US4820038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrogel contact lens
Assignee: COOPERVISION TECHNOLOGY Inc
•
Filing: 1986-08-14
•
Granted: 1989-04-11
•
Expires: 2006-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A high water content hydrogel contact lens with improved oxygen transmission combined with good movement characteristics over the cornea to prevent corneal damage and configured for low minus powers. The lens body has an ultra smooth molded or cast posterior surface with a center thickness in cross-section which is no greater than 0.08 mm and has a small edge-to-edge diameter less than 14.4 mm. With the lens in place on the eye, the eyelid engages a thickened, annular edge of the lens to provide some lens movement on the cornea of about 0.50 mm to assist in the removal of metabolic waste products from behind the lens. The thickened edge is configured to allow the eyelid to smoothly flow over the lens and to maintain good comfort to the wearer of the lens and for these purposes includes a posterior peripheral surface curve to generally conform to the curvature of the sclera of the eye.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald G. Seger
- 👤 Donald O. Mutti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:24
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02C; G02C7/00; G02C7/02; G02C7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A soft contact lens comprising: a body hydrogel lens material having a water content at least 60% of total weight, said body having a low minus power configuration of -0.50 to -5.00 diopters, said body having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, an anterior central optical zone, a peripheral edge, and a peripheral zone generally between said optical zone and said peripheral edge, said posterior surface being formed by molding, cast-molding or spin casting said material to the desired surface shape with an ultra-smooth surface finish, said posterior surface being defined by a base curve in said posterior optical zone and a posterior secondary curve generally adjacent said peripheral edge. said body having a diameter less than 14.5 mm, said body having a center thickness in cross section no greater than 0.08 mm, said peripheral zone having a thickness in cross section greater than said center thickness of said body, said peripheral zone defining an annular lens rim enlarged from the surface of said anterior surface, and said rim having a thickness sufficient so that the eyelid pushes said body on the surface of the eye and so that said body is not distorted and has enough rigidity for proper centration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A soft contact lens comprising: a body hydrogel lens material having a water content at least 60% of total weight, said body having a low minus power configuration of -0.50 to -5.00 diopters, said body having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, an anterior central optical zone, a peripheral edge, and a peripheral zone generally between said optical zone and said peripheral edge, said posterior surface being formed by molding, cast-molding or spin casting said material to the desired surface shape with an ultra-smooth surface finish, said posterior surface being defined by a base curve in said posterior optical zone and a posterior secondary curve generally adjacent said peripheral edge. said body having a diameter less than 14.5 mm, said body having a center thickness in cross section no greater than 0.08 mm, said peripheral zone having a thickness in cross section greater than said center thickness of said body, said peripheral zone defining an annular lens rim enlarged from the surface of said anterior surface, and said rim having a thickness sufficient so that the eyelid pushes said body on the surface of the eye and so that said body is not distorted and has enough rigidity for proper centration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lens of claim I including, said peripheral zone of said posterior surface being concave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said posterior surface being formed by molding said material to said desired surface shape with said ultra-smooth surface finish.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said posterior surface being formed by cast molding said material to said desired surface shape with said ultrasmooth surface finish.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said posterior surface being formed by spin casting said material to said desired surface shape with said ultrasmooth surface finish.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said anterior surface being formed by molding, cast molding, spin casting or polishing said material to the desired surface shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said body having a diameter of 12.5 to 14.5 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said peripheral zone having a thickness no greater than
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said body having a posterior surface with a base curve of 7.0 to 9.0 mm in said posterior optical zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said posterior surface having a bicurve shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said posterior surface having a monocurve shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said posterior surface having an aspheric shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said anterior surface including a central optical curve in said optical zone, a peripheral curve adjacent said peripheral edge, and a smooth transition curve between and joining said central optical curve and said peripheral curve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said anterior optical zone having a diameter less than 10.5 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lens of claim 14 including, said anterior optical zone having a diameter between 7.0 mm and including 8.5 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said peripheral zone having a width of less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said peripheral zone having a width of 1.0 to 1.5 mm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lens of claim I including, said base curve smoothly and directly adjoining said secondary curve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said secondary curve having a longer radius than said base curve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said base being configured to fit on the cornea and said secondary curve being configured to fit on the sclera.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said anterior surface including a central optical curve, a peripheral curve parallel to said secondary curve, and a transition curve joining said central optical curve and said peripheral curve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said transition curve having its desired curvature being independent on the lens power and anterior optical zone diameter of said body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lens of claim I including, said water content being 71%.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said water content being 74%.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said center thickness being 0.03 mm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said body diameter being less than 14.4 mm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said body diameter being 12.5 to 14.5 mm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said body diameter being 12.8 to 14.3 mm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said body diameter being 13.5 mm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said body diameter being 13.9 mm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lens of claim 1 including, said water content being 60%, and said center thickness being 0.04 mm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
152 words
A soft contact lens comprising: a body of hydrogel lens material having a water content at least 60% of total weight, said body having a low minus power configuration, said body having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, an anterior central optical zone, a peripheral edge, and a peripheral zone generally between said optical zone and said peripheral edge, said posterior surface being formed by molding said material to the desired surface shape with an ultra-smooth surface finish, said posterior surface being defined by a base curve in said posterior optical zone and a posterior secondary curve generally adjacent said peripheral edge, said body having a diameter less than 14.5 mm, said body having a center thickness in cross section no greater than about 0.08 mm, and said peripheral zone defining an annular lens rim enlarged from the surface of said anterior surface, and having a thickness of 0.20 to 0.28 mm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
152 words
A soft contact lens comprising: a body of hydrogel lens material having a water content at least 60% of total weight, said body having a low minus power configuration, said body having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, an anterior central optical zone, a peripheral edge, and a peripheral zone generally between said optical zone and said peripheral edge, said posterior surface being formed by molding said material to the desired surface shape with an ultra-smooth surface finish, said posterior surface being defined by a base curve in said posterior optical zone and a posterior secondary curve generally adjacent said peripheral edge, said body having a diameter less than 14.5 mm, said body having a center thickness in cross section no greater than about 0.08 mm, and said peripheral zone defining an annular lens rim enlarged from the surface of said anterior surface, and having a thickness of 0.20 to 0.28 mm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said low minus power being -0.50 to -5.00 diopters.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said peripheral zone of said posterior surface being concave.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said anterior surface being formed by cast molding said material to the desired surface shape.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
41 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said anterior surface including a central optical curve in said optical zone, a peripheral curve adjacent said peripheral edge, and a smooth transition curve between and adjoining said central optical curve and said peripheral curve.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said anterior optical zone having a diameter less than 10.5 mm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said peripheral zone having a width of less than 1.0 mm.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said base curve smoothly and directly adjoining said secondary curve.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said secondary curve having a longer radius than said base curve.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said base curve being configured to fit on the cornea and said secondary curve being configured to fit on the sclera of the eye.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said anterior surface including a central optical curve, a peripheral curve parallel to said secondary curve, and a transition curve joining central optical curve and said peripheral curve.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said transition curve having its desired curvature being dependent on the lens power and the anterior optical zone diameter of said body.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said water content being 71%.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
11 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said water content being 74%.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said center thickness being 0.04 mm.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said center thickness being less than 0.08 mm.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said rim thickness being 0.24 mm.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said water content being at least 65%.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lens of claim 32 including, said molding of said posterior surface being by cast molding.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-10 | 1992-10-10 | 1993-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-10 | 1996-10-10 | 1997-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-10 | 2000-10-10 | 2001-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |