Patent Description:
Cuvettes are commonly used to hold contact lenses or intra-ocular lenses during optical measurements. Such cuvettes are used, for example, to measure the group index (Gl) and refractive index (RI) which are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and require stabilization of the lens and the surrounding solution before accurate measurements can be taken. Equilibrium time for GI/RI measurements using an optical thickness gauge, for example, requires a very uniform and tight (±<NUM>) range during measurements to meet variability requirements. However, measurements using cuvettes made from conventional optical materials, such as glass and fused silica, can require at least four minutes for the lens and solution temperatures to stabilize. When a large number of lenses must be measured, such processes can cause increased delays and/or decreased productivity. Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improvements in cuvettes to provide for faster temperature stabilization. It is to the provision of solutions meeting these and other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.

Documents <CIT>) and <CIT>) disclose examples of cuvettes.

Generally described, the present invention relates to a cuvette for optical analyses of contact lenses and intra-ocular lenses. In example embodiments, the present invention provides a cuvette with at least one side comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of optically clear material with at least <NUM> W/m-K of thermal conductivity. Alternatively, the cuvette includes at least one side comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of optically clear material with at least <NUM> W/m-K of thermal conductivity and at least <NUM>% optical transparency. In some embodiments, the cuvette optionally includes a backstop to assist in the placement of the contact lens or intra-ocular lens. In other embodiments, the cuvette optionally also includes a pedestal to displace some amount of solution within the cuvette during measurements. The reduced amount solution within the cuvette and higher thermal conductivity materials used in its construction can promote faster stabilization of the internal temperature and less time required for each measurement.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a cuvette including a unitary midsection with an integrated backstop. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a cuvette having a unitary body frame made from non-optical, opaque material with openings configured for optically clear window inserts. In example embodiments, the unitary, opaque body frame may be constructed at least partially of a material having thermal conductivity of at least <NUM> W/m-K.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures and detailed description herein and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of example embodiments are explanatory of example embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention.

Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

With reference now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout the several views, <FIG> and <FIG> show an optical cuvette <NUM> for holding or retaining a contact lens CL or intra-ocular lens (IOL) for conducting optical analyses, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The cuvette <NUM> includes a top window or panel <NUM>, a bottom window or panel <NUM>, a first side wall <NUM>, a second side wall <NUM> and a third side wall <NUM>. The first, second and third sides <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are generally bonded or fused to the periphery between the top and bottom windows <NUM>, <NUM>, or alternatively may be integrally formed as a unitary component, forming a hollow interior pocket, chamber or compartment therebetween. An opening is provided opposite the third peripheral wall <NUM> for inserting and removing the contact lens into the interior compartment. Overall dimensions of the cuvette may vary depending on the dimensions of the lens to be measured. In example embodiments, the cuvette comprises an exterior width W of about <NUM>, a length L of about <NUM> and a height or thickness T of about <NUM>. The internal cavity or chamber CH has an internal width of about <NUM> and an internal height of about <NUM>. In some embodiments, the chamber may be dimensioned according to the dimensions of the lens to be tested or measured. The opening may also comprise similar dimensions or dimensions different than those of the internal cavity leading to a narrowed or enlarged opening.

The top and/or bottom windows <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed in whole or in part from one or more materials with a thermal conductivity of at least <NUM> W/m-K and optical transparency of at least <NUM>%. According to example embodiments, windows <NUM> and <NUM> at least partially or entirely comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a synthetic or natural sapphire (aluminium oxide, Al<NUM>O<NUM>) or sapphire-based material, for example a synthetic sapphire or sapphire glass manufactured by the Verneuil, Kyropoulos, Czochralski or other processes. In alternate embodiments, other materials with thermal conductivities of at least <NUM> W/m-K and optical transparency of at least <NUM>%, and preferably thermal conductivity between <NUM> W/m-K and <NUM> W/m-K and at least <NUM>% optical transparency at about <NUM> - <NUM> wavelengths, may be considered - including but not limited to magnesium fluoride, barium fluoride, calcium fluoride, lanthanum fluoride, lithium fluoride, magnesium oxide, potassium chloride, quartz crystal, yttrium aluminum garnet, rubidium chloride, rubidium iodide and rubidium bromide. The top and/or bottom windows may also include optical zones with characteristics meeting further requirements of intended testing protocols, such as for example exterior and interior surface parallelism, flatness and roughness, providing preferable conditions for accurate measurements. According to the invention, optical zones of top and/or bottom windows require exterior and interior surface parallelism of no more than <NUM> arc-seconds, flatness of L/<NUM> - L/<NUM> at <NUM> and peak-to-valley roughness of no more than <NUM>. Optical zones may encompass the entirety of the top and/or bottom windows or encompass only portions of the windows to be aligned with the contact lens during measurements. In alternative embodiments, the top window may be made of sapphire while the bottom window is made from another suitable material, such as glass or fused silica, or vice versa.

In example embodiments, the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may optionally be constructed from materials different from the top and bottom windows <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, whereas the top and bottom windows may be manufactured from sapphire, the side walls may be constructed from other materials suitable for effectively bonding or fusing to the top and bottom windows. According to example embodiments, the top and bottom panels <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed from sapphire while the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is formed from, for example, glass or fused silica. The side walls may also be frosted, opaque or optically clear. Alternatively, in other example embodiments, the entire cuvette <NUM> can be constructed of the same material, either as an assembly of separately formed components, or as an integrally formed unitary body.

In example embodiments, the cuvette <NUM> may optionally further include a V-block or backstop <NUM> configured to provide a stop position or contact surface and assist in positioning the contact lens properly and consistently within the cuvette. According to example embodiments, the backstop <NUM> is a separate component comprising a V-shaped or chevron-like profile positioned adjacent to or against the interior surface of the third side wall <NUM>. The angled surfaces of the backstop converge at the center of the cuvette <NUM>, optionally defining a radiused or rounded interior corner, and are configured to accept or brace the contact lens CL between the angled surfaces ensuring that the contact lens is positioned consistently at the center of the cuvette along its width W, as shown in <FIG>. In example embodiments, the angle between the angled surfaces is <NUM>°; however, the angle between the surfaces may be <NUM>°-<NUM>° in other example embodiments. In other embodiments, other profiles or configurations for the backstop may also be considered, such as for example a linear wall with a central opening or a backstop with an at least partially circular impression. V-block <NUM> may further include apertures or grooves designed to assist in or ease its installation and removal from the cuvette cavity. In example embodiments, the backstop is made of Delrin or other similar plastics to prevent scratches when the backstop is moved within the cuvette. In some example embodiments, the backstop <NUM> may be integrated into at least one of the cuvette widows or sides and comprise the same material as the window or side to which the backstop is connected. In other example embodiments, the backstop <NUM> may integrated into at least one of the cuvette windows or sides and comprise a different material from the window or side to which the backstop is connected.

In example embodiments, the cuvette <NUM> may optionally further comprise a pedestal or protrusion <NUM> extending transversely from the interior surface of the bottom window <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The pedestal is configured to rest under the contact lens and displace at least some volume of solution required within the cuvette and under the lens. Pedestal <NUM> may be integrally fixed to the bottom window by optical contact bonding, laser welding, or other conventional methods of bonding. Preferably, pedestal <NUM> is located centrally within the optical zone and comprises a clear aperture for measurement between about <NUM>-<NUM> in diameter. While depicted embodiments provide a cylindrical pedestal, the pedestal may comprise other profiles, such as for example semi-circular or polygonal, or comprise chamfered sides.

The height of the pedestal <NUM> may vary depending on the dimensions of the lens to be measured. Preferably, the height of the pedestal is limited to be less than the vault or interior height of the contact lens to be tested in the cuvette, so as to prevent contact between the pedestal and the test lens to ensure no part of the test lens is unintentionally supported by the pedestal. According to example embodiments, pedestal <NUM> has a maximum height of about <NUM> for a conventional contact lens but the height may vary depending on the attributes of the lens to be measured. In example embodiments, the pedestal is made of sapphire, and in alternate embodiments the pedestal may be formed from other materials such as for example glass, fused silica, or other materials with thermal conductivities comparable to that of the solution displaced by the pedestal.

<FIG> shows a cuvette <NUM> according to another example embodiment of the present invention. Cuvette <NUM> includes a top window <NUM>, a bottom window <NUM>, and a midsection or body <NUM>. According to example embodiments, at least one of the top and bottom windows <NUM>, <NUM> is formed from a material with a thermal conductivity of at least <NUM> W/m-K and optical transparency of at least <NUM>%. The midsection <NUM> is a unitary body with an integrated backstop made of an optical material, such as for example sapphire, glass, fused silica or other suitable optical materials that may be optically contacted and bonded to top and bottom windows. The top and/or bottom windows may incorporate optical zones with further requirements, such as for example exterior and interior surface parallelism, flatness and roughness, providing better conditions for more accurate measurements. According to example embodiments, optical zones of top and/or bottom windows require exterior and interior surface parallelism of no more than <NUM> arc-seconds, flatness of L/<NUM> - L/<NUM> at <NUM> and peak-to-valley roughness of no more than <NUM>. Optical zones may encompass the entirety of the top and/or bottom windows or, alternatively, encompass only portions of the windows to be aligned with the contact lens during measurements. In other embodiments, the top window may be made from sapphire while the bottom window is made from another suitable material, such as glass or fused silica, or vice versa.

<FIG> shows a cuvette <NUM> according to yet another example embodiment of the present invention. Cuvette <NUM> comprises a unitary body or frame <NUM> with an integrated backstop. The unitary body or frame <NUM> includes an aperture or opening on the top and bottom sides configured to receive optically transparent or translucent windows <NUM> and <NUM>. According to the depicted embodiment, round top and bottom windows <NUM>, <NUM> are made of sapphire. The windows <NUM> and <NUM> are bonded to a unitary stainless-steel body <NUM> having a thermal conductivity of about <NUM> W/m-K. The windows <NUM> and <NUM> may be joined to the frame <NUM> by brazing or use of adhesives. Alternatively, the cuvette may comprise a frame with higher thermal conductivity, such as anodized aluminum, and windows with lower thermal conductivity, such as for example fused silica. In alternate embodiments, one or both of the windows <NUM>, <NUM> may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonal or otherwise configured.

Optical measurements have been conducted with example embodiments of a cuvette as depicted and described herein. The measurements have shown that stabilization of deionized water and lens temperatures using a sapphire cuvette occurs in less time over a <NUM> change compared to the stabilization time observed using a conventional cuvette having all sides made with fused silica. Whereas stabilization within the fused silica cuvette was observed over approximately eight minutes, stabilization within the sapphire cuvette was observed over approximately two minutes as shown in <FIG>.

In an example mode or method of use, a cuvette according to the present disclosure is utilized to hold a contact lens and/or an intra-ocular lens (IOL) for, for example, in a test procedure measuring optical path distances (OPD) in a low coherence interferometer (LCI). The cuvette is constructed or assembled with at least one side made from a sapphire or other material having a thermal conductivity of at least <NUM> W/m-K to reduce the settling time of its contents. The cuvette is first filled with liquid solution, for example a saline water or other compatible composition. A contact lens is then inserted into the cuvette through an opening at its first end and placed abutting the backstop, if present, at its second end opposite the first end. The backstop may comprise symmetrically angled and centered surfaces which ensure proper and consistent positioning of the contact lens. To meet variability requirements and ensure accurate measurements, time is provided for the temperature of the solution and contact lens to stabilize or equilibrate before measurements are made. To further reduce the settling time, a pedestal may be provided under the contact lens to displace at least some volume of solution within the cuvette and reduce the overall amount of solution to be stabilized. In example embodiments, the settling or stabilization time for test processes utilizing a cuvette according to the present disclosure is substantially reduced, for example by at least <NUM>%, or in other examples by at least about <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>%, compared to test processes utilizing conventional cuvettes.

Once stabilized, the cuvette is aligned with the LCI probe and light beam output from the probe is passed through the optical zone of the top window and the center of the contact lens. As shown in <FIG>, the light beam LB passes through the media interfaces A, B, C, D, and E, where A represents the interface between the environment and the top exterior surface of the top window, B represents the interface between solution and interior surface of the top window, C represents the interface between solution and top surface of contact lens, D represents the interface between solution and bottom surface of the contact lens and E represents the interface between solution and top surface of the pedestal. The probe detects light reflected back from the interfaces and the corresponding individual peaks. The OPDs are calculated as the distances among the peaks.

Claim 1:
A cuvette (<NUM>) for holding a lens (CL,IOL) during optical measurements and testing, the cuvette comprising:
a top window (<NUM>), a bottom window (<NUM>), a first side wall (<NUM>), a second side wall (<NUM>), and a third side wall (<NUM>) defining an interior chamber for receiving a lens, wherein at least one of the windows is made from an optically clear material with a thermal conductivity of at least <NUM> W/(m·K), wherein the top window comprises an optical zone exterior and interior surface parallelism of no more than <NUM> arc-seconds, a flatness of λ/<NUM> - λ /<NUM> at λ=<NUM> and peak-to-valley roughness of no more than <NUM>.