Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight between about 25,000 and about 100,000 , preferably between 25,000 and 80,000 and a polydispersity of less than about 2 to less than about 3.8 respectively and covalently bonded thereon, at least one cross-linkable functional group. The present invention further relates to low polydispersity poly-HEMA suitable for making the crosslinkable prepolymers, processes for functionalizing and purifying said poly-HEMA to form said crosslinkable prepolymers, viscous solutions made from said crosslinkable prepolymers, hydrogels made from said viscous solutions and articles made from said crosslinkable polymers, hydrogels and viscous solutions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing optical glasses. The glasses are polished and marked, following a shaping process. The polishing and marking steps are carried out in a common processing cell which comprises a polishing station, a washing station, and a marking station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device that permits an intra-ocular lens, which has been elastically deformed, to be injected through a cannula (5) into an eye by means of a ram (6) with a translatory displacement action. The device contains a lens holder (1), which can be inserted into said device. The lens holder contains an elastic base (8), which is deformable in such a way that it can be converted from a relaxed, open position into a tensioned, closed position by bending. During said deformation, the intra-ocular lens that is in contact with the lens holder (1) is subjected to an increased curvature. This permits the careful deformation of the intra-ocular lens and a precise, reliable injection of the latter.

Abstract: A sheath apparatus for an invasive probe. The sheath apparatus includes a protective sheath, adapted to receive an insertion tube of an endoscope. The protective sheath is tapered over most of its length with a tapering of less than 0.2 degrees, but more than 0.001 degrees.

Abstract: An optical module of a headlight for a motor vehicle, for giving a cut-off beam and comprising a plurality of reflectors, including a reflector which is situated below the horizontal plane that passes through the optical axis and that defines a meridian curve which consists of an elliptical arc; a curve situated in front of the end of the elliptical arc, the front end of this curve being coincident with the second focus of the elliptical arc, or close to the focus; and together with a lens surrounds at least one zone of the lower portion of the convergent lens, or, in the absence of any convergent lens, surrounding the zone through which the rays pass in the plane of the lens.

Abstract: The bonding light and dipped beam headlamp for a motor vehicle comprises at least two light sources with at least one first source having a cut-off of the dipped beam type and at least one second source having a cut-off of the flat type, which is placed outside the first source so as to illuminate into a turn to its side; means that are sensitive to the trajectory of the vehicle so as to supply a signal that depends on the nature of the route followed by the vehicle; and means for increasing the brightness of the flat cut-off source in the event of a turn to the side of this source, in response to the supplied signal.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a first light source focused on a first reflective zone and a second light source focused on second reflective zone. The first light source is able to emit light both in the direction of the first reflective zone and part of the second reflective zone, the light coming from the light source and reflected by the two reflective zones corresponding to a DRL daylight light beam.

Abstract: A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device and system, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, comprise an electrochemical component which generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage of time. The timing device further comprises a compensating element, such as a varistor, a thermistor and/or combinations thereof. The compensating element regulates the response of the device with respect to changes in temperature. The timing device is configured to indicate the passage of a single duration of time or comprises zones that are activated in a range of prescribed times and individually or collectively indicate the passage of time or the passage of a range of times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for determining particle transmittance Tx of a filter for use with a particle detection system to provide a filter warning for aspirated particle detection systems by detecting a level of first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles and which pass through the detection system; determining an integrated smoke hours value by integrating the detected level of first particles over time; estimating the smoke particle transmittance Tx of the filter by applying a predetermined weighting operation to the integrated smoke hours value. An empirical measure of a filter's particle transmittance Tx, due to at least first particles having a size indicative of smoke particles may be achieved by way of integrating a level of such first particles passing through a particle detection system over time to determine the proportion of smoke particles arrested by a filter, “integrated smoke hours”.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for determining an illumination field in an image. The method comprises the steps of identifying uniform and linear tokens in the image and utilizing the uniform and linear tokens to identify an illumination field.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method for manipulating an image comprises the steps of manipulating the image to provide an intensity adjusted image, deriving a bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation of the image and utilizing the bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation to manipulate the intensity adjusted image to generate a color correct intensity adjusted image. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of manipulating the image to provide an intensity adjusted image is carried out by executing a gamma correction method.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method for manipulating an image comprises the steps of deriving a bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation of the image, and utilizing the bi-illuminant dichromatic reflection model representation to manipulate the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wettable silicone hydrogels comprising the reaction product of at least one siloxane containing component and at least one reactive, hydrophilic polymeric internal wetting agent. The present invention further relates to silicone hydrogel contact lenses comprising at least one oxygen permeable component, and an amount of reactive, hydrophilic polymeric internal wetting agent sufficient to impart wettability to said device.

Abstract: A hand held stereoscopic system in which the focusing to the eye and image detector of images of near and distant objects are adjusted simultaneously by moving the objective lens system. Fine adjustments of the focus of images provided to the image detector are also performed automatically.

Abstract: This invention relates to wettable biomedical devices comprising amphiphilic block copolymers. The amphiphilic block copolymers are useful as internal wetting agents for biomedical applications, such as implantable devices, ophthalmic devices and in one embodiment, contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for improving vision by reshaping the cornea of an eye. The systems and methods include two or more contact lenses configured to be at least temporarily worn on the cornea at the same time, and to exert force on the cornea to change its shape. After the shape of the cornea has been appropriately changed, a contact lens with the appropriate configuration may be worn as needed to maintain the new shape of the cornea.

Abstract: The invention provides tinted contact lenses that include a limbal ring that serves to enhance the definition of the wearer's iris resulting in the iris appearing larger to viewer's of the lens wearer. The lens also incorporates a plurality of tapered spokes that overlie a portion or all of the of the wearer's iris. The lenses of the invention may be used as cosmetic lenses for enhancing or altering an individual's iris.