IP Library Granted Patent US 10,238,534
Granted Patent B2
US 10,238,534 · App. 14/167,003 · Granted Mar 26, 2019

Systems and processes for eye moisturizing during ocular surgery

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,238,534
App. No.
14/167,003
Granted
Mar 26, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various systems and techniques may be used for moisturizing an eye during ocular surgery. In particular implementations, a system and a technique for moisturizing an eye may include the ability to determine whether an eye should be moisturized during ocular surgery and to activate a fluid control device if an eye should be moisturized. The activation of the fluid control device may allow fluid flow from a fluid reservoir to a fluid nozzle coupled to a nozzle mounting device adapted to hold the fluid nozzle stable relative to a patient's eye. The system and the technique may also include the ability to deactivate the fluid control device.

Claims (16)

1. A system for moisturizing an eye during ocular surgery, the system comprising:

a fluid nozzle;

a nozzle mounting device adapted to hold the fluid nozzle stable relative to a patient's eye;

a fluid reservoir coupled to the fluid nozzle;

a fluid control device adapted to regulate fluid flow from the fluid reservoir to the nozzle for eye moisturizing; and

an activation device operable to activate and to deactivate the fluid control device, wherein the activation device comprises a computer and is operable to activate the fluid control device at a given time frequency or at an occurrence of an event,

wherein the fluid control device comprises a computer operable to control an amount of fluid dispensed by the fluid control device,

wherein the activation device comprises a sensor operable to detect a dryness level of a cornea of an eye, and

wherein the activation device is operable to deactivate the fluid control device in response to a dryness of the cornea of the eye.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid control device comprises a pump.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an activation device to activate the fluid control device.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the activation device comprises a user input device.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir is pressurized.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle mounting device comprises a surgical microscope.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir and the fluid control device are part of a surgical console.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid reservoir comprises a bottle or bag.

Assignments (3)
CONFIRMATORY DEED OF ASSIGNMENT EFFECTIVE APRIL 8, 2019 Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: NOVARTIS AG
To: ALCON INC.
Reel/Frame 051454/0788 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2014
From: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
To: NOVARTIS AG
Reel/Frame 032594/0088 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2014
From: SCHALLER, PHILIPP
To: ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.
Reel/Frame 032077/0130 →