Bernoulli gripper for intraocular and contact lenses

Abstract

To provide a Bernoulli gripper for intraocular and contact lenses.SOLUTION: A Bernoulli gripper (200) for ophthalmic lenses includes a gripper body (210) with a first cavity (211) corresponding in shape to an optic zone of an ophthalmic lens (100), and a first channel (212) formed within the gripper body. The first channel penetrates the first cavity at one end of the first channel, and includes a first port in the gripper body at another end of the first channel. The first channel is enabled to supply a fluid medium from the first port to the first cavity at a first velocity such that the ophthalmic lens positioned with the optic zone in proximity to the first cavity is subject to a first pressure against the first cavity by the Bernoulli effect.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to the manufacturing and handling of medical devices, and more particularly to Bernoulli grippers for intraocular and contact lenses. [Background technology]

[0002] The human eye includes a cornea and a lens that are intended to focus light that enters the eye's pupil onto the retina. However, the eye may exhibit a variety of refractive errors that can cause light to not be properly focused on the retina, resulting in reduced vision. Ocular aberrations can range from relatively simple spherical and cylindrical errors that result in myopia, hyperopia, or regular astigmatism, to more complex refractive errors that can result in, for example, halos and starbursts in a person's field of vision.

[0003] Many interventions have been developed over the years to correct various ocular aberrations, including spectacles, contact lenses, corneal refractive surgery such as laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or corneal transplants, and intraocular lenses (IOLs). The diagnosis and specification of spherocylindrical spectacles and contact lenses for the treatment of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are also well established. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In particular, IOLs and contact lenses are small, delicate, and delicate optical components. Handling and transporting IOLs and contact lenses, such as during manufacturing, can involve various operations in which the contact lenses or IOLs are physically manipulated. The materials used in IOLs and contact lenses can be highly sensitive to physical contact. Any physical contact with a contact lens or IOL during handling and transport operations can result in damage to the lens, particularly to the surface of the lens, which is undesirable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one aspect, a Bernoulli gripper is disclosed for gripping ophthalmic lenses, such as IOLs and contact lenses. The Bernoulli gripper can include a gripper body with a first cavity whose shape corresponds to the optic of the ophthalmic lens, and a first channel formed in the gripper body, the first channel extending through the first cavity at one end of the first channel and having a first port of the gripper body at another end of the first channel. In the Bernoulli gripper, the first channel can supply a fluid medium from the first port to the first cavity at a first velocity such that an ophthalmic lens positioned with the optic proximate to the first cavity is subjected to a first pressure against the first cavity due to the Bernoulli effect.

[0006] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the Bernoulli gripper, the pressure may be sufficient to grip the ophthalmic lens in the first cavity to enable positioning of the ophthalmic lens when the gripper body is correspondingly positioned.

[0007] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the Bernoulli gripper, the first cavity may be capable of gripping the ophthalmic lens without the optic contacting the first cavity when a first pressure acts on the first cavity.

[0008] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the Bernoulli gripper, the first channel may be capable of supplying the fluid medium when the fluid medium is electrostatically charged.

[0009] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the Bernoulli gripper, the fluid medium can be air.

[0010] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the Bernoulli gripper, the ophthalmic lens can be an intraocular lens including an optic and haptics, while the Bernoulli gripper further includes a mechanical stop that restrains the haptics and prevents rotation of the ophthalmic lens. In the Bernoulli gripper, the mechanical stop can further include a second cavity correspondingly formed to receive a distal end portion of the haptic, while the Bernoulli gripper further includes a second channel formed in the gripper body, the second channel penetrating the second cavity at one end of the second channel and including a second port in the gripper body at another end of the second channel, the second port being different from the first port. In the Bernoulli gripper, the second channel can supply a fluid medium from the second port to the second cavity at a second velocity such that a haptic positioned proximate the second cavity experiences a second pressure against the second cavity due to the Bernoulli effect. In the Bernoulli gripper, the mechanical stop can further include a first vacuum port that applies negative pressure to the support when the support is restrained by the mechanical stop, while the first vacuum port is at one end of a third channel formed in the gripper body, the third channel including a third port at another end of the third channel, the third port being different from the first port.

[0011] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the Bernoulli gripper, the first channel can penetrate the first cavity at a central portion of the first cavity, while the Bernoulli gripper can further include a fourth channel formed in the gripper body, the fourth channel penetrating an edge portion of the first cavity at one end of the fourth channel and comprising a fourth port in the gripper body at another end of the fourth channel. In the Bernoulli gripper, the fourth channel can supply a fluid medium from the fourth port to an edge portion of the first cavity at a third velocity such that an ophthalmic lens positioned with its optic proximate to the first cavity is subjected to a third pressure laterally within the first cavity due to the Bernoulli effect.

[0012] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the Bernoulli gripper, the ophthalmic lens can be an intraocular lens comprising an optic and haptics, while the Bernoulli gripper further comprises a second vacuum port that applies a negative pressure to the haptics when the optic is restrained within the first cavity. In the Bernoulli gripper, the second vacuum port can be one end of a fifth channel formed in the gripper body, the fifth channel comprising a fifth port at another end of the fifth channel, the fifth port being different from the first port.

[0013] In another disclosed aspect, a method for gripping an ophthalmic lens is disclosed. The method can include disposing a gripper body proximate to the ophthalmic lens, the gripper body having a first cavity corresponding in shape to an optic of the ophthalmic lens and a first channel formed within the gripper body, the first channel extending through the first cavity at one end of the first channel and including a first port of the gripper body at another end of the first channel. The method can also include supplying a fluid medium through the first channel from the first port to the first cavity at a first velocity such that the ophthalmic lens positioned with the optic proximate to the first cavity is subjected to a first pressure against the first cavity due to the Bernoulli effect.

[0014] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the pressure may be sufficient to grip the ophthalmic lens in the first cavity to enable positioning of the ophthalmic lens when the body is correspondingly positioned, while the method may further include a step of positioning the gripper body by moving the gripper body and a step of interrupting the supply of fluid medium to the first cavity, thereby releasing the ophthalmic lens from the gripper body.

[0015] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the step of supplying the fluid medium may further include gripping the ophthalmic lens without the optical portion contacting the first cavity when the first pressure acts on the first cavity.

[0016] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the step of supplying the fluid medium can further include supplying the fluid medium through the first channel when the fluid medium is electrostatically charged.

[0017] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the fluid medium can be air.

[0018] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the ophthalmic lens may be an intraocular lens having an optical portion and a support portion, while the method may further include a step of restraining the support portion using a mechanical stop formed in the gripper body to prevent rotation of the optical lens.

[0019] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the mechanical stop can further include a second cavity correspondingly formed to receive the tip portion of the support, while the method can further include positioning the tip portion of the support proximate to the second cavity, the second cavity comprising a second channel formed in the gripper body, the second channel extending through the second cavity at one end of the second channel and comprising a second port in the gripper body at another end of the second channel, the second port being different from the first port. The method can also include supplying a fluid medium at a second velocity through the second channel from the second port to the second cavity such that the tip portion of the support positioned proximate to the second cavity is subjected to a second pressure against the second cavity due to the Bernoulli effect. The method may further include applying a negative pressure to the support from a first vacuum port included with the mechanical stop when the support is restrained by the mechanical stop, while the first vacuum port is at one end of a third channel formed in the body, the third channel having a third port at another end of the third channel, the third port being different from the first port.

[0020] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the first channel penetrates the first cavity at a central portion of the first cavity, while the method may further include the steps of positioning the optical portion adjacent to a fourth channel formed in the body, the fourth channel penetrating an edge portion of the first cavity at one end of the fourth channel and having a fourth port in the body at another end of the fourth channel, and supplying a fluid medium from the fourth port through the fourth channel to the edge portion of the first cavity at a third velocity so that the ophthalmic lens positioned with the optical portion adjacent to the first cavity and the fourth cavity is subjected to a third pressure laterally within the first cavity due to the Bernoulli effect.

[0021] In any of the disclosed embodiments of the method, the ophthalmic lens may be an intraocular lens comprising an optical portion and a support portion, while the method may further comprise the step of applying a negative pressure to the support portion at a second vacuum port when the optical portion is constrained within the first cavity, the second vacuum port being one end of a fifth channel formed in the body, the fifth channel comprising a fifth port at another end of the fifth channel, the fifth port being different from the first port.

[0022] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a contact lens and an IOL. [Figures 2A-2F] 2A-2F are diagrams of selected elements of different embodiments of Bernoulli grippers for IOLs and contact lenses. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of selected elements of a method for manipulating a Bernoulli gripper with an ophthalmic lens. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In the following description, details are provided by way of example to facilitate discussion of the disclosed subject matter, but it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments are illustrative and do not encompass all possible embodiments.

[0025] Throughout this disclosure, hyphenated forms of reference numerals refer to specific instances of elements, while non-hyphenated forms of reference numerals refer to elements generically or collectively. Thus, by way of example (not shown in the drawings), device "12-1" refers to specific instances of a class of devices that shall collectively be referred to as device "12," and both shall collectively be referred to as device "12." Like numbers in the figures and description are intended to represent like elements.

[0026] As discussed above, ophthalmic lenses, such as IOLs and contact lenses, are small, precision components that can present challenges in handling and manipulation, particularly during manufacturing, testing, and packaging, among other operations. For example, ophthalmic lenses, such as IOLs and contact lenses, can have optics as small as about 6 mm wide and masses of less than about 30 mg. In particular, handling, manipulation, transfer, or other processing operations performed using physical contact with the ophthalmic lens and certain manufacturing equipment, such as holders or grippers, can be inconvenient. For example, some IOLs have sticky surfaces and may therefore be susceptible to contact during some manufacturing steps. In another example, some operations, such as extraction, coating, or cleaning, may not be performed properly when portions of the ophthalmic lens are in contact with manufacturing equipment and are not freely exposed or are partially covered. Furthermore, some manufacturing operations, such as drying an ophthalmic lens after extraction or releasing a statically charged ophthalmic lens, can be adversely affected by contact of the lens with manufacturing equipment, potentially resulting in undesirable damage to the lens.

[0027] As described in further detail herein, a Bernoulli gripper for IOLs and contact lenses is disclosed. The Bernoulli gripper for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can grip a lens without contact. The Bernoulli gripper for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can be used to hold, transport, and release sticky and otherwise delicate lenses, such as during various manufacturing operations. The Bernoulli gripper for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can prevent damage to the lens during handling, positioning, or other manufacturing operations such as coating and drying. The Bernoulli gripper for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can be used to isolate and restrain a lens for aligning or precisely positioning the lens, including rotational, lateral, azimuthal, and axial alignment.

[0028] The Bernoulli grippers for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can be used during extraction or coating operations to leave desired surfaces of the lens exposed to facilitate improvement of the particular operation being performed. The Bernoulli grippers for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can avoid damage to the lens during manufacturing, such as surface scratches that may occur due to adhesion to the gripper or carrier. The Bernoulli grippers for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can be used in drying operations on lenses, where the extraction medium evaporates from the surface of the lens, causing the lens to shrink and potentially adhere to the gripper or carrier surface, which is avoided by the non-contact action of the Bernoulli gripper. The Bernoulli grippers for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can be used to improve the uniformity of drying operations for lenses by leaving the lens surface exposed. The Bernoulli grippers for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can be used to discharge or neutralize electrostatically charged lenses, which may be difficult to release from a gripper or carrier due to electrostatic attraction. The Bernoulli grippers for IOLs and contact lenses disclosed herein can be used with fluid media that include ionized air, which neutralizes any static charge on the lens.

[0029] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an exemplary diagram of a contact lens 100 and an IOL 101. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for illustrative purposes and is not drawn to precise scale or perspective.

[0030] In FIG. 1 , contact lens 100 can represent any type of contact lens used for vision correction. For example, contact lens 100 can be a soft contact lens, such as a hydrogel lens or a silicone hydrogel lens, among others. Contact lens 100 can be a hard gas-permeable lens, such as a silicone acrylate lens or a fluorosilicone acrylate lens, among others. In some cases, contact lens 100 can be a hybrid lens, such as having a central hard gas-permeable optic and a peripheral portion formed from soft contact lens material. The diameter of contact lens 100 can be selected to correspond to a patient's biometric dimensions, such as the diameter of the cornea. In some embodiments, contact lens 100 can be manufactured using a dual-surface molding (DSM) process. Contact lens 100 can have a specific shape and thickness to achieve desired optical properties. The outer shape or contour of contact lens 100 allows contact lens 100 to be used with the Bernoulli grippers described herein.

[0031] Also in FIG. 1 , IOL 101 can represent any type of IOL used in ophthalmology. As shown, IOL 101 includes an optic 110 and two haptics 112-1, 112-2, which are shown in an exemplary configuration for purposes of illustration. In various embodiments, IOL 101 can include different types and numbers of haptics 112. The materials used for optic 110 and haptics 112 can vary. For example, IOL 101 can be a non-folding rigid IOL, such as having an optic 110 comprising a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) lens. In some embodiments, IOL 101 can be a soft IOL, in which optic 110 can be composed of various materials, such as silicone, hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic, hydrogel, collamer, or combinations thereof. In the IOL 101, the haptics 112 may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as polypropylene, PMMA, hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic, silicone, or combinations thereof. The outer shape or contour of the IOL 101 allows the IOL 101 to be used with the Bernoulli grippers described herein.

[0032] 2A, a diagram of a Bernoulli gripper 200 is shown. The Bernoulli gripper 200 is shown holding a contact lens 100 in a gripping position. For clarity of explanation, the Bernoulli gripper 200 is shown and referred to below as holding a contact lens 100; however, as described herein, the Bernoulli gripper 200 is capable of gripping and releasing a variety of different types of lenses. The Bernoulli gripper 200 is comprised of a gripper body 210 having a gripper cavity 211 formed therein. The gripper cavity 211 can have different shapes in different embodiments to grip a particular lens or type of lens. For example, in other embodiments, the gripper cavity 211 can have different shapes and can be a protrusion, such as a convex protrusion (not shown), for gripping different types of lenses, such as gripping a contact lens 100 on a concave surface. Bernoulli gripper 200 also includes a fluid line 212 fluidly coupled to and extending through gripper cavity 211. Fluid line 212 can be supplied with a fluid medium, such as flowing air, for example, at a port formed in gripper body 210 that receives a corresponding receptacle.

[0033] The Bernoulli gripper 200 and other Bernoulli grippers disclosed herein can operate using the Bernoulli effect, which is based on the fact that high-velocity fluid streams have low static pressure. With careful design, the pressure in the high-velocity fluid stream can be made lower than atmospheric pressure. When an object is placed against a high-velocity fluid stream, the difference between atmospheric pressure on one side of the object and the reduced pressure from the high-velocity fluid stream on the other side of the object can result in a net pressure acting on the object in a direction toward the high-velocity fluid stream, known as the Bernoulli effect.

[0034] Bernoulli grippers utilize the Bernoulli effect by maintaining a reduced pressure at the gripper face compared to ambient pressure while maintaining an air gap between the gripper face and the object being held. In this way, lenses can be held, stored, and handled without any physical contact or with only sporadic or incidental contact. To maintain the reduced pressure, the lens is subjected to a unidirectional flow of a fluid medium (e.g., air) through the Bernoulli gripper, particularly using a fluid line. The gripper is positioned in close proximity to the lens (e.g., by positioning the gripper body) and correspondingly contours to the shape of the lens on the flow side. The fluid medium flows through the fluid line and exits the gripper face at high velocity along a path between the flow-side surface of the lens and the surface of the gripper face. In contrast, on the outside of the lens not facing the gripper, no discernible medium flow occurs and atmospheric pressure is observed. A pressure drop is created at the flow-side surface of the lens according to the Bernoulli effect. Through atmospheric pressure acting on the outside of the lens, a net pressure acts on the lens in the direction of the flowing fluid, thereby holding the lens in place against the gripper surface, resulting in a contactless grip of the lens.

[0035] In operation of the Bernoulli gripper 200, the gripper cavity 211 (i.e., gripper face) formed in the gripper body 210 holds the contact lens 100 in place while pressurized air is supplied through the fluid line 212 in a direction towards the gripper cavity 211 to generate pressure to grip the contact lens 100. When the flow of pressurized air through the fluid line 212 passing through the gripper body 210 at the gripper cavity 211 is interrupted, the pressure on the contact lens 100 is relieved and the contact lens 100 is released and no longer held in place within the gripper cavity 211. Thus, gripping and release control of the Bernoulli gripper 200 can be achieved by switching the pressurized air flow on and off. In operation, the Bernoulli gripper 200 can be implemented in specialized equipment, such as a pick-and-place robot, which can align or precisely position the contact lens 100, such as rotationally, laterally, azimuthal and axially aligning or positioning, by correspondingly moving the Bernoulli gripper 200 when gripping the contact lens 100.

[0036] FIG. 2B shows a diagram of Bernoulli gripper 201, which is shown holding IOL 101 in a gripping position. For clarity of explanation, Bernoulli gripper 201 is shown and referred to below as holding IOL 101, however, Bernoulli gripper 201 is capable of gripping and releasing a variety of different types of lenses, as described herein. Bernoulli gripper 201 is comprised of gripper body 214 having gripper cavity 211 formed therein and can operate substantially similarly to that described above for Bernoulli gripper 200 in FIG. 2A. Additionally, Bernoulli gripper 201 is shown to include mechanical stop 216, which is a mechanical protrusion in gripper body 214 at or adjacent to gripper cavity 211. The mechanical stops 216 can provide a mechanical constraint to the haptics 112 to prevent or control rotation of the IOL 101 when gripped by the Bernoulli grippers 201. In some embodiments, the mechanical stops 216 can further prevent radial slippage of the IOL 101, thereby maintaining lateral alignment of the IOL 101 within the gripper cavity 211. For example, if the IOL 101 does not include haptics, the IOL 101 can rotate while maintaining lateral alignment via the mechanical stops 216. Incidental contact between the mechanical stops 216 and the edges of the haptics 112 can be tolerable for various industrial operations and is not likely to adversely affect the IOL 201 when gripped by the Bernoulli grippers 201. Thus, the mechanical stops 216 can be dimensioned, for example, with a length corresponding to the thickness of the haptics 112. Although four mechanical stops 216 are shown in FIG. 2B, it will be understood that fewer or more mechanical stops may be implemented in various designs of the Bernoulli gripper 201.

[0037] FIG. 2C illustrates a diagram of a Bernoulli gripper 202. The Bernoulli gripper 202 is shown holding an IOL 101 in a gripping position. For clarity of explanation, the Bernoulli gripper 202 is shown and referred to below as holding an IOL 101; however, the Bernoulli gripper 202 is capable of gripping and releasing a variety of different types of lenses, particularly a variety of different types of IOLs 101 with different types of haptics 112, as described herein. The Bernoulli gripper 202 is comprised of a gripper body 218 having a gripper cavity 211 formed therein and can operate substantially similarly to that described above for the Bernoulli gripper 200 in FIG. 2A. Additionally, the Bernoulli gripper 202 is shown to include two mechanical stops 220 formed as two arms that protrude from the gripper body 218 and correspond to the haptics 112 of the IOL 101. Specifically, the shape and position of the mechanical stops 220 can be designed to mate with the shape and length of the haptics 112. In operation, as shown in FIG. 2C , when the IOL 101 is gripped by the Bernoulli gripper 202, the haptics 112 on either side of the IOL 101 engage with the mechanical stops 220, respectively, to lock the IOL 101 in place and prevent it from rotating.

[0038] Additionally, Bernoulli gripper 202 is shown including a vacuum port 222 at each mechanical stop 220. Each of vacuum ports 222 can be supplied with negative pressure or vacuum through a corresponding fluid line that is independent of fluid line 212. Thus, as shown, Bernoulli gripper 202 can use one pressurized fluid line for gripping and two vacuum lines for securing haptics 112 at mechanical stops 220. The fluid lines 212 and vacuum lines for vacuum ports 222 can be supplied to respective ports formed in gripper body 218 that receive corresponding receptacles, for example. In operation, once IOL 101 is gripped by Bernoulli gripper 202 and haptics 112 on either side of IOL 101 engage their respective mechanical stops 220, vacuum or negative pressure can be turned on at vacuum ports 222 to provide an adhesive force that holds haptics 112 secured to mechanical stops 220. Thus, the vacuum port 222 can be used to improve the stability and positional accuracy of positioning the IOL using the Bernoulli gripper 202 because the mechanical stops 220 and vacuum port 222 can prevent the gripped IOL 101 from rotating and hold the IOL 101 in a fixed and defined position. Incidental contact between the mechanical stops 222 and the surfaces of the haptics 112 may be acceptable for various industrial operations and may not adversely affect the IOL 101 when gripped by the Bernoulli gripper 202. While the haptics 112 may come into contact with the mechanical stops 220, the remainder of the IOL 101, including the optic 110, may remain out of physical contact with the gripper body 218. Note that in some embodiments, the mechanical stops 220 can be used without the vacuum port 222.

[0039] FIG. 2D illustrates a diagram of Bernoulli gripper 203. Bernoulli gripper 203 is shown holding IOL 101 in a gripping position. For clarity of explanation, Bernoulli gripper 203 is shown and referred to below as holding IOL 101; however, Bernoulli gripper 203 is capable of gripping and releasing a variety of different types of lenses, particularly a variety of different types of IOLs 101 with different types of haptics 112, as described herein. Bernoulli gripper 203 is comprised of gripper body 218 having gripper cavity 211 formed therein and can operate substantially similarly as described above for Bernoulli gripper 200 in FIG. 2A. Additionally, Bernoulli gripper 203 is shown including two vacuum ports 222 on each side of gripper body 218, corresponding to the locations of haptics 112. Each of vacuum ports 222 can be supplied with negative pressure or vacuum through a corresponding fluid line that is independent of fluid line 212. Thus, as shown, the Bernoulli gripper 203 can use one pressurized fluid line for gripping and two vacuum lines for securing the haptics 112 at the vacuum ports 222. The fluid line 212 and the vacuum lines for the vacuum ports 222 can be provided, for example, to respective ports formed in the gripper body 218 that receive corresponding receptacles. In operation, when the IOL 101 is gripped by the Bernoulli gripper 203, the haptics 112 on either side of the IOL 101 are subjected to a vacuum or negative pressure that can be turned on at the vacuum ports 222 to provide an adhesive force that holds the haptics 112 fixed at the vacuum ports 222. The vacuum ports 222 can therefore be used to improve the stability and positional accuracy of positioning the IOL using the Bernoulli gripper 203 because they can prevent the gripped IOL 101 from rotating and can hold the IOL 101 in a fixed and defined position.Incidental contact between vacuum port 222 and the surfaces of haptics 112 may be acceptable for various industrial operations and may not adversely affect IOL 101 when gripped by Bernoulli gripper 203. While haptics 112 may come into contact with vacuum port 222, the remainder of IOL 101, including optic 110, may remain out of physical contact with gripper body 218.

[0040] 2E and 2F show views of Bernoulli gripper 204. Bernoulli gripper 204 is shown in two views: without an IOL ( FIG. 2F ) and holding IOL 101 in a gripping position ( FIG. 2E ). For clarity of explanation, Bernoulli gripper 204 is shown and referred to below as holding IOL 101, but Bernoulli gripper 204 is capable of gripping and releasing a variety of different types of lenses, particularly a variety of different types of IOLs 101 with different types of haptics 112, as described herein. Bernoulli gripper 204 is comprised of gripper body 230 having main gripper cavity 211 and two haptic cavities 235-1 and 235-2 formed therein, and can operate substantially similarly to that described above for Bernoulli gripper 200 in FIG. 2A .

[0041] In the Bernoulli gripper 204, the primary gripper cavity 211 can thus be used to grip the IOL 101 by the optic 110 using the Bernoulli effect, as described above, within which a fluid medium (e.g., air) is supplied by a fluid line 232 to a central opening that passes through the primary gripper cavity 211. The primary gripper cavity 211 and the fluid line 232 are thus operable to provide a first pressure to the IOL 101 that is perpendicular to the primary gripper cavity 211. Furthermore, the primary gripper cavity 211 can be provided with further fluid lines 238 that are formed at the periphery of the primary gripper cavity 211 at positions that correspond to the lateral edges of the IOL 101 when the IOL 101 is gripped by the gripper body 230. Additional fluid lines 238 can be used to provide additional flows of fluid medium that exert lateral pressure on the IOL 101 to facilitate centering or alignment of the IOL 101 within the primary gripper cavity 211. Specifically, as the fluid medium leaves the peripheral ports of the fluid lines 238, a pressure drop is created between the lateral edges of the IOL 101 and the lateral edges of the primary gripper cavity 211, forcing the IOL 101 laterally against the lateral edges of the primary gripper cavity 211. As the fluid lines 238 on different sides of the primary gripper cavity 211 receive a flow of fluid medium, the lateral forces counteract each other and help maintain the IOL 101 in a centered position when the respective flow rates in the fluid lines 238 are adjusted for symmetrical movement. In this manner, the IOL 101 can be prevented from contacting the primary gripper cavity 211 at the lateral edges of the IOL 101.

[0042] Additionally, in Bernoulli gripper 204, haptic cavities 235-1 and 235-2 can each receive a distal portion of haptics 112 of IOL 101. Accordingly, haptic cavities 235-1 and 235-2 can be shaped and sized to correspond to the distal portions of haptics 112. Haptic cavities 235-1 and 235-2 can also include haptic fluid lines 234 to provide a Bernoulli grip of the distal portions of haptics 112. For example, each haptic cavity 235 can include one or more fluid lines 234 that are independent of fluid line 232. 2E , the support fluid lines 234-1 and 234-2 can similarly act relative to the support 112 by using the Bernoulli effect to generate pressure at the support 112 that is perpendicular to the gripper body 230 and holds each respective support 112 in place within the support cavity 235-1 and 235-2 as the fluid line 232 acts relative to the optic 110. For example, the fluid lines 232, 234-1, 234-2, and 238 can be provided to respective ports formed in the gripper body 230 that receive corresponding receptacles. It should be noted that the flow rates of fluid media in the fluid lines 232, 234-1, 234-2, and 238 can be independently controlled and manipulated and correspondingly used to provide different levels of pressure as required.

[0043] As shown in the above example of a Bernoulli gripper, various different types of ophthalmic lenses, including various IOLs and contact lenses, can be gripped substantially contactlessly. Gripping and holding contact lenses or IOLs generally presents a technical challenge because such lenses have highly sensitive surfaces that, if damaged, can render the lenses unusable. Contactless gripping using the Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein can avoid damage to the lens surface. Gripping using the Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein can be performed to position, transport, or store or hold fixed lenses for industrial processes. When lenses have sticky or adhesive surfaces that are sensitive to contact during a manufacturing process, the Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein can be advantageously used to guide the lens from one process station to another, accurately set the lens down, and release the lens without damage, such as in a pick-and-place process operation that is repeated every 5-10 seconds or longer.

[0044] The Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein can also hold a lens in a medium during an extraction or coating process without obscuring or blocking surface portions of the lens. At the same time, the lens can be washed by the medium without any localized blocking, which is advantageous for the exchange of molecules between the medium and the lens, for example, for cleaning, drying, or degassing operations, which are performed substantially contactlessly. Specifically, during IOL manufacturing, surface damage can occur when contact carriers are used to hold IOLs. The Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein is advantageously used to dry contact lenses and IOLs substantially contactlessly, thereby avoiding any issues of possible surface damage from unwanted contact with the carrier. Meanwhile, the contactless drying enabled by the Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein prevents sticking and damage to the lens. Furthermore, in contrast to gripping a lens using a contact gripper, the Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein allows the lens to be freely exposed to air, resulting in a more uniform drying operation.

[0045] Furthermore, the appearance of electrostatic charges can make gripping and placement of lenses using conventional vacuum grippers difficult, such as in the manufacture of contact lenses by a double-sided molding (DSM) process. Here, due to the minimal gripper clearance, the static attractive force can be very large, potentially resulting in the lens sticking during subsequent placement. The Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein can also be used to hold electrostatically charged lenses that are difficult or impossible to release from conventional grippers due to their charge state. For example, by using ionized air as a fluid medium in a Bernoulli gripper, the lens surface can be simultaneously discharged with ions for further process steps. Using the Bernoulli gripper disclosed herein, on the one hand, prevents direct contact between the gripper and the lens, thereby keeping the induced electrostatic force relatively small, and, on the other hand, the ionized air can be used to neutralize the lens, making it easier to handle for further process steps. Using ionized air as a fluid medium allows the lens surface to be electrostatically neutralized, further improving handling and reducing the accumulation of dirt particles, which can be particularly advantageous for optical lenses.

[0046] Another specific example of an advantageous use of the Bernoulli grippers disclosed herein is the drying process during the manufacture of IOLs. After extraction, the IOL has a highly sticky surface that may be statically charged and expands from the absorbed extraction media. During drying of the IOL, non-contact gripping of the IOL using the Bernoulli grippers disclosed herein allows the IOL to shrink without contacting or adhering to the gripper surface, which is desirable to prevent damage to the IOL and to protect the IOL.

[0047] 3, a flowchart of selected elements of an embodiment of a method 300 for operating a Bernoulli gripper with an ophthalmic lens as disclosed herein. Note that some operations described in method 300 may be optional or may be rearranged in different embodiments. Method 300 may be implemented using any of the Bernoulli grippers disclosed herein.

[0048] The method 300 may begin in step 302 by placing a gripper body in proximity to an ophthalmic lens. The ophthalmic lens may be, in particular, an IOL or a contact lens. The gripper body may be positioned within less than 1 mm of the ophthalmic lens. In step 304, a fluid medium is supplied to a port in the gripper body that leads to a cavity corresponding to the ophthalmic lens. As described above, the gripper body may have a cavity formed to correspond to the surface of the gripped ophthalmic lens, which may be a concave cavity. In other cases, the gripper body may have a convex protrusion instead of a concave cavity. The fluid medium may be, for example, air or ionized air or another gas. In step 306, pressure is generated in the ophthalmic lens against the cavity via the Bernoulli effect to grip the ophthalmic lens without contact. The pressure presses the ophthalmic lens against the flowing fluid medium, so that the ophthalmic lens remains out of physical contact with the cavity and the gripper body. In step 308, the gripper body is positioned by moving the gripper body when the ophthalmic lens is gripped by the gripper body to position the ophthalmic lens. The positioning and moving in step 308 may include translation or rotation or any combination thereof. In step 310, the supply of fluid medium to the cavity is discontinued and the ophthalmic lens is released from the gripper body.

[0049] As disclosed herein, the Bernoulli gripper is specifically designed for the substantially contactless, isolated transfer of ophthalmic lenses, such as IOLs and contact lenses.

[0050] The subject matter disclosed above should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications, improvements, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and is not limited or constrained by the above detailed description.

Claims

1. 1. A Bernoulli gripper for an ophthalmic lens, comprising: a gripper body having a cavity, the cavity corresponding in shape to an optical portion of the ophthalmic lens having an optical portion and at least first and second haptics; a channel formed in the gripper body, the channel configured to provide a fluid flow for gripping the optic portion of the ophthalmic lens near a cavity; a first arm including a first mechanical stop extending from a surface of the first arm, the first mechanical stop configured to engage the first haptic of the ophthalmic lens; a second arm having a second mechanical stop extending from a surface of the second arm, the second mechanical stop configured to engage the second support portion of the ophthalmic lens.

2. A Bernoulli gripper as described in claim 1, wherein the channel is fluidly coupled to the cavity.

3. A Bernoulli gripper as described in claim 1, wherein the fluid includes air.

4. A Bernoulli gripper as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second mechanical stoppers are configured to engage with the first and second support portions of the ophthalmic lens, respectively, to position the ophthalmic lens on the gripper body.

5. A Bernoulli gripper as described in claim 4, wherein the shape and position of each of the first and second mechanical stoppers are configured to correspond to the shape of the first or second support portion, respectively.

6. A Bernoulli gripper as described in claim 4, wherein the first and second mechanical stops are configured to contact the inner surface of the first or second support portion, respectively.

7. A Bernoulli gripper as described in claim 1, wherein the ophthalmic lens is gripped by the Bernoulli gripper without the optical portion contacting the cavity.

8. A Bernoulli gripper as described in claim 7, configured to generate negative pressure on the optical part relative to the cavity.

9. A method for gripping an ophthalmic lens using the Bernoulli gripper of claim 1, comprising: positioning the gripper body adjacent the ophthalmic lens; generating a flow of fluid through the channel to generate a negative pressure against the cavity on the optic portion of the ophthalmic lens; gripping the optical portion near the cavity by the negative pressure; Engaging the first support and the second support via the first mechanical stop and the second mechanical stop to place the ophthalmic lens on the gripper body; A method comprising:

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