US9066678B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 4.9 years remaining
Ophthalmic endoilluminators with directed light
Assignee: Alcon Inc
•
Filing: 2011-09-23
•
Granted: 2015-06-30
•
Expires: 2031-09-23
Abstract
Abstract Certain embodiments of an endoilluminator may include a cannula, an intermediate material, and an optical fiber. The cannula has a substantially cylindrical shape that defines an interior region and has a cylindrical axis. The intermediate material is disposed within the interior region. The optical fiber is disposed within the intermediate material and has a fiber optical axis and a distal end configured to emit light. The emitted light has an illumination pattern with an illumination axis that is not parallel to the cylindrical axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack R. Auld
- 👤 Michael M. Martin
- 👤 Michael J. Papac
- 👤 Ronald T. Smith
- 👤 Michael J. Yadlowsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00174; A61B1/00183; A61B1/06; A61B1/07; A61B19/5202; A61B3/00; A61B3/0008; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2019/5206; A61B2090/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A system comprising: a cannula having a substantially cylindrical shape defining an interior region and an opening at a distal most end of the cannula, the cylindrical shape having a cylindrical axis; an intermediate material disposed within the interior region, the intermediate material defining a fixed fiber pathway having a portion that is curved with respect to the cylindrical axis, the fixed fiber pathway being wider towards the opening at the distal most end of the cannula; an optical fiber disposed within the fixed fiber pathway, the optical fiber having a fiber optical axis and a distal end configured to emit light with an illumination pattern having an illumination axis, at least a portion of the fiber optical axis proximate the distal end not parallel to the cylindrical axis, the illumination axis not parallel to the cylindrical axis; and an actuator disposed within the intermediate material, the actuator comprising a rod configured to move the distal end of the optical fiber from a first position within the fixed fiber pathway to a second position within the fixed fiber pathway to change an angle between the illumination axis and the cylindrical axis from a first value to a second value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A system comprising: a cannula having a substantially cylindrical shape defining an interior region and an opening at a distal most end of the cannula, the cylindrical shape having a cylindrical axis; an intermediate material disposed within the interior region, the intermediate material defining a fixed fiber pathway having a portion that is curved with respect to the cylindrical axis, the fixed fiber pathway being wider towards the opening at the distal most end of the cannula; an optical fiber disposed within the fixed fiber pathway, the optical fiber having a fiber optical axis and a distal end configured to emit light with an illumination pattern having an illumination axis, at least a portion of the fiber optical axis proximate the distal end not parallel to the cylindrical axis, the illumination axis not parallel to the cylindrical axis; and an actuator disposed within the intermediate material, the actuator comprising a rod configured to move the distal end of the optical fiber from a first position within the fixed fiber pathway to a second position within the fixed fiber pathway to change an angle between the illumination axis and the cylindrical axis from a first value to a second value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a return mechanism configured to return the optical fiber to the first position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , the optical fiber shaped to return to the first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , the optical fiber mechanically coupled to the actuator to allow the actuator to return the optical fiber to the first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , a distal end of the cannula configured to make incisions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , the cannula configured to retract such that the distal end of the optical fiber protrudes more than a distal end of the cannula.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 , the intermediate material shaped to avoid the emitted light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 , the cannula shaped to avoid the emitted light.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2018-06-29 | 2018-12-29 | 2019-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2022-06-29 | 2022-12-29 | 2023-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2026-06-29 | 2026-12-29 | 2027-06-30 | $7700.00 | Open for Payment |