Contact Lens Patents (Class 134/901)
  • Patent number: 11899289
    Abstract: An ophthalmic contact lens configured to treat color vision deficiency is presented herein. The contact lens includes a tinted region containing either or both of a first dye that is configured to absorb at least 50% of incident light in a spectral band between 480 nanometers to 500 nanometers and a second dye that is configured to absorb at least 50% of incident light in a spectral band between 550 nanometers to 580 nanometers. A method of manufacturing such a contact lens and a process of forming an ophthalmic contact lens by an additive manufacturing process is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Khalifa University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Haider Butt, Mohamed Elsherif
  • Patent number: 10953615
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for moving wet ophthalmic lenses are described in which the ophthalmic lenses are first placed in wells of lens carriers and are centered by the structure of the wells. The carriers are then moved to a transfer module of a packaging system for transferring the ophthalmic lenses in blister packages. The transfer from the carriers to the blister packages are performed by a pick and place robot having pickup heads sized and configured for suctioning the ophthalmic lenses from the lens carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: CooperVision International Limited
    Inventors: Julie Clements, Kevin Aldridge, Klaus Strotbek, Klaus Straub
  • Patent number: 9980545
    Abstract: A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping-off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: The Compliance Case Corporation
    Inventors: Heather Sheardown, Lyndon Jones, Joshua Ellis Josephson, Raymond Myers
  • Patent number: 9974370
    Abstract: A system for releasing a contained volume of gas. The system has a base with a pressure-release vent positioned within a flex region and a seal to disengagably seal the pressure-release vent. The seal has a gas vent path that extends from the pressure-release vent. The contained volume of gas passes through the gas vent path to apply force against the flex region and disengage the seal from the pressure-release vent, allowing the gas to exit through the pressure-release vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Better Vision Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Lynn Winterton, Jack White
  • Patent number: 9895456
    Abstract: A container for sterilizing a medical object and storing a sterilized medical object, the container including: a container body including a first opening in a first end of the container for passage of the medical object into the internal cavity, the internal cavity including a removably insertable platform having a receiving surface to receive and support the medical object, the platform keyed to be retained in a fixed position between the first end of the container body and a second end of the container body; a first seal for closing the first opening; and a vapor permeable sterility barrier for maintaining sterility of the internal cavity and allowing the passage of vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KILLARA I.P. PTY LTD
    Inventor: Mark Verschuur
  • Patent number: 9655423
    Abstract: A contact lens package comprising a top plate, a receiving portion located at a first end of the top plate, and a holding portion located at a second end of the top plate opposite to the first end. The holding portion protrudes downward from the top plate. A holding surface is defined at an intersection of the holding portion and the top plate. The holding surface is an arc surface depressed from the intersection of the holding portion and the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jia-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 9642435
    Abstract: This invention is a dual cavity unit constructed in one of two different sizes to snugly store either a can of shaving cream or a can of shaving gel together with a manual shaving razor. Said invention is constructed primarily of neoprene or any other malleable material which has some amount of elasticity and is resistant to water, but not impervious. It is important to the invention that the material is resistant to the effects of water because it is intended to be used near water and in wet environments. It is also important that the material not be impervious to the effects of water in order to have planned obsolescence and generate repeat sales in the future. Further, the main advantage of this invention is the soft, pliable, and/or padded material used to construct it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Jon Lance Clements
  • Patent number: 9532632
    Abstract: A lens care container comprising a container cup and a cap that is removably attachable to the container cup to cover an opening in the container cup. The cap includes a top panel and a coupling hub. The top panel includes a pressure-release vent positioned within a deflection region. The coupling hub defines an interior gas vent path. A volume of gas generated from cleaning solution within the cup passes into the interior gas vent path to disengage a lens holder seal from a cap pressure-release vent, allowing the gas to exit through the cap pressure-release vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Better Vision Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Lynn Winterton, Jack White
  • Patent number: 9527617
    Abstract: A packaging system for the storage of an ionic, hydrogel contact lens employs an aqueous packaging solution including a phosphorylcholine polymer. Preferably, the solution has an osmolality of at least about 200 mOsm/kg, a pH of about 6 to about 8 and is heat sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventor: Fang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9498375
    Abstract: A contact lens tool kit for placement of a contact lens on an eye is provided. The tool kit may include a tool housing for engaging a contact lens tool. The contact lens tool may include an annular groove for selectively engaging a contact lens. The tool kit may also include a lens housing for receiving a contact lens, the lens housing selectively engageable with the tool housing. Engagement of the tool housing and the lens housing permits reception of the contact lens by the contact lens tool. The lens housing may include a plug for draining solution through an aperture of the contact lens tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Invent Horizon, LLC
    Inventor: David Timothy Milton
  • Patent number: 8869975
    Abstract: An apparatus for safely retaining an eye implant lens for transport and access for inspection and use in which a holding apparatus has a chamber for holding a lens. In one embodiment the chamber has aligned transparent portions and a lens can be placed in alignment with the transparent portions to enable inspection. Also, a system including the apparatus and a bottle assembly that will hold the apparatus in the bottle. A method for holding an eye implant lens in which a lens is placed in the apparatus which can then be placed in a bottle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Presbibio, LLC
    Inventor: Vladimir Feingold
  • Patent number: 8851091
    Abstract: The invention monitors the neutralization process involving hydrogen peroxide solution and a hydrogen peroxide neutralization catalyst and compares measured values with theoretical values. The system monitors the chemical reaction and notifies the user of the neutralization status. In an exemplary embodiment, the initial hydrogen peroxide solution concentration is neutralized with a palladium catalyst after a period of time. A microcontroller analyzes the measurements and displays the neutralization process results using colored LED lights and/or text or images on a LCD display. In one embodiment, an apparatus adapted for use with a cleaning solution used to clean a medical device may include a trigger, a processing device in communication with the trigger, and a display device. The processing device provides a trigger count and the display device communicates with the processing device and displays a message based on the count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc
    Inventors: Charles Francavilla, Ramin Najafi, Eddy Low, Timothy Shiau, Eric Douglas Turtle, Donogh John Roger O'Mahony
  • Patent number: 8550238
    Abstract: A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping-off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Compliance Case Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Ellis Josephson, Raymond Myers, Heather Sheardown
  • Patent number: 8387782
    Abstract: There is described a container (1) for the accommodation of a contact lens during treatment process such as extraction and/or rinsing and/or coating processes, which comprises an elongated tubular body (2) having a sidewall (3) and at one longitudinal end thereof a bottom (4) which protrudes convexly towards the outside of the tubular body (2). At the opposite longitudinal end the tubular body (2) has an access opening (5). The bottom (4) is provided with a number of apertures (41, 42) which enable a free flow of a liquid into and out of the tubular body (2). A retaining element (6) is located inside the tubular body (2), which allows access of a transfer means into the tubular body (2) towards the bottom (4) thereof for insertion and removal of a contact lens, and enables a free rising of the liquid inside the tubular body (2), but prohibits the contact lens from being washed out of the tubular body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Roger Biel, Katrin Sylke Lorenz, Adrian Michael Woodward, James Robert Stirling Howarth
  • Patent number: 8247461
    Abstract: An ophthalmic solution comprising a polyethoxylated glyceride in the range of 0.001 to about 10 percent by weight and a buffer agent. These solutions impart surprising comfort and wearability to contact lenses. At the same time the solutions provide good preservative capacity and do not increase protein deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Francis X. Smith, John Randall Tracey
  • Patent number: 8225803
    Abstract: A substrate processing method and apparatus can securely carry out a pre-plating treatment that enables uniform plating in the necessary area of the surface of a substrate. The substrate processing method carries out a cleaning treatment and a catalyst-imparting treatment of a surface of a substrate as pre-plating treatments and then electroless plates a metal film on the catalyst-imparted surface of the substrate. The cleaning treatment is carried out in a wider area of the surface of the substrate than that area to which a catalyst is imparted by the catalyst-imparting treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Katsuoka, Masahiko Sekimoto, Toshio Yokoyama, Teruyuki Watanabe, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Yasuyuki Motojima
  • Patent number: 8141699
    Abstract: An improved contact lens case which includes domes that are provided on hinged members. Preferably, the contact lens case is configured to efficiently utilize space and volume such that no more than 10 cc's of contact lens solution are required to disinfect contact lenses in the case. The hinged members are preferably non-planar which allows the domes to be provided on the hinged members, and allows the use of deep larger diameter, back-to-back cages on the stem, without having to resort to using more than 10 cc's of fluid to immerse contact lenses that are disposed on the domes, between each of the domes and a respective cage. Each of the hinged members has a cylindrically-curved shell form in which the axis of its curve is approximately parallel to the central axis of the central planar stem member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Atrion Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rowland W. Kanner, Richard M. Davis, Brian Roberts
  • Patent number: 8113341
    Abstract: An improved contact lens case which includes domes that are provided on hinged members. Preferably, the contact lens case is configured to efficiently utilize space and volume such that no more than 10 cc's of contact lens solution are required to disinfect contact lenses in the case. The hinged members are preferably non-planar which allows the domes to be provided on the hinged members, and allows the use of deep larger diameter, back-to-back cages on the stem, without having to resort to using more than 10 cc's of fluid to immerse contact lenses that are disposed on the domes, between each of the domes and a respective cage. Each of the hinged members has a cylindrically-curved shell form in which the axis of its curve is approximately parallel to the central axis of the central planar stem member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Atrion Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rowland W. Kanner, Richard M. Davis
  • Patent number: 8091568
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens care kit for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses. The lens care kit of the invention allows customers to visually identify when their lenses are disinfected, clean, and ready to wear. The invention is relied on color change, due to temporally photo-bleaching of a colored lens care solution, to indicate the readiness of disinfection and cleaning of contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Jennifer Dawn Lane, Dawn A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8069979
    Abstract: A reusable holder for contact lens cases includes a base, at least one receptacle formed in the base configured to receive a contact lens case, and a time keeping device formed in the base. The time keeping device may include an indicator for the at least one receptacle that indicates a period of time that has lapsed since the contact lens case currently in the at least one receptacle was placed therein to denote a need to discard the contact lens case and a contact lens associated with the contact lens case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 1-800 Contacts, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Newman, Jonathan C. Coon, Kevin K. McCallum, Bruce V. Christy, III, Desmond C. S. Cheon, Joanne M. Oliver, Mark A. Zeh, Lynda Deakin, Rachel Wong, Jonah L. Houston, Anthony J. Rossetti, John Ravitch
  • Patent number: 8062607
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lens care kit for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses. The lens care kit of the invention allows customers to visually identify when their lenses are disinfected, clean, and ready to wear. The invention is relied on color change to indicate the readiness of disinfection and cleaning of contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Jennifer Dawn Lane, Stephen Raymond Perreault, Elizabeth Hickson Beaullieu
  • Patent number: 8042683
    Abstract: A contact lens safety apparatus FIG. 1, invented as one unit with at least an elevating and de-elevating bowl (90). The contact lens safety apparatus can be opened or closed by lids (20) and a contact lens safely placed in (90), which can be sub-merged into solution (150) contained in (60). The contact lens after being placed in the contact lens safety apparatus for a period of time can be replaced back into the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Alastair Knox
  • Patent number: 8028827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging for an ophthalmic lens (100) that comprises a box (200) and a lens holder (300) inside the closed box. The holder includes at least one flexible portion (305) that is bent by the lid (202) of the box when said lid is closed. The portion thus bent bears against a peripheral edge (B) of the lens in order to maintain said lens at a distance from the lid inside the box. A convex face (S1) of the lens in the box is thus protected against any damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Essilor International (compagnie Generale d'optique)
    Inventors: Laurene Balix, Guy Schott
  • Patent number: 8015987
    Abstract: A vibration-type cleaning device for contact lenses comprises an adaptor that is provided with a support part thereon for supporting a contact lens case and a base that is provided under the bottom of the adaptor. The base is connected with the adapter via a positioning element so that the base can be attached to or detached from the adaptor. The base is provided with a vibrator therein and the vibrator is connected with a power source. Consequently, the vibrator can be driven under the control of a user to vibrate the contact lens solution and the contact lenses in the contact lens case and the cleaning effect of the contact lenses in the contact lens solution can be enhanced through vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: David Michael Zakutin
  • Publication number: 20110180429
    Abstract: A contact lens storage case of limited life and predetermined usage to further the safe and effective use of contact lenses by ensuring patient compliance through both limiting case use over a set period of time and discouraging reuse and topping-off of the disinfecting and storage solution. Generally, the self-destruction consists of the case developing a leak in a pre-determined fashion as a result of the change in properties of a material in a limited area of the case following exposure of the case to the storage solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Joshua Ellis Josephson, Raymond Myers, Heather Sheardown
  • Patent number: 7963390
    Abstract: A contact lens storage case comprising a case body including a pair of chambers for containing contact lenses therein, and a pair of lids for closing and opening the chambers, wherein inner faces of the chambers of the case body are formed by a synthetic resin including a silver based inorganic antimicrobic agent comprising a silver based compound carried on an inorganic carrier selected from the group consisting of a zeolite, a water soluble glass, zirconium phosphate, silica gel and activated charcoal. The contact lens storage case inhibits acanthamoeba.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Sinanen Zeomic Co., Ltd., K.K. Suntech, Daisho Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Yamamoto, Yasuo Kurihara, Mutsumi Nakano, Takayoshi Kaizuka
  • Patent number: 7832551
    Abstract: A contact lens package that is reusable as a case to store a contact lens between uses includes a lid, a base, one or more receptacles for a contact lens case, and a time keeping device. The time keeping device comprises an indicator for each one or more receptacles that indicates a period of time that has elapsed since the contact lens case currently in the receptacle was placed therein. When the period of time has expired, the indicator denotes a need to discard both the contact lens case and a contact lens associated with the contact lens case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: 1-800 Contacts, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Newman, Jonthan C. Coon, Kevin K. McCallum, Bruce V. Christy, III, Desmond C. S. Cheong, Joanne M. Oliver, Mark A. Zeh, Lynda Deakin, Rachel Wong, Jonah L. Houston, Anthony J. Rossetti, John Ravitch
  • Patent number: 7811503
    Abstract: A biomedical device carrier includes multiple recesses for holding a plurality of polymerized biomedical devices, such as polymerized ophthalmic lenses, during an extraction procedure. A biomedical device extraction assembly includes multiple biomedical device carriers. The structure of the individual carriers and the arrangement of the carriers in the assembly provide sufficient extraction of an extractable component from the biomedical devices during an extraction procedure using relatively small amounts of extraction media per biomedical device. Methods of extracting biomedical devices include providing polymerized biomedical devices in the present carriers and assemblies and contacting the devices with an extraction composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventor: Jay Scott Daulton
  • Patent number: 7678836
    Abstract: An ophthalmic solution comprising a polyethoxylated glyceride in the range of 0.001 to about 10 percent by weight and a buffer agent. These solutions impart surprising comfort and wearability to contact lenses. At the same time the solutions provide good preservative capacity and do not increase protein deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: FXS Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Francis X Smith, John Randall Tracey
  • Patent number: 7670997
    Abstract: An aqueous ophthalmic composition comprising a branched, glycerol monoalkyl compound and a fatty acid monoester. The fatty acid monoester comprises an aliphatic fatty acid portion having six to fourteen carbon atoms and an aliphatic hydroxyl portion. The composition will also have an osmolality in a range from 200 mOsmol/kg to 400 mOsmol/kg. The invention is also directed to a method of inhibiting the formation of foam in an aqueous ophthalmic composition that includes a surfactant as well as to a method of enhancing the biocidal efficacy of an aqueous ophthalmic composition containing a fatty acid monoester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Susan E. Burke, Eric Phillips, Fang Zhao, Vicki Barniak, Joseph C. Salamone
  • Patent number: 7494548
    Abstract: A process for cleaning all types of contact lenses by placing each contact lens in individual compartments of a liquid impermeable lens storage container filled with an aqueous medium such as sterile saline or sterile lens cleaning solution, floating the liquid impermeable storage container in an ultrasonic device operating at a frequency of 50-60 Hz and a wattage of 20-117 watts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Rebecca Ann Simonette
  • Patent number: 7410050
    Abstract: A contact lens container includes a body defining a cavity that is sized to hold a contact lens. A stopper is in fluid communication with the cavity and the stopper includes a resealable portion that is received into a channel. The resealable portion has a predetermined wall thickness in an axial direction thereof, the resealable portion defines a needle penetration region that is pierceable with a needle to form a needle aperture therethrough, and is heat resealable to hermetically seal the needle aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Benoit Adamo, John Guthy, Giovanni Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7404407
    Abstract: The substrate processing apparatus has an enclosure structure enclosing a substrate support member to define a processing space. The enclosure structure has an opening closed by a shutter. A processing fluid supply unit, which supplies processing fluid, such as chemical liquid, is accommodated in a housing. The processing fluid supply unit accommodated in the housing is advanced into the processing space through the opening of the enclosure structure to feed the processing fluid onto the substrate supported by the substrate support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takehiko Orii, Osamu Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7398877
    Abstract: A contact lens case (101) comprises a base (103) having a left cavity (105A) and a right cavity (105B) for storing contact lenses (113A, 113B). An upward-facing base dome (109A, 109B) in each cavity supports the lenses with the rims of the lenses downward. A lid (106) comprises downward-facing lid domes (121A, 121B) to retain the lenses on the upward-facing domes of the base. The lid domes allow expelling of air during closing of the case to maintain good hydration of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventors: Sterling H. Nelson, George W. Stough
  • Patent number: 7374037
    Abstract: A container for storing a silicone hydrogel contact lens in a liquid, having a bowl portion with a radius such that the radius of the lens is from about 85 percent to about 100 percent of the inner surface radius. The bowl portion has an outer section which is defined by a radius larger than the inner surface radius. Furthermore, the bowl portion has a roughness sufficient to maintain capillary attraction of the lens to the bowl portion but preventing adhesion of any portion of the front surface of the lens to the bowl portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Lance Kyle Lipscomb, Michael Nelson Wilde
  • Patent number: 7331449
    Abstract: Storage device for storing contact lenses and contact lens solution including a case defining a reservoir for contact lens solution and a pair of contact lens retaining compartments for retaining contact lenses. The case includes a mechanism for causing a stream of contact lens solution to flow from the reservoir to an exterior of the case (for use when rinsing and/or cleaning the contact lens) and another mechanism for causing the contact lens solution to flow from the reservoir into the compartments (for use when storing the contact lenses in the compartments). These mechanisms can be alternatively enabled depending on the particular use sought for the contact lens solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventors: Eli Pinchassi Dar, Irit Dar
  • Patent number: 7328787
    Abstract: A combination apparatus that includes a contact lens storage area and a contact lens cleaning system. The combination apparatus also includes an area for storage of extra lens cups, an area for storage of sterile cleaning solution, and a cover to keep certain areas of the cleaning solution applicator sterile while not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Rufus Scruggs
  • Patent number: 7305999
    Abstract: A centrifugal spray processor for processing semiconductor wafers uses larger numbers of spray nozzles. Each spray nozzle delivers a reduced volume of liquid, to reduce consumption of liquid process chemicals. The nozzles operate at a higher back pressure. The increased number of nozzles, offset nozzle patterns and groupings of nozzles, lower nozzle flow rates, and higher nozzle back pressures, provide improved processing results. The improved spray system may be provided as a retrofit kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Henke, Craig Meuchel, Marvin Bernt
  • Patent number: 7225919
    Abstract: A package (10+20+30) for contact lenses (10), especially ‘daily-disposable’ lenses, in which the overall volume of the package and the internal volumes of the lens-holding cavities (20) in the package are minimised. The packages are preferably multi-cavity packages, with each cavity holding a single lens and all the lenses being inserted into their respective cavities with a common orientation such that a wearer of the contact lenses has the assurance that a lens can always be retrieved from a cavity in a standard orientation. The internal surface (24) of a cavity preferably deviates from sphericity by being formed with undulations (50) to break capillary attraction between the lens and the cavity wall (24) so aiding extraction of the lens from the cavity. On the instructions of an ophthalmic practitioner, packages of suitable lenses can be made up and dispatched by courier or by post to wearer of the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Provis Limited
    Inventor: Ronald Shade Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7211149
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for efficiently applying a coating to each of a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of ophthalmic lenses, molds for making ophthalmic lenses, and other medical devices, the method comprising dipping the plurality of objects into a coating bath containing a coating solution having a coating material; and creating with a means a convective current flow and thereby forcing a coating solution flowing over and under each of the plurality of ophthalmic lenses. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of objects are held in baskets which are pre-conditioned to have a first layer of polyelectrolytes and a second layer of aqueous solution or have a mixed layer of polyelectrolytes and aqueous solution on the surfaces of the baskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Yongxing Qiu, Lynn Cook Winterton, John Martin Lally, Yasuo Matsuzawa, Rafael Victor Andino, Allen Gilliard
  • Patent number: 7199089
    Abstract: A liquid preparation for a contact lens is provided, including at least one disinfectant selected from the group consisting of germicidal biguanides and germicidal quaternary ammonium salts (Component A), glycolic acid and/or asparatic acid (Component B), and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol or a salt thereof (Component C). Component B and Component C are provided in a sufficient amount to fulfill a predetermined molar ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Menicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Mori
  • Patent number: 7112652
    Abstract: This invention relates to solvents which may be used to extract polymers that are made of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Ford, Azaam Alli, Ture Kindt-Larsen
  • Patent number: 6998073
    Abstract: A method of extracting residual materials from a polymeric, ophthalmic biomedical device, such as a contact lens, by using a mixture comprised of a primary solvent, such as carbon dioxide, and a polar co-solvent, such as isopropanol. By exposing the device to the co-solvent, the device expands. By pulsing or varying the concentration of the polar co-solvent in the mixture, the lens dimensions vary accordingly. When the lens is extracted while retained in a mold, the changes in lens dimensions causes the lens to be released from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Madhu Ayyagari, Mahendra P. Nandu, Erik M. Indra, Alan J. Braun
  • Patent number: 6945389
    Abstract: A contact lens container (1) includes a container (2) for receiving a cleaning and/or disinfecting liquid, as well as a cap (3), which can be screwed onto the container (2) by a thread (20,30). In the cap (3) a sealing washer (4) made of a water-tight and gas-tight material is provided, which is arranged on the inside of the cap (3) on the bottom (33) of the cap and extends to the side wall (32) of the cap (3), so that when the cap (3) is screwed on to the container (2), the sealing washer (4) is enclosed between the container edge (23) and the bottom (33) of the cap and the inside of the container has a water-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Anton Scherer, Klaus Oswald
  • Patent number: 6867172
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the adherence of lenses to hydrophobic packing materials using compounds of Formula I are disclosed herein, where R1-R12, a, b, z, x, q, m, and n are defined herein
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Nayiby Alvarez, Frank Molock, Azaam Alli, James D. Ford, Shivkumar Mahadevan
  • Patent number: 6821355
    Abstract: An automatic eyeglass cleaner is provided in accordance with the invention. A specially formulated cleaning and conditioning solution is also provided for use with the automatic cleaner. A tank in the automatic cleaner is filled with the cleaning and conditioning solution; the eyewear is folded up and clipped to the bottom of the open lid of the cleaner, then the lid is closed to lower the eyewear into the solution. The cleaning cycle starts with the push of a button and the eyewear is agitated in the solution. The cleaning cycle stops automatically after a pre-set time, the lid pops up and any excess solution is shaken off the eyewear by the cleaner leaving a thin film on the lenses. A microfiber cloth is used to give the lenses a final touch-up that helps fill in microscopic scratches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sharper Image Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Taylor, Andrew J. Parker, Edward C. McKinney, Jr., Sik-Leung Chan, John S. Efroymson
  • Patent number: 6776044
    Abstract: The invention is based on the problem of providing an inspection device and an inspection method, which recognise the defective lenses, which are difficult to detect with conventional optical methods, with a high degree of reliability. According to the invention, the contact lenses are exposed to an ultrasonic field, which leads to destruction of defective lenses, while perfect lenses are as a rule not destroyed. In particular, the method is capable of detecting cracks which are often overlooked by optical methods, since this type of defect reacts especially sensitively to the soundwaves being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Roger Biel, Martin Schubert, Wolfgang Grill
  • Patent number: 6765083
    Abstract: This invention relates to solvents which may be used to extract polymers that are made of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Ford, Azaam Alli, Ture Kindt-Larsen
  • Patent number: 6695988
    Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and method for hydrating or washing ophthalmic devices, comprising the step of directing to an ophthalmic device having a higher concentration of impurities fluid which has previously been directed to ophthalmic device having a lower concentration of impurities. Further, this invention provides a preferred device supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Schlagel, Michael F. Widman
  • Patent number: 6536453
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising first and second containers for holding contact lens care compositions and contact lens cases, respectively. The first container defines a chamber adapted to hold contact lens care composition. The second container defines a compartment and is adapted to be removably secured to the first container such that the second container extends outwardly away from the first container with the second container removably secured to the first container. The second container is adapted to accommodated one or more contact lens accessory items in a side-by-side relationship. The contact lens accessory items are preferably selected from the group consisting of a contact lens holder, a supply of enzyme tablets and an information pamphlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Vanden Dries, Rodney J. Terwilliger, Jr., William Gordon Beecroft