Patents by Inventor Rod Ross

Rod Ross 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: 8070764
    Abstract: A microkeratome that includes a latch assembly that couples a head to a hand piece. The latch assembly allows the head to be readily detached from the hand piece and sterilized. There is no need to also sterilize the hand piece. The microkeratome also has a ring assembly that is coupled to the head and the hand piece. The ring assembly may include a fastener that can be unfastened to allow the hand piece and head to be detached from the ring, even while the ring assembly is fixed to a cornea. The hand piece includes a motor that moves the blade across the ring. The microkeratome may have an aspiration connector with a collar that limits the travel of the blade the and thickness of a resulting lamella flap. The aspiration connector can be replaced with a collar of a different diameter to produce a flap with a different thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Med-Logics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Gregg Hughes, James R. Dennewill
  • Patent number: 7658746
    Abstract: A medical device that can be used to cut a cornea. The device may include a blade that is coupled to a head by a blade holder. The device may also have a retention spring that exerts a force on the blade and blade holder. The head and blade can be moved across a ring by a drive assembly that contains a lead screw. The ring may contain one or more openings which have a length that is greater than a width. The openings may be coupled to a vacuum source by a tube. The vacuum pressure of the tube can be displayed by a console. The console may also have switches that allow different operating parameters to be entered through a single knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Med-Logics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Greggory Hughes
  • Patent number: 7645291
    Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Med-Logics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Gregg Hughes, Mark Moyer, James Robert Dennewill
  • Patent number: 7311700
    Abstract: A system that can be used to perform an ophthalmic procedure. The system may include a patient support that supports a patient and a light source which can direct a beam of light onto the patient's cornea. The system may also include an airflow module that directs a flow of air above the cornea. The flow of air reduces the amount of contaminants that may become attached to the cornea during the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Med-Logics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Guimaraes, Rod Ross
  • Publication number: 20070208362
    Abstract: A microkeratome that includes a latch assembly that couples a head to a hand piece. The latch assembly allows the head to be readily detached from the hand piece and sterilized. There is no need to also sterilize the hand piece. The microkeratome also has a ring assembly that is coupled to the head and the hand piece. The ring assembly may include a fastener that can be unfastened to allow the hand piece and head to be detached from the ring, even while the ring assembly is fixed to a cornea. The hand piece includes a motor that moves the blade across the ring. The microkeratome may have an aspiration connector with a collar that limits the travel of the blade the and thickness of a resulting lamella flap. The aspiration connector can be replaced with a collar of a different diameter to produce a flap with a different thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Gregg Hughes, James Dennewill
  • Publication number: 20050234394
    Abstract: A dual cylinder pump that is used to create a vacuum in an aspiration tube of a medical system. The pump includes a first plunger that moves within a first cylinder and a second plunger that moves within a second cylinder. Movement of the plungers is controlled by a motor assembly. The pump includes valves that control the flow of fluid into and out of the cylinders so that one cylinder is pulling fluid from the aspiration tube while the other cylinder is discharging fluid. The pump housing can be constructed as a cartridge that can be removed and readily sterilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventor: Rod Ross
  • Publication number: 20040186495
    Abstract: A medical device that can be used to cut a cornea. The device may include a blade that is coupled to a head by a blade holder. The device may also have a retention spring that exerts a force on the blade and blade holder. The head and blade can be moved across a ring by a drive assembly that contains a lead screw. The ring may contain one or more openings which have a length that is greater than a width. The openings may be coupled to a vacuum source by a tube. The vacuum pressure of the tube can be displayed by a console. The console may also have switches that allow different operating parameters to be entered through a single knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Greggory Hughes
  • Publication number: 20040097998
    Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Gregg Hughes, Mark Moyer, James Robert Dennewill
  • Publication number: 20040049217
    Abstract: A surgical cutting system. The cutting system includes a cutter which has an inner sleeve that moves adjacent to an aspiration port of an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is coupled to a source of vacuum that pulls tissue into the outer port when the inner sleeve is moved away from the port. The inner sleeve then moves across the outer port and severs the tissue in a guillotine fashion. The tip of the inner sleeve may exert a spring force that assist in the cutting action of the cutter. The cutter includes a motor which creates an oscillating translational movement of the sleeve. The motor can be controlled by a controller that is coupled a foot pedal. The foot pedal and controller can be configured so that the motor decreases speed as the pedal is depressed by the operator. The inner sleeve is coupled to an aspiration line that pulls the severed tissue out of the cutter. The level of the aspiration vacuum pressure can be controlled by a variable regulator valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Greggory Hughes, James C. Boore, Thomas E. Reimer
  • Patent number: 6702832
    Abstract: A medical device that can be used to cut a cornea. The device may include a blade that is coupled to a head by a blade holder. The device may also have a retention spring that exerts a force on the blade and blade holder. The head and blade can be moved across a ring by a drive assembly that contains a lead screw. The ring may contain one or more openings which have a length that is greater than a width. The openings may be coupled to a vacuum source by a tube. The vacuum pressure of the tube can be displayed by a console. The console may also have switches that allow different operating parameters to be entered through a single knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Med Logics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Greggory Hughes
  • Patent number: 6663644
    Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder can be calibrated to control the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The blade holder is coupled to the blade with an interference fit that both secures the holder while providing for calibration of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Med-Logics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Gregg Hughes, Mark Moyer, James Robert Dennewill
  • Publication number: 20030220662
    Abstract: A medical device that can be used to cut a cornea. The device may include a blade that is coupled to a head by a blade holder. The device may also have a retention spring that exerts a force on the blade and blade holder. The head and blade can be moved across a ring by a drive assembly that contains a lead screw. The ring may contain one or more openings which have a length that is greater than a width. The openings may be coupled to a vacuum source by a tube. The vacuum pressure of the tube can be displayed by a console. The console may also have switches that allow different operating parameters to be entered through a single knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Greggory Hughes
  • Patent number: 6629986
    Abstract: A surgical cutting system. The cutting system includes a cutter which has an inner sleeve that moves adjacent to an aspiration port of an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is coupled to a source of vacuum that pulls tissue into the outer port when the inner sleeve is moved away from the port. The inner sleeve then moves across the outer port and severs the tissue in a guillotine fashion. The tip of the inner sleeve may exert a spring force that assist in the cutting action of the cutter. The cutter includes a motor which creates an oscillating translational movement of the sleeve. The motor can be controlled by a controller that is coupled a foot pedal. The foot pedal and controller can be configured so that the motor decreases speed as the pedal is depressed by the operator. The inner sleeve is coupled to an aspiration line that pulls the severed tissue out of the cutter. The level of the aspiration vacuum pressure can be controlled by a variable regulator valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Scieran Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Greggory Hughes, James C. Boore, Thomas E. Reimer
  • Publication number: 20030045895
    Abstract: A medical device that can be used to cut a cornea. The device may include a blade that is coupled to a head by a blade holder. The device may also have a retention spring that exerts a force on the blade and blade holder. The head and blade can be moved across a ring by a drive assembly that contains a lead screw. The ring may contain one or more openings which have a length that is greater than a width. The openings may be coupled to a vacuum source by a tube. The vacuum pressure of the tube can be displayed by a console. The console may also have switches that allow different operating parameters to be entered through a single knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Rod Ross, Greggory Hughes
  • Publication number: 20020151835
    Abstract: An ophthalmic cutter system that includes a cutter adapted to cut tissue such as a cataract lens and an irrigation handpiece adapted to hold the lens. The irrigation handpiece may be coupled to an irrigation system that introduces an irrigation fluid to the surgical site through the handpiece. The cutter may be coupled to an aspiration system that provides vacuum pulses to the surgical site. The vacuum pulses may pull tissue into a wire located at a distal end of a cutter cannula. The pulses may break and emulsify the tissue which is then aspirated through the cannula by the aspiration system. The wire may be connected to a controller that provides a current which is transformed into heat. The heat may assist in emulsifying the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Rod Ross
  • Patent number: 6428508
    Abstract: An ophthalmic cutter system that includes a cutter adapted to cut tissue such as a cataract lens and an irrigation handpiece adapted to hold the lens. The irrigation handpiece may be coupled to an irrigation system that introduces an irrigation fluid to the surgical site through the handpiece. The cutter may be coupled to an aspiration system that provides vacuum pulses to the surgical site. The vacuum pulses may pull tissue into a wire located at a distal end of a cutter cannula. The pulses may break and emulsify the tissue which is then aspirated through the cannula by the aspiration system. The wire may be connected to a controller that provides a current which is transformed into heat. The heat may assist in emulsifying the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Enlighten Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rod Ross
  • Patent number: 6425905
    Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial chamber that can support and pressurize a donor cornea to extract a corneal graft. The artificial chamber has a stationary stem that is adapted to support a cornea. The stem has an inner channel that allows air to pressurize the cornea. The artificial chamber has an outer cap that can be moved in a downward direction to secure the cornea. The cap has an opening that exposes a portion of the cornea to allow for the extraction of a corneal graft. The outer cap is attached to an outer sleeve that is moved by rotation of a cam. The chamber includes a spring that exerts a clamping force onto the cornea. The clamping force can be adjusted by rotating an adjustment wheel. The adjustable spring force allows an operator to set a desired clamping force that is then repeated for each grafting procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Med-Logics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Guimaraes, Rod Ross, Gregg Hughes
  • Publication number: 20020065511
    Abstract: A system for detecting a movement of a patient's head during an ophthalmic procedure. The system may include one or more transmitters that can be attached to the head of the patient. The transmitters can transmit signals that are detected by corresponding receivers. The receivers may be located on a laser assembly that directs a laser beam onto the cornea of the patient. The system may have an indicator that is activated when one or more signals are not received, indicating that the patient's head has moved outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Ricardo Guimaraes, Rod Ross
  • Publication number: 20020065531
    Abstract: An artificial chamber that can support and pressurize a donor cornea to extract a corneal graft. The artificial chamber has a stationary stem that is adapted to support a cornea. The stem has an inner channel that allows air to pressurize the cornea. The artificial chamber has an outer cap that can be moved in a downward direction to secure the cornea. The cap has an opening that exposes a portion of the cornea to allow for the extraction of a corneal graft. The outer cap is attached to an outer sleeve that is moved by rotation of a cam. The chamber includes a spring that exerts a clamping force onto the cornea. The clamping force can be adjusted by rotating an adjustment wheel. The adjustable spring force allows an operator to set a desired clamping force that is then repeated for each grafting procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Ricardo Guimaraes, Rod Ross, Gregg Hughes
  • Publication number: 20020065510
    Abstract: A system that can be used to perform an ophthalmic procedure. The system may include a patient support that supports a patient and a light source which can direct a beam of light onto the patient's cornea. The system may also include an airflow module that directs a flow of air above the cornea. The flow of air reduces the amount of contaminants that may become attached to the cornea during the procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Ricardo Guimaraes, Rod Ross