Patents by Inventor Reto Grueebler
Reto Grueebler 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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Patent number: 11759237Abstract: Disclosed herein are surgical instruments used in ophthalmic surgical procedures and associated methods. Particular embodiments relate to a cannula assembly having a cannula tip that is retractable. The cannula assembly may comprise a cannula hub. The cannula assembly may further comprise an outer tube that extends from a distal end the cannula hub. The cannula assembly may further comprise an inner tube that extends from the distal end of the cannula hub and is disposed in the outer tube, wherein the inner tube has a cannula tip that extends from the outer tube and is retractable into the outer tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Philipp Schaller, Reto Grueebler, Thomas Linsi
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Patent number: 11751909Abstract: A cannula assembly having a retractable cannula tip for use in ophthalmic surgical procedures is disclosed. The apparatus may include a housing having a valve bay disposed between its proximal and distal ends, and a cannula assembly, including an inner and outer tube, that extends from the distal end of the housing. The inner tube may include an elongated portion with a cannula tip at its distal end. The apparatus may further include a valve disposed in the valve bay of the housing. The valve may comprise a valve tubular for adjusting flow through the inner tube, and an actuator for moving the cannula tip from an extended position to a retracted position in the outer tube. The valve tubular may provide a biasing force to the inner tube in the retracted position to move the inner tube back to the extended position upon release of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Philipp Schaller, Reto Grueebler, Thomas Linsi
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Patent number: 11752036Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a membrane delamination device for delaminating a membrane from a retina of an eye. The membrane delamination device comprises a blade, a first lever coupled to the blade, and a second lever coupled to the blade. The first lever and the second lever are at least partially housed by a first shaft of a hand-piece. The first lever is fixedly coupled to the first shaft. The second lever is fixedly coupled to the hand-piece. The blade at least partially extends beyond a distal end of the first shaft. The membrane delamination device is configured to be actuated as a result of longitudinal movement of the second lever within and in relation to the first shaft. The second lever moves longitudinally within and in relation to the first shaft due to an application of force to the second lever through the hand-piece.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Reto Grueebler, Thomas Linsi, Niccolo Maschio
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Patent number: 11717439Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a rotational cutter for delaminating a membrane from a retina of an eye. The rotational cutter may comprise a first shaft and a second shaft comprising a blade portion, wherein the second shaft is coupled to a driver that is configured to at least partially rotate the second shaft relative to the first shaft, wherein rotating the second shaft rotates the blade portion for delaminating the membrane. The rotational cutter may also comprise a bottom portion configured to interface with a surface of the retina, wherein the bottom portion comprises one or more curved edges.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Niccolo Maschio, Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grueebler, Philipp Schaller, Timo Jung, Rodolfo Wolfer
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Publication number: 20230172750Abstract: A device for surgery that accommodates multiple different implements. The implements may be exchanged or changed out for one another over the course of a surgery in a manner that does not require disengagement of the device from a surgical site. As a result, the need to re-insert the device into the patient and other hazards associated with multiple trips into the surgical site may be minimized. In one embodiment, the device includes cannula architecture to avoid use of a separate cannula at the surgical site.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Alexander Doppelstein, Reto Grüebler
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Publication number: 20230135924Abstract: A surgical tool for eye surgery that utilizes a stiffening sleeve and employs a needle of extendible reach. The reach off the needle into the eye is dynamically adjustable by forcible interaction between the stiffening sleeve and a cannula at an outer location of a patient's eye. An end of the tool may retract to facilitate extension of the needle for added reach. Additionally, the sleeve may be further independently retracted for even greater reach of the needle implement toward a surgical site within the eye of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Reto Grüebler, Klaus Dorawa
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Publication number: 20230111131Abstract: An apparatus disclosed herein may include a housing, an injection line sub-assembly coupled to a distal end of the housing, a fluid selector coupled to the housing and movable between a first position and a second position, a drug container coupled to the housing and disposed between the fluid selector and the sub-assembly, and a drug container bypass line coupled to the housing and disposed between the fluid selector and the sub-assembly. When the fluid selector is in the first position, a first outlet of the fluid selector is in fluid communication with the drug container bypass line for injecting a fluid through the drug container bypass line and into the sub-assembly. When the fluid selector is in the second position, a second outlet of the fluid selector is in fluid communication with the drug container for injecting a drug from the drug container into the sub-assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Reto Grüebler, Thomas Linsi
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Publication number: 20230098330Abstract: A vitrectomy probe outfitted with a vitrectomy needle having a region of enhanced frictional character which may be referred to as an “augmented” surface region. This region may be utilized to interface with tissues such as the hyaloid membrane for forcibly shearing it from, for example, the underlying retina in a manner that avoids a degree of pulling forces on the retina in achieving the hyaloid detachment. By utilizing the vitrectomy probe to achieve the detachment, a subsequent intervention to introduce the probe for uptake of the sheared or detached hyaloid membrane material may also be avoided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Jean-Antoine Pournaras, Michael Cardamone, Reto Grüebler
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Publication number: 20230013621Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a surgical instrument comprising a device having a proximal end and a functional end configured to be inserted into a body part, an assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a shaft coupled to the proximal end of the assembly, the shaft having a shaft housing, a bearing positioned around the assembly, wherein the bearing is configured to slide over the assembly, a hub having a sleeve tube. The basket comprises a plurality of grooved levers, each grooved lever having a proximal end received by the shaft housing and a distal end coupled to a tip of the basket, wherein compressing one or more of the plurality of grooved levers moves the bearing and the hub relative to the shaft and toward the functional end of the device, causing the sleeve tube to transition the device from the deactivated state to an activated state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grueebler, Timo Jung, Thomas Linsi, Niccolo Maschio
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Patent number: 11490915Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein provide a surgical instrument comprising a device having a proximal end and a functional end configured to be inserted into a body part, an assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a shaft coupled to the proximal end of the assembly, the shaft having a shaft housing, a bearing positioned around the assembly, wherein the bearing is configured to slide over the assembly, a hub having a sleeve tube. The basket comprises a plurality of grooved levers, each grooved lever having a proximal end received by the shaft housing and a distal end coupled to a tip of the basket, wherein compressing one or more of the plurality of grooved levers moves the bearing and the hub relative to the shaft and toward the functional end of the device, causing the sleeve tube to transition the device from the deactivated state to an activated state.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grueebler, Timo Jung, Thomas Linsi, Niccolo Maschio
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Patent number: 11433174Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a surgical instrument comprising a hand-piece, an outer tube having a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the hand-piece, an inner tube housed within the outer tube and having a distal end coupled to a soft tip and a proximal end coupled to an actuator, and a valve housed inside the hand-piece and coupled to the proximal end of the actuator. Retraction of the actuator is configured to compress the valve and retract the soft tip into a distal end of the outer tube, such that the soft tip at least partially extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube when the valve is in an uncompressed state and at least partially retracts into the distal end of the outer tube when the valve is a compressed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Reto Grueebler, Thomas Linsi, Philipp Schaller
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Publication number: 20220233768Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus is provided for performing a subretinal injection into a subretinal space between a retina and a retinal pigment epithelium of an eye. The apparatus includes an injection needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to be insertable into the subretinal space at a position on a surface of the retina. The apparatus includes a multi-lumen tubing having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the injection needle and a proximal end coupled to a fluid control unit. The apparatus includes a stabilizer configured to immobilize the injection needle at the position on the surface of the retina. The fluid control unit has a plurality of fluid reservoirs containing a non-treatment solution, a treatment solution, and a working fluid which are injectable into the eye via separate lumens of the multi-lumen tubing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grüebler
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Patent number: 11395713Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for illuminating an interior portion of an eye are disclosed herein. In an exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for use in ophthalmic surgery. The apparatus may include a light guide including an optical fiber, a transition region, and a light sleeve. The transition region may be disposed between the optical fiber and the light sleeve for transmission of light from the optical fiber to the light sleeve such that the light sleeve is operable to emit the light at a distal end of the light sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Reto Grueebler, Niels Alexander Abt
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Publication number: 20220193311Abstract: A surgical tool with an elongated implement of enhanced stiffening character due to the use of a stiffening coating and/or a lumen of inconsistent diameter. The stiffening coating may be supplied by a deposition technique utilizing materials tailored to biocompatibility, stiffening and even to reducing glare. The lumen of inconsistent diameter may include a distal end taking up a minority of the lumen that is of a larger diameter than a proximal portion of substantially smaller diameter for increasing wall thickness and stiffening of the majority of the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Reto Grüebler, Bernhard Pultar, Klaus Dorawa
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Publication number: 20220192706Abstract: A surgical tool with a stiffening sleeve that is dynamically retractable during surgery. The tool includes a needle or implement for performing minimally invasive surgery through a pre-placed cannula at a surgical site. A stiffening sleeve of the tool about the implement may provide an added degree of stiffness such as where the implement is particularly thin. However, an end of the sleeve is held in position at the cannula as the implement advances therebeyond for the surgery. Nevertheless, as determined by the surgeon, the implement may be further advanced with a corresponding and deliberate retraction of the sleeve into the tool body as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Reto Grueebler, Klaus Dorawa
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Publication number: 20220192875Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a hand-piece, an outer tube coupled to the hand-piece, an inner tube housed within the outer tube and having a distal end coupled to a soft tip and a proximal end coupled to an adapter, a proximal end of the adapter coupled to a distal end of a valve, the valve slidably coupled to the hand-piece, and a core slidably coupled to the hand-piece and having a distal end coupled to a proximal end of the valve. To retract the soft tip, the valve is retracted, causing the adapter, the valve, and the core to slidably retract in a proximal direction in relation to the hand-piece, and to extend the soft tip, the valve is protracted, causing the adapter, the valve, and the core to slidably protract in a distal direction in relation to the hand-piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Reto Grüebler, Simon Nicola Kunz, Niccolo Maschio, Christoph Siegenthaler
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Patent number: 11351057Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a low friction trocar valve comprising a set of sheets arranged circularly and defining an entry point for the insertion of an instrument. In certain aspects, each sheet of the trocar valve's set of sheets comprises areas that overlap with two adjacent sheets. The trocar valve is formed in an opening of a valve housing coupled to or formed as part of a trocar cannula to provide a sealing mechanism for preventing the escape of pressurized fluids from the trocar cannula.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grueebler, Timo Jung, Niccolo Maschio
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Patent number: 11224539Abstract: Surgical instruments for use in membrane peeling in treatments of different macular surface diseases are disclosed herein. Membrane forceps may include a forceps extension and forceps jaws extending from a distal termination of the forceps extension. The forceps jaws may include a first jaw and a second jaw. Each of the first jaw and the second jaw may include a gripping tip that abuts one another when the forceps jaws are in a closed configuration so as to grasp a membrane The first jaw and the second jaw may each include a coating at a distal end of the forceps jaws configured to increase a frictional force between the membrane and the forceps jaws.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Reto Grueebler
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Patent number: 11096707Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a surgical instrument comprising surgical instrument comprising an device having a functional end and a main handle comprising a distal end coupled to the device. The surgical instrument further comprises an actuation handle insert comprising a number of first rolling components and an actuation tube coupled to the actuation handle insert, wherein the functional end of the device at least partially extends outside of the actuation tube when the device is deactivated. The surgical instrument further comprises levers comprising second rolling components. The surgical instrument further comprises a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each of the rolling elements is placed between one of the second rolling components and one of the first rolling components and pressing one or more of the levers pushes the actuation handle insert forward relative to the device, causing the actuation tube to transition the device from the deactivated state to an activated state.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grueebler, Timo Jung, Niccolo Maschio
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Patent number: D934424Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Niels Alexander Abt, Reto Grueebler, Timo Jung, Niccolo Maschio