US5318047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for corneal curvature variation
Assignee: Addition Tech Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-10
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Granted: 1994-06-07
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Expires: 2013-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for refractive correction of the eye in order to improve the vision of the eye while not adversely affecting its natural asphericity is described. The method involves determining the amount of correction necessary, selecting an intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) of appropriate thickness to obtain the necessary correction from a selection of ICRs of varying thickness, and inserting the ICR into the corneal stroma. The method may be useful for the correction of myopia and excessive astigmatism.
Inventors
- 👤 James Davenport
- 👤 Bryan Loomas
- 👤 Mark Mathis
- 👤 Thomas Silvestrini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/013; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for refractive correction of a human eye for the purpose of improving the vision of said eye without adversely affecting its natural asphericity, said method comprising: (a) determining an amount of refractive correction necessary for improved vision in said eye; (b) providing a plurality of intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs) of varying thickness; (c) selecting from said plurality of ICRs an ICR of a thickness that provides said amount of refractive correction; and (d) inserting the selected ICR into the corneal stroma of said eye.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for refractive correction of a human eye for the purpose of improving the vision of said eye without adversely affecting its natural asphericity, said method comprising: (a) determining an amount of refractive correction necessary for improved vision in said eye; (b) providing a plurality of intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs) of varying thickness; (c) selecting from said plurality of ICRs an ICR of a thickness that provides said amount of refractive correction; and (d) inserting the selected ICR into the corneal stroma of said eye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the ICR is between 0.05 and 0.60 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the refractive correction is between 1.0 and 18.0 diopters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the refractive correction is between 1.0 and 2.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.25 mm thick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the refractive correction is between 2.0 and 4.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.30 mm thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the refractive correction is between 4.0 and 8.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.35 mm thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the refractive correction is between 6.0 and 10.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.40 mm thick.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the refractive correction is between 8.0 and 15.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.45 mm thick.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for correcting myopia in a human eye, said method comprising: (a) determining an amount of refractive correction necessary to correct said myopia; (b) providing a plurality of intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs) of varying thickness; (c) selecting from said plurality of ICRs an ICR of a thickness that provides said amount of refractive correction; and (d) inserting the selected ICR into the corneal stroma of the eye.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for correcting myopia in a human eye, said method comprising: (a) determining an amount of refractive correction necessary to correct said myopia; (b) providing a plurality of intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs) of varying thickness; (c) selecting from said plurality of ICRs an ICR of a thickness that provides said amount of refractive correction; and (d) inserting the selected ICR into the corneal stroma of the eye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the thickness of the ICR is between 0.05 and 0.60 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the refractive correction is between 1.0 and 18.0 diopters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the refractive correction is between 1.0 and 2.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.25 mm thick.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the refractive correction is between 2.0 and 4.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.30 mm thick.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the refractive correction is between 4.0 and 8.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.35 mm thick.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the refractive correction is between 6.0 and 10.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.40 mm thick.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the refractive correction is between 8.0 and 15.0 diopters and the ICR is 0.45 mm thick.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for alleviating excessive astigmatism in a human eye said method comprising: (a) determining an amount of refractive correction necessary for alleviating the excessive astigmatism in said eye; (b) providing a plurality of intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs) of varying thickness; (c) selecting from said plurality of ICRs an ICR of a thickness that provides said amount of refractive correction; and (d) inserting the selected ICR into the corneal stroma of the eye.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for alleviating excessive astigmatism in a human eye said method comprising: (a) determining an amount of refractive correction necessary for alleviating the excessive astigmatism in said eye; (b) providing a plurality of intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs) of varying thickness; (c) selecting from said plurality of ICRs an ICR of a thickness that provides said amount of refractive correction; and (d) inserting the selected ICR into the corneal stroma of the eye.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the intrastromal corneal ring has a thickness of between about 0.05 and 0.60 mm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-06 | 1997-12-06 | 1998-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-06 | 2001-12-06 | 2002-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-06 | 2005-12-06 | 2006-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |