Electro-active intraocular lenses

• US 8,778,022 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2005
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e-vision Smart Optics, Inc. (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: e-vision Smart Optics, Inc. (New Smart Optics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Blum, Ronald D., Kokonaski, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Iwamaye, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): COBURN, LESLIE ANN
• Application Number:
  US11/261,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20060095128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,182 Days
• Field of Search: 623/4.1, 623/6.11, 623/6.22, 623/6.38, 623/6.39, 623/6.4, 623/6.43, 623/6.17, 623/6.27
• US Class Current: 623/6.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1613 having special lens configurations, e.g. multipart lenses; having particular optical properties, e.g. pseudo-accommodative lenses, lenses having aberration corrections, diffractive lenses, lenses for variably absorbing electromagnetic radiation, lenses having variable focus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/1627 for changing index of refraction, e.g. by external means or by tilting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/061 with movable shutters, e.g. filter discs; Actuating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/06 bifocal; multifocal ; progressive G02C7/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/083 Electrooptic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/16 Shades; shields; Obturators, e.g. with pinhole, with slot G02C5/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

An intraocular system is presented that may include an electro-active element having multiple independently controllable zones or pixels, and a controller capable of being remotely programmed. The system or element may be flexible, such that it can be folded for insertion into the eye. The system may include various energy storage and charging mechanisms to provide power to the lens and/or the controller.

Claims

1. An intraocular system comprising:

a flexible base intraocular element configured to provide a fixed base refractive power;

an electro-active element in optical communication with the flexible base intraocular element, the electro-active element comprising multiple independently controllable zones or pixels;

an energy storage element, positioned adjacent to the electro-active element, to supply electrical power to the electro-active element;

a charging arrangement, in electrical communication with the energy storage element, comprising a piezo-electric element configured to selectively supply electrical power to the energy storage element so as to at least partially recharge the energy storage element;

a plurality of charging leads, in electrical communication with the energy storage element and the piezo-electric element, to transfer the electrical power from the piezo-electric element to the energy storage element; and

at least one ciliary attachment tab, coupled to the piezo-electric element, to attach the piezo-electric element to a ciliary body of the eye for generation of the electrical power in response to movement of the ciliary body,

wherein the electro-active element is configured to be folded before insertion to the eye, and unfolded after insertion to the eye.

2. An intraocular system according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage element comprises at least one of the set consisting of a battery and a capacitor.

3. An intraocular lens system according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one anchor, attached to the electro-active element, to position the intraocular element within a membrane of the eye.

4. An intraocular system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible base intraocular element comprises at least one of an acrylic or a solid silicone.

5. An intraocular system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible base intraocular element is foldable.

6. An intraocular system according to claim 1 wherein the electroactive element is configured to correct distance vision.

7. An intraocular system according to claim 1 wherein the electro-active element provides one of 2.5 Diopters, 2.75 Diopters, 3.0 Diopters or 3.25 Diopters of optical power.

8. An intraocular system according to claim 1 wherein the flexible base intraocular element is configured to provide optical power normally provided by a healthy crystalline lens.

9. An intraocular system according to claim 1 wherein the flexible base intraocular element provides about 17 Diopters of optical power.

10. An intraocular system according to claim 1 wherein the electro-active element is configured to provide a reduction of up to about 90 percent in the amount of light transmitted through the intraocular system.

11. An intraocular system according to claim 1, wherein the electro-active element includes a plurality of pixels that are configured to provide a prismatic shift.

12. An intraocular system according to claim 11, wherein the electro-active element is remotely tuneable to adjust the prismatic shift to at least one of a user'"'"'s anatomy and ocular condition.

13. An intraocular system according to claim 1, wherein the electro-active element includes two-dimensional array of pixels.

14. An intraocular system comprising:

a flexible base intraocular element to provide a fixed optical power;

an electro-active element, in optical communication with the flexible base intraocular element, to provide a variable optical power;

an energy storage element, in electrical communication with the electro-active element, to supply electrical power to the electro-active element;

a piezo-electric element, in electrical communication with the energy storage element via a plurality of charging leads, to generate charge in response to mechanical forces applied by a ciliary body of an eye when the intraocular system is implanted in the eye; and

at least one ciliary attachment tab, attached to the piezo-electric element, to attach the piezo-electric element to the ciliary body when the intraocular system is implanted in the eye.

15. The intraocular system of claim 14, further comprising:

at least one anchor, coupled to the flexible base refractive element, to anchor the intraocular system within the eye.