Abstract: A method for removable attachment of a mask to an IOL to protect a sharp peripheral edge of the IOL optic during polishing.

Abstract: A mask for removable attachment to an IOL to protect a sharp peripheral edge of the IOL optic during polishing.

Abstract: An arbor for lathe cutting lenses, especially contact lenses, from a blank, is designed for the mounting of a lens mold with a cast lens blank therein during lathing of the lens blank. The arbor is made in a manner to ensure the lens mold is axially aligned with the arbor. The arbor can be reused for lathe cutting of multiple lens blanks retained in their respective lens molds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of manufacture of molded polymeric devices using variable frequency microwaves. Molded polymeric devices include, for example, contact lenses, corneal rings, intraocular lenses and drug delivery devices such as anterior or posterior chamber inserts. Contact lenses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses as well as, lens blanks lathed into finished contact lenses. Molded polymeric devices further include medical devices such as prosthetics including hip joints. According to the present invention, a mold having a cavity the shape of the desired molded polymeric device, the cavity containing a composition comprising one or several monomers having double polymerizable bonds, is placed in a microwave chamber. The mold can be plastic, glass, ceramic or metal. Plastic is preferred. The mold is then swept with at least one range of microwave frequencies to polymerize the composition, thus forming the molded polymeric device.

Abstract: A method for processing a cured contact lens wherein the contact lens is hydrated while retained in the mold cavity in which it was cast. The lens is released from the mold with cured excess lens material remaining with the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing lenses involves supporting mold assemblies containing lens-forming mixture on plates, where the plates are stacked vertically with sufficient clearance to separate adjacent plates of mold assemblies.

Abstract: A method for forming a contact lens comprising subjecting a soft contact lens impregnated with a polymerizable liquid composition which may be polymerized in said lens to render said lens relatively rigid and which may be polymerized upon exposure to radiation with radiation in a selected manner so as to render selected portions of said lens relatively rigid.

Abstract: Hybrid contact lenses and other composite polymeric articles of precise dimensions are made by placing a first monomer composition in a mold and irradiating and polymerizing a central portion only with ultraviolet radiation. Unpolymerized monomer is removed, a second monomer composition is placed in contact with the polymer formed from the first monomer composition and the latter is polymerized by ultraviolet irradiation or by other means to obtain a composite article which is then machined to form a hybrid lens.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of forming ophthalmic lenses and/or semi-finished lens blanks including those of the eye contact type. The apparatus includes molds having cooperating first and second members each of which includes a longitudinal axis and a mold surface which is symmetrical with respect to such axis. In one embodiment these mold members or halves also include cooperating surfaces which, in operation and in cooperation with the selected lens material, both align the respective mold axes and axially position the mold surface of the first member with respect to the mold surface of the second member to thereby form the desired lens mold cavity. Further, each of the assembled molds also includes an annular reservoir which surrounds the mold cavity and is defined by surfaces provided on the first and second mold members. This reservoir is connected to the mold cavity via an annular restriction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cleansing of contact lenses comprising a housing for containing a lens divided into a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion may be joined or removed from the bottom portion. In addition, the top portion is movable while joined with the bottom portion and vice-versa. Within the top and bottom portions are scrubbing pad means which are used to scrub a contact lens when the top portion of the housing is moved in relation to the bottom portion. An offset dome is built into the bottom portion which causes the lens to migrate within the housing during scrubbing, thereby thoroughly cleansing all portions of the lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an adjustable aperture used in the practice of simulated artifical intraocular lens insertion comprising; a flexible diaphragm with a circular aperture therethrough, a cylindrical diaphragm mount for supporting the diaphragm, a diaphragm control member within the mount, and means for moving the control member against the diaphragm, thereby stretching the diaphragm and expanding the size of the circular diaphragm aperture. The size of the aperture is increased or reduced in order to simulate the pupil of the eye in various stages of dilation. The flexible diaphragm member is used to simulate the iris, so that an artificial intraocular lens may be inserted through the circular aperture and mounted on the flexible diaphragm member, thereby simulating the mounting of such a lens to the iris of the human eye.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of forming ophthalmic lenses and/or semi-finished lens blanks including those of the eye contact type. The apparatus includes molds having cooperating first and second members each of which includes a longitudinal axis and a mold surface which is symmetrical with respect to such axis. In one embodiment these mold members or halves also include cooperating surfaces which, in operation and in cooperation with the selected lens material, both align the respective mold axes and axially position the mold surface of the first member with respect to the mold surface of the second member to thereby form the desired lens mold cavity. Further, each of the assembled molds also includes an annular reservoir which surrounds the mold cavity and is defined by surfaces provided on the first and second mold members. This reservoir is connected to the mold cavity via an annular restriction.