Patents by Inventor Stephen Pflugfelder

Stephen Pflugfelder 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: 11896525
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld laser probe for laser thermal conjunctivoplasty, the handheld laser comprising: a forceps; and a line focused laser light source coupled to the forceps, wherein the forceps are configured to grasp a conjunctival fold and hold the fold in a light beam of the line focused laser, and wherein the line focused laser beam is configured to uniformly heat the conjunctival fold held in the forceps. Disclosed are systems for laser thermal conjunctivoplasty including the handheld laser. Disclosed are methods of conjunctivoplasty using the handheld laser probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
    Inventors: David Huang, Gangjun Liu, Jianlong Yang, Stephen Pflugfelder
  • Publication number: 20240009032
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld laser probe for laser thermal conjunctivoplasty, the handheld laser comprising: a forceps; and a line focused laser light source coupled to the forceps, wherein the forceps are configured to grasp a conjunctival fold and hold the fold in a light beam of the line focused laser, and wherein the line focused laser beam is configured to uniformly heat the conjunctival fold held in the forceps. Disclosed are systems for laser thermal conjunctivoplasty including the handheld laser. Disclosed are methods of conjunctivoplasty using the handheld laser probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: David Huang, Gangjun Liu, Jianlong Yang, Stephen Pflugfelder
  • Publication number: 20200030141
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld laser probe for laser thermal conjunctivoplasty, the handheld laser comprising: a forceps; and a line focused laser light source coupled to the forceps, wherein the forceps are configured to grasp a conjunctival fold and hold the fold in a light beam of the line focused laser, and wherein the line focused laser beam is configured to uniformly heat the conjunctival fold held in the forceps. Disclosed are systems for laser thermal conjunctivoplasty including the handheld laser. Disclosed are methods of conjunctivoplasty using the handheld laser probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: David Huang, Gangjun Liu, Jianlong Yang, Stephen Pflugfelder
  • Publication number: 20060154901
    Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Pflugfelder, Balakrishna Lokeshwar, Marie Selzer
  • Publication number: 20050064012
    Abstract: A process for causing a myopic shift in the vision of a patient's eye, in which the patient's eye includes a cornea includes the step of instilling a bio-compatible material to the cornea of the eye, in which the bio-compatible material includes bio-compatible molecules and the cornea has a first composite refractive index. In addition, the bio-compatible molecules alter the first composite refractive index to a second composite refractive index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventors: Ronald Gross, Stephen Pflugfelder