Color cosmetic photochromic contact lenses

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a color cosmetic photochromic contact lens including a pupil section and a generally annular iris section surrounding the pupil section, at least the pupil section being photochromic, the iris section having a colored, printed, opaque intermittent pattern, said pattern being covered by a clear ink layer, the clear ink layer being on the outer surface of the lens to the viewer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a color cosmetic photochromic contact lens comprising a pupil section and a substantially annular iris section surrounding the pupil section, wherein at least the pupil section is photochromic, and the iris section has a colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern, the pattern covered by a clear ink layer, the clear ink layer being on the outer surface of the lens to the observer. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a cosmetic photochromic contact lens. [Background technology]

[0002] More recently, efforts have been made towards photochromic contact lenses that can be worn daily and rapidly transition between colored and uncolored states by utilizing photochromic dyes that can absorb light in a specific wavelength range. In some examples, the dye is distributed in the lens, which can exhibit photochromism, within the polymer material constituting the contact lens, preferably having a single layer that can absorb light. However, with photochromic contact lenses, while the lens is in the activated state, the entire lens darkens across the pupil and iris, creating an undesirable appearance for the wearer.

[0003] Therefore, photochromic contact lenses need to be improved. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In one embodiment, the present invention includes a pupil section and a substantially annular iris section surrounding the pupil section, wherein at least the pupil section is photochromic, and the iris section has a colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern, the pattern being covered by a clear ink layer, the clear ink layer being on the outer surface of the lens to the observer, the pattern comprising: a) an annular pattern of color having a first shade, the annular pattern being composed of opaque colored dots, the annular pattern having a substantially flat outer periphery and a substantially flat inner periphery, the outer periphery having a diameter of about 13.5 mm to about 12.5 mm, and the inner periphery having a diameter of about 5 mm to about 7 mm, and at least one other colored pattern extending over a portion of the iris section, selected from the group of patterns consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern and an inner star pattern, wherein the outermost star pattern is composed of dots of a second shade The present invention provides a cosmetic photochromic contact lens that includes a colored pattern, the outer star pattern containing dots of a third shade, and the inner star pattern containing dots of a fourth shade, where all four shades are the same or different from each other, and the size of the colored dots in the annular colored pattern and / or the amount of space between the colored dots is radially controlled and varied such that the local colored dot coverage increases radially from the inner circumference of the annular iris section to the outer circumference of the annular iris section, and the annular colored pattern is large enough to cover a large portion or all of the iris of the eye to change or accentuate the eye color, and the combination of substantially annular colored patterns and other colored patterns provides a cosmetic photochromic contact lens that, while the photochromic lens is activated, hides or reduces an abnormal appearance to the viewer by creating a mixed appearance of dark and a colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern in the iris section.

[0005] In another respect, the present invention is a method for manufacturing color contact lenses for correcting color blindness, (a) A step to provide a mold including a first mold half having a first molding surface defining the front surface of a contact lens and a second mold half having a second molding surface defining the rear surface of a contact lens, wherein the first and second mold halves are configured to receive each other so that a contact lens forming cavity is formed between the first and second molding surfaces; (b) A step of applying a clear ink layer to at least one molding surface of a lens mold to cover at least the iris portion of the mold surface; (c) A step of curing the clear ink layer at least partially with UV / visible light; (d) A step of applying at least one ink layer having a cosmetic pattern selected from the group consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern, and an inner star pattern to at least one of the mold surfaces by using a pad transfer or inkjet printing technique, wherein each of the parts overlaps with each other at multiple points; (e) A step of applying an annular coloring pattern to at least one of the mold surfaces by using a pad transfer or inkjet printing technique, wherein the annular pattern consists of opaque colored dots, and the size of the dots and / or the amount of space between the dots of the annular coloring pattern is radially controlled and varied such that the local colored dot coverage increases radially from the inner circumference of the annular iris section to the outer circumference of the annular iris section; (f) A step of curing the colored pattern ink layer at least partially with UV / visible light; (g) After step (g), a step of applying a second clear ink layer to at least one of the molded surfaces by using a pad transfer or inkjet printing technique to cover at least one central portion of the mold surface; (h) A step of partially or completely curing the ink layer printed on the mold to convert the ink layer coating into a film; (j) A step of distributing a lens-forming material containing photochromate into a lens-forming cavity; (k) A step of curing a lens forming material in a lens forming cavity to form a color contact lens, wherein the film peels off from the molded surface and integrates with the body of the contact lens, and the film becomes part of one of the front and back surfaces of the color cosmetic photochromic contact lens. Regarding methods including

[0006] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the present invention can be carried out without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a conventional contact lens. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an annular colored pattern, which is an annular ring pattern of the gradient dot matrix according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the "outermost star-side pattern" according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the "outer star pattern" according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the "inner star pattern" according to the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 schematically shows, as an example, a ring section with evenly spaced circular voids. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the AO Colors Amethyst lens superimposed on the photochromic lens immediately after UV exposure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, a feature shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention will be disclosed in or apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is merely a description of exemplary embodiments, and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present invention.

[0009] Unless otherwise specifically defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. In general, the nomenclature used herein and the experimental procedures are well known and commonly used in the art. Conventional methods, such as those provided in the art and various general references, are used for these procedures. Where a term is given in the singular, the inventors also contemplate the plural of the term. The nomenclature used herein and the laboratory procedures described below are those well known and generally employed in the art.

[0010] The term "contact lens" refers to an object that can be placed on or in a wearer's eye. A contact lens can correct, improve or alter the user's vision, but it is not required to do so. The contact lens may be made of any suitable material known in the art or developed later, and may be a soft lens, a hard lens or a hybrid lens. A contact lens may be colored before any colored pattern is printed thereon. The contact lens may be in a dry state or a wet state. The "dry state" refers to the state of a soft lens before hydration, or the state of a hard lens under storage or use conditions. The "wet state" refers to a soft lens in a hydrated state.

[0011] As used herein, the "front surface or anterior surface" of a contact lens refers to the surface of the lens that faces outward away from the eye during wear. The front surface, which is typically substantially convex, may also be referred to as the front curve of the lens.

[0012] As used herein, the "rear surface or posterior surface" of a contact lens refers to the surface of the lens that faces toward the eye during wear. The rear surface, which is typically substantially concave, may also be referred to as the base curve of the lens.

[0013] A "colored contact lens" refers to a contact lens (hard or soft) having a color image printed thereon. The color image may be a cosmetic pattern, for example an iris-like pattern, a Wild Eye TM pattern, a made-to-order (MTO) pattern, or the like; an inversion mark that allows a user to easily handle and insert the contact lens; a toric rotation mark, or a contact lens stock keeping unit (SKU), for example in the form of a numeral or a barcode. The color image may be a monochromatic image or a multicolor image. The color image is preferably a digital image, but may also be an analog image.

[0014] The term "eye color" refers to the color of the iris.

[0015] The term "ordinary observer" is intended to mean a person with a normal 20 / 20 version standing about 5 feet away from a person wearing the lens of the present invention.

[0016] As used herein, the term "non-opaque" is intended to refer to a part of a lens that is transparent or translucent, colorless, or tinted with a transparent or translucent color.

[0017] "Colored coating" refers to a coating on an object that has a color image printed on it.

[0018] "Colorant" means one or more dyes, one or more pigments, or mixtures thereof, used to print a pattern of colored elements onto a contact lens.

[0019] A "dye" refers to a substance that is soluble in a solvent and used to impart color. Dyes are typically transparent or translucent and absorb light but do not scatter it. Dyes can cover both the optical and non-optical areas of a contact lens.

[0020] A "pigment" refers to a powdered substance that is suspended in a liquid in which it is insoluble. Pigments are used to impart color. Pigments are generally more opaque than dyes.

[0021] As used herein, the term “conventional or non-pearlescent pigment” refers to any absorbing pigment that imparts color based on the optical principle of diffuse scattering, and whose color is independent of its surface shape. Any suitable non-pearlescent pigment can be used, but currently, it is preferable that non-pearlescent pigments are heat-resistant, non-toxic, and insoluble in aqueous solutions. Examples of preferred non-pearlescent pigments include any colorants that are permitted in medical devices and approved by the FDA, such as D&C Blue No. 6, D&C Green No. 6, D&C Violet No. 2, carbazole violet, certain copper complexes, certain chromium oxides, various iron oxides, phthalocyanine green, phthalocyanine blue, and titanium dioxide. For a list of colorants that may be used in this invention, see the Marmiom DM Handbook of US Colorants. More preferred embodiments of non-pearlescent pigments include, but are not limited to, phthalocyanine blue (pigment blue 15:3, CI 74160), cobalt blue (pigment blue 36, CI 77343), toner cyan BG (Clariant), and permajet blue B2G (Clariant) for blue; phthalocyanine green (pigment green 7, CI 74260) and sesquichromium oxide for green; various iron oxides, PR122, and PY154 for yellow, red, brown, and black; carbazole violet for purple; and monolith black CK (CIBA Specialty Chemicals) for black (CI is the color index number).

[0022] As used herein, “rough, jagged, or irregular boundary or periphery” means a boundary or periphery that is located at a radial distance (i.e., from the lens center) that differs from each other by at least about 10%. As used herein, “substantially flat boundary or periphery” means a boundary or periphery that is located at a substantially constant radial distance (i.e., from the lens center) that differs from each other by less than 10%.

[0023] "Hydrogel" refers to a cross-linked polymer with an equilibrium water content of approximately 10-90 percent.

[0024] "Lens-forming material" refers to a polymerizable composition that can be cured (i.e., polymerized and / or crosslinked) thermally or chemically (i.e., by chemical rays) to obtain a crosslinked polymer. Examples of chemical rays include UV irradiation, ionizing radiation (e.g., gamma rays or X-ray irradiation), and microwave irradiation. Thermal curing or chemical ray curing methods are well known to those skilled in the art. Lens-forming materials are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0025] The terms “ethylenically unsaturated group” or “olefinically unsaturated group” are used herein in a broad sense and are intended to encompass any group containing at least one >C=C< group. Examples of ethylenically unsaturated groups include, but are not limited to, acryloyl, methacryloyl, allyl, vinyl, styrenyl, or other C=C-containing groups.

[0026] "HEMA-based hydrogels" refer to hydrogels obtained by copolymerization of polymerizable compositions containing hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA).

[0027] "Silicone hydrogel" refers to a hydrogel obtained by copolymerization of a polymerizable composition containing at least one silicone-containing monomer or at least one silicone-containing macromer.

[0028] As used herein, "hydrophilic" refers to a material or part thereof that associates more readily with water than with lipids.

[0029] "Prepolymer" refers to a starting polymer that can be cured (e.g., crosslinked and / or polymerized) chemically, thermally, or chemically in order to obtain a crosslinked and / or polymerized polymer having a much larger molecular weight than the starting polymer. "Crosslinkable prepolymer" refers to a starting polymer that can be crosslinked chemically to obtain a crosslinked polymer having a much larger molecular weight than the starting polymer.

[0030] A "monomer" refers to a low molecular weight compound that can be polymerized. Low molecular weight typically means an average molecular weight of less than 700 daltons.

[0031] As used herein, "vinyl monomer" refers to a low molecular weight compound having an ethylenically unsaturated group and capable of being polymerized linearly or thermally. Low molecular weight typically means an average molecular weight of less than 700 daltons.

[0032] When used herein, "hydrophilic vinyl monomer" refers to a vinyl monomer that, as a homopolymer, typically produces a polymer that is water-soluble or capable of absorbing at least 10 weight percent of water. Suitable hydrophilic monomers, though not a comprehensive list, include hydroxyl-substituted lower alkyl (C1-C8) acrylates and methacrylates, acrylamides, methacrylamides, (lower allyl)acrylamides and methacrylamides, ethoxylated acrylates and methacrylates, hydroxyl-substituted (lower alkyl) acrylamides and methacrylamides, hydroxyl-substituted lower alkyl vinyl ethers, sodium vinylsulfonate, sodium styrenesulfonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, N-vinylpyrrole, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-vinyloxazoline, 2-vinyl-4,4'-dialkyloxazoline-5-one, 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, vinyl unsaturated carboxylic acids having a total of 3-5 carbon atoms, amino(lower alkyl) (where the term "amino" also includes quaternary ammonium), mono(lower alkylamino)(lower alkyl) and di(lower alkylamino)(lower alkyl) acrylates and methacrylates, allyl alcohols, and the like.

[0033] When used herein, "hydrophobic vinyl monomer" refers to a vinyl monomer that, as a homopolymer, typically produces a polymer that is either water-insoluble or capable of absorbing less than 10% by weight of water.

[0034] "Macromer" refers to a medium- and high-molecular-weight compound or polymer containing functional groups that can undergo further polymerization / crosslinking reactions. Medium- and high-molecular-weight typically mean an average molecular weight greater than 700 daltons. Preferably, macromers contain ethylenically unsaturated groups and can be polymerized linearly or thermally.

[0035] A "polymer" refers to a material formed by polymerizing / crosslinking one or more monomers.

[0036] A "photoinitiator" refers to a chemical substance that initiates a radical crosslinking / polymerization reaction upon the use of light. Suitable photoinitiators include, but are not limited to, benzoin methyl ether, diethoxyacetophenone, benzoylphosphine oxide, 1-hydroxycyclohexylphenyl ketone, Darocure® type, and Irgacure® type, preferably Darocure® 1173 and Irgacure® 2959.

[0037] A "thermal initiator" refers to a chemical substance that initiates a radical crosslinking / polymerization reaction using thermal energy. Suitable thermal initiators include, but are not limited to, 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylpentanenitrile), 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropanenitrile), 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutanenitrile), and peroxides such as benzoyl peroxide. Preferably, the thermal initiator is 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN).

[0038] As used herein, “interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs)” broadly refers to a tight network structure of two or more polymers, of which at least one polymer is synthesized and / or crosslinked in the presence of other polymers. Techniques for preparing IPNs are known to those skilled in the art. For general procedures, see U.S. Patents Nos. 4,536,554, 4,983,702, 5,087,392, and 5,656,210. All of these are incorporated herein by reference. Polymerization is generally carried out at temperatures ranging from about room temperature to about 145°C.

[0039] The “print-on-mold method for manufacturing colored contact lenses” refers to the method for molding colored contact lenses as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,034,166 by Rawlings et al. (incorporated herein by reference).

[0040] With respect to inks or colored coatings, "good transferability from mold to contact lens" means that a color image printed on the mold surface with ink can be completely transferred onto a contact lens that has been cured (thermally or chemically) within that mold.

[0041] When used herein, the term "surfactant" refers to a surface-active compound, as the term is well known in the art.

[0042] "Crosslinking agent" refers to a compound containing two or more functional groups, as is known in the art. Crosslinking agent molecules can be used to crosslink two or more monomer or polymer molecules. Any known and suitable crosslinking agent can be used in the present invention. Exemplary preferred crosslinking agents include, but are not limited to, hexamethyl diisocyanate (HMDI), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, allyl methacrylate, allyl acrylate, 1,3-propanediol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, polyethylene oxide mono- and diacrylates, and 1,4-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA).

[0043] A "humectant" refers to a compound that removes water (or moisture) from ink, as is known in the art. Examples of humectants include glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and 1,3-dioxane-5,5-dimethanol. Adding one or more humectants (e.g., glycerol and diethylene glycol) can minimize clogging of the printer head nozzles.

[0044] "Spatial restriction of chemical rays" refers to the movement or process by which energy radiation in the form of light rays is directed in a spatially restricted manner and strikes an area with a clearly defined peripheral boundary, for example, by a mask or screen or a combination thereof. For example, spatial restriction of UV rays can be achieved by using a mask or screen having a transparent or open area (unmasked area) surrounded by a UV-impermeable area (masked area), as schematically shown in Figures 1-9 of U.S. Patent No. 6,627,124 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The unmasked area has a clearly defined peripheral boundary with respect to the unmasked area.

[0045] Generally, the present invention relates to color photochromic contact lenses. The present invention solves problems related to the appearance of the wearer of photochromic contact lenses. In photochromic contact lenses, while the lens is activated, the lens darkens either only in the pupil section or across both the pupil and iris sections, creating an undesirable appearance for the wearer. The present invention makes it possible to mask this appearance with a cosmetic pattern around the optical zone to create an appearance in which the photochromic color is blended with the characteristics of the iris, inner ring, and outer ring.

[0046] Such undesirable effects have been found to be reduced or eliminated by applying cosmetic patterns to contact lenses. Cosmetic patterns reduce the unnatural appearance to the observer caused by the darkening of the pupil or both the pupil and iris sections by creating an appearance that blends corrective colors with a colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern. When the lens is exposed to UV light, the pupil section (in the case of pupil-only photochromic contact lenses) or the entire lens (in the case of full-photochromic contact lenses) becomes darker, giving the wearer an undesirable appearance. In this invention, a cosmetic printed pattern is combined with a photochromic lens to improve the wearer's appearance. The pattern is printed on a front curve lens mold and then transferred to the lens, or printed directly on the lens to give the observer a more visible cosmetic pattern when the photochromic lens bulk is colored.

[0047] In photochromic lenses, the typical UV-VIS absorbance spectrum has peak absorbances at 405 nm and 490 nm. When a high refractive index (RI) TiO2-containing ink that increases light reflectance is printed on the lens surface, its appearance has been found to be sufficiently reflective across the entire visible light range, even when the lens is colored. According to this application, high refractive index is defined as a pigment having a refractive index of 2.45 or higher. For example, titanium dioxide (rutile phase) RI is 2.609, titanium dioxide (anatase phase) RI is 2.488, and titanium dioxide (brookite phase) RI is 2.583. According to this application, the ink layer of the iris section contains, based on the weight of the ink, 1% (w / w) to 15% (w / w), preferably about 5% (w / w) to 12% (w / w), more preferably about 8% (w / w) to 10% (w / w) of high refractive index pigment.

[0048] As previously mentioned, there are two types of photochromic contact lenses: pupil-only photochromic lenses and whole-photochromic contact lenses, manufactured as described in U.S. Patent No. 1,0816822B2 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0362082A1 (which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

[0049] A colored and printed opaque intermittent cosmetic pattern, the pattern comprising: a) an annular pattern of color having a first shade (where the annular pattern is composed of opaque colored dots, and the annular pattern has a substantially flat outer edge and a substantially flat inner edge, the outer edge may have a diameter of about 13.5 mm to about 12.5 mm, and the inner edge may have a diameter of about 5 mm to about 7 mm); and b) at least one other colored pattern extending over a portion of the iris section, selected from a group of patterns consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern and an inner star pattern.

[0050] The annular coloring pattern is large enough to cover a large portion or all of the iris of the eye, and the combination of the annular coloring pattern with other coloring patterns substantially masks the abnormal appearance caused by a reddish tint on the pupil from the observer by creating an appearance in which the corrective color and the colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern of the iris section blend together.

[0051] According to this application, a color cosmetic photochromic contact lens also includes a clear ink coating covering at least the iris portion of the contact lens. The clear ink coating can be formed on the colored area by applying a layer of clear ink free of any colorants or pigments to at least the iris portion of the contact lens. The clear ink coating can minimize contact between the eye and the pigments or colorants of the cosmetic pattern in the iris section, thereby improving wearer comfort.

[0052] The contrast of the annular colored background makes the colors of the other colored patterns on the final lens more vivid and clearer without losing the natural pattern. The underlying annular color layer, which can be printed on at least one iris zone on the surface of the contact lens, is an annular colored pattern with a radial gradient of color intensity, where the color intensity changes radially from light to dark from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the annular iris section. The annular colored pattern consists of opaque colored dots of varying sizes on the annular iris section of the contact lens, with varying amounts of space between them. The size of the dots and / or the amount of space between the dots are radially controlled so that the coverage of the colored dots increases radially from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the annular iris section. As you approach the inner circumference of the annular iris section of the color disc, fewer or smaller colored dots are arranged to be further apart, while as you approach the outer circumference of the annular iris section of the color disc, more or larger black dots are arranged to be closer together. If a customer desires to enhance their eye color, it is thought that when they see such a colored pattern, the human eye will average it out, creating the illusion that the color intensity level is increasing radially (i.e., increasing radially from the inner circumference of the annular iris section to the outer circumference of the annular iris section). The annular coloring pattern is preferably printed on the annular iris zone of the contact lens using a single colorant that resembles or complements the customer's eye color. With such a coloring pattern, the color and texture of the iris of the eye located beneath the colored contact lens of the present invention may be visible through the coloring pattern in a way that looks very natural to a normal observer, while enhancing the eye color. However, if a customer desires to change their eye color, the annular coloring pattern is preferably printed on the annular iris zone of the contact lens using a single colorant that resembles or complements the color they wish to change their eye color from their natural eye color.In addition, if the colored contact lens printed in the lower layer further includes at least two other colored patterns that extend over a portion of the iris section, selected from a group of patterns consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern, and an inner star pattern, it can more effectively enhance or alter the eye color while making the eye appear very natural to a normal observer.

[0053] It has also been found that such cosmetic effects (i.e., enhancing or altering the wearer's eye color while providing a very natural appearance) can be achieved by first applying at least two other coloring patterns to the contact lens, and then printing an annular layer of colored ink on top of the two other coloring patterns.

[0054] Furthermore, the above-mentioned colored contact lenses, printed with at least two other coloring patterns in the lower layer, may include a black ring on the annular iris section near their outer edge, thereby making the eye appear more "youthful" to a typical observer.

[0055] The term “limbal ring” is intended to mean a colored, annular band that partially or substantially completely covers the limbal region of the lens wearer’s cornea when the lens is centered over the eye. The limbal region is the area of ​​the eye located between the iris and sclera. Preferably, the limbal ring substantially completely covers the limbal region. The innermost boundary or edge of the limbal ring closest to the geometric center of the lens may be about 5 mm to about 12 mm, preferably about 6 to about 11.5 mm, and more preferably about 9 to about 11 mm, from the geometric center of the lens. The ring may be of any preferred width, preferably about 0.5 to about 2.5 mm, more preferably about 0.75 to about 1.75 mm, or more preferably about 0.8 to about 1.25 mm.

[0056] The marginal ring surrounds the outer star-shaped pattern or annular colored pattern, the marginal ring is made of a coloring agent, the marginal ring has an inner and outer margin, the outer margin is substantially flat, and the inner margin is either uneven (or jagged or irregular) or substantially flat.

[0057] The inner edge of the limbal ring refers to the edge closest to the center of the colored lens. The outer edge of the limbal ring refers to the edge furthest from the center of the colored lens. The limbal ring partially or substantially completely covers the wearer's corneal limbal region when the lens is over the eye.

[0058] By having a colored ring on a colored outer star pattern or a colored ring on the outermost colored star pattern, the colored contact lenses of the present invention can make the eyes appear more "youthful" to a typical observer, whether the ring is similar in color to the natural color of the iris, or the same color as the natural color of the iris but with lower brightness, or the ring is darker than the natural color of the iris.

[0059] By having a colored ring on a colored outer star pattern on a colored outer star pattern, the colored contact lens of the present invention can define or enhance the natural color of the iris.

[0060] The ring portion can be composed of colored areas of any shape, preferably opaque dots. Preferably, the ring portion is composed of evenly spaced circular voids.

[0061] In one embodiment, the present invention includes a pupil section and a substantially annular iris section surrounding the pupil section, wherein at least the pupil section is photochromic, and the iris section has a colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern, the pattern being covered by a clear ink layer, the clear ink layer being on the outer surface of the lens to the observer, the pattern being a) an annular pattern of color having a first shade, the annular pattern being composed of opaque colored dots, the annular pattern having a substantially flat outer periphery and a substantially flat inner periphery, the outer periphery having a diameter of about 13.5 mm to about 12.5 mm, and the inner periphery having a diameter of about 5 mm to about 7 mm, and at least one other colored pattern extending over a portion of the iris section, selected from the group of patterns consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern and an inner star pattern, wherein the outermost star pattern is a dot of a second shade The present invention provides a cosmetic photochromic contact lens that includes a colored pattern, the outer star pattern containing dots of a third shade, and the inner star pattern containing dots of a fourth shade, where all four shades are the same or different from each other, and the size of the colored dots in the annular colored pattern and / or the amount of space between the colored dots is radially controlled and varied such that the local colored dot coverage increases radially from the inner circumference of the annular iris section to the outer circumference of the annular iris section, and the annular colored pattern is large enough to cover a large portion or all of the iris of the eye to change or accentuate the eye color, and substantially the combination of the annular colored pattern and other colored patterns provides a cosmetic photochromic contact lens that, while the photochromic lens is activated, hides or reduces an abnormal appearance to the viewer by creating a mixed appearance of dark and a colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern of the iris section.

[0062] It will be understood that in the annular colored pattern of the present invention, two or more adjacent dots may be related to each other at a local colored dot coverage of a specific value. It is also understood that some variations in radial local colored dot coverage may exist as long as the local colored dot coverage tends to generally increase in the radial direction.

[0063] As used herein, "local colored dot coverage", "local colored dot density", "dot coverage" or "dot density" is defined by formula (1).

Mathematic

[0064] According to the present invention, the spaces between dots may be colored with different colors, lightly colored, or preferably transparent (colorless).

[0065] As is well known in the art, color is generally described primarily by the following interrelated terms: hue, chroma, intensity, saturation, brightness, brightness value, and opacity.

[0066] The term "different shades" is intended to describe two shades that differ in at least one of the following: hue, chroma, intensity, saturation, brightness, brightness value, and opacity.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, the local colored dot coverage C(x i , y j ) is A dot (x i , y j ) gradually increases radially (i.e., from the center of the lens towards the edge), while A space (x i , y j The dots change so that they gradually decrease in the radial direction (i.e., from the center to the edge of the lens). One way to achieve this effect is to fix the spacing between the centers of each dot while increasing the size of the dots located in local areas. As a result, the space between dots becomes smaller. The further a dot is from the center, the larger its size becomes. Dots located near the periphery of the central zone of the lens have a larger size and cover a larger area, which can make the periphery of the central zone of the lens appear darker than the center.

[0068] Alternatively, the local colored dot coverage can be gradually increased radially (from the center to the edge or near the edge of the central zone) by adding one or more dots to a given local region while keeping the size of each dot substantially constant. If there are many colored dots in the region near the periphery of the central zone of the lens, the periphery will appear darker than the center of the central zone.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the colored ring pattern has a profile of local colored dot coverage that can be defined by at least one mathematical function. Any mathematical function can be used. Exemplary mathematical functions include conical functions, quadratic functions, polynomials of any degree, exponential functions, trigonometric functions, hyperbolic functions, rational functions, Fourier series, wavelets, and the like. Examples of preferred mathematical functions include linear functions, polynomial functions of any degree, trigonometric functions, exponential functions, hyperbolic functions, and combinations thereof.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the local colored dot coverage profile is rotationally symmetric and is defined by at least one of equations (2), (3), and (4), or a combination thereof.

number

number

[0071] In another preferred embodiment, the profile of the locally colored dot coating is axisymmetric with respect to a given angle (e.g., 30°, 36°, 45°, 60°, 72°).

[0072] The opaque colored dots can have any regular or irregular shape, such as circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, or elongated shapes. All dots can have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all dots have substantially similar shapes. More preferably, all dots have a circular shape.

[0073] The dot diameter range is preferably 0 to about 0.2 mm. The spacing between dots is preferably 0 to about 0.2 mm outside the central region.

[0074] According to the present invention, at least two other patterns can be added above or below the substantially annular pattern of dots, extending over a portion of the iris section, selected from a group of patterns consisting of the outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern, and an inner star pattern. The other printed patterns mean adding an additional colorant structure or accent to the iris, and the streaks mean adding texture to the iris.

[0075] Any shape of a contact lens, such as a zone, region, or colored pattern, should be understood as referring to the shape of a zone, region, or colored pattern projected onto a plane perpendicular to the axis passing through the vertex of the contact lens in the direction of the normal.

[0076] Any colorant can be used to print the colored patterns of the present invention, as long as it can provide opaque colored dots. Exemplary colorants include pigments. The pigments must be small enough that they scatter very little visible light. Preferably, the size of the pigments is less than about 1 micron.

[0077] Figure 1 shows a conventional contact lens as an example. It has an opaque pupil section 20 in the center of the lens and an annular iris section 21 surrounding the pupil section. In the case of a hydrophilic lens, a transparent peripheral section 22 surrounds the iris section 21. As shown in Figure 1, a colored, opaque, intermittent pattern is arranged across the entire iris section 21. The pattern leaves substantial portions of the iris section opaque in the gaps between the pattern. The opaque areas of the iris section 21 appear white in Figure 1.

[0078] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example of an annular coloring pattern consisting of an annular ring of a gradient dot matrix. The dots, preferably opaque, can have any regular or irregular shape, such as circular, elliptical, triangular, square, hexagonal, or elongated shapes. All dots can have similar or different shapes. Preferably, all dots have substantially similar shapes. More preferably, all dots have a circular shape. The first printed pattern is concentric with the center of the lens and has a substantially flat outer rim and a substantially flat inner rim. The outer rim can have a diameter of about 13.5 mm to about 12.5 mm, and the inner rim can have a diameter of about 5 mm to about 7 mm. The annular coloring pattern is large enough to cover most or all of the iris of the eye, and the combination of the substantially annular coloring pattern with other coloring patterns masks the abnormal appearance caused by a reddish tint on the pupil from the observer by creating an appearance of a mixed pattern of colored and printed opaque intermittent patterns and corrective colors on the iris section.

[0079] The annular color dot coverage (printed area) is at least 10 percent, or about 10 percent to about 35 percent, preferably about 20 percent to about 30 percent, and more preferably about 25 percent, of the contact lens area excluding the outer transparent peripheral area (section 22 in Figure 1). The outer transparent peripheral area is the area outside the annular color pattern printed area and is a non-printed area. This area corresponds to the sclera on the outer periphery of the eye. The term "percentage of print coverage or dot coverage" refers to the portion of the area within the area covered by color dots, measured by determining the number of pixels on the area using Adobe Photoshop (graphic image editing software). The percentage of print coverage is calculated as follows: Print coverage percentage = [(Number of pixels in the dot coverage area) / (Number of pixels in the total area)] × 100 Total area = print area + non-print area

[0080] The improvement of the present invention is to combine an annular color pattern with at least two other color patterns, which greatly improves the effectiveness of enhancing or altering the natural color of the wearer's eye while maintaining the natural appearance of the wearer's iris. The at least two other color patterns are selected from the group of patterns consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern, and an inner star pattern. To bring about this improvement, the at least two other color patterns are printed on two or more parts in addition to the annular color pattern as described above. According to the present invention, the elements of the at least two other patterns are preferably dots, and particularly preferably dots in which some parts overlap. The at least two other patterns are opaque and may consist of dots having regular or irregular, uniform or non-uniform shapes, for example, circular, square, hexagonal, elongated, or other dot shapes.

[0081] The first part of at least two other pattern elements is a second shade (the first shade is in the annular coloring pattern) and is generally located outside (but within) the iris section, i.e., the dot or other element with the highest density located on or near the outer edge of the annular iris section. The outermost star shape can be printed in this section. The outermost star shape pattern is shown in Figure 3. The most commonly used colors for the outermost star shape are black, or several other dark colors such as gray, dark brown, or dark blue.

[0082] The second part of the element is a third shade distinct from the second shade, and generally has the element of maximum density, located inside the outermost star shape and generally, though not always, surrounded by the outermost star shape. The outer star pattern can be printed on this section. The outer star shape is shown in Figure 4. The outer star pattern can be many colors, for example, blue, gray, brown, light blue, blue-green, purple, blue-violet, light blue, yellow, or green.

[0083] The third part of the element is a fourth shade, which is the same as or different from the second shade, but distinct from the third shade. This third part generally has the element with the highest density, which is generally, but not always, located inside the other two parts. Generally, the element with the highest density of the third part is surrounded by the elements with the densities of the other two parts. An inner star shape, as shown in Figure 5, may be printed in this section.

[0084] The percentage of print coverage or dot coverage of the combination of the annular colored pattern and at least one other pattern is 30 to 80 percent of the contact lens area excluding the outer transparent peripheral area (section 22 in Figure 1), preferably 40 to 65 percent, and more preferably 45 to 60 percent. The outer transparent peripheral area is the area outside the printed area and is a non-printed area. This area corresponds to the sclera of the eye. Therefore, substantial portions of the iris section in the gaps of the pattern are non-opaque. The patterns constituting the iris portion may be islands of color, or worms, corkscrews, stars, spokes, spikes, streaks, radial stripes, zigzags, and streaks. In certain examples, a single-color background is used to complement the multi-pattern design. These patterns blend together to provide a colored contact lens that enhances the structure of the iris of the person wearing the lens. The term “percentage of print coverage or dot coverage” refers to the portion of the entire area within the area covered by colored dots, measured by determining the number of pixels on the area using Adobe Photoshop (graphic image editing software). The percentage of print coverage is calculated as follows: Print coverage percentage = [(Number of pixels in the dot coverage area) / (Number of pixels in the total area)] × 100 Total area = print area + non-print area

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, the first boundary of the unevenness distinguishes the outermost star-shaped portion from the outermost star-shaped portion of the pattern element, but the outermost star and the outermost star-shaped elements overlap, mix, and blend, either in practice or perceptually, to produce the desired effect. The second boundary of the unevenness distinguishes the outermost star-shaped portion from the inner star-shaped portion of the pattern, and the outermost star and the innermost star-shaped elements overlap, mix, and blend, either in practice or perceptually. When the patterns of Figures 3, 4, and 5 merge to form a tricolor lens and do not include the colors of annular patterns which may or may not have the same color outermost star pattern, outer star pattern, and inner star pattern, the edges of the unevenness of the pattern shown in Figure 3 merge and overlap with the pattern shown in Figure 4 to form a first boundary of unevenness between the outermost star and the outermost star. Furthermore, the edges of the bumps and dips in the pattern shown in Figure 5 merge and overlap with the pattern shown in Figure 4, forming a second bumpy boundary between the outer star shape and the inner star shape.

[0086] In certain patterns, the outer star shape may include a pattern that extends further toward the periphery of the lens than the outermost star shape pattern. In other patterns, the outer star shape may include a pattern that extends further toward the pupil section of the lens than the inner star shape pattern.

[0087] Alternative embodiments of the present invention include minimum and maximum distances for the boundary of the irregularities from the outer periphery of the iris section. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the minimum distance for the boundary of the first irregularity from the outer periphery of the iris section is about 5% to about 60% of the radial width of the iris section, the maximum distance for the boundary of the irregularities from the outer periphery of the iris section is about 25% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section, and the minimum distance for the boundary of the second irregularity from the outer periphery of the iris section is about 15% to about 75% of the radial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance for the boundary of the irregularities from the outer periphery of the iris section is about 50% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section.

[0088] In another embodiment, the minimum distance of the boundary of the first unevenness from the outer periphery of the iris section is approximately 15% to 50% of the radial width of the iris section, the maximum distance of the boundary of the unevenness from the outer periphery of the iris section is approximately 45% to 95% of the radial width of the iris section, and the minimum distance of the boundary of the second unevenness from the outer periphery of the iris section is approximately 15% to 65% of the radial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance of the boundary of the unevenness from the outer periphery of the iris section is approximately 60% to 95% of the radial width of the iris section.

[0089] In yet another alternative embodiment, the outer star pattern may extend to the periphery of the iris section of the contact lens, such that some of the elements constituting the outer star are outside all of the elements constituting the outermost star pattern, and / or the elements constituting the outer star pattern may extend closer to the pupil section, such that some of those elements are inside all of the elements of the inner star pattern.

[0090] In yet another alternative embodiment, the inner star pattern forms a mating structure with the outermost star pattern, the outer star pattern, or both. Furthermore, the outermost star pattern may form a mating structure with the outer star pattern. In the mating structure, one pattern intersects the other pattern in a planar manner, with one finger positioned between the fingers of the other pattern.

[0091] Figure 6 schematically shows, as an example, a ring portion having evenly spaced circular voids. The ring portion consists of printed areas having evenly spaced circular voids, is concentric with the center of the lens, and has a substantially flat outer edge and a substantially flat inner edge. The outer edge may have a diameter of about 12.5 mm to about 14 mm. The width of the ring portion is about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm, preferably 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. Typically, the diameter of the circular voids is about 0.0 mm to about 0.5 mm, preferably about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm, more preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. According to the present invention, the ring portion may consist of solid (void-free) printed color areas, is concentric with the center of the lens, and has a substantially flat outer edge and a substantially flat inner edge.

[0092] The ink typically comprises at least one colorant, a binder polymer, and a solvent. The ink may optionally contain crosslinking agents, humectants, surfactants, monomers, polymerization initiators, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants, anticoagulating agents, and other additives known in the art.

[0093] The coloring agent comprises at least one dye, or preferably one pigment. In the present invention, conventional pigments and / or pearlescent pigments can be used.

[0094] The solvent may be water (water-based ink) or any suitable organic solvent (organic solvent-based ink). Any known and suitable solvent can be used as long as it can dissolve the binder in the ink of the present invention and help stabilize the colorant. Examples of preferred solvents include water, water mixed with one or more cosolvents, alcohols, glycols, ketones, esters, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclopentanone, and cyclohexanone.

[0095] "Binder polymer," as is known in the art, refers to a crosslinkable polymer containing crosslinkable groups, which can be crosslinked by a crosslinking agent or initially by chemical or physical means (e.g., moisture, heat, UV irradiation, etc.) to capture or bind colorants on or within a contact lens.

[0096] The term "crosslinkable group" is used herein in a broad sense and is intended to include, for example, functional groups and photocrosslinkable or thermal crosslinkable groups (which are well known to those skilled in the art). It is well known in the art that a pair of compatible crosslinkable groups can form a covalent bond or covalent linkage under known reaction conditions such as redox conditions, dehydration condensation conditions, addition conditions, substitution (or displacement) conditions, free radical polymerization conditions, 2+2 cycloaddition conditions, Diels-Alder reaction conditions, ROMP (ring-opening metathesis polymerization) conditions, vulcanization conditions, cationic crosslinking conditions, and epoxy curing conditions. For example, an amino group can covalently bond with an aldehyde (and the Schiff base formed from the aldehyde and amino groups can be further reduced); a hydroxyl group and an amino group can covalently bond with a carboxyl group; a carboxyl group and a sulfo group can covalently bond with a hydroxyl group; a mercapto group can covalently bond with an amino group; or a carbon-carbon double bond can covalently bond with another carbon-carbon double bond.

[0097] Examples of covalent bonds or covalent linkages formed between pairs of crosslinking groups include, but are not limited to, alkanes (single carbon-carbon bonds), alkenes (double carbon-carbon bonds), esters, ethers, acetals, ketals, vinyl ethers, carbamates, ureas, amines, amides, enamines, imines, oximes, amidines, iminoesters, carbonates, orthoesters, phosphonates, phosphinates, sulfonates, sulfinates, sulfides, sulfates, disulfides, sulfinamides, sulfonamides, thioesters, aryls, silanes, siloxanes, heterocycles, thiocarbonates, thiocarbamates, and phosphonamides.

[0098] Examples of crosslinkable groups include, but are not limited to, hydroxyl groups, amine groups, amide groups, sulfhydryl groups, -COOR (where R and R' are hydrogen or C1-C8 alkyl groups), halides (chlorides, bromides, iodides), acyl chlorides, isothiocyanates, isocyanates, monochlorotriazines, dichlorotriazines, mono- or dihalogenated pyridines, mono- or dihalogenated diazines, phosphoramidites, maleimides, aziridines, halogenated sulfonyls, hydroxysuccinimide esters, hydroxysulfosuccinimide esters, imide esters, hydrazines, oxidoxynitrophenyl groups, azides, 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionamides, glyoxal, aldehydes, epoxys, and olefinic unsaturated groups.

[0099] The binder polymer in the ink can be any polymer compatible with the lens material. The binder polymer can be prepared by polymerization of monomers containing vinyl alcohol, vinyl butyral, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxy C1-C6 alkyl esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, amino C1-C8 alkyl esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, glycerol esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, vinylpyrrolidone, vinyl chloride, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylacrylamide, and the like. Mixtures of these various monomers can be prepared to form various copolymers. Other polymers include various cellulose resins, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyureas, or polyamides having at least one crosslinkable group. Preferably, the monomers used in preparing the binding polymer are the same as those used in preparing the lens.

[0100] The ink for printing the color lenses of the present invention can be prepared according to any known and preferred method. For example, first, a solution of a binding polymer and a solvent is prepared, and this solution is mixed with a paste containing a colorant to form an ink. Currently, it is preferable to form the ink from a binding polymer solution having a viscosity of about 40,000 cps.

[0101] Pad transfer printing is well known in the art (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,536,386 by Spivack; U.S. Patents No. 4,582,402 and 4,704,017 by Knapp; and U.S. Patent No. 5,034,166 by Rawlings et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference). A typical example of this printing is as follows: An image is etched onto metal to form a clutch plate. The clutch plate is placed in a printer. Once in the printer, the clutch plate is inked by an open inkwell doctor blade system or by a closed ink cup that slides across the image. A silicone pad then picks up the ink image from the clutch plate and transfers the image to the contact lens. The silicone pad is made of a material containing silicone, which can change elasticity. The properties of the silicone material allow the ink to temporarily and completely detach from the pad when it comes into contact with the contact lens or mold. Suitable pad transfer printing structures include, but are not limited to, tampo-type printing structures (Tampo vario 90 / 130), rubber stamps, thimbles, doctor blades, direct printing, or transfer printing, as known in the art.

[0102] In this invention, any known and suitable silicone pad can be used. Silicone pads are commercially available. However, different pads may give different print quality. Those skilled in the art will know how to select a pad for a given ink.

[0103] The clutch plate can be made from ceramic or metal (e.g., steel). If the clutch plate is made of steel, it is desirable to neutralize the pH of the aqueous ink by adding a buffer (e.g., phosphate) (for example, adjusting the pH to 6.8-7.8). The image can be etched onto the clutch plate by any method known to those skilled in the art, such as chemical etching or laser ablation. Furthermore, it is desirable to clean the clutch plate after use by standard cleaning techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as immersion in a solvent, ultrasonic treatment, or mechanical polishing.

[0104] While printing can be done on either the front (convex) or rear (concave) surface of the lens, it is understood that printing on the front surface is currently preferred.

[0105] Printing of lenses using an inkjet printing process is described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2001 / 0050753, 2001 / 0085934, 2003 / 0119943, and 2003 / 0184710 (these documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

[0106] Alternatively, the colored contact lenses of the present invention can be manufactured by a print-on-mold method similar to that described in U.S. Patent No. 5,034,166 by Rawlings et al. (this document is incorporated herein by reference). First, ink can be applied to the molded surfaces of one or both molded parts using pad transfer printing (or pad printing) or inkjet printing to form a colored coating (having a color image). The colored coating can be applied to the molded surface defining the rear (concave) surface of the contact lens, or to the molded surface defining the front surface of the contact lens, or to both molded parts. Preferably, the colored coating (having a color image) is applied to the molded surface defining the front surface of the contact lens.

[0107] Optionally, a transferable coating can be applied to the mold surface before applying ink by pad transfer printing. The transferable coating is intended to describe a coating that can be separated from the mold surface and integrated with the body of the contact lens molded within the mold. The transferable coating can be applied to the mold surface by any suitable technique, such as spraying, printing, swabbing, or dipping. The transferable coating can be prepared from a solution containing polymerizable components but without colorants. For example, a transferable coating with a substantially uniform thickness (less than 200 microns) can be prepared by spraying a solution having the composition of the ink to be used (without colorants), or a solution of the prepolymer or lens-forming material to be used, onto the mold surface. Optionally, this transferable coating can be dried or cured to form a transferable transparent film (without pigments, but optionally containing reactive dyes). One or more color patterns can then be printed onto this transferable coating or film. By applying the transferable coating before printing, a color lens can be produced in which the printed color pattern is embedded directly beneath the film derived from the transferable coating. These types of lenses are more comfortable to wear, and there is a much lower chance of the coloring agent leaching out from the colored lenses.

[0108] After printing the ink of the present invention onto the molding surface of a mold, the printed ink can be cured by UV light or other chemical rays to form a colored film according to the present invention. It is desirable that the printed ink be cured by chemical rays to an extent that minimizes the loss of pattern definition of the colored coating due to subsequent filling of the lens forming material.

[0109] Lens molds for manufacturing contact lenses are well known to those skilled in the art and are used, for example, in casting or rotational molding. For example, a mold (for casting) generally comprises at least two mold pieces (or parts) or mold halves, i.e., a first and a second mold half. The first mold half defines a first molding (or optical) surface, and the second mold half defines a second molding (or optical) surface. The first and second mold halves are configured to receive each other so that a lens-forming cavity is formed between the first molding surface and the second molding surface. The molding surfaces of the mold halves are the cavity-forming surfaces of the mold and are in direct contact with the polymerizable composition.

[0110] Methods for manufacturing mold pieces for casting contact lenses are generally well known to those skilled in the art. The method of the present invention is not limited to any particular method for forming the mold. In fact, any method for forming the mold can be used in the present invention. The first and second mold halves can be formed by various methods such as injection molding or turning. Examples of suitable processes for forming the mold halves are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,444,711 by Schad, U.S. Patent No. 4,460,534 by Boehm et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,843,346 by Morrill, and U.S. Patent No. 5,894,002 by Boneberger et al. (these documents are also incorporated herein by reference).

[0111] Virtually all materials known in the art for manufacturing molds can be used to manufacture molds for making contact lenses. For example, polymer materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PMMA, and Topas® COC grade 8007-S10 (a transparent amorphous copolymer of ethylene and norbornene, manufactured by Ticona GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany and Summit, New Jersey) can be used. Other UV light-transmitting materials such as quartz glass and sapphire may also be used.

[0112] In the present invention, any lens-forming material can be used and is not currently considered an essential part of this embodiment of the present invention. Suitable lens-forming materials for the manufacture of contact lenses are exemplified in many published U.S. patents and are well known to those skilled in the art. Preferred lens-forming materials can form hydrogels. The lens-forming material may contain one or more prepolymers, optionally one or more vinyl monomers and / or macromers, and optionally further contain various components such as photoinitiators, visible colorants, and fillers. It should be understood that any silicone-containing prepolymer or any silicone-free prepolymer can be used in the present invention.

[0113] A preferred group of lens-forming materials are prepolymers that are water-soluble and / or soluble, as described above. It would be advantageous for the lens-forming material to primarily consist of one or more prepolymers in a substantially pure form, preferably (e.g., purified by ultrafiltration). Thus, after crosslinking / polymerization by chemical beam, the contact lens may require virtually no subsequent purification, such as complex extraction of unpolymerized components. Furthermore, crosslinking / polymerization can be carried out without a solvent or in an aqueous solution, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent solvent exchange or hydration steps.

[0114] Those skilled in the art will be well aware of methods for chemically or thermally curing the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavity in order to form a contact lens.

[0115] In preferred embodiments, where the lens-forming material is optionally a solution, a solvent-free liquid, or a molten form of one or more prepolymers in the presence of other components, a reusable mold is used, and the lens-forming material is cured by a chemical beam under spatially restricted chemical beam conditions to form a colored contact lens. Examples of preferred reusable molds are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 274,942 filed July 14, 1994, U.S. Patent No. 10 / 732,566 filed December 10, 2003, U.S. Patent No. 10 / 721,913 filed November 25, 2003, and U.S. Patent No. 6,627,124 (these documents are incorporated by reference in their entirety).

[0116] In this case, the lens-forming material is placed in a mold consisting of two mold halves, the two halves of which do not come into contact with each other, and have a thin, annular gap between them. The gap is connected to the mold cavity so that excess lens material can flow out into the gap. Instead of polypropylene molds, which can only be used once, reusable quartz, glass, and sapphire molds can be used because, following the manufacture of the lens, these molds can be quickly cleaned and dried using water or a suitable solvent to effectively remove uncrosslinked prepolymers and other residues. Reusable molds can also be made from Topas® COC grade 8007-S10 (a transparent amorphous copolymer of ethylene and norbornene) manufactured by Ticona GmbH (Frankfurt, Germany and Summit, New Jersey). Since the mold halves do not come into contact with each other in the area of ​​the lens being manufactured, i.e., the cavity or the actual molded surface, damage as a result of contact is eliminated. This ensures a long service life for the molds and, in particular, guarantees high reproducibility of the contact lenses produced.

[0117] The two opposite surfaces (front and rear) of the contact lens are defined by two molding surfaces, while the rim is defined by the spatial limitation of chemical beam irradiation rather than by the mold walls. Typically, only the lens-forming material within the region joined by the two molding surfaces and the projection of the clearly defined peripheral boundary of the spatial limitation are bridged, while the lens-forming material outside and immediately surrounding the peripheral boundary of the spatial limitation is not bridged, thereby the rim of the contact lens will be a smooth and accurate replica of the dimensions and geometric shape of the spatial limitation of the chemical beam. Such methods for manufacturing contact lenses are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 274,942 filed July 14, 1994, U.S. Patent No. 10 / 732,566 filed December 10, 2003, U.S. Patent No. 10 / 721,913 filed November 25, 2003, and U.S. Patent No. 6,627,124 (these documents are incorporated in their entirety by reference).

[0118] Spatial limitation of chemical beams (or spatial limitation of energy collisions) is achieved by masking a mold that is at least partially impermeable to the particular form of energy used, as exemplified in U.S. Patent Application No. 08 / 274,942 filed July 14, 1994 and U.S. Patent No. 6,627,124 (these documents are incorporated in their entirety by reference), or by a mold having a mold portion that is highly permeable on at least one side to the energy form causing crosslinking, and impermeable or low permeable to the energy, as exemplified in U.S. Patent Application No. 10 / 732,566 filed December 10, 2003, No. 10 / 721,913 filed November 25, 2003 and U.S. Patent No. 6,627,124 (these documents are incorporated in their entirety by reference). The energy used for bridging is radiation energy, particularly UV rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or thermal radiation, and the radiation energy is preferably in the form of a substantially parallel beam in order to achieve good limiting on the one hand and efficient use of energy on the other.

[0119] It should be understood that the ink of the present invention should have good transferability of the colored coating from the mold to the contact lens, and good adhesion to the molded lens. The resulting colored contact lens is substantially smooth and continuous on the surface including the colored film.

[0120] Good transferability and adhesion may primarily result from the formation of interpenetration networks during the curing of the lens-forming material within the mold. While the present invention is not limited to any particular mechanism or theory, it is believed that the ink binder of the present invention can form interpenetration networks (IPNs) with the lens material of a hydrogel lens. Adhesion of the ink of the present invention to the lens by IPN formation does not require the presence of reactive functional groups in the lens polymer. The lens-forming material is crosslinked in the presence of the crosslinked binder polymer in the colored film to form the IPN. It is understood that some (residual) ethylenically unsaturated groups in the binder polymer may not be consumed during the curing of the colored coat to form the colored film. These residual ethylenically unsaturated groups may undergo crosslinking reactions during the curing of the lens-forming material within the mold, binding the binder polymer to the lens material.

[0121] It is also understood that the adhesion between the lens and the ink can be enhanced by direct linkage (bond formation) between the binder polymer and the lens polymer. For example, a binder polymer containing nucleophiles may react with lens polymers containing electrophiles, such as epoxy, anhydrides, alkyl halides, and isocyanates. Alternatively, the ink can be bonded to the lens by having electrophiles in the ink binder polymer and nucleophiles in the lens polymer. Curable inks can also be made by incorporating both nucleophilic and electrophilic functional groups into the binder polymer.

[0122] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing color contact lenses for correcting color vision deficiency, (a) A step to provide a mold including a first mold half having a first molding surface defining the front surface of a contact lens and a second mold half having a second molding surface defining the rear surface of a contact lens, wherein the first and second mold halves are configured to receive each other so that a contact lens forming cavity is formed between the first and second molding surfaces; (b) A step of applying a clear ink layer to at least one molding surface of a lens mold to cover at least the iris portion of the mold surface; (c) A step of curing the clear ink layer at least partially with UV / visible light; (d) A step of applying at least one ink layer having a cosmetic pattern selected from the group consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern, and an inner star pattern to at least one surface of a mold by using a pad transfer or inkjet printing technique, wherein each of the portions overlaps with each other at multiple points. (e) A step of applying an annular coloring pattern to at least one mold surface by using a pad transfer or inkjet printing technique, wherein the annular pattern consists of opaque colored dots, and the size of the dots and / or the amount of space between the dots of the annular coloring pattern is radially controlled and varied such that the local colored dot coverage increases radially from the inner circumference of the annular iris section to the outer circumference of the annular iris section. (f) A step of curing the colored pattern ink layer at least partially with UV / visible light; (g) After step (g), a step of applying a second clear ink layer to at least one of the molded surfaces by using a pad transfer or inkjet printing technique to cover at least one central portion of the mold surface; (h) A step of partially or completely curing the ink layer printed on the mold to convert the ink layer coating into a film; (j) A step of distributing a lens-forming material containing photochromate into a lens-forming cavity; (k) A step of curing a lens forming material in a lens forming cavity to form a color contact lens, wherein the film peels off from the molded surface and integrates with the body of the contact lens, and the film becomes part of one of the front and back surfaces of the color cosmetic photochromic contact lens. Regarding methods including

[0123] To carry out the present invention, any known suitable lens made from any lens-forming material can be used. Preferably, a hydrogel lens or a silicone-containing hydrogel lens is used to carry out the present invention. Examples of preferred lenses include, but are not limited to, the lens described in Loshaek's U.S. Patent No. 4,668,240 (this document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), lenses prepared from water-soluble crosslinkable poly(vinyl alcohol) prepolymers such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,583,163 and U.S. Patent No. 6,303,687 (this document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), and lenses made from water-soluble crosslinkable polyurea prepolymers such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 6,479,587 (this document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and concurrently pending U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 525,100, filed November 25, 2003, titled "Crosslinkable Polyurea Prepolymer" (this document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). For example, it is understood that the present invention can be carried out using any commercially available lens such as FOCUS DAILIES® or ACUVUE®.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will be able to implement the present invention based on the above disclosure. To allow readers to better understand specific embodiments and their advantages, it is recommended that they refer to the following examples. Percentages in the formulations are based on weight percentages unless otherwise specified.

[0125] Preferred lens and ink components used to carry out the present invention are known and described in Loshaek's U.S. Patent No. 4,668,240 (this document is incorporated herein by reference). Specific components and target weights are described in detail below. Very briefly, lenses composed of polymers having -COOH, -OH, or -NH.sub.2 groups are printed with an ink containing a binding polymer having the same functional groups, an opaque coloring agent, and a diisocyanate compound. First, a solution of the binding polymer and solvent is prepared, and this solution is mixed with a paste containing the coloring agent to produce the ink. 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 on the lens surface and cured. Clear ink is prepared using the same binder solution, but without any coloring agents or pigments.

[0126] The ink pastes and pigments that can be used in the present invention can be prepared in many different ways using the components and (weight) percentages listed in Table 1 below. For example, hazelnut ink paste can be prepared using 63.49 (weight) percent binder solution, 30.00 percent ethyl lactate, 0.61 percent titanium dioxide, 0.06 weight percent PCN blue, 4.30 weight percent yellow iron oxide, and 1.54 weight percent red iron oxide. These colors are used in preferred embodiments, but other colors or varied weight percentages may be used. The table below merely provides representative examples of possible ink and pigment levels and is not a complete list. Those skilled in the art will be able to develop other ink and pigment levels that provide an enhancing effect on the iris of a person wearing contact lenses.

[0127] [Table 1]

[0128] Titanium dioxide, the only naturally occurring oxide of titanium at atmospheric pressure, exhibits three polymorphs: rutile, anatase, and brookite.[1-7] Rutile is the stable phase, while anatase and brookite are both metastable. The above printing ink consists of a high refractive index pigment with high light reflectivity: Titanium dioxide (rutile phase) RI approximately 2.609 Titanium dioxide (anatase phase) RI approximately 2.488 Titanium dioxide (brookite phase) RI approximately 2.583 Red iron oxide (Fe2O3) RI approximately 2.42 〇 Yellow iron oxide (FeO(OH)) RI approximately 2.40 〇 Mica RI approximately 1.563 〇 Mica-based pearlescent pigments: It is formed by depositing titanium salts or iron salts onto mica from a basic solution, followed by calcination to produce titanium dioxide or iron oxide on the mica.

[0129] First, a donut-shaped (hollow in the center) clear coat is applied to the molding surface of the female mold half using pad printing, and a round shape is printed with clear ink. Before subsequent printing, the clear coat is cured by irradiating it with UV light for about 1 to 5 seconds.

[0130] The outermost star-shaped colored pattern is printed onto the cured clear coat on the molding surface of the female half, the inner mold colored pattern is printed onto the cured clear coat on the molding surface of the female half, and the ring-shaped colored pattern is printed onto the cured clear coat on the molding surface of the female half using pad printing.

[0131] A lens-forming material containing photochromate is dispensed into a female mold half having a clear layer and a colored pattern, and the lens-forming material in the lens-forming cavity is cured to form a color cosmetic photochromic contact lens. As a result, the film peels off from the molded surface and becomes integrated with the body of the color cosmetic photochromic contact lens, and the film becomes part of one of the front and back surfaces of the color cosmetic photochromic contact lens, exhibiting good adhesion to the lens. [Examples]

[0132] Example 1 chemicals In the following examples, the following abbreviations are used: NVP represents N-vinylpyrrolidone; DMA represents N,N-dimethylacrylamide; MMA represents methyl methacrylate; TEGDMA represents triethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate; EGMA represents ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate; AMA represents allyl methacrylate; V64 represents 2,2'-dimethyl-2,2'azodipropionitrile; V88 represents 1,1'-azobis(cyanocyclohexane) with a 10-hour half-life temperature of 88°C; Nobloc represents 2-[3-(2H-benzotriazole-2 [-yl]-4-hydroxyphenyl]ethyl methacrylate; RB247 is Reactive Blue 247; TAA indicates tert-amyl alcohol; PrOH indicates 1-propanol; IPA indicates isopropanol; PBS indicates phosphate-buffered saline with a pH of 7.2±0.2 at 25°C, containing approximately 0.044 wt% NaH2PO4·H2O, approximately 0.388 wt% Na2HPO4·2H2O, and approximately 0.79 wt% NaCl; wt% indicates weight percent; D6 is monobutyl-terminated monomethacrylate oxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (MW 700~800 g / mol) (Manufactured by Shin Etsu); the "G1" macromer represents the dimethacryloyloxypropyl-terminated polysiloxane of formula (A) above (Mn approximately 7.5-8.1 kg / mol, OH content approximately 1.25-1.55 meq / g). G-PDMS 1661 is a dimethacrylate-terminated polysiloxane (MW .9 kg / mol) represented by the following structural formula. [ka]

[0133] Example 3 This example illustrates the harmful effects of photochromic compounds in lens formulations during lens demolding.

[0134] Preparation of polymerizable compositions Three types of lens formulations (polymerizable compositions), I to III, are prepared to have the compositions (by weight in parts) shown in Table 2.

[0135] [Table 2]

[0136] These formulations are prepared by adding the listed ingredients to a clean bottle and mixing with a stirring bar at 600 rpm for 30 minutes at room temperature. After all solids have dissolved, the formulation is filtered using a 2.7 μm GMF filter.

[0137] Cast molding The lens compound is purged with nitrogen at room temperature for 30-35 minutes. The N2-purged lens compound is placed in a polypropylene mold and heat-cured under the following curing conditions: heat from room temperature to 55°C at a rate of approximately 7°C / min, hold at 55°C for approximately 30 minutes, heat from 55°C to 80°C at a rate of approximately 7°C / min, hold at 55°C for approximately 30 minutes, heat from 80°C to 100°C at a rate of approximately 7°C / min, and hold at 100°C for approximately 30 minutes.

[0138] Mold separation and lens demolding A lens mold, each containing a molded silicone hydrogel contact lens precursor, is mechanically opened as shown in Figure 2 and described above. The molded, untreated silicone hydrogel contact lens precursor is adhered to the male half and is mechanically removed from the male half (i.e., dry demolded).

[0139] Post-molding process After demolding and lens removal, the silicone hydrogel contact lenses are placed in a plastic tray. The tray containing the lenses is then immersed in the PAA solution prepared above for approximately 2 hours, and then immersed in PBS at room temperature for approximately 5 minutes to 1 hour to form the PAA-coated SiHy lenses. Appropriate stirring (e.g., horizontal shaking or vertical motion) is used to ensure proper flow of the PAA solution and PBS during immersion.

[0140] Next, the PAA-coated SiHy lens prepared above is placed in a polypropylene lens packaging shell (one lens per shell) along with 0.55 mL or 0.65 mL of IPC saline solution (approximately half of the saline solution may be added before lens insertion). The blister is then sealed with foil and autoclaved at approximately 121°C for approximately 45 minutes to form a SiHy contact lens having a cross-linked coating (PAA-x-hydrophilic polymer material) on it.

[0141] The main advantage of the present invention compared to conventional materials is the more natural appearance of the eye, which is achieved by the presence of a cosmetic pattern surrounding the pupil area. Potential enhancement is shown in Figure 7 (Note: This is an AO Colors amethyst lens superimposed on a photochromic lens immediately after UV exposure).

[0142] Various embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, but such descriptions are for illustrative purposes only. The terms used are descriptive rather than restrictive. It should be understood that modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that the various embodiments may be interchangeable in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred versions contained therein.

Claims

1. A color cosmetic full photochromic contact lens comprising a photochromic pupil section and an iris section, wherein the substantially annular iris section surrounds the photochromic pupil section, the iris section has a colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern, the ink layer of the colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern contains 8% (w / w) to 10% (w / w) titanium rutile dioxide based on the weight of the ink layer, the pattern is covered by a clear ink layer, the clear ink layer is on the outer surface of the lens to the observer, and the pattern is, a) A colored annular pattern having a first shade, the annular pattern being composed of opaque colored dots, the annular pattern having a substantially flat outer periphery and a substantially flat inner periphery, the outer periphery having a diameter of 13.5 mm to 12.5 mm, and the inner periphery having a diameter of 5 mm to 7 mm, the size of the colored dots in the annular colored pattern and / or the amount of space between the colored dots being radially controlled and varied such that the local colored dot coverage increases radially from the inner periphery of the annular iris section to the outer periphery of the annular iris section, the annular colored pattern being large enough to cover most or all of the iris of the eye to change or enhance the eye color, and b) A color cosmetic full photochromic contact lens comprising at least two other color patterns extending over a portion of the iris section, selected from a group of patterns consisting of an outermost star pattern, an outer star pattern, and an inner star pattern, wherein the outermost star pattern comprises dots of a second shade, the outer star pattern comprises dots of a third shade, and the inner star pattern comprises dots of a fourth shade, and all four shades are either the same or different from one another, and the combination of the annular color pattern and the at least other color patterns creates a mixed appearance of dark and the colored and printed opaque intermittent pattern of the iris section while the full photochromic lens is activated, thereby concealing or reducing an abnormal appearance caused by a reddish tint on the pupil to an observer with normal 20 / 20 visual acuity standing 1.52 m (5 feet) away from the person wearing the color cosmetic full photochromic contact lens.

2. A color cosmetic full photochromic contact lens according to claim 1, comprising the outermost star pattern including dots of the second shade and the outer star pattern, wherein the outer star pattern includes dots of the third shade and overlaps with at least a portion of the outermost star pattern.

3. A color cosmetic full photochromic contact lens according to claim 1, comprising the outermost star pattern including dots of the second shade and the inner star pattern, wherein the inner star pattern includes dots of the fourth shade and overlaps with at least a portion of the outermost star pattern.

4. A color cosmetic full photochromic contact lens according to claim 1, comprising the outer star pattern and the inner star pattern, wherein the inner star pattern comprises the dots of the fourth shade and overlaps with at least a portion of the outer star pattern.

5. a) the outermost star-shaped pattern including the dots of the second shade; b) the outermost star-shaped pattern including the dots of the third shade and overlapping with at least a portion of the outermost star-shaped pattern; and c) the inner star-shaped pattern including the dots of the fourth shade and overlapping with at least a portion of the outermost star-shaped pattern and at least a portion of the outermost star-shaped pattern, according to claim 4.

6. The color cosmetic all-photochromic contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the shades of the substantially annular pattern are at least one of hazel, yellow, yellow-green, brown, tan, gold, and orange, which harmonize with the pupil section.

7. The color cosmetic all-photochromic contact lens according to claim 1, further comprising a dark ring located near the periphery of the annular coloring pattern, wherein the ring is composed of a dark coloring agent and has a substantially flat outer periphery and a jagged or substantially flat inner periphery.

8. The ring portion overlaps to some extent with the annular coloring pattern, as described in claim 7, for a color cosmetic full photochromic contact lens.

9. The color cosmetic all-photochromic contact lens according to claim 1, wherein both the size of the dots and the amount of space between two dots change such that the size of each dot gradually increases radially, while the amount of space between dots gradually decreases radially.

10. The color cosmetic all-photochromic contact lens according to claim 1, wherein the size of each dot is substantially constant, while the amount of space between dots gradually decreases in the radial direction.

Images