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).
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Publication number: 20240099885Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, II, John R. Underwood
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Patent number: 11883325Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
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Patent number: 11844725Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: James Y. Chon, Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood, Ravi Durvasula
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Publication number: 20230157873Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Patent number: 11583441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Patent number: 11395763Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
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Publication number: 20210177652Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Bill Chen, James Y. Chon, John R. Underwood
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Publication number: 20210113379Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: James Y. Chon, Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood, Ravi Durvasula
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Publication number: 20210077298Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
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Publication number: 20200375796Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Nathaniel Reyes, John R. Underwood
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Publication number: 20200281769Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Patent number: 10639197Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Publication number: 20180369016Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventor: John R. Underwood
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Publication number: 20180360660Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Patent number: 9585788Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: John R. Underwood, Matthew Braden Flowers, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
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Patent number: 9522083Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: John R. Underwood, Matthew Braden Flowers, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
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Patent number: 9517161Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: John R. Underwood, Matthew Braden Flowers, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
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Patent number: 9381114Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
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Patent number: 9180049Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak
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Patent number: 9101441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: John R. Underwood, Jack Robert Auld, John Christopher Huculak