Patents by Inventor Tammo Heeren

Tammo Heeren 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: 20240131269
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, Jack R. Auld, Hien Nguyen, Tammo Heeren, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas, John C. Dunne, JR.
  • Publication number: 20230355430
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew Flowers, Tammo Heeren, Hien Nguyen, John C. Huculak, Eric Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 11738154
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, Jack R. Auld, Hien Nguyen, Tammo Heeren, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas, John C. Dunne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11701254
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ALTAVIZ, LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew Flowers, Tammo Heeren, Hien Nguyen, John C. Huculak, Eric Anderfaas
  • Publication number: 20230141098
    Abstract: A method and system perform an ophthalmic procedure on an eye having an optical path from the lens to the retina. An image of at least part of the eye is received in a data processing unit. The image includes the optical path. The data processing unit determines keep out zone(s) and identifies undesirable feature(s) based on the image. The keep out zone(s) include the retina. The data processing unit also selects one of the undesirable feature(s) for removal. At least part of the undesirable feature is outside of the keep out zone(s). Confirmation for removal of the undesirable feature is received in the data processing unit. In response to receiving the confirmation, a control unit controls a laser to perform laser removal the at least the portion of the undesirable feature without targeting any portion of the keep out zone(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: Tammo HEEREN
  • Patent number: 11547604
    Abstract: A method and system perform an ophthalmic procedure on an eye having an optical path from the lens to the retina. An image of at least part of the eye is received in a data processing unit. The image includes the optical path. The data processing unit determines keep out zone(s) and identifies undesirable feature(s) based on the image. The keep out zone(s) include the retina. The data processing unit also selects one of the undesirable feature(s) for removal. At least part of the undesirable feature is outside of the keep out zone(s). Confirmation for removal of the undesirable feature is received in the data processing unit. In response to receiving the confirmation, a control unit controls a laser to perform laser removal the at least the portion of the undesirable feature without targeting any portion of the keep out zone(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Tammo Heeren
  • Patent number: 11432961
    Abstract: Ophthalmic surgical devices, systems, and methods for automatically controlling the injection or extraction of viscous fluids from a patient's eye are provided. A syringe pump connected with an actuation line and a powered syringe provides pressures for viscous fluid injection or extraction in a vitreous chamber of the eye. A sensor disposed adjacent to or inside the eye determines sensor data relating to an intraocular pressure (IOP). The controller receives the sensor data and regulates the injection or extraction of the viscous fluid in response to the detected IOP, such as by controlling the syringe pump. The controller may determine whether the IOP is above an upper threshold or below a lower threshold and may control the syringe pump to regulate the injection or extraction of viscous fluid to maintain the IOP between the upper and the lower thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammo Heeren, Andrew David Johnson
  • Publication number: 20220241111
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for treating tissue abnormalities are disclosed. The tissue may be visualized for determining a presence of one or more abnormalities contained therein. Imaging data obtained by visualization may be used to determine the presence of one or more abnormalities. Each of the detected abnormalities may be identified and a treatment plan developed for treating the abnormalities. Treatment may be delivered to the abnormalities according to the treatment plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Michael John Claus, Robert Sanchez, Tammo Heeren, Argelio Michael Olivera, Michael Papac, Lingfeng Yu, Hugang Ren
  • Patent number: 11382501
    Abstract: OCT-display for vitreoretinal surgery may be foot pedal controlled. Specifically, the tissue layers displayed in an en face image generated from OCT scanning may be navigated downward or upward based on user input supplied by a foot pedal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Tammo Heeren
  • Patent number: 11317983
    Abstract: A surgical probe system comprising a surgical probe having an instrument tip, and at least one motion sensor located within the surgical probe that measures movement and orientation data. The system further includes a processor that is configured to determine movement and orientation of the instrument tip based on the movement and orientation data, and adjust at least one surgical parameter of the surgical probe based on the movement and orientation of the instrument tip to affect a predetermined surgical outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Charles, Tammo Heeren
  • Patent number: 11185225
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical microscope includes a beam coupler positioned along an optical path of the surgical microscope between a first eyepiece and magnifying/focusing optics, the beam coupler operable to direct the OCT imaging beam along a first portion of the optical path of the surgical microscope between the beam coupler and a patient's eye (an OCT image being generated based on a reflected portion of the OCT imaging beam). The surgical microscope additionally includes a real-time data projection unit operable to project the OCT image generated by the OCT system and a beam splitter positioned along the optical path of the surgical microscope between a second eyepiece and the magnifying/focusing optics. The beam splitter is operable to direct the projected OCT image along a second portion of the optical path of the surgical microscope between the beam splitter and the second eyepiece such that the projected OCT image is viewable through the second eyepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Tammo Heeren, Hugang Ren, Vadim Shofman, Lingfeng Yu
  • Publication number: 20210259884
    Abstract: A system for managing fluid levels in phacoemulsification surgery is disclosed. The system comprises a surgical console having at least one system bus communicatively connected to at least one computing processor capable of accessing at least one computing memory associated with the at least one computing processor, and at least one sensor associated with the surgical console for providing at least one signal indicative of the presence of liquid, wherein the at least one sensor is in communication with at least one level sensing device of a cassette associated with the surgical console.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Tammo Heeren, Matthew Flowers
  • Patent number: 11071449
    Abstract: An ophthalmic surgical system includes an imaging unit configured to generate a fundus image of an eye and a depth imaging system configured to generate a depth-resolved image of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Tammo Heeren
  • Publication number: 20210205507
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and/or capturing a cassette is disclosed. The cassette capture mechanism may be used with a surgical console of a surgical system, wherein the system has a cassette receiving area having at least two alignment sensors and a plurality of capture plungers; and at least two capture hooks which may engage with a cassette, wherein at least one of the at least two alignment sensors produces a signal indicative of the presence of a cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Tammo Heeren, John C. Dunne, JR., Matthew Flowers
  • Patent number: 11051978
    Abstract: Ophthalmic surgical devices, systems, and methods for regulating aspiration from a patient's eye are provided. A vacuum pump in fluid communication with an aspiration line provides fluid aspiration from a vitreous chamber of the eye through the aspiration line. A sensor disposed adjacent to or inside the eye determines sensor data relating to an intraocular pressure (IOP). The controller receives the sensor data and regulates the aspiration in response to changes in the IOP, such as by controlling the vacuum pump. The controller may determine whether a fluid infusion to the vitreous chamber through an infusion line is below a maximum infusion level, regulate the infusion in response to the IOP being below a threshold value and the infusion being below the maximum infusion level, and regulate the aspiration in response to the IOP being below the threshold value and the infusion being at or above the maximum infusion level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Tammo Heeren, Andrew David Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210154046
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes an injector cannula having a soft injector tip. A retractable tip protector tube is slidably disposed on the flow cannula between an extended position in which the tip protector tube covers the entire injector tip, and a retracted position in which the tip protector tube is retracted proximally thereby exposing at least part of the injector tip. Accordingly, the tip protector tube protects the injector tip from being damaged while advancing the injector tip to a target injection site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Matthew Flowers, Tammo Heeren, Hien Nguyen, John C. Huculak, Eric Anderfaas
  • Publication number: 20210069426
    Abstract: Injector devices and methods for using them to deliver medicament into a patient's body, e.g., sub-retinally within an eye, are provided. The injector includes a cartridge including a piston slidably disposed within an interior for delivering medicament within the interior through an outlet, and a driver including a plunger coupled to the piston, a source of pressurized fluid, and an actuator member for opening a flow path at least partially between the source and the plunger to advance the plunger and piston to deliver medicament from the interior. One or more sensors are operatively coupled to the plunger to measure displacement of the plunger, a processor is coupled to the sensor(s) for analyzing sensor signals to measure volume of medicament delivered from the interior, and an output device, e.g., one or more LEDs or speakers, provide outputs related to the volume of medicament delivered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: John C. Huculak, Jack R. Auld, Hien Nguyen, Tammo Heeren, Matthew McCawley, Eric Anderfaas, John Dunne
  • Publication number: 20200060873
    Abstract: A method and system perform an ophthalmic procedure on an eye having an optical path from the lens to the retina. An image of at least part of the eye is received in a data processing unit. The image includes the optical path. The data processing unit determines keep out zone(s) and identifies undesirable feature(s) based on the image. The keep out zone(s) include the retina. The data processing unit also selects one of the undesirable feature(s) for removal. At least part of the undesirable feature is outside of the keep out zone(s). Confirmation for removal of the undesirable feature is received in the data processing unit. In response to receiving the confirmation, a control unit controls a laser to perform laser removal the at least the portion of the undesirable feature without targeting any portion of the keep out zone(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: TAMMO HEEREN
  • Publication number: 20190388274
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for treating tissue abnormalities are disclosed. The tissue may be visualized for determining a presence of one or more abnormalities contained therein. Imaging data obtained by visualization may be used to determine the presence of one or more abnormalities. Each of the detected abnormalities may be identified and a treatment plan developed for treating the abnormalities. Treatment may be delivered to the abnormalities according to the treatment plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Michael John Claus, Robert Sanchez, Tammo Heeren, Argelio Michael Olivera, Michael Papac, Lingfeng Yu, Hugang Ren
  • Patent number: 10492951
    Abstract: A method and system perform an ophthalmic procedure on an eye having an optical path from the lens to the retina. An image of at least part of the eye is received in a data processing unit. The image includes the optical path. The data processing unit determines keep out zone(s) and identifies undesirable feature(s) based on the image. The keep out zone(s) include the retina. The data processing unit also selects one of the undesirable feature(s) for removal. At least part of the undesirable feature is outside of the keep out zone(s). Confirmation for removal of the undesirable feature is received in the data processing unit. In response to receiving the confirmation, a control unit controls a laser to perform laser removal the at least the portion of the undesirable feature without targeting any portion of the keep out zone(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Tammo Heeren