Patents by Inventor John R. Underwood

John R. Underwood 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: 20240099885
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, II, John R. Underwood
  • Patent number: 11883325
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
  • Patent number: 11844725
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with a light emitting, visibly discrete traceable probe cap. The light emitting, visibly discrete character of the probe cap may aid a surgeon in tracing the end of a needle of the vitrectomy during a vitrectomy procedure. The probe cap may be of a biocompatible polymer accommodating phosphorescent pigment or of another suitable light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: James Y. Chon, Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood, Ravi Durvasula
  • Publication number: 20230157873
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
  • Patent number: 11583441
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
  • Patent number: 11395763
    Abstract: A unique vitrectomy probe with an interfacing component for attenuating vibrations during a vitrectomy procedure. The component may be of elastomeric construction tailored to attenuating the vibrations. Additionally, the component may strategically reside at an interface between the housing that accommodates moving parts of the probe and an ergonomic shell meant for resting at purlicue a surgeon's hand. In this way, vibrations are largely attenuated before reaching the shell and distracting the surgeon. Additionally, the shell, housing and interface are architecturally constructed for user-friendly shell removal for surgeons wishing to perform vitrectomy procedures in absence of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
  • Publication number: 20210177652
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to microsurgical instruments having variable stiffness such as microsurgical instruments having variable stiffness for ophthalmic surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a probe and a stiffener assembly. The stiffener assembly further includes a stiffener formed of a hollow tubular member substantially surrounding at least a portion of a length of the probe. Actuation of the stiffener along the length of the probe adjusts the stiffness of the probe, thus providing a user better control of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Bill Chen, James Y. Chon, John R. Underwood
  • Publication number: 20210113379
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with a light emitting, visibly discrete traceable probe cap. The light emitting, visibly discrete character of the probe cap may aid a surgeon in tracing the end of a needle of the vitrectomy during a vitrectomy procedure. The probe cap may be of a biocompatible polymer accommodating phosphorescent pigment or of another suitable light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: James Y. Chon, Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood, Ravi Durvasula
  • Publication number: 20210077298
    Abstract: A vitrectomy probe with combined vibration dampening and attenuating. The probe may include a variety of features to lessen the vibrations felt by a surgeon during a vitrectomy procedure. These may include minimizing the degree of flow restriction through a housing that facilitates cutter reciprocation by way of air pressure. Further, utilizing softer stops at a diaphragm that drives the cutter reciprocation may be of benefit as is strategically lessening compressive forces by seals at an extension tube coupled to the diaphragm where possible. The use of a softer gripping component that is actually held by the surgeon may be of benefit in terms of vibration attenuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
  • Publication number: 20200375796
    Abstract: A unique vitrectomy probe with an interfacing component for attenuating vibrations during a vitrectomy procedure. The component may be of elastomeric construction tailored to attenuating the vibrations. Additionally, the component may strategically reside at an interface between the housing that accommodates moving parts of the probe and an ergonomic shell meant for resting at purlicue a surgeon's hand. In this way, vibrations are largely attenuated before reaching the shell and distracting the surgeon. Additionally, the shell, housing and interface are architecturally constructed for user-friendly shell removal for surgeons wishing to perform vitrectomy procedures in absence of the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
  • Publication number: 20200281769
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
  • Patent number: 10639197
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
  • Publication number: 20180369016
    Abstract: A handheld reciprocating surgical instrument may be an electronically actuated reciprocating surgical instrument. The actuation may be provided by a magnetic drive unit. The magnetic drive unit may be a voice coil actuator (VCA). The magnetic drive unit may include positional feedback to enable positional control of a cutter element. In this manner, port-based flow control may be used to more precisely control movement of the cutter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: John R. Underwood
  • Publication number: 20180360660
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
  • Patent number: 9585788
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Matthew Braden Flowers, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
  • Patent number: 9522083
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. The cutting port size may be adjusted by altering a position of a stroke limiter via a stepper motor. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Matthew Braden Flowers, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
  • Patent number: 9517161
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Matthew Braden Flowers, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
  • Patent number: 9381114
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
  • Patent number: 9180049
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. Various example features are described for adjusting the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
  • Patent number: 9101441
    Abstract: Vitrectomy probes and system related thereto are disclosed herein. The disclosure describes various example vitrectomy probes having an adjustable cutting port size. For example, one example vitrectomy probe includes a piezoelectric element adapted to adjust the size of the cutting port. Further, the disclosure provides examples for adjusting the size of the cutter port while the vitrectomy probe is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak