In situ adjustable optical mask
AssigneeAcuFocus, Inc.
InventorThomas A. Silvestrini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
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 at least a first degree of opacity and a second degree of opacity;
- and
- wherein the transition portion comprises a photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix.
A method of switching the opacity of an ophthalmic device comprising:
- forming a photochromic polymer mask with a controlled glass transition temperature;
- inserting the mask into an eye;
- applying light and heat to the mask.
A method of making an ophthalmic device comprising:
- forming a mask portion, the mask portion comprising a transition portion configured to switch between a first degree of opacity and a second degree of opacity;
- and
- forming an aperture in the mask portion, the aperture configured to transmit substantially all visible light along an optical axis of an eye.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.