Patent ID: 7628810
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61P,G02C

Abstract:
1. An implantable mask for treating presbyopia, comprising: an anterior surface extending between an outer periphery and a central optical axis of the mask, the anterior surface configured to reside adjacent a first layer of the stroma of a cornea; a posterior surface extending between the outer periphery and the central optical axis of the mask, the posterior surface configured to reside adjacent a second layer of the stroma of the cornea; a mask thickness between the anterior and posterior surfaces of less than about 20 microns; a substantially opaque portion extending between the anterior and posterior surfaces and between the outer periphery and the central optical axis, the opaque portion comprising an inner region, an outer region, and a central region disposed between the inner and outer regions, the opaque portion configured to prevent transmission of light; an aperture disposed about the central optical axis and configured to transmit substantially all incident light, the aperture having a dimension generally transverse to the optical axis, the dimension being about 2.2 millimeters or less; a plurality of transport holes having a hole entrance at the anterior surface and extending from the anterior surface to the posterior surface, the hole entrances providing an open area of the mask such that sufficient transport of tissue maintaining substances through the mask between the first and second stromal layers is enabled to prevent depletion of tissue maintaining substances that would harm adjacent stromal layers; wherein the holes are positioned at irregular locations between the inner region and the outer region to minimize the generation of visible artifacts due to the transmission of light through the holes; and wherein the inner region and outer region are devoid of open area.