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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016274378-A1
Application number	US-201615165065-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 26, 2016
Priority date	Sep 17, 2013
Publication date	Sep 22, 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

1 . (canceled)

2 . (canceled)

3 . (canceled)

4 . (canceled)

5 . (canceled)

6 . (canceled)

7 . (canceled)

8 . (canceled)

9 . (canceled)

10 . 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 curved first front surface and a curved first back surface wherein the first front surface and the first back surface are configured to bound at least a portion of a first chamber; a curved second front surface and a curved second back surface wherein the second front surface and the second back surface are configured to bound at least a portion of a second chamber; a layer containing liquid crystal material positioned within the at least one chamber, 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; and an energy source embedded in the insert in at least a region comprising a non-optical zone.

11 . (canceled)

12 . The contact lens device of claim 10 wherein the layer containing liquid crystal material that varies with the cycloidal pattern assumes a curved shape.

13 . The contact lens device of claim 12 wherein the lens includes a polarizing component.

14 . The contact lens device of claim 12 further comprising:
a first layer of electrode material proximate to the first curved back surface; and
a second layer of electrode material proximate to the curved first front surface.

15 . The contact lens device of claim 14 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.

16 . The contact lens device of claim 15 wherein the variable optic insert alters a focal characteristic of the lens.

17 . The contact lens device of claim 16 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.

18 . The contact lens device of claim 17 wherein the electrical circuit comprises a processor.

19 .- 80 . (canceled)

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

• G02C2202/16

  Laminated or compound lenses · CPC title

• G02C7/041

  bifocal; multifocal · CPC title

• G02F1/133753

  with different alignment orientations or pretilt angles on a same surface, e.g. for grey scale or improved viewing angle · CPC title

• B29L2011/0041

  Contact lenses · CPC title

• A61F2210/0076

  multilayered, e.g. laminated structures · CPC title