In situ adjustable optical mask
AssigneeAcuFocus, Inc.
InventorThomas A. Silvestrini
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims17
A method of manufacturing an ophthalmic device, the method comprising:
- providing an intraocular implant, the intraocular implant comprising a photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix, the photochromic chromophore configured to rotate between a first degree of opacity and a second degree of opacity when the polymer matrix undergoes a glass transition from a brittle state to a molten state;
- applying an external stimulus to the intraocular implant such that the polymer matrix undergoes a glass transition from a brittle state to a molten state;
- and
- removing the external stimulus such that the polymer matrix returns to the brittle state, the polymer matrix configured to remain locked in the brittle state until another application of the external stimulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.