Method of manufacture and implantation of corneal inlays

• US 4,676,790 A
• Filed: 09/25/1985
• Issued: 06/30/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seymour P. Kern
• Original Assignee: Seymour P. Kern
• Inventors: Kern, Seymour P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US06/779,808
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 623/5, 623/6, 623/4, 623/1, 128/1 R, 128/305, 128/395, 128/303.1, 351/160 H
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00707 Dummies, phantoms; Devices simulating patient or parts of patient
• 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 2009/00872 Cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2009/00895 Presbyopia
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0081 Transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/30 Anatomical models G09B23/281 - G09B23/288 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/906 Corneal

Abstract

A process for making a corneal inlay and implanting the inlay in the human eye, the latter comprising the steps of preparing a lens blank; shaping the blank by laser milling or the like; preparing a recess in the cornea of the patient, the recess being adapted to receiving the shaped inlay whereby the exterior surface of the inlay lies flush with the Bowman'"'"'s layer; and bonding the inlay to the recess by suturing, laser welding, gluing or other appropriate means.

Claims

1. A process for replacing a portion of the corneal tissue of the human eye, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a lens blank;

(b) shaping the blank into a desired lens configuration;

(c) preparing a recess in said eye, said recess being in the corneal tissue and being adapted to receive said shaped blank whereby the outer surface of said blank lies flush with Bowman'"'"'s membrane; and

(d) bonding the shaped blank into said recess by laser fusing said shaped blank to said corneal tissue.

2. A process for replacing a portion of the corneal tissue of the human eye, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a lens blank;

(b) shaping the blank into a desired lens configuration by laser milling said blank;

(c) preparing a recess in said eye, said recess being in the corneal tissue and being adapted to receive said shaped blank whereby the outer surface of said blank lies flush with Bowman'"'"'s membrane; and

(d) bonding the shaped blank into said recess.

3. A process for replacing a portion of the corneal tissue of the humam eye, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a lens blank;

(b) shaping the blank into a desired lens configuration;

(c) preparing a recess in said eye by laser milling said corneal tissue, said recess being in the corneal tissue and being adapted to receive said shaped blank whereby the outer surface of said blank lies flush with Bowman'"'"'s membrane; and

(d) bonding the shaped blank into said recess.