AERATED CONTACT LENS ASSEMBLY

• US 20130308092A1
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Groisman, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,039,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/159.04
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/16 Laminated or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/047 Contact lens fitting; Contact lenses for orthokeratology; Contact lenses for specially shaped corneae
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/049 Contact lenses having special fitting or structural features achieved by special materials or material structures

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.

Claims

1. A contact lens assembly, comprising:

a proximal layer comprising a gas-permeable material;

a distal layer comprising 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;

a gas transport region surrounding the air cavity for communicating air between the air cavity and atmosphere.

2. The contact lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas-permeable material is a rigid gas-permeable plastic.

3. The contact lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas transport region comprises an annular margin formed from gas-permeable material.

4. The contact lens assembly of claim 3, wherein the gas-permeable material is a rigid gas-permeable plastic.

5. The contact lens assembly of claim 3, wherein the annular margin comprises a cylindrical or ellipsoidal partition.

6. The contact lens assembly of claim 5, wherein the distal layer is supported by the cylindrical or ellipsoidal partition.

7. The contact lens assembly of claim 4, wherein the gas transport region further comprises an air gap located adjacent the cylindrical partition, wherein the air gap is in communication with the air cavity.

8. The contact lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the air cavity has a distal surface and a proximal surface, and wherein at least one of the distal surface and the proximal surface has an anti-reflection coating formed thereon.

14. The contact lens assembly of claim 7, wherein at least one of the distal surface of the inner layer and the proximal surface of the outer layer has an anti-reflection coating formed thereon.

9. A contact lens assembly, comprising:

an inner layer adapted for contact with a scleral portion of a wearer'"'"'s eye, at least a portion of the first layer comprising a gas-permeable material;

an outer layer comprising an optical element;

an air cavity defined between a distal surface of the inner layer and a proximal surface of the outer layer, wherein oxygen concentration across the air cavity is substantially uniform; and

a gas transport region surrounding the air cavity for communicating air between the air cavity and atmosphere.

10. The contact lens assembly of claim 9, wherein the gas-permeable material is a rigid gas-permeable plastic.

11. The contact lens assembly of claim 9, wherein the gas transport region comprises a cylindrical or ellipsoidal partition formed of a gas-permeable material.

12. The contact lens assembly of claim 10, wherein the gas-permeable material is a rigid gas-permeable plastic.

13. The contact lens assembly of claim 9, wherein the gas transport region further comprises an air gap in communication with the air cavity.