Fluid Lens Patents (Class 351/159.34)
  • Patent number: 11693262
    Abstract: An apparatus having an asymmetric adjustable lens with a deformable optical element. The apparatus may also include one or more actuators coupled to a deformable element of the asymmetric adjustable lens in a direct-drive configuration such that (1) mechanical action of the one or more actuators applies force to the deformable optical element and (2) the force applied by the mechanical action of the one or more actuators changes an optical property of the asymmetric adjustable lens by deforming the deformable optical element. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Katherine Marie Smyth, Andrew John Ouderkirk, John Cooke
  • Patent number: 11402663
    Abstract: A lens for an eye that includes a zone with a first power profile for images received by the retina on the fovea, a zone with a second power profile for images received by the peripheral retina on the nasal side and a zone with a third power profile for images received by the peripheral retina on the temporal side. The first power profile is selected to provide clear or acceptable vision and the second and third power profiles are selected to affect the peripheral image position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Brien Holden Vision Institute Limited
    Inventors: Arthur Ho, Padmaja Rajagopal Sankaridurg, Earl Leo Smith, III, Brien Anthony Holden
  • Patent number: 10996769
    Abstract: In one approach to eye tracking, a contact lens contains a network of twelve accelerometers. The accelerometers are positioned within the contact lens so that the measurements of acceleration can be used to estimate a position and an orientation of the eye relative to an external reference frame. One advantage of accelerometers is that they can be made relatively small and do not require much power. However, because the contact lens has a curved shape and is relatively thin, the possible locations for the accelerometers are limited. Various geometries for the accelerometer network and approaches to optimizing these geometries are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Tectus Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Mirjalili, Joseph Czompo, Jieyang Jia, Michael West Wiemer
  • Patent number: 10955707
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, apparatus, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a process, method, and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, generating a gradient in an index of refraction of a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwei Li, Anthony Van Heugten, Dwight P. Duston, Phil Bos, Douglas Bryant
  • Patent number: 10690940
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable aperture insert into a lens. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable aperture function and in some examples. In other examples, electrochromic, photochromic, liquid meniscus or electroactive elastomeric devices may form a light blocking element of a variable aperture insert. In some examples, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel including a variable aperture insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch, Praveen Pandojirao
  • Patent number: 10575942
    Abstract: An electronic device can comprise a first electronic module; a second electronic module; and a hermetic electric interconnect to hermetically couple them. The hermetic electric interconnect can comprise a bottom metal layer; a bottom insulating layer, deposited on the bottom metal layer to insulate the bottom metal layer; an interconnect metal layer, deposited on the bottom insulating layer, and deposited to form a bottom sealing ring; and patterned to form electrical connections between contact pads, and to form a middle sealing ring; a patterned top insulating layer, deposited on the interconnect metal layer to insulate the interconnect metal layer; and patterned to form feedthrough holes; and a top metal layer, deposited on the top insulating layer to start forming contacts by filling the feedthrough holes; and patterned to complete forming contacts through the feedthrough holes, to form a separate barrier layer, and to complete forming the top sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Mattes, Mark A. Zielke
  • Patent number: 10444541
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to switchable lens devices, systems, and methods that include determining relative tilt and/or vergence rotation of a subject's eyes and focusing one or more lenses based on the determined vergence rotation or a change therein. The switchable lens device can include one or more sensors configured to detect movement of at least one eye of the subject (e.g., to determine a least one of position, velocity, or acceleration of at least one eye of the subject). For example, the switchable lens device can include one or more acceleration sensors that can be operably coupled to or associated with a first eye or a second eye of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Melanie K. Kitzan
  • Patent number: 10317702
    Abstract: An embodiment of an eye-mountable device includes an optical lens; an accommodation actuator to provide vision accommodation for the optical lens; a controller including an accommodation logic to select one of a plurality of vision accommodation states for the device, the plurality of vision accommodation states including at least a failsafe focal distance; and a failsafe subsystem including a system health detector, the system health detector to monitor for one or more operational indicators for the device, wherein the failsafe subsystem is to cause the device to transition to a failsafe mode upon the failsafe subsystem identifying a failure condition for the device, the failsafe mode includes setting the vision accommodation state to be the failsafe focal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Shungneng Lee, Daniel James Yeager, Jennifer Han, Nathan Pletcher, Brian Otis
  • Patent number: 10317703
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of management of an active lens and more particularly to a management system comprising an active lens (1), a first sensor (2) arranged to measure data relating to an incident light on the active lens, a control unit (4) designed for controlling the active lens according to data measured by the first sensor, wherein the management system further comprises a second sensor (3) arranged to measure data relating to a light transmitted from the incident light through the active lens, the control unit being further designed to adjust, according to said data measured by the second sensor, the control already performed according to said data measured by the first sensor. Thus the management system allows taking into account data relating to the light passing through the active lens as a feedback in order to finely control the active lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Denis Rousseau, Coralie Barrau, Denis Cohen Tannoudji, Stephane Perrot, Aude Bouchier, Jean-Paul Cano, Claudine Biver, Samuel Archambeau, Jerome Ballet, David Escaich
  • Patent number: 10268051
    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 lens enclosure between the first and second encapsulation layers. 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: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: James Etzkorn, Jeffrey G. Linhardt, Brian Otis
  • Patent number: 9823490
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some examples, an alignment layer for the liquid crystal layer may be patterned in a cycloidally dependent manner. The patterning may allow for a polarization dependent lens in some examples. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some examples, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control optical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Luciano De Sio, Frederick A. Flitsch, Praveen Pandojirao-S, Randall Braxton Pugh, Svetlan Serak, Nelson V. Tabirian, Adam Toner, Olena Uskova, James Daniel Riall
  • Patent number: 9810922
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for forming Ophthalmic Lenses with Stabilizing Features, and more specifically, Ophthalmic Lenses that include an encapsulated Insert Device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Karson S. Putt, Edward R. Kernick, Frederick A. Flitsch, Camille Higham, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 9541772
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some examples, an alignment layer for the liquid crystal layer may be patterned in a cycloidally dependent manner. The patterning may allow for a polarization dependent lens in some examples. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some examples, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control optical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Luciano De Sio, Frederick A. Flitsch, Praveen Pandojirao-S, Randall Braxton Pugh, Svetlana Serak, Nelson V. Tabirian, Adam Toner, Olena Uskova, James Daniel Riall
  • Patent number: 9259309
    Abstract: Ophthalmic devices with dynamic electro-active elements offer variable optical power and/or depth of field that restore lost accommodation in individuals suffering from presbyopia or aphakia. An illustrative device senses physiological processes indicative of the accommodative response and actuates a dynamic electro-active element to provide the desired change in optical power and/or depth of field. The illustrative device includes two application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for processing the accommodative response and actuating the electro-active element: a high-voltage ASIC that steps up a low voltage from a power supply to a higher voltage suitable for actuating the electro-active element, and another ASIC that operates at low voltage (and therefore consumes little power) and controls the operating state of the high-voltage ASIC. Because each ASIC operates at the lowest possible voltage, the illustrative ophthalmic device dissipates less power than other ophthalmic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ELENZA, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Noel Fehr, Walter Doll, Urban Schnell
  • Patent number: 9046699
    Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more dynamic fluid zones fabricated from a material that is readily deformable under eyelid pressure during blinking allows for the delivery of one or more agents to the eye, dynamic cosmetic eye enhancement, and/or dynamic rotational misalignment correction. The one or more agents may include therapeutic agents, nutritional agents and pharmacological agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE, INC.
    Inventors: Salvatore G. Caldarise, Jeffrey H. Roffman, Lenora L. Copper, Ryan Hawke, Daniel B. Otts
  • Patent number: 9039171
    Abstract: A contact lens assembly includes a proximal layer formed from a gas-permeable material, a distal layer with an optical element, an air cavity disposed between the proximal layer and the distal layer, wherein oxygen concentration across the air cavity is substantially uniform, and an gas transport region surrounding the air cavity for communicating gas between the air cavity and atmosphere. The contact lens assembly may further include a plurality of fins disposed within the air cavity where the plurality of fins has openings therethrough. One or both of the upper and lower surfaces of the air cavity may have an anti-reflection coating formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Alexander Groisman
  • Publication number: 20150062528
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an optical assembly using two ultra-thin optical pieces/parts defining the outer bound of the assembly with a solid or liquid core and methods of forming said assembly. In particular, the present in invention discloses the handling and arrangements of said ultra-thin optical pieces to prevent deformation and loss of optical quality of said ultra-thin optical pieces. The ultra-thin optical pieces can be from 25-200 microns and their structural integrity can be preserved through uninterrupted support throughout the encapsulation of one or more fluids, e.g., a saline solution and an oil solution, which can be used to form a liquid meniscus lens. In some embodiments, interlocking features included in the ultra-thin optical parts can be included in order to help create the seal and/or provide structural support to the liquid lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE, INC
    Inventors: Vincent H. Barre, Victor Lust
  • Patent number: 8911078
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to multicomponent optical devices having a space within the device. In various embodiments, an optical device comprises a first posterior component having an anterior surface, a posterior support component, and an anterior component having a posterior surface. An optical device can also comprise an anterior skirt. The first posterior component and the anterior skirt can comprise gas-permeable optical materials. An optical device also comprises a primary space between the posterior surface and the anterior surface, with the primary space configured to permit diffusion of a gas from a perimeter of the primary space through the space and across the anterior surface of the first posterior component. A method of forming a multicomponent optical device having a space is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: CRT Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Meyers
  • Patent number: 8767309
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of multiple segments of a torus convex toward the optical axis. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 8767308
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially a conical frustum and at least a portion of the conical frustum concave in relation to the optical axis. An application of an electrical current to the meniscus wall provides for a increase in negative power in an optical quality provided by the liquid meniscus lens. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Publication number: 20140152953
    Abstract: The present invention provides a contact lens manufactured at least partially from an intelligent polymer, the lens having a relaxed state which, upon application of a first stimulus forms a first corrective shape and which, upon application of a second stimulus, forms a second corrective shape, wherein the corrective effect provided by the lens in the relaxed state is intermediate to the corrective visual effects provided by the first and second corrective shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Michel Lucien Guillon, Cecile Adrienne Maissa
  • Patent number: 8743467
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of a conical frustum. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, James D. Riall, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 8693104
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of a conical frustum combined with a segment of a torus convex to the optical axis. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 8687280
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of a conical frustum, additional embodiments may include a cylindrical wall, each with microchannels. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Publication number: 20140085726
    Abstract: A lens in accordance with the present invention includes an switchable cell consisting of optical substrate with diffraction surface, elastic film in contact with the diffraction surface of the substrate, optical fluid that fills the space between the film and diffraction surface and the mean to transfer the optical fluid in and out of the space between the film and diffraction surface. The refractive index of the optical fluid matches the refractive index of the optical substrate. The switchable cell changes focus positions between refractive focus in relaxed state when the pressure at both sides of the film is the same and diffraction focus when the optical fluid is transported from the space between the film and optical substrate for the film to largely conform to the diffraction surface shape of the optical substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Valdemar Portney
  • Patent number: 8665526
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens, some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a front curve arcuate lens and a back curve arcuate lens. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 8638501
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of a conical frustum with at least a portion of the conical frustum convex toward the optical axis. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 8638502
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an arcuate liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of a conical frustum, a cross section of which is non-spherical. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 8634145
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall. Some specific embodiments include a liquid meniscus lens with a meniscus wall essentially in the shape of a conical frustum with at least a portion of the conical frustum concave toward the optical axis. Embodiments may also include a lens of suitable size and shape for inclusion in a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Daniel B. Otts, Adam Toner, Edward R. Kernick, James Daniel Riall, Sharika Snook
  • Patent number: 8450387
    Abstract: This invention includes a wettable biomedical device containing a high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and a hydroxyl-functionalized silicone-containing monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. McCabe, Frank F. Molock, Gregory A. Hill, Azaam Alli, Robert B. Steffen, Douglas G. Vanderlaan, James D. Ford
  • Patent number: 8404759
    Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing ethylenically unsaturated groups and latent UV-activated free radical generating moieties. This class of silicone-containing prepolymer is capable of being actinically crosslinked in the presence of one or more hydrophilic vinylic monomers to form a silicone hydrogel material with a hydrophilic surface without post curing surface treatment. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and a vinylic monomer having a latent UV-activated free radical generating moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: John Christopher Phelan
  • Publication number: 20120268712
    Abstract: A fluid-filled adjustable contact lens is provided. An exemplary contact lens includes a lens chamber configured to be positioned on a pupil of a user wearing the contact lens; a reservoir fluidly connected to the lens chamber; an actuator configured to transfer fluid back and forth between the lens chamber and the reservoir; a sensor configured to sense movement from the user and transmit a control signal when a predetermined movement is performed by the user; and a processor configured to actuate the actuator upon receipt of the control signal from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: William Egan, Lisa Nibauer
  • Publication number: 20120140167
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a first device may be provided. The first device may include a first lens that comprises a contact lens or an intraocular lens. The first lens may include an electronic component and a dynamic optic, where the dynamic optic is configured to provide a first optical add power and a second optical add power, where the first and the second optical add powers are different. The dynamic optic may comprise a fluid lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: PixelOptics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Blum