Patents Assigned to Vision
  • Methods of using and screening extended wear ophthalmic lenses
    Patent number: 5776999
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens screening method suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: CIBA Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Clement Nicolson, Richard Carlton Baron, Peter Chabrecek, John Court, Angelika Domschke, Hans Jorg Griesser, Arthur Ho, Jens Hopken, Bronwyn Glenice Laycock, Qin Liu, Dieter Lohmann, Gordon Francis Meijs, Eric Papaspiliotopoulos, Judy Smith Riffle, Klaus Schindhelm, Deborah Sweeney, Wilson Leonard Terry, Jr., Jurgen Vogt, Lynn Cook Winterton
  • Positioning assembly for retaining and positioning a cornea
    Patent number: 5772675
    Abstract: An improved positioning assembly for positioning and holding a cornea of an eye during surgery comprising a positioning ring, a suction force operably coupled to the positioning ring to temporarily attach it to the eye and a suction enhancement member. The positioning ring includes a retention plate, having an aperture defined therein to receive the cornea of the eye and an interior rim disposed in surrounding relation about the aperture, and a flange member extending downwardly from the retention plate in spaced, surrounding relation to the aperture. The positioning ring further includes a vacuum port in fluid flow communication with a point radially interior of the flange member such that a suction force applied therethrough secures the positioning ring to the eye with the cornea protruding through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Chiron Vision Corporation
    Inventor: Johann F. Hellenkamp
  • System and method for color measurement and control on-press during printing
    Patent number: 5774225
    Abstract: A method for color measurement and control and a color measurement and control system for determining during printing, on-press, the color value of at least one location on a printed substrate. The color measurement and control system includes a camera for acquiring an image of an area of the printed substrate, a color measurement device for measuring a color value of a location of the printed substrate, the color measurement device and the camera are operating substantially simultaneously, and a processing unit for receiving the image captured by the camera and the color measurement and for providing a position of the location with respect to the image employing the image itself. The processing unit is also operative to provide a color value of a desired position, the desired position is selected from the determined position and a position other than the determined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Advanced Vision Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael D. Goldstein, Noam Noy, Roy Tenny
  • Process for preparing stabilized chitin derivative compounds
    Patent number: 5773608
    Abstract: A process for sterilizing a polysaccharide composition containing chitosan, a chitosan derivative or a chitin derivative without substantially degrading the polysaccharide. The process has the steps of blending the polysaccharide in a solvent to form a solution or suspension; sterilizing the solution or suspension; dissolving suspended particles, if present; and then aseptically adjusting the pH of the sterilized solution. There is additionally provided a polyol stabilizing agent suitable for the polysaccharide composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: CIBA Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Shasy-Fong Yen, Mary Sou
  • Golf putter
    Patent number: 5772525
    Abstract: A golf putter comprising a putter head and an elongated shaft having an enlarged diameter gripping end. The shaft may also include a tapered major center length portion intermediate of the grip and hosel ends. A peripheral sighting edge is provided which is structured and arranged to appear when in use tangential to a peripheral edge of the golf ball when the ball is aligned with the sweet spot of the ball-striking surface. The primary longitudinal axis of the shaft passes through the center of the golf ball when the ball is situated contiguous with the ball-striking surface and aligned with the sweet spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: New Vision Golf Corp.
    Inventor: Lon Klein
  • Headlamp with optional lens washing device, and a method for making such headlamp
    Patent number: 5769528
    Abstract: A headlamp for a motor vehicle includes a hollow body. A lens closes a front opening of said body and has along one edge thereof either a secondary portion integral with a primary portion of said lens, or a recess instead said secondary portion. The lens is cut with said secondary portion integral with said lens when no lens washing device is provided on the headlamp. The lens is cut without said secondary lens portion, when the headlamp is to be equipped with a lens washing device, so as to define a recess through which said lens washing device can project when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Franck Dinant
  • Anti-bacterial, UV absorbable, tinted, metal-chelating polymers
    Patent number: 5770637
    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, a monomer that contains metal-chelating functionality such as an aminopolycarboxylic acid that contains a polymerizable olefinic group, and an effective amount of iron to absorb UV light and/or an effective amount of copper to cause the lens to be tinted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Vanderlaan, Susan B. Orr
  • Surgical headlamp with dual aperture control
    Patent number: 5769523
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for projecting a light pattern onto a target object, wherein the light pattern has a generally uniform brightness with well defined boarders. The apparatus includes a fiber optic conduit that emits a beam of light along an optical path. Light emitted from a fiber optic conduit typically contains a central region of a predetermined brightness and a peripheral region, created by light interference patterns, where the light is less bright. A first adjustable optical diaphragm is disposed along the optical path proximate the fiber optic conduit. By selectively varying to aperture of the first optical diaphragm, the diameter of the beam of light propagated along the optical path can be controlled. A second adjustable optical diaphragm is disposed along the optical path a predetermined distance away from the first optical diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Designs for Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Feinbloom
  • Laser demolding method
    Patent number: 5770119
    Abstract: An automated demolding apparatus for reliably and repeatedly mechanically separating contact lens mold portions of a mold assembly without damaging the contact lens formed there between. Before demolding, the second mold portion is irradiated by a laser beam, which is absorbed thereby to cause a substantial temperature gradient between the second mold portion and the contact lens being demolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig William Walker, Henri Armand Dagobert
  • Silcone-containing polymer having oxygen permeability suitable for ophalmic applications
    Patent number: 5770669
    Abstract: Copolymers formed from dimethacrylates of polyalkylene glycols and vinylic reactive silicones having up to 20 silicon atoms in the substantial absence of additional cross-linking agents. The copolymers may include a hydrophilicity-modifying monomer. The preferred silicon is TRIS (i.e., 3-methacryloxypropyl tris(trimethylsiloxy) silane), while the preferred polyalkylene glycol is polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate. The copolymers are especially suited to use in the fabrication of soft contact lenses because of the good durability and high oxygen permeability and transmissibility. Oxygen transmissibilities of greater than 70 barrers/mm are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: CIBA Vision Corporation
    Inventors: J. Richard Robertson, Cheryl R. Allen
  • Sustained release emulsions
    Patent number: 5767153
    Abstract: Ophthalmic methods and compositions are disclosed where particles of the dispersed phase of emulsions are themselves dispersed and stably maintained in physical separation by lightly crosslinked, water swellable polymers present in an aqueous polymeric system formulated for administration to the eye in drop or ribbon form. Medicament is dissolved in that dispersed phase is delivered over a sustained release period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Insite Vision Incorporated
    Inventors: Lyle M. Bowman, Rajesh A. Patel, Thomas B. Ottoboni
  • Indicating light, in particular a complementary stop light for a motor vehicle, having a number of light sources in line with each other
    Patent number: 5762414
    Abstract: An indicator unit for a motor vehicle, in particular a so-called complementary rear stop light displaying a narrow strip of light, has a plurality of light sources aligned with each other in an elongate narrow housing. Each light source emits light in a given emission field. The unit includes optical means for redirecting the light emitted by the sources in a general emission direction, and an optic having optical elements for diffusing the output light of the unit. The redirecting means comprise lenses focussed in the vicinity of the respective light sources and directly exposed to the radiation emitted by the respective sources in a central part of their emission field, together with a cylindrical mirror which reflects towards the lenses the light emitted by the sources in at least an edge portion of their emission field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Dominique Montalan, Pascal Phan, Herve Richard
  • Automated apparatus for hydrating soft contact lenses
    Patent number: 5762081
    Abstract: An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Scott Keene, Timothy Patrick Newton, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, David Dolan, Kiyoshi Imai, Katsuaki Yoshida, Svend Christensen, Finn Thrige Andersen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Kaj Bjerre, Junichi Fukuchi, David Byram, Gary Hall
  • Photochromic naphthopyran compounds
    Patent number: 5759450
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, and R.sub.10 are each selected from hydrogen, a first stable organic radical, an organic heterocyclic group, halogen, a first nitrogen-substituted group, and a first nitrogen-substituted ring compound; A and B are each selected from hydrogen, substituted phenyl, and substituted naphthyl, provided that at least one of A or B is substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl; and any substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at A or B is selected from hydrogen, a second stable organic radical, an organic heterocyclic group, halogen, a second nitrogen-substituted group, and a second nitrogen-substituted ring compound, provided that at least one substituent of any substituted phenyl or substituted naphthyl at either A or B is phenyl, naphthyl, or furyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Vision-Ease Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Hughes, Edward A. Travnicek
  • Lighting unit for a vehicle, having improved ventilating means
    Patent number: 5758957
    Abstract: A lighting, indicating or signalling unit for a motor vehicle has a ventilating device defined partly on the housing of the unit and partly by a cover member which is mounted on the housing so that they together define a sinuous ventilation path to the interior of the housing. The sinuous ventilation path comprises:in its lower part, a double air inlet comprising two inlet apertures facing each other, and an inlet passage substantially transverse to the general direction joining the inlet apertures;a labyrinth extending substantially upwards from the double air inlet; anda passage for communication between the labyrinth and the interior of the housing, and at least partly defined between resilient mounting lugs by which the cover member is secured on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Arnaud Perrotin
  • Extended wear ophthalmic lens
    Patent number: 5760100
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignees: CIBA Vision Corporation, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Paul Clement Nicolson, Richard Carlton Baron, Peter Chabrecek, John Court, Angelika Domschke, Hans Jorg Griesser, Arthur Ho, Jens Hopken, Bronwyn Glenice Laycock, Qin Liu, Dieter Lohmann, Gordon Francis Meijs, Eric Papaspiliotopoulos, Judy Smith Riffle, Klaus Schindhelm, Deborah Sweeney, Wilson Leonard Terry, Jr., Jurgen Vogt, Lynn Cook Winterton
  • Rotationally stabilized contact lens and methods of lens stabilization
    Patent number: 5760870
    Abstract: Contact lenses, especially toric and bifocal, which are rotationally stabilized and methods of stabilizing contact lenses. Contact lenses are stabilized, with respect to rotation while in place on the eye, by providing the lenses with a non-circular shape. In a preferred embodiment, a toric contact lens is rotationally stabilized by providing the lens with an oval shape. Also disclosed are methods of providing non-circular lenses with appropriate shapes for proper fit to a patient's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: CIBA Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Rick Edward Payor, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Lewis Williams, Gary Lafferty
  • Apparatus and method for releasably fusing mold lens pieces
    Patent number: 5759318
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for releasably securing mold pieces used to mold an artificial eye lens, for example a hydrophilic contact lens. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic welding system to provide directed energy, modified so that the output horn is convex to extend within the outer concave portion of one of the mold pieces and has a shoulder to rest upon the flange of said piece thereby centering it. The method applies directed energy, such as ultrasonic vibrations, through the energy emitter horn to soften or melt then fuse the mating peripheral edge portion of the lens mold pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Galas
  • Apparatus and method for treating articles in solution with effervescent tablets
    Patent number: 5756044
    Abstract: An article treatment system which provides improved solution mixing and concentration uniformity. The treatment system includes a container, a closure and a channel for guiding fluid flow. The treatment system is especially advantageous for use with effervescent tablets and for use in treating contact lenses. Cleaning and disinfecting of articles is improved by use of a tubular channel which guides upwardly gas and other components released from an effervescent tablet which is located at the bottom of the treatment container. The upward central flow through the channel induces a downward flow between the container walls, the exterior walls of the channel, and the article-retaining means and towards the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: CIBA Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Mary Mowrey-McKee, Rafael Victor Andino, David N. Ku, Paul J. Mulhauser, David R. Schiff
  • Data processing system and data processing method
    Patent number: 5758086
    Abstract: A data processing system that has a data processing unit for performing desired processing with respect to a stream of data such as video data and/or audio data, a data providing unit having stream data which becomes the object of that processing and for providing the data in accordance with a request, and a delivering unit for delivering the provided stream data to the data processing unit. The units are constituted on any one or more of the nodes on the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Digital Vision Laboratories Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Maegawa