Patents by Inventor Timothy C. Ryan
Timothy C. Ryan 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: 20230181367Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and devices for coupling optical fibers with laser surgical systems. In particular, certain aspects provide a push-pull connector and adapter for releasably coupling an optical fiber with a port of a laser surgical system. The connector and adapter facilitate mechanical lateral and rotational guidance of the optical fiber during insertion into the port to ensure proper alignment (e.g., clocking) of the optical fiber’s cores with a laser beam pattern propagated by the laser surgical system. Accordingly, the connector and adaptor enable improved coupling efficiency between the laser beam pattern and one or more cores of the optical fiber, and therefore improved power uniformity between multiple laser beams transmitted through the cores.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Mark Harrison Farley, Chenguang Diao, Mark Alan Hopkins, Alireza Mirsepassi, Timothy C. Ryan, Ronald T. Smith, Dennis Martin Terenzio
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Publication number: 20230157873Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Publication number: 20230149113Abstract: An instrument to facilitate hands-free illumination of an eye for a surgical procedure. The instrument includes an optical end of unique architecture and surfacing such that the instrument may be left immobile while sufficiently illuminating an eye interior with greater than 100° of wide beam spread angle provided. Further, the grind surfacing provided to the end cone of the optical end provides enhanced light distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Qing Xiang, Timothy C. Ryan, Yu Yan
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Patent number: 11583441Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Patent number: 11493692Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser probe assembly coupled to a laser system through an optical fiber cable. In one example, the laser probe assembly comprises a probe tip coupled to the probe body, the probe tip housing multiple fibers. Each of the multiple fibers comprises a proximal end that couples to the laser system and a distal end that terminates in the probe tip, a single core for transporting a laser beam provided by the laser system, and a cladding surrounding the core. The laser probe assembly also comprises a lens for projecting multiple laser beams provided by the multiple fibers on to a surgical site. Within the probe tip, parts of outer surfaces of portions of any two adjacent fibers of the multiple fibers touch. Also, the multiple fibers are at least substantially centered with respect to the lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20220192873Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a probe comprising a tube, wherein one or more optical fibers extend at least partially through the tube for transmitting at least one of a laser light and an illumination light from a light source to a target location. A distal end of the tube comprises a flat-walled morphology, and a protective window with a round edge is press-fit to the distal end. The flat-walled morphology of the distal end of the tube has a reduced diametric interference sensitivity, thus allowing a wider range of tolerances between the window and the tube walls for effective press-fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Michael Scott Heuser, Timothy C. Ryan, Manish Mahlar Agarkar, Mark Harrison Farley
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Publication number: 20220087772Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide devices, systems, and methods for illuminating inside an eye globe. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to ergonomic chandelier illumination systems for illumination of a surgical site during ophthalmic surgery, the chandelier illumination systems having improved flexibility, profile, and light coupling efficiency. In certain embodiments, a malleable chandelier illumination probe, which is bendable by a surgeon to any desired angle, is disclosed. In certain other embodiments, a preformed chandelier illumination probe, which is preset to a desired angle using a heating method, is disclosed. In certain other embodiments, a method for belling and binding two optical fibers to create a dual chandelier output with improved light coupling efficiency, which is capable of being used with a single connector, is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Timothy C. Ryan, Qing Xiang, Randall T. Ige, Robert Jeffrey Heng
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Patent number: 11160686Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-core optical fiber cable (MCF). In some embodiments, an MCF comprises a plurality of cores, a cladding surrounding the plurality of cores, wherein a refractive index of one or more of the plurality of cores is greater than a refractive index of the cladding, and a coating surrounding the cladding, a distal end free of the coating and having a reduced diameter. The MCF also comprise an annular gap formed between the distal end of the MCF and the inner surface of the cannula, wherein the concentricity of the distal end of the MCF with the inner passage of the cannula is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Christopher Cook, Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20210255388Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser probe assembly coupled to a laser system through an optical fiber cable. In one example, the laser probe assembly comprises a probe tip coupled to the probe body, the probe tip housing multiple fibers. Each of the multiple fibers comprises a proximal end that couples to the laser system and a distal end that terminates in the probe tip, a single core for transporting a laser beam provided by the laser system, and a cladding surrounding the core. The laser probe assembly also comprises a lens for projecting multiple laser beams provided by the multiple fibers on to a surgical site. Within the probe tip, parts of outer surfaces of portions of any two adjacent fibers of the multiple fibers touch. Also, the multiple fibers are at least substantially centered with respect to the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20200281769Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Patent number: 10639197Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Alcon Inc.Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Patent number: 10413446Abstract: A method of manufacturing an articulating ophthalmic surgical probe includes providing a cannula having an outer diameter of 20 Ga or less and a slotted tip, permanently attaching a pull wire to the slotted tip, permanently attaching a metal anchor to a distal end of the pull wire, positioning a weld pin within a handle assembly that is sized to fit within a single hand, and welding the metal anchor to the weld pin within the handle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Dustin J. Bouch, Raffi S. Pinedjian, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20190192340Abstract: A method of manufacturing an articulating ophthalmic surgical probe includes providing a cannula having an outer diameter of 20 Ga or less and a slotted tip, permanently attaching a pull wire to the slotted tip, permanently attaching a metal anchor to a distal end of the pull wire, positioning a weld pin within a handle assembly that is sized to fit within a single hand, and welding the metal anchor to the weld pin within the handle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Dustin J. Bouch, Raffi S. Pinedjian, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20190175406Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-core optical fiber cable (MCF). In some embodiments, an MCF comprises a plurality of cores, a cladding surrounding the plurality of cores, wherein a refractive index of one or more of the plurality of cores is greater than a refractive index of the cladding, and a coating surrounding the cladding, a distal end free of the coating and having a reduced diameter. The MCF also comprise an annular gap formed between the distal end of the MCF and the inner surface of the cannula, wherein the concentricity of the distal end of the MCF with the inner passage of the cannula is maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Christopher Cook, Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20180360660Abstract: In some embodiments, a vitrectomy probe may include an inner cutting tube reciprocating in an outer tube. The outer tube includes a side port and the inner tube includes a distal cutting port, and, in some embodiments, an additional side port. In some embodiments, the inner tube may also include a flat upper edge that cuts across the outer tube side port. In some embodiments, a diaphragm drives the inner tube and may have an open-stroke side with a lower hardness material than a closed-stroke side. In some embodiments, an aspiration tube coupled to the vitrectomy probe may include a first aspiration tubing and a second aspiration tubing with a lower hardness than the first aspiration tubing. In some embodiments, the vitrectomy probe may be coupled to pneumatic tubing that is stepped or tapered.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Jose Luis Lopez, Matthew Douglas McCawley, Brian William McDonell, Timothy C. Ryan, John R. Underwood, Salomon Valencia, Jack Robert Auld
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Publication number: 20150223976Abstract: A method of manufacturing an articulating ophthalmic surgical probe includes providing a cannula having an outer diameter of 20 Ga or less and a slotted tip, permanently attaching a pull wire to the slotted tip, permanently attaching a metal anchor to a distal end of the pull wire, positioning a weld pin within a handle assembly that is sized to fit within a single hand, and welding the metal anchor to the weld pin within the handle assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: DUSTIN J. BOUCH, RAFFI S. PINEDJIAN, TIMOTHY C. RYAN
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Patent number: 8542962Abstract: Embodiments of endo-illuminators and related methods are disclosed. One embodiment of an illuminator can comprise a cannula defining a passage, an optical element disposed at an end of the cannula, and an optical fiber running through the passage with the distal end of the optical fiber in contact with the optical element. The optical fiber includes at least a heat preconditioned distal portion that terminates in the distal end that is in contact with the optical element.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Dean Y. Lin, Jack R. Auld, Timothy C. Ryan
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Patent number: 8498506Abstract: Embodiments of endo-illuminators and related methods are disclosed. One embodiment of an illuminator can comprise a cannula defining a passage, an optical element disposed at an end of the cannula, and an optical fiber running through the passage with the distal end of the optical fiber in contact with the optical element. The optical fiber includes at least a heat preconditioned distal portion that terminates in the distal end that is in contact with the optical element.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Dean Y. Lin, Jack R. Auld, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20130081253Abstract: Embodiments of endo-illuminators and related methods are disclosed. One embodiment of an illuminator can comprise a cannula defining a passage, an optical element disposed at an end of the cannula, and an optical fiber running through the passage with the distal end of the optical fiber in contact with the optical element. The optical fiber includes at least a heat preconditioned distal portion that terminates in the distal end that is in contact with the optical element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Dean Y. Lin, Jack R. Auld, Timothy C. Ryan
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Publication number: 20100042080Abstract: Embodiments of endo-illuminators and related methods are disclosed. One embodiment of an illuminator can comprise a cannula defining a passage, an optical element disposed at an end of the cannula, and an optical fiber running through the passage with the distal end of the optical fiber in contact with the optical element. The optical fiber includes at least a heat preconditioned distal portion that terminates in the distal end that is in contact with the optical element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Ronald T. Smith, Dean Y. Lin, Jack R. Auld, Timothy C. Ryan