Mask configured to maintain nutrient transport without producing visible diffraction patterns

• US 20060268228A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bruce A. Christie, Kevin F. Hahnen, Thomas A. Silvestrini
• Original Assignee: Bruce A. Christie, Kevin F. Hahnen, Thomas A. Silvestrini
• Inventors: Christie, Bruce A., Silvestrini, Thomas A., Hahnen, Kevin F.
• Application Number:
  US11/418,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20060268228A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/177
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/152 for aligning
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/14 Eye parts, e.g. lenses, corneal implants; Implanting instruments specially adapted therefor; Artificial eyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/145 Corneal inlays, onlays, or lenses for refractive correction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/147 Implants to be inserted in the stroma for refractive correction, e.g. ring-like implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/15 Implant having one or more holes, e.g. for nutrient transport, for facilitating handling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1601 Lens body having features to facilitate aqueous fluid flow across the intraocular lens, e.g. for pressure equalization or nutrient delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/1689 having plate-haptics
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/1696 Having structure for blocking or reducing amount of light transmitted, e.g. glare reduction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/1699 Additional features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0023 differing in porosity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/007 Methods or devices for eye surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 27/02 Ophthalmic agents
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/04 Lenses comprising decentered structures
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/046 Contact lenses having an iris pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/165 with stenopaeic apertures

Abstract

A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.

Claims

1. A method of making a mask to treat a vision defect of a patient, comprising:

providing a body having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a peripheral non-transmissive portion disposed about a transmissive portion, the transmissive portion being disposed about an optical axis and being transmissive along the optical axis of substantially all of the incident light, the mask having formed therein a nutrient transport structure;

configuring the nutrient transport structure to substantially maintain natural nutrient flow across the body without producing visible diffraction patterns;

configuring the body with a thickness being defined between the anterior and posterior surfaces such that the mask can be inserted between naturally adjacent layers of a cornea of the patient while substantially maintaining the natural curvature of the cornea.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to maintain transport of at least ninety-six percent of natural glucose flow.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the thickness is between about 5 and about 10 microns.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the thickness is between about 8 microns.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the thickness is about 20 microns or less.

6. A method of making a mask to treat a vision defect of a patient, comprising:

providing a body having an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a peripheral non-transmissive portion disposed about a transmissive portion, the transmissive portion being disposed about an optical axis and being transmissive along the optical axis to substantially all of the incident light, the mask having formed therein a nutrient transport structure;

configuring the nutrient transport structure as a plurality of holes extending through the anterior and posterior surfaces of the body, the holes substantially maintaining natural nutrient flow across the body without producing visible diffraction patterns; and

configuring the body such that the mask can be inserted between naturally adjacent layers of a cornea of the patient while substantially maintaining the natural curvature of the cornea.