Patents by Inventor Jack R. Auld

Jack R. Auld 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: 20250186192
    Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include a drive device with controllable advance motion. The drive device may include an actuator device and an energy device. The actuator device may include a piston rod that uses the advance motion to push an intraocular lens from a cartridge for insertion into an eye of an animal. The energy device may act upon the actuator device to generate the advance motion. The actuator device may include a dampening medium to control the advance motion, such as by controllably dampening the advance motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2025
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, John C. Huculak, Matthew Douglas Mccawley, Matthew Braden Flowers
  • Publication number: 20250144298
    Abstract: A method for assembling an auto-injector to minimize a gap between a plunger rod and syringe stopper is provided. A rear housing is provided that includes a gas canister and a plunger including a first end within a chamber of the rear housing and a second end extending from a distal end of the rear housing. A forward housing is provided including a syringe loaded into an interior thereof such that a syringe stopper is positioned adjacent a proximal end of the forward housing. The proximal end of the forward housing is aligned with the distal end of the rear housing such that the second end of the plunger is adjacent the stopper, and the housings are directed towards one another, the stopper causing the plunger to retract proximally within the rear housing to a proximal position to minimize a gap between the plunger and stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Matthew McCawley, Jack R. Auld, Eric Anderfaas, John C. Dunne, JR.
  • Patent number: 12263080
    Abstract: An intraocular lens inserter can include a drive device with controllable advance motion. The drive device may include an actuator device and an energy device. The actuator device may include a piston rod that uses the advance motion to push an intraocular lens from a cartridge for insertion into an eye of an animal. The energy device may act upon the actuator device to generate the advance motion. The actuator device may include a dampening medium to control the advance motion, such as by controllably dampening the advance motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: ALCON INC.
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, John C. Huculak, Matthew Douglas Mccawley, Matthew Braden Flowers
  • Patent number: 12220566
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, Jack R. Auld, Hien Nguyen, Tammo Heeren, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas, John C. Dunne, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240417233
    Abstract: Gas canisters are provided that include an elongate body comprising a barrel region defining a first diameter, an enclosed first end, and a neck region extending from the barrel region to an open second end defining an end wall, the elongate body defining a central axis extending between the first end and the second end; a cap attached to the neck region to close the second end of the elongate body and enclose the cavity, the cap comprising an end wall including an opening therethrough communicating with the cavity, and a seat surrounding the opening on an interior of the end wall; and a sealing member within the neck region configured to engage the seat to seal the opening, the cavity filled with pressurized fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Peter L. Bliss, Jack R. Auld, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas
  • Publication number: 20240271759
    Abstract: Canisters are provided that include a cylindrical body and a cap welded to the body to define a cavity filled with carbon dioxide or other fluid. The canisters may be loaded into a medical device, e.g., to provide an energy source for operating the device. Methods for making such canisters are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew McCawley, Matthew Flowers, Peter L. Bliss, Jack R. Auld
  • Publication number: 20240261508
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Andrew Schieber, Matthew McCawley, Matthew Flowers, Yule Kim, Marcus Souza
  • Publication number: 20240226448
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, Jack R. Auld, Hien Nguyen, Tammo Heeren, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas, John C. Dunne, JR.
  • Patent number: 11992652
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering fluid into a patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, the device may include a syringe cartridge and a syringe driver that may be coupled to the cartridge. The cartridge may include a housing including a proximal end, a distal end, and defining an interior, the cartridge further including a piston slidably disposed within the interior for delivering fluid within the interior through a port in the distal end. The driver may include a plunger for advancing the piston within the interior of the housing, a source of pressurized fluid, a valve, and an actuator member coupled to the valve for selectively opening a flow path from the source to the plunger to control flow of the pressurized fluid to advance the plunger to deliver fluid from the interior of the housing at a desired rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Altaviz, LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew Flowers, Matthew McCawley, John C. Huculak, Andrew Schieber, James Lescoulie
  • Publication number: 20240131269
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, Jack R. Auld, Hien Nguyen, Tammo Heeren, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas, John C. Dunne, JR.
  • Patent number: 11890453
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Andrew Schieber, Matthew McCawley, Matthew Flowers, Yule Kim, Marcus Souza
  • Patent number: 11867359
    Abstract: Canisters are provided that include a cylindrical body and a cap welded to the body to define a cavity filled with carbon dioxide or other fluid. The canisters may be loaded into a medical device, e.g., to provide an energy source for operating the device. Methods for making such canisters are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: PICOCYL, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew McCawley, Matthew Flowers, Peter L. Bliss, Jack R. Auld
  • Publication number: 20230355430
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew Flowers, Tammo Heeren, Hien Nguyen, John C. Huculak, Eric Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 11738154
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, Jack R. Auld, Hien Nguyen, Tammo Heeren, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas, John C. Dunne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11701254
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew Flowers, Tammo Heeren, Hien Nguyen, John C. Huculak, Eric Anderfaas
  • Publication number: 20230173184
    Abstract: An auto-injector includes a drive assembly within a housing carrying a syringe including a needle adjacent an activation cap within the housing's distal end. The drive assembly includes a first chamber carrying a gas canister, a plunger within a second chamber coupled to the syringe, and proximal and distal chambers. The activation cap is pressed against a subject's skin to direct the drive assembly proximally to open an outlet of the canister to release pressurized gas into the first chamber, whereupon the gas enters the proximal chamber to generate a distal force to advance the drive assembly to direct the needle into the subject and enters the second chamber to advance the plunger to deliver agents from the syringe into the subject. After the plunger advances, the gas enters the distal chamber to generate a proximal force to retract the drive assembly to direct the needle back into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew McCawley, Jack R. Auld
  • Publication number: 20230119081
    Abstract: An injection device for delivering an agent into a patient’s body including a drive module and an injector module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber into the second chamber. The plunger includes a proximal end including a piston and a distal end and is configured such that gas entering the second chamber causes the plunger to move from an initial position to an extended position for delivering one or more agents from the injector module, the piston including one or more passages that allow gas from the canister to pass through the piston into the second chamber around the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew McCawley, Jack R. Auld
  • Publication number: 20230014573
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering gas. In one example, the device includes a syringe body including a proximal end, a distal end including an outlet and a gas chamber communicating with the outlet, and a plunger carrying a piston slidably received within the syringe body. A canister containing a gas is provided within the plunger adjacent a passage through the piston communicating with the gas chamber. A drive actuator is movable to cause an opener pin to open a septum of the canister and release the gas, whereupon the gas travels through the passage into the gas chamber, thereby displacing the piston proximally to fill the gas chamber. Once activated, the plunger may be advanced to deliver the gas within the gas chamber through the outlet into a patient's body, e.g., into an eye via a cannula connected to the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Quinton A. Quintana, Nicolas Welche, Isabella L. Hidalgo, James E. Lescoulie, Jack R. Auld
  • Publication number: 20220257863
    Abstract: Syringe drivers and injector devices are provided. The driver includes a housing including a port communicating with a gas chamber therein and connectable to an external air source, and a cavity that receives a syringe containing an agent. A drive piston within the housing includes a first end disposed adjacent the gas chamber and a second end including a plunger connectable to the syringe. A damping mechanism is provided within that housing that is coupled to the drive piston that includes a damper piston within a damping fluid chamber such that, when the drive piston is advanced by gas delivered into the gas chamber from the external source to deliver the agent from the syringe, damping fluid within the damping fluid chamber flows through an orifice or valve from a first region to the second region, thereby limiting movement of the drive piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew McCawley, John Dunne
  • Patent number: 11071824
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for delivering an agent into a patient's body using an injection device that includes a drive module and an injector module coupled to the drive module. The drive module includes a canister and puncture mechanism in a first chamber, a plunger in a second chamber communicating with the first chamber, and an actuator that moves the puncture mechanism to cause a puncture pin thereon to penetrate a septum of the canister and cause the gas within the canister to flow through the first chamber around the canister, and into the second chamber. The injector module includes a piston slidably disposed within an agent chamber and coupled to the distal end of the plunger such that, when the plunger moves from a retracted position to an extended position, the piston is advanced within the agent chamber to deliver an agent therein into a patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Andrew Schieber, Matthew McCawley, Matthew Flowers, Yule Kim, Marcus Souza