Patents by Inventor Michael Papac

Michael Papac 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: 9639917
    Abstract: According to some examples, a method for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) image modification includes receiving an OCT image of a region of interest of patient tissue from an OCT imaging system configured to direct an OCT beam at the region of interest and determining that an OCT transparent instrument is within the OCT image. The method further includes detecting an artifact in the OCT image, the artifact resulting from the OCT transparent instrument being within a path of the OCT beam. In response to detecting the artifact, the method further includes creating an image modification plan to remove the artifact from the OCT image. The method further includes executing the image modification plan to remove the artifact from the OCT image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Lingfeng Yu, Hugang Ren, Michael Papac
  • Patent number: 9554702
    Abstract: A surgical imaging system can comprise a light source, configured to generate an imaging light beam; a beam guidance system, configured to guide the imaging light beam from the light source; a beam scanner, configured to receive the imaging light from the beam guidance system, and to generate a scanned imaging light beam; a beam coupler, configured to redirect the scanned imaging light beam; and a wide field of view (WFOV) lens, configured to guide the redirected scanned imaging light beam into a target region of a procedure eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Michael Papac, Lingfeng Yu, Tammo Heeren
  • Publication number: 20160346058
    Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination system includes a light source generating a source light beam and a beam splitter splitting the source light beam into first and second light beams. A first attenuator is located in a path of the first light beam and a second attenuator is located in the path of the second light beam, the first and second attenuators operable to change the intensities of the first and second light beams, respectively. A first optical fiber port is configured for connection to a first optical fiber for delivering the first light beam to a patient's eye and a second optical fiber port is configured for connection to a second optical fiber for delivering the second light beam to the patient's eye. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the first and second attenuators and is operable to adjust the attenuators to control the intensities of the light beams delivered to the patient's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: GERALD D. BACHER, STEVEN T. CHARLES, EYAD AMMARI, PAUL HALLEN, MICHAEL PAPAC, RONALD T. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20160343112
    Abstract: According to some examples, a method for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) image modification includes receiving an OCT image of a region of interest of patient tissue from an OCT imaging system configured to direct an OCT beam at the region of interest and determining that an OCT transparent instrument is within the OCT image. The method further includes detecting an artifact in the OCT image, the artifact resulting from the OCT transparent instrument being within a path of the OCT beam. In response to detecting the artifact, the method further includes creating an image modification plan to remove the artifact from the OCT image. The method further includes executing the image modification plan to remove the artifact from the OCT image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: LINGFENG YU, HUGANG REN, MICHAEL PAPAC
  • Publication number: 20160317032
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of and for an ophthalmic visualization system are disclosed. An example ophthalmic visualization system may include a first lens positioned relative to a surgical microscope in a manner facilitating viewing of a central region of a retina through the surgical microscope during a surgical procedure. The first lens may be positionable in an optical path between an eye and the surgical microscope during the surgical procedure. The example ophthalmic visualization system may also include a second lens selectively positionable relative to the surgical microscope and the first lens in a manner facilitating viewing of a peripheral region of the retina of the eye during the surgical procedure. The second lens may be selectively positionable in the optical path such that the peripheral region is selectively viewable without changing the position of the first lens during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: RONALD T. SMITH, LINGFENG YU, MICHAEL PAPAC, ARGELIO MICHAEL OLIVERA, STEVEN T. CHARLES
  • Publication number: 20160278983
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for treating tissue abnormalities are disclosed. The tissue may be visualized for determining a presence of one or more abnormalities contained therein. Imaging data obtained by visualization may be used to determine the presence of one or more abnormalities. Each of the detected abnormalities may be identified and a treatment plan developed for treating the abnormalities. Treatment may be delivered to the abnormalities according to the treatment plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Michael John Claus, Robert Sanchez, Tammo Heeren, Argelio Michael Olivera, Michael Papac, Lingfeng Yu, Hugang Ren
  • Publication number: 20160270649
    Abstract: A method of imaging in an ophthalmic surgical procedure can include determining an excitation wavelength of light associated with a vital stain; transmitting light having the excitation wavelength; determining an emission wavelength of light associated with the vital stain; filtering light using a first optical element to allow transmission of light having the emission wavelength and to block light having the excitation wavelength. An ophthalmic surgical imaging system can include a light source, one or more optical elements, an image sensor, a computing device, and/or a display device to visualize target biological tissue stained with a fluorescent vital stain. A method of imaging in an ophthalmic surgical procedure can include determining a wavelength of light that increases the visual contrast of a vital stain; transmitting light having the determined wavelength; and receiving a reflection of the transmitted light such that target biological tissue stained by the vital stain is accentuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20160029892
    Abstract: A method of imaging in an ophthalmic surgical procedure can include determining an excitation wavelength of light associated with a vital stain; transmitting light having the excitation wavelength; determining an emission wavelength of light associated with the vital stain; filtering light using a first optical element to allow transmission of light having the emission wavelength and to block light having the excitation wavelength. An ophthalmic surgical imaging system can include a light source, one or more optical elements, an image sensor, a computing device, and/or a display device to visualize target biological tissue stained with a fluorescent vital stain. A method of imaging in an ophthalmic surgical procedure can include determining a wavelength of light that increases the visual contrast of a vital stain; transmitting light having the determined wavelength; and receiving a reflection of the transmitted light such that target biological tissue stained by the vital stain is accentuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20160022133
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical microscope can include a movable optical element positioned in an optical pathway of light reflected from a surgical field. The movable optical element can be configured to oscillate in a direction along the optical pathway. The microscope can include an actuator coupled to the movable optical element and configured to move in response to a control signal. The microscope can include a computing device in communication with the actuator and configured to generate the control signal to move the movable optical element. In some embodiments, the computing device is configured to generate the control signal to move the movable optical element with an oscillation frequency greater than the critical flicker fusion rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael Papac
  • Patent number: 9107730
    Abstract: A light source for a surgical system includes a broadband light source operable to produce broadband light. The light source further includes a wavelength splitter adapted to split the broadband light into illumination light having a spectral range covering at least a majority of the visible spectrum and surgical light having a spectral range outside of the spectral range of the illumination light. The light source then includes at least one surgical module adapted to control application of the surgical light. The light source also includes first and second coupling optics. The first coupling optics are configured to optically couple the illumination light to an illumination light guide for delivery to a first surgical probe. The second coupling optics are configured to optically couple the surgical light to a surgical light guide for delivery to a second surgical probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventors: John Christopher Huculak, Michael J. Yadlowsky, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20150173608
    Abstract: A surgical imaging system can comprise a light source, configured to generate an imaging light beam; a beam guidance system, configured to guide the imaging light beam from the light source; a beam scanner, configured to receive the imaging light from the beam guidance system, and to generate a scanned imaging light beam; a beam coupler, configured to redirect the scanned imaging light beam; and a wide field of view (WFOV) lens, configured to guide the redirected scanned imaging light beam into a target region of a procedure eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Papac, Lingfeng Yu, Tammo Heeren
  • Publication number: 20150164687
    Abstract: A retinal treatment system for delivering therapeutic agents to a target location with a retina is disclosed herein. The retinal treatment system includes a console having a control system and a handheld device coupled to the control system. The handheld device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and being axially moveable within the outer tube. The inner tube has a perforating tip that is configured to perforate an inner limiting membrane of the retina. The handheld device further includes a chamber coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube that is configured to receive a fluid containing therapeutic agents injectable from the perforating tip. The control system of the retinal treatment system permits a user to maintain a position of the handheld device relative to the retina and activate an injection of a portion of the fluid through the inner tube into the retina.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Pooria S. Kashani, Michael Papac
  • Patent number: 8662670
    Abstract: An ophthalmic illuminator includes a one or more light combining stages arranged in series to augment a white light source with various color spectral bands. A first stage combines white light from a white light source with colored light from a first color source. Each subsequent stage in the series adds its own respective colored light. The color sources may be selectively turned on/off or driven with variable amounts of power. In this fashion, a combined light is produced by the final stage that represents a desired chromaticity and brightness as desired for a particular ophthalmic therapeutic procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Papac, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Yadlowsky, Alexander N. Artsyukhovich
  • Publication number: 20130158393
    Abstract: An endoprobe for microsurgical procedures is provided, including a hand-piece having a concentric drive having a proximal coupling and a distal coupling and a cannula assembly coupled to the hand-piece. The cannula assembly may include an outer tube having a longitudinal axis and an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, the distal coupling providing a first rotation to the outer tube about the longitudinal axis and the proximal coupling providing a second rotation to the inner tube within the outer tube. According to embodiments disclosed herein a method for scanning a light beam using a cannula assembly as described above is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Papac, John Christopher Huculak, Michael J. Yadlowsky
  • Publication number: 20130158392
    Abstract: A microsurgical endoprobe and method for use are provided. The microsurgical endoprobe may have a cannula assembly with a proximal element and a distal element coupled to a mechanical actuator. The microsurgical endoprobe may be configured to rotate at least one of the proximal element and the distal element in a first direction for an arc period, perform a microsurgical procedure on the tissue, and rotate the at least one of the proximal element and the distal element in a second direction opposite to the first direction for the arc period. The microsurgical endoprobe may include a hand-piece having a motor with a cannula assembly coupled to the hand-piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Papac, John Christopher Huculak, Michael J. Yadlowsky
  • Publication number: 20130144278
    Abstract: An ophthalmic endoprobe system comprises an optical fiber configured to transmit light energy along an optical axis. The system further comprises a first scanning element rotatable relative to the optical fiber and arranged to receive at least a portion of the transmitted light energy. The first scanning element includes a diffractive optical element. The system also comprises a second scanning element rotatable relative to the first scanning element and arranged to receive at least a portion of the transmitted light energy from the first scanning element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Papac, Michael J. Yadlowsky, John Christopher Huculak
  • Publication number: 20130041233
    Abstract: An endoilluminator system includes an endoilluminator probe and an illumination source. The endoilluminator probe includes a nano-scale optical fiber and a probe fiber connector, and the illumination source includes a source fiber connector. The illumination source is configured to produce an illumination spot at the source fiber connector having a diameter smaller than a diameter of a fiber core of the nano-scale optical fiber. The probe fiber connector and the source connector are configured when connected to align the illumination spot off-center relative to the nano-scale optical fiber such that the angular distribution of light emitted by the nano-scale optical fiber is increased relative to aligning the illumination spot at a center of the nano-scale optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Yadlowsky, Michael Papac
  • Patent number: 8371695
    Abstract: An ophthalmic illuminator is provided that includes a plurality of color sources, each color source producing a light of a corresponding color; a combiner for combining the light from the color sources to produced a combined light; at least one optical fiber configured to receive the combined light and propagate the received combined light towards a distal end of the ophthalmic illuminator; and a controller configured to control an intensity for each of the color sources responsive to a sampling of a spectral content for the combined light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Papac, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Yadlowsky
  • Publication number: 20120157828
    Abstract: A light source for a surgical system includes a broadband light source operable to produce broadband light. The light source further includes a wavelength splitter adapted to split the broadband light into illumination light having a spectral range covering at least a majority of the visible spectrum and surgical light having a spectral range outside of the spectral range of the illumination light. The light source then includes at least one surgical module adapted to control application of the surgical light. The light source also includes first and second coupling optics. The first coupling optics are configured to optically couple the illumination light to an illumination light guide for delivery to a first surgical probe. The second coupling optics are configured to optically couple the surgical light to a surgical light guide for delivery to a second surgical probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: John Christopher Huculak, Michael J. Yadlowsky, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20110292343
    Abstract: An ophthalmic illuminator includes a one or more light combining stages arranged in series to augment a white light source with various color spectral bands. A first stage combines white light from a white light source with colored light from a first color source. Each subsequent stage in the series adds its own respective colored light. The color sources may be selectively turned on/off or driven with variable amounts of power. In this fashion, a combined light is produced by the final stage that represents a desired chromaticity and brightness as desired for a particular ophthalmic therapeutic procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Papac, Ronald T. Smith, Michael J. Yadlowsky, Alexander N. Artsyukhovich