APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATION OF COMPONENTS OF AN ENERGIZED OPHTHALMIC LENS

• US 20120075574A1
• Filed: 12/06/2011
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Pugh, Randall B., Otts, Daniel B., Flitsch, Frederick A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/023 with variable transmission, e.g. photochromic for welding A61F9/067
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/02 Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F

Abstract

This present invention provides apparatus and methods for the activation of an energized ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the present invention provides for activation and deactivation of one or more components via wireless communication with an activation unit external to the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an energized ophthalmic lens contains components which detect external signals, process the detected signal and activate components that change optical characteristics via the control of electrical energy.

Claims

14. A method of activating an energized ophthalmic lens comprising:

providing an external signal source to the energized ophthalmic lens, wherein the energized ophthalmic lens may be worn such that a physiological eyelid represents one or more of;

a screen between an ambient light source and the ophthalmic lens and a mechanical pressure conduit to the ophthalmic lens;

detecting the external signal source via a first component comprising the energized ophthalmic lens; and

altering a state of a second component comprising the energized ophthalmic lens, wherein said second component is in electrical communication with an energy source to receive energy from the energy source based upon the detection of the external signal by the activation device and cause the ophthalmic lens to excrete one or more of the active agents based upon the detection of the external signal.

1. An activation system for an energized ophthalmic lens comprising:

an energized ophthalmic lens comprising an energy source, wherein the energized ophthalmic lens may be worn such that a physiological eyelid represents one or more of;

a screen between an ambient light source and the ophthalmic lens and a mechanical pressure conduit to the ophthalmic lens;

an activation device in electrical communication with the energy source, wherein the activation device is capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens;

a storage for one or more active agents; and

a component in electrical communication with the energy source to receive energy from the energy source based upon detection of the external signal by the activation device and cause the ophthalmic lens to excrete one or more of the active agents from the storage portion based upon the detection of the external signal.

2. The activation system of claim 1 wherein the activation device capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens comprises a photosensitive device.

3. The activation system of claim 2 wherein the photosensitive device is one or more of:

a photodiode, a photoresistor, a phototransistor and a photocell.

4. The activation system of claim 1 wherein the activation device capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens comprises a device sensitive to electromagnetic energy in a different spectral region than a photosensitive device.

5. The activation system of claim 1 wherein the activation device capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens comprise a device capable of capacitive coupling to an external electric signal.

6. The activation system of claim 1 wherein the activation device capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens comprise a device capable of inductive coupling to an external electromagnetic signal.

7. The activation system of claim 1 wherein the activation device capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens comprises a device capable of magnetic coupling to an external magnetic signal.

8. The activation system of claim 7 wherein the device capable of magnetic coupling comprises a Hall Effect switch.

9. The activation system of claim 1 wherein the activation device capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens comprises a device capable of sensing a change in pressure on a surface of the energized ophthalmic device.

10. The activation system of claim 1 wherein the activation device capable of detecting a signal emanating from a source external to the ophthalmic lens comprise a device capable of sensing an external sound signal.

11. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the active agent comprises a solution.

12. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the active agent comprises a pharmaceutical.

13. The activation system of claim 1, wherein the active agent is dispensed in response a transition into or out of a luminal state.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising processing the detection of the external signal to determine an activation state.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the processing comprises distinguishing two or more discrete detected signals separated by a times delay.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the timing comprises patterned blinking of eyelids.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the component state that is activated comprises an electro-optic device.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the active agent comprises a chemical in solution.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the external signal comprises data and an active agent dispensed is based upon the data comprising the external signal.

16-1. The method of claim 14 wherein the altering of a state of a component places at least one component in electrical communication with the energy source in the energized ophthalmic lens.

17-2. The method of claim 14 wherein the altering of a state of a component comprising the energized lens signal comprises detection of photon flux and the method additionally comprises charging the energy source comprising the energized ophthalmic lens.

18-3. The method of claim 14 wherein one or more components comprises an identification device.