Patents by Inventor James F. Pfeiffer

James F. Pfeiffer 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: 6397849
    Abstract: Intrascleral injection of a therapeutic or diagnostic material at a location overlying the retina provides a minimally invasive technique for delivering the agent to the posterior segment of the eye. The procedure also allows for close proximity of the material to the targeted site and can be effectively used to treat conditions associated with the posterior segment of the eye, including macular degeneration, vein occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy. The sclera can be used to hold a depot of the material such as for sustained released or as a conduit for propelling material through whereby the material is delivered immediately to the underlying tissues but without physically penetrating the sclera with an instrument or otherwise unreasonably traumatizing the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: InSite Vision Incorporated
    Inventors: Lyle M. Bowman, James F. Pfeiffer, Leslie A. Clark, Karl I. Hecker
  • Patent number: 6378526
    Abstract: Intrascleral injection of a therapeutic or diagnostic material at a location overlying the retina provides a minimally invasive technique for delivering the agent to the posterior segment of the eye. The procedure also allows for close proximity of the material to the targeted site and can be effectively used to treat conditions associated with the posterior segment of the eye, including macular degeneration, vein occlusion, and diabetic retinopathy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: InSite Vision, Incorporated
    Inventors: Lyle M. Bowman, James F. Pfeiffer, Leslie A. Clark, Karl L. Hecker
  • Patent number: 6309374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for using the apparatus for injecting an agent into a tissue, particularly into thin tissues such as the sclera of the eye. The invention provides an apparatus and method for effectively imbedding a needle into a tissue at a predetermined penetration approach angle and penetration distance thereby reducing the risk of penetrating the full thickness of the tissue. The invention includes a support element and a needle guide platform disposed on the support element with an external support surface and a channel extending therethrough and terminating in an aperture at the support surface. A needle disposed in the channel is axially movable along an axis of injection through the channel. The needle is movable from a first retracted position to an extended position corresponding to the penetration distance, along the axis of injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Insite Vision Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl I. Hecker, Leslie A. Clark, James F. Pfeiffer, Lyle M. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20010029269
    Abstract: An ophthalmic composition containing a divalent salt and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent as a precipitate. The composition reduces or eliminates the risk of stinging and burning the eye from topical application. Additionally a preservative system comprising a perborate salt, a polyphosphonic acid peroxy stabilizer and EDTA provides stable preservation of a variety of aqueous ophthalmic compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Lyle M. Bowman, James F. Pfeiffer, Eric B. Memarzadeh, Samir Roy
  • Patent number: 6299603
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for using the apparatus for injecting an agent into a tissue, particularly into thin tissues such as the sclera of the eye. The invention provides an apparatus and method for effectively imbedding a needle into a tissue at a predetermined penetration approach angle and penetration distance thereby reducing the risk of penetrating the full thickness of the tissue. The invention includes a support element and a needle guide platform disposed on the support element with an external support surface and a channel extending therethrough and terminating in an aperture at the support surface. A needle disposed in the channel is axially movable along an axis of injection through the channel. The needle is movable from a first retracted position to an extended position corresponding to the penetration distance, along the axis of injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventors: Karl I. Hecker, Leslie A. Clark, James F. Pfeiffer, Lyle M. Bowman
  • Patent number: 6265444
    Abstract: An ophthalmic composition containing a divalent salt and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent as a precipitate. The composition reduces or eliminates the risk of stinging and burning the eye from topical application. Additionally a preservative system comprising a perborate salt, a polyphosphonic acid peroxy stabilizer and EDTA provides stable preservation of a variety of aqueous ophthalmic compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: InSite Vision Incorporated
    Inventors: Lyle M. Bowman, James F. Pfeiffer, Eric B. Memarzadeh, Samir Roy
  • Publication number: 20010008961
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for using the apparatus for injecting an agent into a tissue, particularly into thin tissues such as the sclera of the eye. The invention provides an apparatus and method for effectively imbedding a needle into a tissue at a predetermined penetration approach angle and penetration distance thereby reducing the risk of penetrating the full thickness of the tissue. The invention includes a support element and a needle guide platform disposed on the support element with an external support surface and a channel extending therethrough and terminating in an aperture at the support surface. A needle disposed in the channel is axially movable along an axis of injection through the channel. The needle is movable from a first retracted position to an extended position corresponding to the penetration distance, along the axis of injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: Karl I. Hecker, Leslie A. Clark, James F. Pfeiffer, Lyle M. Bowman
  • Patent number: 6159458
    Abstract: An ophthalmic composition that provides sustained release of a water soluble medicament is formed comprising a crosslinked carboxy-containing polymer, a medicament, a sugar and water. The composition has a pH of at least 6.7 but a viscosity of from about 1000 to 5000 cps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: InSite Vision
    Inventors: Lyle M. Bowman, James F. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5181920
    Abstract: An atherectomy device for reducing stenosis material from a vascular vessel is provided. The atherectomy device includes an elongated flexible tubular member having at least one lumen extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities. A flexible drive means disposed within the tubular members is free to move both rotationally and axially therein. A cutting assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible tubular member with a cutter being carried by the distal extremity of the flexible drive means for removing a portion of the stenosis from the vessel wall. An inflatable dilation balloon is carried by the tubular member proximally of the cutter for further reducing the stenosis after initial reduction by the cutter. A perfusion channel maintains blood flow past the dilation balloon. Methods of the present invention include cutting and dilating a stenosis, cutting then immediately dilating a stenosis, and dilating then immediately cutting a stenosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Devices for Vascular Intervention, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Mueller, Brian E. Farley, James F. Pfeiffer