IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,061,216
Granted Patent B2
US 8,061,216 · App. 12/270,209 · Granted Nov 22, 2011

Aspiration flow mesurement system with flow signal air bubble filter

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,061,216
App. No.
12/270,209
Granted
Nov 22, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

In an aspiration flow measurement system, a flow channel is provided for receiving an aspiration fluid flow therethrough. The flow measurement system further includes an aspiration flow measurement chamber and a flow sensor that is configured to generate a raw signal indicative of the rate of fluid flow through the flow channel. A control system is configured to monitor the signals indicating the flow through the flow measurement chamber, and to determine when a value of the raw signal is indicative of a disruption caused by the presence of an air bubble, wherein the control system generates a filtered signal of the flow rate that is exclusive of any signal values that are indicative of a disruption.

Claims (30)

1. An aspiration flow measurement system for an ophthalmic microsurgical system comprising:

a flow channel for receiving an aspiration fluid flow therethrough;

an aspiration flow measurement apparatus configured to generate a signal indicative of the rate of fluid flow through the flow channel; and

a control system configured to monitor the signals generated by the aspiration flow measurement apparatus, and to determine when a signal value is indicative of a disruption caused by the presence of an air bubble, wherein the control system generates a filtered signal indicative of the flow rate that is exclusive of any signal values that are indicative of a disruption.

2. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to determine when a signal value is indicative of the disruption caused by the presence of the air bubble, based on when the signal value exceeds a predetermined threshold.

3. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 2 , wherein the control system is configured to determine when a signal value is indicative of a sensed flow rate that exceeds a predetermined value.

4. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured to determine when a signal value is indicative of a sensed rate of change that exceeds a predetermined value.

5. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the filtered signal is based on a predetermined number of signal sample values falling within a predetermined time period, where any signal value samples that are indicative of the air bubble disruption are excluded such that the filtered signal is based on the remaining signal value samples within a predetermined time.

6. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 1 wherein the control system is configured to generate an error signal indicative of the air bubble disruption upon detecting the occurrence of a number of consecutive signal samples that exceed the predetermined threshold.

7. The aspiration flow measurement device of claim 1 wherein the control system is configured to determine when more than a predetermined number of signal values within a given time period are indicative of the air bubble disruption, and to responsively output an error signal.

8. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 1 , wherein an algorithm of the control system fits a quadratic function to a set of signal value samples, and determines when a signal value is indicative of the air bubble disruption based on when the signal differs from the average of the set of signal values by more than a predetermined number of standard deviations.

9. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 1 wherein the control system is configured to determine when a number of signal values indicative of the air bubble disruption occurs for more than a second, and to responsively revert to a vacuum mode and output an error signal to alert a surgeon of the disruption.

10. An aspiration flow measurement system for an ophthalmic microsurgical system comprising:

a flow channel for receiving an aspiration fluid flow therethrough;

an aspiration flow sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the rate of fluid flow through the flow channel; and

a control system configured to monitor the signals generated by the aspiration flow sensor, and to determine when a signal value is indicative of a disruption caused by the presence of an air bubble, based on when the signal value exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein the control system generates a filtered signal indicative of the flow rate that is exclusive of any signal values that are indicative of a disruption.

11. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is configured to determine when a signal value is indicative of a sensed flow rate that exceeds a predetermined value.

12. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 10 , wherein the control system is configured to determine when a signal value is indicative of a sensed rate of change that exceeds a predetermined value.

13. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 10 , wherein the filtered signal is based on a predetermined number of signal sample values falling within a predetermined time period, where any signal value samples that are indicative of the air bubble disruption are excluded such that the filtered signal is based on the remaining signal value samples within a predetermined time.

14. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 10 wherein the control system is configured to exclude signal values indicative of the air bubble disruption, where the signal values fall within a predetermined time period.

15. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 10 wherein the control system is configured to generate an error signal indicative of the air bubble disruption upon detecting the occurrence of a number of consecutive signal samples that exceed the predetermined threshold.

16. The aspiration flow measurement device of claim 10 wherein the control system is configured to determine when more than a predetermined number of signal values within a given time period are indicative of the air bubble disruption, and to responsively output an error signal.

17. The aspiration flow measurement system of claim 10 , wherein an algorithm of the control system fits a quadratic function to a set of signal value samples, and determines when a signal value is indicative of the air bubble disruption based on when the signal differs from the average of the set of signal values by more than a predetermined number of standard deviations.

18. A method for filtering an aspiration flow measurement signal that is provided by an ophthalmic microsurgical system, the method comprising:

receiving an aspiration fluid flow through a flow channel;

generating a raw signal indicative of the rate of fluid flow through the flow channel;

monitoring the raw signal generated by the aspiration flow sensor to determine when a signal value is indicative of a disruption caused by the presence of an air bubble, based on when the signal value exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

generating a filtered signal indicative of the flow rate that is exclusive of any signal values that are indicative of a disruption.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step generating a signal indicative of the air bubble disruption upon detecting the occurrence of a number of consecutive signal samples that exceed the predetermined threshold.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of generating an error signal upon detecting a number of signal samples that are indicative of the air bubble disruption lasting more than a predetermined time period.

Assignments (29)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ATON PHARMA, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA HOLDINGS CORP.; COMMONWEALTH LABORATORIES, LLC; DOW PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, INC.; ECR PHARMACEUTICALS CO., INC.; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ONPHARMA INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SANTARUS, INC.; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; SYNERGETICS USA, INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; VALEANT CANADA LP; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA LLC; WIRRA IP PTY LIMITED; VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SP. Z O.O.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 073637/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.
Reel/Frame 073654/0242 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 073637/0126 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (059913/0548) Recorded Aug 14, 2025
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS RESIGNING AGENT
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 072469/0091 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 1, 2025
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; ALDEN OPTICAL LABORATORIES, INC.; BAUSCH + LOMB IRELAND LIMITED
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071773/0871 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2025
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH IRELAND LIMITED (F/K/A/ VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED); SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD; SANTARUS, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; HUMAX PHARMACEUTICAL S.A.; SOLTA MEDICAL IRELAND LIMITED; BAUSCH & LOMB MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V.; BAUSCH+LOMB OPS B.V.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH HOLDCO LIMITED; BAUSCH HEALTH MAGYARORSZAG KFT (A/K/A BAUSCH HEALTH HUNGARY LLC); BAUSCH HEALTH POLAND SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA (F/K/A VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA); BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. / SANTE BAUSCH, CANADA INC.; ICN POLFA RZESZOW SPOLKA AKCYJNA (A/K/A ICN POLFA RZESZOW S.A.); ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRZEDSIEBIORSTWO FARMACEUTYCZNE JELFA SPOLKA AKCYJNA (A/K/A PRZEDSIEBIORSTWO FARMACEUTYCZNE JELFA S.A.); SOLTA MEDICAL DUTCH HOLDINGS B.V.; V-BAC HOLDING CORP.; VRX HOLDCO LLC; 1261229 B.C. LTD.; 1530065 B.C. LTD.
Reel/Frame 070778/0199 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 4, 2023
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065120/0086 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 045444/0634) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Reel/Frame 061872/0295 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 056811/0814) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 061872/0669 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 059121/0001) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 061873/0001 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 048556/0758) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Reel/Frame 061872/0484 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 043251/0932) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH
Reel/Frame 061872/0099 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN SPECIFIED PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 045444/0299) Recorded Oct 26, 2022
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; PF CONSUMER HEALTHCARE 1 LLC; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.
Reel/Frame 061779/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN SPECIFIED PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 031156/0508) Recorded Oct 26, 2022
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 061778/0446 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN SPECIFIED PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 034749/0689) Recorded Oct 26, 2022
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
Reel/Frame 061778/0146 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2022
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: CITIBANK, N.A. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 059913/0548 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
Reel/Frame 059121/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056811/0814 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2019
From: BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048556/0758 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2018
From: ATON PHARMA, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA HOLDINGS CORP.; COMMONWEALTH LABORATORIES, LLC; DOW PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, INC.; ECR PHARMACEUTICALS CO., INC.; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ONPHARMA INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SANTARUS, INC.; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; SYNERGETICS USA, INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; VALEANT CANADA LP; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA LLC; WIRRA IP PTY LIMITED; VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SP. Z O.O.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045444/0299 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2018
From: ATON PHARMA, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA HOLDINGS CORP.; COMMONWEALTH LABORATORIES, LLC; DOW PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, INC.; ECR PHARMACEUTICALS CO., INC.; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ONPHARMA INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SANTARUS, INC.; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; SYNERGETICS USA, INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; VALEANT CANADA LP; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA LLC; WIRRA IP PTY LIMITED; VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SP. Z O.O.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045444/0634 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2017
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
Reel/Frame 043251/0932 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY Recorded Jan 9, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 034749/0689 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 4, 2013
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031156/0508 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2013
From: CITIBANK N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: WP PRISM INC. (N/K/A BAUSCH & LOMB HOLDINGS INC.); BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; ISTA PHARMACEUTICALS
Reel/Frame 030995/0444 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 6, 2012
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; EYEONICS, INC.
To: CITIBANK N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 028728/0645 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2012
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 028726/0142 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 23, 2012
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 028090/0019 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2009
From: JONES, ROSS PETER
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 022571/0566 →