Patents by Inventor Brian William McDonell

Brian William McDonell 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: 20180353328
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a vitrectomy system is adapted to use photodisruption to rupture eye tissue. In some aspects, a photodisruption-based vitrectomy system includes a laser source configured to generate optical pulses having a pulse energy greater than a threshold energy for causing photodisruption in vitreous humor. The system also includes an optical switching device arranged to receive an output of the laser source, and an optical fiber with multiple cores that is arranged to receive an output of the optical switching device. The optical switching device is configured to select a core of the optical fiber and direct optical pulses received from the laser source into the selected core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: GERALD DAVID BACHER, BRIAN WILLIAM MCDONELL, MICHAEL J. PAPAC
  • Patent number: 10070988
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visualizing moving tissue with strobed light are provided. A surgical system includes a surgical device configured to operate on anatomy at a first frequency such that the anatomy moves at the first frequency when the surgical device is in contact therewith; and a light source configured to provide pulses of light at a second frequency to illuminate the moving anatomy; wherein the second frequency is different than the first frequency. A method of treating an ophthalmic condition includes operating a surgical device at a first frequency such that anatomy moves at the first frequency when the surgical device is contacted therewith; and controlling a light source to provide pulses of light at a second frequency to illuminate the moving anatomy; wherein the second frequency is different than the first frequency. An ophthalmic surgical system includes a cutting probe, a strobed light source, and a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Brian William McDonell, Tammo Heeren
  • Publication number: 20180207032
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and methods related thereto are disclosed herein. A vitrectomy probe may include a hand piece comprising a housing, a venturi, a piloted proportional valve disposed in the housing, and aspiration tubing fluidly coupled to the piloted proportional valve. In some embodiments, the piloted proportional valve and/or venturi may be disposed in the surgical console. The vitrectomy probe may further include a cutting mechanism attached to a distal end of the hand piece, wherein the cutting mechanism may be fluidly coupled to the aspiration tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20180206874
    Abstract: A vitrectomy apparatus for performing an ocular surgery may include a vitrectomy probe body graspable by a user and a cutter extending from the body and comprising an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube may be moveable relative to the outer tube. The apparatus also may include an actuator within the body and configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. A valve may be carried by the body and may be configured to selectively direct a pressurized fluid to the actuator to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventor: Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20180200110
    Abstract: In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system. The system includes a pneumatic surgical instrument and a surgical console operable to provide compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. Additionally, the system includes a pneumatic drive line coupling the pneumatic surgical instrument to the surgical console. The pneumatic drive line has an internal bore configured to deliver the compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. The internal bore has a non-uniform cross-section along a length of the pneumatic drive line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Brian William McDonell, Filip Finodeyev
  • Patent number: 9974689
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical probe for treating an eye of a patient includes a body, a cutting element extending distally from the body (the cutting element having a sleeve member with a port at an end), an inner member disposed within the sleeve member (the inner member being movable axially with respect to the sleeve member to open and close the port), and an actuating element secured to the inner member (the actuating member configured for operation in both a resonant mode and a non-resonant mode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Brian William Mcdonell
  • Publication number: 20180133057
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an illuminated microsurgical instrument system includes a microsurgical instrument having a distally projecting tubular member arranged to perform a medical procedure. The tubular member has a distal tip and an outer surface, the outer surface having a flat surface formed therein. The instrument includes a sheath member surrounding a portion of the tubular member and extending toward the distal tip of the tubular member and an optical fiber extending along a length of the flat surface between the tubular member and the sheath member. The instrument may include an opening such as a slot in the distal end of the sheath member to direct exiting air away from the tip of the optical fiber. The instrument may further include a slack chamber, collar structure, and fiber guard member to support and guide the optical fiber to the distal tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Brian William McDonell, Alireza Mirsepassi, Michael J. Papac, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith, Barry L. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20180132963
    Abstract: Provided herein is an illuminated microsurgical instrument system and an illuminated microsurgical instrument. In one implementation, the system includes a microsurgical instrument having a distally projecting tubular member arranged to perform a medical procedure at an interventional site. The tubular member has a distal tip and an outer surface, the outer surface having a flat surface formed therein. The instrument includes a sheath member surrounding a portion of the tubular member and extending toward the distal tip of the tubular member and an optical fiber extending along a length of the flat surface between the tubular member and the sheath member. The instrument may further include a slack chamber, collar structure, and fiber guard member to support and guide the optical fiber to the distal tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Brian William McDonell, Alireza Mirsepassi, Michael J. Papac, Kambiz Parto, Ronald T. Smith, Barry L. Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20180104388
    Abstract: A method and system assist a physician in controlling pressure in a line during a surgery. The method includes filtering a vacuum signal such that portions of the vacuum signal having a frequency greater than a threshold frequency (e.g., ten Hz) are not passed. Thus a filtered vacuum signal is provided. The method also includes providing a control signal to a vacuum source. The control signal is selected from the vacuum signal and the filtered vacuum signal. The vacuum source provides a vacuum having a level based on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Mason Hahn, Andrew David Johnson, Brian William McDonell
  • Patent number: 9924963
    Abstract: A vitrectomy apparatus for performing an ocular surgery may include a vitrectomy probe body graspable by a user and a cutter extending from the body and comprising an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube may be moveable relative to the outer tube. The apparatus also may include an actuator within the body and configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. A valve may be carried by the body and may be configured to selectively direct a pressurized fluid to the actuator to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Brian William McDonell
  • Patent number: 9730835
    Abstract: A vitrectomy surgical system includes a vitrectomy probe having a cutting portion comprising an inner tube, an outer tube, and an aspiration port. The inner tube may be movable relative to the outer tube to cut vitreous fibers. The system also includes a controller associated with the vitrectomy probe and configured to control movement of the inner tube by generating control signals corresponding to a cutting scheme including a plurality of series of cuts with each cut being evenly spaced in time, the plurality of series of cuts separated by a recovery period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Brian William McDonell, Venkatesh Vasudevan
  • Patent number: 9693898
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe includes a hand-graspable body and an outer tube extending from the hand-graspable body. The outer tube includes a closed distal end and a first port sized to receive tissue. The vitrectomy probe also includes an inner tube within the outer tube with a second port that is selectively alignable with a portion of the first port to allow fluid flow and uniquely sized to increase fluid flow. The inner tube includes a distal tip with a cutting edge on each of the distal and proximal sides of the tip. The distal tip has a smaller diameter than that of the inner tube at a proximal side of the second port. The proximal side of the second port includes a guiding surface that slidably bears on an inner surface of the outer tube to prevent the distal tip from excessively protruding from the first port of the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Mark Farley, Brian William McDonell
  • Patent number: 9592337
    Abstract: Micro-volume devices, systems, and associated methods that facilitate the injection or aspiration of precisely controlled volumes of materials at precisely controlled rates are provided. In one embodiment, a micro-volume device includes a syringe and a lead screw connected to a plunger of the syringe. A mechanical interface is connected to the lead screw and includes a first set of cams adjacent a proximal portion and a second set of cams adjacent a distal portion. A mechanism is configured to oscillate a structure in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lead screw such that one or more projections of the structure to alternatively engage cams of the first and second sets of cams in a manner that results in rotation of the mechanical interface in a single direction for highly controlled linear displacement of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Lynn Wheatley, Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20160175149
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visualizing moving tissue with strobed light are provided. A surgical system includes a surgical device configured to operate on anatomy at a first frequency such that the anatomy moves at the first frequency when the surgical device is in contact therewith; and a light source configured to provide pulses of light at a second frequency to illuminate the moving anatomy; wherein the second frequency is different than the first frequency. A method of treating an ophthalmic condition includes operating a surgical device at a first frequency such that anatomy moves at the first frequency when the surgical device is contacted therewith; and controlling a light source to provide pulses of light at a second frequency to illuminate the moving anatomy; wherein the second frequency is different than the first frequency. An ophthalmic surgical system includes a cutting probe, a strobed light source, and a computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Brian William McDonell, Tammo Heeren
  • Publication number: 20160135991
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe includes a hand-graspable body and an outer tube extending from the hand-graspable body. The outer tube includes a closed distal end and a first port sized to receive tissue. The vitrectomy probe also includes an inner tube within the outer tube with a second port that is selectively alignable with a portion of the first port to allow fluid flow and uniquely sized to increase fluid flow. The inner tube includes a distal tip with a cutting edge on each of the distal and proximal sides of the tip. The distal tip has a smaller diameter than that of the inner tube at a proximal side of the second port. The proximal side of the second port includes a guiding surface that slidably bears on an inner surface of the outer tube to prevent the distal tip from excessively protruding from the first port of the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Farley, Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20160128870
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical probe for treating an eye of a patient includes a body, a cutting element extending distally from the body (the cutting element having a sleeve member with a port at an end), an inner member disposed within the sleeve member (the inner member being movable axially with respect to the sleeve member to open and close the port), and an actuating element secured to the inner member (the actuating member configured for operation in both a resonant mode and a non-resonant mode).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Brian William Mcdonell
  • Patent number: 9101442
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe includes a housing, a fluidic motor disposed within the housing, a needle extending from the housing, and a cutter assembly. The cutter assembly includes an inner cutting member disposed within and axially moveable relative to the needle, a drive shaft disposed within the housing and axially moveable relative to the housing, and a coupler disposed within the housing coupling the drive shaft and the inner cutting member. The motor is associated with the drive shaft in a manner that drives the cutter assembly in an oscillating manner. The probe also includes two or fewer seals within the housing in contact with the cutter assembly for sealing against fluid leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian William McDonell
  • Patent number: 8808318
    Abstract: A surgical probe, e.g. a vitrectomy probe, and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary surgical probe may include a tubular body and a cutting tool that is received within the body. The tubular body may define a cutting aperture that is adjacent a first end of the body and a fluid passage that extends through the body from the cutting aperture to a second end of the body. The cutting tool may be received within the body and disposed within the fluid passage. The cutting tool is generally configured to allow fluid flow through the cutting tool. The cutting tool may include a body portion and a blade portion that is configured to cut material entering the cutting aperture. The body portion may extend only partially about an inner circumference of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Robert Auld, Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20140171995
    Abstract: A vitrectomy apparatus for performing an ocular surgery may include a vitrectomy probe body graspable by a user and a cutter extending from the body and comprising an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube may be moveable relative to the outer tube. The apparatus also may include an actuator within the body and configured to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. A valve may be carried by the body and may be configured to selectively direct a pressurized fluid to the actuator to actuate the inner tube relative to the outer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20140171996
    Abstract: A vitrectomy surgical system includes a vitrectomy probe having a cutting portion comprising an inner tube, an outer tube, and an aspiration port. The inner tube may be movable relative to the outer tube to cut vitreous fibers. The system also includes a controller associated with the vitrectomy probe and configured to control movement of the inner tube by generating control signals corresponding to a cutting scheme including a plurality of series of cuts with each cut being evenly spaced in time, the plurality of series of cuts separated by a recovery period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian William McDonell, Venkatesh Vasudevan