Karen Belinda Sentell

Title: The Innovative Contributions of Karen Belinda Sentell

Introduction

Karen Belinda Sentell is a prominent inventor based in Alpharetta, GA, known for her significant contributions to the field of ophthalmic products. With a total of seven patents to her name, she has made remarkable advancements in the technology surrounding contact lenses. Her work focuses on improving the functionality and usability of contact lenses, particularly in terms of coating and wettability.

Latest Patents

One of her latest patents is a method for determining coating thickness on coated contact lenses. This invention provides a method for imaging and thickness determination of coatings on coated contact lenses. The method involves selectively staining a negatively-charged-groups-containing coating over the lens body of a coated contact lens by immersing it in an aqueous solution containing a fluorescently-labeled polycationic polymer. This process allows for the orthogonal cutting of the stained lens and the determination of the coating thickness. Additionally, she has developed a method for selecting candidate coating materials with negatively charged groups for applying coatings with desired thicknesses onto silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Another notable patent is related to wettable silicone hydrogel contact lenses. This invention pertains to an ophthalmic product that includes a sealed and autoclave-sterilized lens package. The package contains a post-autoclave packaging solution with a polymeric surfactant and a readily-usable silicone hydrogel contact lens immersed in the solution. This innovation ensures excellent wettability of the contact lens directly out of the package and provides sustainable wettability for at least seven days of daily wear.

Career Highlights

Throughout her career, Karen has worked with leading companies in the ophthalmic industry, including Novartis AG and Alcon, Inc. Her experience in these organizations has allowed her to develop and refine her innovative ideas, contributing to the advancement of contact lens technology.

Collaborations

Karen has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Ying Zheng and Steve Yun Zhang. These partnerships have further enhanced her research and development efforts in the field.

Conclusion

Karen Belinda Sentell's contributions to the field of ophthalmic products through her innovative patents have significantly impacted the contact lens industry. Her work continues to pave the way for advancements in lens technology, improving the experience for users worldwide.