Abstract: A nonlinear adaptive filter for improving the signal-to-noise ratio of video signals generated from images of features under analysis typically includes filtering components for attenuating low amplitude video noise excursions while passing high amplitude video signal excursions substantially without attenuation. Attenuation of the noise is provided by electrical circuitry operating as a function of the voltage input. In general, the electrical circuitry has a predetermined relationship to the value of the video signal and its noise characteristic.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of forming ophthalmic lenses and/or semi-finished lens blanks including those of the eye contact type. The apparatus includes molds having cooperating first and second members each of which includes a longitudinal axis and a mold surface which is symmetrical with respect to such axis. In one embodiment these mold members or halves also include cooperating surfaces which, in operation and in cooperation with the selected lens material, both align the respective mold axes and axially position the mold surface of the first member with respect to the mold surface of the second member to thereby form the desired lens mold cavity. Further, each of the assembled molds also includes an annular reservoir which surrounds the mold cavity and is defined by surfaces provided on the first and second mold members. This reservoir is connected to the mold cavity via an annular restriction.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which involves the preparation of monomeric organosilicon esters in a much shorter time and at a much higher purification than previously known in the art. More specifically, the process comprises reacting a cyclosilalkoxane having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical free of aliphatic unsaturation, R' is selected from the group consisting of H and CH.sub.3 and n is an integral of from 1 to 2 inclusive with a free radical polymerizable monocarboxylic acid. The cyclosilalkoxane is contacted with the free radical polymerizable monocarboxylic acid in the presence of a solvent. The solvent forms an azeotropic mixture with the water formed by the reaction. During the reaction, the azeotropic mixture is continuously removed from the reaction. Also present in the reaction solution is a protonating acid catalyst and a free radical polymerization preventing inhibitor.

Abstract: Indicia are formed in the surface of an ophthalmic contact lens by sublimating lens material with a high intensity beam of radiation. A beam of light from a laser is directed through one or more cooperating masks having openings defining desired indicia. The light which passes through the masks is directed upon a surface of a contact lens, advantageously near the periphery thereof. By selecting a proper wavelength and controlling the amount of energy directed upon the lens surface the depth of sublimation of lens material can be controlled. In this manner symbols can be formed upon the lens for uniquely identifying it.

Abstract: An improved sterilizable, sterility maintaining, peelable package for sterile products constructed of an envelope, a peeling film inserted in and extending from one end of the envelope and a closure around the exterior of the package which hermetically seals the package, and seals the peeling film to the envelope. The peeling film is constructed of a sheet of sterilizable plastic film having a density appreciably dissimilar from the density of the envelope.

Abstract: Monomeric polysiloxanes end-capped with activated unsaturated groups and polymers and copolymers thereof are disclosed herein for use as contact lenses and biomedical devices with improved properties, such as, oxygen transportability, hydrolytic stability, biological inertness, transparency and improved strength without the use of fillers. The polymer composition comprises a poly(organosiloxane) monomer .alpha.,.omega. terminally bonded through divalent hydrocarbon groups to polymerized free radical polymerizably activated unsaturated groups. Contact lenses and biomedical devices i.e. shaped article for use in biomedical applications made therefrom can be "hard" or "soft". This hardness or softness is a function of the comonomer or the molecular weight of the monomers. Preferably the contact lenses and biomedical devices are "soft".The copolymer compositions of the instant invention comprise the polymerization product of the polysiloxane monomers and monomer or monomers containing an activated vinyl group.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cleansing of contact lenses comprising a housing for containing a lens divided into a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion may be joined or removed from the bottom portion. In addition, the top portion is movable while joined with the bottom portion and vice-versa. Within the top and bottom portions are scrubbing pad means which are used to scrub a contact lens when the top portion of the housing is moved in relation to the bottom portion. An offset dome is built into the bottom portion which causes the lens to migrate within the housing during scrubbing, thereby thoroughly cleansing all portions of the lens.

Abstract: A system is provided for supporting and positioning a corneal endothelium microscope to permit: (1) examination of the corneal endothelium of an eye in vivo; and (2) examination of the corneal endothelium of an enucleated eye. The system includes a support mechanism for positioning the microscope relative to the eye in vivo, which mechanism includes means for moving the microscope in a horizontal direction into and out of engagement with the corneal epithelium of such eye. The system also includes apparatus for supporting the same microscope relative to the cornea of an enucleated eye which is positioned in a horizontal plane and for vertically adjusting the position of such cornea relative to the microscope.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for extracting measurement data from single or multiple fields of scan. Techniques are disclosed for obtaining alignment of data extracted from different fields of scan of the same image and for performing multiple fields of scan to extract data. Communication and control means are disclosed to permit the selection of a wide range of measurements using a keyboard and for the rapid presentation of data on a cathode ray tube display.

Abstract: In a microscope the eyepiece and the objective lenses are separately mounted, the objective being mounted in a cantilever member which is rigidly attached to a rigid portion of a support pillar. The eyepiece is also cantilevered out from the support pillar, the eyepiece cantilever being spaced away from the objective-mounting cantilever and entirely free of contact therewith, except only the remote contact through the pillar. To maintain the most rigid possible relationship between objective and stage, the stage is focusably mounted on a rigid portion of the same support pillar.

Abstract: An ophthalmic instrument support which comprises a container for enclosing ophthalmic instrumentation, a fixed support upon which the device rests, a movable support apparatus for moving the container, and a control apparatus for controlling movement of the container. The control apparatus employs a control rod having a switch to activate and deactivate an electric motor which controls the movement of the container in a first dimension as well as allowing manual movement of the container in a second and third dimension relative to the base.

Abstract: A luminaire is provided which includes a reflector, a light source and a multilayer interference mirror. The light source is selected to emit monochromatic light. The multilayer interference mirror is disposed in a path of light emitted from the light source and is designed for angularly selecting a portion of the light arriving from a multiplicity of directions for passage into a control range.

Abstract: A luminaire useful in illuminating a task area and having particular application for roadway lighting includes a monochromatic light source which is preferably a low pressure sodium lamp which can be an elongated tubular light source disposed within a housing defined by a reflector having a configured reflection surface to principally control light distribution along the length of the roadway with the lamp being at least partially surrounded and in a specific embodiment totally surrounded by a cylindrical tube acting as a substrate for a multilayer interference mirror to principally control light distribution across or transverse to the roadway. This combination of elements, in particular cooperation with their specific configurations, provides a predetermined light pattern on a task surface such as the example roadway.

Abstract: Monomeric polysiloxanes end-capped with activated unsaturated groups and polymers and copolymers thereof are disclosed herein for use as contact lenses with improved properties, such as, oxygen transportability, hydrolytic stability, biological inertness, transparency and improved strength without the use of fillers. The polymer composition comprises a poly(organosiloxane) .alpha., .omega. terminally bonded through a divalent hydrocarbon group to a polymerized activated unsaturated group. Contact lenses made therefrom can be, as commonly referred to, "hard" or "soft". This hardness or softness is a function of the comonomer or the molecular weight of the monomers. Preferable the contact lenses are "soft".The copolymer compositions of the instant invention comprise the polymerization product of the polysiloxane monomers and monomer or monomers containing an activated vinyl group. These polymers are employed to make optical products, e.g. contact lenses, intraocular implants, etc.

Abstract: The surface of a contact lens is modified by deposition of an ultrathin coating of a hydrophilic polymer under the influence of plasma glow discharge so as to integrally bond the coating to the surface of the hydrophobic lens thereby effecting a hydrophilic lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an adjustable aperture used in the practice of simulated artifical intraocular lens insertion comprising; a flexible diaphragm with a circular aperture therethrough, a cylindrical diaphragm mount for supporting the diaphragm, a diaphragm control member within the mount, and means for moving the control member against the diaphragm, thereby stretching the diaphragm and expanding the size of the circular diaphragm aperture. The size of the aperture is increased or reduced in order to simulate the pupil of the eye in various stages of dilation. The flexible diaphragm member is used to simulate the iris, so that an artificial intraocular lens may be inserted through the circular aperture and mounted on the flexible diaphragm member, thereby simulating the mounting of such a lens to the iris of the human eye.

Abstract: An artificial intraocular lens system is provided with posterior and anterior tabs adapted to receive and hold a pin substantially perpendicularly therebetween. Said lens system allows for the insertion and affixing of the lens in the eye without the use of sutures and without requiring incisions in the iris to be made by the surgeon. Also disclosed is a tool for insertion of a lens system into the eye.

Abstract: A compact light condensing illumination system for the concentration of light at an area provides a light source capable of having a relatively shallow reflector with a relatively small aperture directing collimated light toward a planar reflector of rectangular configuration having a mirrored surface configured with relatively short grooves extending at an angle to the direction of the collimated light to uniformly reflect the light toward a planar grooved mirror disposed substantially at a right angle to the first mirrored surface and of relatively large surface to reflect the light in substantially parallel rays to a Fresnel lens of relatively low power for condensing of the light rays to concentrate the light at a preselected distance from the Fresnel lens.

Abstract: An image analysis measurement system is capable of performing a variety of measurements on single features within a field of scan or independently on multiple features within the field. The system provides direct determination of measurements across multiple features in the field for specific parameters. The measurements include, for example, projected length in any direction, perimeter, Feret's diameter in any direction, longest dimension, convex perimeter, and breadth.