U.S. patent application number 15/181705 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-23 for eyewear for treatment of vestibular maladies.
The applicant listed for this patent is Patrick Slater. Invention is credited to Patrick Slater.
Application Number | 20200124876 15/181705 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60572604 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200124876 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Slater; Patrick |
April 23, 2020 |
EYEWEAR FOR TREATMENT OF VESTIBULAR MALADIES
Abstract
A method for treating a patient having a vestibular malady is
provided. The method comprises (a) diagnosing the patient as having
a vestibular malady; and (b) prescribing eyewear to the patient as
a treatment of the vestibular malady, either alone or in
conjunction with undertaking vestibular rehabilitation while
wearing the eyewear. The eyewear (201) has a first lens (205) which
extends over the field of vision of a first eye, wherein the first
lens has first (207) and second (209) distinct optical regions. The
eyewear imparts vision to the first eye which is characterized by a
central vision having a first optical quality and a peripheral
vision having a second optical quality.
Inventors: |
Slater; Patrick; (Austin,
TX) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Slater; Patrick |
Austin |
TX |
US |
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20170357109 A1 |
December 14, 2017 |
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Family ID: |
60572604 |
Appl. No.: |
15/181705 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13665862 |
Oct 31, 2012 |
9395556 |
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15181705 |
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61553827 |
Oct 31, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C 7/105 20130101;
G02C 7/06 20130101; G02C 7/104 20130101; G02C 7/12 20130101; A61B
5/4023 20130101; G02C 2202/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02C 7/10 20060101
G02C007/10; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; G02C 7/06 20060101
G02C007/06; G02C 7/12 20060101 G02C007/12 |
Claims
1. A method for treating a patient having a vestibular malady,
comprising: diagnosing the patient as having a vestibular malady;
and treating the vestibular malady by causing the patient to
undertake vestibular rehabilitation while wearing eyewear, wherein
the vestibular rehabilitation includes a series of physical
exercises, wherein the eyewear has a first lens which extends over
the field of vision of a first eye of the patient, wherein the
first lens has first and second distinct optical regions which
impart vision to the first eye which is characterized by a central
vision and a peripheral vision, and wherein objects appear darker
in the peripheral vision than in the central vision.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: causing the patient
to undertake vestibular rehabilitation while wearing the
eyewear.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the vestibular rehabilitation
includes a series of physical exercises.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the vestibular rehabilitation
includes a series of physical exercises to strengthen the
vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR).
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the vestibular rehabilitation
includes a series of physical exercises designed to strengthen the
vestibulospinal reflex (VSR).
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the vestibular rehabilitation
implements an adaption approach.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the vestibular rehabilitation
implements a substitution approach.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the vestibular malady is selected
from the group consisting of vertigo, labyrinthitis, vestibular
neuritis, and vestibular hypofunction.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the vestibular malady is benign
paroxysmal positional vertigo.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the vestibular malady is
selected from the group consisting of unilateral vestibular
hypofunction and bilateral vestibular hypofunction.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the vestibular malady is
Meniere's disease.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first optical region is
characterized by a first shade, and wherein the second optical
region is characterized by a second shade which is darker than the
first shade.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first and second shades
are different shades of the same hue.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first lens imparts tunnel
vision to the first eye.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first optical region is
characterized by a first tint, and wherein the second optical
region is characterized by a second tint which is darker than the
first tint.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said first and second tints are
different tints of the same hue.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical
regions are characterized by first and second distinct optical
powers
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first optical region is
centrally disposed in the field of vision of the first eye, and
wherein the second optical region is disposed adjacent to the first
optical region.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first optical region is
centrally disposed over the line of sight of the first eye, and
wherein the second optical region is disposed over the peripheral
vision of the first eye.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second optical
regions produce a condition in the first eye selected from the
group consisting of near-sightedness and tunnel vision.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the eyewear is selected from the
group consisting of eye glasses and contact lenses.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions
impart vision to the first eye which is characterized by an
undistorted first central vision and a distorted first peripheral
vision.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first region transmits
visible light with a lower degree of optical distortion than said
second region.
24. The method of claim 24, wherein the first region transmits
visible light with a lower degree of optical distortion than said
second region as measured by the ASTM F2156-11 standard test
method.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions
impart vision to the first eye which is characterized by an
uncolored first central vision and a colored first peripheral
vision.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions
impart vision to the first eye which is characterized by an
unshaded first central vision and a shaded first peripheral
vision.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second regions
impart vision to the first eye which is characterized by a
polarized first central vision and an unpolarized first peripheral
vision.
28. The method of claim 1, wherein said first region is
characterized by a higher % transmission than said second region.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/665,862, filed Oct. 31, 2012, having the
same title, and having the same inventor, and which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. This application also claims
the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/553,827, filed Oct. 31, 2011, having the same title, and having
the same inventor, and which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure pertains generally to the treatment
of vestibular maladies, and more particularly to the use in such
treatment of eyewear which imparts tunnel vision to the user, thus
causing subtle inner ear reflexes to improve activity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is currently
utilized in the medical arts to treat a variety of vestibular
maladies, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV),
labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and the unilateral or bilateral
vestibular hypofunction (reduced inner ear function on one or both
sides) that is commonly associated with Meniere's disease. However,
VRT is believed to work best in the treatment of stable vestibular
maladies. VRT is also useful in treating patients with an acute or
abrupt loss of vestibular function subsequent to surgery for
vestibular problems. In some cases, it is found that patients with
long-term, unresolved inner ear disorders, who have undergone a
period of medical management with little or no success, may also
benefit from VRT.
[0004] Vestibular problems affect the vestibulo-ocular reflex
(VOR), which controls eye movement and gaze stabilization during
head movement, and may also affect the vestibulospinal reflex
(VSR), which influences postural stability. Consequently, one of
the goals of VRT is to improve these reflexes. VRT does not repair
the damaged inner ear, but focuses instead on helping the central
nervous system to adapt to the asymmetrical input from the VOR and
VSR. Without wishing to be bound by theory, such adaptation may
occur through the spontaneous rebalancing of tonic activity in the
vestibular nuclei, or by the recovery of the VOR through adaption
or by way of the abituation effect (which lessens the response to
the same stimuli over time).
[0005] VRT typically includes three main approaches: canalith
repositioning, substitution and adaption. Canalith repositioning is
an option for patients having BPPV in conjunction with
labyrinthitis, and involves repositioning calcium crystals into the
correct inner ear canal.
[0006] Substitution involves strengthening the vestibular system by
reducing other inputs such as, for example, vision. In this
approach, an exercised regime may be prescribed, but may be
performed, for example, with the eyes closed.
[0007] Adaption is designed to reset the VOR. Typically, this is
accomplished through an exercise regime which features head
positions and movements the patient has been avoiding. Many of the
exercises feature head movement with eye movement, and often
utilize different surfaces. For example, the patient may start an
exercise session standing on carpet, and then progress to foam
during the exercise. Adaption aids rehabilitation by causing the
vestibular system to work harder.
[0008] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that, in
substitution and adaption approaches, VRT is frequently implemented
as an exercise-based program designed to promote central nervous
system compensation for inner ear deficits. In a typical VRT
regimen of this type, a qualified physical therapist or
occupational therapist performs a thorough evaluation that includes
an examination of the patient's medical history and an assessment
of the patient's VSR. This assessment includes observing and
measuring posture, balance and gait, and compensatory strategies.
The assessment may also include eye-head coordination tests that
measure how well a person's eyes track a moving object (with or
without head movement). The therapist may also administer a
suitable questionnaire designed to measure the frequency and
severity of symptoms and associated lifestyle changes.
[0009] Using the evaluation results, the therapist will develop an
individualized treatment plan that includes specific head, body,
and eye exercises to be performed both in the therapy setting and
at home. These exercises are designed to retrain the brain to
recognize and process signals from the vestibular system and to
coordinate them with visual information and proprioception. This
often involves desensitizing the balance system to movements that
provoke symptoms, and increasing home-based activities and exercise
in order to strengthen muscles. Home exercises are often a vital
part of treatment, and the therapist will frequently design an
individualized treatment plan with appropriate exercises to be
performed by the patient at home at a prescribed pace.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one aspect, a method for treating a patient having a
vestibular malady is provided. The method comprises (a) diagnosing
the patient as having a vestibular malady; and (b) prescribing
eyewear to the patient having a first lens which extends over the
field of vision of a first eye, wherein the first lens has first
and second distinct optical regions which impart vision to the
first eye, and wherein the imparted vision is characterized by a
central vision having a first optical quality and a peripheral
vision having a second optical quality which is distinct from the
first optical quality. The eyewear may be used either as a
stand-alone treatment of the vestibular malady, or may be used in
conjunction with vestibular rehabilitation (for example, the
patient may undertake vestibular rehabilitation, such as a
vestibular rehabilitation therapy session, while wearing the
eyewear).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which like reference numerals indicate like features and
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first particular,
non-limiting embodiment of a set of eyeglasses made in accordance
with the teachings herein.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second particular,
non-limiting embodiment of a set of eyeglasses made in accordance
with the teachings herein.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a particular, non-limiting
embodiment of an ophthalmic lens made in accordance with the
teachings herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] While conventional vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
is effective in treating some patients who suffer from vestibular
maladies, further improvements in the treatment of vestibular
maladies, and in the efficacy of VRT, is desired.
[0016] It has now been found that this objective may be attained by
utilizing the eyewear described herein, either as a stand-alone
treatment for treating vestibular maladies, or as a tool to be used
in conjunction with VRT. When used in conjunction with VRT, the
effectiveness of VRT may be enhanced by having the patient wear the
eyewear described herein during the VRT therapy sessions. This
eyewear is equipped with a first lens which extends over the field
of vision of a first eye, wherein the first lens has first and
second distinct optical regions which impart vision to the first
eye which is characterized by first and second optical
characteristics, respectively.
[0017] Preferably, the eyewear is further equipped with a second
lens which has similar optical properties to the first lens. In
particular, the second lens preferably extends over the field of
vision of a second eye, and has third and fourth distinct optical
regions which impart vision to the second eye which is
characterized by third and fourth optical characteristics,
respectively. Preferably, the first and third optical regions have
the same optical characteristics, and the second and fourth optical
regions have the same optical characteristics. Even more
preferably, the first and third optical regions impart an
undistorted central vision to the eyes of a person wearing the
eyewear, and the second and fourth optical regions impart a
distorted peripheral vision to the eyes of a person wearing the
eyewear.
[0018] FIG. 1 discloses a first particular, non-limiting embodiment
of eyewear which may be utilized in the practice of the
methodologies disclosed herein. The eyewear 201 disclosed therein
is a set of eyeglasses having first 205 and second 211 lenses. As
used herein, the term "lens" refers merely to a portion of the
eyeglasses that covers a portion of the user's field of vision, and
does not by itself imply any particular optical characteristic or
effect. The first lens 205 has first 207 and second 209 regions
defined therein, and the second lens 211 has third 213 and fourth
215 regions defined therein. Any of the first 207, second 209,
third 213 and fourth 215 regions may be optical regions (that is,
may impart an optical effect to the user's vision). These regions
may be placed in various locations in the lenses, but preferably,
the first 207 and third 213 regions are situated within the lens so
that they are disposed over all or a portion of the central portion
of the user's vision, and the second 209 and fourth 215 regions are
situated within the lens so that they are disposed over all or a
portion of the peripheral portion of the user's vision.
[0019] In one preferred embodiment, the optical characteristics of
the first 207 and third 213 regions are the same, and the optical
characteristics of the second 209 and fourth 215 regions are the
same, although embodiments are also possible in which the optical
characteristics of any of the first 207, second 209, third 213 and
fourth 215 optical regions may independently be the same or
different. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the color
and/or tinting of the first 207 and third 213 regions is the same,
the color and/or tinting of the second 209 and fourth 215 regions
is the same, and the color and/or tinting of the first 207 and
second 209 regions is different.
[0020] Even more preferably, the first 207 and third 213 regions
may have a lesser degree of color and/or tinting (and preferably,
no color or tinting) (as measured, for example, by darkness,
saturation or hue), and the second 209 and fourth 215 regions may
have a greater degree of color and/or tinting (and preferably, a
pronounced degree of color and/or tinting). This has the effect of
dimming the peripheral portion of the user's vision, thus creating
a tunnel vision effect of the type referred to above which is
characterized by clear and bright central vision and a darkened
peripheral vision.
[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the optical power of the
first 207 and third 213 regions is the same, and the optical power
of the second 209 and fourth 215 regions is the same. Preferably,
the first 207 and third 213 regions impart normal (e.g., 20/20)
vision to the user in the field of vision they cover, and hence,
the optical characteristics of this region may be selected in light
of the user's vision. By contrast, the optical characteristics of
the second 209 and fourth 215 regions are preferably selected to
impart other than 20/20 vision to the user, and more preferably are
selected to impart distorted, blurred, or occluded vision to the
user in the field of vision they cover. Most preferably, the
optical characteristics of the second 209 and fourth 215 regions
are selected so that, taken in conjunction with the first 207 and
third 213 regions, the eyewear imparts a condition of tunnel vision
or near-sightedness to the user which is characterized by clear
central vision and a peripheral vision that is distorted or
"out-of-focus".
[0022] Various means may be utilized to create regions with
different optical characteristics for the purposes of the teachings
herein. The optical characteristics may be, for example, color,
tint, optical power, polarization, specularity, diffusiveness,
degree of clarity, degree of obfuscation, optical reflectivity
(over one or more wavelengths), optical transmission (over one or
more wavelengths), the presence or absence of visual artifacts,
degree of vision correction, or various combinations or
subcombinations of the foregoing.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a second particular, non-limiting
embodiment of eyewear which may be utilized in the methodologies
described herein. The eyewear 301 in this embodiment comprises a
set of glasses 302 equipped with a clip 321 that releasably engages
a flip frame 319. The glasses 302 are otherwise conventional and
comprise a first frame 303 within which is set first 323 and second
325 lenses. In some implementations of this embodiment, the glasses
302 may be prescription glasses to impart corrected (and hence
normal) vision to users with vision problems. In other
implementations, the glasses may simply comprise clear glass or
plastic that does not provide any vision correction.
[0024] The flip frame 319 comprises a second frame 333 within which
is set a first 305 lens comprising first 307 and second 309
regions, and a second 311 lens comprising third 313 and fourth 315
regions. The first 305 and second 311 lens, and the first 307,
second 309, third 313 and fourth 315 regions may be of the type
described with respect to their analogous components in the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.
[0025] In use, when it is desired to impart tunnel vision,
near-sightedness, or to otherwise modify the user's vision for the
purposes described herein, the user simply flips the flip frame 319
into place over the first 323 and second 325 lenses, whereupon the
eyewear 301 functions in a manner similar to the eyewear of FIG. 1.
Hence, this embodiment provides the user with ready access to the
advantages of the eyewear described herein, while also providing
the user with the protection or use of conventional eyewear when
such advantages are not needed.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a second particular, non-limiting
embodiment of eyewear which may be utilized in the methodologies
described herein. The eyewear 401 in this embodiment comprises an
ophthalmic lens 401 having first 407 and second 409 optical regions
defined therein. As in the embodiments described above, the first
407 and second 409 optical regions preferably cooperate to induce
tunnel vision or short-sightedness in the user. Methods which may
be used to make an ophthalmic lens of this type are described in
U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,993 (Matsui), which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0027] In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be
desirable to construct lenses having a first region characterized
by a first degree of optical distortion d.sub.1 and a second region
characterized by a second degree of optical distortion d.sub.2,
wherein d.sub.1<d.sub.2. In such embodiments, d.sub.1 may be
very small or may be essentially 0, and d.sub.2 may be in the
range, for example, of greater than 2%, greater than 5%, greater
than 10%, or greater than 20%.
[0028] Various methodologies for measuring the degree of optical
distortion may be utilized in fabricating such embodiments. One
such methodology is described, for example, in the ASTM F2156-11
standard entitled "Standard Test Method for Measuring Optical
Distortion in Transparent Parts Using Grid Line Slope". In some
implementations of this type of embodiment, the optical distortion
may maintain or expand the image in the center of the field of view
and compress the image in the periphery of the field of view.
Examples of lenses capable of performing such a functionality may
be found, for example, in U.S. 2012/0206627 (Reshidko et al.),
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0029] In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be
desirable to construct lenses having a first region characterized
by a first % transmission T.sub.1 to visible light and a second
region characterized by a second % transmission T.sub.2 to visible
light. In such embodiments, the difference in % transmission
(T.sub.1-T.sub.2) is preferably at least 10%, more preferably at
least 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, and most preferably
in the range of about 25% to about 50%. The % transmission may be
expressed in various ways including, for example, the average
transmission over the visible region of the spectrum, or the
minimum or maximum transmission over the visible region of the
spectrum.
[0030] In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be
desirable to construct lenses having a first region characterized
as being relatively free of optical occlusions, and a second region
which contains optical occlusions. The occlusions may be, for
example, particles or features which specularly or diffusely
scatter, reflect light or absorb light over the visible region of
the spectrum. Preferably, the first region is essentially devoid of
such optical occlusions so that it provides little or no
scattering, reflection or absorption of visible light, while the
second region provides at least some scattering, reflection or
absorption of visible light. The amount of scattering, reflection
or absorption of visible light in the second region may be, for
example, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, or at least 50%,
but is preferably within the range of about 25% to about 50%, while
the amount of scattering, reflection or absorption of visible light
in the first region is preferably less than 10%, more preferably
less than about 5%, and even more preferably less than about 2%.
The % of scattering, reflection or absorption may be expressed in
various ways including, for example, the average scattering,
reflection or absorption over the visible region of the spectrum,
or the minimum or maximum scattering, reflection or absorption over
the visible region of the spectrum.
[0031] In some embodiments, the second region may have visible
features (such as, for example, printed features) disposed thereon
or therein, and the first region may be free of such features or
contain a lower incidence of them. The features may include, for
example, dots, lines, curves, geometrical figures or patterns, or
the like. In other embodiments, perforations in the lenses may be
used in place of, or in addition to, such features.
[0032] In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be
desirable to construct lenses having a first region characterized
as having a higher transmission or a lower reflectivity or
absorption, and a second region characterized as having a lower
transmission or a higher reflectivity or absorption. This may be
accomplished, for example, by providing or applying an optically
reflective or absorbing film to (or over) the second region but not
to (or over) the first region, or by providing an optically
reflective or absorbing film to (or over) both regions and
selectively removing it from the first region. A similar effect may
be provided by applying an optically reflective or absorbing
pigment to (or over) the second region but not to (or over) the
first region, by providing a higher density of the reflective or
absorbing pigment or film to (or over) the second region than the
first region, or by applying first and second reflective or
absorbing films to the first and second regions, wherein the second
reflective film has a higher reflectivity than the first reflective
film.
[0033] In any of the foregoing embodiments, the reflective films or
pigments may also be polarizing films or pigments. Moreover, the
optical reflectivity or absorption of the second region to visible
light may be, for example, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least
30%, or at least 50%, but is preferably within the range of about
25% to about 50%, while the optical reflectivity or absorption of
the first region to visible light is preferably less than 10%, more
preferably less than about 5%, and even more preferably less than
about 2%.
[0034] In some of the embodiments described herein, it may be
desirable to construct lenses in which the first region is
characterized as having a first color or hue (or being colorless),
and in which the second region is characterized as having a second
color or hue. The first and second colors or hues are preferably
distinct, but may also (or instead) differ in value or saturation.
Preferably, the second color is darker or cooler (e.g., more
towards the blue end of the spectrum) than the first color. Most
preferably, the first region is colorless, and the second region is
selected from the group consisting of green, blue or violet.
[0035] The first, second, third and fourth regions may have various
shapes and may independently be, for example, elliptical, circular,
polygonal (including, for example, square, rectangular, pentagonal,
hexagonal and octagonal), or irregular in shape.
[0036] The dimensions of the first, second, third and fourth
regions may vary from one implementation to another. Typically, the
first and third regions have a major dimension within the range of
about 4 mm to about 75 mm, preferably within the range of about 8
mm to about 50 mm, more preferably within the range of about 15 mm
to about 35 mm, and most preferably within the range of about 20 mm
to about 30 mm. The dimensions of the second and fourth regions may
also vary, and will typically be dictated by such considerations as
style, gender of the user, the dimensions of popular or available
frames, and the like.
[0037] In some embodiments, the boundaries between the first and
second regions and the third and fourth regions may be sharply
defined. In other embodiments, these regions may be blurred, may
transition gradually into each other, or may be separated from each
other by an intervening region which may be optically distinct from
the first and second regions.
[0038] While the eyewear disclosed herein has frequently been
described as lenses having two distinct optical regions thereon,
one skilled in the art will appreciate that, in some embodiments, a
larger number of optical regions may be utilized to a similar
effect.
[0039] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0040] As used herein, the term "essentially", as used in reference
to a geometric shape or figure (e.g., "essentially elliptical"),
means that one skilled in the art would describe the item in
question as having the designated shape or figure, notwithstanding
slight deviations or imperfections in the item that might prevent
it from meeting the strict mathematical definition of such a shape
or figure. When used in reference to a number k, "essentially" k
shall mean k.+-.0.05k. Moreover, the disclosure of "essentially" k
shall be taken to be a disclosure of both "essentially" k and k as
possible values for the parameter in question.
[0041] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar
referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in
the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover
both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising,"
"having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as
open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")
unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are
merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring
individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually
recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in
any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise
clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples,
or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not
pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as
indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of
the invention.
[0042] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described
herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying
out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may
become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for
the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the
claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover,
any combination of the above-described elements in all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
* * * * *