Mask configured to maintain nutrient transport without producing visible diffraction patterns

• US 20060271178A1
• 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:
  US11/417,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271178A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/5.110
• 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 mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient, the mask comprising:

a body having an anterior surface configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer and a posterior surface configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer, the body being formed of a substantially opaque open cell material and being configured to enhance nutrient transport between the first and second corneal layers, the body being configured to substantially eliminate diffraction patterns that are visible to the patient; and

an aperture substantially surrounded by the body and configured to transmit therethrough substantially all incident light along an optical axis.

2. The mask of claim 1, wherein the open cell material is an open cell foam material.

3. The mask of claim 1, wherein the material maintains at least about ninety-six percent of the natural flow of at least one biological substance from the first corneal layer to the second corneal layer.

5. The mask of claim 1, wherein the open cell material is a hydrogel material configured to have relatively high water content at least when applied in the cornea.

6. The mask of claim 1, wherein the open cell material comprises an expanded solid material.

10. The mask of claim 1, wherein the body is capable of providing a substantial fraction of the natural flow of at least one biological substance between the first and second corneal layers to maintain the viability thereof.

11. The mask of claim 1, wherein the open cell material is configured to have relatively high water content at least when applied in the cornea.

4. The mask of claim 4, wherein the at least one biological substance includes glucose.

7. A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient, the mask comprising:

a body having an anterior surface configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer and a posterior surface configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer, the body being formed of an opaque open cell material that is configured to substantially maintain the viability of the first and second corneal layers, the body being configured to substantially eliminate diffraction patterns that are visible to the patient.

8. The mask of claim 7, wherein the body is capable of providing a substantial fraction of the natural flow of at least one biological substance between the first and second corneal layers to maintain the viability thereof.

9. The mask of claim 8, wherein the material is capable of providing at least about ninety-six percent of the natural flow of the at least one biological substance.

12. The mask of claim 7, wherein the body is formed about an aperture.

13. The mask of claim 7, wherein the body is a mask body formed about a lens body having an optical power for vision correction.

14. The mask of claim 13, wherein lens body is configured to correct for near vision in the pin-hole like optical aperture.

15. The mask of claim 13, wherein lens body is configured to correct for distance vision in the pin-hole like optical aperture.

16. The mask of claim 13, wherein lens body is configured to correct for intermediate vision in the pin-hole like optical aperture.