With Contact Lens Patents (Class 351/219)
  • Patent number: 8070290
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to opthalmoscopic devices, systems and methods for viewing the anterior chamber, trabecular meshwork, iris root, scleral spur, and/or related nearby structures in the eye. In some embodiments, devices, systems and/or methods may employ a plurality of gonioscopic optical elements that form a virtual image that can be imaged by a microscope directly in front of a patient (e.g., without tilting the patient's head). Various embodiments described herein may be useful for ophthalmologic diagnoses, treatments, monitoring and/or surgical procedures. Some embodiments include a gonioscopic attachment configured to attach to a conventional gonioscope and redirect light emitted by the gonioscope. Various embodiments described herein can be incorporated into disposable, single-use gonioscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Henrick K. Gille, Leslie Dale Foo, James Patrick McGuire, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8061841
    Abstract: A customizing equipment for individualized contact lenses comprises an uniform illumination system, a gray image generation system, a projection optical system, a stage system and an alignment system, among which the uniform illumination system generates uniform parallel illuminative light, which generates gray images through the gray image generator controlled by a computer after going through the gray image generation system according to detection results of aberration of human eyes, and images on the image plane of given radius of curvature with photoresist on the samples' surface, which is fixed on the stage system and adjusted to the correct position through the alignment system, after the gray images are zoomed and the curvature of the image field is corrected through the projection optical system, so that the photoresist on the samples' surface will be exposed according to the gray levels of the gray images, after which the exposed samples are developed and etched to obtain the device with continuous e
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Institute of Optics & Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Yudong Zhang, Jian Wang, Lixin Zhao, Song Hu, Xiaochun Dong, Xuejun Rao, Hongtao Gao, Yun Dai
  • Patent number: 8061843
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods which utilize outcomes analysis, empirical and on-eye diagnostic fitting outcomes, and similar patient data to determine and provide a relatively optimal corrective device for the patient, in a single-use and disposable set of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Paragon Vision Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Kline
  • Patent number: 8057038
    Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of an eye of a patient are provided. Exemplary techniques involve obtaining a first induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a first accommodation state of the eye, obtaining a second induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a second accommodation state of the eye, and determining a natural metric of the eye based on the first and second induced metrics. An induced metric may include a pupil size or a spherical aberration. Techniques can also include determining a target metric for the eye base on the natural metric, determining whether an actual metric of the eye meets the target metric, obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of the eye if the actual metric meets the target metric, and determining a treatment for the eye based on the ocular aberration measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: AMO Development LLC.
    Inventors: Guang-Ming Dai, Leander Zickler
  • Patent number: 8057041
    Abstract: The invention proposes a manual measuring appliance (112) and an analytical measuring system (110) which can be used to measure at least one analyte in an eye fluid of an eye (114). The handheld measuring appliance (112) comprises a measuring system (120) and a positioning system (122). The measuring system (120) can measure at least one property of the at least one analyte and/or at least one analyte-dependent change of property of at least one ocular sensor (116) in the eye fluid, and this can be used to infer a concentration of the analyte in the eye fluid. The positioning system (122) is set up to measure a spatial positioning, wherein the spatial positioning comprises a distance between at least one measurement location in the eye (114) and the handheld measuring appliance (112) and also furthermore at least one further positioning co-ordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: EyeSense AG
    Inventors: Achim Müller, Peter Herbrechtsmeier, Klaus Haberstroh, Roman Gruler
  • Patent number: 8029137
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems establish an optical surface shape that mitigates or treats a vision condition in a patient. An optical surface shape for a particular patient can be determined using a set of patient parameters for the specific patient by using a compound modulation transfer function (CMTF). The compound modulation transfer function can include a combination of modulation transfer functions (MTF's) at a plurality of distinct frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC.
    Inventors: Guang-ming Dai, Kingman Yee
  • Patent number: 8025406
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignees: The UWM Research Foundation, Inc., University of Southern California
    Inventors: Hao F. Zhang, Shuliang Jiao
  • Patent number: 8007105
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a contact lens for vitreous surgery that is highly durable to washing, disinfectants, sterilizing high-pressure steam, and the like, and that has good antireflection effect in the visible light range. In the contact lens 10 for vitreous surgery used to observe the ocular fundus 3 during vitreous surgery, an antireflection film 14 produced by ion beam sputtering is coated onto the upper surface 13 of a lens main body 11, and the antireflection film is a multilayered film in which a high refractive index layer 18 that contains tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) and a low refractive index layer 19 that contains silicon dioxide (SiO2) are alternatingly layered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Futamura, Kazuaki Kadonosono
  • Patent number: 7993000
    Abstract: Imaging an eye of an animal can include injecting a ring of light through an outer portion of an entrance pupil of the eye of the animal onto a back interior portion of the eye. Light reflected off of the back interior portion of the eye and through an exit pupil effectively located at the entrance pupil within the ring of light can be collected. A diameter of the exit pupil at the entrance pupil can be less than an inner diameter of the ring of light, and a difference between an outer diameter of the ring and the inner diameter of the ring can be at least twenty percent of a diameter of the eye. The collected light reflected off of the back interior portion of the eye can be focused to thereby form an image of the back interior portion of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Phoenix Research Laboratories
    Inventor: Norbert A. Massie
  • Patent number: 7976155
    Abstract: An adapter to be applied in contact with an anterior corneal surface. The adapter includes a contact glass portion having a corneal contact surface curvature that is flatter than the undeformed anterior corneal surface. When the contact glass is applied the cornea assumes a deformed state corneal curvature that is parallel to the flatter corneal contact surface curvature. A mount portion circumferentially surrounds the contact glass portion and defines a suction duct that is structured to secure the adapter to the cornea by negative pressure when the suction duct is brought into contact with a surface of the eye surrounding the contact glass portion. The suction duct is partially defined by a peripheral edge of the mount that extends outwardly away from the mount portion and toward but not intersecting or extending beyond a geometric continuation of the corneal contact surface curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Muhlhoff, Elke Ebert, Karsten Festag, Uwe Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110090460
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic lens assembly includes a glass prism bonded to a meniscus lens at a posterior end of the glass prism. The glass prism is surrounded by a housing that is bonded to the meniscus lens. In one embodiment, the housing and a meniscus lens blank are processed by grinding and polishing the housing and meniscus lens blank together to form a posterior lens surface of a meniscus contact lens. In other embodiment, only the meniscus lens blank is processed by grinding and polishing to form a posterior lens surface of a meniscus contact lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: OCULAR INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Raymond D. Graham, Peter G. Harrington
  • Patent number: 7909464
    Abstract: An improved diagnostic ophthalmic lens using extra-low dispersion material, defined by having an Abbe Number, Vd>80, is provided. Such a single element diagnostic ophthalmic lens may be used for examination of the eye in conjunction with either an Indirect Opthalmoscope or a Slit Lamp Biomicroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Volk Optical Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Cech, Stephen Jon Lawn
  • Patent number: 7901077
    Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of an eye of a patient are provided. Exemplary techniques involve obtaining a first induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a first accommodation state of the eye, obtaining a second induced metric for the eye that corresponds to a second accommodation state of the eye, and determining a natural metric of the eye based on the first and second induced metrics. An induced metric may include a pupil size or a spherical aberration. Techniques can also include determining a target metric for the eye base on the natural metric, determining whether an actual metric of the eye meets the target metric, obtaining an ocular aberration measurement of the eye if the actual metric meets the target metric, and determining a treatment for the eye based on the ocular aberration measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: AMO Development LLC.
    Inventors: Guang-Ming Dai, Leander Zickler
  • Patent number: 7862176
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for designing a contact lens. A sagittal image of an anterior portion of an eye having a sclera is measured. Measuring is performed using a digital imaging device. Measuring includes measuring the sclera. A sagittal image is formed. A shape of the eye is derived using the sagittal image, wherein the shape includes the sclera. The shape is converted to a curvature of a contact lens. The curvature is designed such that the contact lens, once manufactured, can be worn over a surface of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: TruForm Optics
    Inventors: Gregory Gemoules, Jan Barry Svochak
  • Publication number: 20100265460
    Abstract: A microscope for performing an opthalmo-surgical intervention, in particular for a contactless wide-angle observation of an eye during an intervention, is provided. The microscope has a tube (1a) having an objective and an ocular, a holding arm (1), at which the tube (1a) is attached such that a movement of the objective with respect to the holding arm (1) along the optical axis of the objective is possible, an optical accessory part (8a) between the objective and the eye and a holding device for the optical accessory part (8a). The holding device for the optical accessory part is attached at the holding arm (1) by means of an attachment device (2) in such a way that the holding device does not take part in movements of the objective along the optical axis of the objective. Thereby, when changing the picture angle, a re-adjustment is highly simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: DIETER MANN GMBH
    Inventor: Dieter Mann
  • Publication number: 20100265461
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to opthalmoscopic devices, systems and methods for viewing the anterior chamber, trabecular meshwork, iris root, scleral spur, and/or related nearby structures in the eye. In some embodiments, devices, systems and/or methods may employ a plurality of gonioscopic optical elements that form a virtual image that can be imaged by a microscope directly in front of a patient (e.g., without tilting the patient's head). Various embodiments described herein may be useful for opthalmologic diagnoses, treatments, monitoring and/or surgical procedures. Some embodiments include a gonioscopic attachment configured to attach to a conventional gonioscope and redirect light emitted by the gonioscope. Various embodiments described herein can be incorporated into disposable, single-use gonioscopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Glaukos Corporation
    Inventors: Henrick K. Gille, Leslie Dale Foo, James Patrick McGuire, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100245770
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Hao F. Zhang, Shuliang Jiao
  • Publication number: 20100245769
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for multimodal functional imaging based upon photoacoustic and laser optical scanning microscopy. In particular, at least one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a contact lens in combination with an ultrasound transducer for purposes of acquiring photoacoustic microscopy data. Traditionally divergent imaging modalities such as confocal scanning laser opthalmoscopy and photoacoustic microscopy are combined within a single laser system. Functional imaging of biological samples can be utilized for various medical and biological purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Hao F. Zhang, Shuliang Jiao
  • Patent number: 7802884
    Abstract: Embodiments of a compact camera for imaging the ocular fundus are described. In some embodiments, the camera is a light, handheld camera that acquires a plurality of images of the fundus. The camera can be configured to acquire images manually or automatically. A movable imaging lens or movable image detector provides the images in a series to obtain an image with optimal focus. The camera can acquire a series of images and allow selection of an optimal image either manually, or automatically. In some embodiments, the camera is part of an imaging system that includes a base station. The base station exchanges data with the camera and can receive image data generated by the image detector of the camera. The base can further include networking capability, such that image data can be distributed over a network or to other communication or computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Steven Feldon, Geunyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 7798644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lenses that are capable of post-fabrication power modifications. In general, the inventive lenses comprise (i) a first polymer matrix and (ii) a refraction modulating composition that is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization dispersed therein. When at least a portion of the lens is exposed to an appropriate stimulus, the refraction modulating composition forms a second polymer matrix. The amount and location of the second polymer matrix may modify a lens characteristic such as lens power by changing its refractive index and/or by altering its shape. The inventive lenses have a number of applications in the electronics and medical fields as data storage means and as medical lenses, particularly intraocular lenses, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jagdish M. Jethmalani, Daniel M. Schwartz, Julia A. Kornfield, Robert H. Grubbs, Christian A. Sandstedt
  • Patent number: 7789512
    Abstract: A diagnostic and therapeutic contact lens is provided for use with the slit lamp or other biomicroscope for the examination and treatment of the structures of the eye including that of the fundus and anterior chamber. The lens comprises a contacting portion adapted for placement on the cornea of an examined eye, two reflecting surfaces and a refracting portion. Light rays emanating from structures within the eye pass through the cornea and contacting portion of the lens and first reflect from the anterior reflecting surface as a positive reflection in a posterior direction. Following the first reflection the light rays reflect as a positive reflection in an anterior direction from the posterior reflecting surface to a refracting portion through which the light rays exit the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Donald A. Volk
  • Patent number: 7766480
    Abstract: A gonio lens is provided including a contact lens element and a geometric reference member. The contact lens element has an optical axis, a concave posterior contact surface to be placed in optical contact with the cornea of a patient's eye, and an anterior surface. The geometric reference member, such as a scale, is provided near the concave posterior contact surface of the contact lens element. The configuration and location of the geometric reference member are chosen to provide an image of the geometric reference member adjacent to an image of the periphery of the anterior chamber of the eye of a patient within a field of view of the contact lens element when the contact lens element is placed on the eye of a patient. The two images are formed relative to each other such that they are simultaneously in focus to permit visual comparison between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ocular Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond D. Graham, Sungjun J. Hwang, Mark A. Latina
  • Patent number: 7731365
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of fitting lenses that results in correction of not only low and high order ocular aberrations, but that additionally provides correction for the effects of cortical influences, or neuro-adaptive influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson&Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Catania, Edgar V. Menezes
  • Publication number: 20100134759
    Abstract: Described herein is a hand-held gonioscopic imaging system that can be used to continuously display, capture and record images of the iridocorneal angle within the eye during implantation procedures. The system can be used, for example, during device implantation procedures for the treatment of glaucoma such that landmark identification continues during implantation. Intuitive real-time images viewed through the imaging systems described herein appear to the user to move in the same horizontal orientation as the instrument is actually being moved. The systems described herein also provide independent illumination sources for the camera and the surgical microscope that also have independent illumination controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Steven John, Jose Garcia, Richard S. Lilly
  • Patent number: 7717563
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of designing a soft contact lens, the method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring or defining a wavefront generated by passage of light through a selected eye and using the wavefront to generate a computer model of the optical characteristics of the selected eye; (b) measuring or defining the topography of the cornea of the selected eye; (c) incorporating into the computer model a soft contact lens, the posterior surface topography of which is defined by the topography of the cornea, offset by an arbitrary amount intended to represent the tear layer thickness of the selected eye, said lens having a defined thickness at a selected locus on the anterior surface; (d) calculating a desired topography for the anterior surface of the lens such that the wavefront will be corrected to assume a desired pattern (for example, preferably planar, the plane of which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens) when passing through the computer model eye/lens combination; (e) remodeling the lens
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Contact Lens Precision Laboratories Limited
    Inventor: John Clamp
  • Publication number: 20100118270
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed that provides a means for mounting a separate optical element, such as a gonio lens, to a hand-held eye imaging device. In this way, the doctor only needs to use one hand to hold the imaging apparatus while the other hand can be freed to open the patient eye lid and also maintain a safe relative distance of the gonio lens with respect to the patient's eye. The gonio lens and adaptor can each or both be made disposable and also mechanically switchable relative to each other as well as relative to the handheld eye imaging device so that different portions of the patient eye can be imaged sequentially without the need to rotate the hand held eye imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: CLARITY MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William Shea, Yeou-Yen Cheng, Shelly Reed, Willem Crone, Barry Linder, Phillip Baker, Yan Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100118269
    Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus that is attached to the objective lens of a microscope to split its field of view into at least two. In one embodiment, a mirrored gonio lens is snapped to the objective of an ophthalmic surgical microscope to provide a view of the eye's anterior surface and a view of the eye's anterior chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: CLARITY MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: William Shea, Phillip Baker, Barry Linder
  • Publication number: 20100091244
    Abstract: An inverted real image forming opthalmoscopic contact lens provides for viewing and treating structures within an eye. The lens comprises a contacting surface adapted for placement on the cornea of the eye, a concave annular anterior reflecting surface, a convex annular posterior reflecting surface, and two non-reflective portions. A first non-reflective portion is positioned along the lens axis and proximate to the convex annular posterior reflecting surface. A second non-reflective portion is positioned along the lens axis and proximate to the concave annular anterior reflecting surface. A light beam emanating from the structure of the eye enters the lens and contributes to the formation of an inverted real image of the structure through an ordered sequence of reflections of the light beam, first in a posterior direction from the anterior concave reflecting surface and next as a negative reflection in an anterior direction from the convex posterior reflecting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Donald A. Volk
  • Publication number: 20100091243
    Abstract: A single arm optical coherence tomography (OCT) pachymetry system and methods for measuring layers of the eye are disclosed. The system includes an artificial lens for positioning on the eye, a light source emitting a measurement light beam along an optical path posteriorly toward the cornea, and a detector receiving and measuring a combined signal of light reflections anteriorly from a plurality of reflecting surfaces associated with the eye. The reflecting surfaces include a first reflecting surface associated with the artificial lens and one or more second reflecting surfaces corresponding to corneal layers. A processor is coupled to the detector and is configured to determine a distance between two of the corneal layers from the combined signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Zsolt Bor
  • Publication number: 20100053556
    Abstract: The invention proposes a manual measuring appliance (112) and an analytical measuring system (110) which can be used to measure at least one analyte in an eye fluid of an eye (114). The handheld measuring appliance (112) comprises a measuring system (120) and a positioning system (122). The measuring system (120) can measure at least one property of the at least one analyte and/or at least one analyte-dependent change of property of at least one ocular sensor (116) in the eye fluid, and this can be used to infer a concentration of the analyte in the eye fluid. The positioning system (122) is set up to measure a spatial positioning, wherein the spatial positioning comprises a distance between at least one measurement location in the eye (114) and the handheld measuring appliance (112) and also furthermore at least one further positioning co-ordinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Achim Müller, Peter Herbbrechtsmeier, Klaus Haberstroh, Roman Gruler
  • Publication number: 20100030225
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, including surgical apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, an autorefraction device associated with the surgical apparatus, wherein the autorefraction device is configured to perform autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and a processor connected to the autorefraction device, wherein the processor is configured to process the aphakic refraction measurements and provide the user of the apparatus with information regarding the power of the intraocular lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Tsontcho Ianchulev
  • Publication number: 20090303440
    Abstract: A disposable ophthalmic or medical apparatus has a portion with a color changeable dye disposed thereon. The dye changes color after being exposed to oxygen for a controlled and predetermined period of time indicating that the apparatus should no longer be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Lee Heacock, Louise Ellen Culham
  • Patent number: 7607777
    Abstract: Methods for diagnosis and treatment are provided for a patient having processing difficulties, integration problems, imbalances or abnormal postures. In one embodiment, a patient is identified having retinal signal problems creating at least one negative medical condition. Then, at least a portion of the patient's lacrimal drainage system is blocked or altered. Further, as a result of the diagnosis and treatment, the patient achieves improved retinal signal processing and at least one of the patient's negative medical conditions is improved. Other embodiments include using in combination the Z-Bell Test and/or light blocking or altering devices for diagnosis and treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Deborah Zelinsky
  • Patent number: 7585075
    Abstract: Devices and methods for improving vision are described. The vision of a person can be corrected using a corneal onlay or a lens positioned between an epithelial cell layer and Bowman's membrane of the person's eye. Wavefront aberrations are measured for the person's eye or eyes, and the aberrations are used to shape the corneal onlay to provide a desired vision correction power, or to shape the person's cornea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: ForSight Labs, LLC
    Inventor: J. Christopher Marmo
  • Publication number: 20090185135
    Abstract: A diagnostic and therapeutic contact lens is provided for use with biomicroscopes for the examination and treatment of structures of the eye. The lens comprises a contacting surface adapted for placement on the cornea of an eye, two reflecting surfaces, and a refracting surface. A light ray emanating from the structure of the eye enters the lens and contributes to the formation of a correctly oriented real image. The light ray is reflected in an ordered sequence of reflections, first as a negative reflection in a posterior direction from an anterior reflecting surface and next as a positive reflection in an anterior direction from a posterior reflecting surface. The light ray contributes to forming the image of the structure of the eye either anterior to the lens or within the lens and proceeds along a pathway to the objective lens of the biomicroscope used for stereoscopic viewing and image scanning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Donald A. Volk
  • Publication number: 20090051872
    Abstract: A diagnostic and therapeutic contact lens is provided for use with the slit lamp or other biomicroscope for the examination and treatment of the structures of the eye including that of the fundus and anterior chamber. The lens comprises a contacting portion adapted for placement on the cornea of an examined eye, two reflecting surfaces and a refracting portion. Light rays emanating from structures within the eye pass through the cornea and contacting portion of the lens and first reflect from the anterior reflecting surface as a positive reflection in a posterior direction. Following the first reflection the light rays reflect as a positive reflection in an anterior direction from the posterior reflecting surface to a refracting portion through which the light rays exit the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Donald A. Volk
  • Patent number: 7486988
    Abstract: Methods and systems for modifying or enhancing vision are described. In exemplary embodiments, neural or neuromuscular activity is analyzed to determine a focus or other quality of a visual input, and the focus or quality information used as a basis for controlling an adjustable lens system or optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090021697
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device which comprises a holographic element comprising a medium comprising a phenylboronic acid group and, disposed therein, a hologram, wherein an optical characteristic of the element changes as a result of a variation of a physical property of the medium, and wherein the variation arises as a result of interaction between the medium and an analyte present in an ocular fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Barry Burles, Roger Bradley Millington, Christopher Robin Lowe, Satyamoorthy Kabilan, Jeffrey Blyth
  • Patent number: 7478910
    Abstract: A liquid diagnostic contact lens includes a main body having a concave lens, and a supporting element disposed at a bottom of the main body. A heavy fluid is placed on a top surface of the concave lens. A transparent plate is sealed over the top surface of the concave lens so as to define an encapsulating room and encapsulate the heavy fluid therein. In operation, an ophthalmologist places the supporting element onto the eye, and examines various interior spots of the eye by adaptively adjusting the eye. The liquid diagnostic contact lens is tilted along with the eye and the top surface of the heavy fluid is kept horizontal so the heavy fluid is formed as prisms of different diopters. Thus, the liquid diagnostic contact lens can examine various spots of the interior of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Po-Kang Lin
  • Publication number: 20080309876
    Abstract: Imaging an eye of an animal can include injecting a ring of light through an outer portion of an entrance pupil of the eye of the animal onto a back interior portion of the eye. Light reflected off of the back interior portion of the eye and through an exit pupil effectively located at the entrance pupil within the ring of light can be collected. A diameter of the exit pupil at the entrance pupil can be less than an inner diameter of the ring of light, and a difference between an outer diameter of the ring and the inner diameter of the ring can be at least twenty percent of a diameter of the eye. The collected light reflected off of the back interior portion of the eye can be focused to thereby form an image of the back interior portion of the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Norbert A. Massie
  • Patent number: 7441899
    Abstract: An optical lens system is designed to speed and improve therapeutic laser irradiation of the inner eye. The device is housed in an external casing (10) in conjunction with a specialized fundus contact lens (22). Internally, a disc (12) is mounted with a rotary central mirror driven by a micromotor (14). Toward the periphery of the plate a ring of mirrors is arranged (20). Below the mounted disc lies an additional set of mirrors (24) set at inclinations to divert incident energy to the posterior segment of the eye. As incoming laser energy (28) strikes the central mirror it diverts the beam to a peripheral mirror which again deflects the light to another mirror at the posterior end of the device. A control box (30) facilitates coordinating laser bursts with the circumferential motion of the central mirror. The apparatus results in a ring of laser delivered to the internal eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventors: Elliot S. Eisenberg, Tony Partono
  • Patent number: 7427136
    Abstract: Methods for diagnosis and treatment are provided for a patient having processing difficulties, integration problems, imbalances or abnormal postures. In one embodiment, a patient is identified having retinal signal problems creating at least one negative medical condition. Then, at least a portion of the patient's lacrimal drainage system is blocked or altered. Further, as a result of the diagnosis and treatment, the patient achieves improved retinal signal processing and at least one of the patient's negative medical conditions is improved. Other embodiments include using in combination the Z-Bell Test and/or light blocking or altering devices for diagnosis and treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Deborah Zelinsky
  • Publication number: 20080218696
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a light source that illuminates at least a portion of a subject's eye with an incident light beam, and a contact lens with a coupler. The coupler couples the incident light beam into an aqueous humor of the eye, creating an aqueous light beam. The coupler also couples the aqueous light beam out of the aqueous humor of the eye, creating an output light beam. The monitoring system also includes a sensor that measures at least one spectral characteristic of the output light beam. The monitoring system further includes a processing system that determines at least one measurable characteristic of the subject based on the at least one spectral characteristic of the output light beam. A method for monitoring is provided, as well as a contact lens for use with a monitoring systems, and a method of manufacturing a contact lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Jose Mir
  • Patent number: 7419262
    Abstract: A lens for viewing the anterior chamber of the eye includes a contact lens having a contact lens surface and an anterior surface. The anterior surface has an optical axis that intersects the optical axis of the contact lens surface. First and second mirror surfaces are positioned to redirect light rays from the periphery of the anterior chamber and reflect them in a direction parallel or nearly parallel to the optical axis of the contact lens surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ocular Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C Whalen
  • Publication number: 20080165323
    Abstract: An optical lens system is designed to speed and improve therapeutic laser irradiation of the inner eye. The device is housed in an external casing (10) in conjunction with a specialized fundus contact lens (22). Internally, a disc (12) is mounted with a rotary central mirror driven by a micromotor (14). Toward the periphery of the plate a ring of mirrors is arranged (20). Below the mounted disc lies an additional set of mirrors (24) set at inclinations to divert incident energy to the posterior segment of the eye. As incoming laser energy (28) strikes the central mirror it diverts the beam to a peripheral mirror which again deflects the light to another mirror at the posterior end of the device. A control box (30) facilitates coordinating laser bursts with the circumferential motion of the central mirror. The apparatus results in a ring of laser delivered to the internal eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Elliot S. Eisenberg, Tony Partono
  • Patent number: 7384145
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining information about the spatial distribution of photoreceptor activity and neural activity in the retina using simultaneously recorded multiple biopotential signals. The information thus gathered is used to assess retinal dysfunction due to trauma or disease. The biopotential signals are recorded from the surface of the eye and head using a plurality of electrodes, including those integral to a contact lens. The biopotential signals are recorded before, during and after the presentation of an optical stimulus to the subject eye. The recorded biopotential signals are then analyzed and interpreted to reveal the distribution of photoreceptor activity and neural activity across the retina. The analysis and interpretation of the biopotential signals is quantitative, and makes use of an electromagnetic model of the subject eye. The subject may be animal or human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John R. Hetling, Tamas Ban, Safa Rahmani
  • Publication number: 20080129960
    Abstract: A disposable ophthalmic or medical apparatus has a portion with a color changeable dye disposed thereon. The dye changes color after being exposed to oxygen for a controlled and predetermined period of time indicating that the apparatus should no longer be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Lee Heacock, Louise Ellen Culham
  • Patent number: 7357504
    Abstract: A device for examining/treating an eye has a base body and an attachment body, which can be combined and applied to the eye. A gel-type liquid is introduced between the two bodies so that the indices can be matched. The interior of the attachment body is provided with a large number of protuberances, ensuring a minimum distance is maintained between the two bodies, allowing air or excess liquid to escape between the two bodies to escape. Only the attachment body, a disposable item producible from cheap materials, needs to be sterilized and a single sterilization is integrated into the production process. The base only needs to be disinfected. This division of the device also allows a large number of base bodies with different configurations to be used with one single attachment body or a large number of attachment bodies with different configurations to be used with one single base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Haag-Streit AG
    Inventors: Konrad Fischer, Juan Manu Teijido
  • Patent number: 7354151
    Abstract: An improved ophthalmic fundus contact lens to observe and irradiate the interior of the eye. Internally the device consists of a ring of contiguous mirrors (12) with identical angulations arranged around a posterior concave lens (10). The outside surface of the instrument contains a wall (14) of exterior housing. A glass or transparent material (16) covers the anterior opening of the lens. The invention is particularly useful for faster and safer panretinal photocoagulation (PRP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: Elliot S. Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 7344246
    Abstract: An observation apparatus is provided. An apex angle of a contact prism is inputted by operating an apex angle setting knob of a control panel. A fining angle of the contact prism is inputted by operating a fitting angle setting knob. A control unit determines the amount of correction for astigmatism of a left observation optical system and the amount of correction for astigmatism of a right observation optical system based on a recognized observation magnification and the inputted apex angle. An axial angle for the astigmatism of the left observation optical system and an axial angle for the astigmatism of the right observation optical system are determined based on the inputted fitting angle. Variable cross cylinder lens rotating drive units are controlled to rotate cylinder lenses of each of the right and left observation optical systems, thereby obtaining the determined axial angle and the determined amount of correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Toru Noda, Kazuhiko Onuma, Yasufumi Fukuma, Koji Nishio, Hidetaka Aeba, Yoshio Okazaki, Masaru Sato, Yasuo Kato