US 2003/0033013 A1Published application

Method of using a small incision lens

AssigneeThinOptX, Inc.

InventorsWayne B. Callahan, Jeffery S. Callahan

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Abstract

This patent represents a deformable artificial intraocular lens for implantation into the human eye. The lens is used for implantation after cataract surgery. The lens optic consists of one smooth optical surface. The second optical surface is a series of annular concentric rings. The rings allow the lens to have extremely thin edges, which reduce glare, halos, and distortion. The extremely thin lens optic along with the thin haptic can be rolled, folded, or squeezed to pass through a small incision (<1.5 millimeters) in the cornea or sclera of the human eye. This lens represents a breakthrough in removal of mass from the lens. The ultra thin lens and haptic design allows the lens to move in the eye providing accommodation for the patient. The lens and haptic design reduces the radial forces on the eye to the point where the naturally occurring pressures in the eye move the lens thus providing accommodation. In all current lens designs the haptics apply enough radial force to prevent the natural forces in the eye from moving the lens. The ultra thin lens and haptic design allows the lens to move in the eye providing accommodation for the patient.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of correcting a visual defect, comprising:

providing an intraocular lens, wherein the intraocular lens further comprises an optical portion having a first optical surface, wherein the optical portion is constructed of a material which is biologically compatible with a tissue of an eye, the optical portion having a predetermined maximum thickness under which the material may be rolled without exceeding the elastic limit of the material, said optical portion having a predetermined minimum thickness above which the material retains a normal shape, wherein the intraocular lens is capable of deforming for passage through an incision having a length smaller than about 1.5 millimeters so that the intraocular lens is placed into the eye;
the optical portion having a second optical surface, wherein the second optical surface comprises a central disk which is radially surrounded by a series of annular rings, the central disk and the series of annular rings forming a series of radial steps along the second optical surface so that a focal length from an annular ring is adjusted to focus at a same point as a prime meridian of the lens, wherein the second optical surface and the first optical surface have a minimum separation of 0.025 mm and a maximum separation of 0.45 mm;
and an anchoring portion attached to the optical portion, wherein the anchoring portion is constructed of a material which is biologically compatible with a tissue of an eye, wherein the anchoring portion is capable of biasing against a support structure of the eye;
warming the intraocular lens to a temperature of about 90 degrees F to about 150 degrees F;
making an incision having a length of less than 1.5 mm in an eye;
removing a natural lens of the eye;
deforming the intraocular lens;
cooling the intraocular lens to a temperature of about 60 degrees F to about 80 degrees F;
inserting the intraocular lens into the eye through the incision;
contacting the intraocular lens with an intraocular fluid within the eye so that the intraocular lens warms and unrolls;
and
positioning the intraocular lens so that the anchoring portion biases against the support structure of the eye.

9 more elements

A method of correcting a lack of accommodation, comprising:

making an incision having a length less than 1.5 mm for access to an eye;
providing an intraocular lens, wherein the intraocular lens comprises an optical portion having a first optical surface, wherein the first optical surface is constructed of a material which is biologically compatible with a tissue of an eye, the optical portion having a predetermined maximum thickness under which the material may be rolled without exceeding the elastic limit of the material, said optical portion having a predetermined minimum thickness above which the material retains a normal shape, wherein the intraocular lens is capable of deforming for passage through an incision having a length smaller than about 1.5 millimeters so that the intraocular lens is placed into the eye;
the optical portion having a second optical surface, wherein the second optical surface comprises a central disk which is radially surrounded by a series of annular rings, the central disk and the series of annular rings forming a series of radial steps along the second optical surface so that a focal length from an annular ring is adjusted to focus at a same point as a prime meridian of the lens, each annular ring having an outer surface, wherein the second optical surface and the first optical surface have a minimum separation of 0.025 mm and a maximum separation of 0.065 mm;
and an anchoring portion having a maximum thickness of 100 microns attached to the optical portion, wherein the anchoring portion is constructed of a material which is biologically compatible with a tissue of an eye, wherein the anchoring portion is capable of biasing against a support structure of the eye;
warming an intraocular lens to a temperature from about 90 degrees F to about 150 degrees F;
rolling the intraocular lens around a rod;
inserting the intraocular lens through the incision;
and
anchoring the intraocular lens to a support structure of the eye.

6 more elements

A method of treating presbyopia, comprising:

providing an intraocular lens, wherein the intraocular lens comprises an optical portion having a first optical surface, wherein the optical portion is constructed of a material which is biologically compatible with a tissue of an eye, the optical portion having a predetermined maximum thickness under which the material may be rolled without exceeding the elastic limit of the material, said optical portion having a predetermined minimum thickness above which the material retains a normal shape, wherein the intraocular lens is capable of deforming for passage through an incision having a length smaller than about 1.5 millimeters so that the intraocular lens is placed into the eye;
the optical portion having a second optical surface, wherein the second optical surface comprises a central disk which is radially surrounded by a series of annular rings, the central disk and the series of annular rings forming a series of radial steps along the second optical surface so that a focal length from an annular ring is adjusted to focus at a same point as a prime meridian of the lens, wherein the second optical surface and the first optical surface have a minimum separation of 0.025 mm and a maximum separation of 0.45 mm;
and an anchoring portion attached to the optical portion, wherein the anchoring portion is constructed of a material which is biologically compatible with a tissue of an eye, wherein the anchoring portion is capable of biasing against a support structure of the eye;
heating the intraocular lens to a temperature of about 90 degrees F to about 150 degrees F;
cutting an eye so that an incision having a length of less than 1.5 mm is provided;
deforming the intraocular lens so that the intraocular lens is capable of passing through the incision;
reducing the temperature of the intraocular lens to about room temperature so that the intraocular lens hardens;
inserting the intraocular lens into the incision;
and
positioning the intraocular lens so that the anchoring portion biases against an anterior surface and a posterior surface of a capsular sac.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/196,085Filed 16 Jul 2002
Priority: 20 Aug 1997
Published: 13 Feb 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

A61F 2/1613
Intraocular lenses: having special lens configurations, e.g. multipart lenses; having particular optical properties, e.g. pseudo-accommodative…
A61F 2/00
Filters implantable into blood vessels
A61F
Filters implantable into blood vessels

Family

Application08/914,767Division · filed 20 Aug 1997
Application09/441,425Continuation in part · filed 16 Nov 1999
Application09/441,425Division · filed 16 Nov 1999
Application60/305,811Us provisional application · filed 17 Jul 2001
Application60/344,615Us provisional application · filed 31 Dec 2001
Application60/385,006Us provisional application · filed 31 May 2002
Application10/196,085Continuation in part · filed 16 Jul 2002
US 6,096,077 ARelated patent
US 6,488,707 B1Related patent
US 6,800,091 B2Related patent
US 2003/0033013 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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