Mask configured to maintain nutrient transport without producing visible diffraction patterns

• US 20060271176A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corneagen, Inc. (SightLife, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Healthcare Royalty Partners II LP (Toronto-Dominion Bank)
• Inventors: Christie, Bruce A., Silvestrini, Thomas A., Hahnen, Kevin F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,858,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/4.100
• 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 for increasing the depth of focus of the patient, the method comprising:

providing an ophthalmic device comprising an intraocular lens and a mask coupled with the intraocular lens, the mask comprising an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all incident light and a substantially opaque portion surrounding at least a portion of the aperture, the ophthalmic device comprising a plurality of irregularly located nutrient flow paths in the opaque portion; and

inserting the mask into the eye posterior of a cornea thereof.