Edward G Malk

US Patent:

7934648, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/859206

Inventors:

Steven T. Charles - Memphis TN, US
Edward G. Malk - Gilbert AZ, US

Assignee:

Alcon, Inc. - Hunenberg

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

235385, 235375, 705 28, 606 10

Abstract:

A system and method for identifying a component for use with a surgical device are disclosed. A component of a surgical device includes an identifier, such as a RFID tag. Data from the RFID tag is transmitted to a RFID reader operably coupled to the device. A controller identifies the component based on the received data and determines whether the component can be used with the surgical device based on criteria, such as whether the received data is an authorized code that matches data stored in memory or whether the received data solves or satisfies an algorithm. The authorized codes are selected from a larger set of available codes. The controller can enable or disable the operation of the device with the component based on whether the criteria is satisfied and can cause the surgical device to be configured for use with the component.

US Patent:

20070027459, Feb 1, 2007

Filed:

Jul 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/492616

Inventors:

Christopher Horvath - Irvine CA, US
Steven Charles - Memphis TN, US
Edward Malk - Gilbert AZ, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/04
A61M 5/178

US Classification:

606147000, 604164080

Abstract:

A system and method for configuring a surgical device are disclosed, one embodiment of the system comprising; an interface operable to receive data; a portable component, comprising an identifier operable to store and transmit a set of data; a memory, the memory storing criteria; and a controller, wherein the controller, the memory and the interface are included in the surgical device, and wherein the controller is operable to configure the surgical device based on the set of data transmitted from the identifier and received at the interface. The identifier can be an RFID tag and the interface can be an RFID interface comprising an RFID reader operable to transmit a radio frequency (RF) instruction to activate the RFID tag of the portable component, and a microcontroller operable to cause the RFID reader to transmit the RF instruction. The portable component can be an identification tag that can be attached to the user. The criteria can be user authorization data that is stored in the memory and the controller is operable to determine whether a user associated with the portable component is authorized to use the surgical device based on whether the set of data transmitted from the identifier and received at the interface satisfies the criteria stored in the memory. The criteria can also be an algorithm that the controller applies to the set of data received from the identifier to determine whether the user is authorized to use the surgical device. The controller can cause the surgical device to be disabled if it is determined that the user is not authorized to use the surgical device (e.g., the surgeon, technician or patient is at the wrong surgical device).

US Patent:

52249425, Jul 6, 1993

Filed:

Jan 27, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/827024

Inventors:

Charles E. Beuchat - Irvine CA
Scott Rowe - Mission Viejo CA
Edward G. Malk - Lake Forest CA
Woodrow W. Watson - Mission Viejo CA

Assignee:

Alcon Surgical, Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

606 15

Abstract:

An improved surgical method and apparatus using laser energy for destroying body tissue which includes a surgical handpiece including a surgical tip assembly which is driven by means of laser to achieve optical breakdown, plasma formation and shockwave generation to emulsify or destroy body tissue. The surgical tip assembly includes a laser fiber, a focusing means to enhance optical breakdown of tissue or fluid caused by laser energy transmitted through the laser fiber and an emulsification tip that is resonate tuned to vibrate in response to shockwaves produced by the optical breakdown caused by the laser energy. The emulsification tip and focusing means are configured in a spaced relationship to form an acoustic resonating chamber which further emulsifies body tissue and facilitates mixing of tissue with irrigation fluid.