Wetcell device for inspection

Abstract

The invention provides an inspection cell for inspecting an ophthalmic lens. The inspection cell is a solid block that has a bottom planar surface, a top surface, and an indentation in the top surface. The indentation is adapted to receive an ophthalmic lens. which is to be inspected. The invention additionally provides an inspection unit for an ophthalmic lens, which holds one or more of the inspection cells.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An inspection cell for an ophthalmic lens, comprising a solid block having a bottom planar surface and a top surface, wherein said top surface has a concave indentation, wherein said concave indentation is adapted to accept said ophthalmic lens.  
     
     
         2 . The inspection cell of  claim 1 , wherein said indentation is hemispherical, hemielliptical or conical.  
     
     
         3 . The inspection cell of  claim 2 , wherein said indentation has an apex and said apex has a radius at least about 15% larger than the radius of said ophthalmic lens.  
     
     
         4 . The inspection cell of  claim 1 , wherein said indentation is hemispherical.  
     
     
         5 . The inspection cell of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom planar surface and the surface of said concave indentation are optically finished.  
     
     
         6 . The inspection cell of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom planar surface and the surface of said concave indentation are optically finished, and said inspection cell comprises a transparent material.  
     
     
         7 . The inspection cell of  claim 6 , wherein said transparent material is quartz, glass, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyester, methylpentene or nylon.  
     
     
         8 . The inspection cell of  claim 6 , wherein said transparent material is quartz.  
     
     
         9 . An inspection unit for inspecting an ophthalmic lens, comprising an inspection cell which comprises a solid block having a bottom planar surface and a top surface, wherein said top surface has a concave indentation, wherein said concave indentation is adapted to accept said ophthalmic lens and to center said ophthalmic lens in said indentation.  
     
     
         10 . The inspection unit of  claim 9 , wherein said inspection unit further comprises an inspection cell carrier.  
     
     
         11 . The inspection unit of  claim 10 , wherein said inspection cell carrier holds a multitude of said inspection cells.  
     
     
         12 . The inspection unit of  claim 9  wherein said concave indentation is hemispherical, hemielliptical or conical.  
     
     
         13 . The inspection cell of  claim 9 , wherein said indentation has an apex and said apex has a radius at least about 15% larger than the radius of said ophthalmic lens.  
     
     
         14 . The inspection unit of  claim 9 , wherein said indentation is hemispherical.  
     
     
         15 . The inspection unit of  claim 9 , wherein said bottom planar surface and the surface of said concave indentation are optically finished.  
     
     
         16 . The inspection unit of  claim 9 , wherein said bottom planar surface and the surface of said concave indentation are optically finished, and said inspection cell comprises a transparent material.  
     
     
         17 . The inspection unit of  claim 16 , wherein said transparent material is quartz.  
     
     
         18 . A reusable inspection cell for a hydrogel contact lens, comprising a quartz block having an optically finished bottom planar surface and a top surface, wherein said top surface has an optically finished concave indentation, wherein said concave indentation is adapted to accept said contact lens.  
     
     
         19 . The inspection cell of  claim 18 , wherein said concave indentation is hemispherical, hemielliptical or conical.  
     
     
         20 . The inspection cell of  claim 18 , wherein said indentation is hemispherical.