Methods and apparatus for ophthalmic devices including cycloidally oriented liquid crystal layers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016266409-A1
Application number	US-201615165076-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 26, 2016
Priority date	Sep 17, 2013
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some examples, an alignment layer for the liquid crystal layer may be patterned in a cycloidally dependent manner. The patterning may allow for a polarization dependent lens in some examples. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some examples, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control optical characteristics.

First claim

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31 . A contact lens device with a variable optic insert positioned within at least a portion of an optical zone of the contact lens device, wherein the variable optic insert comprises:
a front curve piece, at least a first intermediate curve piece and a back curve piece, wherein a back surface of the front curve piece has a first curvature and a front surface of the first intermediate curve piece has a second curvature; an energy source embedded in the insert in at least a region comprising a non-optical zone; and the variable optic insert comprising a layer containing liquid crystal material, wherein the layer includes regions of liquid crystal material aligned in a pattern across at least a first portion of the variable optic insert that varies with a cycloidal pattern, wherein locations of orientations in liquid crystal orientation aligning with a radial axis across at least a first portion of the optic insert has a parabolic dependence on a radial dimension.

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33 . The contact lens device of claim 31 wherein the first curvature is approximately the same as the second curvature.

34 . The contact lens device of claim 33 wherein the lens includes a polarizing component.

35 . The contact lens device of claim 34 further comprising:
a first layer of electrode material proximate to the front curve piece; and
a second layer of electrode material proximate to one or more of the intermediate curve piece and the back curve piece.

36 . The contact lens device of claim 34 further comprising:
a first layer of electrode material proximate to the front curve piece; and
a second layer of electrode material proximate to the intermediate curve piece.

37 . The contact lens device of claim 36 wherein the layer containing liquid crystal material varies its index of refraction affecting a ray of light traversing the layer containing liquid crystal material when an electric potential is applied across the first layer of electrode material and the second layer of electrode material.

38 . The contact lens device of claim 37 wherein the variable optic insert alters a focal characteristic of the lens.

39 . The contact lens device of claim 38 further comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit controls a flow of electrical energy from the energy source to the first and second electrode layers.

40 . The contact lens device of claim 39 wherein the electrical circuit comprises a processor.

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Assignees

• Johnson & Johnson Vision Care

Inventors

• De Sio Luciano
• Flitsch Frederick A
• Pandojirao-S Praveen
• Pugh Randall Braxton
• Serak Svetlan
• Tabirian Nelson V
• Toner Adam
• Uskova Olena
• Riall James Daniel

Classifications

• G02C7/041

  bifocal; multifocal · CPC title

• G02C2202/16

  Laminated or compound lenses · CPC title

• B29C39/10

  incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. casting around inserts or for coating articles {(coating a surface by casting in general B05D1/30, B29C39/126 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• A61F2210/0076

  multilayered, e.g. laminated structures · CPC title

• A61F2002/1696

  Having structure for blocking or reducing amount of light transmitted, e.g. glare reduction · CPC title