Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatuses for inspecting optical devices, particularly contact lenses.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: A sterilization system comprising: radiation source; optical and/or electrical sensors; and timing means; wherein the measurement of radiation by the optical sensor is substantially synchronized based on the timing means to the start and end of each pulse of radiation from the radiation source or to the start and end of the exposure of a product to the radiation source.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to antimicrobial lenses containing coated zeolites and methods for their production.

Abstract: This invention provides a high energy radiation system which produces UV radiation comprising a selectively attenuating material which increases the ratio of desired to undesired radiation to reduce the radiation damage to a target by selectively attenuating at least 30 percent of the radiation from greater than 200 up to 240 nm which impinges upon said attenuating material, and directs greater than 50 percent of the radiation from 240 nm to 280 nm which impinges upon said attenuating material.

Abstract: A method and instrument to irradiate a light adjustable lens, for example, inside a human eye, with an appropriate amount of radiation in an appropriate intensity pattern by first measuring aberrations in the optical system containing the lens; aligning a source of the modifying radiation so as to impinge the radiation onto the lens in a pattern that will null the aberrations. The quantity of the impinging radiation is controlled by controlling the intensity and duration of the irradiation. The pattern is controlled and monitored while the lens is irradiated.

Abstract: A system for determining the presence and optionally the position of an ophthalmic product such as a contact lens in a container is provided.

Abstract: A method for fitting and designing an ophthalmic lens for a presbyope that yields improved visual acuity in general, and takes into account individual fitting characteristics. More specifically, a method for fitting and designing a contact or intraocular lens which takes into account material properties of the lens by observing the “print through” associated with the lens as an indicator of the topography of the lens. The term “print through” is used to refer to any change in lens topography on the front surface of the lens as a result of changes in topography on the back surface of the lens. If a significant amount of “print through” is observed, this generally indicates that the multifocal function of the lens is properly being performed. In such a situation, the clinician can then adjust the add power to the desired level.

Abstract: A method for fitting and designing ophthalmic lenses that yields improved visual acuity and takes into account individual lens fitting characteristics is provided. More specifically, the method of the invention takes into account the materials properties of the lens by observing the print-through associated with the lens.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the presence of a lens in a transparent package. The method comprises the steps of moving the package into an inspection position, and conducting a light beam through the package and onto an image plane to form an image of the package on the image plane. The method further comprises the steps of generating a set of signals representing the image on the image plane, and analyzing those signals to determine whether a lens is present in the package. This analyzing step, in turn, includes the steps of searching the package image for images of discrete objects; and for each object image found in the package image, identifying values for a plurality of parameters, and analyzing those identified values according to a predetermined procedure to identify the object as a lens or as not a lens.

Abstract: A system for providing diffuse illumination in the inspection of ophthalmic lenses for use in conjunction with a computer-based lens inspection apparatus. Below a package containing an ophthalmic lens in deionized water is an optical diffuser made of flashed opal and below that a light source such as a strobe light. The strobe lamp firing is initiated by the image processing system which is in turn triggered by a signal generated by the arrival of a package containing a lens to be inspected. In the preferrerd embodiment, an arc tube is employed wherein light output diminishes by darkening only in one end of the tube, that end placed outside the reflector.

Abstract: A lens inspection method and apparatus comprising a pallet having wells for receiving one or more lens containers at the receiving point. A conveyor achieves uniformity of pallet motion when transporting the lens. The pallet wells includes holes that pass through the pallet. These holes, along with a side driven transport system, make possible an arrangement of a lamp and camera on opposite sides of the lens for capturing an image of a lens. A computer implemented algorithm processes the digitized image to determine the acceptability of the lenses. A lens disposition mechanism uses a signal generated by the computer and indicates lens acceptability to disposition the lens by physically separating a container with an acceptable lens from an unacceptable lens. After disposition of containers, the pallet is returned by conveyor to the lens receiving point.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ophthalmic lens inspection method and apparatus comprising a camera to capture an image of an ophthalmic lens which has been illuminated by a light source. Location and intensity at each camera pixel is converted to an electrical quantity which is then transferred and stored in a memory. A computer containing instructions for comparing the intensity and location values of the pixels starts near the center of the receptor field and continues toward the edge of the field until an intensity deviation is encountered. By evaluating the pixels containing intensity variation, an outline of the lens edge is attained. An annulus is generated enclosing the actual lens edge. All the pixels are changed from an absolute intensity value to a gradient value, represented by two transition edges. Feature extraction is performed to locate defective pixels and place them into groups.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying the presence of a lens in a transparent package. The method comprises the steps of moving the package into an inspection position, and conducting a light beam through the package and onto an image plane to form an image of the package on the image plane. The method further comprises the steps of generating a set of signals representing the image on the image plane, and analyzing those signals to determine whether a lens is present in the package. This analyzing step, in turn, includes the steps of searching the package image for images of discrete objects; and for each object image found in the package image, identifying values for a plurality of parameters, and analyzing those identified values according to a predetermined procedure to identify the object as a lens or as not a lens.

Abstract: An automated inspection system for inspecting packages, such as blister packages, to verify the presence therein of products, such as contact lenses, prior to heat sealing of the blister packages. The automated inspection system includes a transport and ejector mechanism for ejecting any defective packages determined by the automated inspection system not to have a product therein. The automated inspection system includes an optical inspection station at which packages are optically inspected by video cameras to verify that a product is, in fact, present in each package base. A package conveyor system is provided for conveying the packages by the optical inspection station.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting ophthalmic lenses. The system comprises a transport subsystem for moving the lenses into an inspection position, and an illumination subsystem to generate a light beam and to direct the light beam through the lenses. The system further comprises an imaging subsystem to generate a set of signals representing selected portions of the light beam transmitted through the lenses, and a processing subsystem to process those signals according to a predetermined program. The illumination subsystem includes a light source to generate a light beam and a diffuser to form that light beam with a generally uniform intensity across the transverse cross section of the light beam. The illumination subsystem further includes a lens assembly to focus a portion of the light beam onto an image plane, and to focus a portion of the light beam onto a focal point in front of the image plane to form a diffuser background pattern on the image plane.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens package for inspection, sterilization, and delivery of the lens having a substantial planar first surface with a concave bowl, the bowl having a radius of curvature larger than the radius of the lens placed inside the bowl allowing the lens to center and settle in the middle of the bowl. About the bowl is an annular sealing area, preferably a planar annulus raised above the first planar surface away from the bowl, circumferentially about the circular boundary of the first planar surface and the concave bowl. The package is hermetically sealed along the sealing area with a sealing sheet substantially parallel with the first planar surface and covering the concave bowl. The package is constructed of a non-nucleated polymer so that when water is placed in the bowl, the polymer surface is sufficiently wettable to substantially flatten the water meniscus in the center and thereby eliminate associated optical aberrations, permitting undistorted in-package inspection.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens pallet having wells for receiving one or more lens containers at the receiving point achieves the requisite uniformity of motion in the direction of motion, and stability when transporting the lens in the orthogonal, non-translating directions by restraining the pallet between rails. A spring-loaded roller ball located on the side walls of the pallet body cooperate with guide rails on the conveyor to compress the spring-loaded roller ball when the pallet is between the guide rails. Blind holes on the pallet engage a drive which transports the pallet from the lens receiving point to an inspection station then to a lens disposition mechanism. The pallet wells comprise holes that pass through the pallet. These holes along with the rail and transport system make possible an arrangement of a lamp and camera for capturing an image of a lens.