Contact Lens Patents (Class 206/5.1)
  • Patent number: 9095195
    Abstract: Provided is a contact lens case of a novel structure that will effectively supplement the sterilization effect which was insufficient in the past with non-heating type disinfectant methods such as the MPS method and hydrogen peroxide method, making it possible to realize an effective sterilization process on soft contact lenses. In a storage solution with a sterilizing action, a slanted loading member is provided, wherein a convex spherical lens loading surface is formed from an antimicrobial material and a contact lens is held in a slanted state such that a geometric center of the contact lens loaded on the lens loading surface is located at a position separated from a top of the lens loading surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: MENICON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Osamu Mori
  • Publication number: 20150129437
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stack of individually separable packages for a plurality of contact lenses, each individual lens being packaged between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is provided by a first one of the individually separable packages and the second surface is provided by a second one of the individually separable packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Contact Lens Precision Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventors: John CLAMP, Richard NEWELL
  • Publication number: 20150122671
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a contact lens package containing a contact lens in a compressed state. In one exemplary embodiment, the overall internal depth of the package is less than the natural sagittal depth of the contact lens. Different single-use contact lens package shapes and configurations may be used. In some embodiments, a spring disc is included in the packages to help present the contact lens to the user when the package is opened. The contact lens packages may be adhered or clipped to a card or other carrier sheet, and may be housed in a number of different secondary packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: MENICON SINGAPORE PTE LTD
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20150114851
    Abstract: Contact lens blister packages and methods of manufacturing packaged contact lenses are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen English, Hayden Atkinson, Robert Davis, Kevin Aldridge
  • Patent number: 8955672
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a contact lens package containing a contact lens in a compressed state. In one exemplary embodiment, the overall internal depth of the package is less than the natural sagittal depth of the contact lens. Different single-use contact lens package shapes and configurations may be used. In some embodiments, a spring disc is included in the packages to help present the contact lens to the user when the package is opened. The contact lens packages may be adhered or clipped to a card or other carrier sheet, and may be housed in a number of different secondary packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Menicon Singapore Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Patent number: 8950080
    Abstract: A drying rack and contact lens storage case assembly consists of a contact lens storage case assembly that includes a base formed with externally threaded receptacles having inner diameters, and internally threaded caps having inner diameters and which relate to the respective receptacles. A drying frame is formed fingers that support pattern of lugs at openings through the frame. The lugs relate to inner diameters of the receptacles formed in the base and the caps, respectively. The receptacles are concurrently positionable on and over a pair of the patterns of lugs, the caps are concurrently positionable on and over another pair of the patterns of lugs, and the openings provide drying ventilation for the receptacles and the caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Karen Marie Evans
  • Publication number: 20150014187
    Abstract: A package includes a vapor impermeable material forming a sealed cavity. A hydrated, ready to use contact lens is disposed within the cavity. A quantity of a liquid is disposed within the cavity such that the contact lens is, at least in part, not immersed in the liquid, thereby facilitating easy removal of the contact lens when the package is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas H. Gilman, Gregory C. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20140331602
    Abstract: A contact lens package includes a first package layer, a second package layer, a lens receiving area defined between the first and second package layers, and first and second seal portions. The first seal portion extends around a first portion of the lens receiving area. The second seal portion extends around a second portion of the lens receiving area. The second seal portion has different sealing properties than the first seal portion. The first seal portion may include a releasable seal between the first and second package layers, and the second seal portion may include a permanent seal between the first and second package layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: MENICON SINGAPORE PTE LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Patent number: 8881892
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus including a first chamber containing an eye-mountable device. The apparatus may also include a second chamber containing an aqueous solution. The apparatus may also include a membrane positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane may be configured to rupture based on application of a force to the apparatus. The ruptured membrane may allow the aqueous solution to engage with the eye-mountable device. The apparatus may also include a lid to seal one or more of the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey George Linhardt, Daniel Barrows
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140284229
    Abstract: A contact lens package assembly includes a sealable primary lens package, at least one contact lens sealed within the primary lens package, and a sealable secondary lens package. The primary lens package is sealed within the secondary lens package to increase a shelf life of the at least one contact lens. The secondary lens package may be resealable. The secondary lens package may be configured to retain a plurality of primary lens packages. The contact lens package assembly may further include at least one inert gas sealed within the secondary lens package and outside of the primary lens package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: MENICON SINGAPORE PTE LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20140262845
    Abstract: A contact lens package includes a substrate, a cover sheet, and a graphic. The substrate has a plurality of lens receiving portions each sized to hold a single contact lens. The cover sheet is removably secured to the substrate and configured to seal the contact lenses within the plurality of lens receiving portions. The graphic is positioned on the cover sheet and spans the plurality of lens receiving portions. The graphic, when viewed as a whole, has a discernable meaning and is separable into a plurality of portions associated with the individual lens receiving portions. Each of the plurality of portions of the graphic has a separate discernable meaning from the whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MENICON SINGAPORE PTE LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20140262844
    Abstract: The packages described by this invention all have reduced “head space,” that is, the distance from lid to lens. Packages contain dimples to achieve this reduced head space. Specifically, packages are designed with dimple sag equal to or less than 1.90-mm, or volume displaced equal to or less than 360 ?l. Combined with the existing primary packaging, it has been found that such conditions provide for reduction in folded lens rate during shipping and handling. As well, lenses stored or having an extended time in low head space packages in a “foil down” orientation now have characteristics closer lenses stored in a “foil up orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Vincent Barre, Edward Kernick, Dominic Gourd, Douglas Lilac, Charles Medovich, Jonathan Adams
  • Patent number: 8833548
    Abstract: An approach is provided for decreasing infection risk and simplifying operation while wearing a contact lens. A contact lens blister package comprises a body. The body has an opening and an inner space where the contact lens is housed. The contact lens has a convex surface that is corresponded to the body opposite from the opening, so that the contact lens is pushed forward to the opening by a finger and the body is turned inside out and transformed to form a protective sheath that is temporarily worn on the finger as the contact lens is placed onto the wearer's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Yi-Fan Hsieh, Ta-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 8830795
    Abstract: An apparatus for tracking time for contact lenses is provided. The timer is configured to track a time that one or more contact lenses have been stored in a contact lens case. A securing mechanism is configured to secure the timer to a cap of the contact lens case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Harris Rubin
  • Publication number: 20140246337
    Abstract: A contact lens package includes a multi-layer laminate substrate and a cover sheet. The multi-layer laminate substrate includes a first polymer layer, a first metal layer and at least one pre-formed lens receiving portion that is sized to hold at least a portion of a contact lens. The cover sheet is removably secured to the substrate and configured to seal a contact lens within the at least one lens receiving portion. The substrate has sufficient structural integrity to maintain a shape of the lens receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: MENICON SINGAPORE PTE LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20140183063
    Abstract: A plastic container for storing a hydrogel contact lens in a liquid, the container comprising: a cavity and a substantially flat flange that extends in a plane around the opening periphery of the cavity, and the flange having a sealing area round the circumference of the cavity. Furthermore, the sealing area has a micro-texture pattern. When sealing the container with a flexible cover sheet which is a laminate material having a metal foil layer and at least one polymer layer to form a storage package of the soft contact lens, the micro-texture pattern of the sealing area engages a laminate foil cover and displaces water beads present between the laminate foil cover and the plastic container in the sealing area around the cavity to form a heat seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Chea Beng Lee, Jia Peng Tang, Chze Chow Ng, Long Yeng Lim
  • Patent number: 8763794
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a contact lens package containing a contact lens in a compressed state. In one exemplary embodiment, the overall internal depth of the package is less than the natural sagittal depth of the contact lens. Different single-use contact lens package shapes and configurations may be used. In some embodiments, a spring disc is included in the packages to help present the contact lens to the user when the package is opened. The contact lens packages may be adhered or clipped to a card or other carrier sheet, and may be housed in a number of different secondary packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20140174957
    Abstract: Contact lenses comprising phosphorylcholine groups release beneficial polyionic or guanidinium-containing agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Victoria Rogers, Andrew Luk, Arthur Back, Samuel Zalipsky
  • Publication number: 20140174956
    Abstract: A container (1) for accommodating an ophthalmic lens during a lens treatment process has a longitudinal axis (12) and comprises a containment portion (2), a mounting portion (3), and a retaining element (4). The containment portion (2) comprises a tubular section (21) and a bottom (22) protruding convexly towards the outside at one end of the tubular section (21) and has a number of apertures (23, 24). The mounting portion (3) comprises flow openings and an access opening (11) at an end remote from the containment portion (2). The retaining element (4) prohibits the lens from being washed out of the containment portion (2) and further permits access of a gripper into the containment portion (2) for insertion and removal of the lens. The mounting portion (3) extends from the access opening (11) to the tubular section (21) in a manner to enable introduction of the containment portion (2) of another such container (1) into the mounting portion (3) through the access opening (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Roger Biel, Peter Hagmann
  • Patent number: 8757367
    Abstract: A lens care system and method for venting gas to release pressure from a container, such as generated in peroxide-based lens treatment. A seal formed between a deformable cap and a container cup prevents release of liquid, but deformation of the cap under the influence of pressure generated within the container temporarily releases the seal to permit venting of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Lynn Cook Winterton, Jack C. White
  • Publication number: 20140102917
    Abstract: Providing a system which can exhibit a desired effect of improving hydrophilicity of a contact lens without causing adverse influences on sense of use of the contact lens and a cleaning effect, and which can effectively prevent adhesion of lipid stain. Also providing a packaging solution for the contact lens which can effectively suppress or prevent reduction of its viscosity with time even when the packaging solution is sterilized by heating. The contact lens is immersed in an aqueous solution which contains a low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid having a molecular weight of not higher than 80,000, or a salt or derivative thereof, and which has a pH of 6.0-8.0 and an osmotic pressure of 220-380 mOsm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Menicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu MORI, Nao YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8696115
    Abstract: This invention relates to comfortable ophthalmic devices and methods of producing such devices by treating said ophthalmic lens with a wetting agent and packaging solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McCabe, Robert B. Steffen, Helene Aguilar, W. Anthony Martin, Susan W. Neadle, Ann-Marie W. Meyers, Dominic P. Gourd, Kristy L. Canavan, Gregory A. Hill, Douglas G. Vanderlaan
  • Patent number: 8689971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved contact lens products which not only have initial insertion comfort. The contact lens product of the invention comprises a soft hydrogel contact lens immersed and autoclaved in a packaging solution including a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) (or glycerin) and a homopolymer or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone. The present invention also provides methods for making contact lens products of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Kasey Jon Minick, Fiona Patricia Carney, Karen Belinda Sentell, George Edward Minno
  • Patent number: 8691287
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are ophthalmic cleaning systems and methods for their use, which comprise an ophthalmic solution and lens case, wherein the solution includes dual disinfectants and the lens case includes silver. When the lens case is combined with the solution according to the system of the present invention, it surprisingly exhibits synergistic activity which results in a faster antimicrobial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Medical Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley W. Huth, Simon Kilvington, Simon Cheung
  • Patent number: 8651774
    Abstract: There is described a method for the removal of a contact lens (30) from a container (10), with a contact lens (30) being immersed in a liquid (20) which is held in a container (10), and the contact lens (30) being removed from the container (10) together with at least a portion of the liquid (20) through a removal tube (3) which is dipped into the liquid (20) within the container (10). First the container (10) containing the liquid (20) and the immersed contact lens (30) is closed pressure-tight with a lid (2), which comprises the removal tube (3) and a pressure tube (5). Both, the removal tube (3) and the pressure tube (5), are guided through the lid (2). After the closing of the container (10) with the lid (2) an overpressure is applied to the interior of the closed container (10) through the pressure tube (5). The overpressure is applied such that the contact lens (30) and the liquid (20) are pressed into the removal tube (3) and removed together therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Roger Biel, Carolin Hartert
  • Patent number: 8647658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved contact lens products which not only have initial insertion comfort but also are comfortable to wear for more than about 6 hours. The invention is achieved by packaging and storing a hydrogel lens with two or more leachable polymeric lubricants incorporated therein in a relatively viscous packaging solution including a relatively low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a viscosity-enhancing hydrophilic polymer. The present invention also provides methods for making contact lens products of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: John Dallas Pruitt, Lynn Cook Winterton
  • Publication number: 20140034519
    Abstract: Provided herein is a polymerized product formed of a polymerized monomer mixture comprising intentionally added water and at least one hydrophilic monomer wherein the monomer mix does not contain any silicon containing materials. The polymerized monomer mixture of the invention herein is useful in many biomaterial applications. Especially preferred is the use of the biomaterial as a hydrogel contact lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Ritu Shrestha, Alok K. Awasthi, Lynn F. Atwater, Jay Friedrich Kunzler, Richard Fanqing Meng
  • Patent number: 8642677
    Abstract: Hydrogel contact lenses that are derived from a polymerizable composition including at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one phosphine-containing component are described. The hydrogel of the contact lenses can be a silicone hydrogel or a non-silicone hydrogel. Use of polymerizable compositions comprising a phosphine-containing component can be cured under both inert and air atmospheres, and can be used to form hydrogel contact lenses having improved shape retention properties, having improved resistance to discoloration. Batches of hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making hydrogel contact lenses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Guigui Wang, Yun Zhang, Yuwen Liu, Ye Hong, Charlie Chen, Peter Zhu
  • Patent number: 8631631
    Abstract: Packaging systems for storing ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses and to methods for packaging such ophthalmic devices with solutions to improve the comfort of the lenses during wear are disclosed. A packaging system includes an ophthalmic device stored in an aqueous packaging solution comprising a brush copolymer comprising (a) monomeric units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing one or more boronic acid moieties; and (b) monomeric units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated-containing hydrophilic macromonomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: David Paul Vanderbilt, Paul L. Valint, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140001059
    Abstract: An approach is provided for decreasing infection risk and simplifying operation while wearing a contact lens. A contact lens blister package comprises a body. The body has an opening and an inner space where the contact lens is housed. The contact lens has a convex surface that is corresponded to the body opposite from the opening, so that the contact lens is pushed forward to the opening by a finger and the body is turned inside out and transformed to form a protective sheath that is temporarily worn on the finger as the contact lens is placed onto the wearer's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Yi-Fan Hsieh, Ta-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 8596782
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a basket for holding ophthalmic lenses. A basket of the present invention has a lattice structure having a lens contacting side and an opposite lens non-contacting side, wherein the lens-contacting side of the lattice has a very sharp edge structure and the lens non-contacting side can be a normal solid surface to maintain the mechanical strength of the basket. A tray that comprises a plurality of baskets is another embodiment of the invention. In addition, the invention provides a stack assembly that comprises a plurality of trays each of which comprises a plurality of baskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Yasuo Matsuzawa, Lynn Cook Winterton, Michael Nelson Wilde
  • Publication number: 20130280142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a contact lens storage solution, in particular having contact lenses in said contact lens storage solution. The container has a vessel (14), which has a filling opening (20), and a first closing element (24), which can be attached to the vessel (14) and which closes the filling opening (20). The first closing element (24) has a gas supply channel (42) for a cleaning and/or sterilizing gas, which extends from at least one inlet (40) on an outer face of the first closing element (24) to at least one outlet (48) on an inner face of the first closing element (24) facing the interior of the vessel (14). On the outer face of the first closing element, said first closing element (24) has at least one venting opening (50) for the escape of gas from the vessel (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Albert Sturm, Yves Nold
  • Publication number: 20130277242
    Abstract: Provided is a contact lens case of a novel structure that will effectively supplement the sterilization effect which was insufficient in the past with non-heating type disinfectant methods such as the MPS method and hydrogen peroxide method, making it possible to realize an effective sterilization process on soft contact lenses. In a storage solution with a sterilizing action, a slanted loading member is provided, wherein a convex spherical lens loading surface is formed from an antimicrobial material and a contact lens is held in a slanted state such that a geometric center of the contact lens loaded on the lens loading surface is located at a position separated from a top of the lens loading surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: MENICON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Osamu Mori
  • 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: 8528728
    Abstract: The present invention for a storage case for an ophthalmic lens, wherein the storage case facilitates disinfecting of the ophthalmic lens with disinfecting radiation. Various embodiments may include an alignment device, such as a pedestal or a concave bowl to position the lens to receive disinfecting radiation. In addition, the case may include one or more disinfecting radiation windows for admitting disinfecting radiation into the storage case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Edward R. Kernick, William Chester Neeley, Dwight Abouhalkah, Leslie A. Voss, Karson S. Putt, James Daniel Riall
  • Publication number: 20130228477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lens care solution having 0.001 to about 5 weight percent of a low molecular weight amine of the general formula: where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are —H or low molecular weight radicals, and R5 is a low molecular weight radical, or salt thereof; an effective amount of a tonicity agent; and the balance water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: FXS Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Francis X. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130220840
    Abstract: A contact lens case assembly includes a base having at least a first well and at least a first lid removeably connected to selectively cover and expose the first well. At least a first decorative cover member is removeably and replaceably attached to the first lid. The assembly can also include a second well, a second lid, and a second decorative cover member. A projection-receiver arrangement between the decorative cover member and the lid helps to attach the cover member to the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Robert N. Priebe, Eric Bombardt, Candice Thomas
  • Patent number: 8490782
    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: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Fang Zhao, Vicki L. Barniak, Martin J. Coffey, Robert M. Braun
  • Patent number: 8474653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for singulating ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses. The method and the device are suitable for integration into an automated production of ophthalmic lenses, particularly contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Roger Biel, Peter Hagmann, Günter Lässig
  • Patent number: 8469183
    Abstract: A contact lens (4) comprises a solid component capable of imparting shape and structure to said lens, and a liquid component, at least partially contained in the solid component, capable of favoring the compatibility between said lens and the eye of a user of said lens, wherein the liquid component comprises a solution capable of being used as a lachrymal substitute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safilens S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alessandro Filippo
  • Patent number: 8459445
    Abstract: A contact lens package includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a color component configured to provide a contamination detecting contrast to the substrate. Additionally, the color component provides a psychological message of cleanliness so as to reinforce compliance with good hygiene practices, or to provide a unique selling point for the finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Menicon, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Publication number: 20130105335
    Abstract: A contact lens case has an integrated adhesive pad that can remove lint and debris from a user's fingers prior to picking up a contact lens. The contact lens case can include containers for each of a user's left and right contact lens. The adhesive pad can be any pad onto which a user can place their fingers to remove lint and debris therefrom, without leaving behind a residue. The containers and the adhesive pad can be disposed within a single case with a cover to protect both elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Jose Cruz Chavez, JR.
  • Patent number: 8424689
    Abstract: A modular racking system for storing, displaying and dispensing optical contact lenses. The system includes a reconfigurable, vertically-stacked array of modules. Each module is assembled from standard panels and includes a number of tray positions. Removable trays are slidably mounted in the modules, are vertically repositionable within the modules, and are provided in differing product configurations for different types of products or packaging. A contact lens dispensing matrix is defined by various positional indicia within the racking system, to designate various contact lens characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Bryan McConnell, Lucille Levitt, Robert Daniel, II
  • Patent number: 8371438
    Abstract: The eyes of a contact lens wearer are protected from the effects of a liquid disinfecting solution by providing a contact lens container having a catalyst therein and a container of the disinfecting solution of unusual design. The openings of the contact lens container and the solution container are configured so only the contact lens container is able to receive solution from the solution container. This prevents the user from directly removing disinfecting solution from the solution container and thereby prevents the user from directly applying the disinfecting solution to the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Keith K. Donley
  • Patent number: 8317016
    Abstract: A contact lens package includes a holder having a receptacle for holding a contact lens and a cap having a seal for sealing a contact lens within the receptacle. The cap is attached to the holder and is movable from an end of the holder where the receptacle is formed toward an opposite end of the holder. As the cap moves toward the opposite end of the holder, the end of the holder where the receptacle is formed ruptures the seal such that the contact lens can be removed from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tokarski, James Peck, Edward Dzwill, George Brock, Michael D. Schulte, Ronald K. Coleman, James R. Davis
  • Publication number: 20120267262
    Abstract: This invention provides a container for a contact lens, comprising: a central recess; a peripheral groove surrounding the central recess; and a rim surrounding the peripheral groove; wherein the central recess is a curved surface having one or a plurality of continuous R values less than an R value of the contact lens in its natural state, and wherein the R value is a radius of curvature of a curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BIO-OPTIC, INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Lin Wang, Chen-Yi Huang, Tsung-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 8281920
    Abstract: The invention provides contact lens packages in which removal of the lens is facilitated by providing a means for elevating the lens when the package is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Tokarski, James Peck, Edward Dzwill, George Brock, Roger W. Smith, Michael D. Schulte, Michael Scott Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20120234702
    Abstract: A novel contact lens package containing a silicone hydrogel soft contact lens, which can be offered to the market in a hermetically sealed preserved state with excellent shape stability (dimensional stability). Also provided is a manufacturing method of the same. The novel contact lens package is manufactured by using a silicone hydrogel contact lens as a soft contact lens, sealing both a storage solution so as to contain a phosphoric acid and the silicone hydrogel contact lens in a housing area of a contact lens package, and then performing high pressure steam sterilization processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MENICON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuka Tamiya, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120220688
    Abstract: Hydrogel contact lenses that are derived from a polymerizable composition including at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one phosphine-containing component are described. The hydrogel of the contact lenses can be a silicone hydrogel or a non-silicone hydrogel. Use of polymerizable compositions comprising a phosphine-containing component can be cured under both inert and air atmospheres, and can be used to form hydrogel contact lenses having improved shape retention properties, having improved resistance to discoloration. Batches of hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making hydrogel contact lenses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: COOPERVISION INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, LP
    Inventors: Guigui Wang, Yun Zhang, Yuwen Liu, Ye Hong, Charlie Chen, Peter Zhu