Patents by Inventor CRAIG L. HERSHOFF

CRAIG L. HERSHOFF has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11918288
    Abstract: An Ocular Force Measuring Apparatus (OFMA) is provided. The OFMA can include a lens manipulator arranged on a carrier operably connected to a strain gauge load cell. The OFMA can be manipulated by hand or with an actuator mechanism. When the lens manipulator is engaged with a contact lens attached to an eye, the strain gauge load cell can measure the force required to remove the contact lens from the eye. Conversely, if a contact lens is arranged on the lens manipulator, the force required to deposit the contact lens on the eye is measureable by the strain gauge load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Craig L. Hershoff
  • Patent number: 11439534
    Abstract: The problem of inserting and removing a rigid gas permeable or hybrid contact lens is solved by the use of a lens manipulator. The lens manipulator includes a handle and an over-sleeve that is optionally attachable to an extraction stem, for creating a suction force to remove a contact lens, and an insertion stem, without suction force for placing a contact lens. Removal of the extraction stem from the over-sleeve eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens. A manual-release mechanism can be used to facilitate removal of the extraction stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Craig L. Hershoff
  • Patent number: 11311415
    Abstract: A lens manipulator that includes an over-sleeve with a suction cup and lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening at the opposite end for receiving an adjustment rod. Adjustment of the length of the adjustment rod in the lumen controls the amount of suction force generated under the suction cup against a contact lens. Removal of the adjustment rod from the lumen eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Craig L. Hershoff
  • Publication number: 20210219836
    Abstract: An Ocular Force Measuring Apparatus (OFMA) is provided. The OFMA can include a lens manipulator arranged on a carrier operably connected to a strain gauge load cell. The OFMA can be manipulated by hand or with an actuator mechanism. When the lens manipulator is engaged with a contact lens attached to an eye, the strain gauge load cell can measure the force required to remove the contact lens from the eye. Conversely, if a contact lens is arranged on the lens manipulator, the force required to deposit the contact lens on the eye is measureable by the strain gauge load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: CRAIG L. HERSHOFF
  • Publication number: 20210137734
    Abstract: The problem of inserting and removing a rigid gas permeable or hybrid contact lens is solved by the use of a lens manipulator. The lens manipulator includes a handle and an over-sleeve that is optionally attachable to an extraction stem, for creating a suction force to remove a contact lens, and an insertion stem, without suction force for placing a contact lens. Removal of the extraction stem from the over-sleeve eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens. A manual-release mechanism can be used to facilitate removal of the extraction stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventor: CRAIG L. HERSHOFF
  • Publication number: 20210015663
    Abstract: A lens manipulator that includes an over-sleeve with a suction cup and lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening at the opposite end for receiving an adjustment rod. Adjustment of the length of the adjustment rod in the lumen controls the amount of suction force generated under the suction cup against a contact lens. Removal of the adjustment rod from the lumen eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: CRAIG L. HERSHOFF
  • Patent number: 10765553
    Abstract: A lens manipulator that includes an over-sleeve with a suction cup and lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening at the opposite end for receiving an adjustment rod. Adjustment of the length of the adjustment rod in the lumen controls the amount of suction force generated under the suction cup against a contact lens. Removal of the adjustment rod from the lumen eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Craig L. Hershoff
  • Publication number: 20190216644
    Abstract: A lens manipulator that includes an over-sleeve with a suction cup and lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening at the opposite end for receiving an adjustment rod. Adjustment of the length of the adjustment rod in the lumen controls the amount of suction force generated under the suction cup against a contact lens. Removal of the adjustment rod from the lumen eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: CRAIG L. HERSHOFF
  • Patent number: 9788997
    Abstract: Contact lenses are a commonly used medical device that many users find difficult to insert and remove from the eyes. A contact lens insertion and removal apparatus of the subject invention utilizes a lens manipulator that can be controlled by a user to insert a contact lens into the eye or remove it from the eye. Further embodiments include a display system that provides a user with dual images of the lens manipulator such that the user sees an optical illusion of the lens manipulator from a side view. This provides the user with an increased sense of control and safety when inserting or removing contact lenses. Additional embodiments can include a hands-free contact lens cleaning and storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Craig L. Hershoff
  • Publication number: 20150265467
    Abstract: Contact lenses are a commonly used medical device that many users find difficult to insert and remove from the eyes. A contact lens insertion and removal apparatus of the subject invention utilizes a lens manipulator that can be controlled by a user to insert a contact lens into the eye or remove it from the eye. Further embodiments include a display system that provides a user with dual images of the lens manipulator such that the user sees an optical illusion of the lens manipulator from a side view. This provides the user with an increased sense of control and safety when inserting or removing contact lenses. Additional embodiments can include a hands-free contact lens cleaning and storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: CRAIG L. HERSHOFF