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).

  • Publication number: 20180055502
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. 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 composite image 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 transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: CamPlex, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, John Tesar
  • Publication number: 20180042768
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for removal of subretinal fluid is provided herein. The surgical instrument may include a handle coupleable to an aspiration source and a first elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being coupled to the rotational structure such that the first elongate tubular member is rotatable around the axis. The handle may be configured to rotate around an axis of a handle body. The surgical instrument may further include a second elongate tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second elongate tubular member being coupled to the distal end of the first elongate tubular member, and a port formed through a wall of the second member for aspirating material from a body cavity through the first and second members. The second elongate tubular member may be curved when exposed to body temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20180018953
    Abstract: Active noise cancellation is employed to address unwanted acoustical noise generated by various equipment associated with an ophthalmic surgical system. Active noise cancellation may be used within a chassis of the ophthalmic surgical system, within an air compressor used with the ophthalmic surgical system, and within a reciprocating surgical probe used with the ophthalmic surgical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kirk Wellington Todd, Johan Gustaf Ekvall, Paul J. Essex, Steven T. Charles, Nicholas Max Gunn
  • Publication number: 20180008463
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of and for an ophthalmic surgical system are disclosed. An ophthalmic surgical system may include a vitrectomy probe having a housing sized and shaped for grasping by a user. The vitrectomy probe may also include a cutter extending from the housing and being sized to penetrate and treat a patient eye. The cutter may include an outer cutting tube coupled to the housing. The outer cutting tube may have an outer port formed therein that is sized and shaped to receive tissue. The cutter may include a rotatable inner cutting member disposed within the outer cutting tube. The inner cutting member may include a first cutting surface that rotates across the outer port to cut the tissue when the inner cutting member is rotated. The vitrectomy probe may include a pneumatic vane actuator positioned within the housing and configured to rotate the inner cutting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9849029
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system can include a light source configured to generate a light beam and a filter wheel disposed between the light source and an intraocular illumination device. The filter wheel can include an unfiltered area, a first filtered area, and a second filtered area. The first and second filtered areas can limit transmission of certain wavelengths of the light beam to the intraocular illumination device. The system can include an actuator configured to selectively move the filter wheel to cause the light beam to pass through the unfiltered area, the first filtered area, and/or the second filtered area. The system can include a computing device configured to provide a control signal to the actuator. The computing device can be configured to provide a control signal to the actuator based on a beam location, a beam composition, an exposure time, and/or a limited visibility condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Eyad Ammari, Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20170360603
    Abstract: Various membrane delamination devices for removing proliferative membranes from underling tissues are disclosed herein. In some implementations, the delamination device may include a first shearing part and a second shearing part. One of the first shearing part and the second shearing part may be moveable relative to the other of the first shearing part and the second shearing part. One or more of the shearing parts may include a plurality of teeth formed at a leading edge thereof. A shearing action produced by operation of the shearing parts may be used to sever fibers joining proliferative membranes from an underlying tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Reto Grueebler, Thomas Linsi, Rodolfo Wolfer, Bogdan Vigaru, Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9844314
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical microscope can include a movable optical element positioned in an optical pathway of light reflected from a surgical field. The movable optical element can be configured to oscillate in a direction along the optical pathway. The microscope can include an actuator coupled to the movable optical element and configured to move in response to a control signal. The microscope can include a computing device in communication with the actuator and configured to generate the control signal to move the movable optical element. In some embodiments, the computing device is configured to generate the control signal to move the movable optical element with an oscillation frequency greater than the critical flicker fusion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20170319062
    Abstract: A contact lens for use with a surgical microscope may be equipped with an anti-fogging device to prevent obscuring the view of a surgeon due to condensation during ophthalmic surgery. The anti-fogging device may deliver thermal energy to a surface of the contact lens to heat the contact lens above an ambient dew point. The thermal energy may be delivered by an air duct with a fan nozzle, a fluid duct in thermodynamic contact with the contact lens circulating a heat transfer fluid, or generated with electrical energy to an electrical heating element disposed on the surface of the contact lens. The thermal or electrical energy may be delivered via a handle for supporting the contact lens during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9730834
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for treatment of an ocular condition of a patient, comprising a hollow elongate member sized to penetrate an eye of the patient and including a body portion, a distal tip, and a lumen extending though both. The body portion includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a first diameter, and defines longitudinal axis. The distal tip extends from the distal end of the body portion and is arranged to treat tissue in the eye. The distal tip includes an inner tube defining the lumen in part, an outer sheath surrounding the inner tube, and a second diameter. The distal tip is configured to transition between a first rigid orientation and a second less rigid orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20170228858
    Abstract: Resolution enhancement of OCT images during ophthalmic surgery may be performed with an OCT scanning controller that interfaces to an OCT scanner used with a surgical microscope. Real-time OCT images may be acquired by the OCT scanner, while previously acquired high resolution OCT images are accessed by the OCT scanning controller. The high resolution OCT images may be morphed based on the real-time OCT images to match a deformation of the eye. The morphed high resolution OCT images may be displayed during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20170188825
    Abstract: A contact lens is usable during ophthalmic surgery, such as vitreoretinal surgery, and includes a diffractive structure that extends depth of focus along an optical axis of the contact lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Ron Smith
  • Patent number: 9693686
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of and for an ophthalmic visualization system are disclosed. An example ophthalmic visualization system may include a first lens positioned relative to a surgical microscope in a manner facilitating viewing of a central region of a retina through the surgical microscope during a surgical procedure. The first lens may be positionable in an optical path between an eye and the surgical microscope during the surgical procedure. The example ophthalmic visualization system may also include a second lens selectively positionable relative to the surgical microscope and the first lens in a manner facilitating viewing of a peripheral region of the retina of the eye during the surgical procedure. The second lens may be selectively positionable in the optical path such that the peripheral region is selectively viewable without changing the position of the first lens during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Lingfeng Yu, Michael Papac, Argelio Michael Olivera, Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20170172698
    Abstract: Described herein is an arm stabilization member for dampening inadvertent movement of the arm of a user during a surgical procedure, comprising an arm support and a movement mechanism coupled to the arm support. The arm support comprises an outer frame sized to support at least a portion of the user's arm and an inner pad lining an inner surface of the outer frame and configured to conform to the user's arm. The movement mechanism comprises a counterbalance system movably connected by joints and configured to compensate for the gravitational forces exerted by the arm of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9681796
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. 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 composite image 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 transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: CamPlex, Inc.
    Inventors: John Tesar, Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9655776
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and software for controlling infusion pressure, such as during a medical procedure, using systemic blood pressure are described. Systemic blood pressure, such as brachial arm blood pressure or radial artery blood pressure, may be used to estimate central retinal artery blood pressure to estimate critical closing pressure. Further, the disclosure relates to controlling infusion pressure to prevent an increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure when such is not desired, and, when such is desired, using systemic blood pressure and infusion pressure to control an intentional increase in intraocular pressure above the estimated critical closing pressure to stop intraocular bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20170135573
    Abstract: Binocular en face OCT imaging during ophthalmic surgery may be performed with an OCT scanning controller that interfaces to an OCT scanner used with a surgical microscope. The OCT scanner may generate left and right sample beams, and receive left and right measurement beams, respectively, to generate left and right scan data. The OCT scanning controller may process the left and right scan data to generate left and right en face images for respective viewing from binoculars in the surgical microscope to obtain an intraoperative stereoscopic en face view of interior portions of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20170135568
    Abstract: Resolution enhancement of OCT images during ophthalmic surgery may be performed with an OCT scanning controller that interfaces to an OCT scanner used with a surgical microscope. Real-time OCT images may be acquired by the OCT scanner, while previously acquired high resolution OCT images are accessed by the OCT scanning controller. The high resolution OCT images may be morphed based on the real-time OCT images to match a deformation of the eye. The morphed high resolution OCT images may be displayed during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20170135574
    Abstract: Curvature of field transformation of OCT images during ophthalmic surgery may be performed with an OCT scanning controller that interfaces to an OCT scanner used with a surgical microscope. Real-time OCT images may be acquired by the OCT scanner, while an anamorphic transformation is applied to the OCT images to match the curvature of field for optical images viewed using the surgical microscope. The transformed OCT images may be displayed during surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9649021
    Abstract: Resolution enhancement of OCT images during ophthalmic surgery may be performed with an OCT scanning controller that interfaces to an OCT scanner used with a surgical microscope. Real-time OCT images may be acquired by the OCT scanner, while previously acquired high resolution OCT images are accessed by the OCT scanning controller. The high resolution OCT images may be morphed based on the real-time OCT images to match a deformation of the eye. The morphed high resolution OCT images may be displayed during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9642606
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a plurality of cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the plurality of cameras can be integrated together to provide a composite image. 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 composite image 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 transparent on the composite image. A surgical device may be powered by a hydraulic system, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference with tracking devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CamPlex, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, John Tesar