Patents by Inventor Sean J. McCafferty

Sean J. McCafferty 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: 20250110329
    Abstract: Accommodating (re-focusable) lens system that includes multiple elastically-deformable lenslets sequentially disposed along an optical axis and that has an optical power that is varied by changing the degree of applanation of an area of contact between the constituent lenslets in response to variation of force applied to the lenses axially by an external element connected with or forming a part of the lens system housing and/or lenslet support element. Method for operating the same in a manner that reduces optical wavefront errors introduced by the process of refocusing thereby improving imaging characteristics of the lens system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: CONEXUS LENS, INC.
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 12082880
    Abstract: A device including a contact tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface structured to reduce, during the tonometric measurement, at least the measurement error caused by the presence of a fluid film between the tip and the cornea and/or the intra-corneal stress formed during the applanation deformation and occurring at a location of the tip-to-cornea contact area. Method for using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure while procuring values IOP with increased accuracy as compared to those obtained with the use of a conventional flat-surface tonometer tip. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first central portion and a second portion that encircles and adjoins the first central portion. The curvatures of the first and second portions have opposite signs. In one case, the first central portion has a curvature with the same sign as that of the cornea and/or is rotationally-symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20230355093
    Abstract: Transducer probes for ophthalmological instruments operating without the use of light (such as contact tonometers and ultrasound pachymeters)—whether structured substantially monolithically (as one piece) or in a hybrid or composite fashion (and, therefore, reversibly separable into constituent components)—the axially-located front transducer surface of which is surrounded by a ridge of material not representing the surface of the transducer, in which the overall front cornea-contacting surface of which is inwardly shaped to reduce or even completely avoid measurement errors associated with the use of conventionally-structured versions of probes traditionally use with such instruments. Ophthalmological instruments utilizing such probes and methods of use. Biological protection of eye during use of such instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20230355094
    Abstract: Transducer probes for ophthalmological instruments operating without the use of light (such as contact tonometers and ultrasound pachymeters) - whether structured substantially monolithically (as one piece) or in a hybrid or composite fashion (and, therefore, reversibly separable into constituent components) - the axially-located front transducer surface of which is surrounded by a ridge of material not representing the surface of the transducer, in which the overall front comea-contacting surface of which is inwardly shaped to reduce or even completely avoid measurement errors associated with the use of conventionally-structured versions of probes traditionally use with such instruments. Ophthalmological instruments utilizing such probes and methods of use. Biological protection of eye during use of such instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20230076641
    Abstract: Transducer probes for ophthalmological instruments operating without the use of light (such as contact tonometers and ultrasound pachymeters)—whether structured substantially monolithically (as one piece) or in a hybrid or composite fashion (and, therefore, reversibly separable into constituent components)—the axially-located front transducer surface of which is surrounded by a ridge of material not representing the surface of the transducer, in which the overall front cornea-contacting surface of which is inwardly shaped to reduce or even completely avoid measurement errors associated with the use of conventionally-structured versions of probes traditionally use with such instruments. Ophthalmological instruments utilizing such probes and methods of use. Biological protection of eye during use of such instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20230056896
    Abstract: A disposable biocompatible (and preferably hypoallergenic) flexible cover for use with a tip of a probe of a contact ophthalmological instrument. The outer surface of the tip (at the closed end) of the cover is configured to match the surface of the cornea, while its inner surface is preferably dimensioned to be substantially congruent with the surface of the tip of the probe with which the cover is used. A method for use of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20230051628
    Abstract: Ophthalmological device including an applanation tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface and method of using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first rotationally symmetric portion a curvature of which is substantially adapted to that of a typical cornea and a second rotationally symmetric portion that is peripheral to and adjoining the first portion. In operation, the applanation of the cornea in an area corresponding to the first portion of the cornea-contacting surface is substantially negligible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20220357590
    Abstract: Methods for reducing wavefront errors, manifesting during the process of refocusing of an accommodating (re-focusable) lens system that includes an elastically-deformable lenslet disposed along an optical axis and that has an optical power that is varied by changing the degree of applanation of an area of contact of such elastically-deformable lenslet with a neighboring lenslet in response to variation of force applied to the lenslet axially (in one case—by an external element connected with or forming a part of the lens system housing and/or lenslet support element). Associated accommodating lens systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 11484203
    Abstract: Ophthalmological device including an applanation tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface and method of using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first rotationally symmetric portion a curvature of which is substantially adapted to that of a typical cornea and a second rotationally symmetric portion that is peripheral to and adjoining the first portion. In operation, the applanation of the cornea in an area corresponding to the first portion of the cornea-contacting surface is substantially negligible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20210298597
    Abstract: A device including a contact tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface structured to reduce, during the tonometric measurement, at least the measurement error caused by the presence of a fluid film between the tip and the cornea and/or the intra-corneal stress formed during the applanation deformation and occurring at a location of the tip-to-cornea contact area. Method for using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure while procuring values IOP with increased accuracy as compared to those obtained with the use of a conventional flat-surface tonometer tip. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first central portion and a second portion that encircles and adjoins the first central portion. The curvatures of the first and second portions have opposite signs. In one case, the first central portion has a curvature with the same sign as that of the cornea and/or is rotationally-symmetric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 11026576
    Abstract: A device including a contact tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface structured to reduce, during the tonometric measurement, at least the measurement error caused by the presence of a fluid film between the tip and the cornea and/or the intra-corneal stress formed during the applanation deformation and occurring at a location of the tip-to-cornea contact area. Method for using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure while procuring values IOP with increased accuracy as compared to those obtained with the use of a conventional flat-surface tonometer tip. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first central portion and a second portion that encircles and adjoins the first central portion. The curvatures of the first and second portions have opposite signs. In one case, the first central portion has a curvature with the same sign as that of the cornea and/or is rotationally-symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20200029810
    Abstract: Ophthalmological device including an applanation tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface and method of using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first rotationally symmetric portion a curvature of which is substantially adapted to that of a typical cornea and a second rotationally symmetric portion that is peripheral to and adjoining the first portion. In operation, the applanation of the cornea in an area corresponding to the first portion of the cornea-contacting surface is substantially negligible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 10463251
    Abstract: Ophthalmological device including an applanation tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface and method of using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first rotationally symmetric portion a curvature of which is substantially adapted to that of a typical cornea and a second rotationally symmetric portion that is peripheral to and adjoining the first portion. In operation, the applanation of the cornea in an area corresponding to the first portion of the cornea-contacting surface is substantially negligible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 10307247
    Abstract: An accommodating (re-focusable) lens system a body of which includes, upon being assembled, first and second individual lenslets having first and second optical portions sequentially disposed along an optical axis. Change in optical-power accommodation of the system is achieved by changing an applanated area of contact between the lenslets in response to force applied to the lenslets and transformed into an axial force. In specific case, the first and second lenslets form an intraocular lens (IOL) and have respective haptic portions, interlocked as a result of rotating of one lenslet with respect to another such as to bring first and second lenslets in contact at an axial point. The applanated area of contact is changed, then, in response to a radially-directed force caused by a change of distance between the interlocked ends of the haptics and transferred to the optical portions through the interlocked haptics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Conexus Lens, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 10191261
    Abstract: Accommodating (re-focusable) macro lens system which includes first and second individual lenses having first and second optical portions sequentially disposed along an optical axis. Change in optical-power of macro lens results from by changing the flattened area of contact between the lenses in response to force applied to the lenses axially by an external compressor operably connected with or forming a part of macro lens housing. Method for operating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TANTUM OPTICS, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20180303341
    Abstract: Ophthalmological device including an applanation tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface structured to minimize the intracorneal stress, and method of using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first central portion and a second portion that encircles and adjoins the first central portion. The curvatures of the first and second portions have opposite signs. In one case, the first central portion can be rotationally-symmetric. In a related case, the first portion has a curvature with a sign opposite to that of a curvature of a typical cornea, while the curvature of the second portion has a sign equal to that of the curvature of the cornea. Method for using the device to procure values IOP with increased ac curacy as compared with the use of a conventional flat-surface tonometer tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Publication number: 20180296090
    Abstract: A device including a contact tonometer tip having a bi-curved cornea-contacting surface structured to reduce, during the tonometric measurement, at least the measurement error caused by the presence of a fluid film between the tip and the cornea and/or the intra-corneal stress formed during the applanation deformation and occurring at a location of the tip-to-cornea contact area. Method for using such device for measurement of intraocular pressure while procuring values IOP with increased accuracy as compared to those obtained with the use of a conventional flat-surface tonometer tip. The cornea-contacting surface includes a first central portion and a second portion that encircles and adjoins the first central portion. The curvatures of the first and second portions have opposite signs. In one case, the first central portion has a curvature with the same sign as that of the cornea and/or is rotationally-symmetric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: 9962256
    Abstract: A haptic supporting an intraocular lens (IOL) in the eye permits radial tension from ciliary muscle relaxation rather than contraction to alter the lens power. The IOL is supported by the overlying tissue in the eye such as iris root, sclera and ciliary process, so that anterior and posterior forces on IOL are balanced, and buckling or displacement of lens in the eye or haptic is reduced or prevented. The haptic is of a thickness so as to increase stiffness and to reduce or prevent IOL buckling or displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: D868265
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty
  • Patent number: D868266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: CATS TONOMETER, LLC
    Inventor: Sean J. McCafferty