Novartis Ag

Alcon, Inc.

Robert Palino

Denis P Turner

Mark Alan Hopkins

Argelio Michael Olivera

Argelio Olivera

A gas pressure monitor system for a pneumatically-powered surgical machine includes a first transducer, a second transducer, and a controller. The first transducer is located upstream from a filter and is configured to read a first pressure of a gas before the gas enters the filter. The second transducer is located downstream from the Filter and is configured to read a second pressure of a gas after the gas exits the filter. The controller is configured to compute a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure. A state of the filter is determined from the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.

Gas pressure monitor for pneumatic surgical machine

A gas pressure monitor system for a pneumatically-powered surgical machine includes a first transducer, a second transducer, and a controller. The first transducer is located upstream from a filter and is configured to read a first pressure of a gas before the gas enters the filter. The second transducer is located downstream from the filter and is configured to read a second pressure of a gas after the gas exits the filter. The controller is configured to compute a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure. A state of the filter is determined from the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.

A system for providing pneumatic power to a vitrector includes first and second output ports, an output valve, an isolation valve, and three manifolds. The first and second output ports provide pressurized gas to power a vitrector. The output valve alternately provides pressurized gas to the first and second output ports. The isolation valve provides pressurized gas to the output valve. Two manifolds fluidly connect the output valve to the first and second output ports. A third manifold fluidly connects the isolation valve to the output valve. When the isolation valve provides pressurized gas to the output valve, the output valve operates at a high rate of speed to alternately provide pressurized gas to the first and second output ports thereby powering the vitrector.

Pneumatic system for a vitrector

A quick release filter assembly for a pneumatic module of a surgical machine includes a housing, an input port, an output port, a filter, and a flange. The housing has first and second sides, a top, and a bottom. The input port is located on the first side of the housing and is configured to permit gas to enter the housing. The output port is located on the second side of the housing and is configured to permit gas to exit the housing. The filter is located in the housing between the input port and the output port. The flange is rigidly connected to the housing along a periphery of the top of the housing. The flange extends outward along a plane generally parallel with the top of the housing. The flange has a mechanism for connecting the housing to a mounting portion of the pneumatic module. When the mechanism is disengaged, the filter assembly can be removed from the pneumatic module.

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Aliso Viejo, CA, United States of America

Robert Palino