Hybrid intrastromal corneal ring
First Claim
1. An intracorneal implant adapted for implantation within a surgically formed channel in the stroma of a human cornea and configured to alter the shape of the cornea to effect refractive correction of an eye, said implant comprising a ring which comprises at least one outer portion comprising a low elastic modulus, physiologically compatible polymer, an inner portion comprising a physiologically compatible polymer having a high elastic modulus, and a chamber which is fillable, said chamber extending circumferentially along an arc of said ring within walls of said ring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is an intrastromal corneal ring having at least one outer layer of a physiologically compatible polymer having a low modulus of elasticity, which polymer may be hydratable and may be hydrophilic. The inner portion of the hybrid instrastromal corneal ring may be hollow or may contain one or more physiologically compatible polymers.
52 Citations
31 Claims
- 1. An intracorneal implant adapted for implantation within a surgically formed channel in the stroma of a human cornea and configured to alter the shape of the cornea to effect refractive correction of an eye, said implant comprising a ring which comprises at least one outer portion comprising a low elastic modulus, physiologically compatible polymer, an inner portion comprising a physiologically compatible polymer having a high elastic modulus, and a chamber which is fillable, said chamber extending circumferentially along an arc of said ring within walls of said ring.
- 8. An intracorneal ring adapted for implantation within a surgically formed channel in the stroma of a human cornea and configured to alter the shape of the cornea to effect refractive correction of an eye, said ring comprising at least one outer layer comprising an elastomeric, physiologically compatible polymer, at least one inner layer comprising a physiologically compatible polymer having an elastic modulus that is greater in value than the elastic modulus of the elastomeric, physiologically compatible polymer, and a chamber which is fillable, said chamber extending circumferentially along an arc of said ring and surrounded by said outer layer.
- 13. An intracorneal implant adapted for implantation within a human cornea and configured to alter the shape of the cornea to effect refractive correction of an eye, said implant comprising an elongated arcuate member having at least one outer portion of a low elastic modulus, physiologically compatible polymer, an inner portion comprising a physiologically compatible polymer having an elastic modulus that is greater in value than the elastic modulus of the low elastic modulus, physiologically compatible polymer, and a chamber within said implant.
- 21. An intracorneal implant adapted for implantation within a human cornea and configured to alter the shape of the cornea to effect refractive correction of an eye, said implant comprising an elongated arcuate member having ends and having at least one outer portion comprising a first polymer having a first elastic modulus, an inner portion comprising a second polymer having a second elastic modulus that differs substantially from the first elastic modulus, and a chamber formed within at least a portion of said inner portion.
Specification