Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved methods and apparatus for coupling a probe to an instrument device manipulator (e.g., robotic arm). In some embodiments, a probe, which may be carried by a handpiece, is configured to couple to the end of a device manipulator of a robotic arm. A transmission can be provided that is configured to couple to the probe and also couple to the instrument device manipulator. The transmission can be configured to receive motion input from the instrument device manipulator and transfer the motion input into motion of the probe. The transmission can provide improved movement of the probe. By decreasing the number of components on the handpiece and probe, the handpiece and probe can be provided as a sterile, single use consumable device and the transmission can be reused.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for hydrating ophthalmic lenses and leaching excess materials from the ophthalmic lenses. The methods include the steps of exposing contact lenses with a hydration solution comprising about 30 to 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and water. In some embodiments, the hydration solution is maintained at an elevated temperature. Exposure to a first hydration solution causes the ophthalmic lenses to swell to a size larger than their functional size, and exposure to a second ophthalmic solution causes the lenses to shrink back to a functional size.

Abstract: This invention includes a wettable biomedical device containing a high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and a hydroxyl-functionalized silicone-containing monomer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for hydrating ophthalmic lenses and leaching excess materials from the ophthalmic lenses. The methods include the steps of exposing contact lenses with a hydration solution comprising about 30 to 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and water. In some embodiments, the hydration solution is maintained at an elevated temperature. Exposure to a first hydration solution causes the ophthalmic lenses to swell to a size larger than their functional size, and exposure to a second ophthalmic solution causes the lenses to shrink back to a functional size.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold, cure and package soft contact lenses. A conveyor system transports an array of molds through a plurality of automated work stations. The front curve mold halves are partially filled with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture and assembled and clamped to displace any excess hydrogel from the mold cavity. The assembly is precured and then transported through a cure station using UV radiation to complete polymerization, The assemblies are then pried apart in an automated station, with any excess monomer adhering to the removed mold half. The newly molded lens is then hydrated and separated from the front curve mold half in a hydration station. Following hydration the array of lens is automatically deposited into a plurality of packages with a robotic transfer device having a plurality of figures which transfer the lenses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. A molding station injection molds first and second mold parts for the production of the lenses and these mold parts are transferred to an inert gas or low oxygen environment wherein a series of automated stations receive the mold parts, deposit a polymerizable hydrogel within the first mold part, assemble and clamp the first and second mold parts together, apply radiant energy for polymerizing the hydrogel and subsequently separate the mold parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for partially polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus is provided to mold and cure soft contact lenses. At a first station, front curve mold halves are partially filled with a polymerizable monomer. At a second station, a surfactant coating may be applied to a flange on the front curve mold half to provide subsequent preferential adhesion of any excess hydrogel to a back curve mold half at the time the mold halves are separated. At a third station, the mold halves are assembled under vacuum, and clamped to displace any excess hydrogel from the mold cavity. This clamping step firmly seats the back curve mold half, severs any excess monomer from the monomer in the cavity, defines the lens edge, and seals the cavity in a vacuum. Following assembly of the mold halves, the assembly is transported to a precure station and reclamped, and the monomer is precured with actinic radiation, such as UV, to partially cure the monomer to a gel like consistency.

Abstract: A process for providing degassed complementary concave and convex lens molds to filling and mold assembly stations in a continuous or semicontinuous automated soft contact lens manufacturing system. The process includes injection molding the lens molds, immediately transferring the lens molds to an inert gas atmosphere, degassing the lens molds, and filling the lens molds with a polymerizable monomer under the inert gas prior to mold assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for causing the polymerized excess monomer to separate from a molded lens by increasing the surface energy of the flange area of one mold piece, causing the polymerized excess monomer to stick thereto. Specifically when manufactured under inert atmosphere conditions, a particular manifold is needed to supply an oxygen bearing gas, air, to the area to be treated while preventing the oxygen from contaminating the lens manufacturing area of the molds or diluting the nitrogen atmosphere of other lens process areas. It has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming contact lenses, wherein front curve mold halves are filled with a hardenable transparent material, such as a polymerizable hydrogel, and back curve mold halves are coupled to the front curve, therein forming a lens. More particularly, the apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting pallets of mold halves to the apparatus, an array of piston structures for raising and aligning the back curves with respect to the filled front curve halves, a mechanism for reciprocating the piston array to couple pairs of front and back curves, and a vacuum chamber for maintaining a vacuum around the curves during coupling. In addition, there is provided individual spring biasing to each reciprocating element whereby sensitivity to thickness variations and pallet misfeeds may be minimized. Further, there is provided a vacuum sleeve, through which the pistons reciprocate within the vacuum chamber, which sleeve preserves the vacuum within the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling and assembling mold parts for a contact lens includes a first automated station for receiving a plurality of front curve contact lens mold parts and depositing in each front curve mold a predetermined amount of a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture, and, a second automated station for receiving the plurality of front curve mold parts and assembling each front curve mold part with a back curve mold part under vacuum to prevent entrapment of gas between the mold parts. The front curve mold parts are transported to the first and to the second automated stations by a pallet having registration guides that cooperate with the second station to register the pallet prior to assembly of the mold parts.