Teclens, LLC

Prorhythm, Inc.

Transurgical, Inc.

Oriel Therapeutics, Inc.

Recor Medical, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Patrick David Lopath

David E Acker

Edward Paul Harhen

Todd N Fjield

Michael L King

Jeffrey Alan Warden

Frank George Cooper

Yegor D Sinelnikov

John W Denny

Jaime Merino

David Gershaw

John Hotmer

Richard D LaRoche

Louis R Kavoussi

Reinhard J Warnking

Emad S Ebbini

James D Savage

Bharat B Pant

Yong Zou

James Paolino

James Savage

Robert C Pacheco

Keith A Reisinger

David L Gershaw

Tood Fjield

Richard D Laroche

Yegor Sinelnikov

Systems and methods for monitoring properties of the cornea and controlling the crosslinking treatment. The thickness of the cornea during crosslinking may be measured by using ultrasonic reflections to determine an anterior distance (D') between a reference location () on a device resting on the eye and an anterior surface () of the cornea and to determine a posterior distance (D&#x2032;) between a posterior surface () of the cornea and an element of the eye such as an anterior surface () of the lens of the eye. These distances are subtracted from a reference distance (D) between the reference location and the element of the eye. The reference distance (D) may be determined using ultrasonic reflections to determine the corresponding anterior and posterior distances and the thickness (D) of the cornea prior to crosslinking. The speed of sound in the cornea during crosslinking may be derived using the thickness (D&#x2032;) and time of flight of ultrasound through the cornea. The position of the cornea relative to a reference location may be determined. In still other embodiments, location of a surface of demarcation () within the cornea formed as a result of crosslinking may be determined. Still other embodiments provide for determination of one or more resonant frequencies of the cornea, and for measurement of responses of the cornea to applied forces, such as displacement and rebound velocity. The properties of the cornea may be used as proxies for the extent of crosslinking, and a light source () used to induce crosslinking may be controlled in response to such proxies.

Corneal measurement and control of corneal crosslinking

A device for irradiation of the eye of a living subject with light such as UV light includes a structure () adapted to overlie the outer surface of the eye, the structure having an axis () extending in a downward direction (D) towards the eye when the structure overlies the eye. A light scattering element () within the structure includes a peripheral portion remote from the axis and a central portion adjacent the axis. A plurality of transmission optical fibers () in optical communication with the peripheral portion of the light scattering element at a plurality of locations spaced around the axis.

Device for irradiation of the eye

The present application relates generally to a method for vision correction using corneal collagen crosslinking ('CCXL'), in which the physician is able to precisely control the pattern of ultraviolet ('UV') energy delivered to the cornea, by means of a programmable masking array placed between the UV source and the cornea. A CCXL LCD masked is used to create various patterns of &#x201c;on&#x201d; and &#x201c;off&#x201d; pixels. The physician is able to control the degree of polarization of the LCD pixels, thereby allowing the physician to create various patterns of UV irradiation and thus, varying levels of CCXL.

Programmable patterning and masking array for corneal collagen crosslinking

A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (). The transducers may be carried on a device () resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

Real time acoustic dosimetry for corneal collagen crosslinking

In corneal crosslinking by applying a photoactivated crosslinking facilitator such as riboflavin to the cornea and irradiating the cornea with light, the cornea is contacted with a liquid () containing a source of oxygen during irradiation. The liquid transfers oxygen to the cornea to facilitate crosslinking.

Corneal crosslinking with oxygenation

A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Apparatus for phototherapy of the eye

Dry powder inhalers include electronic displays, readers and/or counters that can decrement dose amounts, inhibit misuse, read data on drug containment devices and/or communicate with remote devices. The dry powder containers can include at least a pair of cooperating generally tubular members, including an inner member and a generally tubular outer member sized and configured to slidably receive the inner member.

Dry powder inhalers

Inhalers with fins that deagglomerate dry powder using inspiratory effort of a user of an inhaler. The inhaler fins, at least in steady state conditions, are configured to generate dry powder and airflow patterns having turbulence with flow vortices, some of which may have a vortex having an axis of rotation that extends in an inspiratory flow direction while others may have a vortex that is substantially orthogonal to the inspiratory flow direction in an inspiratory airflow path, as an amount of dry powder travels through the inhaler to thereby deagglomerate the dry powder without trapping undue amounts of the dry powder during inhalation.

Dry powder inhalers that inhibit agglomeration, related devices and methods

The disclosure describes methods and inhalers that deagglomerate dry powder using inspiratory effort of a user of an inhaler. Inhaler fin and mesh configurations are described that facilitate deagglomeration. At least in steady state conditions, a dry powder and airflow pattern can be generated having turbulence with flow vortices, some of which may have a vortex having an axis of rotation that extends in an inspiratory flow direction while others may have a vortex that is substantially orthogonal to the inspiratory flow direction in an inspiratory airflow path, as an amount of dry powder travels through the inhaler to thereby deagglomerate the dry powder without trapping undue amounts of the dry powder during inhalation.

Pharmaceutical dry powder containers adapted for use in an inhaler and associated inhalers and kits thereof include at least a pair of cooperating generally tubular members, including an inner member and a generally tubular outer member sized and configured to slidably receive the inner member. In operation, at least one of the inner or outer members slide relative to the other to release a pharmaceutical dry powder.

Tubular dry powder drug containment systems, associated inhalers and methods

A cardiac ablation device treats atrial fibrillation by directing and focusing ultrasonic waves into a ring-like ablation region (A). The device desirably is steerable and can be moved between a normal disposition, in which the ablation region lies parallel to the wall of the heart for ablating a loop-like lesion, and a canted disposition, in which the ring-like focal region is tilted relative to the wall of the heart, to ablate only a short, substantially linear lesion. The ablation device desirably includes a balloon reflector structure () and an ultrasonic emitter assembly (), and can be steered and positioned without reference to engagement between the device and the pulmonary vein or ostium. A contrast medium (C) can be injected through the ablation device to facilitate imaging, so that the device can be positioned based on observation of the images.

Cardiac ablation devices

Apparatus and methods for ablating tissue surrounding a tubular anatomical structure such as the wall of a blood vessel or prostatic tissue surrounding the urethra. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic emitter such as a cylindrical emitter and an inflatable annular lens balloon surrounding the ultrasonic emitter. The lens balloon is inflated with a liquid having acoustic velocity different than that of the surrounding medium, so as to form an annular refracting surface. The acoustic energy from the emitter is focused into an annular focal region.

Energy application with inflatable annular lens

A collapsible ultrasonic reflector incorporates a gas-filled reflector balloon, a liquid-filled structural balloon an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the structural balloon. Acoustic energy emitted by the transducer is reflected by a highly reflective interface between the balloons. In a cardiac ablation procedure, the ultrasonic energy is focused into an annular focal region to ablate cardiac tissue extending in an annular path along the wall. Devices for stabilizing the balloon structure and for facilitating collapse and withdrawal of the balloon structure are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Stamford, CT, United States of America

Patrick David Lopath