Patents by Inventor John W. Berkman

John W. Berkman 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: 5499969
    Abstract: A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and/or aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece having a housing with an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console, an inlet coupling, a pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container and a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the inlet coupling and the pump inlet consisting of an open channel formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channel fluid-tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Charles E. Beuchat, Roger Etherington, Harold J. Walbrink, John W. Berkman
  • Patent number: 5364342
    Abstract: A cassette for use in combination with a surgical handpiece and a control console for controlling irrigation and/or aspiration fluid flows in the handpiece having a housing with an external surface and an interface adapted to be held in operative association with the control console, an inlet coupling, a pump tube having an inlet and a discharge line in fluid communication with a waste container and a fluid flow passage in fluid communication with the inlet coupling and the pump inlet consisting of an open channel formed in the external surface and a gasket adhered to the external surface to seal the channel fluid-tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Charles E. Beuchat, Roger Etherington, Harold J. Walbrink, John W. Berkman
  • Patent number: 4796623
    Abstract: A corneal vacuum trephine system including a suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define a suction annular space positionable against the eye. A vacuum device creates a vacuum in the suction annular space to secure the suction ring to the eye over the cornea. A trephine having a cutting edge is positionable so as to be movable relative to the suction ring for making with its cutting edge a circular cut in the cornea. A trephine guide is positionable on the suction ring for subsequently guiding the trephine therethrough and relative to the cornea. The guide permits the trephine to be separated from the suction ring after cutting the cornea when the suction ring is secured to the eye so that the cut in the cornea can be examined and the trephine positioned again in the suction ring precisely in the same place and orientation in the incomplete cornea cut to deepen the cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: The Cooper Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary N. Krasner, John W. Berkman
  • Patent number: 4750489
    Abstract: A radial keratotomy knife which includes an accurate linear position transducer for digitally displaying the extension of a surgical blade beyond a footplate on the knife. A system is also disclosed for zeroing the blade position relative to the footplate. The system includes a zeroing sleeve having a reflective membrane to reflect light to a detector. The knife is inserted into the sleeve so that the footplate is in contact with the membrane within the system contained within a console. When the blade is advanced to contact the reflective membrane from within the sleeve, the reflected light pattern is altered to establish accurately a zero position of the knife blade relative to the footplate. The knife is then withdrawn from the sleeve and the blade advanced by a micrometer so that the transducer produces a signal relative to the reference level indicating the extension of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: CooperVision, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Berkman, Michael H. Curtis, David A. Dewey
  • Patent number: 4735610
    Abstract: A surgical suction cassette for use with a microsurgical apparatus having a surgical handpiece connected by tubing with a control cabinet contains a tank to receive aspirated material from the microsurgical site, fluid connections for the tubes providing suction, pressure and irrigation fluid to the handpiece, fluid connections for connecting sources of pressure, vacuum and vent within the cabinet, fluid connection for an external source of irrigation fluid, and internal tubing providing connections between the connections to the handpiece and the connections to the cabinet. Solenoid actuated occluders in the cabinet compress the tubing in the cassette to turn the various fluid streams on and off. The cassette is provided with a drain for automatically removing the contents without changing the cassette. A latch hook, centrally located between the fluid connections to the cabinet holds the cassette in the cabinet when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: CooperVision, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamer Akkas, Mark E. Steen, John W. Berkman