Patents by Inventor Bill Chen

Bill Chen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230064225
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to surgical instruments having variable stiffness, and more particularly, surgical instruments having variable stiffness for ophthalmic surgical procedures. In certain embodiments, a surgical instrument includes a base unit, a probe, a stiffener, and an actuation mechanism. The stiffener is formed of a hollow tubular member substantially surrounding at least a portion of a length of the probe. The actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the stiffener along the length of the probe and adjust the stiffness of the probe, thus providing a user better control of the surgical instrument. The actuation mechanism includes a stiffener biasing device configured to apply a first biasing force against the stiffener in the distal direction and, in some embodiments, a control member configured to lock the stiffener in a position along the length of the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Bill Chen, James Y. Chon, Russell Finlay, Paul R. Hallen
  • Publication number: 20220384996
    Abstract: A multi-level, multi-connector assembly that may include high-speed, low-speed and power terminals is protected from electromagnetic interference. The multi-level, multi-port connector assembly includes a bottom port connector connected with a circuit board, a top port connector positioned over the bottom port connector, and an electromagnetic shielding cage positioned over both the top port connector and the bottom port connector to provide shielding from a range of electromagnetic interference (EMI) for the top port connector and the bottom port connector. Each of the top and bottom port connectors comprise power and communication signal conductors, where the signal conductors are operable to conduct at least high-speed communication signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: David L. BRUNKER, Matthew WOLFE, Hazelton P. AVERY, Scott D. SOMMERS, Christopher L. KAPUSCINSKI, Bill CHEN, Li ZHUANG
  • Publication number: 20210177652
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to microsurgical instruments having variable stiffness such as microsurgical instruments having variable stiffness for ophthalmic surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a probe and a stiffener assembly. The stiffener assembly further includes a stiffener formed of a hollow tubular member substantially surrounding at least a portion of a length of the probe. Actuation of the stiffener along the length of the probe adjusts the stiffness of the probe, thus providing a user better control of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Bill Chen, James Y. Chon, John R. Underwood
  • Publication number: 20200179102
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for inserting an intraocular lens (IOL) into an eye may be provided. An example IOL injector device may include a housing, wherein the housing comprises a first end and a second end. The IOL injector device further may include a battery and a plunger disposed within the housing. The IOL injector device further may include a motor powered by the battery and configured to cause the plunger to translate in the housing. The IOL injector device further may include a user interface disposed on the housing, wherein the user interface receives user input to start translation of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Bill Chen, James Y. Chon
  • Patent number: 9763774
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods directed to mounting a plunger tip to a plunger of an IOL injection device. A plunger tip wrench that is operable to releasably retain a plunger tip may be coupled to a holder extending from an end of the IOL injection device to align the plunger tip with the plunger of the IOL injection device. In some instances, the IOL injection device may include a motor and use a back electromotive force (EMF) of the motor to detect a position of the plunger as it is extended to engage the plunger tip. The plunger tip may be positioned relative to the plunger such that the plunger will engage the plunger tip within the entire range of a negative error position and a positive error position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Bill Chen
  • Patent number: 9415944
    Abstract: A flow shelf roller having an outer circumference, a radially central hub, and an axially central bore forming an inner circumference through the central hub. The inner circumference of each roller has at least one axial relief channel formed therein along the length of the axial bore. In a more particular embodiment, the axial relief channel is formed including a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the inner circumference of the roller. In a more particular embodiment, the axial relief channel includes at least one of an angled chamfer and a radiused corner, adjacent to the inner circumference of the first roller. The disclosure also includes a roller flow shelf including a flow bed roller having any or all of the aforementioned characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNEX MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Dean Sozio, Charles F. Doty, Bill Chen
  • Publication number: 20150374129
    Abstract: A flow shelf roller having an outer circumference, a radially central hub, and an axially central bore forming an inner circumference through the central hub. The inner circumference of each roller has at least one axial relief channel formed therein along the length of the axial bore. In a more particular embodiment, the axial relief channel is formed including a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the inner circumference of the roller. In a more particular embodiment, the axial relief channel includes at least one of an angled chamfer and a radiused corner, adjacent to the inner circumference of the first roller. The disclosure also includes a roller flow shelf including a flow bed roller having any or all of the aforementioned characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Dean Sozio, Charles F. Doty, Bill Chen
  • Patent number: 8808308
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Bill Chen, James Chon
  • Patent number: 8801780
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods directed to mounting a plunger tip to a plunger of an IOL injection device. A plunger tip wrench that is operable to releasably retain a plunger tip may be coupled to a holder extending from an end of the IOL injection device to align the plunger tip with the plunger of the IOL injection device. In some instances, the IOL injection device may include a motor and use a back electromotive force (EMF) of the motor to detect a position of the plunger as it is extended to engage the plunger tip. The plunger tip may be positioned relative to the plunger such that the plunger will engage the plunger tip within the entire range of a negative error position and a positive error position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Bill Chen
  • Publication number: 20140200590
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods directed to mounting a plunger tip to a plunger of an IOL injection device. A plunger tip wrench that is operable to releasably retain a plunger tip may be coupled to a holder extending from an end of the IOL injection device to align the plunger tip with the plunger of the IOL injection device. In some instances, the IOL injection device may include a motor and use a back electromotive force (EMF) of the motor to detect a position of the plunger as it is extended to engage the plunger tip. The plunger tip may be positioned relative to the plunger such that the plunger will engage the plunger tip within the entire range of a negative error position and a positive error position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventor: Bill Chen
  • Patent number: 8657835
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Bill Chen, James Chon
  • Publication number: 20130197532
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Bill Chen, James Chon
  • Publication number: 20130197531
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Bill Chen, James Chon
  • Patent number: 8308799
    Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) injection device is modularized to enable cleaning of internal components after surgery. The device includes first and second housing modules. These modules collectively define a passageway along which an injector rod moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The first module is further configured to accommodate a lens cartridge module. The cartridge module has disposed therein an IOL, in alignment with the passageway. Thus as the rod moves from the retracted position to the extended position, a front portion of the rod that is substantially surrounded by the first module in the retracted position moves into the cartridge module and displaces the IOL. This causes the front portion of the rod to accumulate on it viscoelastic substances. The first module, though, is configured to detach from the second module, to thereby expose the front portion of the rod in the retracted position for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bill Chen, James Y. Chon
  • Patent number: 8308736
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injection device comprises a tubular housing with a plunger longitudinally disposed within the tubular housing. An electric drive system longitudinally translates the plunger so that its tip engages an insertion cartridge to fold and displace an intraocular lens disposed within and to inject the folded lens into the lens capsule of an eye. A control circuit is configured to start translation of the plunger, responsive to user input, to detect at least one fault condition based on a counter-electromotive force produced by the electric motor, and to stop translation of the plunger assembly responsive to the detected fault condition, which may comprise excessive resistance to forward or rearward translation of the plunger or insufficient resistance to forward translation of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boukhny, Bill Chen, James Chon
  • Publication number: 20120141046
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a method and system for generating a map. An exemplary method includes selecting a media item from a plurality of media items. The media item may be relevant to the map and to an interest of a user. The method also includes selecting a segment from the media item, the selected segment being relevant to the interest of the user. Additionally, the method includes creating a distorted segment based on the selected segment. The selected segment may be distorted to facilitate positioning the distorted segment in the map. The method further includes compositing the distorted segment into the map as a media icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bill Chen, Eyal Ofek
  • Publication number: 20110257658
    Abstract: An intraocular lens (IOL) injection device is modularized to enable cleaning of internal components after surgery. The device includes first and second housing modules. These modules collectively define a passageway along which an injector rod moves between a retracted position and an extended position. The first module is further configured to accommodate a lens cartridge module. The cartridge module has disposed therein an IOL, in alignment with the passageway. Thus as the rod moves from the retracted position to the extended position, a front portion of the rod that is substantially surrounded by the first module in the retracted position moves into the cartridge module and displaces the IOL. This causes the front portion of the rod to accumulate on it viscoelastic substances. The first module, though, is configured to detach from the second module, to thereby expose the front portion of the rod in the retracted position for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Bill Chen, James Y. Chon
  • Publication number: 20110172676
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and methods directed to mounting a plunger tip to a plunger of an IOL injection device. A plunger tip wrench that is operable to releasably retain a plunger tip may be coupled to a holder extending from an end of the IOL injection device to align the plunger tip with the plunger of the IOL injection device. In some instances, the IOL injection device may include a motor and use a back electromotive force (EMF) of the motor to detect a position of the plunger as it is extended to engage the plunger tip. The plunger tip may be positioned relative to the plunger such that the plunger will engage the plunger tip within the entire range of a negative error position and a positive error position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Bill Chen
  • Patent number: D892147
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Snehal Shah, Jimmie Wardell Solomon, Julia Murphy, Bill Chen
  • Patent number: D1009862
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SecuX Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kuan-Tsan Huang, Alice Bo-Wen Chang, Bill Chen