Patent Publication Number: US-2010129181-A1

Title: Lens handler

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for transporting optical parts such as contact lenses and more particularly to an apparatus for picking up contact lenses and reliably determining whether a lens has been successfully picked up. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     In the automatic manufacture and packaging of contact lenses, it is necessary, at various stages of the manufacturing, to pick up a contact lens and move it to another location. For example, during manufacture, individual, wet, contact lenses may be moved from their respective trays into an inspection cell. While devices for reliably picking up contact lenses are known, contact lenses may be quite thin and the thickness may vary from one lens to another and, therefore, it may be difficult to reliably determine that a contact lens has been successfully picked up by the picking apparatus. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that can reliably sense when a contact lens has been picked up, including contact lenses of different thicknesses. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a lens handler includes a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms of the lens handler being moveable relative to each other to define an open position, a closed position, and a lens handling position. The lens handler also includes a power source electrically connected to the first and second arms and configured to pass an electrical current between the first and second arms when the arms are in the closed position. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of transporting an ophthalmic device includes transitioning a pair of arms of a lens handler from an open position to a handling position, sensing an electrical current passing between the pair of arms in the handling position, and determining whether the ophthalmic device is disposed between the arms in the handling position based on the sensed current. The method also includes transitioning the pair of arms from the handling position to the open position. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a lens handler includes a first arm having a first conductive tip connected thereto and a second arm having a second conductive tip connected thereto. The first and second arms of the lens handler are moveable relative to each other to define an open position, a closed position, and a lens handling position. The lens handler also includes a power source electrically connected to the first and second tips, and a controller configured to control the relative positions of the first and second arms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a partial diagrammatic illustration of an ophthalmic device forming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lens handler according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a portion of the lens handler illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is another plan view of a portion of the lens handler illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an ophthalmic device forming system  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  includes, for example, a water bath  12 , a cleanser  14 , an inspection station  16 , and a packaging station  26 . The water bath  12  can be connected to the cleanser  14  via a transport device  18  and the cleanser  14  can be connected to the inspection station  16  by the transport device  18 . The packaging station  26  can also be connected to the inspection station  16  via the transport device  18 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the water bath  12  can be disposed upstream of the cleanser  14 , the cleanser  14  can be disposed upstream of the inspection station  16 , and the packaging station  26  can be disposed downstream of the inspection station  16 . The inspection station  16  can include a lens handler  34 , a sensor  30 , and a carousel  32 . 
     In forming an ophthalmic device such as, for example, a contact lens, casting molds can be dosed with a monomer, a polymer, and/or other lens forming materials. The entire casting mold assembly can then be placed into a curing apparatus where the ophthalmic device can be formed and/or otherwise cured. Once the ophthalmic device is formed it can be transported to the water bath  12  via the transport device  18 . The transport device  18  can be any apparatus and/or collection of machines or devices useful in transporting items having optical quality surfaces from one machine to another machine in an assembly and/or manufacturing environment. The transport device  18  can include one or more gripping devices such as, for example, fingers, hooks, graspers, and/or any other gripping devices known in the art. Such gripping devices (not shown) can be configured to delicately grasp, secure, and/or otherwise immobilize a fragile item such as, for example, a partially formed ophthalmic device, and safely transport the fragile item from machine to machine without causing damage thereto. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more carrying trays can be transported from, for example, the water bath  12  to the cleanser  14  and then to the inspection station  16  by the transport device  18 . In such an exemplary embodiment, the transport device  18  can be configured to transport the carrying trays between the components of the system  10  without causing any damage to, for example, the carrying trays and/or the ophthalmic devices  56  ( FIG. 4 ) carried thereby. The carrying trays can comprise a plurality of substantially open cells, each configured to retain an ophthalmic device  56 . The substantially open cells can include at least one open section through which the ophthalmic device  56  can be relatively easily accessed. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, working fluid disposed within the inspection station  16  and/or fingers  42  of the lens handler  34  ( FIG. 4 ) may access the ophthalmic device  56  via the open section. The substantially open cells can also enable the easy insertion and removal of an ophthalmic device  56  relative to the cell. Accordingly, the substantially open cells may enable the fingers  42  of the lens handler  34  to assist in removing the ophthalmic devices  56  from the carrying tray and positioning the ophthalmic devices  56  in holders  66  of the carousel  32  prior to inspection. Alternatively, as discussed above, the transport device  18  can also be configured to transport ophthalmic devices  56  individually between the components of the system  10 . In such an alternative exemplary embodiment, the carrying trays can be omitted. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the water bath  12  can be any device known in the art configured to assist in fluidly removing debris, contaminants, and/or other foreign materials from an ophthalmic device such as, for example, a contact lens. Such foreign materials may be adhered to and/or otherwise carried with the ophthalmic device in an ophthalmic device forming process, and the foreign materials can be, for example, dirt, dust, and/or pieces of polymer or monomer material left over from upstream ophthalmic device forming and/or curing processes. 
     The cleanser  14  can be disposed adjacent to the water bath  12  and can be configured to receive ophthalmic devices  56  and/or other devices or carrying trays transported by the transport device  18 . The cleanser  14  can be similar in construction to the water bath  12  and can be configured to cleanse and/or otherwise remove impurities from the ophthalmic devices  56  transported thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the cleanser  14  can be configured to inject and/or otherwise combine a mild soap-like cleaning agent or other cleaning agent with the working fluid supplied thereto to remove impurities from the devices  56 . 
     The inspection station  16  can be disposed adjacent to the cleanser  14 , and cleaned ophthalmic devices  56 , carrying trays, and/or other ophthalmic device handling components can be transported from the cleanser  14  to the inspection station  16  by the transport device  18 . The inspection station  16  can be any conventional inspection station or apparatus known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the carousel  32  can be mounted within and/or otherwise connected to the inspection station  16 . The carousel  32  can be any known assembly and/or collection of components configured to receive a plurality of ophthalmic devices  56  and maintain the ophthalmic devices  56  in a hydrated state during inspection by one or more sensors  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, the carousel  32  can be a component of a wet vision system configured to submerge and/or otherwise hydrate a plurality of ophthalmic devices  56  within a working fluid during inspection by the sensor  30 . It is understood that such working fluids can include, for example, de-ionized water, F127 surfactant, and/or other like aqueous liquids. 
     The carousel  32  can be of any shape, size and/or other configuration known in the art and can have a number of moving components configured to assist in positioning the ophthalmic devices  56  requiring inspection proximate one or more components of the inspection station  16  such as, for example, the sensor  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, the carousel  32  can include a substantially circular wheel  33  ( FIG. 2 ) configured to assist in supporting individual ophthalmic devices  56  and/or otherwise positioning the ophthalmic devices  56  proximate the sensor  30  during inspection. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the wheel  33  may define a plurality of holders  66  sized, shaped, and/or otherwise configured to support and/or immobilize an ophthalmic device  56  during the inspection process. The holders  66  can be of any configuration known in the art and can be configured to immobilize an ophthalmic device  56  without causing damage to the optical surfaces of the ophthalmic device  56  disposed thereon. Each holder  66  can include, for example, a plurality of legs (not shown) or other like structures configured to assist in immobilizing the ophthalmic device  56  while the wheel  33  is, for example, rotated. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lens handler  34  can be disposed proximate, for example, the carousel  32 . The lens handler  34  can be any apparatus and/or collection of machines or devices useful in safely transporting items having optical quality surfaces from one location within a machine to another location within the same machine in an assembly and/or manufacturing environment. The lens handler  34  can include, for example, a driver  36  and a plurality of arms  38 , 40 , and at least a portion of the lens handler  34  may be connected to a translator  35  of the inspection station  16 . 
     It is understood that components of the lens handler  34 , and/or the lens handler  34  itself, can be moveable relative to the inspection station  16  and/or the carousel  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, the lens handler  34  can be mounted to a mechanized component of the inspection station  16  such as, for example, a translator  35 . In such an exemplary embodiment, the translator  35  may comprise a robot arm, a belt, a tray, and/or any other component configured to facilitate movement of the lens handler  34  within the inspection station  16 . Such components can be driven by, for example, one or more electric motors (not shown) or other like components configured to provide motion to mechanical and/or electromechanical devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the driver  36  may be mechanically connected to such a translator  35 . 
     The driver  36  may be coupled to at least one, and in certain configurations, to both of the arms  38 , 40  for moving the ends of the arms  38 , 40  together to pick up an ophthalmic device  56 . Accordingly, at least one of the arms  38 , 40  may be moveable relative to the other arm. The driver  36  operating the arms  38 , 40  can be a hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, electromagnetic, and/or any other type of conventional actuation device known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the driver  36  may include a pneumatic cylinder/pump assembly capable of moving one or both arms  38 , 40  together to pick up a lens. Alternatively, the driver  36  may include a solenoid assembly configured to move one or both of the arms  38 , 40 . In one configuration, one arm may be stationary and the other arm is moved so as to maximize the accuracy of the operation. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the arms  38 , 40  and, in particular, the stems  46 , 48  may be connected to the driver  36  by a shock and/or vibration reducing mount  37 . Such mounts  37  may include, for example, resilient elastomeric thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, or thermoplastic vulcanizate materials. In an exemplary embodiment, the mounts  37  may be made of substantially nonconductive (insulative) materials. 
     The arms  38 , 40  may be configured to assist in safely transporting and/or otherwise handling an ophthalmic device  56 . The arms  38 , 40  of the lens handler  34  can include, for example, one or more hooks, graspers, suction devices, and/or any other gripping devices known in the art. Such gripping devices can also include, for example, fingers  42 , 44 . The arms  38 , 40  and/or fingers  42 , 44  can be configured to delicately grasp and/or handle a fragile item such as, for example, an ophthalmic device  56 , and safely transport the item from a first position within a component of the system  10  to a second position within the component of the system  10 . For example, the lens handler  34  can be configured such that the fingers  42 , 44  can remove an ophthalmic device  56  from a carrying tray and place the removed ophthalmic device  56  within the holder  66  without causing damage to the optical surfaces of the ophthalmic device  56 . 
     The arm  38 , 40  and/or the fingers  42 , 44  may be made from metals, alloys, plastics, polymers, rubbers, and/or any combination thereof in order to facilitate the damage-free transport of such delicate items. In an exemplary embodiment, the arms  38 , 40  and/or the fingers  42 , 44  may be made from a conductive material such as aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel. In such an exemplary embodiment, the arms  38 , 40  and/or the fingers  42 , 44  may be stainless steel forceps coated and/or otherwise covered with silicone so as not to contaminate or damage the ophthalmic devices  56  handled thereby. It is also understood that the arms  38 , 40  and/or fingers  42 , 44  may comprise any known tubing such as, for example, carbon-filled silicone tubing or the like. 
     In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the lens handler  34  can include one or more vacuum devices (not shown). The vacuum devices can be fluidly connected to the arms  38 , 40  and/or fingers  42 , 44 , and can be configured to assist in handling and/or otherwise grasping the ophthalmic devices  56  while not causing any damage to the optical surfaces of the ophthalmic devices  56  during transport. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the lens handler  34  may be configured to sense and/or otherwise detect the presence of an ophthalmic device  56  disposed between the fingers  42 , 44 . In such an exemplary embodiment, the lens handler  34  may be electrically connected to a power source  57  via one or more connection lines  63 . The power source  57  may also be electrically connected to, for example, the controller  62  via a connection line  50 . The power source  57  may be any conventional device configured to direct a positive and/or negative charge to automated machinery in a manufacturing and/or production environment. Power source  57  may be configured to, for example, deliver a desired voltage and/or electrical current to at least one of the fingers  42 , 44 . 
     Thus, when the fingers  42 , 44  are in the open position illustrated in  FIG. 2 , substantially no electrical current may pass between the fingers  42 , 44 , and the fingers  42 , 44  may define a portion of an open circuit. Similarly, when the fingers  42 , 44  are in the handling position illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the ophthalmic device  56  may act as an insulator and/or resistor in both the substantially dry and the fully hydrated state. Thus, when the fingers  42 , 44  are in the handling position, substantially no electrical current may pass between tips  58 , 60  of the fingers  42 , 44 . Alternatively, when in the handling position of  FIG. 4 , a known electrical current may pass through the ophthalmic device  56  and/or other item disposed between the tips  58 , 60  based on the material conductivity of the item. As will be discussed below, this current can be suitably measured, and the resistance of the ophthalmic device  56  and/or other item can be calculated based thereon using known electrical circuit principles. 
     It is understood that the power source  57  discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2  may comprise a positive voltage source  52  and a ground connection  54  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . It is also understood that the tip  58  may be electrically connected to one of the positive voltage source  52  and the ground connection  54 , and the tip  60  may be electrically connected to the other of the positive voltage source  52  and the ground connection  54  to properly complete the electrical circuit. When no ophthalmic device  56  is disposed between the fingers  42 , 44 , the fingers  42 , 44  may be brought together such that the tips  58 , 60  may come into contact with one another, thereby forming the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 3 . When the fingers  42 , 44  are in the closed position, the power source  57  may direct a desired voltage to the fingers  42 , 44  and an electrical current may pass between the tips  58 , 60  of the fingers  42 , 44  as is typical in a completed electrical circuit. 
     It is understood that the lens handler  34  may also comprise additional electrical components and/or circuitry capable of facilitating the detection of electrical current passing between the tips  58 , 60 . The fingers  42 , 44  may act as sensors capable of detecting the presence and/or absence of an ophthalmic device  56  disposed therebetween based on simple circuit logic known in the art. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the lens handler  34  and/or the power source  57  may be configured to send input signals and/or other information to the controller  62 , via the respective connection lines  63 , 50 , indicative of the presence and/or absence of an ophthalmic device  56  between the fingers  42 , 44 . In addition, the methods and structures disclosed herein may be configured to detect the presence and/or absence of very thin ophthalmic devices  56  such as, for example, devices  56  having a thickness between approximately  50  p and approximately  100  p, or less. Accordingly, the configuration of the fingers  42 , 44  of the present disclosure may enable the system  10  to instantaneously detect the presence of ophthalmic devices  56  during an ophthalmic device forming process, thereby improving cycle time. In particular, the sensitivity of the tips  58 , 60  may eliminate the need to pause and perform, for example, complex tip displacement readings and/or other physical displacement measurement techniques required of known lens handling devices. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the sensor  30  can be any diagnostic device such as, for example, a thermocouple, a camera, and/or a pressure sensor, configured to sense one or more characteristics of an ophthalmic device  56 . In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor  30  can be a high resolution camera and/or other video, photographic, or image sensing device configured to sense, measure, and/or otherwise analyze a surface of an ophthalmic device delivered in proximity thereto. The inspection station  16  can be configured to direct and/or otherwise immerse ophthalmic devices  56  delivered thereto via the transport device  18  in a volume of working fluid. Accordingly, the sensor  30  can be configured to obtain images of the ophthalmic devices  56  in a substantially aqueous environment. It is understood that the transport device  18  can enable the ophthalmic devices  56  transported thereby to be moveable relative to the inspection station  16 . 
     Similar to the lens handler  34 , the sensor  30  can be configured and/or otherwise mounted within the inspection station  16  to be controllably and/or otherwise programably moveable relative to the transport device  18  and/or the ophthalmic devices  56  transported thereby. The sensor  30  can be mounted to tracks, motors, belts, robot arms, and/or other devices (not shown) configured to enable relative movement between the sensor  30  and ophthalmic devices  56  delivered to the inspection station  16 . 
     The sensor  30 , the lens handler  34 , and/or other components of the system  10  can be electrically connected to a controller  62 . The controller  62  can include, for example, an ECU, a computer, and/or any other electrical control device known in the art. The controller  62  can include one or more operator interfaces  64  such as, for example, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, and/or any other devices useful in entering, reading, storing, and/or extracting data from the devices to which the controller  62  is connected. The controller  62  can be configured to exercise one or more control algorithms and/or control the devices to which it is connected based on one or more preset programs. 
     The controller  62  can be connected to, for example, the sensor  30 , the lens handler  34 , the carousel  32 , and/or other components of the system  10  via one or more connection lines  63 . The connection lines  63  can consist of any conventional electrical connection means known in the art such as, for example, wires or other like connection structures, as well as wireless communication means. Through these electrical connections, the controller  62  can be configured to receive, for example, data from the sensor  30 . In particular, the controller  62  can be configured to control the system  10  to accept inspected ophthalmic device for commercial sale or reject the ophthalmic devices  56  based on one or more detected impurities, lens deformations, and/or other ophthalmic device characteristics. 
     The transport device  18  can be configured to direct accepted ophthalmic devices  56  from the inspection station  16  to the packaging station  26  of the system  10 . The packaging station  26  can be disposed downstream of the inspection station  16  and can be configured to package the accepted ophthalmic devices  56  into, for example, a blister package useful for commercial sale. The inspection station  16  can also be configured to direct the rejected ophthalmic devices  56  to a bin  24  via a transport device  22 . The transport device  22  can be substantially similar in configuration to the transport device  18  and the bin  24  can be, for example, a reject bin of the system  10 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The ophthalmic device forming system  10  of the present disclosure can be used with a series of other machines for the inspection and/or formation of ophthalmic devices  56  such as, for example, contact lenses. The system  10  can be configured for use with and/or otherwise included in, for example, an assembly line used to manufacture contact lenses and, in an exemplary embodiment, the system  10  can be used to inspect one or more ophthalmic devices  56  prior to packaging the devices  56  in a blister pack or other commercial sale container. 
     The process of moving ophthalmic devices  56  within components of the system  10  such as, for example, the inspection station  16 , may be difficult for a number of reasons. For example, although it may be desirable to automate the process of moving the ophthalmic devices  56  in this way, existing automated transport equipment may not be capable of determining whether an ophthalmic device  56  has been successfully picked up with great accuracy. Reliably determining whether or not an ophthalmic device  66  has been picked up may be even more problematic if the ophthalmic device  56  is relatively thin. Making such a determination may be particularly difficult if the detection is done in real time and/or while the device used to pick up the ophthalmic device  56  is in motion. Such inaccuracies in the detection process can result in lost packaging and/or other materials due to false negative detection and/or false positive detection of the ophthalmic devices  56 . Such inaccuracies can also increase the cycle time of the overall system  10 . 
     To eliminate some of these difficulties, the system  10  may employ, for example, the lens handler  34  discussed above. The lens handler  34  may be configured to transfer wet ophthalmic devices  56  from their respective trays into the holders  66  defined by the carousel  32  of the inspection station  16  during manufacturing. The lens handler  34  can also be used at other stages of manufacturing where it is important to accurately determine whether or not an ophthalmic device  56  has been successfully picked up. 
     For example, ophthalmic devices  56  may be acted upon by the water bath  12  and the cleanser  14  during manufacturing. The ophthalmic devices  56  may be transported from, for example, the water bath  12  and the cleanser  14 , to the inspection station  16  via the transport device  18 . In particular, a plurality of ophthalmic devices  56  may be disposed on and/or within a tray (not shown), and the tray may be transported from the cleanser  14  to the inspection station  16 , in the direction of arrow  20 , via the transport device  18 . Upon entering the inspection station  16 , it may be necessary to remove each of the plurality of ophthalmic devices  56  carried by the tray and to place each of the removed ophthalmic devices  56  into a dedicated holder  66  of the carousel  32 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the translators  35  may move the lens handler  34  into a position proximate the transport device  18 . The controller  62  may then control the driver  36  to move one or both of the arms  38 , 40  to a location proximate an ophthalmic device  56  of the plurality of ophthalmic devices disposed upon the transport device  18 . At this stage of the removal process, the arms  38 , 40  and/or the fingers  42 , 44  may be in the open position illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and the power source  57  may direct an electrical current to the tips  58 , 60 . However, because the tips  58 , 60  are not in contact while in the open position, substantially no current and/or voltage may pass between the tips  58 , 60  of the fingers  42 , 44 . 
     To remove an ophthalmic device  56  from, for example, a tray disposed upon the transport device  18 , the controller  62  may control the driver  36  to close the arms  38 , 40  and/or fingers  42 , 44  upon the desired ophthalmic device  56 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , if the tips  58 , 60  grasp the desired ophthalmic device  56 , the arms  38 , 40  may define a handling position in which the ophthalmic device  56  acts as an insulator. In such an exemplary embodiment, the ophthalmic device  56  may substantially block the electrical current applied by the power source  57 , thereby substantially restricting voltage from passing between the tips  58 , 60  of the fingers  42 , 44 . Alternatively, a known electrical current may pass through the ophthalmic device  56  based on the level of current applied by the power source  57  and the inherent conductivity of the ophthalmic device  56 . The power source  57  and/or the controller  62  may detect this blockage and/or passage of current, and software employed by, for example, the controller  62  may determine that an ophthalmic device  56  has been successfully picked up by the lens handler  34 . The resistance of the ophthalmic device  56  and/or other electrical circuit properties can also be measured and/or calculated by the controller  62  based on, for example, a known voltage applied by the power source  57 . It is understood that, in an exemplary embodiment, the power source  57  may transmit a signal to the controller  62  via the connection line  50  indicating that an electrical current and/or a voltage has been substantially blocked and/or restricted from passing between the tips  58 , 60  in the handling position. Once the controller  62  has determined that the ophthalmic device  56  has been successfully picked up, the lens handler  34  may be controlled to place the ophthalmic device  56  into an empty holder  66  of the carousel  32  for inspection by, for example, the sensor  30 . 
     Alternatively, if the lens handler  34  fails to contact and/or otherwise remove an ophthalmic device  56  from, for example, a tray of the transport device  18 , the arms  38 , 40  may define the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in which the tips  58 , 60  are placed into contact with one another. In such an exemplary embodiment, electrical current and/or voltage may be permitted to pass freely between the tips  58 , 60 . In addition, the power source  57  and/or the controller  62  may detect such a transmission of electrical current and/or voltage, and software employed by the controller  62  may determine that the lens handler  34  has failed to pick up and/or otherwise remove the desired ophthalmic device  56 . As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4 , the power source  57  may be configured to transmit a signal to the controller  62  via a connection line  50  indicative of this passage of current and/or voltage. 
     It is understood that the systems and methods discussed above may enable substantially instantaneous feedback to, for example, the controller  62  and may, thus, provide the ability to substantially fully automate the process of transporting partially formed ophthalmic devices  56  within and/or between components of the system  10 . In particular, the controller  62  may be programmed such that if a desired ophthalmic device  56  is disposed between the tips  58 , 60 , the lens handler  34  will not be capable of completing and/or otherwise closing an electrical circuit. The controller  62  may then automatically acknowledge the presence of an ophthalmic device  56 . In addition, if the lens handler  34  attempts to pick up an ophthalmic device  56  and the lens handler  34  is capable of completing and/or otherwise closing the electrical circuit after the attempted pickup, the controller  62  may automatically acknowledge the absence of the desired ophthalmic device  56 . 
     It is understood that the inverse process is also true. For example, after the lens handler  34  has placed an ophthalmic device  56  into a holder  66 , the lens handler  34  may be controlled to form the closed position of  FIG. 3  in order to check for a closed circuit. If the lens handler  34  is capable of forming the closed circuit at this stage of the process, the controller  62  may automatically determine that the lens handler  34  delivered the ophthalmic device  56  to the holder  66  successfully. Conversely, if the lens handler  34  is not able to form the closed circuit, the controller  62  may automatically determine that the ophthalmic device  56  was not successfully released by the fingers  42 , 44 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with a presently preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain modifications and changes may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art. The following claims are intended to encompass those and other changes within the true spirit and scope of the invention.