Hydrated Lens Inspection Container Meniscus Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the inspection of polymeric contact lenses or intraocular lenses in a hydrated state, air bubbles can form and interfere with the light path of sensors, making it difficult to maintain the lenses in an air-tight hydrated state.
Innovation Solution
A Hydrated Lens Inspection Container (HLIC) is designed to hold polymeric optical lenses in a hydrated state, with a hydration fluid filling the container above the lens retention cavity upper edge, forming a meniscus. The HLIC is then sealed using a hydration container handler that dispels atmospheric gases, ensuring the lens remains hydrated and bubble-free during inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lens is placed in a hydrated state for inspection, then the lens can be inspected in its natural state, but air bubbles form and interfere with the light path of sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful air bubbles from the inspection environment by providing a sealed container that prevents atmospheric gases from entering the hydration fluid, thereby eliminating light path interference while maintaining the lens in a hydrated state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by sealing the lens container with a closure member that prevents atmospheric gases from contacting the hydration fluid, effectively replacing the harmful air atmosphere with a controlled, bubble-free hydration environment
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lens is sealed in a hydrated state, then air bubbles are prevented from forming, but it becomes difficult to maintain air-tightness during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into separate functional components: a container for holding the lens and hydration fluid, and a separate closure member for sealing. This segmentation allows the lens to remain sealed and bubble-free while the closure member can be independently manipulated for easy handling and inspection access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a closure member as an intermediary element between the external environment and the hydrated lens. This closure member acts as a mediator that maintains the seal to prevent air bubbles while allowing controlled access for handling and inspection operations
3Reliability
If the hydration fluid level is raised above the cavity upper edge, then complete hydration is achieved, but atmospheric gases can contaminate the lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a controlled environment by sealing the container with a closure member that prevents atmospheric gases from contaminating the hydration fluid, allowing the fluid level to be raised above the cavity edge for complete hydration without introducing harmful gases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful atmospheric gases from the system by providing a sealed enclosure that excludes external air, thereby allowing the hydration fluid to fill completely above the cavity upper edge without gas contamination
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The HLIC effectively maintains the lens in a hydrated state without air bubbles, allowing for accurate inspection of lens characteristics such as optical power, base curve, and diameter, while ensuring the lens remains sealed and free from atmospheric interference.
Implementation Method 1
The hydration fluid is permitted to reach a level above the cavity upper edge via formation of a meniscus with the hydration liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Improved methods and apparatus for holding a polymeric optical lens, such as an ophthalmic lens (contact lens or intraocular lens “IOL”); or other polymeric item; in a hydrated state in a hydrated lens inspection container (“HLIC”) that is conducive for measurement of characteristics of the ophthalmic lens (or other polymeric item) being inspected. According to the present invention, a HLIC receives the polymeric optical lens into a HLIC lens retention cavity, and a hydration fluid fills the HLIC to a level above a cavity upper edge of the HLIC container, hydration fluid is permitted to reach a level above the cavity upper edge via formation of a meniscus with the hydration liquid.