Patents Represented by Attorney Jian Zhou
  • Patent number: 6746120
    Abstract: A method of configuring and ordering a customized contact lens for a user. The method includes the steps of displaying a template eye image to assist the user in visualizing selected options for a customized contact lens, and displaying a plurality of contact lens selection options to the user. The information includes a plurality of selectable lens colors and lens design patterns. The method also includes the steps of sending an ordering request to order a contact lens incorporating lens colors and lens design patterns selected by the user, receiving the ordering request, and manufacturing a contact lens incorporating the lens colors and lens design patterns selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Daniel F. Broderick, Ann T. Foppe, James Santilli, Robert Carey Tucker
  • Patent number: 6740139
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an automated system for transporting and deoxygenating a solution. The system is designed to: 1) transport a solution through a deoxygenating device 2) continuously monitor the oxygen content of the deoxygenated solution 3) collect the solution in a reservoir and automatically maintain solution level 4) automatically dispense the solution as requested and 5) perform automated solution prepare, startup, and shutdown operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Todd Aldridge Russell, Milos Sidlo, Robert Donlon
  • Patent number: 6739569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a clamping means for clamping a component (20) in a holder (16), especially for the production of moulding tools for the manufacture of precision articles. Spring-action clamping elements (72), for example tightening discs or clamping sleeves (72), are inserted into a recess of the holder (16) and final working thereof takes place in a position that corresponds to the subsequent position when the component (20) to be clamped is clamped. With this process, very good centricity and coaxiality of the clamped components (20) is achieved, whereby the manufacturing tolerances to be maintained for the individual components are not critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Stefan Bickert
  • Patent number: 6737661
    Abstract: An irradiation device for treating molds comprising a UV irradiation source, and a means for holding the molds. The invention is also a method of treating molds, comprising the steps of exposing a mold to a high intensity UV radiation for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: William Michael Kelly, Rudiger Reinhard Penno, Michael Jean Dormeyer
  • Patent number: 6734281
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel oligomers of formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims. The oligomers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical moldings, for example ophthalmic moldings such as in particular contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Jens Höpken, Dieter Lohmann
  • Patent number: 6614516
    Abstract: A system is provided for producing a high contrast image of features of an optical component. In the system of the present invention, light is focused through the optical component prior to reaching the detector of an image sensing means. In addition, a novel cuvette is provided for holding and locating an optical component in position during inspection. The cuvette comprises a bottom portion having a concave curved inner surface for utilizing the force of gravity to hold an optical component in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Sheldon L. Epstein, Richard G. Gore
  • Patent number: 6582631
    Abstract: An improved method of cast molding contact lenses, wherein a lens forming mixture is cured in the lens-shaped cavity formed between molding surfaces of a male and female mold sections, wherein the improvement comprises at least one of sections is injection molded from a metallocene-catalyzed thermoplastic polyolefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Thomas Shepard
  • Patent number: 6503958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers incorporating dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the like and their production. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and like compounds, in both porous and non-porous forms, as substrates for the attachment and growth of mammalian cells and tissue. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as components of medical devices and prostheses, including implanted devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Timothy Charles Hughes, Gordon Francis Meijs, Hassan Chaouk, John Gerard Steele, Graham Johnson
  • Patent number: 6502876
    Abstract: The invention is based on the problem of increasing the distance between the gripper and the mould half whilst maintaining the gripping power, so as to avoid damage to the contact lenses and the mould half, and of enabling the gripper to be simply aligned in relation to the mould half. This is solved by the usage of a spacer which is placed between the mould half and-the gripper. The distance between the mould half and the gripper is thereby increased without reducing the gripping, strength. In this way, damage to the mould half or the contact lens is avoided, and alignment of the gripper to the mould half is simplified. Moreover, the invention enables flaws in the periphery of the contact lens to be noticed more easily, since owing to the greater flux acting on the contact lens, the latter undergoes greater expansion in the end region of the gripper, thereby enabling possible flaws to be discerned more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Holger Stockhorst, Günter Lässig, Peter Hagmann
  • Patent number: 6465056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface, comprising the steps of: (a) providing the material surface with polymer brushes comprising polymerization initiator radicals; and (b) graft polymerizing one or more different ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomers or macromonomers onto the polymerization initiator-modified polymer brushes. The coated articles that are obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus useful for the manufacture of biomedical articles such as ophthalmic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Peter Chabrecek, Dieter Lohmann