Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Burba

Thomas A. Burba 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: 8967810
    Abstract: A method of determining the location of the scleral spur, to allow measurements of the anterior chamber of the eye to facilitate diagnosis or treatment of the eye. The method utilizes ultrasonic biomicroscopy apparatus to image the anterior chamber and several millimeters of sclera and align indicators, or along the scleral-uveal interface and the corneal-aqueous interface. These indicators can be lines, dots or any shape or colors. The intersection of these indicators is used as an estimated location of the scleral spur for measuring anterior chamber angle, angle opening distance, or other aspects of the eye. The disclosure includes methods of locating the scleral spur, software for locating the scleral spur using computerized imaging apparatus, and systems including computerized imaging apparatus and software for locating the scleral spur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas C. Prager, Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten
  • Patent number: 8062225
    Abstract: An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact including a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe/seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe, in use with the immersion bag system, is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: ESI, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Prager, Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten, William T. Ryder
  • Patent number: 8012094
    Abstract: An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached to the tip end of an ultrasound probe by use of the flexible collar having the integral internal seal. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea as well as to other surfaces whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: ESI, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Prager, Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten
  • Patent number: 8012095
    Abstract: An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe/seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: ESI, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Prager, Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten, William T. Ryder
  • Patent number: 7927344
    Abstract: Self-contained eye positioner having an annular vacuum ring composed of a channeled support ring and an overmolded flexible sealing ring having an attached rigid hollow tube secured to a syringe by use of an attachment fixture. The syringe, which also functions as a handle, provides a vacuum source, the vacuum of which is communicated to the annular vacuum ring to suctionally adhere the annular vacuum ring to the eyeball for maneuvering thereof. Accompanying closely associated auxiliary devices are provided for use with the eye positioner. No external vacuum source is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten
  • Publication number: 20080161693
    Abstract: An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached by a mutually formed probe/seal valve to the tip end of an ultrasound probe. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea, as well as to other surfaces, whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas C. Prager, Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten, William T. Ryder
  • Publication number: 20080103367
    Abstract: Self-contained eye positioner having an annular vacuum ring composed of a channeled support ring and an overmolded flexible sealing ring having an attached rigid hollow tube secured to a syringe by use of an attachment fixture. The syringe, which also functions as a handle, provides a vacuum source, the vacuum of which is communicated to the annular vacuum ring to suctionally adhere the annular vacuum ring to the eyeball for maneuvering thereof. Accompanying closely associated auxiliary devices are provided for use with the eye positioner. No external vacuum source is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten
  • Patent number: 7285096
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic appliance being an ultrasound probe positioning immersion shell for use in ultrasonic measurement of axial length of the eye ophthalmology and other procedures. Support members in an upper chamber and a lower chamber each provides accommodating support along and about a central axis of the ultrasound probe positioning immersion shell and about vertically spaced regions of ultrasound probes to provide for perpendicular alignment of ultrasound probes to the corneal plane. Vents in the chamber structure allow for introduction of fluid medium and for the expelling of air from the chambers to inhibit bubble formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: ESI, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten, Thomas C. Prager
  • Publication number: 20070239030
    Abstract: An immersion bag system for use with an ultrasound probe to overcome near field artifact includes a flexible thin wall thickness immersion bag with an attached flexible collar having an integral internal seal. The immersion bag contains a gel or other ultrasound transmission medium and is sealingly and removably attached to the tip end of an ultrasound probe by use of the flexible collar having the integral internal seal. The immersion bag is able to conform to a cornea as well as to other surfaces whether flat or irregular, thereby enabling an ultrasound probe to be used easily on such surfaces. An ultrasound probe in use with the immersion bag system is maintained at a distance above the contact surface of the immersion bag and is positionable about the vertical axis while the immersion bag maintains stationary conformal contact with the structure against which it is in contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Prager, Thomas Burba, David Hardten
  • Publication number: 20050101869
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic appliance being an ultrasound prob positioning immersion shell for use in ultrasonic measurement of axial length of the eye ophthalmology and other procedures. Support members in an upper chamber and a lower chamber each provides accommodating support along and about a central axis of the ultrasound probe positioning immersion shell and about vertically spaced regions of ultrasound probes to provide for perpendicular alignment of ultrasound probes to the corneal plane. Vents in the chamber structure allow for introduction of fluid medium and for the expelling of air from the chambers to inhibit bubble formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Burba, David Hardten, Thomas Prager
  • Patent number: 6436113
    Abstract: Self-contained eye positioner having an annular vacuum ring which is attached by a rigid hollow tube to a syringe. The syringe, which also functions as a handle, provides a vacuum source, the vacuum of which is communicated to the annular vacuum ring to suctionally adhere the annular vacuum ring to the eyeball. No external vacuum source is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Burba, David R. Hardten, Neal A. Sher