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).

  • Patent number: 8535268
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and associated methods that facilitate the injection and/or aspiration of precisely controlled volumes of fluids at precisely controlled rates are provided. In some implementations, an apparatus may include a syringe and a lead screw connected to a plunger of the syringe. A ratchet gear may be connected to the lead screw. A mechanism may also be included to oscillate a frame in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the lead screw such that one or more pawls of the frame engage the teeth of the ratchet gear in a manner that results in rotation of the ratchet gear in a single direction for controlled linear displacement of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jack Robert Auld, Brian William McDonell, Barry Lynn Wheatley
  • Publication number: 20120221033
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Jack Robert Auld, Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20120165783
    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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Barry Lynn Wheatley, Brian William McDonell
  • Publication number: 20120158006
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Brian William McDonell