EP0308077A2 — Synthetic intracorneal lens

Claim 1

Independent Claim 165 words

A lens for implantation into the cornea of the eye for correction of myopia, wherein a corneal cap section is removed and an implant bed is created, comprising: said lens (I;I′;I˝ being formed of a material which is compatible with the corneal physiology of the human eye; said lens being a single-piece member having an anterior surface (10), a posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transition zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; said lens having an overall configuration which is circular as viewed from a central axis of the lens and being generally convex in its anterior surface and generally concave in its posterior surface as viewed in a cross section taken along said central axis; said peripheral transition zone including an annular surface (25;30;35) which cooperates to join said anterior surface (10) and said posterior surface (15) in order to allow said lens to be implanted onto the corneal bed and to allow a smooth overlay of the replaced corneal cap section.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 165 words

A lens for implantation into the cornea of the eye for correction of myopia, wherein a corneal cap section is removed and an implant bed is created, comprising: said lens (I;I′;I˝ being formed of a material which is compatible with the corneal physiology of the human eye; said lens being a single-piece member having an anterior surface (10), a posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transition zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; said lens having an overall configuration which is circular as viewed from a central axis of the lens and being generally convex in its anterior surface and generally concave in its posterior surface as viewed in a cross section taken along said central axis; said peripheral transition zone including an annular surface (25;30;35) which cooperates to join said anterior surface (10) and said posterior surface (15) in order to allow said lens to be implanted onto the corneal bed and to allow a smooth overlay of the replaced corneal cap section.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 73 words

The intracorneal lens of claim 1, comprising: in said range of powers for said lens of approximately -1.0 diopters to -30.0 diopters, said posterior surface (15) having a required radius of curvature for conforming onto the receiving surface of the lamellar bed of the cornea and the anterior surface (10) having a radius of curvature necessary to provide the desired lens power for achieving the desired change in refractive power of the cornea.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The intracorneal lens of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: said anterior surface (10) including a toric surface for the correction of myopia with accompanying astigmatism.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: said posterior surface including a toric surface for the correction of myopia with accompanying astigmatism.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 62 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said peripheral transition zone further includes: a second annular surface (30) which cooperates with said first-mentioned annular surface (25) to join said anterior and posterior surfaces in order to allow said lens to be implanted onto the corneal bed and to allow the smooth overlay of the replaced corneal section.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 60 words

The intracorneal lens of claim 5, wherein said peripheral transition zone further includes: a third annular surface (35) which cooperates with said second and said first-mentioned annular surfaces (30,25) to join said anterior and posterior surfaces in order to allow said lens to be implanted onto the corneal bed and to allow the smooth overlay of the replaced corneal section.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 51 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said annular surface includes: a first annular surface (25) formed of an annular planar surface which is parallel to a plane perpendicular to said central axis, said annular planar surface joining said posterior surface to extend radially outwardly therefrom.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 62 words

The intracorneal lens of claim 7, wherein said annular surface further includes: a second annular surface (30) formed of an annular cylindrical surface having a central axis coterminous with said central axis of said lens, said second annular surface adjoining said annular planar surface of said first annular surface; said second annular surface forming the outer peripheral edge of said intracorneal lens.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 58 words

The intracorneal lens of claim 8, wherein said annular surface further includes: a third annular surface (35) formed of an annular generally spherical surface segment having a central axis coterminous with the central axis of said lens, said annular spherical surface segment extending from junction with said second annular surface radially inwardly into junction with said anterior surface.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The intracorneal lens of claim 9, wherein said third annular surface (35) further includes: said annular generally spherical surface segment having a radius of curvature with which is less than the radius of curvature of said anterior and posterior surfaces of said lens.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 73 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: said corneal cap section is removed to a depth of approximately 0.3 mm, which is the distance of the receiving surface of the lamellar bed from the corneal surface prior to the removal of the corneal section, and said posterior surface has a radius of curvature which conforms to the radius of curvature of the receiving surface of the lamellar bed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 77 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: said corneal cap section is removed to a depth in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 mm, which is the distance of the receiving surface of the lamellar bed from the corneal surface prior to the removal of the corneal section, and said posterior surface has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the receiving surface of the lamellar bed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 56 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: said posterior surface corresponds to that for a patient in which the corneal power was approximately 43 diopters and the anterior corneal cap was approximately 0.3 mm and said anterior surface radius of curvature is determinative of the desired refractive power of the lens.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 62 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: said posterior surface conforms to the lamellar bed of patients with preoperative keratometer readings in the range of 38 to 51 diopters and the anterior corneal cap was approximately 0.2 to 0.4 mm and said anterior surface radius of curvature is determinative of the desired refractive power of the lens.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 48 words

The intracorneal lens of either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein: the thickness of the lens, which is the distance between said posterior and anterior surfaces, is less at the locus of the central axis than at the junction of said third annular surface and said anterior surface.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: said posterior surface has a radius of curvature of approximately 7.549 millimeters.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 57 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: said posterior surface has a radius of curvature which corresponds to the radius of curvature of the corneal lamellar bed after removal of the corneal cap of 0.2 to 0.4 mm thickness for patients with keratometer readings in the range of 38 to 51 diopters.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: the intracorneal lens has an overall outside diameter of approximately 6.750 millimeters.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 28 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: the intracorneal lens has an overall outside diameter in the range of 5.0 to 8.00 mm.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 31 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: the distance between said anterior and posterior surfaces through the central axis of the lens is approximately 0.100 millimeters.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: the distance between said anterior and posterior surfaces through the central axis of the lens is in the range of 0.05 to .20 mm.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 29 words

The intracorneal lens of claims 6, wherein: the width of said third annular surface (35) varies according to the radius of curvature of said anterior surface of said lens.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 30 words

The intracorneal lens of claim 6, wherein the width of said third annular surface (35) is constant regardless of the radius of curvature of said anterior surface of said lens.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 117 words

An intracorneal lens for implantation into the cornea of the eye for providing correction of myopia wherein a corneal cap section is removed to create an implant bed to receive said lens, comprising: said lens (I,I′,I˝) being a single piece member having a generally spherical anterior surface (10) and a generally spherical posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transitional zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; said lens having a posterior central curve radius of curvature of approximately 7.549 mm; said anterior central curve radius of curvature for said anterior surface being in the range of 7.766 - 11.162 mm to provide a diopter power to said lens in the range of -1.0 to -15.0 diopters.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 117 words

An intracorneal lens for implantation into the cornea of the eye for providing correction of myopia wherein a corneal cap section is removed to create an implant bed to receive said lens, comprising: said lens (I,I′,I˝) being a single piece member having a generally spherical anterior surface (10) and a generally spherical posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transitional zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; said lens having a posterior central curve radius of curvature of approximately 7.549 mm; said anterior central curve radius of curvature for said anterior surface being in the range of 7.766 - 11.162 mm to provide a diopter power to said lens in the range of -1.0 to -15.0 diopters.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 118 words

An intracorneal lens for implantation into the cornea of the eye for providing correction of myopia wherein a corneal cap section is removed to create an implant bed to receive said lens, comprising: said lens (I,I′,I˝) being a single piece member having an anterior surface (10), a posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transition zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; said lens having a posterior central curve radius of curvature for said posterior surface of approximately 7.549 mm; said anterior central curve radius of curvature for said anterior surface is in the range of approximately 7.766 to approximately 20.589 mm to provide a diopter power to said lens in the range of -1.0 to -30.0 diopters.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 118 words

An intracorneal lens for implantation into the cornea of the eye for providing correction of myopia wherein a corneal cap section is removed to create an implant bed to receive said lens, comprising: said lens (I,I′,I˝) being a single piece member having an anterior surface (10), a posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transition zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; said lens having a posterior central curve radius of curvature for said posterior surface of approximately 7.549 mm; said anterior central curve radius of curvature for said anterior surface is in the range of approximately 7.766 to approximately 20.589 mm to provide a diopter power to said lens in the range of -1.0 to -30.0 diopters.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein: said material for said lens is a hydrogel.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 179 words

A method of manufacture of an intracorneal lens for correction of myopic conditions, comprising: forming said lens of a material which is compatible with the corneal physiology of the human eye; forming said lens of a single piece member having an anterior surface (10) and a posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transition zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; forming said lens such that said lens has an overall configuration which is circular as viewed from a central axis of the lens and wherein said lens is generally convex in its anterior surface and generally concave in its posterior surface, as viewed in a cross-section taken along a central axis; and forming said lens in a range of lens powers of approximately -1.0 diopters to -30.0 diopters wherein said posterior surface has the required radius of curvature for conformity onto the receiving surface of the lamellar bed of the cornea and said anterior surface has the radius of curvature necessary to provide the desired lens power for achieving the desired change in refractive power of the cornea.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 179 words

A method of manufacture of an intracorneal lens for correction of myopic conditions, comprising: forming said lens of a material which is compatible with the corneal physiology of the human eye; forming said lens of a single piece member having an anterior surface (10) and a posterior surface (15) and a peripheral transition zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior surfaces; forming said lens such that said lens has an overall configuration which is circular as viewed from a central axis of the lens and wherein said lens is generally convex in its anterior surface and generally concave in its posterior surface, as viewed in a cross-section taken along a central axis; and forming said lens in a range of lens powers of approximately -1.0 diopters to -30.0 diopters wherein said posterior surface has the required radius of curvature for conformity onto the receiving surface of the lamellar bed of the cornea and said anterior surface has the radius of curvature necessary to provide the desired lens power for achieving the desired change in refractive power of the cornea.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method set forth in claim 27, including: forming said anterior surface (10) of a spherical configuration for the correction of myopia.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method set forth in either claim 27 or claim 28, including: forming said anterior surface (10) in a toric configuration for the correction of myopia with accompanying astigmatism.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 30 words

The method set forth in any one of claims 27 to 29, including: forming said posterior surface (15) in a toric configuration for the correction of myopia with accompanying astigmatism.

Claim 35

Independent Claim 83 words

The method set forth in any one of claims 27 to 30, including: forming said posterior surface (15) of a radius of curvature that corresponds to the radius of curvature for a patient in which the corneal power is in the range of 38 to 51 diopters and the anterior corneal cap which was removed by surgical procedure was approximately 0.3 mm in thickness and said anterior radius of curvature is determinative of the refractive power of the cornea with said lens implanted.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 72 words

The intracorneal lens of any one of claims 27 to 31, wherein: said posterior surface (15) corresponds to that for a patient in which the corneal power was approximately 43 diopters and the anterior corneal cap which was removed by surgical procedure was approximately in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 mm and said anterior surface radius of curvature is determinative of the refractive power of the cornea with said lens implanted.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 64 words

The method set forth in any one of claims 27 to 32, further including: forming a peripheral transition zone (20) including an annular surface (25; 30; 35) which cooperates to join said anterior surface (10) and posterior surfaces (15) in order to allow said lens to be implanted into the corneal bed and to allow a smooth overlay of the replaced corneal cap section.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method set forth in claim 33, including: forming a second annular surface (30) which cooperates with said first-mentioned annular surface (25) to join said anterior and posterior surfaces in order to allow said lens to be implanted onto the corneal bed and to allow the smooth overlay of the replaced corneal section.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 58 words

the method set forth in claim 34, further including: forming a third annular surface (35) which cooperates with said second and said first-mentioned annular surfaces (25,30) to join said anterior and posterior surfaces (10,15) in order to allow said lens to be implanted onto the corneal bed and to allow the smooth overlay of the replaced corneal section.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 58 words

The method of any one of claims 27 to 35, including: forming a peripheral transitional zone (20) joining said anterior and posterior lens surfaces by forming a first annular surface (25) which is in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the lens and which extends from said posterior surface to the outer rim of the lens.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method set forth in claim 36, including: forming a second surface (30) of said peripheral transitional zone at the outer edge of the lens wherein said second peripheral surface is an annular cylindrical segment generated from a center point coterminous with the axis of the lens and adjoins said first annular surface.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method set forth in claim 37, including: forming said peripheral transitional zone to include a third annular surface (35) which joins said second annular surface and said anterior surface.

Synthetic intracorneal lens

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