US4095878A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Soft contact lens with flattened region for automatic orientation
Assignee: Novartis AG
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Filing: 1976-11-22
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1996-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A soft contact lens for use on the human eye formed from a soft material like silicon or a hydrophilic material. The lens has a generally spherical concave inner surface which conforms to the cornea and a generally convex outer surface. To maintain the correct orientation of the lens when placed on the eye it is provided with a flattened region along a portion of its periphery.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Fanti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02C; G02C7/00; G02C7/02; G02C7/04; G02C7/041; G02C7/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A soft contact lens adapted to the cornea comprising a lens body with a generally spherical concave inner surface and a generally convex outer surface, said lens body having a central horizontal axis, said outer surface having a flattened region along at least one portion of its periphery on said convex outer surface, said flattened region extending substantially in parallel to said central horizontal axis, the thickness of said lens increasing continually in said flattened region in the direction toward the optical center of said lens and said flattened region, on each circumferential line thereof, having one point of minimum thickness from which said thickness increases in both directions along said circumferential line, whereby said flattened region cooperates with eyelid movement of a user to automatically orient said lens and to maintain a horizontal orientation of said central horizontal axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A soft contact lens adapted to the cornea comprising a lens body with a generally spherical concave inner surface and a generally convex outer surface, said lens body having a central horizontal axis, said outer surface having a flattened region along at least one portion of its periphery on said convex outer surface, said flattened region extending substantially in parallel to said central horizontal axis, the thickness of said lens increasing continually in said flattened region in the direction toward the optical center of said lens and said flattened region, on each circumferential line thereof, having one point of minimum thickness from which said thickness increases in both directions along said circumferential line, whereby said flattened region cooperates with eyelid movement of a user to automatically orient said lens and to maintain a horizontal orientation of said central horizontal axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 1, in which a second flattened region (4) is provided substantially symmetrical to the center of the lens and opposite to the first region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 2, in which the lens is provided with a toric inner or outer surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 2, in which the lens is a bifocal lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 2, in which the lens is provided with a prism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 2, in which the lens has a pre-determined axis, said flattened regions being provided at right angles to the nine o'clock -- three o'clock axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 2, in which the edge is thicker in a pre-determined 9 o'clock -- 3 o'clock orientation than in a 12 o'clock -- 6 o'clock orientation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 2, in which the flattened regions are crescent-shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A soft contact lens as claimed in claim 2, in which the lens is provided with additional markings to indicate the symmetry axis of the two flattened regions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |