Accommodating intraocular lens
AssigneesCalifornia Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
InventorsCharles DeBoer, Yu-Chong Tai, Mark Humayun
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are presented for a prosthetic injectable intraocular lens. One or more silicone elastomeric patches located outside the optical path on the anterior side but away from the equator can be accessed by surgical needles in order to fill or adjust optically clear fluid within the lens. The fluid can be adjusted in order to set a base dioptric power of the lens and otherwise adjust a lens after its initial insertion. The elastomeric patches are sized so that they self-seal after a needle is withdrawn. A straight or stepped slit in the patch can allow a blunt needle to more easily access the interior of the lens.
Claims17
An accommodating intraocular lens apparatus, comprising:
- a biocompatible polymer balloon of a first elastomeric material, the balloon fillable with an optically clear medium, the balloon configured for insertion into a capsular bag of an eye;
- and
- a valve including a self-sealing elastomeric patch of a different, second, cured elastomeric material that is stiffer than the first material, the elastomeric patch intimately formed with the balloon and being stiffer than the balloon,
- wherein the balloon has a thickness less than 100 μm,
- wherein the elastomeric patch has a thickness equal to or between 100 μm and 700 μm, thereby being thin enough to avoid contact with a posterior iris when implanted in an eye and sufficiently thick enough for self-sealing of needle punctures at nominal lens pressures for filling or adjusting said optically clear medium within the balloon,
- wherein the elastomeric patch includes a pre-formed slit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.