Abstract: A method of and apparatus for employing a surfactant which is provided in order to assist in the release from each other of mold components of a multi-part mold employed in the molding of polymeric articles; for instance, such as a hydrophilic contact lens, upon completion of the molding process for the polymeric articles. The surfactant is applied in the form of a film or coating on surface portions of one of the mold components in order to facilitate the disengagement between the mold components during demolding, and the removal of excess polymeric molding material adhesively deposited on surfaces thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and transporting ophthalmic lens mold sections from a mold, and generally comprising first, second, and third assemblies. The first assembly removes the lens mold sections from the mold and transports the lens mold sections to a first location, the second assembly receives the lens mold sections from the first assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a second location, and the third assembly receives the lens mold sections from the second assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a third location. Preferably, the first assembly includes a hand to receive the lens mold sections from the mold and to releasably hold the lens mold sections, and a support subassembly connected to the hand to support the hand and to move the hand between the mold and the first location.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for controlling the automatic packaging of contact lenses in a contact lens fabrication facility includes: a first robotic transfer device for periodically transferring a first predetermined amount of individual packages from an inspection station to an intermediate consolidation buffer and depositing the packages on the consolidation buffer; a control device for tracking and identifying each individual contact lens conveyed from the inspection station to the consolidation buffer and including memory and logic circuits for storing the identity of individual packages containing contact lenses that have been previously determined at the inspection station as being out of specification, and, generating a signal to enable the first robotic device to discard any individual package identified as out of specification; and, a second robotic assembly for periodically transferring a second predetermined amount of individual packages from the consolidation buffer to a second processing station, th

Abstract: Illumination and imaging subsystems for a system for inspecting ophthalmic lenses. The subsystems include a lens holder, a light source, a pixel array and a processor. In use, the light source generates light pulses that are transmitted through the lenses in the lens holder and onto the pixel array to produce thereon light patterns representing the ophthalmic lenses. The pixel array generates signals representing the intensity of light thereon, and the processor processes those signals according to a predetermined program to generate an output signal representing a condition of the lens.

Abstract: A soft contact lens which comprises a water-swollen gel of a polymer prepared by polymerizing one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, one or more cross-linking monomers, and a monomer that contains metal-chelating functionality such as an aminopolycarboxylic acid that contains a polymerizable olefinic group.

Abstract: A method of making a multifocal refractive lens to focus light on the retina of the eye. The lens includes a plurality of segments, having different optical powers, at least one for distance vision and another for near. The lens does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal stereoscopic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. The central zone of the lens consists of only one lens segment, providing a clear central axis. Segments of the other optical power border the first segment along a path defined by a semi-circle or hyperbola that extends from one point along the periphery of the adjoining segments to another point along the periphery of the adjoining segments.

Abstract: A method of making multifocal refractive contact lens to focus light on the retina of the eye uses a plurality of at least two of each alternating segments having different optical powers for distance vision and for near. The lens of the invention does not require orientation to produce adequate far and near vision and normal steroscoptic effect. One or both of the segments having the optical powers may have aspherical lens surface. Preferably, the lens has at least one aspherical lens surface and the segments are divided by an arcuate path going from the center of the lens to edge. Such a lens is manufactured by taking lens molds and cutting the molds from the edge through the center to the opposite edge along a predetermined path. The molds are cut so that the segments produced are interchangable and can be fitted together to make a mold that can produce the multifocal refractive contact lens by molding.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting ophthalmic lenses. The system comprises a transport subsystem for moving the lenses into an inspection position, and an illumination subsystem to generate a light beam and to direct the light beam through the lenses. The system further comprises an imaging subsystem to generate a set of signals representing selected portions of the light beam transmitted through the lenses, and a processing subsystem to process those signals according to a predetermined program. The illumination subsystem includes a light source to generate a light beam and a diffuser to form that light beam with a generally uniform intensity across the transverse cross section of the light beam. The illumination subsystem further includes a lens assembly to focus a portion of the light beam onto an image plane, and to focus a portion of the light beam onto a focal point in front of the image plane to form a diffuser background pattern on the image plane.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by the steps of:(1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising:(a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and one or more cross-linking monomers; and(b) an inert, displaceable diluent selected from the group consisting of:(i) ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(ii) ethoxylated bisphenol A;(iii) polyethylene glycol;(iv) mixture of propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(v) single phase mixture of ethoxylated or propoxylated alkyl glucoside and C.sub.2-12 dihydric alcohol;(vi) adduct of .epsilon.-caprolactone and C.sub.2-6 alkanediols and triols;(vii) ethoxylated C.sub.3-6 alkanetriol; and(viii) mixtures of one or more of (i) through (vii),under conditions to polymerize said monomer mixture to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent; and(2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by the steps of:(1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising:(a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and one or more cross-linking monomers; and(b) an inert, displaceable diluent selected from the group consisting of:(i) ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(ii) ethoxylated bisphenol A;(iii) polyethylene glycol;(iv) mixture of propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(v) single phase mixture of ethoxylated or propoxylated alkyl glucoside and C.sub.2-12 dihydric alcohol;(vi) adduct of .epsilon.-caprolactone and C.sub.2-6 alkanediols and triols;(vii) ethoxylated C.sub.3-6 alkanetriol; and(viii) mixtures of one or more of (i) through (vii),under conditions to polymerize said monomer mixture to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent; and(2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by the steps of:(1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising:(a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and one or more cross-linking monomers; and(b) an inert, displaceable diluent selected from the group consisting of:(i) ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(ii) ethoxylated bisphenol A;(iii) polyethylene glycol;(iv) mixture of propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(v) single phase mixture of ethoxylated or propoxylated alkyl glucoside and C.sub.2-12 dihydric alcohol;(vi) adduct of .epsilon.-caprolactone and C.sub.2-6 alkanediols and triols;(vii) ethoxylated C.sub.3-6 alkanetriol; and(viii) mixtures of one or more of (i) through (vii),under conditions to polymerize said monomer mixture to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent; and(2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterilization and secondary packaging into cartons of arrays of blister packages, each of which contains at least one hydrophilic contact lens immersed in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically, disclosed is an apparatus adapted to provide for the assembly of paired arrays of blister packages which are suitably interleaved and transported in batches of predetermined quantities within one or more trays. These trays are transported to a sterilization chamber for sterilizing the arrays of blister packages, and from which the sterilized arrays of blister packages in which at least the contents thereof are maintained in a sterile condition, and which are then transported to a locale for implementing the secondary packaging thereof into sealable cartons.

Abstract: A pair of ophthalmic lenses both containing at least two optical powers, one for near vision and one for distance vision are described, both containing in the center portion of the lens the distance optical power. In the preferred embodiment, the remainder of the lens is comprised of annular portions made up of one or more optical zones to provide the desired combined, cumulative ratio of near and distance focal length areas at each pupil diameter. The distance portion located in the center is appropriately suited to the real world situation of requiring distance vision under high illumination situations.

Abstract: A soft hydrogel contact lens, is disclosed. The lens is derived from a crosslinked polymer comprising the reaction product of a monomer mixture comprising:(A) a monounsaturated polyoxyethylene monomer;(B) a diunsaturated polyoxyethylene monomer of relatively high molecular weight;(C) a diunsaturated polyoxyethylene monomer of relatively low molecular weight; and(D) a hydrophilic monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, N,N-dimethylacryiamide, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, glycerol monomethacrylate, itaconic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A device and method for high speed production rates in the hydration of soft contact lenses. Such device and method includes the use robotic transfer equipment to transfer contact lens molds containing contact lenses to and from a hydration station and a flushing station.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens for placement on the anterior surface of the eye is disclosed. The lens has impregnated in it or it has coated on its surface an ester of a polyhydric aliphatic alcohol and a fatty acid in which the alcohol residue has at least one hydroxyl group. The ester is present in an amount which is effective to prevent or decrease the release of bacterial toxins when the lens is exposed to those toxins. The lens is particularly well-suited for a soft hydrogel contact lens, and advantageously eliminates, minimizes or prevents keratitis. Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea of the eye which may occur during extended wear of the lens and may cause ulceration of the cornea.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens package for inspection, sterilization, and delivery of the lens having a substantial planar first surface with a concave bowl, the bowl having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of the lens placed inside the bowl allowing the lens to center and settle in the middle of the bowl. About the bowl is an annular sealing area, preferably a planar annulus raised above the first planar surface away from the bowl, circumferentially about the circular boundary of the first planar surface and the concave bowl. The package is hermetically sealed along the sealing area with a sealing sheet substantially parallel with the first planar surface and covering the concave bowl. The package is constructed of a non-nucleated polymer so that when water is placed in the bowl, the polymer surface is sufficiently wettable to substantially flatten the water meniscus in the center and thereby eliminate associated optical aberrations, permitting undistorted in-package inspection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing accelerated electrons to at least part of one surface of one ophthalmic mold piece prior to filling with monomer and lens polymerization. In particular it has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated. In the preferred embodiment, the flange around the convex, male piece of the lens mold is corona treated so that when the mold pieces are separated after lens polymerization, the flashing of excess polymerized material surrounding the lens cavity adheres to that male, convex piece flange while the lens is removed with the female, concave piece.