Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to electrodes of an implantable device, such as electrodes made of noble metals. The hydrogel can be mechanically secured via anchoring features of the electrode. Anchoring features can include apertures, voids, textures, or other patterns created in or on the electrode. The hydrogel can incorporate into the anchoring features to mechanically hold the hydrogel against the electrode. The anchoring features, by being located in or on the electrode, can further increase the surface area of the electrode that is exposed to the hydrogel, which can facilitate the conduction of electrical signals between the electrode and surrounding biological tissue. The substrate supporting the electrode can include additional anchoring features that further assist in mechanically securing the hydrogel.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to an electrode of an implantable device using a non-swellable shell. Hydrogel can be applied to an electrode surface and then mechanically constrained in place by a non-swellable shell. The non-swellable material can be secured to a substrate supporting an electrode or can otherwise surround an electrode and the hydrogel. The non-swellable shell can include openings or passthroughs that allow for electrical conduction across the non-swellable shell. The hydrogel can extend out of the openings to contact adjacent biological tissue. In some cases, an outer layer of hydrogel can surround the non-swellable shell and connected to the inner layer of hydrogel through the openings of the non-swellable shell.

Abstract: A contact lens includes a posterior element, an anterior element, and a first fluid. The posterior element is adapted to conform to a surface of an eye when the contact lens is mounted on the eye. The anterior element is coupled to the posterior element to form a cavity within the contact lens. A flexibility of the posterior element is greater than a flexibility of the anterior element. The first fluid is disposed within the cavity and a distribution of the first fluid within the cavity changes in response to the posterior element conforming to the eye when the contact lens is mounted on the eye.

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 ophthalmic device and the back curve top optical surface of the back curve portion of the variable focus ophthalmic device. A fluid with a first index of refraction and a dielectric film is in contact with at least a portion of the fluid with a first index of refraction and overlaying an electrode capable of establishing an electric field. A gas with a second index of refraction is provided, wherein the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction are different.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an electrowetting contact lens comprising including an electrowetting cell. The cell includes first and second optical windows that form a sealed enclosure. A first electrode is formed on the first optical window, and a second electrode is formed on the second optical window. The first and second electrodes include an electrically conductive layer, and the first electrode includes at least one dielectric layer sandwiched between the relevant optical window and the at least one dielectric layer. Oil and saline layers are positioned in the sealed enclosure so that the oil is in contact with one electrode and the saline is in contact with the other electrode. A protective coating encloses the electrowetting cell, and a contact lens material encloses the sealing material. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: In one example, a battery includes a negative terminal, a positive terminal, an electrolyte contained between the negative terminal and the positive terminal, and a hydrogel layer positioned between and physically separating the negative terminal and the positive terminal.

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 ophthalmic device and the back curve top optical surface of the back curve portion of the variable focus ophthalmic device. A fluid with a first index of refraction and a dielectric film is in contact with at least a portion of the fluid with a first index of refraction and overlaying an electrode capable of establishing an electric field. A gas with a second index of refraction is provided, wherein the first index of refraction and the second index of refraction are different.

Abstract: In one example, a battery includes a negative terminal, a positive terminal, an electrolyte contained between the negative terminal and the positive terminal, and a hydrogel layer positioned between and physically separating the negative terminal and the positive terminal.

Abstract: A flexible intraocular lens including a reinforcing layer disposed on a sidewall of the intraocular lens is described. An example flexible intraocular lens includes a lens body and a reinforcing layer disposed thereon.

Abstract: A device is provided that may be operated when implanted within a body, when mounted to a surface of an eye, or when immersed in a fluid or otherwise exposed to a humid environment. The device includes at least one conductor that includes a valve metal. The valve metal is disposed on an external surface of the conductor such that, when the conductor exhibits a positive voltage relative to its environment, the valve metal forms or maintains a self-limiting oxide layer. The device is operated such that the mean voltage of the conductor is positive or zero relative to the environment, e.g., relative to another electrode or other conductor of the device that is in contact with fluid in the environment. Such a device can be operated for a protracted period of time in a humid environment without a hermetic seal disposed between the conductor and the humid environment.

Abstract: An eye-implantable electrowetting lens can be operated to control an overall optical power of an eye in which the device is implanted. A lens chamber of the electrowetting lens contains first and second fluids that are immiscible with each other and have different refractive indexes. By applying a voltage to electrodes of the lens, the optical power of the lens can be controlled by affecting the geometry of the interface between the fluids. To facilitate implantation of such an eye-implantable device, components of the device may be inserted individually and the device may be assembled in situ. In situ assembly could allow insertion of components of the device into the eye through an incision that is smaller than the assembled device, reduce a chance of failure of the device, reduce the mechanical and/or chemical seal requirements of the assembled, or allow for modular device design.

Abstract: An eye-implantable electrowetting lens can be operated to control an overall optical power of an eye in which the device is implanted. A lens chamber of the electrowetting lens contains first and second fluids that are immiscible with each other and have different refractive indexes. By applying a voltage to electrodes of the lens, the optical power of the lens can be controlled by affecting the geometry of the interface between the fluids. To prevent fouling the surface due to folding or other manipulation of the lens during the insertion process, one or more surfaces within the lens chamber is highly underwater oleophobic.

Abstract: An eye-implantable electrowetting lens can be operated to control an overall optical power of an eye in which the device is implanted. A lens chamber of the electrowetting lens contains first and second fluids that are immiscible with each other and have different refractive indexes. By applying a voltage to electrodes of the lens, the optical power of the lens can be controlled by affecting the geometry of the interface between the fluids. When the electrowetting lens is inserted into the eye, the lens chamber may contain only one of the first and second fluids. The other fluid can be added after insertion through a needle, a tube, or some other means. Having only one of the first and second fluids in the lens chamber during insertion of the lens can prevent fouling of internal surfaces due to folding or other manipulation of the lens during the insertion process.

Abstract: A contact switch including a rail having slot with a first straight section and a second curved section, a toggle unit inside a housing, the toggle unit including an extension unit that slidably engages the slot and at least one contact, a contact unit in the housing including at least one contact, where the toggle unit moves in the housing such that the contacts on the toggle unit engage at least one contact on the stationary unit in the first straight section and the contacts disengage in the second curved section.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an electrowetting contact lens comprising including an electrowetting cell. The cell includes first and second optical windows that form a sealed enclosure. A first electrode is formed on the first optical window, and a second electrode is formed on the second optical window. The first and second electrodes include an electrically conductive layer, and the first electrode includes at least one dielectric layer sandwiched between the relevant optical window and the at least one dielectric layer. Oil and saline layers are positioned in the sealed enclosure so that the oil is in contact with one electrode and the saline is in contact with the other electrode. A protective coating encloses the electrowetting cell, and a contact lens material encloses the sealing material. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An eye-implantable device including an electrowetting lens is provided that can be operated to control an overall optical power of an eye in which the device is implanted. A lens chamber of the electrowetting lens contains first and second fluids that are immiscible with each other and that differ with respect to refractive index. By applying a voltage to electrodes of the lens, the optical power of the lens can be controlled by affecting the geometry of the interface between the fluids. One of the fluids is an aqueous fluid that is isotonic relative to the aqueous humor of the eye to prevent flux of water into or out of the lens chamber. Thus, the lens chamber may be composed of water-permeable materials. Such water-permeable materials may be flexible, to permit the lens to be folded into a smaller profile during implantation.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to an electrode of an implantable device using a non-swellable shell. Hydrogel can be applied to an electrode surface and then mechanically constrained in place by a non-swellable shell. The non-swellable material can be secured to a substrate supporting an electrode or can otherwise surround an electrode and the hydrogel. The non-swellable shell can include openings or passthroughs that allow for electrical conduction across the non-swellable shell. The hydrogel can extend out of the openings to contact adjacent biological tissue. In some cases, an outer layer of hydrogel can surround the non-swellable shell and connected to the inner layer of hydrogel through the openings of the non-swellable shell.

Abstract: Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, can be mechanically secured to electrodes of an implantable device, such as electrodes made of noble metals. The hydrogel can be mechanically secured via anchoring features of the electrode. Anchoring features can include apertures, voids, textures, or other patterns created in or on the electrode. The hydrogel can incorporate into the anchoring features to mechanically hold the hydrogel against the electrode. The anchoring features, by being located in or on the electrode, can further increase the surface area of the electrode that is exposed to the hydrogel, which can facilitate the conduction of electrical signals between the electrode and surrounding biological tissue. The substrate supporting the electrode can include additional anchoring features that further assist in mechanically securing the hydrogel.

Abstract: A poison-resistant catalytic converter includes a washcoat having a support material comprised of titania and/or silica and a plurality of platinum group metal particles disposed in the support material. The washcoat is disposed on a substrate having a plurality of cells that define respective apertures. The catalytic converter is resistant to poisoning from sulfur and phosphorous compounds while operating at low temperatures. Applications include spark ignited internal combustion engines in combined heat and power systems, vehicles, combustion turbines, boilers and other applications for utilities, industry and vehicle emissions control.

Abstract: An eye-mountable device includes a hydrogel material. By drying the hydrogel material of the eye-mountable device, ethylene oxide may be used to sterilize the eye-mountable device. Such a sterilization method can be employed to sterilize the eye-mountable device when the eye-mountable device includes electronics, sensors, actuated lenses, or other components that may be damaged by heat, pressure, radiation, or other conditions used for sterilization. The eye-mountable device may be stored, dry, within a sealed sterile volume of a packaging material. The packaging material may be permeable to ethylene oxide such that the dried eye-mountable device may be sterilized by ethylene oxide after being sealed within the packaging material. The eye-mountable device could take the form of a contact lens, the form of a device configured to be placed against a sclera of an eye beneath an eyelid of the eye, or could take some other form.