Intraocular device with articulated housing structures

• US 10,245,140 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Haddock, Joshua Naaman, Azar, Dimitri
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blanco, Javier
• Application Number:
  US14/985,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20170189169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 623 41, 623 622, 623 643, 607 54
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1624 having adjustable focus; power activated variable focus means, e.g. mechanically or electrically by the ciliary muscle or from the outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/1681 having supporting structure for lens, e.g. haptics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0004 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular

Abstract

Techniques and mechanisms to facilitate implantation of an ophthalmic device in an eye. In an embodiment, the ophthalmic device includes multiple housing structures (housings), where components of the ophthalmic device are variously disposed in respective ones of such housings. The housings are flexibly coupled each to a respective other one of such housings. One or more flexible interconnects of the device allow for articulation of the housings during implantation in an eye. In another embodiment, first circuitry disposed in one housing facilitates operation of the ophthalmic device to sense a condition at the eye or to assist sight with the eye. Second circuitry, disposed in another of the housings, is electrically coupled with the first circuitry via a flexible interconnect.

Claims

1. An intraocular device for implantation in an eye, the intraocular device comprising:

discrete housing structures including a first housing, a second housing, and a third housing, wherein the discrete housing structures are each rigid encasements physically separated and spaced apart from each other, and wherein the first housing is positioned between the second housing and the third housing;

a first and a second flexible interconnect to respectively couple the second and the third housings to the first housing, wherein the first flexible interconnect is coupled between the first housing and the second housing, wherein the second flexible interconnect is coupled between the first housing and the third housing, wherein the first flexible interconnect provides articulation of the second housing relative to the first housing, and wherein the second flexible interconnect provides articulation of the third housing relative to the first housing;

a first and a second haptic structure extending from the second housing and the third housing respectively, each to resist movement of the intraocular device when implanted in the eye, wherein a first proximal end of the first haptic structure and the first flexible interconnect are positioned on opposite sides of the second housing, and wherein a second proximal end of the second haptic structure and the second flexible interconnect are positioned on opposite sides of the third housing;

a dynamic optic at least partially disposed within the first housing, wherein the dynamic optic provides a level of accommodation for the eye;

a first component disposed within the second housing, wherein the first component is electrically coupled to the first housing via the first flexible interconnect; and

a second component disposed within the third housing, wherein the second component is electrically coupled to the first housing via the second flexible interconnect.

2. The intraocular device of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of discrete sensors distributed in or on the first housing to generate a feedback control signal indicative of eyelid overlap,

wherein the first component includes a controller coupled to receive the feedback control signal via the first flexible interconnect, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the dynamic optic responsive to the feedback control signal for providing real-time auto-accommodation.

3. The intraocular device of claim 1, wherein the first haptic structure has a first width greater than a width of the first flexible interconnect, and wherein the second haptic structure has a second width greater than a width of the second flexible interconnect.

4. The intraocular device of claim 1,

wherein the first component includes a battery coupled to a controller, each disposed on a shared substrate disposed within the second housing, wherein the controller is configured to provide a supply voltage to power the dynamic optic via the first flexible interconnect.

5. The intraocular device of claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure sensor disposed at least partially within the first housing, and

wherein the first component includes a power source, disposed within the second housing, coupled to the pressure sensor via the first flexible interconnect to power operation of the pressure sensor.

6. The intraocular device of claim 1, further comprising:

wireless communication logic disposed within at least one of the first housing, the second housing, or the third housing, wherein the wireless communication logic is adapted to exchange wireless communications.

7. The intraocular device of claim 1, wherein a total volume of the first housing is different than a total volume of the second housing.

8. The intraocular device of claim 1, wherein each of the discrete housing structures are hermetically sealed and include a coating of a biocompatible material.

9. The intraocular device of claim 1, wherein the first flexible interconnect and the second flexible interconnect are less rigid than the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing.

10. The intraocular device of claim 1, wherein a first width of the first haptic structure and a second width of the second haptic structure is less than a width of at least one of the first housing, the second housing, or the third housing.

11. The intraocular device of claim 1, wherein the first housing is disposed between the first flexible interconnect and the second flexible interconnect, wherein the second housing is disposed between the first haptic structure and the first flexible interconnect, and wherein the third housing is disposed between the second flexible interconnect and the second haptic structure.

12. The intraocular device of claim 1, wherein the second housing and the third housing each include an outer coating of a biocompatible material.