Lenses capable of post-fabrication power modification

• US 6,450,642 B1
• Filed: 10/08/1999
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology, Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology, Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Grubbs, Robert H., Kornfield, Julia A., Jethmalani, Jagdish M., Sandstedt, Christian A., Schwartz, Daniel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/416,044
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 351/219, 351/159, 351/160.R, 351/161, 351/160.H, 351/163, 351/164, 351/167, 351/168, 351/176, 351/177, 623/6.11, 623/6.16, 623/6.17, 623/5.16, 526/279, 264/1.1, 264/485, 264/488, 522/99, 522/182
• US Class Current: 351/219
• 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: A61L 2430/16 for reconstruction of eye parts, e.g. intraocular lens, cornea
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/18 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 83/04 Polysiloxanes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 1/043 Contact lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/00 Simple or compound lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/14 Photorefractive lens material
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to lenses that are capable of post-fabrication power modifications. In general, the inventive lenses comprise (i) a first polymer matrix and (ii) a refraction modulating composition that is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization dispersed therein. When at least a portion of the lens is exposed to an appropriate stimulus, the refraction modulating composition forms a second polymer matrix. The amount and location of the second polymer matrix may modify a lens characteristic such as lens power by changing its refractive index and/or by altering its shape. The inventive lenses have a number of applications in the electronics and medical fields as data storage means and as medical lenses, particularly intraocular lenses, respectively.

Claims

1. An optical element comprising:

a first polymer matrix and

a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein, wherein the refraction modulating composition is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization, such that a stimulus causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

2. The optical element as in claim 1 wherein the refraction modulating composition is capable of photo-induced polymerization.

3. The optical element as in claim 1 wherein the optical element is a prism.

4. The optical element as in claim 1 wherein the optical element is a lens.

5. A lens comprising:

a first polymer matrix and

a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein, wherein the refraction modulating composition is capable of photo-induced polymerization, such that light causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

6. The lens as in claim 5 wherein the first polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of poly-acrylate, poly-methacrylate, poly-vinyl, poly-siloxane, and poly-phosphazene.

7. The lens as in claim 6 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a poly-siloxane.

8. The lens as in claim 6 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a poly-acrylate.

9. The lens of claim 5 wherein the refraction modulating composition includes a component selected from the group consisting of an actylate, methacrylate, vinyl, siloxane and phosphazene.

10. The lens as in claim 5 wherein the refraction modulating composition comprises a monomer of the formula

11. The lens as in claim 10 wherein

R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ are each independently a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or phenyl and

Z is includes a moiety selected from the group consisting of acrylate, allyloxy, cinnamoyl, methacrylate, cinnamoyl, stibenyl, and vinyl.

12. The lens as in claim 11 wherein R¹, R², and R³, R⁵, and R⁶ are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl and R⁴ is phenyl.

13. The lens as in claim 11 wherein

the monomer is (i) dimethylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a vinyldimethylsilane group, (ii) dimethylsiloxane-methylphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group, or (iii) dimethylsiloxane

encapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group and the photoinitiator is 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone.

14. An intraocular lens comprising:

a polysiloxane matrix and a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein, wherein the refraction modulating composition is capable of photo-induced polymerization, such that light causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

15. The intraocular lens as in claim 14 wherein the polysiloxane matrix is polydimethyl siloxane endcapped with diacetoxymethylsilane.

16. The intraocular lens as in claim 14 wherein the refraction modulating composition comprises:

dimethylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a vinyldimethylsilane group;

dimethylsiloxane-methylphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group;

or dimethylsiloxane encapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group; and

,

2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone.

17. A method of implementing an optical element having a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein, comprising:

(a) exposing at least a portion of the optical element to a stimulus whereby the stimulus induces the polymerization of the refraction modulating composition, such that the stimulus causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

18. The method as in claim 17 wherein the optical element is a prism or a lens.

19. The method as in claim 17 wherein the exposed portion represents the entire optical element.

20. The method as in claim 17 further comprising:

(b) waiting an interval of time; and

(c) re-exposing the portion of the optical element to the stimulus to induce the further polymerization of the refraction modulating composition within said portion, such that the stimulus produces a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

21. The method as in claim 20 further comprising repeating steps (b) and (c).

22. The method of claim 20 or 21 further comprising exposing the entire optical element to the stimulus.

23. A method of implementing an intraocular lens having a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein and implanted within the eye, comprising:

(a) exposing at least a portion of the lens to a light source whereby the light source induces the polymerization of the refraction modulating composition, such that stimulus from the light source causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

24. The method as in claim 23 wherein the exposed portion represents the entire intraocular lens.

25. The method as in claim 23 further comprising:

(b) waiting an interval of time; and

(c) re-exposing the portion of the lens to the light source to induce the further polymerization of the refraction modulating composition within said portion, such that the light produces a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

26. The method as in claim 25 further comprising repeating steps (b) and (c).

27. The method of claim 25 or 26 further comprising exposing the entire lens to the light source.

28. The method as in claim 23 wherein the exposed portion is the optical zone of the lens.

29. The method as in claim 23 wherein the exposed portion is the outer rim of the lens.

30. The method as in claim 23 wherein the exposed portion is along a meridian of the lens.

31. A method of implementing an intraocular lens having a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein and implanted within the eye, comprising:

(a) exposing a first portion of the lens to a light source whereby the light source induces the polymerization of the refraction modulating composition, such that the stimulus from the light causes a desired change of refraction, and

(b) exposing a second portion of the lens to the light Source, such that stimulus from the light source causes a desired change of refraction, and

(c) producing the desired change without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

32. The method as in claim 31 further comprising exposing a third portion of the lens to light whereby the light induces polymerization of the refraction modulating composition such that the light causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

33. The method as in claim 31 further comprising exposing the entire lens to the light source.

34. A lens comprising:

a refraction modulating composition dispersed in said lens wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization and is freely diffusable within at least a portion of the lens, such that a stimulus causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

35. The lens of claim 34 further comprising a first polymer matrix.

36. The lens of claim 35 wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of forming a second polymer matrix.

37. The lens of claim 35 wherein said first polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyvinyl, polysiloxane, and polyphosphazene.

38. The lens of claim 35 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a polysiloxane.

39. The lens of claim 35 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a polyacrylate.

40. The lens of claim 35 wherein said first polymer matrix is formed from polydimethylsiloxane endcapped with diacetoxymetylsilane.

41. The lens of claim 34 wherein the refraction modulating composition is capable of photo-induced polymerization.

42. The lens of claim 34 wherein the lens is an intraocular lens.

43. The lens of claim 34 wherein said refraction modulating composition is biocompatible.

44. The lens of claim 34 further comprising a photoinitiator.

45. The lens of claim 34 wherein said refraction modulating composition includes a component selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl, siloxane, and phosphazene.

46. The lens of claim 34 wherein the refraction modulating composition comprises a monomer of the formula

47. The lens of claim 46 wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or phenyl and Z includes a moiety selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, allyloxy, cinnamoyl, stibenyl, and vinyl.

48. The lens of claim 46 wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁵ and R⁶ are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl and R⁴ is phenyl.

49. The lens of claim 46 wherein the momnomer is (i) dimethylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a vinyldimethylsilane group, (ii) dimethylsiloxane-methylphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group, or (iii) dimethylsiloxane endcapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group.

50. The lens of claim 34 wherein said refraction modulating composition comprises dimethylsiloxane-methylphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with methacryloxypropyidimethylsilane.

51. A lens comprising:

a first polymer matrix;

a refraction modulating composition dispersed in said first polymer matrix wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization and is freely diffusable within at least a portion of the lens, such that a stimulus causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

52. The lens of claim 51 wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of photo-induced polymerization.

53. The lens of claim 51 wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of forming a second polymer matrix.

54. The lens of claim 51 wherein the lens is an intraocular lens.

55. The lens of claim 51 wherein said refraction modulating composition is biocompatible.

56. The lens of claim 51 further comprising a photoinitiator.

57. The lens of claim 51 wherein said refraction modulating composition includes a component selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl, siloxane, and phosphazene.

58. The lens of claim 51 wherein said first polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyvinyl, polysiloxane, and polyphosphazene.

59. The lens of claim 51 wherein the refraction modulating composition comprises a monomer of the formula

60. The lens of claim 59 wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or phenyl and Z includes a moiety selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, allyloxy, cinnamoyl, stibenyl, and vinyl.

61. The lens of claim 51 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a polysiloxane.

62. The lens of claim 51 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a polyacrylate.

63. The lens of claim 51 wherein the polysiloxane matrix is polydimethylsiloxane endcapped with diacetoxymethylsilane.

64. The lens of claim 51 wherein the refraction modulating composition comprises (i) dimethylsiloxane-diphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a vinyl dimethylsilane group, (ii) dimethylsiloxane-methylphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group, or (iii) dimethylsiloxane endcapped with a methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane group.

65. An intraocular lens comprising:

a first polymer matrix;

a refraction modulating composition dispersed in said first polymer matrix wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of stimulus-induced polymerization and is freely diffusable within at least a portion of said first polymer matrix, such that a stimulus causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

66. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of forming a second polymer matrix.

67. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein said refraction modulating composition is capable of photo-induced polymerization.

68. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein said refraction modulating composition is biocompatible.

69. The intraocular lens of claim 65 further comprising a photoinitiator.

70. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein said refraction modulating composition includes a component selected from the group consisting of an acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl, siloxane, and phosphazene.

71. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein said first polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyvinyl, polysiloxane, and polyphosphazene.

72. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein the refraction modulating composition comprises a monomer of the formula

  X—

Y—

X¹

and a photo-initiator wherein Y is

respectively, wherein m and n are independently an integer and R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl and Z is a photo-polymerizable group.

73. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a polysiloxane.

74. The lens of claim 72 wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl or phenyl and Z includes a moiety selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, allyloxy, cinnamoyl, stibenyl, and vinyl.

75. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein the first polymer matrix includes a polyacrylate.

76. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein said first polymer matrix is formed from poly-dimethylsiloxane endcapped with diacetoxymethylsilane.

77. The intraocular lens of claim 65 wherein said refraction modulating composition comprises dimethylsiloxane-methylphenylsiloxane copolymer endcapped with methacryloxypropyldimethylsilane.

78. A method of adjusting the refraction of a lens having a refraction modulating composition dispersed therein, comprising (a) exposing at least a portion of the lens to an external stimulus wherein the external stimulus induces the polymerization of the refraction modulating composition in the portion of the lens exposed to the stimulus, such that the stimulus causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

79. The method of claim 78 further comprising (b) waiting an interval of time;

and (c) exposing a portion of the lens to the stimulus to induce further polymerization of the refraction modulating composition, such that the stimulus causes a desired change of refraction, without subsequent removal of the refraction modulating composition.

80. The method of claim 79 further comprising repeating the steps (b) and (c).

81. The method of claim 79 or 80 further comprising exposing the entire lens to the stimulus.

82. The method of claim 79 wherein said external stimulus is light.

83. The method of claim 79 wherein said external stimulus is ultraviolet light.