Lens Patents (Class 264/1.32)
  • Patent number: 8197724
    Abstract: Contact lens delensing methods are described, and the present delensing methods include using a gas to facilitate separation of a polymerized contact lens product from a contact lens mold member. The contact lens mold member is compressed to deform a portion of the mold member, and gas, such as air, is directed toward the polymerized contact lens product in contact with the portion. The contact lens mold member can be compressed as the mold member and lens product rotate. A vacuum device can be used to separate the polymerized contact lens product from the contact lens mold member after compressing the portion of the mold member and directing the gas towards the mold member. Delensing systems used to practice the present methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Coopervision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventor: Zbigniew Witko
  • Patent number: 8187712
    Abstract: To provide a plastic polarized lens which is excellent in processability and the like as well as in adhesion property of the polarized film, and a method of producing the same. In the plastic polarized lens of the present invention, layers comprised of thiourethane-based resins obtained by reacting (A) isocyanate compounds with (B) active hydrogen compounds are stacked on both sides of a polarized film comprised of thermoplastic polyester formed under a predetermined temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignees: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Hopnic Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akinori Ryu, Seiichi Kobayashi, Yoshimitsu Aiiso
  • Patent number: 8183033
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for preparing and performing quantitative PCR analyses, a new sealing device and a new use. According to the invention, a sample vessel containing the samples to be analyzed is sealed by placing a planar sealing device on the vessel to cover the samples and applying pressure on the sealing device in order to deform the sealing device so as to form a light-refracting geometry individually for the samples to be analyzed. The invention offers a convenient way of sealing the vessel and forming analysis-improving optical lenses over the samples simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Bioinnovations Oy
    Inventor: Bruce R Turner
  • Patent number: 8163206
    Abstract: The invention provide a method for making silicone hydrogel based on the Lightstream Technology from a monomer mixture with a curing time of less than about 100 seconds. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made according to methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Frank Chang, Jürgen Vogt, John Dallas Pruitt, Xinming Qian, Dawn A. Smith, Angelika Maria Domschke, Troy Vernon Holland, Richard Charles Turek, Daqing Wu
  • Patent number: 8142016
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and processes for constructing a contact lens. In one embodiment, a contact lens assembly is provided, comprising: a curved polymer polarizer with an aperture; a lenslet disposed inside the aperture, wherein the lenslet enables imaging near objects; and a filter attached to the lenslet. In further embodiments, a method for fabricating a flexible contact lens is provided, comprising: fabricating an element having an extrusion; providing a front concave mold, wherein the front mold has an intrusion to accommodate the extrusion of the optical element; affixing the extrusion of the optical element to the intrusion of the front mold; attaching a back convex mold to the front concave mold, thereby forming a mold cavity; and filling the mold cavity with a pre-polymerized liquid, whereby upon polymerization, the pre-polymerized liquid forms the flexible contact lens and the optical element is partially encapsulated within the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Innovega, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Legerton, Randall Sprague
  • Patent number: 8142835
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing biomedical articles, in particular, silicone hydrogel contact lenses having durable hydrophilic chitosan coating. The chitosan coating is covalently attached to the medical device by performing a crosslinking reaction between chitosan and the carboxylic groups on the surface of a medical device directly in a sealed package during autoclave. The coated biomedical articles obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus especially useful in the field of ophthalmic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Achim Müller, Monika Knuth, Ralf Pasternack, Jens Zotzel, Christine Reiff
  • Publication number: 20120057233
    Abstract: Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses comprise a polyvinylalcohol polarizer film or similar type of material laminated with triacetate or similar type material on one or both sides, wherein the polarizer film has a polarizing efficiency equal to or exceeding 99% and a transmittance percentage equal to or exceeding 35% and a retarder film (e.g., norbornene copolymer resin) laminated on a front surface of the polyvinylalcohol polarizer film laminated with triacetate and aligned to produce a desired circular polarization responsive to specified retardation wavelengths. Thermoforming and press polishing techniques may be used to fabricate/curve the blanks into lenses. The lenses (optical elements) may be used in an injection molding process to add thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: MEI 3D, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Johnson, James Pritts
  • Publication number: 20120050858
    Abstract: Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses comprise a polyvinylalcohol polarizer film laminated with triacetate on both sides, wherein the polarizer film has a polarizing efficiency equal to or exceeding 99% and a transmittance percentage equal to or exceeding 35% and a retarder film (e.g., norbornene copolymer resin) laminated on a front surface of the polyvinylalcohol polarizer film laminated with triacetate and aligned to produce a desired circular polarization responsive to specified retardation wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MEI 3D, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Johnson, James Pritts
  • Patent number: 8120856
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polymer miniature lens on a substrate with the lens forming pattern, and the liquid polymer is dispensed therein. The lens forming pattern having a periphery area and an interior area, most portion of the periphery area having a property of confining liquid polymer, while the interior area having at least one portion exposing the surface of the substrate; depositing liquid polymer onto the lens forming pattern; and curing the liquid polymer after the liquid polymer reaches equilibrium shape and is confined to the periphery area. The invention also discloses a collimator including the polymer miniature lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Wingkeung Mak, Tinhoi Siu
  • Publication number: 20120013979
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement for applying a layered structure onto a convex surface of a lens. After thermoforming the layered structure, a curvature direction of the layered structure is inverted. The structure is then applied on the lens surface by continuously pushing the structure against the lens surface, starting from a contact point between a convex surface of the structure and the convex surface of the lens. The curvature direction of the layered structure is then inverted again, so that it recovers the curvature direction that resulted from thermoforming. Stresses within the layered structure are then reduced, and the structure can be assembled with the lens without defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Essilor International (compagnie Generale D'optique)
    Inventor: John Biteau
  • Patent number: 8092726
    Abstract: Method of making eyeglass lens are disclosed where the lens are made of layers which include an outer, convex hard coating, a layer of hard epoxy, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is dipped in high contrast dye, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating. Other methods configuration of lens also include a camouflaged patterned lens, a layer of hard epoxy, a polyurethane mixture, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is dipped with high contrast dye, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Wei Yi Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120002422
    Abstract: A light assembly for a hand-held medical diagnostic instrument. The light assembly includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a light source mounted to the top surface, and the bottom surface having first and second electrical terminals. The light assembly further includes a circuit board disposed inclined to the substrate, the circuit board having first and second electrical terminals, a first connector mounting and electrically connecting the first electrical terminal of the substrate to the first electrical terminal of the circuit board, a second connector mounting and electrically connecting the second electrical terminal of the substrate to the second electrical terminal of the circuit board, a heat sink, and a thermal conductor thermally connecting at least one of the first and second electrical terminals of the substrate to the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Raymond A. Lia, Ervin Goldfain, Chris R. Roberts, Steven R. Slawson, Robert J. Wood
  • Patent number: 8080187
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens with an energy receptor capable of powering a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Tepedino, Jr., Randall B. Pugh, Robert Marciello, Tom Aelbrecht, Anthony Milinowicz, James P. Milkowich
  • Patent number: 8066371
    Abstract: High productivity polarizing lens that is impact-resistant, and is not prone to warping or iridescent patterning and other color irregularities. Polarizing lens (1) includes a polarizing sheet (2) in which a pair of protective films (11) and (12) is laminated on both sides of a polarizing film (10), and a lens base material layer (3) integrally bonded on a rear side of the polarizing sheet (2), the lens base material layer (3) being composed of polyurethane. Manufacturable by: bending the polarizing sheet (2) at a predetermined curvature; fitting the polarizing sheet (2) in a mold recessed with a cavity contoured to correspond to the bent polarizing sheet so that its front side runs along the cavity; and filling and injection-molding thermoplastic polyurethane into the mold in which the polarizing sheet (2) has been fit, to form the lens base material layer (3) on the polarizing sheet (2) rear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Miyoshi Industrial Enterprise Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 8066920
    Abstract: Optical qualities of a production lot of base material used in the fabrication of semi-finished lenses may be accurately determined by employing chipper plate samples produced from the base material in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In various implementations of the present invention, the chipper plates samples may be fabricated by subjecting base material to an extended cycle time and temperature profile using a mold having cavities of different thicknesses. The resulting chipper plates provide an improved indication of the color of semi-finished lenses molded from the production lot as well as an improved indication of resin stabilizer defects that may be utilized during a pelletizing process to control and enhance the quality of a production lot. Furthermore, the chipper plates may be provided by suppliers as samples of a production lot to enable customers to base purchasing decisions on a reliable and accurate measure of optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Gazaille, Paresh Kitchloo, Russell F. Weymouth, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8057716
    Abstract: Method of making eyeglass lens are disclosed where the lens are made of layers which include an outer, convex hard coating, a layer of hard epoxy, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is coated in the peripheral portion, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating. Other methods configuration of lens also include a camouflaged patterned lens, a layer of hard epoxy, a polyurethane mixture, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is coated in the peripheral portion, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Wei Yi Hsu
  • Publication number: 20110266703
    Abstract: A method of measuring an axis angle of a toric contact lens including a posterior toric central zone having a cylindrical axis, and an anterior lens surface forming a ballast that has an axis of orientation offset from the cylindrical axis at a selected rotational angle is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Trevor F. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20110261318
    Abstract: The invention provides multi-focal segmented lenses with boundaries that include at least one blended portion and at least one sharp portion. The lenses may possess, for example, the aesthetic advantage of blended multi-segment or progressive lenses while largely retaining the functional advantage of multi-segment lenses with sharp segment boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Darryl Meister, Wolf Krause
  • Patent number: 8045279
    Abstract: A lens is manufactured by hardening soft material filled inside a molding tool by cooling. The lens includes a convex lens portion having an optical axis, and a marking portion located outside of an effective diameter of the lens portion. The shape or the position of the marking portion is set to prevent deformation of the marking portion by contact with the molding tool due to shrinkage of the material during cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kuwa, Hideki Komiya, Masashi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8034262
    Abstract: An optical element comprising: a first monomer polymerized while in the presence of a second monomer to form a first polymer intermixed with the second monomer, the first polymer having a spatially varying degree of cure that provides a predetermined refractive index profile; and the second monomer polymerized in the presence of the first polymer to form a second polymer intermixed with the first polymer, the second polymer stabilizing the refractive index profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Shui T. Lai, Donald G. Bruns, Lawrence H. Sverdrup, Gomaa Abdel-Sadek
  • Publication number: 20110244695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparation of an ultraviolet (UV)-curable inorganic-organic hybrid resin containing about or less than 4% volatiles and less than 30% organic residues. The UV-curable inorganic-organic hybrid resin obtained according to this method can be UV-cured within a markedly very short time and enables, upon curing, the formation of a transparent shrink- and crack-free glass-like product having high optical quality, high thermal stability and good bonding properties. In view of these properties, this hybrid resin can be used in various applications such as electro-optic, microelectronic, stereolithography and biophotonic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SOREQ NUCLEAR rESEARCH CENTER
    Inventor: Raz Gvishi
  • Patent number: 8029705
    Abstract: A method of making an optical element that includes a thermoplastic power portion, the method including laminating a first thermoplastic sheet to one side of a functional film, laminating a second thermoplastic sheet to a second side of the functional film, and affixing either the first thermoplastic sheet or the second thermoplastic sheet to the power portion, with the other of the first or second thermoplastic sheets being open to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Insight Equity A.P.X., L.P.
    Inventors: Sujal Bhalakia, Thomas J. Moravec
  • Patent number: 8025819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic lens which can simplify the installation, can enhance the forming accuracy and can exhibit extremely small optical irregularities. Molds having a planned combination are heated, using at least one pre-numerically controlled automatic chucking transport device and/or manually, the molds are constituted to be sequentially overlapped in accordance with the combination. First of all, an optical thermoplastic resin molten material having an extremely small agitation flow is placed on a forming surface of one lower mold. Subsequently, a forming surface of another upper mold is brought into contact with the resin molten material by inclining the posture of the upper mold, and both molds are made to approach each other to define a given distance therebetween so as to form a lens by pressing the resin molten material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kotaro Ono
  • Patent number: 8025823
    Abstract: There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens comprises an anterior portion which in turn comprises an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens further comprises a posterior portion which in turn comprises a posterior viewing element in spaced relationship to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element. The anterior portion and posterior portion meet at first and second apices of the intraocular lens. The anterior portion and the posterior portion and/or the apices are responsive to force thereon to cause the separation between the viewing elements to change. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Visiogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Hai-Minh Pham, Tuan Anh Nguyen, Dennis Figueroa
  • Publication number: 20110215493
    Abstract: A method of producing a plastic polarized lens with excellent processability and the like by injecting a mixture of a specified isocyanate compound and a specified active hydrogen compound into a lens-forming mold wherein a polarized film containing a thermoplastic polyester is fixed, followed by polymerization and curing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicants: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Hopnic Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Miura, Yoshimitsu Aiiso
  • Patent number: 8012386
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lens presenting a graded tint, the lens comprising first and second layers each of which is made of a thermoplastic material, with only one of the layers being colored in the tint concerned, the method including the steps of: injecting the thermoplastic material of the first layer into a first mold cavity in order to form the first layer; and placing the first layer in a second mold cavity and injecting therein the thermoplastic material of the second layer so as to form the second layer on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: BNL Eurolens
    Inventor: Didier Clerc
  • Patent number: 8007878
    Abstract: An antireflection film comprising a support and a low refractive index layer prepared by coating a coating composition containing the following components: (A) a fluorine-containing polymer, a principal chain of which is made of only carbon atoms and which contains at least one fluorine-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit and at least one hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit, wherein a content of the hydroxyl group-containing vinyl monomer polymerization unit exceeds 20% by mole, provided that the polymer does not have a polysiloxane structure in the principal chain; (B) a crosslinking agent capable of reacting with a hydroxyl group; and (C) a compound containing two or more (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoneyama, Masaki Noro, Yasuhiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8007695
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of implementing lens elements or lens arrays having dimensions ranging from a few centimeters down to the micro-scale or nano-scale using the surface tension of the lens material in a molten state to allow the curved shape of the lens to be precisely defined. The method has useful application in the fabrication of lens elements and lens arrays out of a large variety of material types, including elemental materials, as well as compound materials and alloys. The method also allows the implementation of lenses having far superior surface smoothness compared to other approaches, as well as very accurate lens shapes. The method allows the making of high quality lenses and lens arrays, wherein the diameter of the lenses are on the order of a few microns or less. Convex, concave, plano-convex, plano-concave, compound lenses, and many other types of lens shapes can be implemented using the method of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Corporation for National Research Initiatives
    Inventor: Michael A. Huff
  • Patent number: 8002406
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens is described. In some examples, the system applies a back surface to a lens blank that includes an aspherical curve having two radii of curvature. In some examples, a back surface of a peripheral portion of the lens follows the curvature of a front surface of the lens in order to establish a rounded, non-sharp edge to a lens blank used during the manufacturing process of a prescription eyeglass lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Digital Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Stan Arrigotti, Gordon Keane
  • Patent number: 8003024
    Abstract: Contact lens molds and methods of producing soft cast-molded contact lens products are provided. The methods include placing a soft hydrophilic contact lens-forming composition in a cavity formed between a first mold member and a second mold member, subjecting the composition in the cavity to conditions effective to form a contact lens product from the composition, and repeating the placing and subjecting steps a plurality of times, thereby producing a plurality of soft contact lens products. At least the first mold members, and advantageously all of the first and second mold members, are injection-molded with a nucleated thermoplastic polyolefin resin having a melt flow rate in a range of 10 g/10 min to about 40 g/10 min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Li Yao, Xuxian Niu
  • Patent number: 8002925
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement for applying a layered structure (1) onto a convex surface of a lens (10). After thermoforming the layered structure, a curvature direction of the layered structure is inverted. The structure is then applied on the lens surface by continuously pushing the structure (1) against the lens surface, starting from a contact point between a convex surface of the structure and the convex surface of the lens. The curvature direction of the layered structure is then inverted again, so that it recovers the curvature direction that resulted from thermoforming. Stresses within the layered structure are then reduced, and the structure can be assembled with the lens without defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: John Biteau, Joseph Boryslawski
  • Patent number: 7988444
    Abstract: A microlens transcription molding roller used for transcription-molding a plurality of microlenses on a sheet includes a plurality of microlens molding surfaces arrayed on an outer circumference of the roller along one spiral around an axis of the roller at a constant interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Amano, Sumihisa Kondo
  • Patent number: 7981329
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical component is provided. The method comprises steps of providing a first liquid; providing a fluid, disposed above the first liquid, wherein an interface exists between the first liquid and the fluid; providing a polymer precursor at the interface; and solidifying the polymer precursor so as to form the optical component made by a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Chih-Chun Lee, Sheng-Yi Hsiao, Weileun Fang
  • Patent number: 7977440
    Abstract: A production method of an objective lens for optical pickup apparatus having a numerical aperture NA of image side of 0.80 to 0.90 is disclosed. The method includes steps of molding resin composition containing copolymer of ?-olefin and a cyclic olefin represented by Formula (I) or (II) to form lens shape, and thermally processing the molded product under a condition at a temperature between Tg ?45° C. and Tg ?15° C. for 12 to 168 hours, wherein the Formula (I) and (II) is detailed in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Yayoi Eguro
  • Patent number: 7967434
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided a plastic polarized lens with excellent processability and the like, and a method of producing the same. The plastic polarized lens is obtained by injecting a mixture of a specified isocyanate compound and a specified active hydrogen compound into a lens-forming mold wherein a polarized film containing a thermoplastic polyester is fixed, followed by polymerization and curing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Hopnic Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Miura, Yoshimitsu Aiiso
  • Patent number: 7968018
    Abstract: Methods of producing silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lenses include contacting one or more delensed silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant. The methods can be steps of an extraction/hydration procedure used in the production of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In some examples, contacting silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens products with a liquid composition that contains alcohol, water, and a surfactant can significantly reduce or prevent surface distortion of the ophthalmic lens resulting from the extraction procedure. Some methods include subsequently contacting the silicone hydrogel ophthalmic lens with a liquid composition consisting essentially of water and a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: CooperVision International Holding Company, LP
    Inventors: Jay Scott Daulton, Charlie Chen, Tim Warren
  • Patent number: 7964121
    Abstract: Method of making eyeglass lens are disclosed where the lens are made of layers which include an outer, convex hard coating, a layer of hard epoxy, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is coated with Photochromic powder, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating. Other methods configuration of lens also include a camouflaged patterned lens, a layer of hard epoxy, a polyurethane mixture, a laminated PVA film where one of the layer of the PVA film is coated with Photochromic powder, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Wei Yi Hsu
  • Patent number: 7964120
    Abstract: Method of making eyeglass lens are disclosed where the lens are made of layers which include an outer, convex hard coating, a layer of hard epoxy, a PVA film wherein the color is coated in the peripheral portion, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating. Other methods configuration of lens also include a camouflaged patterned lens, a layer of hard epoxy, a polyurethane mixture, a PVA film wherein the color is coated in the peripheral portion, a layer of soft epoxy, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Wei Yi Hsu
  • Patent number: 7950253
    Abstract: A molding device includes an upper mold 10 (first mold), a lower mold 20 (second mold) and a body mold 30 that aligns axes of the upper and lower molds 10, 20 with each other by being fitted to an exterior of the upper mold 10 and an exterior of the lower mold 20 with the body mold 30 straddling the upper and lower molds 10, 20. The lower mold 20 is supported by a support member 50. The support member 50 can support the lower mold 20 with the lower member 20 being in a floating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: FujiFilm Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Utsugi
  • Patent number: 7942523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a polarized lens. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of treating a polarized film with a composition to form a treated polarized film, providing a front lens mold having a concave surface with a curvature, spin-coating a hard coat composition onto the concave surface of the front lens mold to form a hard coat layer thereon, forming a first adhesive layer on the hard coat layer, placing the treated polarized film on the adhesive layer, curing the adhesive layer with UV or visible light to bond the treated polarized film to the hard coat layer, thereby forming a polarized front lens mold, and forming a polarized lens with the polarized front lens mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Qspex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai C. Su, Patrick Culley, Hangtai Kai
  • Patent number: 7934919
    Abstract: A method includes the following steps: a first shell (12) is immobilized in a first shell carrier (6); a second shell (29) is immobilized in a second shell carrier (27); the first shell carrier (6) is oriented in such a way that a useful moulding surface of the first shell (12) faces upwards and forms the base of a vessel; a pre-determined quantity of polymerizable material is placed in the vessel; the first shell carrier (6) and the second shell carrier (27) are moved into a pre-determined relative position wherein the first shell (12) and the second shell (29) are in a pre-determined moulding position, by at least partially arranging the second shell (29) in the vessel, at a distance from the edges thereof. The inventive device includes a structure for positioning the shell carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: David Freson, Jean-Francois Cailloux
  • Patent number: 7935280
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for injection molding an ophthalmic lens mold section having an optical surface and a non-optical surface opposite the optical surface. The apparatus includes a non-optical tool assembly for forming the non-optical surface of the ophthalmic lens mold section. An optical tool assembly is in opposed relation to the non-optical tool assembly and together therewith forms a mold cavity for forming the ophthalmic lens mold section. In the preferred embodiment, the optical tool assembly includes a rotatably mounted core member and an optical insert removably secured the core member. The optical insert has an optical molding surface for forming an optical surface of the ophthalmic lens mold section opposite the non-optical surface thereof. A locking mechanism having, in a preferred embodiment, a locking pin selectively movable between a first position wherein the pin allows rotation of the core member and a second position wherein the pin prevents the core member from rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventors: Bruce E. Lawton, Daniel P. Barrows
  • Publication number: 20110096289
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a polarizing ophthalmic lens excellent in impact resistance and free of separation, soiling, etc., even when it contains an ultraviolet absorbent. This invention is a polarizing ophthalmic lens obtained by inserting a functional film formed of a polarizing film and polycarbonate films which have a retardation value of 3,000 nm or more each and are attached to both surfaces of the polarizing film into a mold beforehand, and injecting a resin composition to carry out molding, said resin composition containing 100 parts by weight of an aromatic polycarbonate resin having a viscosity average molecular weight of 17,000 to 26,000 and 0.1 to 0.5 part by weight of an ultraviolet absorbent having a molecular weight of 300 or more, the content of low-molecular-weight components having a molecular weight of 1,000 or less being 1% by weight or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Tomomitsu Onizawa, Yasuhiro Tatsukawa, Masahiro Murakami, Atsushi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7931832
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing an ophthalmic lens with media including an energy receptor. In some embodiments, the media includes an insert placed in a cavity formed to cast mold an ophthalmic lens from a reactive mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts
  • Patent number: 7931833
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-cemented optical element comprising a base member 10 and a resin layer 11 formed on the surface of the base member; the resin layer 11 being in a thickness of 300 ?m or smaller at least at some part of a peripheral portion (i.e., a region within 1 mm from the peripheral edge face 17 of the resin layer 11, or a region outside an effective-diameter region), and being in a thickness 12 of 850 ?m or larger at a position which is thickest in the resin layer; a mold therefore; a manufacturing method thereof; and an optical article having this optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akiko Miyakawa, Hirofumi Ishiyama
  • Publication number: 20110090570
    Abstract: Injection molding of monolithically integrated optical components is disclosed. In one embodiment, an injection molding system includes a moldplate having an array of specially designed cavities. In at least one cavity, different types of photo-curable optical materials are injected in an ordered sequence. In a first instance, a lens material is injected into the cavity and subsequently cured to form a predetermined lens element at the base of the cavity. In a second instance, a filter material is injected into the cavity above the already formed lens element. The filter material is also cured, and an optical filter is formed stacked onto the lens element and contained within sidewall of the cavity. In this manner, a complex optical component having an optical filter automatically aligned with, and monolithically integrated into, a lens element is readily formed in a single injection molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Casimer M. DeCusatis, Lawrence Jacobowitz
  • Patent number: 7927519
    Abstract: This invention is generally related to a biocompatible sensor for detecting/measuring an analyte of interest in a body fluid and a method for making the biocompatible sensor. A biocompatible sensor of the invention comprises, consists essentially, or consists of a reflection hologram therein or thereon, wherein the reflection hologram is produced in a crosslinkable and/or polymerizable fluid material. The polymer matrix contains a molecular sensing moiety which interacts or reacts with an analyte of interest to provide an optical signal which is indicative of a change in one or more optical properties of the reflection hologram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Eyesense AG
    Inventors: Angelika Maria Domschke, Xiaodong Hu, Jian S. Zhou
  • Patent number: 7927522
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens is made of layers which include an outer, convex hard coating, a layer of hard epoxy, a PVA film, a layer of soft epoxy, a layer of adhesive, a base material, and an inner, concave hard coating. The major steps in producing the lens are to 1: prepare a clean, soft PVA film; 2: form the PVA film into the desired curved shape using a convex mold; 3: add hard epoxy to the outer, convex side of the PVA film; 4: add soft epoxy to the inner, concave side; 5: add the base material to the inner, concave side; and 6: harden and package the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Wen-Yi Hsu
  • Patent number: 7926942
    Abstract: Solid state lenses, lens blanks, and lens components comprising compressible materials ground into fine powders having mechanical properties that make them capable of being formed into cohesive monolithic masses that are low in scattering. The fine powders may be admixtures of host matrix materials and others which, when combined, provide preferred optical properties such as index and dispersion. Parts possessing transmission from within the range from the ultraviolet to the infrared are possible. The materials are suited to low temperature formation of aspheric lenses transmissive in the near and far IR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: WTP Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Plummer
  • Publication number: 20110085237
    Abstract: Curved lenses configured to decode three dimensional content and method of fabricating the same. The lenses decode three-dimensional content displayed on televisions or computer monitors. Sheets from which the lenses are cut have either (i) a polarizing axis of 0 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at ?45 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal; (ii) a polarizing axis of ?45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal; or (iii) a polarizing axis of +45 degrees relative to horizontal and one sheet has a retarder axis at 0 degrees relative to horizontal and the other sheet has a retarder axis of 90 degrees relative to horizontal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: David A. Johnson, James Pritts