INTERFACIAL REFRACTION ACCOMMODATING LENS (IRAL)

• US 20080188930A1
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoya Corporation
• Original Assignee: Adoptics AG
• Inventors: Mentak, Khalid, Steinacher, Beda
• Granted Patent: US 7,857,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/6.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1627 for changing index of refraction, e.g. by external means or by tilting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1635 for changing shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/1682 having mechanical force transfer mechanism to the lens, e.g. for accommodating lenses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0053 differing in optical properties

Abstract

This invention relates to intraocular lenses. More particularly, this invention relates to intraocular lenses that have the ability to alter the light refractive power in response to changes in the tension of the ciliary muscle or ciliary body of the eye or any other accommodative forces. Lenses of this invention are generally referred to as interfacial, i.e., lens properties being defined as the interface of two liquids having different refractive indices, refractive accommodating lenses (IRAL).

Claims

1. An implantable interfacial refraction ophthalmic lens assembly which adjusts its focal distance in response to changing physiologic needs of the user of said lens, the lens comprising a flexible optic chamber and cooperating haptics:

the optic chamber is defined by opposed, substantially parallel visually transparent circular discs, which are flexibly coupled at their edges and spaced apart to define a closed fluidic chamber, the fluidic chamber including first and second liquids, the liquids having different refractive indices and being immiscible so as to define a spherical or lenticular interface therebetween;

the haptics being coupled to the edge of the optic chamber and to the fluidic chamber so that application of force to the haptics deforms the fluidic chamber and changes the sphericity of the liquid interface;

whereby the focal length of the lens changes in response to application of force to the haptics to change focus of the user.

2. A method of correcting visual activity by the use of an accommodating IRAL, the method comprising the steps of:

replacing a defective natural lens of an eye of a patient in need of such replacement with an accommodating IRAL;

permitting the IRAL to accommodate the patient'"'"'s need to change the focal point of the eye by changing the diopter strength and thus the focal point of the IRAL wherein the diapter strength change of the IRAL is at least 2 diopters.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the diopter change is at least 4 diopters.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the diopter change is at least 6 diopters.

5. An implantable interfacial refraction ophthalmic lens assembly which adjusts its focal distance in response to changing physiologic needs of the user of said lens, the lens comprising a flexible optic chamber and cooperating haptics:

the optic chamber is defined by opposed, substantially parallel visually transparent circular discs, which are flexibly coupled at their edges and spaced apart to define a closed fluidic chamber, the fluidic chamber including first and second liquids having different refractive indices, the liquids being separated by an optically-acceptable membrane, the membrane being bonded to the circular disc edges so as to define a spherical or lenticular interface between the liquids;

the haptics being coupled to the edge of the optic chamber and to the fluidic chamber so that application of force to the haptics deforms the fluidic chamber and changes the sphericity of the liquid interface;

whereby the focal length of the lens changes in response to application of force to the haptics to change focus of the user.

6. A lens assembly according to claim 5 wherein the lens assembly is foldable.

7. A lens assembly according to claim 6 wherein the lens is adopted to be implantable into the eye using IOL injectors.

8. A lens assembly according to claim 5 wherein the difference between the refractive indices of the first and second liquids (Δ

RI) is at least about 0.1.

9. A lens assembly according to claim 5 wherein the difference between refractive indices (Δ

RI) is at least about 0.2.

10. A method of correcting visual activity by the use of an accommodating IRAL, the method comprising the steps of:

replacing a defective natural lens of an eye of a patient in need of such replacement with an accommodating IRAL;

permitting the IRAL to accommodate the patient'"'"'s need to change the focal point of the eye by changing the diopter strength and thus the focal point of the IRAL wherein the diapter strength change of the IRAL is at least 2 diopters;

wherein the IRAL employs liquids having different refractive indices to define the interface.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the IRAL diopter strength change occurs in response to ciliary muscle contraction.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the IRAL uses a prezoelectric response to change the interface.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the IRAL uses mechanical application of force to change the interface.