Patents by Inventor Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.

Robert J. Sanchez, Jr. 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: 9782541
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly has a dispensing chamber housing, a temperature control device, a thermal sensor, and an interface. The dispensing chamber housing has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall thickness. The inner surface partially defines a dispensing chamber for receiving a quantity of a substance. The temperature control device at least partially surrounds the dispensing chamber housing. The temperature control device alters a temperature of a substance in the dispensing chamber. The temperature control device and the thermal sensor are located on a substrate. The substrate is wrapped around an exterior surface of the dispensing chamber housing. The interface is connected to the temperature control device and the thermal sensor. An interface connector is connected to the interface. The distance between the temperature control device and the thermal sensor is approximately equal to the wall thickness of the dispensing chamber housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesario Dos Santos, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9572713
    Abstract: A method of implanting a treatment device into an eye of a patient comprises inserting a drainage device including a flow system, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube into a subconjunctival space. The inlet tube includes a proximal end coupled to the flow system in the subconjunctival space. The method includes passing a distal end of the inlet tube through a pars plana into a posterior segment of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Casey Lind, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160067092
    Abstract: A method of implanting a treatment device into an eye of a patient comprises inserting a drainage device including a flow system, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube into a subconjunctival space. The inlet tube includes a proximal end coupled to the flow system in the subconjunctival space. The method includes passing a distal end of the inlet tube through a pars plana into a posterior segment of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: CASEY LIND, ROBERT J. SANCHEZ, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9022970
    Abstract: An injection device includes a dispensing chamber, a plunger, a controller, a temperature control device, and a memory device. The dispensing chamber has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a cavity for receiving a quantity of a substance. The plunger is engaged with the inner surface of the dispensing chamber, is capable of sliding in the cavity of the dispensing chamber, and is fluidly sealed to the inner surface of the dispensing chamber. The controller controls the operation of the injection device. The temperature control device at least partially surrounds the dispensing chamber. The memory device has a parameter stored on it. The controller uses the parameter from the memory device to operate the injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Dacquay, Casey Lind, Cesario Dos Santos, Robert J Sanchez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8986240
    Abstract: An IOP control valve is disclosed. The IOP control valve comprises a corrugated membrane and a housing including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The corrugated membrane is anchored within the housing to form a reference chamber on a first side of the corrugated membrane and a fluid flow channel on a second opposing side of the membrane. The reference chamber has a reference chamber pressure representative of atmospheric pressure. The fluid flow channel can selectively increase and decrease in size to permit fluid to flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The corrugated membrane is configured to affect flow through the fluid flow channel from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet by deflecting in response to pressure differentials of the reference chamber pressure and the fluid flow channel pressure acting on the opposing sides of the corrugated membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesario P Dos Santos, Robert J Sanchez, Jr., Leslie A Field
  • Patent number: 8876751
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a handpiece may include an irrigation line coupled to an adjacent line reservoir with a piston configured to move within the adjacent line reservoir to increase an irrigation pressure in the irrigation line near a surgical site. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect an occlusion break in the aspiration line and information from the sensor may result in signaling an actuator to move the piston in response to the occlusion break detection to compensate for a vacuum pressure drop associated with the occlusion break. The handpiece may further include a purge bypass line between the irrigation line and the adjacent line reservoir to allow flow from the irrigation line to travel through the adjacent line reservoir to purge the adjacent line reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruno Dacquay, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8864701
    Abstract: An implantable MEMS package for the treatment of an ocular condition is provided. The MEMS package includes an outer portion; an active portion attached to the outer portion, the active portion including a fluid regulating element having a moving element; and a fluidic channel at an interface of the outer portion and the active portion. The fluidic channel is formed in at least one of the outer and active portions and permits fluid communication from the MEMS package to the fluid regulating element. A method for forming a MEMS package as above is also provided. An ocular implant for treating glaucoma including an inlet tube for receiving aqueous humor; a MEMS package as above, coupled to the inlet tube; a control system to control the MEMS package; and an outlet tube for draining aqueous humor at a drainage location, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr., Leslie A. Field, Chen Ning
  • Patent number: 8834169
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upper limb rehabilitation training of coordinated arm/forearm, forearm/forearm and grasping movements of a motor impaired patient comprises a nonrobotic, passive support, an arm/forearm sensor, a gripping device, a grip sensor capable of measuring an impaired grasping force of a grasping of the patient, a computer to process measurements of coordinated and simultaneous impaired arm/forearm, forearm/forearm and grasping movements to control a graphical representation of the arm/forearm and grasping movements in interaction with a virtual environment, and to provide a visual feedback signal to the patient of simulated normal activities of daily living performed with enhanced motor ability relative to the actual impaired motor ability. A visual feedback signal of the simulated activities of daily living is provided to motivate the patient to perform the upper limb rehabilitation movement training despite limited motor ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: David Reinkensmeyer, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr., Punit Shah, Robert F. Smith, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140046439
    Abstract: An implantable MEMS package for the treatment of an ocular condition is provided. The MEMS package includes an outer portion; an active portion attached to the outer portion, the active portion including a fluid regulating element having a moving element; and a fluidic channel at an interface of the outer portion and the active portion. The fluidic channel is formed in at least one of the outer and active portions and permits fluid communication from the MEMS package to the fluid regulating element. A method for forming a MEMS package as above is also provided. An ocular implant for treating glaucoma including an inlet tube for receiving aqueous humor; a MEMS package as above, coupled to the inlet tube; a control system to control the MEMS package; and an outlet tube for draining aqueous humor at a drainage location, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Nicholas M. Gunn, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Leslie A. Field, Chen Ning
  • Publication number: 20130317412
    Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of a medical condition of a patient to provide drainage from a region of a patient to a drainage location includes a memory having a plurality of different selectable treatment algorithms stored therein for treating a medical condition, and may include a processor associated with the memory and configured to execute one of the different treatment algorithms. It also may include a flow system controllable by the processor to regulate drainage of fluid from a body portion having a medical condition, the flow system being controllable according to a selected algorithm of said different selectable treatment algorithms. In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises an implantable medical device for treating an ocular condition, and the processor is carried on the implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Bruno Dacquay, Cesario P. Dos Santos, Casey J. Lind, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Mathew J.A. Rickard
  • Publication number: 20130211313
    Abstract: An IOP control valve is disclosed. The IOP control valve comprises a corrugated membrane and a housing including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The corrugated membrane is anchored within the housing to form a reference chamber on a first side of the corrugated membrane and a fluid flow channel on a second opposing side of the membrane. The reference chamber has a reference chamber pressure representative of atmospheric pressure. The fluid flow channel can selectively increase and decrease in size to permit fluid to flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The corrugated membrane is configured to affect flow through the fluid flow channel from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet by deflecting in response to pressure differentials of the reference chamber pressure and the fluid flow channel pressure acting on the opposing sides of the corrugated membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Cesario P. Dos Santos, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Leslie A. Field
  • Publication number: 20120022506
    Abstract: A device implantable into an eye of a patient for treatment of glaucoma. The device has an implantable dispenser. The dispenser includes an implantable reservoir configured to store a therapeutic agent. Additionally, the dispenser includes an implantable reservoir sensor configured to measure a pressure within the reservoir. The device also has an implantable processor coupled to the implantable reservoir sensor and configured to receive the measurement of the pressure within the reservoir and determine a dosage of therapeutic agent based on the measurement of the pressure within the reservoir. Furthermore, the implantable dispenser is configured to release the dosage of the therapeutic agent at a selectively variable rate from the implantable reservoir into the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew J.A. Rickard, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Bruno Dacquay
  • Publication number: 20120022505
    Abstract: A device implantable into an eye of a patient for treatment of glaucoma. The device has an implantable sensor configured to measure at least one characteristic of the eye. The implantable sensor is sized for implantation into the eye. The device also has an implantable processor coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the measurement of the at least one characteristic of the eye and generate a signal based on the received measurement. Additionally, the device has an implantable actuator coupled to the processor and operable to release a dosage of a therapeutic agent into the eye in response to the signal from the implantable processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Bruno Dacquay, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Matthew J.A. Rickard
  • Publication number: 20110034864
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a handpiece may include an irrigation line coupled to an adjacent line reservoir with a piston configured to move within the adjacent line reservoir to increase an irrigation pressure in the irrigation line near a surgical site. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect an occlusion break in the aspiration line and information from the sensor may result in signaling an actuator to move the piston in response to the occlusion break detection to compensate for a vacuum pressure drop associated with the occlusion break. The handpiece may further include a purge bypass line between the irrigation line and the adjacent line reservoir to allow flow from the irrigation line to travel through the adjacent line reservoir to purge the adjacent line reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Bruno Dacquay, Robert J. Sanchez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110022117
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of treating glaucoma by electrically stimulating the ciliary muscle to produce shear stress on the trabecular meshwork sufficient for cytokine production. A device for electrically stimulating the ciliary muscle includes a pair of electrodes configured to provide a voltage to the ciliary muscle. The electrodes are coupled to a voltage source. A controller operates to apply the voltage to the ciliary muscle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Casey Lind, Robert J. Sanchez, JR.
  • Patent number: 7740619
    Abstract: An ophthalmic injection device includes a dispensing chamber housing with an inner surface that partially defines a dispensing chamber for holding a substance, a plunger fluidly sealed to the interior surface of the dispensing chamber housing, and a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber. A temperature control device partially surrounds the dispensing chamber housing and alters a temperature of the substance. A piston is coupled to the plunger at one end and to a spring at the other end. The spring provides a force to drive the piston and the plunger. An actuator is coupled to the lockout bar with which a button is configured to interface. The actuator moves the lockout bar when the substance reaches a temperature, thereby allowing the button to be activated so that the spring provides the force to drive the plunger. An incorporated stop whose measurements may vary allow the expelled dosage to vary accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Raffi Pinedjian, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100152676
    Abstract: A drug loading apparatus includes a plunger with a through hole or slit valve located in the top face of the plunger. A dispensing chamber housing located in a drug delivery device is configured to receive the plunger so that a dispensing chamber is formed when the plunger is located in the dispensing chamber housing. The drug can then be loaded into the dispensing chamber through the plunger, and a piston with an end configured to seal the through hole or engage the plunger with the slit valve can then be inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Alcon Research, LTD.
    Inventors: Don A. Clements, Julie A. Clifford, Bruno Dacquay, Mark T. DuPriest, Robert Rodstrom, Robert J. Sanchez, JR., Pardeep K. Sethi
  • Patent number: 7717129
    Abstract: A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, John C. Huculak, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100106089
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly has a dispensing chamber housing, a temperature control device, a thermal sensor, and an interface. The dispensing chamber housing has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall thickness. The inner surface partially defines a dispensing chamber for receiving a quantity of a substance. The temperature control device at least partially surrounds the dispensing chamber housing. The temperature control device alters a temperature of a substance in the dispensing chamber. The temperature control device and the thermal sensor are located on a substrate. The substrate is wrapped around an exterior surface of the dispensing chamber housing. The interface is connected to the temperature control device and the thermal sensor. An interface connector is connected to the interface. The distance between the temperature control device and the thermal sensor is approximately equal to the wall thickness of the dispensing chamber housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Cesario Dos Santos, Robert J. Sanchez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100030157
    Abstract: A drug retention cap has a cap section and a drug retention pin. The cap section has a generally dome-shaped top end and a cylindrical portion extending downward from the generally dome-shaped top end. The top end of the cap section is closed, and the bottom end is open. The open bottom end is configured to receive a needle of a drug delivery device. The drug retention pin extends from near the apex of the dome-shaped top end downward toward the open bottom end. The drug retention pin is configured to fit inside a hollow needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Cesario Dos Santos, Robert J. Sanchez, JR.