Annular mask contact lenses
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A contact lens which comprises:
- a lens body having a first surface substantially configured to conform to the eye curvature of a wearer,said lens body having a second surface optically configured, in conjunction with said first surface, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including far and near objects, andsaid lens body having an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity and arranged for(i) forming a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture which transmits light energy through the pupil of the wearer,(ii) centering said annular mask region over the pupil of the wearer, and(iii) permitting increasing light energy to pass through said lens body as the pupil of the wearer dilates during lower lighting conditionswherein said contact lens is weighted or shaped for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer and further wherein said contact lens includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eve of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An annular mask contact lens designed to operate with the normal functioning of the human pupil. An annular mask forms a small pinhole-like aperture on the contact lens enabling continual focus correction. The outer diameter of the annular mask allows the wearer to transmit more light energy through the pupil as brightness levels decrease. The contact lens may be structured with two separate and distinct optical corrections, both at the small aperture region and in the region beyond the annular mask. Functional imaging is thus achieved for both bright and dim lighting, and over a wide range of viewing distances. Cosmetic and peripheral vision enhancement is also provided by the contact lens constructed according to the invention.
268 Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A contact lens which comprises:
-
a lens body having a first surface substantially configured to conform to the eye curvature of a wearer, said lens body having a second surface optically configured, in conjunction with said first surface, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including far and near objects, and said lens body having an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity and arranged for (i) forming a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture which transmits light energy through the pupil of the wearer, (ii) centering said annular mask region over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) permitting increasing light energy to pass through said lens body as the pupil of the wearer dilates during lower lighting conditions wherein said contact lens is weighted or shaped for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer and further wherein said contact lens includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eve of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method for manufacturing a contact lens, comprising the steps of
(A) forming a contact lens body with a first surface configured to substantially conform to the eye curvature of a wearer and with a second surface configured, in conjunction with said first surface, to correct the vision of the wearer selectively at a focus between and including near and far objects, (B) providing on said lens body an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity, wherein (i) said annular mask region forms a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture which transmits light energy through the pupil of the wearer, (ii) said annular mask region centers over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) said annular mask region permits increasing light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower lighting conditions as the pupil dilates wherein said contact lens is weighted or shaped for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer and further wherein said contact lens includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eve of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
-
39. A non-surgical method for treating visual aberrations, said method comprising the steps of
(A) fitting at least one eye of a wearer with a first contact lens configured to correct the vision of a wearer at a focus between and including near and far objects, (B) providing on said contact lens an annular mask region of selected optical transmissivity, wherein (i) said annular mask region forms a substantially pinhole-like optical aperture for the pupil of the wearer, (ii) said annular mask region centers over the pupil of the wearer, and (iii) said annular mask region permits increasing light energy to pass through the pupil of the wearer during lower lighting conditions as the pupil dilates wherein said contact lens is weighted or shaped for centering said aperture at the pupil of the wearer and further wherein said contact lens includes means for restricting the motion of said lens body on the eye of the wearer to less than approximately one and one-half millimeters.
Specification
-
- Resources
Litigation Campaign Assessment
Thank you for your request. You will receive a custom alert email when the Litigation Campaign Assessment is available.
×
-
Current AssigneeNovartis Ag
-
Original AssigneePilkington Barnes Hind, Inc.
-
InventorsMeshel, Leroy, Miller, David
-
Primary Examiner(s)Sugarman, Scott J.
-
Application NumberUS08/720,436Time in Patent Office603 DaysField of Search351/160 H, 351/160 R, 351/161, 351/162, 351/177US Class Current351/162CPC Class CodesG02C 7/041 bifocal; multifocalG02C 7/046 Contact lenses having an ir...G02C 7/048 Means for stabilising the o...
