Systems and methods for the inspection of contact lenses

Abstract

An apparatus for inspecting lenses includes an inspection system including an open cuvette, a communicatively coupled CT measurement device, and a user interface communicatively coupled to the inspection system. According to one embodiment, the lens inspection system provides a single instrument for inspecting the quality of a lens, thereby minimizing the transference of the lens from one inspection component to another.

Description

Background technique [0001] In recent decades, contact lenses have become the preferred alternative to other methods of vision correction. Due to their increasing popularity, it has become mandatory to manufacture contact lenses on a large scale in order to meet consumer demand. Furthermore, these lenses are required to be manufactured precisely with low tolerances in order to provide proper and effective corrective lenses. [0002] Polymeric casting of axially symmetric items, such as contact lenses, can be performed by using a spin casting process. Spin casting has proven to be an efficient way to mass produce contact lenses. In this process, a controlled amount of polymerizable liquid is placed into an open form, which is then rotated about its vertical axis at a rotational velocity sufficient to generate a centrifugal force causing radially outward displacement of the polymerizable liquid. By maintaining a controlled rate of rotation, the centrifugal force induced by th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Multiple passes of the lens may actually damage or distort the lens as part of the inspection process

Thus, such traditional manual inspection systems typically result in artificially elevated rates of lens loss and waste

This increased lens loss during the inspection process is particularly troublesome in prescription laboratories that manufacture disposable prescription lenses for specific individuals

[0008] In other words, traditional inspection systems combine multiple gauges, introducing the possibility of lens damage during transfer between gauges

Additionally, the increase in lens damage generally requires the use of additional lens

Additionally, traditional systems often introduce lens drying, which potentially changes the dimensions of each lens you are measuring

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