Variable optic ophthalmic device including shaped liquid crystal elements with nano-scaled droplets of liquid crystal
First Claim
1. An ophthalmic lens device with a variable optic insert having an optical zone and a non-optical zone comprising:
- a variable optic insert comprising at least a portion within the optical zone and comprising an insert front curve piece and an insert back curve piece, wherein a back surface of the front curve piece and a front surface of the back curve piece have differing radii of surface curvature at least in the portion within the optical zone;
a hydrogel ophthalmic skirt wherein the hydrogel ophthalmic skirt encapsulates and surrounds the variable optic insert;
an energy source embedded in the insert in at least a region comprising the non-optical zone; and
the variable optic insert comprising a layer containing liquid crystal material, wherein the layer is comprised of droplets of liquid crystal material.
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Abstract
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer may comprise droplets that are nano-scaled. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An ophthalmic lens device with a variable optic insert having an optical zone and a non-optical zone comprising:
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a variable optic insert comprising at least a portion within the optical zone and comprising an insert front curve piece and an insert back curve piece, wherein a back surface of the front curve piece and a front surface of the back curve piece have differing radii of surface curvature at least in the portion within the optical zone; a hydrogel ophthalmic skirt wherein the hydrogel ophthalmic skirt encapsulates and surrounds the variable optic insert; an energy source embedded in the insert in at least a region comprising the non-optical zone; and the variable optic insert comprising a layer containing liquid crystal material, wherein the layer is comprised of droplets of liquid crystal material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An ophthalmic lens device with a variable optic insert having an optical zone and a non-optical zone comprising:
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a variable optic insert comprising at least a portion within the optical zone, and comprising an insert front curve piece, an intermediate curve piece and an insert back curve piece, wherein a back surface of the front curve piece and a front surface of the intermediate curve piece have differing radii of curvature at least in the portion within the optical zone; a hydrogel ophthalmic skirt wherein the hydrogel ophthalmic skirt encapsulates and surrounds the variable optic insert; an energy source embedded in the insert in at least a region comprising the non-optical zone; and the variable optic insert comprising at least a first layer containing liquid crystal material, wherein the first layer containing liquid crystal material is comprised of droplets of liquid crystal material. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification