Method of making an ocular implant

• US 20060271185A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thomas A. Silvestrini
• Original Assignee: Thomas A. Silvestrini
• Inventors: Silvestrini, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US11/417,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271185A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/5.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/142 Cornea, e.g. artificial corneae, keratoprostheses or corneal implants for repair of defective corneal tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/15 Implant having one or more holes, e.g. for nutrient transport, for facilitating handling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2240/002 Designing or making customized prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00834 Inlays; Onlays; Intraocular lenses [IOL]
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 14/0005 Separation of the coating from the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/165 with stenopaeic apertures

Abstract

A method is provided for making a mask configured to improve the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A substrate is provided with a mask forming feature. The mask forming feature comprises an annular surface that has a curved profile that corresponds to the curvature of a corneal layer of the eye. A release layer is formed on the annular surface. A mask layer of a biocompatible metal is formed above the release layer. The mask layer is separated from the substrate.

Claims

1. A mask configured to improve the depth of focus in an eye of a patient comprising:

an anterior surface configured to be positioned adjacent to a first corneal layer and a posterior surface configured to be positioned adjacent a second corneal layer, the posterior surface comprising a biocompatible metal, the anterior surface being configured to have a similar appearance to a pupil of the eye when applied.

2. The mask of claim 1, wherein the anterior surface comprises a layer of carbon.

3. The mask of claim 1, further comprising a release layer coupled with at least one of the anterior and the posterior surface and being configured to be removable with an etchant.

4. The mask of claim 3, wherein the release layer comprises chromium.

5. The mask of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material comprises gold.

6. The mask of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material comprises tantalum.

7. The mask of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material comprises titanium.

8. The mask of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material comprises a titanium alloy.

9. The mask of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible material comprises platinum.

10. The mask of claim 1, further comprising a transport structure in the mask layer capable of reducing depletion of nutrient flow in adjacent tissue when the mask is applied to the eye.

11. The mask of claim 10, wherein the transport structure is configured to not produce visible diffraction patterns.

12. The mask of claim 1, further comprising a first mask layer and a second mask layer being located posteriorly of the first mask layer, the first layer having a first hole portion extending along a first axis, the second mask layer having a second hole portion extending along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are not collinear.