US4707236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of farbricating an optically graded light occluding gel
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-03-17
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2006-03-17
Abstract
Abstract The invention pertains to an electrophoretic technique for fabricating a progressively graded concentration of dye in a hydrophilic polymeric matrix or gel. A charged dye or dye precursor is caused to migrate under the influence of an electrical potential through the gel matrix. An area is formed in the hydrogel matrix which is progressively graded in optical density as a function of the distance from the point of application to the hydrogel matrix. The insertion of the dye through the hydrogel matrix of a contact lens it may be used to form a contact lens with an optically graded central spot.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Borowsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02C; G02C7/00; G02C7/02; G02C7/021; B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00865; B29D11/00894; B29D11/00913; G02C7/04; G02C7/10; G02C7/104; G02C7/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of progressively grading an optical area in a hydrogel matrix by electrophoretic introduction of a charged dye into said hydrogel matrix, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a hydrogel matrix with a medium containing an ionized coloring agent, dye, or dye precursor; and (b) applying an electrical potential across said hydrogel matrix and said medium for a given period of time, causing said dye to electrophoretically migrate from said medium through said hydrogel matrix, whereby a progessively optically graded area is formed across said hydrogel matrix.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of progressively grading an optical area in a hydrogel matrix by electrophoretic introduction of a charged dye into said hydrogel matrix, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a hydrogel matrix with a medium containing an ionized coloring agent, dye, or dye precursor; and (b) applying an electrical potential across said hydrogel matrix and said medium for a given period of time, causing said dye to electrophoretically migrate from said medium through said hydrogel matrix, whereby a progessively optically graded area is formed across said hydrogel matrix.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said coloring agent or dye is selected from a group consisting of: food coloring, an aqueous silver salt and an aqueous gold precursor salt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said dye comprises a salt in aqueous solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said hydrogel matrix comprises a buffered acrylamide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said medium is placed in a constricted applicator vessel having an orifice that is placed into contact with said hydrogel matrix, wherein upon applying said electrical potential said dye migrates outward through said hydrogel matrix from a point of contact between said orifice and said hydrogel matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said medium comprises a first dye-containing solution porously separated from a second dye-containing salt solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said first dye-containing solution comprises a higher concentration of dye than said second dye-containing solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said second dye-containing solution also includes an ionic nondye.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said optical area is a gel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of forming a progressively optically graded area within a hydrogel matrix material, comprising the step of electrophoretically migrating an electrically charged coloring agent dye or dye precursor from a point within said hydrogel matrix material to an outer portion of said matrix, whereby a progressively lighter concentration of coloring agent or dye or dye precursor is distributed across said hydrogel matrix material from said point.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of forming a progressively optically graded area within a hydrogel matrix material, comprising the step of electrophoretically migrating an electrically charged coloring agent dye or dye precursor from a point within said hydrogel matrix material to an outer portion of said matrix, whereby a progressively lighter concentration of coloring agent or dye or dye precursor is distributed across said hydrogel matrix material from said point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said hydrogel matrix material comprises a polymerizable gel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said coloring agent or dye is selected from a group consisting of food coloring, an aqueous silver salt and an aqueous gold salt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said optical area is a gel.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of fabricating a light-occluding lens, comprising the step of electrophoretically migrating a coloring agent or dye or dye precursor within a hydrogel matrix from a point within said hydrogel material, thereby forming a graded area across said hydrogel matrix having a progressively lighter concentration of coloring agent or dye or dye precursor with respect to the distance from said point.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of fabricating a light-occluding lens, comprising the step of electrophoretically migrating a coloring agent or dye or dye precursor within a hydrogel matrix from a point within said hydrogel material, thereby forming a graded area across said hydrogel matrix having a progressively lighter concentration of coloring agent or dye or dye precursor with respect to the distance from said point.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said hydrogel matrix comprises a polymerizable gel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said coloring agent or dye is selected from a group consisting of: food coloring, an aqueous silver salt and an aqueous gold salt.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for making a progessively graded optical area in a hydrogel matrix by electrophoretic introduction of a charged coloring agent or dye precursor or dye into said hydrogel matrix comprising a stage, said stage adapted to receive a hydrogel matrix blank thereon, a constricted applicator vessel, said vessel including an orifice, said orifice adapted to contact said blank with a medium containing an ionized coloring agent or dye precursor or dye, and a source of electrical potential applied across said medium and said stage for a given period of time, said coloring agent or dye precursor or dye adapted to migrate outward through said hydrogel matrix from a point of contact between said orifice and said hydrogel matrix.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for making a progessively graded optical area in a hydrogel matrix by electrophoretic introduction of a charged coloring agent or dye precursor or dye into said hydrogel matrix comprising a stage, said stage adapted to receive a hydrogel matrix blank thereon, a constricted applicator vessel, said vessel including an orifice, said orifice adapted to contact said blank with a medium containing an ionized coloring agent or dye precursor or dye, and a source of electrical potential applied across said medium and said stage for a given period of time, said coloring agent or dye precursor or dye adapted to migrate outward through said hydrogel matrix from a point of contact between said orifice and said hydrogel matrix.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said applicator vessel comprises two chambers, an upper chamber and a lower chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said upper chamber includes a cathode disposable in said upper chamber further adapted to be connected to a source of electrical potential.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said stage is comprised of graphite and connected to the opposite end of the source of said potential function as an anode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said upper chamber is adapted to receive a concentrated aqueous dye solution and an ionic nondye and said lower chamber is adapted to receive a less concentrated aqueous dye solution.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said upper chamber includes a porous plug.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 17 including a support for said hydrogel matrix.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 23 including a cap over said hydrogel matrix.
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) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |