Methods and apparatus for biomedical devices with customized appearance

Abstract

Designs, apparatus and methods to form contact lenses with aesthetic elements on demand are described. In some examples, the method of defining the aesthetic aspect includes printing patterns. Other examples include photochromic or thermochromic elements which may provide patterning on exposure to electromagnetic irradiation. In some further examples, energized components in contact lenses may provide aesthetic characteristics.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A contact lens device comprising:
 a hydrogel base, wherein a lower surface of the hydrogel base is shaped to comfortably fit on a surface of a user's cornea; and   an element that imparts a color to a location within a body of the contact lens, wherein the location of the element that imparts a color and a nature of the color at that location is determined by interaction of the user with a software program which displays an image of a pattern of color.   
     
     
         2 . The contact lens device of  claim 1  wherein the determination of the location of the element that imparts a color is made before the element that imparts a color is placed. 
     
     
         3 . The contact lens device of  claim 2  wherein the element that imparts a color comprises an ink. 
     
     
         4 . The contact lens device of  claim 3  wherein the ink is placed within the contact lens by an inkjet printer. 
     
     
         5 . The contact lens device of  claim 3  wherein the ink is placed within the contact lens by a needle. 
     
     
         6 . The contact lens device of  claim 2  wherein the element that imparts a color comprises a photochromic dye. 
     
     
         7 . The contact lens device of  claim 6  wherein the element that imparts a color comprising a photochromic dye is turned color by an exposure to ultraviolet radiation. 
     
     
         8 . The contact lens device of  claim 1  further comprising a second layer of polymeric material, wherein the second layer of polymeric material lies above the element that imparts a color and together with the hydrogel base encapsulates the element that imparts a color. 
     
     
         9 . The contact lens device of  claim 1  further comprising an insert device, wherein the insert device is encapsulated within the hydrogel base, and wherein the insert device comprises embedded micronized pieces of polymer wherein a photochromic dye is located within the micronized pieces of polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The contact lens device of  claim 1  further comprising an insert device, wherein the insert device is encapsulated within the hydrogel base, and wherein the insert device comprises embedded micronized pieces of polymer wherein a photochromic dye is located within the micronized pieces of polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The contact lens device of  claim 1  further comprising an insert device, wherein the insert device is encapsulated within the hydrogel base, and wherein the insert device comprises embedded micronized pieces of polymer wherein a thermochromic dye is located within the micronized pieces of polymer. 
     
     
         12 . A method of forming a pattern within a contact lens, the method comprising:
 forming a contact lens base, wherein the forming comprises molding;   placing the contact lens base into a package for storage;   interacting with a design system to select a pattern design;   imparting a colorant to the contact lens base;   depositing a monomer mixture upon the contact lens base, wherein the monomer mixture surrounds an exposed surface of the colorant; and   fixing the monomer mixture by polymerization/.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the imparting of the colorant to the contact lens base is performed by printing an ink upon the contact lens base. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the imparting of the colorant to the contact lens base is performed by penetrating the contact lens base with needles, wherein the needle is coated with an ink. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the imparting of the colorant to the contact lens base is performed by irradiating a photochromic dye, wherein the photochromic dye is located within a body of the contact lens base. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the imparting of the colorant to the contact lens base is performed by irradiating a thermochromics dye, wherein the thermochromics dye is located within a body of the contact lens base.