Patents by Inventor James E. Francese

James E. Francese 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: 6107347
    Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for protecting human or animal eye cell layers and tissues exposed to trauma, e.g., during surgery, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering a protective amount of an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous composition containing a first alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hyaluronate fraction having a molecular weight of at least about 2 million, for example, in the range of about 2 million to about 4 million, and a second alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hyaluronate fraction having a molecular weight of about 200,000 to about 800,000, for example, in the range of about 300,000 to 700,000, to eye cell layers and tissues prior to the exposure to the trauma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Allergan
    Inventors: James E. Francese, F. Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 5976466
    Abstract: There is disclosed a diagnostic sensor device comprising a plurality of sensor probes, a detection device, and a computer for analyzing the signals generated from each sensor probe by multivariate statistical analysis. The plurality of sensor probes comprise a substrate that allows transmission of a signal and a partially selective surface coating the substrate wherein the partially selective surface binds proteins from a biological fluid by multiple, noncovalent interactions, and with the proviso that the partially selective surfaces of each sensor probe in the diagnostic sensor device be different. The diagnostic sensor device can be used as a method for diagnosing disease states in humans and animals, wherein the disease states are characterized by altered protein character and behavior of a biological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Washington
    Inventors: Buddy D. Ratner, James E. Francese
  • Patent number: 5492936
    Abstract: Compositions and methods useful for protecting human or animal eye cell layers and tissues exposed to trauma, e.g., during surgery, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering a protective amount of an ophthalmically acceptable aqueous composition containing a first alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hyaluronate fraction having a molecular weight of at least about 2 million, for example, in the range of about 2 million to about 4 million, and a second alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hyaluronate fraction having a molecular weight of about 200,000 to about 800,000, for example, in the range of about 300,000 to 700,000, to eye cell layers and tissues prior to the exposure to the trauma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Francese, F. Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 5433745
    Abstract: New corneal implants and methods for producing such implants are disclosed. The present corneal implants comprise a lens body which is optically clear and is structured to be surgically attached in or on the cornea of a mammalian eye, the lens body including a core having an outer surface and made of a hydrogel composition containing water and a hydrophilic polymeric material, and a coating comprising a synthetic polymeric component located on the outer surface, covalently bonded to the hydrogel composition and having enhanced ability to support epithelial cell growth and/or adhesion relative to the hydrogel composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Graham, Crystal M. Cunanan, James E. Francese
  • Patent number: 5344449
    Abstract: New intraocular lenses, fixation member assemblies for use in such lenses and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method for producing a fixation member assembly which comprises exposing a fixation member component to a first plasma at conditions effective to enhance, relative to a substantially identical fixation member component which is not subjected to the exposing step, the bondability between the fixation member component and a polymeric coating to be located on the fixation member component; and exposing the fixation member to a second plasma in the presence of at least one material selected from polymeric components, polymerizable components and mixtures thereof at conditions effective to form the polymeric coating located on the fixation member component. Enhanced bondability between the polymeric coating-containing fixation member component and the optic of the intraocular lens and/or enhanced biocompatibility are preferably provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Richard Christ, James E. Francese, Bernard F. Grisoni
  • Patent number: 5262097
    Abstract: New intraocular lenses, fixation member assemblies for use in such lenses and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method for producing a fixation member assembly which includes exposing a fixation member component to a first plasma at conditions effective to enhance, relative to a substantially identical fixation member component which is not subjected to the exposing step, the bondability between the fixation member component and a polymeric coating to be located on the fixation member component; and exposing the fixation member to a second plasma in the presence of at least one material selected from polymeric components, polymerizable components and mixtures thereof at conditions effective to form the polymeric coating located on the fixation member component. Enhanced bondability between the polymeric coating-containing fixation member component and the optic of the intraocular lens and/or enhanced biocompatibility are preferably provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Richard Christ, James E. Francese, Bernard F. Grisoni