VARIABLE FOCUS OPHTHALMIC DEVICE INCLUDING LIQUID CYRSTAL ELEMENTS

• US 20130166025A1
• Filed: 12/21/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• 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., Ottis, Daniel P., Flitsch, Frederick A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,906,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/6.22
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00038 Production of contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00817 Producing electro-active lenses or lenses with energy receptors, e.g. batteries or antennas
• 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

Abstract

This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a Variable Optic Insert into an Ophthalmic Lens. 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.

Claims

1. An Energized Ophthalmic Lens device with a Variable Optic Insert comprising:

an Ophthalmic Lens Insert-encapsulating layer comprising an Optical Zone and a non-optical zone;

a Variable Optic Insert comprising at least a portion within the Optical Zone;

an Energy Source embedded in the Insert-encapsulating material in at least a region comprising the non-optical zone;

the Variable Optic Insert comprising a layer of Liquid Crystal material; and

at least a first layer of dielectric material proximate to the layer of Liquid Crystal material.

2. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 1 wherein:

the Lens is a Contact Lens.

3. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 2 wherein:

the first layer of dielectric material varies in thickness across a region within the Optical Zone resulting in a varying electric field across the layer of Liquid Crystal material.

4. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 3 wherein:

the Variable Optic Insert alters a focal characteristic of the Lens.

5. The Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 3 wherein:

the first layer of dielectric material is a composite of two materials with similar optical characteristics and dissimilar low frequency dielectric characteristics.

6. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 2 wherein:

the Energy Source energizes components within the Lens and causes the Liquid Crystal to alter its polarizing effect on light.

7. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 3 wherein:

the Liquid Crystal layer is between at least two Alignment Layers;

the at least two Alignment Layers are between two electrode layers; and

the two electrode layers are in Electrical Communication with the Energy Source.

8. The Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 7 wherein:

the Liquid Crystal has at least a first Energized Orientation; and

an energization of the electrode layers causes the Liquid Crystal to shift from a Resting Orientation to at least a first Energized Orientation.

16. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 1 wherein:

the Ophthalmic Lens Insert-encapsulating layer comprises a silicone-containing material.

17. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 1 wherein:

the Ophthalmic Lens Insert-encapsulating layer comprises Etafilcon A.

18. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a processor.

19. The Energized Ophthalmic Lens device of claim 7 additionally comprising:

a processor.

9. An Energized Intraocular Lens with a Variable Optic portion comprising:

an Intraocular Lens with an Optical Zone and a first non-optical zone;

an Energy Source attached to an Intraocular Lens in the first non-optical zone;

a Variable Optic comprising at least a first layer of Liquid Crystal material; and

at least a first layer of dielectric material proximate to the layer of Liquid Crystal material.

10. The Energized Intraocular Lens of claim 9 wherein:

the first layer of dielectric material is a composite of at least a first material and a second material with similar optical characteristics and dissimilar low frequency dielectric characteristics.

11. The Energized Intraocular Lens of claim 10 wherein:

the first material of the first layer of dielectric material is shaped to have a different thickness across the Optical Zone.

12. The Energized Intraocular Lens of claim 10 wherein:

the Variable Optic Insert alters a focal characteristic of the lens.

13. The Energized Intraocular Lens of claim 12 wherein:

the Energy Source energizes components within the Lens and causes the Liquid Crystal to alter its refractive effect on light.

14. The Energized Intraocular Lens of claim 13 wherein:

at least a first Liquid Crystal layer is between at least two electrode layers; and

the electrode layers are in Electrical Communication with the Energy Source.

15. The Energized Intraocular Lens of claim 14 wherein:

at least a first Liquid Crystal layer has at least a first Energized Orientation; and

an energization of the electrode layers causes the Liquid Crystal to shift from a Resting Orientation to at least the first Energized Orientation.

20. The Energized Intraocular Lens device of claim 14 additionally comprising:

a processor.