Abstract:
An intraocular implant, including an implant body adapted to have mounting haptics attached thereto, the implant body including a generally cylindrical portion and at least one sealing element mounted onto an end of the generally cylindrical portion, the intraocular implant also including at least one lens mounted within the implant body and an anti-glare coating layer covering at least part of an outer area of the generally cylindrical portion, and being operative to prevent glare caused by light rays passing through the implant body from obstructing a user&#39;s vision.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to optical implants generally and more particularly to anti-glare solutions for intraocular implants. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The following patent publications are believed to represent the current state of the art: 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,628,794; 5,169,597; 6,632,887; 6,613,088 and 6,280,471; and 
         [0004]    U.S. Patent Publication Nos.: 2002/0149741 and 2003/0229303. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention seeks to provide an intraocular implant, including an implant body adapted to have mounting haptics attached thereto, the implant body including a generally cylindrical portion and at least one sealing element mounted onto an end of the generally cylindrical portion, the intraocular implant also including at least one lens mounted within the implant body and an anti-glare coating layer covering at least part of an outer area of the generally cylindrical portion, and being operative to prevent glare caused by light rays passing through the implant body from obstructing a user&#39;s vision. 
         [0006]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the coating layer includes a metallic layer including a plurality of longitudinal grooves operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating layer. Preferably, the coating layer is formed of titanium. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anti-glare coating layer is opaque. Preferably, the coating layer is applied onto the generally cylindrical portion by a sputtering process. 
         [0008]    In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one lens has an optical surface having optical power, and an inner boundary of the anti-glare coating layer lies at an edge of the optical surface. Preferably, the anti-glare coating layer covers an outer circumference of the generally cylindrical portion and extends onto the at least one sealing element. 
         [0009]    There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular implant, including an implant body and at least one lens, the implant body being at least partially coated by a metallic coating having a plurality of grooves formed therein, the grooves being operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the coating is an anti-glare coating, operative to prevent glare caused by light rays passing through the implant body from obstructing a user&#39;s vision. Preferably, the coating layer is formed of titanium. Additionally or alternatively, the coating layer is opaque. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the coating layer is applied onto the generally cylindrical portion by a sputtering process. Preferably, the at least one lens has an optical surface having optical power, and an inner boundary of the coating layer lies at an edge of the optical surface. Additionally or alternatively, the implant body includes a generally cylindrical portion and at least one sealing element, and the coating layer covers an outer circumference of the generally cylindrical portion and extends onto the at least one sealing element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are simplified sectional illustration of a field of view widening telescopic implant constructed and operative in accordance with two alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a simplified partially sectional illustration of an implant forming part of an artificial vision system, the implant being constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are simplified sectional illustrations of an intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with two alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a simplified pictorial illustration of an implant body coated in accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , which are simplified sectional illustration of a field of view widening telescopic implant constructed and operative in accordance with two alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0018]    As seen in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the implant preferably comprises an implant body  250 , which is supported by haptics  252  via a haptic mounting structure  254 . The implant body  250  typically comprises mutually sealed forward and rearward cylindrical housing portions  256  and  258  respectively and a transparent forward window  260  sealing the forward cylindrical portion  256 . Typically, the implant body  250  is formed of glass housing portions, which are sealed by glass laser welding. 
         [0019]    Disposed rearwardly of the forward window  260  in forward cylindrical portion  256  is a negative lens  262 . Fixed to negative lens  262  as a doublet is a magnification lens  264 , which resides partially in the forward cylindrical housing portion  256  and partially in the rearward cylindrical housing portion  258 . Disposed rearwardly of the magnification lens  264  is a positive lens  266 , which is mounted in sealing engagement with the rearward cylindrical housing portion  258  of implant body  250  and defines a rearward facing window. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the negative lens  262  and the positive lens  266  include refractive and diffractive optical elements. Typically, the negative lens  262  and the positive lens  266  are coated with optical coatings. 
         [0021]    It is an important feature of the present invention that the interior of the implant body  250  is sealed from the exterior thereof, so as to prevent liquids or vapors from entering the implant. It is also an important feature of the present invention that three air gaps, designated by reference numerals  270 ,  272  and  274 , are provided to enhance refraction. The precision of the location of a contact point  276  between lenses  264  and  266  and of a peripheral contact area  278  between lenses  262  and  264  relative to an axis  280  is also of importance to maintain desired focus. 
         [0022]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a resilient O-ring  282  or other element having a similar function is provided to urge and retain lenses  264  and  266  in touching engagement at contact point  276 . 
         [0023]    Alternatively, the implant body may be formed of a single cylinder or of any suitable number of cylindrical portions. Furthermore, any suitable combination of any suitable number of lenses may be employed. Preferably, the haptics  252  are formed of a suitable polymer, the implant body  250  is formed of biocompatible glass and the forward window  260  and the lens  266  are formed of glass and are laser welded in sealing engagement with body  250 . 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 1A , it is seen that a metallic anti-glare coating layer  292  covers the outer circumference of forward window  260  of the implant body  250 . The coating layer  292  is opaque, and therefore prevents light rays which pass through the transparent implant body  250  creating a glare which obstructs a user&#39;s vision. 
         [0025]    As seen in the enlarged portion of  FIG. 1A , the coating layer  292  includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves  294  which are operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating layer  292 . The coating layer  292  is preferably formed of Titanium and is preferably applied to the implant body by a sputtering process. 
         [0026]    It is appreciated that the intraocular implant  250  includes an optical surface having optical power, and that an inner boundary  296  of the coating layer  292  lies at an edge of the optical surface. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIG. 1B , it is seen that a metallic anti-glare coating layer  302  covers the outer circumference of the implant body  250  and extends onto forward window  260 , as indicated by reference numeral  303 . The coating layer  302  is opaque, and therefore prevents light rays which pass through the transparent implant body  250  creating a glare which obstructs a user&#39;s vision. 
         [0028]    As seen in the enlarged portion of  FIG. 1B , the coating layer  302  includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves  304  which are operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating layer  302 . The coating layer  302  is preferably formed of Titanium and is preferably applied to the implant body by a sputtering process. 
         [0029]    It is appreciated that the intraocular implant  250  includes an optical surface having optical power, and that an inner boundary  306  of portion  303  of the coating layer  302  lies at an edge of the optical surface. 
         [0030]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which is a simplified partially sectional illustration of an implant forming part of an artificial vision system, the implant being constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates an intraocular implant  400  which preferably forms part of an artificial vision system, such as that described in Applicants&#39; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/489,388, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The intraocular implant  400  includes an intraocular implant body  402  having mounting haptics  404 . Hermetically sealed to implant body  402  are a front sealing plate  406  and a back sealing plate  408 . Back sealing plate  408  is transparent. An internal imaging device (not shown) is preferably mounted on an outside surface of front sealing plate  406 . Capsules of this type are described in applicants&#39; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/678,559, filed Oct. 3, 2000 and entitled “TELESCOPIC INTRAOCULAR LENS”, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/222,330, filed Dec. 29, 1998 and entitled “TELESCOPIC INTRAOCULAR LENS”, subsequently abandoned, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/721,916, filed Nov. 27, 2000 and entitled “TELESCOPIC INTRAOCULAR LENS”, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0032]    Preferably disposed within implant  400  is an electronic circuit and display assembly, which preferably includes electronic display  410  which is coupled to electronic circuitry  412 , preferably including a wireless receiver for image data. Display  410  is arranged to lie generally parallel to front sealing plate  406 , while electronic circuitry  412  is preferably embodied on a flexible circuit board  414  which is arranged to lie in a cylindrical configuration, peripherally of the optical path between display  410  and back sealing plate  408 , so as not to interfere with the optical pathway between the display  410 , focusing optics here shown as a lens  416 , and the user&#39;s retina. It is appreciated that the focusing optics may also comprise multiple lenses. 
         [0033]    As seen in  FIG. 2 , a metallic anti-glare coating layer  422  covers the outer circumference of the implant body  402 , and extends onto front sealing plate  406  as indicated by reference numeral  423 . The coating layer  422  is opaque, and therefore prevents light rays which pass through the transparent implant body  402  creating a glare which obstructs a user&#39;s vision. 
         [0034]    As seen in the enlarged portion of  FIG. 2 , the coating layer  422  includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves  424  which are operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating layer  422 . The coating layer  422  is preferably formed of Titanium and is preferably applied to the implant body by a sputtering process. 
         [0035]    It is appreciated that the intraocular implant  400  includes an optical surface having optical power, and that an inner boundary  426  of portion  423  of the coating layer  422  lies at an edge of the optical surface. 
         [0036]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , which are simplified sectional illustrations of an intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with two alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a telescope  500 , suitable for connection to haptics (not shown) for implantation in a human eye. The telescope  500  comprises a telescope body  512 , typically of circular cylindrical configuration and formed of glass. Alternatively, the telescope body may be formed of other non-porous bio-compatible materials or may be formed of other materials and be coated with a suitable non-porous bio-compatible material. 
         [0038]    Sealed to anterior and posterior ends  514  and  516  of the telescope body  512  are respective windows  518  and  520  which preferably do not have optical power. Mounted within telescope body  512  intermediate windows  518  and  520  are forward and rearward lenses,  522  and  524 . Preferably air gaps  526  and  528  are defined between lenses  522  and  524  and respective windows  518  and  520  and an air gap  530  is defined between lenses  522  and  524 . 
         [0039]    Turning to  FIG. 3A , it is seen that a metallic anti-glare coating layer  532  covers the outer circumference of forward window  518  of the implant body  512 . The coating layer  532  is opaque, and therefore prevents light rays which pass through the transparent implant body  512  creating a glare which obstructs a user&#39;s vision. 
         [0040]    As seen in the enlarged portion of  FIG. 3A , the coating layer  532  includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves  534  which are operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating layer  532 . The coating layer  532  is preferably formed of Titanium and is preferably applied to the implant body by a sputtering process. 
         [0041]    It is appreciated that the intraocular implant  500  includes an optical surface having optical power, and that an inner boundary  536  of the coating layer  532  lies at an edge of the optical surface. 
         [0042]    Turning now to  FIG. 3B , it is seen that a metallic anti-glare coating layer  542  covers the outer circumference of the implant body  512  and extends onto forward window  518  and onto rearward window  520 , as indicated by respective reference numerals  543  and  544 . The coating layer  542  is opaque, and therefore prevents light rays which pass through the transparent implant body  512  creating a glare which obstructs a user&#39;s vision. 
         [0043]    As seen in the enlarged portion of  FIG. 3B , the coating layer  542  includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves  545  which are operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating layer  542 . The coating layer  542  is preferably formed of Titanium and is preferably applied to the implant body by a sputtering process. 
         [0044]    It is appreciated that the intraocular implant  500  includes an optical surface having optical power, and that an inner boundary  546  of portion  543  of the coating layer  542  lies at an edge of the optical surface. 
         [0045]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified pictorial illustration of an implant body coated in accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the implant body being of the type described hereinabove with reference to any of  FIGS. 1A-3B . 
         [0046]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , an implant body  700  has a generally circular cylindrical configuration, and typically has one or more lenses (not shown) disposed therein. The implant body  700  is typically sealed in the front and back by lenses and/or windows  702 . 
         [0047]    A metallic anti-glare coating layer  712  covers the outer circumference of the implant body  700  as indicated by reference numeral  714 , and extends onto the front and rear sealing elements of the implant body  700 , which may be windows or lenses, as indicated by reference numeral  716 . The coating layer  712  is opaque, and therefore prevents light rays which pass through the transparent implant body  700  creating a glare which obstructs a user&#39;s vision. The coating layer  712  includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves  718 , which extend along portions  714  and  716  thereof, and which are operative to prevent the formation of eddy currents in the coating layer  712 . The coating layer  712  is preferably formed of Titanium and is preferably applied to the implant body by a sputtering process. 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the specification and which are not in the prior art.