Abstract:
An intraocular implant including a plurality of mirrors, including mirrors having optical power, being operative, when the implant is implanted, for receiving light from a scene and focusing the light onto a retina, the mirrors containing bio-incompatible materials and at least one hermetically sealed enclosure, enclosing the plurality of mirrors, and being operative, when the implant is implanted, to seal the bio-incompatible materials from the interior of the eye, without interfering with the passage of light therethrough from the scene to the plurality of mirrors and from the plurality of mirrors to the retina.

Description:
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicants hereby make reference to the following co-pending U.S. patent applications, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference: 
         [0002]    U.S. Ser. No. 10/321,793, filed Dec. 17, 2002, entitled “Intraocular Implants”; U.S. Ser. No. 10/342,160, filed Jan. 14, 2003, entitled “Intraocular Lens Implant” and U.S. Ser. No. 10/489,388, filed Mar. 11, 2004, entitled “Intraocular Implants.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to ocular implants generally and more particularly to intraocular implants. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The following patent publications are believed to represent the current state of the art: 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,354,335; 5,814,103; 5,876,442; 5,928,283; 6,007,579; 6,066,171; 5,653,751; 6,596,026; 6,569,199; 6,464,725; 5,391,202; 5,384,606; 4,074,368; 4,994,082; 5,628,798; 5,222,981; 4,172,297; 5,769,890; 4,892,543; 4,373,218; 4,968,127; 4,759,761; 4,976,732 and 5,769,889; 
         [0006]    Published U.S. Application 2001/018,612; 
         [0007]    Published PCT Applications WO 94/07,435; WO 00/38593 and WO 83/01566; 
         [0008]    Foreign Patent Publications DE 4,403,326; EP 1,092,402; EP 0,419,740; GB 2,181,355; EP 0,897,702; EP 0,212,616; DE 3,428,895 and DE 19,501,444. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention seeks to provide an improved intraocular implant. 
         [0010]    There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular implant including a plurality of mirrors, including mirrors having optical power, being operative, when the implant is implanted, for receiving light from a scene and focusing the light onto a retina, the mirrors containing bio-incompatible materials and at least one hermetically sealed enclosure, enclosing the plurality of mirrors, and being operative, when the implant is implanted, to seal the bio-incompatible materials from the interior of the eye, without interfering with the passage of light therethrough from the scene to the plurality of mirrors and from the plurality of mirrors to the retina. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the implant is formed as a transparent body, the plurality of mirrors is formed by coating surfaces of the transparent body and the at least one hermetically sealed enclosure is formed by a layer of transparent material, which is non-permeable to the bio-incompatible material, formed over the plurality of mirrors and the transparent body. Additionally, the layer of transparent material is selected to be one of glass and transparent sprayable material. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the intraocular implant also includes at least one iris restrictor operative to restrict closing of the iris, thereby to ensure that the light from a scene reaches the plurality of mirrors. Additionally, the at least one iris restrictor includes a prism. In accordance with another preferred embodiment the prism is operative to direct the light onto one of the plurality of mirrors. Alternatively, the prism is operative to change the direction of the light and to direct it onto at least one of the plurality of mirrors. 
         [0013]    Alternatively or additionally, the intraocular implant also includes at least one light restrictor arranged so as to restrict light passing through the implant such that generally only light which impinges on the plurality of mirrors reaches the retina when the implant is implanted. 
         [0014]    There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular implant including a plurality of minors, including mirrors having optical power, being operative, when the implant is implanted, for receiving light from a scene and focusing the light onto a retina and at least one iris restrictor operative to restrict closing of the iris, thereby, to ensure that the light from a scene reaches the plurality of mirrors. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the at least one iris restrictor is joined to the plurality of mirrors. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one iris restrictor includes a prism for changing the direction of light impinging thereonto from a scene and directing it onto at least one of the plurality of mirrors. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the at least one iris restrictor is mountable onto an iris. In accordance with another preferred embodiment the at least one iris restrictor includes at least one hook, joined to the plurality of mirrors and engaging the iris at least one location along an inner peripheral edge thereof. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the plurality of mirrors is formed of a bio-incompatible material. Additionally, the plurality of mirrors is hermetically sealed to prevent contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible material. Alternatively, each of the plurality of mirrors is hermetically sealed to prevent contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible material. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another preferred embodiment the intraocular implant also includes at least one light restrictor arranged so as to restrict light passing through the implant such that generally only light which impinges on the plurality of mirrors reaches the retina when the implant is implanted. 
         [0019]    There is even further provided in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular implant including a plurality of mirrors, including mirrors having optical power, being operative, when the implant is implanted, for receiving light from a scene and focusing the light onto a retina and at least one light restrictor arranged so as to restrict light passing through the implant such that generally only light which impinges on the plurality of mirrors reaches the retina when the implant is implanted. 
         [0020]    There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular implant including a plurality of mirrors, including mirrors having optical power, being operative, when the implant is implanted, for receiving light from a scene and focusing the light onto a retina, the plurality of mirrors being configured so as to be adapted for operation when implanted in an eye of a patient which has undergone refractive surgery. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the plurality of mirrors is formed of a bio-incompatible material. Additionally, the plurality of mirrors is hermetically sealed to prevent contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible material. Alternatively, each of the plurality of mirrors is hermetically sealed to prevent contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible material. 
         [0022]    There is yet further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention an intraocular implant including a plurality of mirrors, including mirrors having optical power, being operative, when the implant is implanted, for receiving light from a scene and focusing the light onto a retina, the mirrors containing bio-incompatible materials, at least one hermetically sealed enclosure, enclosing the plurality of mirrors, and being operative, when the implant is implanted, to seal the bio-incompatible materials from the interior of the eye, without interfering with the passage of light therethrough from the scene to the plurality of mirrors and from the plurality of mirrors to the retina, at least one iris restrictor operative to restrict closing of the iris, thereby to ensure that the light from a scene reaches the plurality of mirrors, the at least one iris restrictor including a prism which directs the light to one of the plurality of mirrors and at least one light restrictor arranged so as to restrict light passing through the implant such that generally only light which impinges on the plurality of mirrors reaches the retina when the implant is implanted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D and  5 E are simplified sectional illustrations of five alternative embodiments of an implanted intraocular implant including an iris restrictor; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant including at least one light restrictor, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant including at least one encapsulated lens and a plurality of mirrors, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant of the type shown in any of the preceding figures implanted in an eye which has undergone refraction surgery, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant including a prism and a plurality of mirrors, a bio-compatible housing and light restrictors arranged in a more preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the implant preferably comprises a generally light transparent implant enclosure  100 , preferably formed of plastic, glass or other suitable bio-compatible transparent material and having a generally oval cross section, as seen in  FIG. 1 , which is supported by haptics  102 . The interior of implant enclosure  100  is hermetically sealed from the outside thereof. 
         [0034]    Located within implant enclosure  100  and mounted therein is a transparent implant body  103 , preferably formed of rigid plastic, such as PMMA, on which is formed an outwardly facing generally truncated, circumferentially symmetric concave mirror  104 . Mirror  104  is operative to reflect and focus light impinging thereon from the outside to an inwardly facing peripherally disposed, circumferentially symmetric convex mirror  106 , also formed on body  103 , which mirror  106 , in turn, directs the light to the retina. It is appreciated that either or both of enclosure  100  and implant body  103  may have optical power and may help direct the light from a scene to the retina. 
         [0035]    It is a particular feature of the present invention that mirrors  104  and  106  are employed therein, inasmuch as mirrors  104  and  106  conventionally contain bio-incompatible materials. The hermetic sealing of implant enclosure  100  enables their use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and prevents contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible materials. 
         [0036]    It is appreciated that implant body  103  may include a solid transparent interior or a frame including a hollow interior and may be formed as a sealed transparent capsule or other construction suitable for maintaining mirrors  104  and  106  in proper alignment. 
         [0037]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the implant preferably comprises a generally light transparent implant body  200 , preferably formed of rigid plastic, such as PMMA, and having a generally oval cross section, as seen in  FIG. 2 , which is supported by haptics  202 . Body  200  is generally solid and is formed with a plurality of indents. Located at a first indent  203  is an outwardly facing, generally truncated, circumferentially symmetric concave mirror  204 . Mirror  204  is operative to reflect and focus light impinging thereon from the outside to an inwardly facing peripherally disposed, circumferentially symmetric convex mirror  206 , formed at a second indent  207 , which mirror  206 , in turn, directs the light to the retina. It is appreciated that implant body  200  may have optical power and may help direct the light from a scene to the retina. 
         [0038]    Mirrors  204  and  206  are preferably formed by coating suitably curved surfaces of body  200  at respective indents  203  and  207  with reflective materials, such as metallic materials which conventionally contain bio-incompatible materials. Indents  203  and  207  are hermetically sealed outwardly of respective mirrors  204  and  206 , with suitable sealing layers  208  and  210  respectively, such as plastic, glass or other suitable bio-compatible transparent material, such as a sprayable transparent material. This hermetic sealing enables mirrors  204  and  206  to be employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and prevents contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible materials. 
         [0039]    It is appreciated that implant body  200  may include a solid transparent interior or a frame including a hollow interior and may be formed as a sealed transparent capsule or other suitable construction. 
         [0040]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the implant preferably comprises a generally light transparent implant body  300 , preferably formed of rigid plastic, such as PMMA, and having a generally oval cross section, as seen in  FIG. 3 , which is supported by haptics  302 . Body  300  is generally solid and is formed with a plurality of indents. Located at a first indent  303  is an outwardly facing generally truncated, circumferentially symmetric concave mirror  304 . Mirror  304  is operative to reflect and focus light impinging thereon from the outside to an inwardly facing peripherally disposed, circumferentially symmetric convex mirror  306 , formed at a second indent  307 , which mirror  306 ; in turn, directs the light to the retina. 
         [0041]    Mirrors  304  and  306  are preferably formed by coating suitably curved surfaces of body  300  at respective indents  303  and  307  with reflective materials, such as metallic materials which conventionally contain bio-incompatible materials. The entire body  300  is hermetically sealed outwardly of respective mirrors  304  and  306 , with a suitable sealing layer  308 , such as plastic, glass or other suitable bio-compatible transparent material. This hermetic sealing enables mirrors  304  and  306  to be employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and prevents contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible materials. 
         [0042]    It is appreciated that implant body  300  may include a solid transparent interior or a frame including a hollow interior and may be formed as a sealed transparent capsule or other suitable construction. 
         [0043]    It is also appreciated that either or both of implant body  300  and sealing layer  308  may have optical power and may help direct the light from a scene to the retina. 
         [0044]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant constructed and operative in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the implant preferably comprises a generally light transparent implant body  400 , preferably formed of rigid plastic, such as PMMA, and having a generally oval cross section, as seen in  FIG. 4 , which is supported by haptics  402 . Body  400  is generally solid and is formed with a plurality of indents. Located at a first indent  403  is an outwardly facing, generally truncated, circumferentially symmetric concave mirror  404 . Mirror  404  is operative to reflect and focus light impinging thereon from the outside to an inwardly facing, peripherally disposed, circumferentially symmetric convex mirror  406 , formed at a second indent  407 , which mirror  406 , in turn, directs the light to the retina. It is appreciated that implant body  400  may have optical power and may help direct the light from a scene to the retina. 
         [0045]    Mirrors  404  and  406  are preferably formed separately from body  400  and placed at respective indents  403  and  407 . Mirrors  404  and  406  are preferably formed with reflective materials, such as metallic materials, which conventionally contain bio-incompatible materials. Mirrors  404  and  406  are hermetically sealed, with suitable coatings  408  and  410  respectively, such as plastic, glass or other suitable bio-compatible transparent material. This hermetic sealing enables mirrors  404  and  406  to be employed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and prevents contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible materials. 
         [0046]    It is appreciated that implant body  400  may include a solid transparent interior or a frame including a hollow interior and may be formed as a sealed transparent capsule or other suitable construction. 
         [0047]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D and  5 E, which are simplified sectional illustrations&#39; of five alternative embodiments of an implanted intraocular implant including an iris restrictor. Turning to  FIG. 5A , it is seen that an intraocular implant  500  of the type described hereinabove in any of  FIGS. 1-4  is combined with an iris restrictor  502  in the form of an optical prism operative to deflect light entering implant  500 , which also keeps the patient&#39;s pupil opened all of the time and is optically asymmetric. The iris restrictor  502  is located outside of the lens capsule and is attached to intraocular implant  500 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5B  shows an intraocular implant  520  of the type described hereinabove in any of  FIGS. 1-4  combined with an iris restrictor  522  in the form of a hollow enclosure, such as a ring or other suitable shape, which keeps the patient&#39;s pupil opened all of the time and is optically symmetric. The iris restrictor  522  is located outside of the lens capsule and is attached to intraocular implant  520 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5C  shows an intraocular implant  540  of the type described hereinabove in any of  FIGS. 1-4  combined with an iris restrictor  542  in the form of a hollow enclosure, such as a ring or other suitable shape, which keeps the patient&#39;s pupil opened all of the time and is optically symmetric. The iris restrictor  542  is located outside of the lens capsule and is sutured to or snapped onto the patient&#39;s iris. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5D  shows an intraocular implant  560  of the type described hereinabove in any of  FIGS. 1-4  combined with an iris restrictor  562  in the form of a hook, which keeps the patient&#39;s pupil opened and off center, all of the time. The iris restrictor  562  is located outside of the lens capsule and is attached to intraocular implant  560 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 5E  shows an intraocular implant  580  of the type described hereinabove in any of  FIGS. 1-4  combined with an iris restrictor  582  in the form of a peripheral retainer, which keeps the patient&#39;s pupil opened all of the time. The iris restrictor  582  is located outside of the lens capsule and is mounted onto a ring  586  implanted into the patient&#39;s eye. 
         [0052]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant including at least one light restrictor, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of  FIG. 6  preferably includes an intraocular implant  600  of the type described hereinabove with reference to any of  FIGS. 1-4  and may be combined with an iris restrictor as shown for example in any of  FIGS. 5A-5E . 
         [0053]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , one or more light restrictors  602  are provided, typically by a light impermeable coating formed on the outside surface of portions of the implant  600  or mirrors  604 , so as to function as artificial irises preferably on both the entrance pupil and the exit pupil of the implant  600 , thereby restricting light passing through the implant, such that generally only light which impinges on the mirrors  604  of the implant reaches the retina, when the implant is implanted in a patient. Alternatively, light restrictors  602  may be formed by coating an inside surface of implant  600 . 
         [0054]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant including at least one encapsulated lens and a plurality of mirrors, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of  FIG. 7  preferably includes an intraocular implant  700  of the type described hereinabove with reference to any of  FIGS. 1-4  and may be combined with an iris restrictor as shown for example in any of  FIGS. 5A-5E  and with a light restrictor, as shown, for example in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0055]    The implant of  FIG. 7  also preferably includes external lenses, such as a telescope  702 , preferably of the type described in any of applicants published patent documents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,391,202; 5,354,335; 5,814,103; 5,876,442; 5,928,283; 6,007,579; 6,066,171; 6,569,199 and 6,596,026, and U.S. published applications U.S. Ser. No. 10/342,160 and 10/321,793, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference, mounted onto implant  700  and extending outwardly of the lens capsule. 
         [0056]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant of the type shown in any of the preceding figures implanted in an eye which has undergone refraction surgery, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of  FIG. 8  preferably includes an intraocular implant  800  of the type described hereinabove with reference to any of  FIGS. 1-4  and may be combined with an iris restrictor as shown for example in any of  FIGS. 5A-5E  and with a light restrictor, as shown, for example in  FIG. 6 . The optical characteristics of the implant  800  are adapted to the condition and functionality of the patient&#39;s eye following such refractive surgery and are specifically configured to work with a reshaped cornea formed by the refractive surgery. 
         [0057]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 9 , which is a simplified sectional illustration of an implanted intraocular implant including a prism and a plurality of mirrors, a bio-compatible housing and light restrictors arranged in a more preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0058]    As seen in  FIG. 9 , the implant preferably comprises a generally light transparent implant enclosure  900 , preferably formed of rigid plastic, such as PMMA, and having a generally oval cross section, as seen in  FIG. 9 , which is supported by haptics  901 . The interior of implant enclosure  900  is hermetically sealed from the outside thereof. 
         [0059]    Mounted onto enclosure  900  and facing the outside is a prism  902  which directs light received from a scene inwardly and sidewise towards the interior of enclosure  900 . Located within implant enclosure  900  and mounted therein is a transparent implant body  903  on which is formed an outwardly and sideways facing convex mirror  904 . Mirror  904  is operative to reflect light impinging thereon from the outside via prism  902  onto an inwardly and sideways facing concave mirror  906 , also formed on body  903 , which mirror  906 , in turn, directs the light to the retina. It is appreciated that either or both of enclosure  900  and implant body  903  may have optical power and may help direct the light from a scene to the retina. 
         [0060]    As in embodiments described hereinabove, it a particular feature of the present invention that mirrors  904  and  906  are employed therein, inasmuch as mirrors  904  and  906  conventionally contain bio-incompatible materials. The hermetic sealing of implant body  903  enables their use in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and prevents contamination of the interior of the eye by the bio-incompatible materials. 
         [0061]    As seen further in  FIG. 9 , implant body  903  also preferably includes one or more light restrictors  908 , thereby restricting light passing through the implant, such that generally only light which impinges on the mirrors  904  and  906  of the implant reaches the retina, when the implant is implanted in a patient. 
         [0062]    Alternatively, implant enclosure  900  may be obviated and prism  902  mounted directly onto implant body  903 . In this embodiment, mirrors  904  and  906  may be formed by coating suitable portions of implant body  903  with reflective materials and hermetically sealing mirrors  904  and  906 , similar to mirrors  204  and  206  of  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, mirrors  904  and  906  may be formed by coating suitable portions of implant body  903  with reflective materials and hermetically sealing implant body  903 , similar to mirrors  304  and  306  of  FIG. 3 . As a further alternative, mirrors  904  and  906  may be formed separately from implant body  903  and hermetically sealed prior to placement in implant body  903 , similar to mirrors  404  and  406  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0063]    It is appreciated that implant body  903  may include a solid transparent interior or a frame including a hollow interior and may be formed as a sealed transparent capsule or other construction suitable for maintaining mirrors  904  and  906  in proper alignment. 
         [0064]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to a person skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description, taken together with the drawings, and which are not in the prior art.