WO2001050183A1 - Lentilles de contact colorees a apparence plus naturelle - Google Patents

Lentilles de contact colorees a apparence plus naturelle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001050183A1
WO2001050183A1 PCT/US2001/000067 US0100067W WO0150183A1 WO 2001050183 A1 WO2001050183 A1 WO 2001050183A1 US 0100067 W US0100067 W US 0100067W WO 0150183 A1 WO0150183 A1 WO 0150183A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
contact lens
accordance
colored contact
shade
pattern
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/000067
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gerardo J. Ocampo
Original Assignee
Wesley Jessen Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to US10/181,100 priority Critical patent/US6827440B2/en
Application filed by Wesley Jessen Corporation filed Critical Wesley Jessen Corporation
Priority to CA002392341A priority patent/CA2392341A1/fr
Priority to KR1020027008611A priority patent/KR20020064981A/ko
Priority to EP01901668A priority patent/EP1244933A4/fr
Priority to BR0107397-4A priority patent/BR0107397A/pt
Priority to AU27547/01A priority patent/AU2754701A/en
Priority to MXPA02006642A priority patent/MXPA02006642A/es
Priority to JP2001550480A priority patent/JP2003519407A/ja
Publication of WO2001050183A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001050183A1/fr
Priority to NO20023192A priority patent/NO20023192L/no
Priority to US10/913,811 priority patent/US7210778B2/en
Priority to US11/737,018 priority patent/US7438412B2/en
Priority to US12/233,128 priority patent/US7837323B2/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
    • G02C7/04—Contact lenses for the eyes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
    • G02C7/04—Contact lenses for the eyes
    • G02C7/046—Contact lenses having an iris pattern

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to colored contact lenses and in particular to such lenses having multiple opaque colored portions that form a pattern that can change the apparent color of the iris while imparting a very natural appearance.
  • Knapp in U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,402 which discloses a contact lens having, in its preferred embodiment, colored, opaque dots.
  • the Knapp lens provides a natural appearance with a lens that is simple and inexpensive to produce, using a simple one-color printed dot pattern.
  • the intermittent pattern of dots does not fully cover the iris, it provides a sufficient density of dots that a masking effect gives the appearance of a continuous color when viewed by an ordinary observer.
  • Knapp also discloses that the printing step may be repeated one or more- times using different patterns in different colors, since upon close examination the iris is found to contain more than one color.
  • the printed pattern need not be absolutely uniform, allowing for enhancement of the fine structure of the iris.
  • the one-color Knapp lenses currently achieving commercial success have their dots arranged in an irregular pattern to enhance the structure of the iris.
  • Various efforts have been made to improve on the Knapp lens.
  • Patent No. 5,414,477 to Jahnke discloses the application of the intermittent ink pattern in two or more portions of distinct shades of colorant to provide a more natural appearance.
  • the present invention is based on the surprising discovery that a pattern having multiple-color opaque portions can achieve a more natural appearing iris if configured properly.
  • the improvement in appearance over the one-color Knapp lenses and the multiple-color Jahnke lenses is startling.
  • the lenses of this invention are able to cause a fundamental change in the apparent color of the wearer's iris, e.g. from dark brown to light blue or green.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention is a three color lens wherein different colors overlap, more than three colors are contemplated, and lenses wherein all three (or more) of the different colors overlap are also contemplated.
  • One objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the iris section.
  • the elements of the pattern are indiscernible to the ordinary viewer and are made up of a first portion of the elements of the pattern, which is a first shade, and a second portion of the elements of the pattern, which is a second shade different from said first shade, and a third portion of the elements of the pattern, which is a third shade different from said second shade and either different or the same as the first shade.
  • Each of the three portions contain overlapping, mixing and blending elements consisting of or making up, uniform and non-uniform dots, islands of colors, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and/or streaks, in combination or separately. Further, each of the overlapping portions may or may not extend from one end of the non-opaque pupil section to the periphery of the iris section. The blending of these various portions creates a lens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of a person wearing the lens, while imparting a very natural appearance.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the iris section.
  • the elements of the pattern are indiscernible to the ordinary viewer and are made up of a first portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outermost starburst, which is a first shade, and a second portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outer starburst, which is a second shade different from said first shade, and a third portion of the elements of the pattern, or the inner starburst, which is a third shade different from said second shade and either different or the same as the first shade.
  • the outermost starburst has a greatest concentration of elements located generally outside of the outer starburst, and the outer starburst has a greatest concentration of elements located generally outside the inner starburst.
  • a first uneven border differentiates the outermost and outer starbursts, although there is overlap of the outermost and outer starbursts.
  • a second uneven border differentiates the outer and inner starbursts, although there is overlap between the outer and inner starbursts.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the iris section, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non- opaque.
  • the pattern covers at least about 25 percent of the area of the iris section. The elements of the pattern are indiscernible to the ordinary viewer.
  • a first portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outermost starburst is of a first shade
  • a second portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outer starburst is of a second shade different from said first shade
  • a third portion of the elements of the pattern, or the inner starburst is of a third shade different from said second shade and either different or the same as the first shade.
  • the outermost starburst has a greatest concentration of elements located generally outside of the outer starburst
  • the outer starburst has a greatest concentration of elements located generally outside of the inner starburst.
  • a first uneven border differentiates the outermost and outer starbursts although the outermost and outer starbursts overlap
  • a second uneven border differentiates the outer and inner starbursts although the outer and inner starbursts overlap.
  • the minimum distance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of said iris section is from about 5% to about 60% of the radial width of said iris section.
  • the maximum distance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of said iris section is from about 25% to about
  • a contact lens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of a person wearing the lens and imparting a very natural appearance is provided.
  • Another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the iris section, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non- opaque.
  • the pattern covers at least about 25 percent of the area of the iris section.
  • the elements of the pattern are indiscernible to the ordinary viewer.
  • a first portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outermost starburst is of a first shade
  • a second portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outer starburst is of a second shade different from said first shade
  • a third portion of the elements of the pattern, or the inner starburst is of a third shade different from said second shade and either different or the same as the first shade.
  • the outermost starburst has a greatest concentration of elements located generally outside of the outer starburst
  • the outer starburst has a greatest concentration of elements located generally on the outside of the inner starburst.
  • a first uneven border differentiates the outermost and outer starbursts although the outermost and outer starbursts overlap
  • a second uneven border differentiates the outer and inner starbursts although the outer and inner starbursts overlap.
  • the minimum distance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of said iris section is from about 15% to about 50% of the radial width of said iris section.
  • the maximum distance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of said iris section is from about
  • the minimum distance of the second uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 15% to about 65% of the radial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance of said second uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 60% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section.
  • Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the iris section, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque.
  • the pattern covers an effective amount of the iris section to change the apparent color of the iris.
  • the pattern is made up of multiple portions, each of which is a different shade from the other portion. These portions may or may not overlap each other at multiple points.
  • At least one of the multiple portions is a design that contains either uniform or non-uniform dots, islands of color, worms, starbursts, spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and/or streaks, or some other design that, along with the other portions, provides a lens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of the person wearing the lens, while imparting a very natural appearance.
  • Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the iris section, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque.
  • the pattern which is made up of elements, covers an effective amount of the iris section to change the apparent color of the iris.
  • the pattern is made up of multiple portions, each of which is a different shade from the other portion.
  • one of these portions is the darkest shade
  • one of these portions is the lightest shade
  • the pattern is configured so that the darkest shaded portion has the greatest concentration of elements located generally outside the other portions.
  • Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the iris section, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque.
  • the pattern which is made up of elements, covers an effective amount of the iris section to change the apparent color of the iris.
  • the pattern is made up of at least three portions, each of which is a different shade from each other portion. Each of the portions overlap the other portion at multiple points.
  • non-opaque as used herein is intended to describe a part of the lens that is uncolored or colored with translucent coloring.
  • second shade different from said first shade is intended to mean that both shades are of totally different colors, such as blue and hazel; or that both shades are the same basic color, but having different intensities such as light blue and dark blue.
  • the term "ordinary viewer” is intended to mean a person having normal 20-20 vision standing about 5 feet from a person wearing the lenses of this invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a contact lens pattern in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 illustrates a contact lens pattern indicating an outermost starburst in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 3 illustrates a contact lens pattern indicating an outer starburst in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 4 illustrates a contact lens pattern indicating an inner starburst in accordance with the present invention
  • Figures 5A-5C illustrate three contact lens patterns in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 6 illustrates a contact lens design based on the combination of Figures 5A-5C in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 7 illustrates a contact lens pattern with elements removed from the periphery of the pattern in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 8 illustrates a contact lens pattern that is not substantially continuous in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 9 illustrates three contact lens patterns, one of which is not substantially continuous in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 10 illustrates three contact lens patterns in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 11 illustrates three contact lens patterns in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 12 illustrates three contact lens patterns and the combined contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 13 illustrates three contact lens patterns and the combined contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 14 illustrates three contact lens patterns and the combined contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 15 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 16 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 17 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 18 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 19 illustrates a four-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 20 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 21 illustrates a four-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 22 illustrates a four-pattern contact lens design in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a contact lens 10 in accordance with the present invention. It has a non-opaque pupil section 20 in the center of lens, and an annular iris section 22 surrounding the pupil section. For hydrophilic lenses a peripheral section (not shown) surrounds iris section 22. A colored, opaque, intermittent pattern is located over the iris section 22, as show in Figure 1. The pattern leaves a substantial portion of the iris section within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque. The non-opaque areas of the iris section 22 appear white in Figure 1.
  • the elements of the pattern are preferably dots, and especially preferred are dots, some of which run together, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the opaque pattern or patterns can be made up of dots having regular or irregular, uniform or non-uniform shapes, for example, round, square, hexagonal, elongated, or other dot shapes.
  • the elements of the pattern may have a shape other than dots, so long as the elements are undescrinable to the ordinary viewer, cover between 10 and 30 percent, preferably about 20 percent of the iris, and leave a substantial portion of the iris section within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque.
  • the patterns that make up the portions of the iris can be islands of color or worms, corkscrews, starbursts, spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and streaks. In certain cases, a single color background is used to complement the multi-pattern design. These patterns blend with each other to provide a colored contact lens that enhances the structure of the iris of a person wearing the lens.
  • the improvement of this invention is a multiple color pattern that greatly improves the natural appearance of the wearer's iris, even over that of one and two color lenses.
  • three (or more) colored patterns are printed in three or more portions.
  • a first portion of the elements are of a first shade and generally have a greatest concentration of dots or other elements located generally on the outside of, but within, the iris section, i.e. at or near the outer perimeter of the annular iris section. This section may be referred to as the outermost starburst.
  • a preferable first outside portion pattern or outermost starburst is shown in Figure 2. Black, or some other dark color such as gray, dark-brown or dark blue, is most often used as the color of the outermost starburst.
  • a second portion (the outer starburst) of the elements are a second shade, which is different from the first shade, and has elements with a greatest concentration located generally on the inside of the outermost starburst, and generally, although not always, surrounded by the outermost starburst portion.
  • a preferable second portion or outer starburst appears in
  • the outer starburst can be many colors, for example, blue, gray, brown, light blue, turquoise, violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow or green.
  • a third portion (the inner starburst) of the elements are of a third shade, which is different from the second shade and either the same or different from the first shade. This third portion has a greatest concentration of elements located generally, but not always, on the inside of the other two portions. Generally, the greatest concentration of elements of the third portion is surrounded by the concentration of elements of the other two portions.
  • a preferable third inside portion pattern or inner starburst appears in Figure 4.
  • a preferred color for the inner starburst is hazel, but other colors to be used include yellow, yellow-green, brown, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
  • Figure 1 a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shows a combination of Figures 2, 3 and 4.
  • a first uneven border differentiates the outermost starburst and the outer starburst portions of the pattern elements, however, the elements of the outermost and outer starbursts overlap, mix and blend together, either in actuality or merely in perception, to create the desired effect.
  • a second uneven border differentiates the outer starburst and the inner starburst portions of the pattern. The elements of the outer and inner starbursts overlap, mix and blend together, either in actuality or in perception. If the patterns of Figures 2, 3 and 4 are merged to form a three color lens, the uneven edge of the pattern shown in Figure 2 will merge and overlap with the pattern shown in Figure 3 to form the first uneven border between the outermost and outer starbursts.
  • the uneven edge of the pattern shown in Figure 4 will merge and overlap with the pattern shown in Figure 3 to form the second uneven border between the outer and inner starbursts.
  • the outer starburst may contain pattern that extends further toward the periphery of the lens than the pattern of the outermost starburst. In other patterns, the outer starburst may contain pattern that extends further toward the pupil section of the lens than the pattern of the inner starburst.
  • Alternative embodiments of the present invention include minimum and maximum distances of the uneven borders from the outer perimeter of the iris section.
  • the minimum distance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 5% to about 60% of the radial width of the iris section
  • the maximum distance of the uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 25% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section
  • the minimum distance of the second uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 15% to about 75% of the radial width of the iris section
  • the maximum distance of the uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 50% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section.
  • the minimum distance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 5% to about 50% of the radial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance of the uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 45% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section, and the minimum distance of the second uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 15% to about 65% of the radial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance of the uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 60% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section.
  • the outer starburst pattern may extend to the periphery of the iris section of the contact lens, such that some elements that make up the outer starburst are outside of all of the elements that make up the outermost starburst pattern, and/or the elements that make up the outer starburst pattern extend closer to the pupil section such that some of those elements are inside all of the elements of the inner starburst pattern.
  • the inner starburst pattern creates an interdigitation configuration with either the outermost starburst pattern or the outer starburst pattern or both patterns. Further, the outermost starburst pattern may create an interdigitation configuration with the outer starburst pattern. In an interdigitation configuration, one pattern intersects another similar to the fingers on one hand placed between the fingers on the other hand in a planar fashion.
  • Another embodiment is made up of a pattern in which at least one of the portions, and preferably more than one, is made up of a pattern or design which consists of elements which are or create uniform and non- uniform dots, islands of color, worms, corkscrews, starbursts, spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and/or streaks (see the examples- in Figures 5-22). Also, a single color may be used as a background in conjunction with the multi-pattern design (see Figures 21 and 22). In these designs the portions may be the same, as in Figures 15 and 16, or different, as in Figures 19, 20 and 21.
  • the inner starburst may be a design in which radial stripes begin at the inner portion of the iris and travel in a radial direction toward the outer periphery of the iris.
  • the remaining multiple portions are made up of a plurality of elements, which may be similar in design to the foregoing portion, combine to leave a substantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque.
  • Alternative embodiments include patterns designed such that the greatest concentration of elements having the darkest color or shaded portion are located generally on the outside of the concentration of the elements of the other portions.
  • the darkest shaded portion has a greater concentration of elements generally located outside the portions with the lighter shaded portions.
  • Another embodiment places the different portions having different shades such that the darkest portion has the greatest concentration of elements generally located on the outside of the other portions, and the next darkest portion has the greatest concentration of elements generally located outside the remaining portions' elements. This design continues until the lightest shaded portion has the greatest concentration of elements generally located inside all of the other portions.
  • Another embodiment includes patterns that are not continuous or concentric.
  • these patterns which may be of the type listed above, have noticeable non-opaque areas such that when viewed without the other patterns, the non-opaque areas are clearly visible.
  • the overlapping, blending and mixing of these patterns creates a design that is able to change the apparent color of the iris, while imparting a very natural appearance.
  • Producing the opaque portions of the iris section is preferably accomplished by printing the lens three times using the known printing process of Knapp's U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,402, incorporated herein by reference, and the known printing process of Rawlings' U.S. Patent Nos.
  • a plate or cliche having depressions in the desired pattern is smeared with ink of the desired shade. Excess ink is removed by scrapping the surface of the plate with a doctor blade leaving the depression filled with ink.
  • a silicon rubber pad is pressed against the plate to pick up the ink from the depressions and then is pressed against a surface of the lens to transfer the pattern to the lens.
  • the printed pattern is then cured to render it unremovable from the lens.
  • either the anterior or posterior surfaces of the lens may be printed, but printing the anterior surface is presently preferred.
  • Preferred lenses and ink ingredients used to practice this invention are known and described in Loshaek's U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,240, incorporated herein by reference. The specific ingredients and target weights are described in detail below.
  • a lens constructured of polymer having -COOH, -OH, or -NH 2 groups is printed with ink containing binding polymer having the same functional groups, opaque coloring substance, and a diisocyanate compound.
  • First a solution of binding polymer and solvent is prepared and this solution is mixed with paste containing the coloring substance to form an ink.
  • a preferred binding polymer solutions have a viscosity of about 35,000 CPS for blue, gray, brown and black, and 50,000 CPS for green.
  • the opaque ink is printed and cured on the lens surface.
  • Ink pastes and pigments that can be utilized in the present invention can be made in a number of different ways using the ingredients and percentages (by weight) as described below in the ink color charts.
  • a hazel ink paste can be made using 63.49 percent binder solution (by weight), 30.00 percent ethyl lactate, 0.61 percent titanium dioxide, 0.06 percent PCN blue, 4.30 percent iron oxide yellow, and 1.54 percent iron oxide red. Although these colors are used for the preferred embodiments, other colors or variations of the weight percentage of ingredients may be used.
  • the charts below are merely a representative example of the possible inks and pigment levels, and is not a complete list. One of ordinary skill in the art could develop other inks and pigment levels that would provide an enhancing effect to the iris of a person wearing the contact lens.
  • colored opaque elements of the lens may be used.
  • selected portions of the iris section of a wetted hydrophilic lens may be impregnated with a solution of a first substance, such as barium chloride.
  • the lens may be immersed in a solution of a second substance, such as sulfuric acid, that forms an opaque, 0 water-insoluble precipitate with the first substance, for example barium sulfate.
  • a second substance such as sulfuric acid
  • the interstices within the pattern will be translucently colored, but still non-opaque and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the pupil section of the lens may be colored by a non-opaque tint, because such tint is not visible when the lens is against the dark pupil present in the eye of the wearer.
  • Other alternative opaquing methods include use of a laser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,647) and finely ground particles U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,523.
  • a transparent contact lens comprising at least a pupil section and an iris section surrounding the pupil section is provided. If the lens is constructed of a hydrophilic material, it also has a peripheral section surrounding iris section. For hydrophilic material, the steps described below are performed with the material in an unhydrated state. Preferred hydrophilic materials are disclosed by Loshaek in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,773, incorporated herein by reference.
  • the colored pattern may be deposited onto iris section of the lens in any manner.
  • a currently preferred method is by offset pad printing, described below in some detail.
  • a plate as (not shown) is prepared having a flat surface and circular depressions corresponding to the desired dot pattern.
  • each depression should have a diameter of approximately 0.1 mm, and a depth of approximately 0.013 mm.
  • the depressions are arranged to cover an annular shape corresponding to that of the iris section of the lens.
  • the plate may be made by a technique that is well known for making integrated analog or digital circuits. First, a pattern about 20 times as large as the desired pattern is prepared. Next, the pattern is reduced using well- known photographic techniques to a pattern of the exact desired size having the portion to be colored darker than the remaining area. A flat surface is covered by a photo resist material that becomes water insoluble when exposed to light. The photo resist material is covered with the pattern and exposed to light. The portion of the photo resist pattern is removed by washing with water and the resulting plate is etched to the required depth. Then the remainder of the photo resist material is mechanically removed.
  • Colorant comprising a pigment and binder or carrier for the pigment is deposited on the flat surface of the plate and scraped across the pattern with a doctor blade. This causes the depressions to be filled with ink while removing excess ink from flat surface.
  • the colorant may be more or less opaque depending on the degree of color change desired.
  • the opacity may be varied by modifying the proportion of pigment to binder in the colorant. A desired affect may be obtained using a highly opaque colorant or by having a somewhat less opaque colorant and covering a greater portion of the iris section surface.
  • the ink on the pad is allowed to dry slightly to improve tackiness, then pressed against the front surface of the contact lens, which deposits the ink in the desired pattern over the iris section.
  • the pad should have enough flexibility to deform to fit over the convex front surface of the lens.
  • the printing step may be repeated one or more times using different patterns in different colors, since upon close examination, the iris's of many persons are found to contain more than one color.
  • the printed pattern need not be absolutely uniform, allowing for enhancement of the fine structure of the iris.
  • the deposited pattern is treated to render it resistant to removal from the lens under exposure to the ocular fluids that the lens will encounter when placed in the eye.
  • the exact method of preventing removal depends on the material of construction of the lens and the pattern. Mere air drying or heating the lens may suffice.
  • the method for manufacturing a colored contact lens generally includes the steps of applying three portions of colorant to the surface of a transparent contact lens and rendering the colorant resistant to removal from ocular fluids.
  • the printed contact lens has a non-opaque pupil section and an iris section surrounding said pupil section with the three portions of colorant.
  • the first portion of colorant, or outermost starburst is of a first shade
  • the second portion of colorant, the outer starburst is a second shade which is different from the first shade
  • the third portion of the colorant, or the inner starburst is a third shade which is different from the second shade and may or may not be the same as the first shade.
  • the outermost starburst may be located such that the greatest concentration of elements of the outermost starburst are located generally on the outside of, but still within, the iris section, and generally on the outside of the concentration of elements of the outer starburst.
  • the greatest concentration of elements of the outer starburst is located generally on the outside of the greatest concentration of elements of the inner starburst, and a first uneven border differentiates the outermost starburst and the outer starburst, although the outermost starburst and the outer starburst potions will overlap.
  • a second uneven border differentiates the outer starburst and the inner starburst, although the outer and inner starbursts overlap.
  • the next step is pressing a first flexible pad against the first plate and subsequently pressing the first flexible pad against the surface of the lens (either side) thereby printing the first portion of the elements.
  • Th e next step involves using a second plate having depressions corresponding to the second portion or outer starburst and filling in the depressions with colorant of the second shade which is different from the first shade, preferably blue, green, gray or brown.
  • the next step is pressing the second flexible pad against a second plate and pressing the second flexible pad against the surface of the lens (either the same or the opposite surface) thereby printing the second portion of the elements.
  • the final step involves using a third plate having depressions corresponding to the third portion or inner starburst and filling the depressions with colorant of the third shade which is different from the second shade and is either the same or different from the first shade, preferably hazel. Pressing a third flexible pad against the third plate and pressing the third flexible pad against said surface of the lens (either side) thereby printing the third portion of the elements.
  • An alternative embodiment for printing the different layers on the iris section of the contact lens provides for ink-jet printing instead of pad printing of each layer. Ink-jet printing is accomplished without the need of pads or plates and can be administered at a higher resolution than pad printing, thereby providing for greater detail of each colored layer and a more natural final pattern on the iris section of the contact lens.
  • Using ink-jet printing also reduces the number of devices that make contact either with the contact lens or with other devices. For example, a silicon pad must make contact with a plate or cliche initially and then with the contact lens itself. Contact between the parts tends to wear down the parts, which will then require replacements. During the ink-jet process, the micro- nozzles do not physically make contact with the contact lens, nor with any other device. The chance of the micro-nozzle wearing out is thereby reduced.
  • the ink-jet printer is electronically controlled such that changing from one color layer to a different color layer can be done easily, by computer control.
  • each layer can be applied to the colored contact lens using an ink-jet process, thereby creating a colored contact lens capable of changing the apparent color of the wearer's iris.
  • the present invention provides lenses capable of changing the appearance of the wearer's iris, while allowing visualization of the fine structure thereof.
  • equivalent means may be substituted for those illustrated and described; and certain features may be used independently from others without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Eyeglasses (AREA)
  • Surface Treatment Of Optical Elements (AREA)
  • Optical Filters (AREA)
  • Prostheses (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des lentilles de contact (10) colorées comprenant une partie pupille (20) non opaque, une partie iris (22) qui entoure ladite partie pupille (20), et un motif coloré, opaque par intermittence constitué de plusieurs éléments situés sur la totalité de la partie iris (22) qui laisse une partie substantielle dans les interstices du motif non opaque, ledit motif recouvrant une quantité efficace de la partie iris (22) de façon à modifier la couleur apparente de l'iris. Ce motif comprend plusieurs parties, chacune des parties présentant des nuances différentes, et se recouvrant au niveau de plusieurs points, au moins l'une des parties contenant un dessin sélectionné dans le groupe constitué par des points uniformes et non uniformes, des îlots de couleur, des vrilles, des étoiles rayonnantes, des spirales, des rayons, des pointes, des striures, des bandes radiales, des zig-zags et des stries, ce qui produit une lentille (10) capable de changer la couleur apparente de l'iris d'une personne portant lesdites lentilles (10), et conférant une apparence très naturelle.
PCT/US2001/000067 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact colorees a apparence plus naturelle WO2001050183A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (12)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU27547/01A AU2754701A (en) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance
CA002392341A CA2392341A1 (fr) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact colorees a apparence plus naturelle
KR1020027008611A KR20020064981A (ko) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 보다 자연스런 홍채 외관을 부여하는 유색 콘택트렌즈
EP01901668A EP1244933A4 (fr) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact colorees a apparence plus naturelle
BR0107397-4A BR0107397A (pt) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lente de contato colorida com uma aparência mais natural
US10/181,100 US6827440B2 (en) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance
MXPA02006642A MXPA02006642A (es) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lente de contacto coloreado con una apariencia mas natural.
JP2001550480A JP2003519407A (ja) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 より自然な外観を有する色付きコンタクトレンズ
NO20023192A NO20023192L (no) 2000-01-03 2002-07-01 Farget kontaktlinse med naturlig utseende
US10/913,811 US7210778B2 (en) 2000-01-03 2004-08-06 Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance
US11/737,018 US7438412B2 (en) 2000-01-03 2007-04-18 Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance
US12/233,128 US7837323B2 (en) 2000-01-03 2008-09-18 Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17428800P 2000-01-03 2000-01-03
US60/174,288 2000-01-03

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10181100 A-371-Of-International 2001-01-02
US10/913,811 Continuation US7210778B2 (en) 2000-01-03 2004-08-06 Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001050183A1 true WO2001050183A1 (fr) 2001-07-12

Family

ID=22635606

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/000067 WO2001050183A1 (fr) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact colorees a apparence plus naturelle
PCT/US2001/000066 WO2001050182A1 (fr) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact comprenant un colorant orange
PCT/US2001/000068 WO2001050184A1 (fr) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact comprenant un colorant turquoise

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/000066 WO2001050182A1 (fr) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact comprenant un colorant orange
PCT/US2001/000068 WO2001050184A1 (fr) 2000-01-03 2001-01-02 Lentilles de contact comprenant un colorant turquoise

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (3) EP1247135A4 (fr)
JP (3) JP2003532911A (fr)
KR (3) KR20020064981A (fr)
CN (3) CN1394291A (fr)
AU (3) AU2624001A (fr)
BR (3) BR0107415A (fr)
CA (3) CA2393048A1 (fr)
MX (3) MXPA02006642A (fr)
NO (3) NO20023124L (fr)
WO (3) WO2001050183A1 (fr)

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US7431454B2 (en) * 2006-03-27 2008-10-07 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Methods for designing tinted contact lenses
US20070296917A1 (en) * 2006-06-23 2007-12-27 Bowers Jackie W Tinted contact lenses having iris patterns with enhanced depth
US9690115B2 (en) 2010-04-13 2017-06-27 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Contact lenses displaying reduced indoor glare
US8697770B2 (en) 2010-04-13 2014-04-15 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Pupil-only photochromic contact lenses displaying desirable optics and comfort
US8877103B2 (en) 2010-04-13 2014-11-04 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Process for manufacture of a thermochromic contact lens material
ES2716091T3 (es) * 2010-06-21 2019-06-10 Menicon Co Ltd Lente de contacto coloreada
WO2012013549A1 (fr) * 2010-07-29 2012-02-02 Novartis Ag Lentilles de contact colorées et leur procédé de fabrication
FR2965020B1 (fr) * 2010-09-17 2012-10-12 Poclain Hydraulics Ind Dispositif hydraulique
EP2643160A4 (fr) * 2010-11-26 2016-04-20 Lg Hausys Ltd Procédé d'application de peinture chauffante pour volant de direction et volant de direction fabriqué avec celui-ci.
KR20180096806A (ko) * 2010-12-14 2018-08-29 노파르티스 아게 컬러 콘택트 렌즈
JP2013130659A (ja) * 2011-12-20 2013-07-04 Menicon Co Ltd コンタクトレンズ及びコンタクトレンズの製造方法
KR101612743B1 (ko) * 2012-02-20 2016-04-15 가부시키가이샤 메니콘네쿠토 착색 콘택트렌즈
JP2013250350A (ja) * 2012-05-30 2013-12-12 Menicon Co Ltd コンタクトレンズ及びコンタクトレンズの製造方法
CN103513468A (zh) * 2012-06-14 2014-01-15 群康科技(深圳)有限公司 显示面板及其形成方法与显示系统
US8721073B2 (en) * 2012-07-16 2014-05-13 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Ophthalmic lens with repeating wave patterns
JP2014074866A (ja) * 2012-10-05 2014-04-24 Menicon Co Ltd コンタクトレンズ及びコンタクトレンズの製造方法
US20150248019A1 (en) * 2014-02-28 2015-09-03 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Contact lenses with apparent motion and other optical effects
JP7032618B2 (ja) * 2014-12-24 2022-03-09 株式会社メニコンネクト 動物用コンタクトレンズ
US9715129B2 (en) * 2015-04-15 2017-07-25 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Contact lens with multi-layered pattern
KR102475178B1 (ko) * 2017-04-13 2022-12-07 알콘 인코포레이티드 컬러 콘택트 렌즈 및 그 제조 방법
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Also Published As

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NO20023217L (no) 2002-08-20
MXPA02006643A (es) 2003-02-10
JP2003519407A (ja) 2003-06-17
NO20023192D0 (no) 2002-07-01
BR0107415A (pt) 2002-10-08
EP1244933A4 (fr) 2004-05-06
CA2393048A1 (fr) 2001-07-12
AU2624001A (en) 2001-07-16
EP1247136A1 (fr) 2002-10-09
AU2754801A (en) 2001-07-16
MXPA02006642A (es) 2003-02-10
KR20020064980A (ko) 2002-08-10
EP1247135A1 (fr) 2002-10-09
EP1244933A1 (fr) 2002-10-02
WO2001050184A1 (fr) 2001-07-12
NO20023124D0 (no) 2002-06-27
MXPA02006644A (es) 2003-02-10
BR0107397A (pt) 2002-10-08
KR20020064981A (ko) 2002-08-10
CN1394292A (zh) 2003-01-29
KR20020064982A (ko) 2002-08-10
CN1394290A (zh) 2003-01-29
CN1394291A (zh) 2003-01-29
CA2392320A1 (fr) 2001-07-12
CA2392341A1 (fr) 2001-07-12
JP2003532911A (ja) 2003-11-05
NO20023124L (no) 2002-08-23
NO20023192L (no) 2002-07-26
AU2754701A (en) 2001-07-16
NO20023217D0 (no) 2002-07-02
EP1247136A4 (fr) 2004-05-06
EP1247135A4 (fr) 2004-04-28
JP2003519406A (ja) 2003-06-17
WO2001050182A1 (fr) 2001-07-12
BR0107418A (pt) 2003-02-25

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