Abstract: A method for optically inspecting an ophthalmic lens in an automated lens production process to determine an orientation state and an inversion state of the ophthalmic lens. The method comprises the steps of acquiring an image of the ophthalmic lens, determining from the acquired image an orientation value of the lens, comparing the determined orientation value with an orientation threshold value, and determining that the lens is oriented right side up when the determined orientation value is higher than the orientation threshold value, or determining that the lens is oriented upside down when the determined orientation value is lower than the orientation threshold value, or vice versa.

Abstract: A method (6) for inspecting an ophthalmic lens (2), in particular a contact lens such as a soft contact lens (2), in an automated lens manufacturing process is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of acquiring (60) a plurality of images containing the ophthalmic lens (2) to be inspected as an imaged ophthalmic lens (2), wherein each image (4) of the plurality of images is of a different image type, registering (63) the plurality of images by applying a registration function to each image (4) of the plurality of images to obtain registered images, determining (64), based on the registered images, whether the ophthalmic lens (2) complies with predetermined specifications, and updating (62) the registration function to compensate for possible changes in the acquisition of the plurality of images. Updating (62) the registration function is performed during the automated lens manufacturing process.

Abstract: An automated production line for the production of ophthalmic lenses comprises: a production line front end (1) comprising: a first injection-molding machine (10) and a second injection-molding machine (12) a casting module (14) comprising a filling station (144) and a capping station (145); a stacking module (15) and a curing module (16); a destacking module (17) and a demolding and delensing module a production line back end (2) comprising: an inspection module (21); Wherein the inspection module comprising a rail system in which self-driving shuttles carrying the inspection cuvettes are arranged on a closed-loop rail, wherein the rail system can be adapted to the available space in the production plant/hall using curves and straight portions in the manner known from a model railway.

Abstract: A lens inspection module comprises: a lens insertion station, at least one lens inspection station, and a lens removal station as well as a closed-loop transportation rail, a cuvette transportation shuttle with a plurality of inspection cuvettes, and a self-driving cleaning shuttle for cleaning the rail. Cleaning shuttle comprises a driving unit a cleaning head, a suction unit, and a tube connecting cleaning head and suction unit. Cleaning head is spaced apart from suction unit and driving unit in the transportation direction and is pivotally arranged about a pivot axis. Cleaning head may comprise a distance sensor for detecting the distance between cleaning shuttle and transportation shuttle. Driving unit is configured to change the speed of the self-driving cleaning shuttle when the distance between the cleaning shuttle and the transportation shuttle is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance.

Abstract: A lens inspection module comprises: a lens insertion station, at least one lens inspection station, and a lens removal station as well as a closed-loop transportation rail, a cuvette transportation shuttle with a plurality of inspection cuvettes, and a self-driving cleaning shuttle for cleaning the rail. Cleaning shuttle comprises a driving unit a cleaning head, a suction unit, and a tube connecting cleaning head and suction unit. Cleaning head is spaced apart from suction unit and driving unit in the transportation direction and is pivotally arranged about a pivot axis. Cleaning head may comprise a distance sensor for detecting the distance between cleaning shuttle and transportation shuttle. Driving unit is configured to change the speed of the self-driving cleaning shuttle when the distance between the cleaning shuttle and the transportation shuttle is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance.

Abstract: A method for determining the inversion state of a soft contact lens (1), comprising imaging a soft contact lens having a convex surface (2, 3) and a concave surface (3, 2), a lens center and a lens edge (5) surrounding said soft contact lens (1), the method comprising using an optical coherence tomography system to obtain at least one sectional image of at least a part of the contact lens (1) comprising the lens edge (5), determining a cross-sectional edge geometry of the contact lens (1) extending from the lens edge (5) towards the lens center of the contact lens in the sectional image, the cross-sectional edge geometry corresponding to the convex and concave surface boundaries of the contact lens (1) in the sectional image, selecting a parameter defining the cross-sectional edge geometry of the contact lens (1) imaged and comparing the parameter defining the cross-sectional edge geometry of the contact lens (1) with a predetermined parameter defining a cross-sectional edge geometry of a non-inverted contact

Abstract: Method for determining the refractive index (n) of a material of a contact lens, in particular of a soft contact lens, the contact lens (1) having a first surface and a second surface defining a lens geometry there between, by measuring the wavefront issued by the contact lens (1) with a wavefront sensor (4), obtaining data of the geometry of at least one section of the contact lens (1) with an optical coherence tomography system (3) and communicating the geometry of the at least one section of the contact lens (1) from the optical coherence tomography system (3) to an analyzer, particularly a computer, and determining the refractive index (n) of the material of the contact lens from the geometry of the at least one section of the contact lens and from the wavefront issued by the contact lens (1).

Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection and system method and system for determining the orientation of a contact lens on a lens support, particularly in an automated contact lens manufacturing line.

Abstract: Method for determining the refractive index (n) of a material of a contact lens, in particular of a soft contact lens, the contact lens (1) having a first surface and a second surface defining a lens geometry there between, by measuring the wavefront issued by the contact lens (1) with a wavefront sensor (4), obtaining data of the geometry of at least one section of the contact lens (1) with an optical coherence tomography system (3) and communicating the geometry of the at least one section of the contact lens (1) from the optical coherence tomography system (3) to an analyzer, particularly a computer, and determining the refractive index (n) of the material of the contact lens from the geometry of the at least one section of the contact lens and from the wavefront issued by the contact lens (1).

Abstract: A method for determining the orientation of a contact lens (1) on a lens support (3) comprises the steps of: providing a contact lens (1) having a lens center (2) and a sagittal height (h), providing a lens support (3), arranging the contact lens (1) on the lens support (3), providing a camera system (40) having a depth of field (4) of less than the sagittal height (h), illuminating the contact lens (1) arranged on the lens support (3) with a light beam, focusing the camera system (40) to a set focus corresponding to the expected position of the lens center (2) of the properly oriented contact lens (1) arranged on the lens support (3) with the lens center (2) of the properly oriented contact lens (1) on the lens support (3) being within the depth of field (4) of the focused camera system (40), producing an image (10) of the contact lens (1), scanning the image (10) of the contact lens (1) in at least one image portion (S) of a predetermined size; determining the image defocus of the at least one image port

Abstract: A method for determining the inversion state of a soft contact lens (1), comprising imaging a soft contact lens having a convex surface (2, 3) and a concave surface (3, 2), a lens center and a lens edge (5) surrounding said soft contact lens (1), the method comprising using an optical coherence tomography system to obtain at least one sectional image of at least a part of the contact lens (1) comprising the lens edge (5), determining a cross-sectional edge geometry of the contact lens (1) extending from the lens edge (5) towards the lens center of the contact lens in the sectional image, the cross-sectional edge geometry corresponding to the convex and concave surface boundaries of the contact lens (1) in the sectional image, selecting a parameter defining the cross-sectional edge geometry of the contact lens (1) imaged and comparing the parameter defining the cross-sectional edge geometry of the contact lens (1) with a predetermined parameter defining a cross-sectional edge geometry of a non-inverted contact

Abstract: A cuvette system (1) for use in the optical inspection of ophthalmic lenses comprises at least one receptacle (2) for accommodating an ophthalmic lens. The receptacle (2) has a longitudinal extension and an opening (20) arranged at one longitudinal end thereof. The receptacle (2) is adapted for containing a liquid. The cuvette system further comprises at least one inspection window (3) having an inspection surface (31). The inspection window (3) is arranged stationary and from the receptacle (2). The inspection window (3) is adapted for being joined to the receptacle (2) at the opening (20) of the receptacle (2) such that the inspection surface (31) of the inspection window (3) is immersed in the liquid. The inspection window (3) is further adapted for being removed from the opening (20) of the receptacle (2).

Abstract: A cuvette system (1) for use in the optical inspection of ophthalmic lenses comprises at least one receptacle (2) for accommodating an ophthalmic lens. The receptacle (2) has a longitudinal extension and an opening (20) arranged at one longitudinal end thereof. The receptacle (2) is adapted for containing a liquid. The cuvette system further comprises at least one inspection window (3) having an inspection surface (31). The inspection window (3) is arranged stationary and from the receptacle (2). The inspection window (3) is adapted for being joined to the receptacle (2) at the opening (20) of the receptacle (2) such that the inspection surface (31) of the inspection window (3) is immersed in the liquid. The inspection window (3) is further adapted for being removed from the opening (20) of the receptacle (2).

Abstract: A method for an automated inline determination of the refractive power of an ophthalmic lens (5) including providing an inspection cuvette having an optically transparent bottom (21) and having a concave inner surface (210) and containing the ophthalmic lens (5) immersed in a liquid, and providing a light source (42) and a wavefront sensor (6) including a detector. The light coming from the light source (42) and having passed the ophthalmic lens (5) contained in the inspection cuvette and impinging on the detector generates signals at the detector. By comparing the signals generated at the detector with predetermined signals representative of a reference refractive power, the refractive power of the ophthalmic lens (5) is thereby determined.