Ophthalmic device with embedded microcontroller

• US 9,375,886 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2009
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• 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., Otts, Daniel B., Flitsch, Frederick A.
• Primary Examiner(s): VARGOT, MATHIEU D
• Application Number:
  US12/580,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20100110372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,447 Days
• Field of Search: 264/1.1, 264/1.7, 264/1.36, 264/1.38, 264/2.5, 425/135, 425/162, 425/163, 425/808
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00009 Production of simple or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00028 Bifocal lenses; Multifocal lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00038 Production of contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00826 with energy receptors for wireless energy transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• 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 an ophthalmic lens with a microcontroller and an energy source incorporated within the ophthalmic lens. The energy source is capable of powering the microcontroller included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel.

Claims

1. A method of forming a contact lens, the method comprising:

forming a media insert by attaching a microcontroller, a battery and a liquid meniscus variable optic to a substrate;

coating and encapsulating the media insert with a silicone hydrogel matrix conformal coating;

placing the coated media insert proximate to a first mold part;

depositing a reactive monomer mix into the first mold part around the coated media insert;

positioning the coated media insert in contact with the reactive monomer mix;

positioning the first mold part proximate to a second mold part thereby forming a lens cavity comprising the coated media insert and at least some of reactive monomer mix in the lens cavity; and

exposing the reactive monomer mix to actinic radiation or heat.

2. The method of forming a contact lens of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the media insert further comprises attaching an energy harvester to the substrate.

3. The method of forming a contact lens of claim 2, wherein the energy harvester comprises a photoreceptor.

4. The method of forming a contact lens of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller comprises an analog to digital converter in order to provide input to the microcontroller.

5. The method of forming a contact lens of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller comprises a crystal oscillator.

6. The method of forming a contact lens of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller comprises one or more timers.

7. The method of forming a contact lens of claim 6, wherein the one or more timers comprises a watchdog timer.

8. The method of forming a contact lens of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the media insert further comprises forming a conductive circuit path on the substrate between the microcontroller and the battery.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming the media insert further comprises attaching a focus adjustment activator selected from the group consisting of a magnetically activated switch, a photo-optically activated switch, and an electrical sensor configured to sense a signal within an eye to the substrate in communication with said microcontroller.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is flexible.