Electro-active Patents (Class 351/159.03)
  • Patent number: 11921360
    Abstract: Contact lenses, methods and systems for accomplishing the requirement for biocompatibility of oxygen delivery to the eye, and the cornea in particular, when elements and components are used which reduce the transmissibility of oxygen and which require coverage of a significant area of the non-vascularized cornea. A contact lens assembly is provided, comprising: an anterior surface, a posterior surface and at least one element or component having a substantially low oxygen permeability disposed within the lens. The contact lens also includes a layer having an oxygen permeability greater than the aforementioned element or component. The thickness of this layer is such that the layer provides an equivalent oxygen percentage to the cornea beneath the aforementioned element or component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Innovega, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Legerton, Jay P. Marsh, William E. Meyers, Arthur Yasheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 11897214
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical lens including at least one electronic component. The method includes providing a mechanical reference system on an optical lens blank, the optical lens blank being configured to be processed to form the optical lens, providing edging data configured to be used to edge the optical lens blank to form the optical lens, and embedding the at least one electronic component in the optical lens based on edging data and on the mechanical reference system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Denis Rousseau, Ludovic Jouard
  • Patent number: 11670080
    Abstract: An augmented-reality system classifies a subject observed in video data obtained from a first area. A goal of a user of an augmented reality device is determined based on video data obtained from a second area. A correlation between the goal of the user and the classification of the subject is determined. An augmented reality display is generated to include a visual indicia of the subject, the visual indicia generated to represent the correlation between the goal and the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Vulcan, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Earl Simpkinson, Omer Rosenbaum, Rusty Allen Gerard, Keith Rosema
  • Patent number: 11520166
    Abstract: A reversible eye enhancement contact lens comprises a main body comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the main body having a diameter, a base curve, a peripheral thickness, and a center thickness, wherein, one or more of the diameter, the base curve, the peripheral thickness, or the center thickness are configured such that a dSag is less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Dawn D. Wright, Ashley Nicholl Sever, Edmund Jolley, Anastasia P. Bergen, Shahrokh Shawn Zeinali, Robert Ryan Valdomar, Philippe F. Jubin
  • Patent number: 11480813
    Abstract: An apparatus to treat refractive error of the eye comprises one or more optics configured to project stimuli comprising out of focus images onto the peripheral retina outside the macula. While the stimuli can be configured in many ways, in some embodiments the stimuli are arranged to decrease interference with central vison such as macular vision. The stimuli can be out of focus images may comprise an amount of defocus within a range from about 3 Diopters (“D”) to about 6 D. In some embodiments, the brightness of the stimuli is greater than a brightness of background illumination by an appropriate amount such as at least 3 times the background brightness. In some embodiments, each of a plurality of stimuli comprises a spatial frequency distribution with an amplitude profile having spatial frequencies within a range from about range of 1×10?1 to 2.5×101 cycles per degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ACUCELA INC.
    Inventors: Ryo Kubota, Nabin Joshi, Arkady Selenow, Steven Ali, Stefan Bauer, Jean-Noël Fehr, Moritz Haeberli, Patrizia Weber, Julien Sauvet, Amitava Gupta
  • Patent number: 11467329
    Abstract: A reflective polarizing imaging lens includes at least one optical film having an active area that is curved in two orthogonal directions. Edges of the optical film are arranged to form seams between segments of the optical film in the active area of the reflective polarizing imaging lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert M. Jennings, Jo A. Etter, Susan L. Kent, Erin A. McDowell, Timothy L. Wong, Zhisheng Yun
  • Patent number: 11397336
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens including an active matrix including pixels, addressing rows serving to control the pixels, data columns serving to supply electrical power to pixels, and at least one transistor for each pixel. In the matrix of the ophthalmic lens: each row or column undulates continuously but non-periodically on either side of a theoretical straight addressing or data line connecting the two end terminals of the row or column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Cano, Christian Bovet, Anthony Saugey
  • Patent number: 11395765
    Abstract: To improve the precision of ophthalmic surgical procedures by reducing corneal wrinkling, a patient interface for an ophthalmic system can include an attachment portion, configured to attach the patient interface to a distal end of the ophthalmic system; a contact portion, configured to dock the patient interface to an eye; and a contact element, coupled to the contact portion, configured to contact a surface of a cornea of the eye as part of the docking of the patient interface to the eye, and having a central portion with a central radius of curvature Rc and a peripheral portion with a peripheral radius of curvature Rp, wherein Rc is smaller than Rp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Goldshleger, Jeremy Dong, Tibor Juhasz, Wesley Lummis, Ferenc Raksi
  • Patent number: 11360331
    Abstract: A multifunctional device for an ophthalmic lens or ophthalmic lens blank, comprising an electrochromic layered module and an ophthalmic power layered module, both modules being on the same support layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Denis Rousseau, Denis Cohen Tannoudji
  • Patent number: 11300813
    Abstract: A frame for a head mounted device including: a front part; a first temple configured to be electronically connected to the front part via a first connection and including a battery providing electrical power arranged in a cavity in the first temple and connected electrically to the first connection; a second temple configured to be electrically connected to the front part and having a cavity therein configured to receive therein at least one electronic module; and a second connection configured to connect electrically the battery of the first temple to the at least one electronic module of the second temple via the front part to receive power therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Denis Rousseau, Marie Lore, Guillaume Broutin, Jean Sahler, Paul Gil
  • Patent number: 11237408
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining a direction of gaze by a user of an ophthalmic device. In an embodiment, at least a portion of a magnetic field is generated by one of the ophthalmic device and an auxiliary reference device while the ophthalmic device is disposed in or on an eye of the user, and while the auxiliary reference device is adhered on the user's skin or under a surface of the skin. The ophthalmic device and the auxiliary reference device interact with each other via a magnetic field, and the interaction is detected with one or more sensors of the ophthalmic device. In another embodiment, the ophthalmic device stores predetermined reference information which corresponds various magnetic field signal characteristics each with a different respective direction of gaze. Based on the sensor information and the reference information, a controller of the ophthalmic device determines a direction in which the eye of the user is gazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Ram Rakhyani, Stephen O'Driscoll
  • Patent number: 11199727
    Abstract: An eye-mountable device (EMD) includes a lens enclosure, liquid crystal material, first and second electrodes, a substrate, and a controller. The lens enclosure includes a first encapsulation layer and a second encapsulation layer sealed to the first encapsulation layer. The liquid crystal material is disposed across a central region of the lens enclosure. The first electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure between the first encapsulation layer and the liquid crystal material. The second electrode is disposed within the lens enclosure between the second encapsulation layer and the liquid crystal material. The substrate is disposed within the EMD. The controller is disposed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes to apply a voltage across the liquid crystal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: James Etzkorn, Jeffrey George Linhardt, Brian Otis
  • Patent number: 11150492
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device includes an accommodating optic having adjustable optical power, an optical tap positioned within a vision of an eye when the ophthalmic device is mounted in or on the eye, an image sensor positioned outside of a foveal vision of the eye when the ophthalmic device is mounted in or on the eye, and a controller coupled to the accommodating optic and the image sensor. The optical tap redirects a portion of the vision light that passes through the accommodating optic as tapped light. The image sensor is aligned to receive the tapped light from the optical tap and adapted to generate image data indicative of a focus of the vision light in response to the tapped light. The controller is adapted to generate an accommodation control signal that manipulates the adjustable optical power of the accommodating optic based upon the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Georges Goetz, Eliezer Glik
  • Patent number: 10985464
    Abstract: A device for implanting into, or mounting onto, a body includes an enclosure, an inductive loop antenna disposed on a surface within the enclosure, and an integrated circuit (IC) disposed within the enclosure and coupled to the inductive loop antenna. The inductive loop antenna includes one or more distributed reactive loads disposed along the inductive loop antenna that adjust a reactance of the inductive loop antenna. The one or more distributed reactive loads include signal trace sections that run along, or adjacent to, the surface upon which the inductive loop antenna is disposed. The IC includes communication circuitry coupled to the inductive loop antenna to wirelessly communicate over the inductive loop antenna. The one or more distributed reactive loads adjust the reactance of the inductive loop antenna to improve conjugate reactance matching of the inductive loop antenna to the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Sidharath Jain, Stephen O'Driscoll, Christian Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 10845620
    Abstract: The smart contact lens system hereby proposed, integrates a number of electronic, electro-optical or optical components on the contact lens substrate. The system, inter alia, is arranged to identify and track changes in pupillary response due to mental task engagement, also known as task-evoked pupillary response. To this end, the system proposed tracks a variety of conditions affecting reflexes such as pupillary reflex or accommodation reflex, in order to compute the extent of pupil dilation attributable to the mental task engagement. Another aspect of present invention is a smart contact lens system, which minimizes pupillary reflex caused by light by controlling the amount of light entering the eye. When pupillary reflex is non-existent, computing a task-evoked pupillary response becomes a much easier task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Aleksandr Shtukater
  • Patent number: 10835118
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sensor systems for electronic ophthalmic devices. In certain embodiments, the sensor systems may comprise a selection layer configured to reject light from the eye within a first range of incident angles and allow light from the eye within a second range of incident angles to pass through the selection layer. The sensor system may comprise a plurality of photodiodes disposed below the selection layer and configured to detect the light from the eye within the second range of incident angles that is allowed to pass through the selection layer. The sensor system may comprise an output circuit electrically coupled to the plurality of photodiodes and configured to output a signal indicative of which photodiode of the plurality of photodiodes detected the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Hoggarth, Tao Zhang, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 10802297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lens (1) for vision correction, wherein the lens (1) is particularly configured to be placed directly on the surface of an eye (2) of a person, wherein the lens (1) further comprises: a transparent base element (10) having a back side (12), and a front side (11) facing away from the back side (12), a transparent and elastically expandable membrane (20) connected to said base element (10), wherein said membrane (20) comprises a back side (22) that faces said front side (11) of the base element (10), a ring member (30) connected to said back side (22) of the membrane (20) so that the ring member (30) defines a curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a lens volume (41) adjacent said curvature-adjustable area (23) of the membrane (20), which lens volume (41) is delimited by the ring member (30), and wherein the lens (1) comprises a reservoir volume (42) arranged in a boundary region (24) of the lens (1), wherein said two volumes (41, 42) a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: OPTOTUNE AG
    Inventors: Alexandre Larmagnac, Matthias Walser, Manuel Aschwanden, Marcel Suter, David Niederer, Anja Stobbe-Kreemers, Stephan Smolka, Roman Patscheider, Jochen Hotzel
  • Patent number: 10775643
    Abstract: An electronic contact lens can address the effects of presbyopia, aiding a user in adjusting focus when viewing objects at different distances from the user. The electronic contact lens includes a liquid crystal matrix. When the electronic contact lens is configured to operate in a reading mode, an aperture is formed within the liquid crystal matrix by configuring elements of the liquid crystal matrix immediately surrounding the aperture to block light from passing through the surrounding elements. The resulting aperture increases the focus of light passing through the aperture as a result of the pinhole effect. The aperture can be centered within the user's visual axis, and the location within the liquid crystal matrix corresponding to the user's visual axis can be determined during a calibration of the electronic contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Tectus Corporation
    Inventor: Kuang-mon Ashley Tuan
  • Patent number: 10670656
    Abstract: An electro-optical module assembly is provided that includes a flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the flexible substrate contains an opening located therein that extends from the first surface to the second surface. An optical component is located on the second surface of the flexible substrate and is positioned to have a surface exposed by the opening. At least one electronic component is located on a first portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate, and at least one micro-energy source is located on a second portion of the first surface of the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Andry, Qianwen Chen, Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Minhua Lu, Robert J. Polastre, Bucknell C. Webb
  • Patent number: 10620457
    Abstract: Technologies for controlling vision correction include a wearable computing device having a variable lens, an eye tracking sensor, and a depth sensor. The focal length of the variable lens is electronically adjustable. The wearable computing device determines a gaze direction of a user as a function of eye tracking sensor data received from the eye tracking sensor. The distance to an object positioned in the gaze direction is determined as a function of depth data received from the depth sensor. A new focal length is determined as a function of the distance to the object, and the focal length of the variable lens is adjusted to the new focal length. The new focal length may be selected from a set of pre-defined focal lengths based on the distance to the object or calculated based on the distance to the object. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Liron Ain-Kedem
  • Patent number: 10598956
    Abstract: Generating an aspheric contact lens design for facilitating myopia control of a cornea of a patient includes operations of: obtain measurement for degree refractive error of the eye in diopters; obtain measurement of one or more biomechanical properties of the cornea; define a diameter of a central zone of the contact lens based on pupil size; select a base curve profile and width for the central zone based on the refractive error and the one or more biomechanical properties; define a width of a reverse zone adjacent to and encircling the central zone, the width being greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Edward Chow
  • Patent number: 10591751
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems including at least one ophthalmic device and methods of using the system. The ophthalmic device includes at least one switchable lens therein that includes at least one electro-optical material. The ophthalmic device also includes at least one charging electrical circuitry. The charging electrical circuitry is electrically coupled to the switchable lens and is configured to receive electrical energy from or provide electrical energy to the switchable lens. The ophthalmic device can also include at least one transfer electrical circuitry that can be coupled to and configured to transfer electrical energy between the charging electrical circuitry and the switchable lens. The ophthalmic device can also include at least one controller operably coupled to at least the charging electrical circuitry and the transfer electrical circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, John Marshall, Clarence T. Tegreene, Roger Zaldivar, Roberto Zaldivar
  • Patent number: 10551639
    Abstract: A powered ophthalmic lens having an electronic system is described herein configured to communicate with an external device using an ultrasound module for creating a sound pressure wave(s) to be transmitted through a medium, e.g. air, to an external device. The ophthalmic lens includes at least one ultrasound module having at least one transducer such as a pair of transmit and receive transducers, a transceiver transducer or a plurality of transducers. The ultrasound module includes additional components for the creation and reception of the sound pressure wave(s). In an alternative embodiment, there is one ultrasound module with a multiplexer connected to a plurality of transducers. In at least one embodiment, the sound pressure wave(s) encodes a message from the external device to the contact lens. In at least one alternative embodiment, the sound pressure wave(s) encodes a message from the contact lens to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Scott Langford, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 10512534
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a phototherapy eye device. In an example, the phototherapy eye device includes a number of radioluminescent light sources and an anchor. Each radioluminescent light source includes an interior chamber coated with phosphor material, such as zinc sulfide, and containing a radioisotope material, such as gaseous tritium. The volume, shape, phosphor material, and radioisotope material are selected for emission of light at a particular wavelength and delivering a particular irradiance on the retina (when implanted in an eyeball). The wavelength is in the range of 400 to 600 nm and the irradiance is substantially 109 to 1011 photons per second per cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Colin A Cook
  • Patent number: 10514545
    Abstract: A tracking system tracks a target object separated from a head-mounted display (HMD). The tracking system includes a first tracking device (e.g., a camera), a second tracking device (e.g., magnetic tracking system), and a selective tracking system. The first tracking device determines a position of the target object using the first type of tracking information, and determines a tracking error that is associated with the determined position. The selective tracking system compares the tracking error to a threshold value, and based on the comparison, determines a position of the target object using the second tracking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Renzo De Nardi
  • Patent number: 10391757
    Abstract: A printer is configured with positioning members that hold components at predetermined positions to enable a controller operating at least one printhead in a three-dimensional object printer to form structure about the components. The positioning members can then be removed from the printed three-dimensional object to enable continued formation of the three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Proctor, Timothy J. Clark, Joseph M. Ferrara, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10376357
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to intraocular lens systems having a plurality of materials therein, with at least some of the materials having a diffraction pattern therein and an electrically-modifiable index of refraction collectively configured to selectively alter an effective focal length of the intraocular lens system. Methods of modifying a focal length of an intraocular lens system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, John Marshall, Katherine E. Sharadin, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Roberto Zaldivar, Roger Zaldivar
  • Patent number: 10345620
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities into a fuel cell. The active elements of a cathode, anode, membrane and fuel storage are sealed with a laminate stack of biocompatible material. In some embodiments, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Sharika Snook, Adam Toner, Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 10285803
    Abstract: An ocular adaptive lens prosthesis apparatus is provided. In some implementations the apparatus includes a tunable liquid crystal lens encapsulated in the ocular prosthesis with control electronics and a power source. The tunable liquid crystal lens is driven in response to a convergence signal to provide accommodation. In some embodiments the tunable liquid crystal device corrects other visual shortcomings of the natural eye. The ocular prosthesis has a remote programmable tunable liquid crystal lens controller configured to recalibrate the tunable liquid crystal lens to compensate for dynamic adaptation of the eye over time. A coil is employed to transmit a convergence signal between a pair of ocular prostheses in a dual eye vision correction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: LENSVECTOR INC.
    Inventors: Tigran Galstian, Denis Brousseau
  • Patent number: 10281743
    Abstract: A contact lens, system of contact lenses, and a method for detecting eye convergence includes detecting a first inward gaze with first gaze detection circuitry included in a first contact lens disposed on a first eye. A first inward gaze signal is transmitted from the first contact lens to a second contact lens disposed in a second eye in response to detecting the first inward gaze. A second inward gaze is detected with second gaze detection circuitry included in a second contact lens disposed on the second eye. The first inward gaze signal is received by the second contact lens. If the first inward gaze signal is received within a pre-determined time period from detecting the second inward gaze, an optical power for the second eye is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventor: Shungneng Lee
  • Patent number: 10261342
    Abstract: Contact lenses, methods and systems for accomplishing the requirement for biocompatibility of oxygen delivery to the eye, and the cornea in particular, when elements and components are used which reduce the transmissibility of oxygen and which require coverage of a significant area of the non-vascularized cornea. A contact lens assembly is provided, comprising: an anterior surface, a posterior surface and at least one element or component having a substantially low oxygen permeability disposed within the lens. The contact lens also includes a layer having an oxygen permeability greater than the aforementioned element or component. The thickness of this layer is such that the layer provides an equivalent oxygen percentage to the cornea beneath the aforementioned element or component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: INNOVEGA, INC.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Legerton, Jay P. Marsh, William E. Meyers, Arthur Yasheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 10133090
    Abstract: Described is an electro-optical apparatus and method for correcting myopia that includes at least one adaptive lens, a power source, and an eye tracker. The eye tracker includes an image sensor and a processor operatively connected to the adaptive lens and the image sensor. The processor is configured to receive electrical signals from the image sensor and to control the correction power of the adaptive lens to correct myopia, with the correction power dependent on a user's gaze distance and myopia prescription strength. A lower-power-consumption method of eye glint tracking is further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Wenyu Jiang
  • Patent number: 10126569
    Abstract: A lens including a flexible refractive optic having a fixed refractive index, an electro-active element embedded within the flexible refractive optic, wherein the electro-active element has an alterable refractive index, and a controller electrically connected to the electro-active element wherein when power is applied thereto the refractive index of the electro-active element is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: e-Vision Smart Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Blum, Joshua N. Haddock, William Kokonaski, John M. Hunkeler
  • Patent number: 10105048
    Abstract: The subject matter of the disclosure relates generally to a MEMS-based position-sensing system and lenses, for example, contact lenses and intra-ocular lenses, manufactured with the position-sensing system employing one or more angular and/or linear accelerometers and/or pressure transducers and methods for detecting position and motion of an eyeball and/or head utilizing the position-sensing contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: Cedric Francois, Mark Salman Humayun
  • Patent number: 10095051
    Abstract: A contact lens structure provides adequate corneal oxygenation while accommodating a relatively thick core with electronic devices. In one approach, an oxygen collection stratum, such as a gas-permeable outer layer coupled with an underlying air gap, collects oxygen from the ambient air. On the cornea-side, an oxygen distribution stratum, such as a gas-permeable inner layer coupled with an overlying air gap, provides distribution of oxygen to the cornea. The two strata are connected via a network of oxygen pathways, such as air shafts through the relatively impermeable core. Thus, the oxygen collection stratum collects oxygen over a portion of the outer surface of the contact lens, which is transmitted through most of the thickness of the contact lens via the oxygen pathways to the oxygen distribution stratum, where the oxygen is distributed to the cornea of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Spy Eye, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Elliot Lemoff, Michael West Wiemer
  • Patent number: 10028702
    Abstract: A body-mountable device may include a first layer, a second layer, and an electronic structure. The first layer may include a first topographical feature, while the second layer may include a second topographical feature. The first topographical feature and the second topographical feature may be reciprocally-shaped. The second layer may be mounted on the first layer such that the first topographical feature interfaces with the second topographical feature, thereby mechanically securing the second layer to the first layer. The electronic structure, which may include an antenna, a sensor, and an electronic device, may be embedded in the second layer. In an example in which the body-mountable device is an eye-mountable device, the first layer may be a posterior lens, and the second layer may be an anterior lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Sy-En Han, Daniel Patrick Barrows
  • Patent number: 10001660
    Abstract: Generating an aspheric contact lens design for facilitating myopia control of a cornea of a patient includes operations of: obtain measurement for degree refractive error of the eye in diopters; obtain measurement of one or more biomechanical properties of the cornea; define a diameter of a central zone of the contact lens based on pupil size; select a base curve profile and width for the central zone based on the refractive error and the one or more biomechanical properties; define a width of a reverse zone adjacent to and encircling the central zone, the width being greater than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Edward Chow
  • Patent number: 9985334
    Abstract: Antennas and antenna mandrels or assemblies may be designed and configured to enable one of one- or two-way communication and/or power transfer with mechanical devices such as ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses. These antennas and antenna mandrels or assemblies may be utilized to transmit data from the mechanical devices to receive data from a transmitter, and/or inductively charge an electromechanical cell or the like incorporated into a mechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Beaton, Michael D. Ferran, Dawn Jamisha Owens, Randall B. Pugh, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 9967441
    Abstract: A phase filter 101 is configured to comprise an annular structure rotationally symmetrical about an optical axis, each annular zone including a cross-sectional shape of substantially parabola for uniformly extending incident rays of light on a focal plane and letting the rays overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shimano, Kouichi Sakita, Mitsuhiko Oota
  • Patent number: 9948895
    Abstract: An eye-mountable device includes an image sensor situated in a polymeric material configured to be mounted to a surface of an eye. The image sensor can be disposed on a substrate at least partially embedded in the polymeric material. The image sensor can include a photo-sensitive area occupied by a plurality of photo-sensitive elements. The photo-sensitive area is illuminated by light entering a non-focusing aperture in an opaque screen. The non-focusing aperture can be smaller than the photo-sensitive area such that each of the photo-sensitive elements receives light entering the non-focusing aperture from a respective direction. The direction-specific measurements of received light obtained by the multiple photo-sensitive elements can thereby be used to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventor: Robert Francis Wiser
  • Patent number: 9939658
    Abstract: An eye-mountable device including a lens operable to be removably mounted on a corneal surface of an eye and to be compatible with a motion of an eyelid; a photosensor coupled to the lens, the photosensor including a light detecting surface oriented to detect light from an iris of the eye; and an accommodation actuator coupled to the lens and operable to modify an optical power of the lens in response to light detected by the photosensor. A method including monitoring a signal from a photosensor coupled to a contact lens, the signal representative of light reflected from an iris of an eye on which the contact lens is mounted; detecting a change in a gazing direction of the eye based on the signal; and modifying an optical power of the contact lens in response to the detect change in gazing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Christian Gutierrez, Shungneng Lee
  • Patent number: 9933634
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining a direction of gaze by a user of an eye-mountable device. In an embodiment, the eye-mountable device includes a first circuit and a second circuit, each comprising a respective photodiode. The second circuit is configured to provide a light response profile that is more linear than a light response profile provided by the first circuit. Light sensing by the first circuit results in generation of a first signal indicating a level of ambient light in a surrounding environment. Other light sensing by the second circuit results in a second signal being generated. A direction of gaze by a cornea of the user is detected based at least in part on the first signal and the second signal. In another embodiment, the first signal is provided to configure the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Robert Francis Wiser, Jennifer Han, Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher
  • Patent number: 9867756
    Abstract: This application discloses a vision protection imaging system and method. The system comprises: an adjustable lens module, configured to form an image of an object viewed by an eye; an imaging parameter adjustment module, configured to adjust an imaging parameter of the adjustable lens module according to a time pattern and an adjustment criterion; and a lens adjustment module, configured to adjust the adjustable lens module according to the imaging parameter. In the system and method of this application, an imaging parameter of the adjustable lens module is adjusted according to a time pattern and an adjustment criterion, so that an optical system of an eye is adjusted accordingly as well, thereby exercising the eye. Besides, the system and method have low costs, are easy to implement, and do not affect work, study, entertainment, or the like being currently performed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: BEIJING ZHIGU RUI TUO TECH CO., LTD
    Inventor: Lin Du
  • Patent number: 9829720
    Abstract: An optical lens device has an actively controllable focal length. This device comprises an element with lensing effect comprising a plurality of regions. Each such region has a corresponding refractive power for providing a corresponding focal length distinct from the focal length of at least one other region of this plurality of regions. The device further comprises at least one non-centric addressable optical element integrated in or provided on the element with lensing effect. This at least one addressable optical element is adapted for changing the transmittance of at least one of the plurality of regions in response to a control signal. The device also comprises a control means for generating the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignees: Universiteit Gent, IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Herbert De Smet, Jelle De Smet
  • Patent number: 9829762
    Abstract: To provide an electrochromic display element, which contains: a display substrate; a display electrode; an electrochromic layer provided in contact with the display electrode; a counter substrate provided to face the display substrate; a counter electrode; a charge retention layer provided in contact with the counter electrode; and an electrolyte layer filling between the display substrate and the counter substrate, wherein the electrochromic layer contains titanium oxide particles, and metal hydroxide is dispersed on surfaces and in inner parts of the titanium oxide particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Tamotsu Horiuchi, Tohru Yashiro, Keiichiroh Yutani, Yoshinori Okada, Sukchan Kim, Koh Fujimura, Yoshihisa Naijo, Kazuaki Tsuji, Shigenobu Hirano, Toshiya Sagisaka, Mamiko Inoue, Satoshi Yamamoto, Daisuke Goto
  • Patent number: 9810926
    Abstract: A pair of contact lenses comprise: a pair of lens parts configured to be worn on respective eyeballs of both eyes; a first function unit provided to one of the pair of lens parts; and a second function unit provided to the other one of the pair of lens parts, the second function unit having a function different from a function of the first function unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Kazunori Hayashi, Takatoshi Nakamura, Tomoya Onuma, Takayasu Kon, Akira Tange, Hiroyuki Hanaya, Masakazu Yajima, Kohei Asada
  • Patent number: 9778492
    Abstract: An eyelid position sensor system for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein. The eyelid position sensor system is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The eyelid position sensor system is utilized to determine eyelid position and use this information to control various aspects of the ophthalmic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Braxton Pugh, Adam Toner, Daniel B. Otts
  • Patent number: 9772512
    Abstract: An eye-mountable device includes an enclosure material, a sensor system, and a controller. The enclosure material has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to be removeably mounted over a cornea and the second surface is configured to be compatible with eyelid motion when the concave surface is so mounted. The sensor system is disposed within the enclosure material. The sensor system has at least one value that varies with changes in a gazing direction of the cornea. The controller is disposed within the enclosure material and electrically connected to the sensor system. The controller is configured to measure the value of the sensor system to detect the changes in the gazing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Yeager, Brian Otis, William J. Biederman, Nathan Pletcher
  • Patent number: 9757911
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of forming a multi-piece insert for an ophthalmic lens, comprising: forming a insert back curve piece; forming a insert front curve piece; depositing a conductive material onto one or both of the insert front curve piece and the insert back curve piece; attaching an electronic component to one or both of the insert front curve piece and the insert back curve pieces, wherein the attachment is made to the conductive material; placing a material to form a first upon a surface of either or both of the insert front curve piece and the insert back curve piece; and combining the insert back curve piece with the insert front curve piece to form a ophthalmic insert piece, wherein the combining causes the material to seal a cavity interior to the combination of the back curve piece and the front curve piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: James Daniel Riall, Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Frederick A. Flitsch, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 9687181
    Abstract: A semiconductor device embedded within a contact lens is provided. The semiconductor device may include a sensor that determines one or more properties associated with an analyte within fluid surrounding the contact lens, and a processing circuit that is coupled to the sensor. The processing circuit generates a signal associated with the one or more determined properties associated with the analyte. A power supply is coupled to the processing circuit for providing DC power to the processing circuit. A boost circuit coupled to the power supply may then increase the provided DC power of the power supply for transmitting the signal generated by the processing circuit. An antenna is coupled to the processing circuit for transmitting the generated signal, whereby the sensor, the processing circuit, the power supply, the boost circuit, and the antenna are contained on a single unpackaged semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Effendi Leobandung, Ghavam G. Shahidi