Mold and method for casting ophthalmic lenses
AssigneeNovartis AG
InventorsRafael Victor Andino, Tracy Weldon, Richard Charles Turek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to opthalmic molds and methods useful for casting opthalmic moldings. In one aspect, the invention relates to a mold for casting an opthalmic molding formed from a first mold half detachably affixed to a second mold half, whereby the mold has a top and a bottom; and a cavity formed by the first and second mold halves, wherein the cavity receives a lens forming material through an opening at the bottom of the mold and vents gas and excess lens forming material from an opening at the top of the mold. In another aspect, this invention relates to methods for casting opthalmic moldings, particularly intraocular lenses.
Claims42
A mold for casting an ophthalmic lens, said mold defining a lens forming cavity having a circumferential edge lying in a plane that is inclined at an angle relative to horizontal.
A method of casting an ophthalmic lens, said method comprising:
- providing a mold defining a lens forming cavity having a circumferential edge;
- positioning the mold with the circumferential edge of the lens forming cavity lying in a plane that is inclined at an angle relative to horizontal;
- and
- delivering lens forming material into the lens forming cavity.
A method of casting an ophthalmic lens, said method comprising:
- at least partially filling a first mold half with lens forming material;
- at least partially filling a second mold half with lens forming material;
- and
- bringing the first and second mold halves into engagement with one another to define a lens forming cavity.
A mold for casting an ophthalmic molding comprising:
- (i) a first mold half detachably affixed to a second mold half, whereby the mold has a top and a bottom;
- and
- (ii) a cavity formed by the affixed first and second mold halves, wherein the cavity vents gas and excess lens forming material from an opening at the top of the mold.
A mold apparatus for casting an intraocular lens comprising:
- a first mold half;
- a second mold half detachably affixed to said first mold half, whereby the mold has a top and a bottom;
- a cavity formed by the affixed first and second mold halves, wherein the cavity receives a lens forming material through an opening at the bottom of the mold and vents gas and excess lens forming material from an opening at the top of the mold;
- a first needle for engagement with the opening at the bottom of the mold to deposit lens forming material in the cavity;
- and
- a second needle for engagement with the opening at the top of the mold to vent fluid from the cavity.
A method of casting an ophthalmic lens, said method comprising:
- providing a mold cavity within a mold, the cavity defining the ophthalmic lens to be cast;
- introducing a lens forming material into the mold cavity;
- venting fluid through at least one opening in a top portion of the mold;
- and
- curing the lens forming material in the mold cavity to form the lens.
A mold for forming a lens, said mold comprising a first mold element defining a generally spherical concave recession and a second mold element having a generally circular rim, wherein said generally circular rim of the second mold element contacts the generally spherical concave recession of the first mold element to form a seal when the first and second mold elements are engaged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.