Novartis Ag

Wesley-jessen Corporation

Wesley Jensen Corporation

Barry L Atkins

Michael Hugh Quinn

Gregory Carlson

Robert Carey Tucker

Gerardo J Ocampo

Sandra Corti

Roland Schmieder

Alfred Fischer

Norbert Doerr

Gregory Glen Carlson

The present invention provides an ink and a method of using the ink for making colored contact lenses. The ink comprises at least one colorant, a silicone-containing binder polymer, a solvent, a vinylic-monomer mixture, and optionally a photoinitiator or thermal initiator. The silicone-containing binder polymer is a copolymerization product of a polymerizable mixture including (i) at least one hydrophilic vinylic monomer; (ii) at least one functionalizing vinylic monomer containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group &#x2014;OH, amino group &#x2014;NHR (wherein R is hydrogen or C1 to C8 alkyl), carboxylic group &#x2014;COOH, epoxy group, amide group &#x2014;CONHR, and combinations thereof; (iii) at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromere.

Colored ink for pad transfer printing of silicone hydrogel lenses

The present invention provides a method for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) providing a contact lens constructed of a silicone hydrogel; (b) applying a color coat to at least a portion of a surface of the lens with an ink, wherein the ink comprises at least one colorant, a silicone-containing binder polymer, one or more vinylic monomers, and optionally a diluent, wherein the silicone-containing binder polymer is a copolymerization product of a polymerizable mixture including (i) at least one hydrophilic vinylic monomer; (ii) at least one functionalizing vinylic monomer; (iii) at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromer; (c) curing the ink in the presence of an adhesion promoter, thereby causing the color coat to adhere to the lens.

The present invention provides a method for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) applying a color coat to at least a portion of at least one of molding surfaces of a lens mold with an ink, wherein the ink comprises at least one colorant, a binder polymer, an adhesion promoter, and optionally a diluent, wherein the binder polymer is a copolymerization product of a polymerizable mixture including (i) at least one hydrophilic vinylic monomer; (ii) at least one functionalizing vinylic monomer containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group &#x2014;OH, amino group &#x2014;NHR (wherein R is hydrogen or Cto Calkyl), carboxylic group &#x2014;COOH, epoxy group, amide group &#x2014;CONHR, and combinations thereof; (iii) at least one silicone-containing vinylic monomer or macromer, and (iv) optionally one or more components selected from the group consisting of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent, and a solvent, wherein the mold has a lens-forming cavity between the molding surfaces, wherein the colored coat contains a first surface exposed to the interior of the lens-forming cavity and a second surface in contact with the molding surface; (b) curing the ink printed on the mold; (c) dispensing a silicone hydrogel lens-forming material into the lens-forming cavity of the mold; (d) curing the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavity to form the contact lens, whereby the colored coat detaches from the molding surface and becomes integral with the body of the contact lens.

Pad transfer printing of silicone hydrogel lenses using colored ink

The invention is directed to a colored contact lens designed for enhancing a wearer's eye color while giving the wearer's eyes a very natural appearance. A colored contact lens of the invention comprises a colored central zone which includes a colored substantially-circular pattern composed of non-opaque colored dots. Sizes of the dots and/or amounts of space between the dots are varied in a radially-controlled manner so that local colored dot coverage increases in a radial direction from the center to the peripheral edge or a position near the peripheral edge of the substantially-circular pattern.

Colored contact lenses for enhancing a wearer's natural eye color

The invention is directed to a colored contact lens designed for modifying or enhancing a wearer's eye color while giving the wearer's eyes an improved lively appearance (or more lively or vivacious appearance). In particular, a colored contact lens of the invention may impart to a wearer's eye color both a natural appearance with an emotional dimension such as sophistication, depth, well-being, honesty with intimacy, or combinations thereof. The invention also provides methods and kits for making a colored contact lens of the invention.

Contact lenses imparting a vivacious appearance to the eye

A method comprises the steps of (a) providing a water based ink in at least one clich&#xe9; with a contact lens pattern; (b) transferring the water based ink from the clich&#xe9; to at least a surface of at least a contact lens forming mold by means of at least a transfer pad; (c) at least partially curing the ink transferred on the mold to form a colored film; (d) dispensing a hydrogel lens-forming material into a lens-forming cavity of the mold; and (e) curing the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavity to form the contact lens, whereby the colored film detaches from the molding surface and becomes integral with the body of the contact lens; characterized in that the relative air humidity in the immediate vicinities of the transfer pad/s is kept higher than 50% at standard temperature and pressure conditions during ink transfer.

Pad transfer printing method for making colored contact lenses

Contact lenses with sample indicator marks are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of marking and use of contact lenses with indicator marks.

Sample indicator lens

A colored contact lens comprising a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupil section. A colored, opaque, intermittent pattern is deposited over the iris section using opaque elements which are indiscernible to the ordinary viewer. The elements of the pattern are of a shade which provides a contact lens capable of making subtle changes or enhancements to the color of the iris of a dark-eyed person while imparting a very natural appearance.

Colored contact lenses that enhance cosmetic appearance of dark-eyed people

A contact lens and method for making the same provides a cosmetic effect using pearlescent pigment.

Pearlescent contact lens

Colored contact lenses that enhance cosmetic appearance of dark-eyed

Contact lens

A color modifying contact lens having an iris pattern having color elements that surround a non-opaque pupil section, wherein the pattern comprises three annular regions: an inner region, an intermediate region, and an outer region. The inner and outer regions each comprise a population of color elements effective to enhance or modify the wearer's eye color as observed by the ordinary viewer. The intermediate region has an area of between about 25-72%, and comprises a population of color elements that covers between about 5-30% of the area within the intermediate region. The color elements in the intermediate region form an array of substantially radial macro-striations that alternate between those having color elements and those without color elements.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Barry L Atkins