Patents by Inventor Michael J. Simpson

Michael J. Simpson 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: 20110125265
    Abstract: Devices and associated methods are disclosed for treating bone, and particularly bone tissue at the joints. Disclosed are implantable devices that can be used either alone or in combination with this augmentation or hardening material for the repair of bone defects and which are particularly suited for use at the joints, and even more particularly, suited for use at the subchondral bone level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: KNEE CREATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Charanpreet S. Bagga, Shaun B. Hanson, Christopher D. Mandeen, Michael J. Simpson, Steven B. Cohen, Charles F. Leinberry, Peter F. Sharkey
  • Patent number: 7944553
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring an optical property of a multi-focal lens are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises: filtering out light transmitted by all but one of a plurality of diffraction orders of the lens to provide an unfiltered light from a single diffraction order; receiving the unfiltered light at a wavefront detector; and analyzing the unfiltered light at the wavefront detector to measure the optical property. The multi-focal lens can be a multi-focal diffractive intra-ocular lens. The measured optical property can be a discontinuity in the lens surface. Filtering can comprise blocking all but the unfiltered light using an aperture operable to let through the unfiltered light from the single diffraction order, and/or blocking all but the unfiltered light using an opaque obstruction operable to let through only a selected amount of light corresponding to the light transmitted by the single diffraction order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Jihong Xie
  • Publication number: 20110022170
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of designing a diffractive ophthalmic lens (e.g., an intraocular lens (IOL)) that includes providing an optic having an anterior refractive surface and a posterior refractive surface, wherein the optic provides a far-focus power (e.g., in a range of about 18 to about 26 Diopters (D)). A truncated diffractive structure can be disposed on at least one of the surfaces for generating a near-focus add power (e.g., in a range of about 3 D to about 4 D). And the diffractive structure can be adjusted so as to obtain a desired distribution of optical energy between the near and far foci for a range of pupil sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Mutlu Karakelle, Stephen J. Van Noy, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Xin Hong, Jihong Xie
  • Patent number: 7777872
    Abstract: A method for measuring the optical properties of multifocal ophthalmic lenses. Collimated light is passed through an ophthalmic lens and onto an array of lenslets. Light exiting the array of lenslets is detected by a sensor. Blurred spots and/or double spots may represent diffractive zones of the wavefront. A centroid of the spot or a brighter of two spots may be used to determine the lateral position of the spot. Theoretical calculations, laboratory measurements, clinical measurements and experimental image spots may be generated, compared and cross-checked to determine a monofocal equivalent lens. A Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) may be used to evaluate and compare a diffractive lens and a monofocal equivalent lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20100131060
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides multifocal ophthalmic lenses, e.g., multifocal intraocular lenses, that employ a central refractive region for providing a refractive focusing power and a diffractive region for providing diffractive focusing powers. The refractive focusing power provided by the lens's central region corresponds to a far-focusing power that is substantially equal to one of the diffractive focusing powers while the other diffractive power corresponds to a near-focusing power. The far-focusing power can be enhanced by changes to the phase of the central refractive region and/or changes to the curvature of the central refractive region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Krishnakumar Venkateswaran
  • Publication number: 20100125331
    Abstract: A method of designing an intraocular lens (IOL) of a selected power includes determining a power-specific axial separation parameter for the selected power. The method also includes selecting at least one aberration correction for the IOL. The method further includes designing the IOL based on the power-specific axial separation parameter to produce the selected aberration correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20100087921
    Abstract: Aspheric diffractive lenses are disclosed for ophthalmic applications. For example, multifocal intraocular lens (IOLs) are disclosed that include an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, at least one of which surfaces includes an aspherical base profile on a portion of which a plurality of diffractive zones are disposed so as to generate a far focus and a near focus. The aspherical base profile enhances image contrast at the far focus of the lens relative to that obtained by a substantially identical IOL in which the respective base profile is spherical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7659970
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring an optical property of a multi-focal lens are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises: filtering out light transmitted by all but one of a plurality of diffraction orders of the lens to provide an unfiltered light from a single diffraction order; receiving the unfiltered light at a wavefront detector; and analyzing the unfiltered light at the wavefront detector to measure the optical property. The multi-focal lens can be a multi-focal diffractive intra-ocular lens. The measured optical property can be a discontinuity in the lens surface. Filtering can comprise blocking all but the unfiltered light using an aperture operable to let through the unfiltered light from the single diffraction order, and/or blocking all but the unfiltered light using an opaque obstruction operable to let through only a selected amount of light corresponding to the light transmitted by the single diffraction order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Jihong Xie
  • Publication number: 20090204208
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intraocular lens (IOL) having an optic with a posterior and an anterior refractive surfaces, at least one of which has an aspherical profile, typically characterized by a non-zero conic constant, for controlling the aberrations of a patient's eye in which the IOL is implanted. Preferably, the IOL's asphericity, together with the aberrations of the patient's eye, cooperate to provide an image contrast characterized by a calculated modulation transfer function (MTF) of at least about 0.25 and a depth of field of at least about 0.75 Diopters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Michael J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7572007
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a diffractive ophthalmic lens (e.g., a diffractive IOL) that includes an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, where the optic provides a far focus. A frustrated diffractive structure comprising a plurality of diffractive zones is disposed on at least one of those surfaces so as to provide a near focus. Each zone is separated from an adjacent zone by a zone boundary that imparts an optical delay to the incident light. Further, at least two consecutive zone boundaries are configured such that a difference between their associated phase delays for at least one wavelength of the incident light is greater than about ΒΌ wavelength so as to direct a portion of the incident light to a location between the near and far foci.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20090160075
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for custom fabrication of IOLs. In some embodiments, such methods call for measuring one or more aberrations of a patient's eye, and determining the profile of at least one surface of an IOL that would ameliorate, and control those aberrations. The surface profile can then be imparted to a surface of a starting lens (or a lens blank) via ablation, e.g., by utilizing an excimer laser beam. In some other embodiments, the measured aberrations can be utilized to determine the profile of at least one surface of a wafer mold. A wafer mold having that surface profile can then be fabricated, e.g., by ablating a slab or an existing wafer of appropriate material, and the mold can be used to fabricate an IOL suitable for implantation in the patient's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Daniel R. Carson, Kamal K. Das
  • Publication number: 20090088840
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides multifocal ophthalmic lenses, e.g., multifocal intraocular lenses, that employ a central refractive region for providing a refractive focusing power and a diffractive region for providing two diffractive focusing powers. In many cases, the refractive focusing power provided by the lens's central region corresponds to a far-focusing power that is substantially equal to one of the diffractive focusing powers while the other diffractive power corresponds to a near-focusing power. As such, in many cases, the focusing properties of the lenses are dominated by the far-focus ability, especially for small pupil sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Mutlu Karakelle
  • Publication number: 20090033920
    Abstract: A method for measuring the optical properties of multifocal ophthalmic lenses. Collimated light is passed through an ophthalmic lens and onto an array of lenslets. Light exiting the array of lenslets is detected by a sensor. Blurred spots and/or double spots may represent diffractive zones of the wavefront. A centroid of the spot or a brighter of two spots may be used to determine the lateral position of the spot. Theoretical calculations, laboratory measurements, clinical measurements and experimental image spots may be generated, compared and cross-checked to determine a monofocal equivalent lens. An MTF may be used to evaluate and compare a diffractive lens and a monofocal equivalent lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Michael J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080269890
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an intraocular lens (IOL) that includes an optic and a peripheral optical flange that surrounds the optic. The optic can form an image of a field of view on the IOL user's retina and the peripheral flange can inhibit dysphotopsia. By way of example, the peripheral flange can include at least one textured surface that is adapted to receive peripheral light rays entering the eye at large visual angles so as to cause their scattering in order to inhibit dysphotopsia, e.g., by preventing the formation of a secondary peripheral image or scattering some light to a shadow region between such a secondary image and an image formed by the IOL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: ALCON UNIVERSAL LTD.
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Xiaoxiao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080269886
    Abstract: An IOL is disclosed that includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface disposed about an optical axis, where the posterior surface includes a central region extending to a peripheral region. Once the IOL is implanted in a patient's eye, the anterior surface and the central region of the posterior surface cooperatively form an image of a field of view on the retina and the peripheral region of the posterior surface directs at least some light rays incident thereon (e.g., via refraction by the anterior surface) to at least one retinal location offset from the image so as to inhibit dysphotopsia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Dan Stanley, XiaoXiao Zhang, K. Scott Ellis
  • Publication number: 20080269885
    Abstract: An IOL is disclosed that includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface disposed about an optical axis, where the posterior surface includes a central region extending to a peripheral region. Once the IOL is implanted in a patient's eye, the anterior surface and the central region of the posterior surface cooperatively form an image of a field of view on the retina and the peripheral region of the posterior surface directs at least some light rays incident thereon (e.g., via refraction by the anterior surface) to at least one retinal location offset from the image so as to inhibit dysphotopsia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, K. Scott Ellis
  • Publication number: 20080269889
    Abstract: Methods and devices for inhibiting the dark shadow effect, known as dysphotopsia, perceived by some subjects having implanted intraocular lenses (IOLs) are presented. In one aspect, an IOL can include an optic and one or more fixation members for facilitating placement of the IOL. The fixation member can be adapted to have a portion that redirects light that is incident thereon in a manner which alleviates or prevents dysphotopsia. For example, the light that is incident on a fixation member can be directed to a retinal location intermediate to where imaging typically occurs on the retina and where a secondary image is formed. Various techniques for achieving these improvements are discussed, both in terms of the structures of improved IOLs, and methods for alleviating dysphotopsia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Michael J. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080269882
    Abstract: In one aspect, an intraocular lens (IOL) is discloses that includes an optic having a central portion and a peripheral extension that partially surrounds the central portion. Once implanted in a patient's eye, the IOL's optic forms an image of a field of view with the peripheral extension inhibiting dysphotopsia. While in some embodiments, the peripheral extension provides focusing of light incident thereon, in other embodiments, it can include at least one textured surface for scattering the light or at least one opaque surface for preventing the light from reaching the retina. In other embodiments, the peripheral extension can include one or more translucent surface(s) for diffusing the light passing therethrough to inhibit dysphotopsia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: ALCON UNIVERSAL LTD.
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, Xiaoxiao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080269881
    Abstract: Asymmetric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are disclosed in which the centration of the optic and the pupil can be adjusted in order to reduce dsyphotopsia and/or the perception of dark shadows. For example, IOLs with uneven haptics are disclosed such that the center of the optic (i.e., the optical axis) is offset from a centerline of the overall device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Simpson, James M. Scott, Son Trung Tran
  • Patent number: 7350916
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provide an ophthalmic lens (e.g., an IOL) that includes an optic having an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface, where the optic provides an optical power in a range of about 16 D to about 25 D as measured in a medium having an index of refraction substantially similar to that of the eye's aqueous humor (e.g., about 1.336). At least one of the optical surfaces is characterized by an aspherical base profile such that the optic exhibits a negative spherical aberration in a range of about ?0.202 microns to about ?0.190 microns across the power range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Hong, Jihong Xie, Stephen J. Van Noy, Dan Stanley, Mutlu Karakelle, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Michael J. Simpson