Mask configured to maintain nutrient transport without producing visible diffraction patterns

• US 20060271182A1
• 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:
  US11/417,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271182A1
• 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 method of treating a vision defect of a patient, comprising:

configuring a mask to be implanted in a cornea of a patient, the mask comprising an anterior surface extending from an outer periphery, a posterior surface extending from the outer periphery, an aperture located within the outer periphery, and a non-transmissive portion disposed about the aperture, the non-transmissive portion preventing transmission of between about 85 and about 100 percent of incident light;

configuring the non-transmissive portion of the mask with a plurality of nutrient flow paths that reduce nutrient depletion due to the presence of the mask in the cornea; and

inserting the mask into a cornea of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the mask further comprises:

accessing a first corneal layer of an eye of the patient;

placing the posterior surface of the mask adjacent to the first corneal layer; and

placing a second corneal layer adjacent to the anterior surface of the mask.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the non-transmissive portion to prevent transmission of about 92 percent of incident light.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the non-transmissive portion to be substantially opaque.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the non-transmissive portion with a pigmentation agent.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the pigmentation agent comprises a dye.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the pigmentation agent comprises gold.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the pigmentation agent comprises carbon.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating a pigmentation agent on at least one of the anterior surface and the posterior surface of the mask.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating a pigmentation agent in an interior region of the mask.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the non-transmissive portion with areas of varying light transmissivity.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a gradual increase in opacity of the mask toward the outer periphery or an inner periphery thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising altering the location of at least some of the nutrient flow paths in the mask to vary light transmissivity.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the nutrient flow paths to maintain at least about ninety-six percent of the natural flow of at least one biological substance from a first corneal layer to a second corneal layer.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one biological substance includes glucose.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising locating the aperture centrally within the outer periphery and extending the aperture through the anterior and posterior surfaces.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a lens body having an optical power for vision correction.