Color changing contact lenses

• US 8,542,325 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2011
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ehren Ray Burton
• Original Assignee: Ehren Ray Burton
• Inventors: Burton, Ehren Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Qi, Mike
• Application Number:
  US13/304,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20120069254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 667 Days
• Field of Search: 349/13, 349/14, 359/643
• US Class Current: 349/13
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/043 Contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/021 with pattern for identification or with cosmetic or therapeutic effects methods and processes take preference, e.g. printing, marking or copying processes B41M; identification in general G09F3/00; producing decorative effects in general B44C; surface treatment of glass C03C15/00 - C03C23/00; positioning or marking of lenses B24B13/0055
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/046 Contact lenses having an iris pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/049 Contact lenses having special fitting or structural features achieved by special materials or material structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/102 Photochromic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0147 based on thermo-optic effects G02F1/132 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/132 Thermal activation of liquid crystals exhibiting a thermo-optic effect
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/14 photochromic

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to contact lenses. Specifically, this invention relates to contact lenses that change color based on one or more stimuli. The present application provides for a color changing contact lens that can change its color based on one or more stimuli. The color changing contact lens is constructed of an inner layer, an outer layer and a supply of liquid crystal.

Claims

1. A contact lens, said contact lens comprising:

an inner layer, comprised of an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said exterior surface is configured to be placed upon the eye of an individual;

an outer layer, comprised of an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said interior surface of said outer layer is affixed to said interior surface of said inner layer in such a way that creates a sealed area there between; and

an amount of liquid crystal material, wherein said amount of liquid crystal material is contained within said sealed area.

2. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said interior surface of said inner layer is further comprised of a plurality of micro tubes.

3. The contact lens of claim 2, wherein said plurality of micro tubes is configured to receive at least a portion of said amount of liquid crystal material.

4. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said amount of liquid crystal material is configured to respond to one or more stimuli.

5. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein at least one of said one or more stimuli is temperature changes.

6. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein at least one of said one or more stimuli is changes in the amount of visible light.

7. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein said response includes changing of a color of the amount of liquid crystal material.

8. The contact lens of claim 4, wherein said response includes changing of a shape of the amount of liquid crystal material.

9. The contact lens of claim 8, wherein said change in shape creates a visible pattern.

10. The contact lens of claim 1, wherein said amount of liquid crystal material comprises a thermo graphic liquid crystal material.