Method for target polishing intraocular lenses
AssigneeBausch & Lomb Incorporated
InventorGeorge F. Green
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for polishing targeted areas of an IOL while leaving other areas unpolished such as sharp posterior edges designed to inhibit PCO. In the preferred embodiment, the polishing method utilizes a stream of polishing agent directed at the IOL which is mounted to a holder during the polishing operation. In this manner, only the targeted areas of the IOL polished while the other areas remain unpolished and sharp as intended. The method is suitable for in-line automated IOL manufacturing.
Claims35
A method of polishing IOLs comprising:
- a) providing an IOL having targeted areas in need of polishing and other areas not in need of polishing;
- b) directing a stream of polishing agent at said targeted areas until said targeted areas are polished while said other areas remain unpolished.
A method of polishing targeted areas of an IOL having one or more sharp edges wherein the sharp edges are unpolished and remain sharp through the polishing operation, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) placing said IOLs on a holder with said targeted areas exposed;
- b) covering said sharp edges from said polishing operation;
- and
- c) providing a polishing agent directed in a stream at said targeted areas of said IOL and thereby polishing said targeted areas of said IOL while said sharp edges remain unpolished and sharp.
Apparatus for polishing targeted areas of an IOL, said apparatus comprising:
- a) a holder for removably holding said IOL during said polishing;
- b) a polishing agent;
- c) means for generating a stream of said polishing agent for impinging upon said targeted areas of said IOL.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.