Patents by Inventor Steven T. Charles
Steven T. Charles 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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Publication number: 20240215814Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an integrated contact lens apparatus for ophthalmoscopic examination comprising a lens portion, an upper speculum portion, and a lower speculum portion, and methods of use thereof. The integrated contact lens apparatus facilitates improved visualization of the peripheral retina, including the superior and inferior hemiretinas, via both manual examination and wide-angle cameras that may utilize contact lenses for viewing. The integrated contact lens apparatus further prevents or reduces corneal drying and patient discomfort during examination.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2023Publication date: July 4, 2024Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20240206719Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. One such retractor includes a tubular retractor and an insert supporting said plurality of cameras can be disposed within a tubular retractor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2023Publication date: June 27, 2024Inventors: John Tesar, Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20240138669Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adaptive optics system including at least one active pixel sensor array that detects light and sends a signal to a processor. The adaptive optics system also includes a wavefront correction system including at least one wavefront control structure and the processor, and that executes instructions on the processor to produce a digital image in which at least one wavefront distortion in the light detected by the active pixel sensor array is partially or fully corrected. The disclosure also provides methods of using the adaptive optics system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20240138675Abstract: A visualization system for dynamically visualizing an eye includes a laser module operable for outputting a primary laser beam along a beam axis, a beam splitter positioned in the beam axis and configured to direct a first beam portion along the beam axis and a second beam portion along a detection axis that is orthogonal to the beam axis. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanner is arranged on the beam axis and configured, in response to the first beam portion, to output a scanning laser along a visualization path. An avalanche photodiode (APD) detector receives the second beam portion. A 4F correlator optical system has a spatial filter arranged along the visualization path. An optional optical flat may be disposed between the eye and the 4F correlator optical system to achieve stereo parallax.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20240115261Abstract: A surgical clamp for aligning the margins of incised or wounded tissue has jaws with parallel clamping faces, and a handle for manipulating the clamp to align the margins of the tissue. The jaws are in a normally closed position, however they can be opened by compressing the handle to open the jaws. Prongs project from the inferior surface of the jaws. The clamp is positioned in a desired position over the margins of a wound to be closed, the prongs engage the margins of the wound to be aligned, and the jaws are closed by releasing compressive force on the handle. As the jaws close the prongs help move the tissue into alignment. Suture guide slots through the jaws assist in the placement of precisely placed sutures across the incision. The disclosed surgical clamp is particularly suited for selectively closing and reopening surgical incisions, such as a sclerotomy incision in the eye. Methods are disclosed for using the clamp during intraocular and other surgical or minimally invasive procedures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: The United States of America,as represented by the Secretary,Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Vladimir R. Khristov, Steven T. Charles, Juan A. Amaral, Arvydas Maminishkis, Kapil Bharti
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Patent number: 11931297Abstract: Certain embodiments describe an endoilluminator having a tube that includes an interior compartment between a proximal end and a distal end of the tube, wherein the distal end of the tube is configured to be inserted into an eye. The endoilluminator also includes a handpiece coupled to a light source and the proximal end of the tube, wherein the endoilluminator is configured to filter an incident component of light transmitted by the light source and emit a polarized component of the transmitted light through the distal end of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20240070970Abstract: A visualization system includes a housing assembly having a head unit configured to be at least partially directed towards a target site. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) module and a stereoscopic camera are located in the housing assembly. A controller is in communication with the OCT module and the stereoscopic camera. The controller is adapted to acquire left OCT data and right OCT data of the target site, via the OCT module, and synchronously acquire left camera data and right camera data of the target site, via the stereoscopic camera. The controller is adapted to generate volume-rendered images, including: first and second OCT images based on the OCT data and first and second camera images based on the camera data. The first and second OCT images and the first and second camera images have matching parallax.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20240057986Abstract: A surgical system for wirelessly charging a foot controller is described. The surgical system includes a surgical console. The surgical system also includes a foot controller wirelessly coupled to the surgical console and adapted to control one or more operations of the surgical console. The surgical system further includes a charging apparatus coupled to the surgical console and adapted to wirelessly charge the foot controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Sean Christopher Madden, Gary P. Sorensen
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Publication number: 20240050273Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to an ophthalmic surgical probe for extrusion. In certain embodiments, the probe includes a beveled probe tip that increases the area of vacuum generation at a target site without increasing probe gauge, thus facilitating improved tissue engagement. In certain embodiments, the probe further includes one or more texturized surfaces for improved “grabbing” and manipulation of target tissues, and/or one or more surfaces formed of polymeric materials to reduce unwanted damage and enhance the safety of use thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Paul R. Hallen, Firas Rahhal, Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11889976Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together. A surgical tool that includes an integrated camera may be used in conjunction with the surgical device. The image produced by the camera integrated with the surgical tool may be associated with the images generated by the plurality of cameras integrated in the surgical device. The position and orientation of the cameras and/or the surgical tool can be tracked, and the surgical tool can be rendered as at least partially transparent. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: CamPlex, Inc.Inventors: Steven T. Charles, John Tesar
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Publication number: 20240037794Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method of generating a color-corrected ophthalmic image. The method comprises obtaining an ophthalmic image of an eye with a nuclear sclerotic cataract or a tinted intraocular lens (“IOL”). The method further comprises determining color-shift information associated with the ophthalmic image based on at least one of user input and by processing the obtained image, the color-shift information indicative of the extent to which color in the obtained image is to be corrected to at least partially remedy the effect of the nuclear sclerotic cataract or the tinted IOL on the color of the obtained image. The method further comprises color-correcting the ophthalmic image based on the color-shift information. The method further comprises generating the color-corrected ophthalmic image based on the color-correcting.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11883096Abstract: The present disclosure provides an adaptive optics system including at least one active pixel sensor array that detects light and sends a signal to a processor. The adaptive optics system also includes a wavefront correction system including at least one wavefront control structure and the processor, and that executes instructions on the processor to produce a digital image in which at least one wavefront distortion in the light detected by the active pixel sensor array is partially or fully corrected. The disclosure also provides methods of using the adaptive optics system.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11877956Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to small-gauge instrumentation for surgical procedures, and more specifically, to vitreoretinal instruments for retinal repair and reattachment procedures, as well as associated methods of use. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a curved or articulating probe configured to provide illumination, fluid aspiration, and endophotocoagulation. Accordingly, the probe enables aspiration of subretinal fluid that re-accumulates after initial drainage and during endophotocoagulation without the need to exchange surgical instruments or insert an additional instrument into the intraocular space. Furthermore, the combined functionalities of the probe enable a surgeon to simultaneously perform scleral depression with the surgeon's other hand while aspirating fluid and/or performing retinal endophotocoagulation.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20230414099Abstract: A lens holder for an ophthalmic procedure is provided. The lens holder includes: a rim configured to hold a lens; and a flange coupled to the rim, the flange including a first surface configured to be positioned on an ocular surface of an eye and an opposing second surface. The flange includes one or more conjunctiva capture features extending from the first surface to the second surface of the flange, and the one or more conjunctiva capture features are configured to be latched on to one or more portions of conjunctiva of the eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11826101Abstract: The present disclosure provides a scene camera system including a scene camera that includes a lens and may detect light reflected off an exterior of an eye into the lens and send a signal corresponding to the detected light to a processor. The system further includes a main camera that may detect light reflected off an interior structure of the eye and send a signal corresponding to the detected light to the processor. The system also includes an image processing system including the processor that executes instructions to produce a scene camera digital image of the eye and a main camera digital image of the eye. The system further includes a multiple picture-in-picture display that displays the scene camera digital image of the eye and the main camera digital image of the eye concurrently.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11806105Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high dexterity manipulation systems for microsurgical procedures. The surgical system includes a master apparatus controllably coupled to a slave apparatus configured to couple to a patient's head with a dual tripod structure having two pluralities of linear actuator links pivotally supporting a surgical tool shaft. The motions of the linear actuator links are controlled to provide at least 6 degrees of freedom for the surgical tool shaft. The slave apparatus may further include a redundant axis rotatable tool shaft, thus enabling 7 degrees of freedom for a surgical tool. The surgical system includes sensors enabling forces of interaction between the slave apparatus and its environment to be reflected back to the master apparatus. Forces imparted onto the master apparatus by an operator can be fed forward to control the slave apparatus and scaled down to reduce the forces on target tissues.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Publication number: 20230310096Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide improved techniques for OCT guided robotic ophthalmic procedures. A method includes receiving, during OCT scanning of an eye, position data of a plurality of galvanometer scanners from a plurality of absolute and incremental encoders coupled to the corresponding galvanometer scanners. The method further includes receiving scan data related to one or more tissues of the eye. The method further includes determining, a set of first positions of the one or more tissues of the eye in a first 3D coordinate system. The method further includes determining, based on the set of first positions and a mapping between the first and a second 3D coordinate systems, a position in the second 3D coordinate system for a surgical instrument coupled to a robotic device. The method includes causing the robotic device to move the surgical instrument to the position in the second 3D coordinate system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11717298Abstract: A surgical clamp for aligning the margins of incised or wounded tissue has jaws with parallel clamping faces, and a handle for manipulating the clamp to align the margins of the tissue. The jaws are in a normally closed position, however they can be opened by compressing the handle to open the jaws. Prongs project from the inferior surface of the jaws. The clamp is positioned in a desired position over the margins of a wound to be closed, the prongs engage the margins of the wound to be aligned, and the jaws are closed by releasing compressive force on the handle. As the jaws close the prongs help move the tissue into alignment. Suture guide slots through the jaws assist in the placement of precisely placed sutures across the incision. The disclosed surgical clamp is particularly suited for selectively closing and reopening surgical incisions, such as a sclerotomy incision in the eye. Methods are disclosed for using the clamp during intraocular and other surgical or minimally invasive procedures.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Vladimir R. Khristov, Steven T. Charles, Juan A. Amaral, Arvydas Maminishkis, Kapil Bharti
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Patent number: 11696851Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a cannula system with a retention mechanism comprising a cannula, a hub coupled to the cannula, wherein a distal end of the cannula is configured to be inserted into a body part up to the hub, and a retention mechanism configured to create resistance for retaining the cannula inside the body part in response to force exerted on the cannula for pulling the cannula out of the body part. The retention mechanism may include retention elements coupled to a bottom surface of the hub, and by rotating the hub in a first direction, the one or more retention elements that are parallel to a surface of the body part are configured to penetrate the body part. In other embodiments, the retention mechanism may include halfpipe elements that pivot on fulcrum points to hold or release the hub and cannula from the body part.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 11672612Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide improved techniques for OCT guided robotic ophthalmic procedures. A method includes receiving, during OCT scanning of an eye, position data of a plurality of galvanometer scanners from a plurality of absolute and incremental encoders coupled to the corresponding galvanometer scanners. The method further includes receiving scan data related to one or more tissues of the eye. The method further includes determining, a set of first positions of the one or more tissues of the eye in a first 3D coordinate system. The method further includes determining, based on the set of first positions and a mapping between the first and a second 3D coordinate systems, a position in the second 3D coordinate system for a surgical instrument coupled to a robotic device. The method includes causing the robotic device to move the surgical instrument to the position in the second 3D coordinate system.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Charles