Abstract: The pupil expander 1 of the present invention is used to maintain a pupil in an expanded state during ophthalmologic surgery such as, e.g., cataract surgery. The pupil expander 1 is equipped with four arm sections 10 arranged serially in a manner as to form a circular shape as a whole and joint sections 20 which connect end sections of adjacent arm sections in a movable manner. With this, since the end sections of adjacent arm sections 10 are connected in a movable manner and therefore the entire shape of the pupil expander 1 can be deformed in an eye via the joint section 20, the pupil expander can be arranged safely without damaging an iris I, which enables easy and assured maintenance of a sufficiently expanded state of a pupil.

Abstract: Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous navigation features. In one implementation, a driver assist navigation system for a primary vehicle may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the primary vehicle; a data interface; and at least one processing device. The at least processing device may be configured to: receive the plurality of images via the data interface; identify a target object within the plurality of images; monitor, via the plurality of images, a motion of the target object and a distance between the primary vehicle and the target object; determine an indicator of an intercept time between the primary vehicle and the target object based on the monitored motion and the distance between the primary vehicle and the target object; and cause a response in the primary vehicle based on a comparison of the intercept time to a plurality of predetermined intercept thresholds.

Abstract: Contact lenses incorporate power profiles that minimize visual acuity variation for progressing myopes based upon minimization of the variation of neural sharpness image quality over a specific time period. The contact lens includes a center and at least one peripheral zone surrounding the center and having a different dioptric power than at the center. The lens has power profile selected from the group consisting of a power profile with spherical aberration, a multifocal power profile, a freeform power profile, and a segmented freeform power profile. The power profile is based on an initial paraxial power of a myopia progressor and a defined myopia progression rate over a specific time period, resulting in controlled change of the neural sharpness, thereby minimizing changes in changes in visual acuity at a beginning of the time period and at an end of the time period.

Abstract: A lens includes a center of the ophthalmic lens having a negative power that provides foveal vision correction for myopia; a first peripheral zone surrounding the center having a power that gradually increases to a first peak having a dioptric power that is more positive than at the center; and a second peripheral zone surrounding the first peripheral zone and having a second peak having a dioptric power that is more positive than at the center and that is different than the power at the first peak. The power profile slows, retards, or prevents myopia progression independent of pupil size.

Abstract: Vacuum system for collecting food products, the food products moving on one conveyor element, and the collection system executed by vacuum suction of at least one suction duct which transversely intercepts the conveyor element and bears a plurality of holes directed towards the conveyor belt, and elements for controlling the opening or closing of the holes. The suction duct acts as a shutter-valve, i.e. as a suction element, the stems of the cylinders are adapted to directly interfere, that is close or open, the corresponding passage hole on the suction duct. The stems of the cylinders pass inside the suction duct.

Abstract: A variable focus ophthalmic device is described. The device comprises a front curve optical portion of the variable focus ophthalmic device comprising a front curve top optical surface and a front curve bottom optical surface and a back curve optical portion of the variable focus ophthalmic device comprising a back curve top optical surface and a back curve bottom optical surface. A cavity is formed by the front curve bottom optical surface of the front curve optical portion of the variable focus ophthalmic device and the back curve top optical surface of the back curve portion of the variable focus ophthalmic device. A first fluid with a first index of refraction and a second fluid with a second index of refraction is provided, wherein the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction are different and the two fluids are immiscible.

Abstract: This invention discloses apparatus for generating an ophthalmic lens with at least a portion of one surface free-formed from a Reactive Mixture. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of Reactive Mixture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, an alignment layer for the liquid crystal layer may be patterned in a hybrid manner. The patterning may allow for the lowering of the minimum electrical potential required to cause a shift in orientation of liquid crystal molecules within the ophthalmic device. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control optical characteristics.

Abstract: A new vision test, incorporating textual and non-textual elements in an image, is configured to demonstrate the effects of low cylinder astigmatism and other sources of blur on visual quality. The elements are designed to be noticeable, relevant, important and engaging. The new vision test may be utilized to supplement conventional vision testing.

Abstract: A method for detecting in vitro the presence of a genome of a DNA virus or a viral derived DNA in an infected eukaryotic cell, tissue or biological fluid using Molecular Combing or other nucleic acid stretching methods together with probes, especially nucleic acid probes, having a special design. A method for monitoring in vitro the effects of anti-viral treatment by following the presence of genomic viral or viral derived DNA polynucleotides in a virus-infected cell, tissue or biological fluid. Detection of an infectious form of a virus using Molecular Combing and DNA hybridization. A kit comprising probes used to carry out these methods and a composition comprising the probes.

Abstract: Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous and/or driver-assist navigation features. In some implementations, techniques for predicting the location of first roadway lane constraints are provided. The system may receive multiple images of a roadway in a vicinity of a vehicle, recognize a first roadway lane constraint, and, when lane prediction conditions are determined to be satisfied, predict a location of a second roadway lane constraint. In some implementations, techniques for detecting and responding to construction zones are provided. The system may receive multiple images of a roadway in a vicinity of a vehicle, recognize indicators of a construction zone in the images, determine that the vehicle is proximate to a construction zone, and output a signal indicating that the vehicle is proximate to a construction zone.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for testing night vision are disclosed. At least one visual mark is presented to a test person having an open pupil from a distance of several meters. The visual mark is configured as a light point, and a visual impression of the test person is determined by means of the visual mark. The apparatus comprises means for opening a pupil of a test person, in particular a darkened room. An examination position for the test person and a presentation apparatus for visual marks arranged at a distance of several meters from the examination position are also provided. The presentation apparatus comprises at least one point-shaped light source. A light beam thereof is directed towards the examination position. Means are provided for determining a visual impression of the test person with the help of the visual marks.

Abstract: Punctal plugs for delivering therapeutic agents have a body, a portion into which the therapeutic agent is held, a winding about the body, and an enlarged portion or anchor at an end.

Abstract: A method for improving quality of low light video images including: receiving a current video frame; temporally enhancing it by applying a first weight matrix including higher weight factors for stationary regions and lower weight factors for moving regions to the received frame and a reference frame to generate an enhanced temporal video frame; spatially enhancing the enhanced temporal video frame by applying a second weight matrix including higher weight factors for stationary regions and lower weight factors for moving regions to generate an enhanced spatial video frame; and motion enhancing the enhanced temporal video frame by extracting matched rigid moving objects in a previous or future frame and processing each of the extracted matched rigid moving objects with a corresponding rigid object in the enhanced temporal or spatial or raw current video frame.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus for measuring spatial distances within a patient's eye is disclosed. The apparatus can be used to measure, for example, the capsular bag depth in an aphakic eye. The spatial measurement system can direct laser light into a patient's eye so that a portion of the light is scattered by the capsular bag. The scattered light can be directed to a detector where spots can be formed corresponding to the locations on the capsular bag from which the light was scattered. The distance from the cornea to the capsular bag can be determined based, for example, at least in part on the distance between the spots formed on the detector. In some embodiments, the apparatus can include a surgical microscope and/or a wavefront aberrometer. In some embodiments, an alignment system can be used to precisely position the apparatus relative to the patient's eye.

Abstract: Punctal plugs for delivering therapeutic agents have a body, a portion into which the therapeutic agent is held, a winding about the body, and an enlarged portion or anchor at an end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved thermal stability. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymer formed from reactive components comprising at least one silicone component and at least one ionic component comprising at least one anionic group. The polymers of the present invention display good thermal stability and desirable protein uptake.

Abstract: An optical device of an automotive vehicle comprises a first luminous source and a light duct designed to conduct light originating from the luminous source in the form of a beam with substantially parallel rays. The light duct comprises a rear face forming at least one reflecting facet designed to return some of the beam substantially along an optical axis (E) of the light duct. It also comprises a front face fashioned as at least one dioptric element associated optically with each reflecting facet and through which the light exits the light duct after return by the associated reflecting facet. Each dioptric element is configured so as to be stigmatic between a point in the substance of the light duct situated in immediate proximity to the center (Oi) of the associated reflecting facet and a point situated at infinity.

Abstract: A method for preparing semiconductor nanocrystals including a core and an overcoating layer is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises preparing more than one batch of cores comprising a first semiconductor material and having a maximum emission peak within a predetermined spectral region, wherein each batch of cores is characterized by a first excitonic absorption peak at an absorption wavelength and a maximum emission peak at an emission wavelength; selecting a batch of cores from the batches prepared wherein the selected batch is characterized by a difference between the absorption wavelength and the emission wavelength that is less than or equal to 13; and overcoating the cores of the selected batch with a layer comprising a second semiconductor material.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the amplifications of sequences in the BRCA1 locus, which sequences have ends consisting of or are framed with sequence stretches present at least twice in the BRCA1 locus, and which amplification results in at least two or at least three, especially three, tandem copies of the amplified sequence; methods for determining a predisposition to diseases or disorders associated with these amplifications, including predisposition to ovarian cancer or breast cancer and methods for detecting amplifications with similar features in other loci and/or for predicting breakpoints of such amplifications.