Lenses capable of post-fabrication modulus change

• US 20030151719A1
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology, Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Pape, Eric, Grubbs, Robert H., Kornfield, Julia A., Jethmalani, Jagdish M., Sandstedt, Christian A., Schwartz, Daniel M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,813,097 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1627 for changing index of refraction, e.g. by external means or by tilting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1635 for changing shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/16 for reconstruction of eye parts, e.g. intraocular lens, cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/18 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 83/04 Polysiloxanes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/043 Contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/00 Simple or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/14 Photorefractive lens material
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00

Abstract

Novel optical elements are provided which are capable of post fabrication modifications. Specifically, the invention includes lenses, such as intraocular lens, which can undergo changes in storage modulus after fabrication.

Claims

1. An optical element comprising a first polymer matrix and a modifying composition dispersed therein, wherein the composition is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization causing a change in the elastic modulus.

2. The optical element of claim 1 wherein said change in elastic modules, Δ

G′

ranges from about 0 to about 45 percent.

3. The optical element of claim 1 wherein said modifying composition is present in an amount of from about 0 to 35 weight percent.

4. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the stimulus is light.

5. The optical element of claim 4 wherein the light is ultraviolet light.

6. The optical element of claim 1 wherein said stimulus-induced polymerization is photopolymerization.

7. The optical element of claim 1 wherein said modifying composition include groups capable of photopolymerization.

8. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the element is an intraocular lens.

9. An optical element comprising a first polymer matrix;

and a modifying composition dispersed therein said the composition being capable of stimulus-induced polymerization causing an amount about 25 to 45 percent change in the elastic modules of the element.

10. The optical element of claim 9 wherein the composition is present in an amount from about 15 to about 35 weight percent.

11. The optical element of claim 9 wherein the stimulus-induced polymerization is photopolymerization.

12. The optical element of claim 11 when the photopolymerization is induced by ultraviolet light.

13. The optical element of claim 9 wherein the element comprises an intraocular lens.

14. The optical element of claim 9 when the change in electric modules occurs in a specified region of the optical element.