Patents Examined by Jeffrey Lipitz
  • Patent number: 8500724
    Abstract: System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye tissue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Optimedica Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Blumenkranz, Daniel V. Palanker, David H. Mordaunt, Dan E. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8500722
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for a set-up arm of a robotic surgical system is disclosed. The method includes balancing a linkage structure with a balancing mechanism to support a load; moving the linkage structure varying a moment at a pivot point due to the load at the end of a link of the linkage structure; and changing a path length of one or more cables over a plurality of pulleys in the balancing mechanism to compress or decompress a spring to respectively increase or decrease tension in the one or more cables to balance the variance in the moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8480662
    Abstract: The invention provides a catheter for optical ablation of tissue in a living body, the catheter including: a distal end; a proximal end; an elongate catheter body coupled between the distal end and the proximal end; a light emission device at the distal end and configured to emit an ablation light having characteristics selected to regulate an optically regulatable transcription control element operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence for a gene product, the expression of which gene product in cells directly or indirectly kills cells; and a projection control mechanism coupled to the light emission device and configured to control an effectively illuminated area where the optically regulatable transcription control element is effectively regulatable by the ablation light projected from the light emission device. Also provided is a system which includes the catheter, and methods to prevent, inhibit or treat AF which employ an expression cassette and/or one or more selected wavelengths of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Stolen, Joseph M. Pastore, Robert J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 8480720
    Abstract: There is disclosed a new low-level laser therapy apparatus and method of treating tissue. The invention includes a laser system that uses laser diodes and/or alternatively light emitting diodes (LED's), or both, and a digital interface that gives the operator the ability to generate sine waves or scalar waves as opposed to the simple on/off square waves. The invention also enables the operator to modulate not only the frequency, but also other wave characteristics such as the amplitude and phase. In one aspect, the invention involves modulating the phase relationship between multiple waves by taking one channel or wave which is pulsed through the laser system and then running a second channel or wave in relationship to the first channel, thereby creating a phased relationship, which has been discovered to provide a therapeutic and quantum healing effect on tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Weisbart, Lillie Weisbart
  • Patent number: 8480661
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a lenticle from the cornea. For this purpose, a device for liquefying the lenticle and a device for suctioning off the resulting fluid are provided. The lenticle is liquefied and the resulting fluid is then suctioned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Bissmann
  • Patent number: 8475439
    Abstract: A wavefront sensor is integrated with a surgical microscope for allowing a doctor to make repeated wavefront measurements of a patient's eye while the patient remains on an operating table in the surgical position. The device includes a wavefront sensor optically aligned with a surgical microscope such that their fields of view at least partially overlap. The inclusion of lightweight, compact diffractive optical components in the wavefront sensor allows the integrated device to be supported on a balancing mechanism above a patient's head during a surgical procedure. As a result, the need to reposition the device and/or the patient between measuring optical properties of the eye and performing surgical procedures on the eye is eliminated. Many surgical procedures may be improved or enhanced using the integrated device, including but not limited to cataract surgery, Conductive Keratoplasty, Lasik surgery, and corneal corrective surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: WaveTec Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Y. Van Heugten, Daniel S. Durrie
  • Patent number: 8469947
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an insertion axis of a robotic manipulator is provided, the insertion axis including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including a remote printed circuit assembly and transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a main printed circuit assembly external to the insertion axis. A robotic surgical system including such an insertion axis and a method for wireless communication in the system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman L. Devengenzo, Alan Loh
  • Patent number: 8465531
    Abstract: A method of light therapy includes non-invasive, intra-cranial administration of bright light via the ear canal of a subject by using a light intensity of 0.7-12 lumens, and a treatment time of 1-15 minutes. A medical device including radiation elements for directing the light via the ear canal for use in the light therapy is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Valkee Oy
    Inventors: Antti Aunio, Juuso Nissilä
  • Patent number: 8465532
    Abstract: A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a waveguide. The waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for moving a fluorescent substance through the waveguide. The fluorescent substance includes a fluid base and a fluorescing agent and is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation. A device is provided to remove a fluorescing agent from the fluorescing substance so that more of the same fluorescing agent can be added to clean fluid base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Morgan Lars Ake Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 8449586
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light irradiating device for enhancing cell-mediated immunity and a method using the same. The light irradiating device generates a radiation with a specific peak wavelength at 610±20 nm or 710±30 nm which activates the structure of proteins involved in the activation of T lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity thus effecting immunopotentiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Qray Inc.
    Inventors: Tae-Young Kwon, Jeong-Hoon Lim
  • Patent number: 8444633
    Abstract: A system and method for altering the configuration of a transparent material (e.g. the cornea of an eye) requires identifying local stress distribution patterns inside the material. These patterns are then used to define boundary (interface) surfaces between volumes within the material. In operation, a laser unit performs Laser Induced Optical Breakdown (LIOB) along selected boundary surfaces to disrupt stress distribution patterns between volumes of the material that are separated from each other by the boundary surface. This LIOB allows an externally applied force to thereby alter the configuration of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH
    Inventors: Frieder Loesel, Josef F. Bille
  • Patent number: 8435273
    Abstract: A high-powered light emitting diode (LED) photobiology (phototherapy) device is disclosed in the accompanying specification. The contemplated photobiology (phototherapy) device may be used in the treatment of various aesthetic and medical or other conditions. The phototherapy device may include a number of select LEDs for emitting a desired range or ranges of wavelengths of high intensity light for use in treatment. Additionally, the phototherapy treatment includes one or more methods for providing a treatment appropriate to the condition desired to be treated. The phototherapy device provides for a variety of high power light settings, intensity levels, and selectable time intervals for providing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Myk Wayne Lum, Frances A. Beckman
  • Patent number: 8435275
    Abstract: A portable electronic ear light device comprising a support member and an optical radiation source resting on the support member and a light guide for directing optical radiation energy non-invasively at the user's intracranial nerve tissue via the outer auditory canal of the user of the portable electronic device to stimulate the user's intracranial nerve tissue. In the device, the support member is around the light guide at a distance from the radiation guide, thus providing an air gap around the radiation guide. In the device there is a sealing structure between the support member and the light guide for preventing the contamination of the light guide and the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Valkee Oy
    Inventors: Antti Aunio, Markku Aunio
  • Patent number: 8430920
    Abstract: A device and methods for treating tissue via laser energy to induce tissue reduction and/or necrosis are described herein. Laser energy may be applied to a tissue region via an optical fiber advanced through a lumen of at least one needle. Fluid may also be infused or injected into the tissue region through at least one needle. Tissue reduction and/or necrosis of a target tissue region in turn reduces the appearance of droopy, baggy and/or wrinkled skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Kasey K. Li, George Y. Choi
  • Patent number: 8425577
    Abstract: A red and near infra-red light phototherapy apparatus designed to accommodate an adult user. A user support of the device may have a hingably connected canopy that contains the red, and infra-red, light source. When the canopy is open, a user may lie on the user support. When adjusted to an operational position, the upper light source may illuminate the entire user support. The apparatus may include an acrylic support with a lower red, and infra-red, light source attached beneath. The acrylic support may be transparent to the red, and infra-red, light. The lower light source may illuminate the entire acrylic support from below. The red narrow band, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be selected to have a wavelength in a range of approximately 625 nm to 645 nm, and the infra-red LEDs to emit in a range of approximately 820 nm to 860 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Joanna Vargas, Cesar Vargas
  • Patent number: 8425497
    Abstract: System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye tissue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Optimedica Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Blumenkranz, Daniel V. Palanker, David H. Mordaunt, Dan E. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8425495
    Abstract: A laser device and method for treating ophthalmic diseases is enclosed. The laser device and method for treating a variety of ophthalmic diseases comprises a system for irradiating the eye with electromagnetic irradiation with a wavelength in the range of 654-681 nm from at least one high power laser diode. The optical system of the present invention being able to focus the radiation onto a spot sized of about 100 ?m. The system preferably comprises a laser source and ancillary equipment to direct and regulate the radiation. The use of this wavelength range makes the present invention effective for a wide variety of ophthalmic indications. It is capable of providing photocoagulation treatments for diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Biolitec Pharma Marketing Ltd
    Inventors: Wolfgang Neuberger, Detlev Berndt, Julian Maughan
  • Patent number: 8425496
    Abstract: An optical imaging system comprises at least one deformable mirror (34) and an adjustment and control arrangement (36, 38) which is coupled to the mirror and is adapted to displace the image-side focal point (52) of the imaging system in the beam propagation direction by deformation of the mirror, particularly in accordance with a predetermined focal point displacement profile. The optical imaging system is preferably employed in a device for femtosecond laser surgery of the human eye, for example for corneal lenticle extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Wavelight AG
    Inventor: Klaus Vogler
  • Patent number: 8419781
    Abstract: A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a waveguide. The waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for circulating a fluorescent substance through the waveguide. The fluorescent substance is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Morgan Lars Ake Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 8419717
    Abstract: A medical robotic system having non-ideal actuator-to-joint linkage characteristics, includes a control system including a proximal control loop with actuator sensor feedback to control dynamic response of an actuator coupled to a distal joint which in turn, is coupled to an end effector to provide a degree of freedom movement of the end effector, a distal control loop with distal joint sensor feedback and feedforward to the actuator to ensure steady-state convergence of the distal joint position, and an end effector control loop with end-point sensor feedback to control the end effector position to reach a commanded end effector position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Diolaiti, David Q. Larkin, Thomas G. Cooper, Bruce Schena