Nonmechanical Aftertreatment (e.g., Hydration Of Contact Lens, Extraction, Heat Treatment, Etc.) Patents (Class 264/2.6)
  • Patent number: 8168720
    Abstract: This invention includes a wettable biomedical device containing a high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and a hydroxyl-functionalized silicone-containing monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McCabe, Frank F. Molock, Gregory A. Hill, Azaam Alli, Robert B. Steffen, Douglas G. Vanderlaan, James D. Ford
  • Patent number: 8153044
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film is transversely stretched, and then transported in a heat-treating zone (46) such that the ratio (G/D) of an inter-roll distance (G) to a roll lap length (D) is 0.01 to 3, and the ratio (V2/V1) of an exit-side transporting speed (V2) to an entry-side transporting speed (V1) is 0.6 to 0.999. The thermoplastic film is heat-treated in the heat-treating zone (46) at (Tg?20)° C. to (Tg+50)° C., in which Tg is the glass transition temperature of the film. The heat-treated thermoplastic film exhibits an Rth/Re ratio of at least 0.5 and less than 1, an Rth/Re ratio range of 0.01 to 0.1 in the width direction, and a thermal dimensional change of 0.001% to 0.3% under conditions of 80° C. and 200 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Hashimoto, Tetsuya Yoshida, Masaaki Otoshi
  • Patent number: 8153035
    Abstract: An apparatus for wetting and coating ophthalmic lenses having a tank with a cleaning or coating solution and a handling system for sequentially moving a lens and the solution in relation to each other, to wet the lens. A master control module is coupled to the handling system and configured execution a wetting profile. The wetting profile moves the lens to obtain a generally consistent lens surface wetting speed so that the lens coating has a more uniform thickness. According to a method, lenses are wetted in a liquid bath. The lens is placed in a handling system which moves the lens with respect to the bath according to a wetting profile. The wetting profile is based on the incremental vertical lens surface slope with respect to the surface of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell F. Weymouth, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120045619
    Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate provided with an optical structure which can correctly transfer the jagged shape of a mold and guarantee a lens surface that has favorable quality, and provides an optical element which uses such a substrate. A manufacturing method of a substrate, provided with an optical structure, includes applying a curing resin onto the substrate, which has a recessed portion, pressing a mold, having a jagged shape, from an upper portion of the curing resin toward the substrate, and forming an optical structure having the jagged shape by curing the curing resin. The recessed portion is provided to cover the lower portion of the region on which the jagged shape is arranged, so as to retain uncured resin of the curing resin when the mold is pressed toward the substrate. An optical element includes a substrate that is manufactured using the above-described manufacturing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro ANDO, Kenji MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120013031
    Abstract: The invention provides a mould (80) comprising first (82), second (84) and third (86) cuboid moulds elements, each having a pair of adjacent rectangular faces which are planar and polished flat and which intersect at 270° to a high tolerance. Each mould element has a length dimension substantially twice its width dimension so that the mould elements may be arranged to form two accurate internal corner-cubes having flat, planar surfaces suitable for moulding. The apexes of the two internal corner-cubes are co-located. Pairs of adjacent mould elements are clamped in contact with each other by means of bolts (88) and washers (89). The mould may be used to produce a component having a very accurate solid corner-cube, whilst the mould elements themselves are relatively simple to fabricate because each is required to have only a pair of adjacent rectangular surfaces which are flat and planar and which intersect at 270° to a high tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Paul David Mason, David Arthur Orchard, Andrew Maxwell Scott
  • Publication number: 20120013964
    Abstract: A plastic article is formable by using a metal die having a cavity to accommodate melted resin therein at a given pressure. The plastic article includes a transfer face to which is transferred a face shape of the metal die, a projection disposed at least one face other than the transfer face, an incomplete transfer face having a concave shape disposed at the same face on which the projection is disposed, formed by an incomplete transfer of a face shape of the cavity of the metal die, and an incomplete transfer face having a convex shape disposed at least one face other than the transfer face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Takamichi Ohhashi, Yasuo Yamanaka, Eiichi Hayashi, Go Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8097190
    Abstract: An optical resin composition with superior impact resistance and a method for producing an optical lens from the composition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical resin composition for a plastic optical lens has superior impact resistance as well as light-weight, superior moldability, excellent dyeing ability, a high Abbe number and good transparency. The optical lens produced from the composition exhibits superior impact resistance even after multi-coating. The optical resin composition with superior impact resistance has a solid refractive index (nD) of about 1.53 to about 1.57, an Abbe number of about 35 to about 48, a liquid specific gravity of about 0.97 to about 1.25 and a solid specific gravity of about 1.10 to about 1.35, by which the composition comprises a mixture of isophorone diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate, pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate), a UV absorber, a release agent and a polymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: KOC Solution Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Gyu Jang, Jong Hyo Kim
  • Patent number: 8092724
    Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a method and a fluid composition for producing contact lenses with improved lens quality and with increased product yield. The method of the invention involves adding a phospholipid into a fluid composition including a lens-forming material in an amount sufficient to reduce an averaged mold separation force by at least about 40% in comparison with that without the phospholipids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: John Dallas Pruitt, Lynn Cook Winterton, Bernhard Seiferling, Jüergen Vogt, Harald Bothe
  • Publication number: 20120001353
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasing a molded lens from a deformable mold includes a shear ring for temporarily retaining an annular portion of the deformable mold outside a periphery of the lens and a plunger for deforming an annular section of the deformable mold within the periphery of the lens. The apparatus can be employed to release a non-hydrated hydrogel lens from a deformable mold section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin Beebe, William J. Seyboth, Raymond Walker, Sanjay Rastogi, Mahendra P. Nandu, James Vermeire, Wen Jin
  • Patent number: 8088313
    Abstract: A measured amount of a material that is crosslinkable by impingement of a suitable form of energy, especially UV light, is introduced into a two-part mould of which the cavity determines the shape of a moulding to be produced. The two mould halves are held a small distance from one another so that a thin annular gap is formed between them, which gap is in communication with the mould cavity and through which gap excess material can escape. The crosslinking is triggered by impingement of the selected form of energy, the impingement being spatially restricted to the cavity by suitable masking so that material disposed outside the mould cavity is not crosslinked. In that manner mouldings are obtained that do not require subsequent mechanical processing, and the mould is reusable. The process is especially, but not, however, exclusively, suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Peter Hagmann, Sharla Borghorst, John Golby, Peter Herbrechtsmeier, Otto Kretzschmar, Bernhard Seiferling, Norbert Söllner, Beat Müller
  • Publication number: 20110292379
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of measuring a first transmitted wavefront in a first medium having a first refractive index and a second transmitted wavefront in a second medium having a second refractive index different from the first refractive index, and obtaining a refractive index distribution projected value of the object in each orientation by removing a shape component of the object utilizing measurement results of the first transmitted wavefront and the second transmitted wavefront and each transmitted wavefront of a reference object that has the same shape as that of the object and a specific refractive index distribution and is located in one of the first medium and the second medium with the same orientation as that of the object, and calculating a three-dimensional refractive index distribution of the object based on a plurality of refractive index distribution projected values corresponding to the plurality of orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seima Kato
  • Patent number: 8066920
    Abstract: Optical qualities of a production lot of base material used in the fabrication of semi-finished lenses may be accurately determined by employing chipper plate samples produced from the base material in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In various implementations of the present invention, the chipper plates samples may be fabricated by subjecting base material to an extended cycle time and temperature profile using a mold having cavities of different thicknesses. The resulting chipper plates provide an improved indication of the color of semi-finished lenses molded from the production lot as well as an improved indication of resin stabilizer defects that may be utilized during a pelletizing process to control and enhance the quality of a production lot. Furthermore, the chipper plates may be provided by suppliers as samples of a production lot to enable customers to base purchasing decisions on a reliable and accurate measure of optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Gazaille, Paresh Kitchloo, Russell F. Weymouth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8062562
    Abstract: A cellulose ester film exhibiting: a free volume radius of 0.25 to 0.31 nm and a half-width of 0.04 to 0.1 nm, the free volume radius and the half-width being determined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy; and Ro of 0 to nm and Rt of ?30 to +20 nm, Ro and Rt being defined by the following equations: Equation (a): Ro=(nx?ny)×d; Equation (b): Rt=((nx+ny)/2?nz)×d (Ro: in-plane retardation, Rt: retardation in the thickness direction of the film, nx: in-plane refractive index in slow axis direction, ny: in-plane refractive index in fast axis direction, nz: refractive index in the thickness direction of the film (refractive indexes being measured at wavelength of 590 nm), d: thickness of the film (nm)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Murakami
  • Patent number: 8052902
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a polarizing plate includes: providing a polarizing roll film having transmission axes; and cutting the polarizing roll film with a knife having a plurality of openings each having a rectangular shape to form a plurality of polarizing plates, the plurality of openings parallel to the transmission axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Kwan Jeong, Bong-Jin Choi
  • Publication number: 20110259407
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a microlens. The method includes forming a self assembly monolayer having a strong hydrophobicity on a substrate; forming a plurality of ink droplets on the self assembly monolayer by jetting a transparent ink using an inkjet apparatus, the transparent ink including a first solvent having a first boiling point, a second solvent having a second boiling point lower than the first boiling point and a silicon oxide (SiOx) solid material dispersed in the first and second solvents; and drying the plurality of ink droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Jae-Hyun KIM, Seong-Kee Park, Jung-shik Lim, Tae-Young Lee, Min-Cheol Kim
  • Publication number: 20110254180
    Abstract: The method for producing at least one rotationally symmetrical lens consisting of an opto-ceramic includes the step of moulding a ceramic green body for the lens, wherein the mould has a shaping surface, which is described by the following equation B: y ? ? 1 = cz 2 1 + 1 - ( k + 1 ) ? c 2 ? z 2 + a 1 ? z 2 + a 2 ? z 4 + a 3 ? z 6 + a 4 ? z 8 + … ? , ( B ) y1 gives a position on an optical axis; x designates a perpendicular distance from the optical axis to the surface; k, c, and a1, a2, a3, a4, . . . are constants describing a surface of the lens to be moulded and z=|x|+b, wherein b is a constant with a value greater than 0 and less than 0.3 mm, which is a measure of a deviation of the shaping surface from the surface of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Yvonne Menke, Ulrich Peuchert, Yoshio Okano, Steffen Reichel
  • Patent number: 8039067
    Abstract: A cellulous acylate film in which X-ray diffractive intensity satisfies the following Formulae (I) to (V) and in which a half-value width of the peak at 2?2 is 2.8° or less as observed in the sectional view in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the film: 0.60?Ici/Ico??Formula (I) Iam=I1+{(I3?I1)/(2?3?2?1)}×(2?2?2?1)??Formula (II) Ic=I2?Iam??Formula (III) Ici=Ic11/Ic12??Formula (IV) Ico={(Ic21/Ic22)+(Ic31/Ic32)}/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Sasada
  • Patent number: 8038912
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasing a molded lens from a deformable mold includes a shear ring for temporarily retaining an annular portion of the deformable mold outside a periphery of the lens and a plunger for deforming an annular section of the deformable mold within the periphery of the lens. The apparatus can be employed to release a non-hydrated hydrogel lens from a deformable mold section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Beebe, William J. Seyboth, Raymond Walker, Sanjay Rastogi, Mahendra P. Nandu, James Vermeire, Wen Jin
  • Patent number: 8039066
    Abstract: A cellulous acylate film in which X-ray diffractive intensity satisfies the following Formulae (I) to (V) and in which a half-value width of the peak at 2?2 is 2.8° or less as observed in the sectional view in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the film: 0.00?Ici/Ico<0.60;??Formula (I) Iam=I1+{(I3?I1)/(2?3?2?1)}×(2?2?2?1);??Formula (II) Ic=I2?Iam;??Formula (III) Ici=Ic11/Ic12; and??Formula (IV) Ico={(Ic21/Ic22)+(Ic31/Ic32)}/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Sasada
  • Publication number: 20110221908
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that provide an infrared-transmissive dome, such as for infrared imaging applications. For example, an infrared-transmissive dome, for an embodiment, includes a main body providing a hollow, hemispherical-shaped dome; wherein the main body is made of an ultra-high molecular weight or a very-high molecular weight polyethylene material; and wherein the main body has a wall thickness equal to or less than approximately 0.012 inches to allow infrared transmittance greater than approximately sixty five percent through the main body for infrared imaging in a wavelength range of approximately three to fourteen micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Theodore R. Hoelter, Barbara Sharp, Warn Burt, Robert Pietsch, Marcel Tremblay
  • Publication number: 20110223153
    Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for preparing aqueous insoluble, ductile, flexible silk fibroin films. The silk films comprise silk fibroin and about 10% to about 50% (w/w) glycerol, and are prepared by entirely aqueous processes. The ductile silk film may be further treated by extracting the glycerol from and re-drying the silk film. Active agents may be embedded in or deposited on the glycerol modified silk film for a variety of medical applications. The films may be into 3-dimentional structures, or placed on support surfaces as labels or coatings. The glycerol modified silk films of the present invention are useful in variety of applications such as tissue engineering, medical devices or implants, drug delivery, and edible pharmaceutical or food labels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: Shenzhou Lu, Xiaoqin Wang, Fiorenzo Omenetto, David Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20110204532
    Abstract: The invention provides a fabrication process for single-crystal optical devices wherein, in a processing step for a single-crystal optical device, at least one heating treatment is implemented at a temperature that is 0.50 times to less than 0.67 times as high as the melting point of a single-crystal material after a member is cut out of a matrix material for the single-crystal material having a melting point of greater than 2,000° C. to less than 2,900° C. and before an optical device assembling step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kinoshita, Yuko Morita
  • Publication number: 20110193247
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for hydrating ophthalmic lenses and leaching excess materials from the ophthalmic lenses. The methods include the steps of exposing contact lenses with a hydration solution comprising about 30 to 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and water. In some embodiments, the hydration solution is maintained at an elevated temperature. Exposure to a first hydration solution causes the ophthalmic lenses to swell to a size larger than their functional size, and exposure to a second ophthalmic solution causes the lenses to shrink back to a functional size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Jonathan Patrick Adams, Paul Lisenby, David Turner
  • Publication number: 20110181961
    Abstract: Provided are a mold used to form a concave lens section and provided with a reference surface having improved flatness, a method of manufacturing the mold, a method of manufacturing a wafer lens by using the mold, and a wafer lens. The mold has one or more concave cavities formed in a base having a flat surface. A convex section is formed in each of the cavities, the convex section in the cavity is located below the surface of base (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Imai
  • Publication number: 20110176050
    Abstract: A flexible lens may be actuated to change its focal length by a deployable lens actuator. The lens actuator translates a rotational motion of an outer frame into a linear radial motion of a plurality of linear elements. The linear elements have fixed pins, which may be slidably coupled to cam pockets in the outer frame. The cam pockets have a gradually varying distance from the center of the outer frame. The rotation of the outer frame thus drives the cam pockets to slide about the pins, thereby causing radial motions of the linear elements. The linear elements stretch a flexible lens, thereby changing a curvature of the flexible lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Fisher, Ian Harvey, Brian Baker
  • Patent number: 7976742
    Abstract: An optical thin film with high hardness is made by insert mold technology and manufacturing processes thereof. The optical thin film is applied on a surface of a plastic housing for increasing hardness of the plastic housing so as to prevent scratches. During manufacturing processes of the insert mold for producing a hard coating film, the step of hardening treatment is moved to the last step so as to avoid cracks on the optical thin film generated during the procedures. Thus, the yield rate is increased, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Entire Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shan-Er Hsieh, Jyi-Horng Wang, Jen-Huai Chang
  • Patent number: 7977440
    Abstract: A production method of an objective lens for optical pickup apparatus having a numerical aperture NA of image side of 0.80 to 0.90 is disclosed. The method includes steps of molding resin composition containing copolymer of ?-olefin and a cyclic olefin represented by Formula (I) or (II) to form lens shape, and thermally processing the molded product under a condition at a temperature between Tg ?45° C. and Tg ?15° C. for 12 to 168 hours, wherein the Formula (I) and (II) is detailed in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Yayoi Eguro
  • Publication number: 20110163467
    Abstract: Injection molding of a part having a nonuniform thickness is provided. One disclosed embodiment of an injection molding device includes one or more side walls, a first mold surface intersecting the side walls and being stationary with respect to the side walls, and a second mold surface intersecting the side walls so as to define with the side walls and the first mold surface a cavity configured to receive a metered amount of injected molten thermoplastic material. The second mold surface is moveable toward the first mold surface in such a manner that a first end of the second mold surface moves a larger physical travel distance toward the first mold surface than does a second end of the second mold surface during a molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kurt Allen Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7968018
    Abstract: Methods of producing silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses include contacting one or more delensed silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant. The methods can be steps of an extraction/hydration procedure used in the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In some examples, contacting silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens products with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant can significantly reduce or prevent surface distortion of the ophthalmic lens resulting from the extraction procedure. Some methods include subsequently contacting the silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition consisting essentially of water and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Jay Scott Daulton, Charlie Chen, Tim Warren
  • Publication number: 20110147959
    Abstract: There is described a method of separating excess lens forming material from a molded ophthalmic lens, in particular a contact lens. After polymerization and/or cross-linking of a lens forming material (P) within a mold cavity (4) of a mold (1) comprising female and male mold halves (2, 3) to form an ophthalmic lens non-polymerized and/or non-cross-linked lens forming material is flushed away from the mold halves (2, 3) with a jet of a fluid flushing medium, such as, e.g., water or a solvent or an inert gas. Subsequently the molded lens is dried. In accordance with the invention the flushing is accomplished with the mold halves (2, 3) still in the closed position. There is also described an apparatus for carrying out the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Axel Heinrich, Bernhard Seiferling, Peter Hagmann
  • Publication number: 20110143912
    Abstract: A transparent, polycrystalline ceramic is described. The ceramic comprises crystallites of the formula AxCuByDvEzFw, whereby A and C are selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, C4+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn2+/4+, Sc3+, Ti4+, Zn2+, Zr4+, Mo6+, Ru4+, Pd2+, Ag2+, Cd2+, Hf4+, W4+/6+, Re4+, Os4+, Ir4+, Pt2+/4+, Hg2+ and mixtures thereof, B and D are selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn4+, Sc3+, Ti4+, Zn2+, Y3+, Zr4+, Nb3+, Ru3+, Rh3+, La3+, Lu3+, Gd3+ and mixtures thereof, E and F are selected mainly from the group consisting of the divalent anions of S, Se and O and mixtures thereof, x, u, y, v, z and w satisfy the following formulae 0.125<(x+u)/(y+v)?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Yvonne MENKE, Peter Blaum, Ulrich Peuchert, Yoshio Okano
  • Publication number: 20110143911
    Abstract: A transparent, polycrystalline ceramic is described. The ceramic comprises crystallites of the formula AxCuByDvEzFw, whereby A and C are selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, C4+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn2+/4+, Sc3+, Ti4+, Zn2+, Zr4+, Mo6+, Ru4+, Pd2+, Ag2+, Cd2+, Hf4+W4+/6+, Re4+, Os4+, Ir4+,, Pt2+/4+, Hg2+ and mixtures thereof, B and D are selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, Si4+, Ge4+, Sn4+, Sc3+, Ti4+, Zn2+, Y3+, Zr4+, Nb3+, Ru3+, Rh3+, La3+, Lu3+, Gd3+ and mixtures thereof, E and F are selected mainly from the group consisting of the divalent anions of S, Se and O and mixtures thereof, x, u, y, v, z and w satisfy the following formulae 0.125<(x+u)/(y+v)?0.55 z+w=4 and at least 95% by weight of the crystallites display symmetric, cubic crystal structures of the spinel type, with the proviso that when A=C=Mg2+ and B=D=Al3+, E and F cannot both be O.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Yvonne Menke, Peter Blaum, Ulrich Peuchert, Yoshio Okano
  • Patent number: 7922942
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating lenses within an injection molding machine having a concave optical insert with a perimeter edge that meets the receiver ring in an annular contact region. A channel is formed throughout the annular contact region. When molding a lens with the apparatus, and according to the method, a closed-loop coating containment lip is formed by the channel. After the lens has solidified and the mold is opened, a predetermined volume of coating solution is applied and the mold is re-clamped. A uniformly thin layer of coating is cured on to the convex lens surface by avoiding coating run off and preventing mold contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Hao-Wen Chiu, Matthew Lockwood, Wilfred Houle
  • Publication number: 20110079931
    Abstract: A method for preventing damage caused by high intensity light sources to optical components includes annealing the optical component for a predetermined period. Another method includes etching the optical component in an etchant including fluoride and bi-fluoride ions. The method also includes ultrasonically agitating the etching solution during the process followed by rinsing of the optical component in a rinse bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Edward Miller, Tayyab Ishaq Suratwala, Jeffrey Devin Bude, Nan Shen, William Augustus Steele, Ted Alfred Laurence, Michael Dennis Feit, Lana Louie Wong
  • Publication number: 20110068496
    Abstract: Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones, a mold advancement system for moving the contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones, and a controlled atmosphere within the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact lens mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Hayden Atkinson, Paul Riggs, John Gibson, Tim Warren, Ronnie Dover, Arthur Williams, Jennifer Cowden, Michael Gunner
  • Publication number: 20110062607
    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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Julie Clements, Kevin Aldridge, Klaus Strotbek, Klaus Straub
  • Patent number: 7897071
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses are described. Certain of the present systems include a contact lens mold forming station, a station for filling a contact lens mold section with a lens precursor composition and for placing a second mold section on the filled mold section to form a contact lens mold assembly, a curing station for forming a contact lens, a mold assembly separation station, and an extraction/hydration station. Certain of the present methods include forming a plurality of mold sections, placing a lens precursor composition on a surface of a first mold section, placing a second mold section on the first mold section, polymerizing the lens precursor composition, separating the first and second mold sections, removing the silicone hydrogel contact lens from one of the mold sections, extracting extractable components from the contact lens, and hydrating the contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Neil G. Goodenough, Gregg A. Dean, Sarah E. Darnton, Richard C. Rogers, Philip A. Brame, Geoffrey A. Blyth, Eve Blyth, legal representative, Sarah L. Almond, Ian Bruce, Pete Coldrey, Jamie Snell
  • Patent number: 7893194
    Abstract: This invention relates to single solvent polymer extraction methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Metabolix Inc.
    Inventors: Johan van Walsem, Erik Anderson, John Licata
  • Publication number: 20110018152
    Abstract: A package having a roughened surface that does not adhere to a medical device enclosed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: James M. Peck, George E. Himes, JR., Michael G. Tokarski, Christopher Wildsmith, David C. Turner, John B. Fore, Mark Mandeville
  • Patent number: 7854866
    Abstract: Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones a mold advancement system for moving the contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones and a controlled atmosphere within the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact lens mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Hayden Atkinson, Paul Riggs, John Gibson, Tim Warren, Ronnie Dover, Arthur Williams, Jennifer Cowden, Michael Gunner
  • Publication number: 20100280146
    Abstract: The present invention is a composition, which may be used to form contact lenses, comprising at least one silicone containing component, at least one hydrophilic component, at least one high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and at least one diluent with an alpha value of about 0.5 to about 1 and a Hansen solubility parameter of less than about 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas C. Vanderlaan, James R. Petisce, Azaam Alli, Kevin P. McCabe
  • Patent number: 7820083
    Abstract: Reflective pellets (16) are formed by extrusion of reflective micro beads (26) in a thermoplastic (20), removal of the surface layer of the pellets so as to expose the reflective beads at the surface of the pellets and applying the reflective pellets to the base line (14) of the striping applied to a paved road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Fortson-Peek Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 7820080
    Abstract: A method for producing a polarizing film, including: a dyeing step and a stretching step, a plurality of films being dipped into at least one processing liquid without contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mizushima, Tadayuki Kameyama, Youichirou Sugino
  • 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: 7811483
    Abstract: Contact lens delensing methods are described, and the present delensing methods include using a gas to facilitate separation of a polymerized contact lens product from a contact lens mold member. The contact lens mold member is compressed to deform a portion of the mold member, and gas, such as air, is directed toward the polymerized contact lens product in contact with the portion. The contact lens mold member can be compressed as the mold member, and lens product, rotate. A vacuum device can be used to separate the polymerized contact lens product from the contact lens mold member after compressing the portion of the mold member and directing the gas towards the mold member. Delensing systems used to practice the present methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventor: Zbigniew Witko
  • Publication number: 20100252942
    Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes stacked first and second diffraction gratings made of different materials. The materials of the first and second diffraction gratings are glass. The first and second diffraction gratings have grating surfaces contacted to each other. The materials satisfy a predetermined condition when Tg2 and At2 are a transformation point temperature and a yield point temperature of the material of the first diffraction grating, and Tg3 and At3 are a transformation point temperature and a yield point temperature of the material of the second diffraction grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Reona Ushigome
  • Patent number: 7799249
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses are described. Certain of the present systems include a contact lens mold forming station, a station for filling a contact lens mold section with a lens precursor composition and for placing a second mold section on the filled mold section to form a contact lens mold assembly, a curing station for forming a contact lens, a mold assembly separation station, and an extraction/hydration station. Certain of the present methods include forming a plurality of mold sections, placing a lens precursor composition on a surface of a first mold section, placing a second mold section on the first mold section, polymerizing the lens precursor composition, separating the first and second mold sections, removing the silicone hydrogel contact lens from one of the mold sections, extracting extractable components from the contact lens, and hydrating the contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Neil G. Goodenough, Gregg A. Dean, Sarah E. Darnton, Richard C. Rogers, Philip A. Brame, Geoffrey A. Blyth, Eve Blyth, legal representative, Sarah L. Almond, Ian Bruce, Pete Coldrey, Jamie Snell
  • Publication number: 20100230837
    Abstract: This invention includes methods and systems for processing hydrogel biomedical devices, such as ophthalmic lenses using polyethylene glycol to facilitate release of the devices from a mold part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Diana Zanini, Douglas G. Vanderlaan, James D. Ford, Vincent H. Barre, Rachel E. Hauser
  • Patent number: 7795376
    Abstract: A method of isolating a PHA, includes combining the PHA, a first solvent and a second solvent to form a combination, the first solvent being capable of forming an azeotrope with the second solvent; and heating the combination to form the azeotrope of the first and second solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Metabolix Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Van Walsem, Erik Anderson, John Licata
  • Patent number: 7790072
    Abstract: A method of treating zinc sulfide transmissive bodies includes using the same metal layer to treat multiple transmissive bodies, catalyzing the recrystallization of the bodies to remove defects from the bodies and forming multispectral zinc sulfide. The metal layer is brought into contact with one of the transmissive bodies. The transmissive body and the metal layer are then subjected to elevated temperature and pressure. The metal layer may include any of a variety of suitable metals, such as platinum, cobalt, silver, nickel, and/or copper. The metal layer may be a foil that is wrapped around the transmissive body. Alternatively the metal layer may be a rigid metal piece, for example being machined to fit the shape of the transmissive bodies. The reuse of the metal layer to treat multiple transmissive bodies reduces the cost of treating the transmissive bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ralph Korenstein, Patrick K. Hogan, John S. McCloy, Charles B. Willingham