstract: A trocar cannula is disclosed. The trocar cannula comprises a cannula having at least one tab member formed therein. Each tab member is configured to provide a retention force between the cannula and tissue when the tab member is placed in a deformed position. The tab member is selectively moveable between a relaxed position, in which the cannula may be moved with respect to the tissue, and the deformed position, wherein the tab member frictionally engages the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew D. McCawley
  • DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING CHANGES IN CORNEAL HEALTH
    Publication number: 20110274322
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for use in assessing a cornea which includes selecting a principal image from among a series of layered images of the cornea. The computer-implemented method further includes detecting a plurality of corneal structures in the principal image and providing a quantitative analysis of the plurality of corneal structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Jami R. Kern, Christine Sindt, Bruno Lay
  • STABILIZED OPHTHALMIC GALACTOMANNAN FORMULATIONS
    Publication number: 20110275593
    Abstract: The present invention relates to viscosity stabilized ophthalmic formulations and ophthalmic formulations suitable for drug delivery. The formulations comprise galactomannans such as guar or hydroxypropyl guar and a borate source such as boric acid. The formulations further comprise a diol alcohol such as sorbitol and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable divalent cation salt such as magnesium chloride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Howard Allen Ketelson, James W. Davis, David L. Meadows
  • RNAi-Mediated Inhibition of Histamine Receptor H1-Related Conditions
    Publication number: 20110269822
    Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of histamine receptor H1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having an HRH1-related condition or at risk of developing an HRH1-related condition such as allergic conjunctivitis, ocular inflammation, dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, or allergy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: John M. Yanni, Jon E. Chatterton, Daniel A. Gamache, Steven T. Miller
  • SOLUBILITY OPTIMIZATION OF IMMUNOBINDERS
    Publication number: 20110268728
    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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ESBATech, an Alcon Biomedical Research Unit LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Borras, David Urech
  • Method of controlling a surgical system based on irrigation flow
    Patent number: 8048020
    Abstract: A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as the instant an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system determines a temperature of an eye using irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system monitors the power drawn by the handpiece, which is indicative of the cutting load on the tip, and automatically adjusts the power or stroke of the tip to compensate for increased loads on the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, James Y. Chon, Ahmad Salehi, Ann Yadlowsky
  • RNAi-mediated inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase-related inflammatory conditions
    Patent number: 8048863
    Abstract: RNA interference is provided for inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having a Syk-related inflammatory condition or at risk of developing a Syk-related inflammatory condition such as allergic conjunctivitis, ocular inflammation, dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, allergy, or mast-cell disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John M. Yanni, Jon E. Chatterton, Daniel A. Gamache, Steven T. Miller
  • Spectrometer with adjustable-deflector-controlled alignment for optical coherence tomography
    Patent number: 8049886
    Abstract: A spectrometer is presented that can include a spectrally dispersive optical element to spectrally disperse a received light, a leveraged-optics adjustable deflector to adjustably deflect the spectrally dispersed light, and a detector array to receive the spectrally dispersed and adjustably deflected light. The received light can include an interference beam combined from a returned image beam and a reference beam in a Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomograph. The detector array can include a linear sensor array. The leveraged-optics adjustable deflector can include an optical element with an adjustable transmissive property or an adjustable reflective property, wherein the adjustable deflector is adjustable by a mechanical adjustment being optically leveraged into a smaller optical adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Alcon LenSx, Inc.
    Inventor: Ferenc Raksi
  • Handpiece tip assembly
    Patent number: 8043300
    Abstract: A tip assembly for a liquefaction surgical handpiece having a break-away or frangible tip protector. The tip protector protects the delicate tip from damage during handling and shipment, but is easily removed prior to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean C. Madden, John M. Bourne