Abstract: The present invention provides an intraocular lens (IOL) having an optic with a posterior and an anterior refractive surfaces, at least one of which has an aspherical profile, typically characterized by a non-zero conic constant, for controlling the aberrations of a patient's eye in which the IOL is implanted. Preferably, the IOL's asphericity, together with the aberrations of the patient's eye, cooperate to provide an image contrast characterized by a calculated modulation transfer function (MTF) of at least about 0.25 and a depth of field of at least about 0.75 Diopters.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a diffractive ophthalmic lens (e.g., a diffractive IOL) that includes an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, where the optic provides a far focus. A frustrated diffractive structure comprising a plurality of diffractive zones is disposed on at least one of those surfaces so as to provide a near focus. Each zone is separated from an adjacent zone by a zone boundary that imparts an optical delay to the incident light. Further, at least two consecutive zone boundaries are configured such that a difference between their associated phase delays for at least one wavelength of the incident light is greater than about ¼ wavelength so as to direct a portion of the incident light to a location between the near and far foci.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for custom fabrication of IOLs. In some embodiments, such methods call for measuring one or more aberrations of a patient's eye, and determining the profile of at least one surface of an IOL that would ameliorate, and control those aberrations. The surface profile can then be imparted to a surface of a starting lens (or a lens blank) via ablation, e.g., by utilizing an excimer laser beam. In some other embodiments, the measured aberrations can be utilized to determine the profile of at least one surface of a wafer mold. A wafer mold having that surface profile can then be fabricated, e.g., by ablating a slab or an existing wafer of appropriate material, and the mold can be used to fabricate an IOL suitable for implantation in the patient's eye.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides multifocal ophthalmic lenses, e.g., multifocal intraocular lenses, that employ a central refractive region for providing a refractive focusing power and a diffractive region for providing two diffractive focusing powers. In many cases, the refractive focusing power provided by the lens's central region corresponds to a far-focusing power that is substantially equal to one of the diffractive focusing powers while the other diffractive power corresponds to a near-focusing power. As such, in many cases, the focusing properties of the lenses are dominated by the far-focus ability, especially for small pupil sizes.

Abstract: A method for measuring the optical properties of multifocal ophthalmic lenses. Collimated light is passed through an ophthalmic lens and onto an array of lenslets. Light exiting the array of lenslets is detected by a sensor. Blurred spots and/or double spots may represent diffractive zones of the wavefront. A centroid of the spot or a brighter of two spots may be used to determine the lateral position of the spot. Theoretical calculations, laboratory measurements, clinical measurements and experimental image spots may be generated, compared and cross-checked to determine a monofocal equivalent lens. An MTF may be used to evaluate and compare a diffractive lens and a monofocal equivalent lens.

Abstract: In one aspect, an intraocular lens (IOL) is discloses that includes an optic having a central portion and a peripheral extension that partially surrounds the central portion. Once implanted in a patient's eye, the IOL's optic forms an image of a field of view with the peripheral extension inhibiting dysphotopsia. While in some embodiments, the peripheral extension provides focusing of light incident thereon, in other embodiments, it can include at least one textured surface for scattering the light or at least one opaque surface for preventing the light from reaching the retina. In other embodiments, the peripheral extension can include one or more translucent surface(s) for diffusing the light passing therethrough to inhibit dysphotopsia.

Abstract: An IOL is disclosed that includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface disposed about an optical axis, where the posterior surface includes a central region extending to a peripheral region. Once the IOL is implanted in a patient's eye, the anterior surface and the central region of the posterior surface cooperatively form an image of a field of view on the retina and the peripheral region of the posterior surface directs at least some light rays incident thereon (e.g., via refraction by the anterior surface) to at least one retinal location offset from the image so as to inhibit dysphotopsia.

Abstract: Methods and devices for inhibiting the dark shadow effect, known as dysphotopsia, perceived by some subjects having implanted intraocular lenses (IOLs) are presented. In one aspect, an IOL can include an optic and one or more fixation members for facilitating placement of the IOL. The fixation member can be adapted to have a portion that redirects light that is incident thereon in a manner which alleviates or prevents dysphotopsia. For example, the light that is incident on a fixation member can be directed to a retinal location intermediate to where imaging typically occurs on the retina and where a secondary image is formed. Various techniques for achieving these improvements are discussed, both in terms of the structures of improved IOLs, and methods for alleviating dysphotopsia.

Abstract: An IOL is disclosed that includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface disposed about an optical axis, where the posterior surface includes a central region extending to a peripheral region. Once the IOL is implanted in a patient's eye, the anterior surface and the central region of the posterior surface cooperatively form an image of a field of view on the retina and the peripheral region of the posterior surface directs at least some light rays incident thereon (e.g., via refraction by the anterior surface) to at least one retinal location offset from the image so as to inhibit dysphotopsia.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an intraocular lens (IOL) that includes an optic and a peripheral optical flange that surrounds the optic. The optic can form an image of a field of view on the IOL user's retina and the peripheral flange can inhibit dysphotopsia. By way of example, the peripheral flange can include at least one textured surface that is adapted to receive peripheral light rays entering the eye at large visual angles so as to cause their scattering in order to inhibit dysphotopsia, e.g., by preventing the formation of a secondary peripheral image or scattering some light to a shadow region between such a secondary image and an image formed by the IOL.

Abstract: Asymmetric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are disclosed in which the centration of the optic and the pupil can be adjusted in order to reduce dsyphotopsia and/or the perception of dark shadows. For example, IOLs with uneven haptics are disclosed such that the center of the optic (i.e., the optical axis) is offset from a centerline of the overall device.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provide an ophthalmic lens (e.g., an IOL) that includes an optic having an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface, where the optic provides an optical power in a range of about 16 D to about 25 D as measured in a medium having an index of refraction substantially similar to that of the eye's aqueous humor (e.g., about 1.336). At least one of the optical surfaces is characterized by an aspherical base profile such that the optic exhibits a negative spherical aberration in a range of about ?0.202 microns to about ?0.190 microns across the power range.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a diffractive ophthalmic lens (e.g., a diffractive IOL) that includes an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, where the optic provides a far focus. A frustrated diffractive structure comprising a plurality of diffractive zones is disposed on at least one of those surfaces so as to provide a near focus. Each zone is separated from an adjacent zone by a zone boundary that imparts an optical delay to the incident light. Further, at least two consecutive zone boundaries are configured such that a difference between their associated phase delays for at least one wavelength of the incident light is greater than about 1/4 wavelength so as to direct a portion of the incident light to a location between the near and far foci.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for early detection of in-band DTMF signals in voice transmissions over an IP network are disclosed. Using a digital signal processor, whenever any indication of signals possibly corresponding to the signals characteristic of DTMF tones are detected, packets of data that would otherwise be sent over the IP network are delayed and temporarily stored in a buffer. Buffering the data packets provides a period of time for digital signal processing techniques to reliably determine whether the characteristics of the detected signal are sufficient to characterize it as a DTMF signal. If a determination is made that the signal has the necessary characteristics of a valid DTMF signal, the buffered packets are discarded and a special control packet is sent formatted to convey to the recipient characteristic information for the detected DTMF signal sufficient to allow the DTMF signal to be generated by a DTMF generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides monofocal ophthalmic lenses that exhibit extended depth of field while providing sufficient contrast for resolution of an image over a selected range of defocus distances. In some embodiments, a lens of the invention can include a refractive surface having controlled surface modulations relative to a base profile. The surface modulations are designed to extend a depth of field of the lens such that a single image can be resolved, albeit with somewhat less contrast, over a range of distances greater than the focal region of a conventional lens. The ophthalmic lenses of the invention can be employed in various vision correction applications, including, but not limited to, intraocular lenses, contact lenses, instrastromal implants and other refractive devices.

Abstract: A computer-based method and apparatus for electronically preparing extensible markup language (XML) files includes means for preparing extensible markup language files (XML) from native word processing source files, such as MICROSOFT® Word (.doc) or COREL® WORDPERFECT® (.wpd), electronically transmitting the extensible markup language (XML) files to an intended recipient via a global information network and means for accounting for fees related to the electronic submission of the files to the intended recipient. In a preferred embodiment the computer based means and methods may be utilized to electronically prepare and file intellectual property related correspondence with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or other intellectual property offices.

Abstract: The present invention provides monofocal ophthalmic lenses that exhibit extended depth of field while providing sufficient contrast for resolution of an image over a selected range of defocus distances. In some embodiments, a lens of the invention can include a refractive surface having controlled surface modulations relative to a base profile. The surface modulations are designed to extend a depth of field of the lens such that a single image can be resolved, albeit with somewhat less contrast, over a range of distances greater than the focal region of a conventional lens. The ophthalmic lenses of the invention can be employed in various vision correction applications, including, but not limited to, intraocular lenses, contact lenses, instrastromal implants and other refractive devices.

Abstract: A computerized docketing system for legal matters, comprising a database operatively arranged to store information related to the legal matters, including actions to be taken with respect to the legal matters, and due dates associated with the actions to be taken, an arithmetic logic unit operatively arranged to scan the database, compare each of the due dates with a reference date, and classify the due dates according to proximity of each of the due dates to the reference date, and, means for displaying different classifications of the due dates in different colors for the purpose of alerting a user of the system of matters requiring attention.

Abstract: A wayside Ethernet communications system is presented for use with an optical network. The wayside Ethernet communication system includes a first and second optical network element connected to the optical network. The first optical network element having is adapted to map the Ethernet frames into at least one optical network frame and operable to transmit the optical network frames over an optical supervisory channel of the optical network. The second optical network element is adapted to receive the optical network frames over the optical supervisory channel of the optical network and to extract the Ethernet frames from the optical network frames.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for toric lenses is disclosed. The method comprises determining the tack of the material.