Patents by Inventor Bruce Christie

Bruce Christie 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: 20060271027
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20060268228
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271180
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271176
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060270946
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20060268226
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271178
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060268227
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271177
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060079960
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060079959
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20050046794
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20050033420
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20050020986
    Abstract: A catheter handpiece apparatus and method for delivering a desired dose with minimal potential for contamination of the injected substance and rapid, accurate delivery of the desired dose. In one embodiment, a carriage assembly affixed to an inner lumen is slidably located within a handpiece housing equipped with an outer lumen. The carriage assembly receives a dose carpule. An actuator knob cocks the carriage assembly and a spring-powered actuator mechanism. After the catheter is maneuvered to a desired injection site and a desired dose is set, depressing a first trigger causes the inner lumen tip to extend beyond the outer lumen into the injection site. Depressing a second trigger causes the actuator mechanism to push the desired dose from the dose carpule through the inner lumen into the injection site. A second embodiment provides a catheter handpiece with a carriage assembly cocking lever and an operator-powered dose delivery mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Mickley, Bruce Christie, Douglas Walker, Jeremy Connell
  • Patent number: 6468260
    Abstract: A bi-directional steerable catheter comprising an elongated, tubular catheter body having at least one lumen, a tip section comprising flexible tubing having at least two lumens and fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body, and a control handle mounted to the proximal end of the catheter body. The control handle comprises a generally hollow handle housing, a generally tubular core extending longitudinally within the housing, and a generally circular spur gear rotatably mounted within the handle housing. First and second pistons are slidably mounted on the diametrically opposed sides of the spur gear and have puller wires attached to their distal ends. A longitudinally movable thumb control is fixedly attached to the first piston and accessible from outside the handle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Ray Bumbalough, Matthew F. Duncan, Bruce A. Christie
  • Patent number: 5807630
    Abstract: A controlled permeability film including a film forming polymer and optionally including a dispersing polymer; and an inert porous filler optionally having a surface modifying agent coated thereon, the inert porous filler being present in an amount effective to reduce the ratio of the carbon dioxide permeability to the oxygen permeability of the film, and wherein the filler has a particle size greater than the intrinsic film thickness of the film forming polymer. A composite packaging article and a packaged produce product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Gregor Bruce Christie, Terence William Turney, Simon Gerard Hardin, Victor Christov, Ru Yu Wu
  • Patent number: 5112351
    Abstract: A multifocal intraocular lens is produced which comprises a lens body having a plurality of optical zones which comprises an aspheric optical zone between each add and base power zone thereby providing a gradual transition in the curvature of the optic surface and avoiding abrupt changes in the curvature of the optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Ioptex Research Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Amitava Gupta
  • Patent number: 5110075
    Abstract: A clamp assembly mounted against the wall of a swimming pool at water level has a folding hook shaped and dimensioned to moor the hose of a pool sweeper or other floating objects, and prevent its drifting toward a used section of the pool. The hook, when not in use, folds back flush into its mounting base plate out of harm's way of any swimmer or diver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventors: Douglas B. Reid, Bruce A. Christie, Beth A. Christie
  • Patent number: 5089024
    Abstract: An intraocular lens, for use within the human eye, contains three concentric regions. An innermost region provides far-field vision. A middle region, surrounding the innermost region, provides near-field vision. An outermost region, surrounding the middle region, provides far-field vision. The intermost region is of a size such that, when the pupil constricts in bright light, the innermost region remains exposed to incoming light, and can thus focus distant images in bright light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Storz Instrument Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Gary L. Guenthner, J. Warren Blaker
  • Patent number: 4932966
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens apparatus preferably includes a lens member having a relatively flexible portion and a relatively rigid portion, with a fluid-filled chamber therebetween. The preferred intraocular lens also includes a hydraulic or other fluid accommodation provision for changing the shape or position of the flexible lens by changing the fluid pressure in the fluid-filled chamber in response to muscle movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Storz Instrument Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Brian M. McMaster, J. Warren Blaker