Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130034760 | BIOCOMPATIBLE WIRE BATTERY - A rechargeable electrochemical battery in the form of a single or multi-stranded wire assembly may be utilized as a power source for any number of implantable or non-implantable medical devices. As the wire form battery may be scaled to micro size, it may be utilized to power medical devices that were traditionally non-active devices, but which may be enhanced with active components. The wire form battery may be cut to size for a particular application which provides the same open circuit voltage regardless of how the wire is ultimately configured and the length of the wire utilized. Although the battery is in wire form, various arrangements of the components within the battery are also possible. | 02-07-2013 |
20130135578 | ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTS IN AN ELECTRONIC CONTACT LENS - Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses may be enhanced through the incorporation of both active and passive electrical components. Electrical interconnects and die attachment configurations are required to ensure electrical connectivity between the components and the optic portion of the lens as well as providing a means for mounting planar devices on spherical surfaces. Electrical interconnects and die attachment for powered ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses includes realizing conductive traces on optical plastic, attaching planar dies to spherical surfaces and underfilling, overmolding and light blocking to complete the lens. | 05-30-2013 |
20130152386 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO FORM ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTS ON OPHTHALMIC DEVICES - Methods and apparatus for forming interconnects on the surfaces of three dimensional substrates, including ophthalmic devices incorporating one or more electrical components may be utilized to provide high quality electrical and mechanical connections. | 06-20-2013 |
20130194540 | OPHTHALMIC LENS ASSEMBLY HAVING AN INTEGRATED ANTENNA STRUCTURE - Antennas and antenna systems may be designed and configured for incorporation into mechanical devices, including medical devices, such as ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses. These antennas and antenna systems may be utilized to transmit data from the mechanical device to a receiver, to receive data from a transmitter, and/or to inductively charge an electromechanical cell or the like incorporated into the mechanical device. | 08-01-2013 |
20130258275 | LENS DRIVER FOR VARIABLE-OPTIC ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS - A lens driver or lens driver circuitry for an ophthalmic apparatus comprising an electronic system which actuates a variable-focus optic is disclosed herein. The lens driver is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic apparatus. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The lens driver circuitry includes one or more power sources, one or more high voltage generators and one or more switching circuits. | 10-03-2013 |
20130258287 | BLINK DETECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS - A blink detection algorithm and associated circuitry for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein. The blink detection algorithm is implemented in the system controller which is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The blink detection algorithm implements the steps of sampling, at a predetermined rate, light incident on an eye of an individual and at least temporarily saving collected samples, determining when an eyelid is open or closed in order to divine the number, time period and pulse width of the blinks from the collected samples, calculating a number of blinks and the duration of the blinks in a given time period, and comparing the number of blinks, the durations of the blinks in the given time period, and the time between blinks in the given time period to a stored set of samples to determine patterns in blinking. | 10-03-2013 |
20130261743 | SYSTEM CONTROLLER FOR VARIABLE-OPTIC ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS - A system controller for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system which actuates a variable-focus optic is disclosed herein. The system controller is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The controller including multiple state machines configured as digital logic gates. | 10-03-2013 |
20130343248 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR LOW POWER RECEIVERS - A wireless protocol for a communication system is set forth herein which may be utilized for communication between a transmitter and a receiver over any type of communication channel. The wireless communication protocol provides for the reduction of receiver active or on time which in turn lowers power consumption. The wireless communication protocol enables the complexity and receiver size to be reduced. The methodology employed in the protocol utilizes a unique message frame in conjunction with repeated transmission and periodic receiver searching. | 12-26-2013 |
20140022505 | NEUROMUSCULAR SENSING FOR VARIABLE-OPTIC ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS - A variable-optic powered or electronic ophthalmic lens may be utilized to augment the eye's natural ability to refract light or focus. The variable-optic powered lens comprises an electronic system that includes a power source, power management circuitry, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry and lens driver circuitry. The ophthalmic lens may also comprise one or more sensors configured to detect ciliary muscle signals and adjust the optics of the lens accordingly. | 01-23-2014 |
20140240655 | ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH LID POSITION SENSOR - An eyelid position sensor system for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein. The eyelid position sensor system is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The eyelid position sensor system is utilized to determine eyelid position and use this information to control various aspects of the ophthalmic lens. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240656 | ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH PUPIL CONVERGENCE SENSOR - A pupil position and convergence detection system for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein. The pupil position and convergence detection system is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The pupil position and convergence detection system is utilized to determine pupil position and use this information to control various aspects of the ophthalmic lens. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240657 | ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH EMITTER-DETECTOR PAIR SENSOR - An emitter-detector pair sensor may be incorporated into a powered or electronic ophthalmic lens. The emitter-detector pair sensor may be configured to determine the distance from the sensor to an object in its path. Based upon this information, a system controller of the ophthalmic lens may output a signal to an actuator of the ophthalmic lens to control a variable power optic of the ophthalmic lens. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240658 | ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH MULTI-INPUT VOTING SCHEME - An electronic or powered ophthalmic lens includes one or more systems having one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. These systems may change the state of the powered ophthalmic lens. In systems having one or more sensors, a decision making process is required to substantially reduce the possibility of changing the state of the powered ophthalmic lens based upon inaccurate, incomplete or erroneous information supplied by the sensors, changing physiologic conditions , as well as noise and/or interference from internal and external sources. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240665 | ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH REAR-FACING PUPIL DIAMETER SENSOR - A rear-facing pupil diameter sensing system for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein. The rear-facing pupil diameter sensing system is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The rear-facing pupil diameter sensing system is utilized to determine pupil position and use this information to control various aspects of the ophthalmic lens. | 08-28-2014 |
20140243971 | ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH EYE GAZE SENSOR - A gaze direction tracking system for an ophthalmic lens comprising an electronic system is described herein. The gaze direction tracking system is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system includes one or more batteries or other power sources, power management circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms and circuitry, and lens driver circuitry. The gaze direction tracking system is utilized to determine pupil position and use this information to control various aspects of the ophthalmic lens. | 08-28-2014 |
20140320799 | BLINK DETECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC OPHTHALMIC LENS - An ophthalmic lens assembly comprising an electronic system with a controller configured to implement a blink detection algorithm is described herein. The electronic system can also include one or more power sources, circuitry, one or more sensors, clock generation circuitry, control algorithms, and lens driver circuitry. The algorithm can be used to sample, at a predetermined rate, light incident on an eye of an individual and at least temporarily save collected samples, determine when an eyelid is open or closed, determine a time period and pulse width of the blinks from the collected samples, calculate a number of blinks and the duration of the blinks in a given time period, and compare the number of blinks, the durations of the blinks in the given time period, and the time between blinks in the given time period to a stored set of samples to determine blinking patterns. | 10-30-2014 |
20150015843 | ENERGIZABLE OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH A SMARTPHONE EVENT INDICATOR MECHANISM - The present invention is directed to an energizable ophthalmic lens with a smartphone event indicator, wherein the ophthalmic lens may wirelessly receive smartphone event data from a smartphone. The energizable ophthalmic lens may comprise energizable components encapsulated by the soft biocompatible portion or may comprise a media insert that may encapsulate the components. The media insert may be included in ophthalmic lens. The ophthalmic lens may include a verification mechanism, wherein a pairing with a specified smartphone may limit wireless communication to communication between the two specified devices. The receipt of smartphone event data may activate an indicator in the ophthalmic lens. The ophthalmic lens may allow for user response to the notification of the smartphone event. The response may trigger an internal action within the ophthalmic lens, or the ophthalmic lens may transmit response data to the smartphone, triggering an action in the smartphone. | 01-15-2015 |
20150017918 | METHODS OF USING AND SMARTPHONE EVENT NOTIFICATION UTILIZING AN ENERGIZABLE OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH A SMARTPHONE EVENT INDICATOR MECHANISM - The present invention provides methods of notifying a user of a smartphone event through use of an energizable ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the smartphone may be paired with a specified ophthalmic lens, wherein the pairing may limit wireless communication to communication between the two specified devices. The smartphone may transmit smartphone event data, which may activate an indicator in the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, the user may respond to the notification of the smartphone event. The response may trigger an internal action within the ophthalmic lens, or the response may be transmitted to the smartphone, triggering an action in the smartphone. The present invention further describes a method of using an ophthalmic lens with a smartphone event indicator, including methods of pairing an ophthalmic lens with the specified smartphone. | 01-15-2015 |
20150061990 | OPHTHALMIC LENS SYSTEM CAPABLE OF INTERFACING WITH AN EXTERNAL DEVICE - The present invention provides an energizable ophthalmic lens system capable of wirelessly interfacing with an external device. The energizable ophthalmic lens system may dynamically interact with a specified external device, wherein a user may operate one or more functionalities within the external device through the energizable ophthalmic lens system. The external device may be able to recognize eye gestures, which may comprise deliberate eye and lid movements. The external device may operate a functionality within the ophthalmic lens system, wherein the operation may be based on information received from the ophthalmic lens system. The ophthalmic lens system may comprise at least one energizable ophthalmic lens. Multiple ophthalmic lenses may be preferable where the functionality of either or both the ophthalmic lens system or the external device may occur based on relative position data or communication between lenses. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062533 | OPHTHALMIC LENS SYSTEM CAPABLE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LENSES UTILIZING A SECONDARY EXTERNAL DEVICECE - The present invention comprises an ophthalmic lens system capable of wireless communication through utilization of an external device, wherein the ophthalmic lens system comprises a first ophthalmic lens on a first eye and a second ophthalmic lens on a second eye, wherein the lenses may be configured to wirelessly communicate with each other by transmitting and receiving data through an external device. More particularly, in some embodiments, the external device may comprise electronic components with more computational power and energization capabilities than the ophthalmic lenses. | 03-05-2015 |
20150063605 | OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH MICRO-ACOUSTIC ELEMENTS - The present invention discloses an ophthalmic device with micro-acoustic electromechanical elements and associated methods. In some embodiments, the micro-acoustic electromechanical elements may be useful for the purpose of providing audible warnings and/or messages to a user. The audible warnings and/or messages can include, for example, messages transmitted wirelessly through a communication element of the ophthalmic device and/or generated within the ophthalmic device. In addition, in some embodiments the ophthalmic device can be an energized contact lens that is used both for optical correction and the transmission of sound through bone resonance to the inner ear of a user. | 03-05-2015 |
20150065824 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO FORM OPHTHALMIC DEVICES INCORPORATING FLUORESCENCE DETECTORS - Ophthalmic devices with media inserts that have fluorescence based analysis elements upon or within them may be utilized to analyze and monitor fluid for certain components. Methods and devices for active ophthalmic devices based on fluorescence based analysis elements may also be formed. More specifically, the fluorescence based analysis elements may be useful for analyzing an analyte such as glucose in a fluid sample. | 03-05-2015 |
20150065905 | OPHTHALMIC LENS WITH A NEURAL FREQUENCY DETECTION SYSTEM - The present invention relates generally to an ophthalmic device capable of monitoring neural frequencies and correlating the measured frequencies them to specific brain activity/functions. In some embodiments, profiles specific to the user of the ophthalmic device can be pre-programmed to tailor a brain activity/function profiles according to a user. Based on the determined brain activity/function from the correlation, a signal may be generated to provide feedback to the user. The signal may be transmitted to the user in one or more form. For example, the signal may be outputted to a wireless device in wireless communication with the ophthalmic device, and/or through an audible signal projected by an acoustic element, and/or a visual signal projected using a photon emitter, both which may be included in the ophthalmic device. | 03-05-2015 |
20150077659 | VARIABLE OPTIC OPHTHALMIC DEVICE INCLUDING SHAPED LIQUID CRYSTAL ELEMENTS WITH NANO-SCALED DROPLETS OF LIQUID CRYSTAL - This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer may comprise droplets that are nano-scaled. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077661 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC DEVICES INCLUDING SHAPED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER NETWORKED REGIONS OF LIQUID CRYSTAL - The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer may comprise polymer networked regions of interstitially located liquid crystal material. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077662 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC DEVICES COMPRISING DIELECTRICS AND LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMER NETWORKS - The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer may comprise polymer networked regions of interstitially located liquid crystal material. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077663 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC DEVICES INCLUDING HYBRID ALIGNMENT LAYERS AND SHAPED LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYERS - The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, an alignment layer for the liquid crystal layer may be patterned in a hybrid manner. The patterning may allow for the lowering of the minimum electrical potential required to cause a shift in orientation of liquid crystal molecules within the ophthalmic device. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, 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. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077699 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC DEVICES INCLUDING GRADIENT-INDEXED LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYERS AND SHAPED DIELECTRIC LAYERS - 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 embodiments, an alignment layer for the liquid crystal layer may be patterned in a radially dependent manner. The patterning may allow for the index of refraction of the optic device to vary in a gradient indexed or GRIN manner. At least a first layer of dielectric material that may vary in thickness at least across the optic zone of the device may aid in defining an electric field across the liquid crystal layer. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, 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. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077700 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC DEVICES INCLUDING CYCLOIDALLY ORIENTED LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYERS - 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. | 03-19-2015 |
20150081016 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OPHTHALMIC DEVICES INCLUDING CYCLOIDALLY ORIENTED LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYERS - 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. | 03-19-2015 |
20150087249 | OPHTHALMIC LENS SYSTEM CAPABLE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WITH MULTIPLE EXTERNAL DEVICES - The present invention relates to methods, apparatus, and devices associated with an ophthalmic lens system wherein the lenses may communicate with multiple external devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ophthalmic lens system that may communicate with a secondary and a tertiary device, wherein the wireless communication with the secondary and the tertiary electronic external devices may reduce power, communication, and processing requirements within the ophthalmic lenses and may broaden the range of possible functionalities of the ophthalmic lens system. | 03-26-2015 |