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).

  • Patent number: 9415162
    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 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 9386918
    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 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventors: Eyad Ammari, Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20160175178
    Abstract: A method and device for actively stabilizing a patient during ocular surgery includes one or more sensors attached to a patient to measure motion, a head stabilization member, and one or more actuators that actively offset the motion of a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20160029892
    Abstract: A method of imaging in an ophthalmic surgical procedure can include determining an excitation wavelength of light associated with a vital stain; transmitting light having the excitation wavelength; determining an emission wavelength of light associated with the vital stain; filtering light using a first optical element to allow transmission of light having the emission wavelength and to block light having the excitation wavelength. An ophthalmic surgical imaging system can include a light source, one or more optical elements, an image sensor, a computing device, and/or a display device to visualize target biological tissue stained with a fluorescent vital stain. A method of imaging in an ophthalmic surgical procedure can include determining a wavelength of light that increases the visual contrast of a vital stain; transmitting light having the determined wavelength; and receiving a reflection of the transmitted light such that target biological tissue stained by the vital stain is accentuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20160022133
    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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael Papac
  • Publication number: 20160000604
    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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20150366446
    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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Eyad Ammari, Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20150272694
    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: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20150238073
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, John Tesar
  • Publication number: 20150173947
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20150141759
    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: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, John Tesar
  • Publication number: 20150018622
    Abstract: A surgical device includes one or more cameras integrated therein. The view of each of the one or more cameras can be integrated together and provided to a surgeon display and/or an assistant display. 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 one or more 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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: CamPlex, Inc.
    Inventors: John Tesar, Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 8905930
    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: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 8882662
    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 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Camplex, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20140307078
    Abstract: A method to determine an ophthalmic tissue structure comprises measuring image data for a range of depths corresponding to a target point in an eye with an axial scanner with a probe; determining an image information by an imaging processor from the image data; identifying a tissue pathology corresponding to the target point by the processor from the image information; and signaling a user by a user indicator based on the identified tissue pathology. A corresponding apparatus comprises an axial scanner with a probe to measure image data for a range of depths corresponding to a target point in an eye; a processor to determine an image information from the image data, and to identify a tissue pathology corresponding to the target point from the image information; and a user indicator to signal a user based on the identified tissue pathology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Michael James Papac, Michael Yadlowsky
  • Patent number: 8852091
    Abstract: A pupil expander is disclosed. The pupil expander comprises a support member sized to expand a pupil and a plurality of engaging portions. The plurality of engaging portions are coupled to and spaced about the support member. The engaging portions have a recess and are shaped and sized to receive an inner margin of an iris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Glenn R. Sussman, Steven T. Charles, Hsin S. Chin
  • Publication number: 20140276558
    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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20140155817
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Publication number: 20140074011
    Abstract: A system for the removal of vitreous humor and other fluids from an eye and the reinjection of filtered vitreous humor into the eye is provided. The system comprises a hollow removal device, a filter, and an infusion device. The removal device includes an element configured to cut the vitreous humor and is configured to aspirate the vitreous humor from the eye. The filter is configured to create a filtered form of vitreous humor by separating the vitreous humor from undesired components in the vitreous humor. The infusion device is fluidly coupled to the filter and is configured to return the filtered form of vitreous humor into the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles
  • Patent number: 8658948
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary surgical system employing a temperature controlled docking station. The surgical system may include an articulating arm that is selectively moveable within a range of positions. A tray for receiving items used in performing a procedure may be attached to the articulating arm. The docking station may be attached to the tray. The docking station may include a heating element for selectively heating the docking station, a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the docking station, and a reader configured for collecting information associated with an article placed in the docking station. The surgical system may also include a controller operably connected to the heating element, the temperature sensor, and the reader. The controller may be configured to adjust a heat output of the heating element in response to a signal received from the temperature sensor and/or the reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Charles