Adjustable inlay with multizone polymerization
AssigneeMinu, L.L.C.
InventorGholam A. Peyman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an inlay for correcting refractive error in an eye. The inlay includes a first portion having a first volume that remains substantially constant when exposed to an energy, and a second portion having a second volume that is adapted to change when exposed to the energy. This inlay results in a device that can correct severe ametropic conditions, without ablating any portion of the inlay itself or the cornea.
Claims37
An inlay for correcting refractive error in an eye, comprising:
- a first portion having a first volume that remains substantially constant when exposed to an first energy;
- and
- a second unpolymerized portion having a second volume that is adapted to change when exposed to said energy;
- wherein said second volume is adapted to increase, when exposed to said energy, said energy being selected from the group consisting of laser light, a chemical and thermal heat.
An inlay for correcting refractive error in an eye, comprising:
- a first portion having a first volume that remains substantially constant when exposed to an first energy;
- and
- a second unpolymerized portion having a second volume that is adapted to change when exposed to said energy;
- a layer of collagen substantially covers said inlay.
A method of producing an inlay having a first portion and a second portion to correct the refractive error the eye, comprising the steps of
- forming an inlay having a first portion and a second portion,
- exposing the first portion to a first energy to polymerize and fix the volume thereof,
- positioning the inlay adjacent a surface of the cornea of the eye, and
- exposing the second portion to at least one of said first energy and a second energy to change the volume thereof.
An inlay for correcting refractive error in an eye, comprising:
- a polymerized first portion formed from a first material, at least a portion of said first portion positioned substantially adjacent a first surface of said inlay;
- and
- a second portion formed from an unpolymerized second material, at least a portion of said second portion positioned substantially adjacent a second surface of said inlay;
- wherein at least a portion of said second material is adapted to increase in volume, when exposed to energy selected from the group consisting of laser light, a chemical and thermal heat or decrease in volume, when exposed to a second energy, while the volume of said first material remains substantially unchanged.
A method producing an inlay to correct the refractive error the eye, comprising the steps of
- forming a first portion of the inlay having a first material therein,
- fixing the volume of the first material,
- attaching a second portion of the inlay to the first portion, the second portion having an unpolymerized second material therein,
- positioning the inlay in the eye, and
- exposing the second material to energy to change the volume of the second portion.
An inlay for correcting refractive error in an eye, comprising:
- a first surface;
- a second surface opposite said first surface;
- a first portion having a first polymerized volume that remains substantially constant when exposed to an energy, said first polymerized volume being located adjacent said first surface of said inlay and extending to about the periphery of said first surface;
- a second portion having a second volume that is adapted to change when exposed to said energy;
- and
- a third portion having a third volume that is adapted to change, substantially without ablation, when exposed to said energy;
- wherein said first and second portions are formed from the same material;
- and
- wherein said third volume is adapted to increase, when exposed to energy selected from the group consisting of laser light, a chemical and thermal heat.
An inlay for correcting refractive error in an eye, comprising one of the following:
- a first portion having a first volume that remains substantially constant when exposed to an energy, and a second portion having a second volume that is adapted to change when exposed to said energy;
- and
- a third portion having a third volume that is adapted to change, substantially without ablation, when exposed to said energy,
- wherein said third volume is adapted to increase, when exposed to energy selected from the group consisting of laser light, a chemical and thermal heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.