Patents by Inventor Michael Arthur Zica

Michael Arthur Zica 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: 9517162
    Abstract: Systems, processes, and computer program products may be used to perform retinal surgery. In particular implementations, a system, a process, and a computer program product may include the ability to inject a retina manipulation fluid into an eye through an injection/extraction system and apply negative pressure to the injection/extraction system to facilitate extraction of fluid from the eye. The system, the process, and the computer program product may also include the ability to adjust the applied negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Christopher Huculak, Michael McCulloch Martin, Michael Arthur Zica, Matthew Edward Bazydlo
  • Patent number: 9387040
    Abstract: An optical surgical probe includes a handpiece having a metal cannula at a distal end, a light guide within the metal cannula that carries a light beam from a light source through the metal cannula, and a multi-spot generator formed within a distal opening of the metal cannula that seals the distal opening of the metal cannula. The multi-spot generator includes a proximally-facing faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide that includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam and a ball lens located distal to the faceted end surface. A high-conductivity ferrule surrounds the distal end of the light guide, is in thermal contact with the metal cannula, and includes a side-shield portion extending beyond the distal end of the light guide. The ferrule shields the cannula from a portion of the light beam reflected by the faceted end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Michael Arthur Zica, Dustin Jacob Bouch
  • Publication number: 20150094699
    Abstract: An optical surgical probe includes a handpiece having a metal cannula at a distal end, a light guide within the metal cannula that carries a light beam from a light source through the metal cannula, and a multi-spot generator formed within a distal opening of the metal cannula that seals the distal opening of the metal cannula. The multi-spot generator includes a proximally-facing faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide that includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam and a ball lens located distal to the faceted end surface. A high-conductivity ferrule surrounds the distal end of the light guide, is in thermal contact with the metal cannula, and includes a side-shield portion extending beyond the distal end of the light guide. The ferrule shields the cannula from a portion of the light beam reflected by the faceted end surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: RONALD T. SMITH, MICHAEL ARTHUR ZICA, DUSTIN JACOB BOUCH
  • Publication number: 20130138035
    Abstract: Systems, processes, and computer program products may be used to perform retinal surgery. In particular implementations, a system, a process, and a computer program product may include the ability to inject a retina manipulation fluid into an eye through an injection/extraction system and apply negative pressure to the injection/extraction system to facilitate extraction of fluid from the eye. The system, the process, and the computer program product may also include the ability to adjust the applied negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: John Christopher Huculak, Michael McCulloch Martin, Michael Arthur Zica, Matthew Edward Bazydlo
  • Publication number: 20130041356
    Abstract: In particular embodiments of the present invention, an optical surgical probe includes a handpiece configured to optically couple to a light source and a cannula at a distal end of the handpiece. The probe further includes at least one light guide within the handpiece. The light guide is configured to carry a light beam from the light source to a distal end of the handpiece. The probe also includes a multi-spot generator in the cannula that includes a faceted optical adhesive with a faceted end surface spaced from a distal end of the light guide. The faceted end surface includes at least one facet oblique to a path of the light beam. In some embodiments, the probe also includes a high-conductivity ferrule at the distal end of the light guide. In other embodiments, the cannula is formed from a transparent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Michael Arthur Zica, Dustin Jacob Bouch
  • Patent number: 8206040
    Abstract: An accessory is adapted to removably couple to a laser source connector separate from a fiber connector. The accessory includes a first contact element configured to form an electrical connection to a first portion of the laser source connector. The accessory further includes a second contact element configured to form an electrical connection to a second portion of the laser source connector. The second portion of the laser source connector is electrically insulated from the first portion of the laser source connector. The accessory also includes a network connected to the first contact element and the second contact element. The network establishes a defined electrical characteristic between the first and second contact element when a fiber connector is connected to laser source connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Christopher Huculak, Michael Arthur Zica, Jack Robert Auld, Michael McCulloch Martin, Matthew Braden Flowers, Marcus Antonio Souza, Mark Harrison Farley