In situ adjustable optical mask
First Claim
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1. An ophthalmic device comprising:
- a mask configured to transmit substantially all visible light along an optical axis of the eye;
the mask further comprising a transition portion configured to switch between a first degree of opacity and a second degree of opacity in response to application of an external stimuli;
wherein the transition portion is configured to remain locked into the second degree of opacity after removal of the external stimuli until another application of the external stimuli, the transition portion then returning to the first degree of opacity; and
wherein the transition portion comprises a photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix.
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Abstract
Implantable corneal and intraocular implants such as a mask are provided. The mask can improve the vision of a patient, such as by being configured to increase the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. The mask can include an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all visible incident light. The mask can further include a transition portion that surrounds at least a portion of the aperture. This portion can be configured to switch from one level of opacity to another level of opacity through the use of a controllably variable absorbance feature such as a switchable photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An ophthalmic device comprising:
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a mask configured to transmit substantially all visible light along an optical axis of the eye; the mask further comprising a transition portion configured to switch between a first degree of opacity and a second degree of opacity in response to application of an external stimuli; wherein the transition portion is configured to remain locked into the second degree of opacity after removal of the external stimuli until another application of the external stimuli, the transition portion then returning to the first degree of opacity; and wherein the transition portion comprises a photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An intraocular mask, comprising:
a photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix, the photochromic chromophore configured to rotate between a first state wherein the intraocular mask comprises a first degree of opacity and a second state wherein the intraocular mask comprises a second degree of opacity, the photochromic chromophore configured to rotate only when the polymer matrix has passed through a glass transition from a brittle state into a molten state in response to application of an external stimuli, the polymer matrix configured to return to the brittle state upon removal of the external stimuli and remain locked in the brittle state until another application of the external stimuli. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
Specification