Deblocking contact lenses
AssigneeNovartis AG
InventorsEllen Marie Ajello, Michael Nelson Wilde, Yasuo Matsuzawa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for removing a polymeric contact lens from a mold comprising lowering the temperature of the contact lens with a cryogenic material, such as liquid nitrogen, to a temperature and for a time sufficient for the lens to release from the mold without the application of external forces.
Claims24
A method for extracting a polymeric contact lens from a mold, the method comprising:
- lowering the temperature of the contact lens with a cryogenic substance to a temperature sufficient to reduce adhesion between the lens and the mold to a point where removing the lens will not damage the lens, and
- thereafter removing the lens from the mold without the application of external force to the lens.
A method for extracting a siloxane containing polymeric contact lens from a mold, the method comprising:
- bringing the lens into contact with a cryogenic substance for a time sufficient to lower the temperature of the lens to a temperature sufficient to reduce adhesion between the lens and the mold to a point where removing the lens will not damage the lens,
- separating the lens from the mold without the application of external force to the lens, and
- recovering the lens.
A method for extracting a siloxane containing polymeric contact lens from a mold, the method comprising:
- indirectly cooling the contact lens by bringing the mold into contact with a cryogenic substance for a time sufficient to lower the temperature of the lens to a temperature sufficient to reduce adhesion between the lens and the mold to a point where removing the lens will not damage the lens,
- separating the lens from the mold without the application of external force to the lens, and
- recovering the lens.
A method for extracting a siloxane containing polymeric contact lens from a mold, the method comprising:
- orienting a contact lens bearing mold upon a carrier such that the contact lens may fall from the mold;
- situating a contact lens collector so as to collect a contact lens which may separate from the mold and fall;
- indirectly cooling the contact lens by causing the mold to come into intimate contact with a cryogenic substance;
- causing separation of the lens from the mold without the application of external force to the lens;
- and
- collecting the lens.
A method for manufacturing a siloxane containing polymeric contact lens from a mold, the method comprising:
- bringing two mold halves together to form a lens mold;
- filling the mold with an uncured polymer;
- curing the polymer in the mold;
- separating the mold halves from one another;
- bringing the mold half bearing the contact lens into contact with a cryogenic substance for a time sufficient to lower the temperature of the lens to a temperature sufficient to reduce adhesion between the lens and the mold half to a point where removing the lens will not damage the lens;
- separating the lens from the mold half without the application of external force to the lens;
- and
- recovering the lens.
A method for extracting a polymeric contact lens from a mold, the method comprising:
- lowering the temperature of the lens to a temperature at which the lens will release from the mold without the application of external force to the lens the temperature of the lens being lowered using a cryogenic substance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.