Abstract:
Embodiments of this invention generally relate to systems and methods for optical treatment and more particularly to non-invasive refractive treatment method based on sub wavelength particle implantation. In an embodiment, a method for optical treatment identifies an optical aberration of an eye, determines a dopant delivery device configuration in response to the optical aberration of the eye, wherein the determined dopant delivery device is configured to impose a desired correction to the eye to mitigate the identified optical aberration of the eye by applying a doping pattern to the eye so as to locally change a refractive index of the eye.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/199,766, filed Mar. 6, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/794,070, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to optical treatment and more particularly to non-invasive refractive treatment method based on sub wavelength particle implantation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Non-spectacle, non-contact lens refractive correction generally involves the use invasive surgical techniques that require a healing period, may reduce the integrity of the cornea, and which can lead to undesired side effects such as night halos, dry eye syndrome, and increased higher order aberrations. A new refractive treatment method based on sub wavelength particle implantation can accomplish similar treatments with far less invasive procedures and no appreciable weakening of the cornea. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for optical treatment and more particularly to non-invasive refractive treatment method based on sub wavelength particle implantation. In an embodiment, a method for optical treatment identifies an optical aberration of an eye, determines a dopant delivery device configuration in response to the optical aberration of the eye, wherein the determined dopant delivery device is configured to impose a desired correction to the eye to mitigate the identified optical aberration of the eye by applying a doping pattern to the eye so as to locally change a refractive index of the eye. 
         [0005]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present disclosure is described in conjunction with the appended figures: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a non-invasive refractive treatment system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a dopant delivery device; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are graph&#39;s depicting changes in refractive properties of an eye caused by the implantation of a dopant in the eye; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of embodiments of dopant distribution in the eye; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A-4C  are schematic illustrations of one embodiment of a contact lens dopant delivery system; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5  is a schematic depict embodiments of a dopant delivery configuring system; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for non-invasive refractive treatment. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Where the reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, noninvasive refractive treatment can modify the refractive index of the eye, and specifically the corneal refractive index, rather than reshape the cornea to affect a refractive correction. This change in the corneal refractive index can be accomplished through the application of various dopants to the cornea that can include, for example, one or several chemicals and/or nanoparticles. 
         [0017]    The nanoparticles can be metallic, and can enhance the index of refraction through surface plasmon effects, and/or the bulk material from which the nanoparticles are made can be absorptive when in bulk form. The nanoparticles may contain inorganic, high index of refraction, transparent materials such as, for example, ZrO 2  embedded in inorganic polymers. The nanoparticles and/or their host material can be tailored to bond with specific cell organelles or structures to resist diffusion. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments in which nanoparticles are applied to the cornea, the nanoparticles can have a size that is smaller than, and in some embodiments, much smaller than the wavelength of visible light. In some embodiments in which nanoparticles are applied to the cornea, the nanoparticles can have an index of refraction that is different than the index of refraction of the cornea, and in some embodiments, the nanoparticles can have an index of refraction that is substantially different than the index of refraction of the cornea. 
         [0019]    The implantation of nanoparticles having an index of refraction different than that of the cornea can result in a change in the local index of refraction of the cornea in proportion to the number of nanoparticles implanted in a given volume of the cornea, or in other words, the density of the implanted nanoparticles. In some embodiments, the density and/or lateral distribution of the nanoparticles can vary across the cornea of the eye, which variance can result in a varying index of refraction across the cornea of the eye. This varying index of refraction across the cornea of the eye, caused by the unequal distribution of the nanoparticles, allows treatment of optical aberrations including, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, mixed astigmatism, and/or any other lower or higher order aberrations. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the dopant applied to the cornea to affect the change in the refractive index of the cornea can have a variety of interactions with the corneal tissue. In some embodiments, for example, these dopants can be nonreactive with the corneal tissue and merely be suspended within the corneal tissue, and specifically, in some embodiments, within the corneal stroma, and in some embodiments, these dopants can bind with corneal tissue to thereby secure their position within the cornea. In some embodiments, nanoparticle materials can be selected to be biocompatible with the tissue of the cornea and/or to chemically bond to the corneal tissue. In some embodiments in which nanoparticles are used for altering the index of refraction of the cornea, nanoparticles as small as, for example, 1 nanometer, 5 nanometers, 10 nanometers, 20 nanometers, 30 nanometers, 50 nanometers, 100 nanometers, 500 nanometers, and/or any other desired or intermediate size can be used. In some embodiments, particles can be size so as to allow painless placement in the cornea and so as to prevent light scatter. 
         [0021]    Insertion of dopants including, for example, one or several chemicals and/or one or several nanoparticles, into the cornea can be achieved using a variety of techniques. In some embodiments, for example, the dopants can be inserted into the cornea via high velocity impingement on the exterior surfaces of the cornea. In some embodiments, for example, the velocity of the dopants can be configured so as to allow penetration to the desired depth into the cornea. In some embodiments, for example, the dopants can be inserted into the cornea via diffusion. In some embodiments, the dopants can be configured such that they diffuse to the proper depth within the cornea, and then maintain their position at that desired depth. 
         [0022]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a noninvasive refractive treatment system  100  is shown. The noninvasive refractive treatment system  100  can provide noninvasive refractive treatment to a patient. Advantageously, such treatments allow short recovery periods, can be repeated and/or adjusted based on future changes to the patient&#39;s eye, and/or can compensate for over and/or under treatment in a previous procedure. 
         [0023]    The noninvasive refractive treatment system  100  includes an eye  102 . The eye  102  can be any eye, and can be, for example, a human eye. The eye  102  includes the cornea  104 , the lens  106 , the retina  108 , and the optic nerve  110 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of dopants  112  have been deposited with in the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . In some embodiments, these dopants can be, for example, nanoparticles. 
         [0024]    As further seen in  FIG. 1 , the noninvasive refractive treatment system  100  can include a dopant delivery system  114 . In some embodiments, the dopant delivery system  114  can be configured to measure the aberration of the eye  102 , determine a dopant profile for compensating and/or correcting for the aberration, and to deliver dopant to the eye  102 , and specifically to the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the dopant delivery system  114  includes a dopant delivery device  116  that delivers the dopant  112  to the eye  102 . In some embodiments, the dopant delivery device  116  can include features configured to accelerate the dopant to a desired velocity to allow penetration of the dopant to a desired depth into the cornea  104 . In such an embodiment, the dopant delivery system  114  can control the dopant delivery device and can further include features configured to calculate the necessary penetration velocity of the dopant. This process can include determining a property of the cornea  104  such as, for example, the elasticity, thickness, toughness, and/or any other property relevant to penetration of dopant into the cornea  104 , and using this property in combination with the mass of the dopant to determine the velocity for dopant penetration to a desired depth to the cornea  104 . 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the insertion of the dopant  112  into the cornea  104  can be facilitated by one or several piezoelectric transducers. In some embodiments, the dopant  112  can be ionized, and can be accelerated to the desired velocity for dopant insertion into the cornea  104 . 
         [0027]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the dopant  112  can be delivered  118  from the dopant delivery device  116  to the cornea  104 . In embodiments in which the dopant  112  is delivered to the cornea  104  at a penetrating velocity, the direction of the velocity of the dopant  112  can be calculated and/or controlled to allow insertion of the dopant  112  into desired portions of the cornea. In some embodiments, for example, the same techniques used to accelerate the dopant  112  can be further used to control the direction of the velocity of the dopant  12 . 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, dopant delivery system  114  can be used in connection with other devices and components that can, for example, measure the aberration of the eye  102 , perform calculations relating to the aberration of the eye  102 , and/or configure the dopant delivery device  114 . These other devices and/or components can be integrated within the non-invasive refractive treatment system  100 . 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIG. 1A , a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the dopant delivery system  114  is shown. The dopant delivery system  114  can be configured to deliver dopant  112  to the eye  102 . In some embodiments, the dopant delivery system  114  includes a processor  130 . The processor  130  can provide instructions to, and receive information from the other components of the dopant delivery system  114 . The processor  130  can act according to stored instructions to control the other components of the dopant delivery system  114 . The processor  200  can comprise a microprocessor, such as a microprocessor from Intel® or Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.®, or the like. 
         [0030]    The dopant delivery system  114  can include an input/output interface  132 . The input/output interface  132  communicates information, including outputs, to, and receives inputs from a user. The input/output interface  132  can include a screen, a speaker, a monitor, a keyboard, a microphone, a mouse, a touchpad, a keypad, and/or any other feature or features that can receive inputs from a user and provide information to a user. In some embodiments, the input/output interface  132  can provide outputs to, and receive inputs from a user including a doctor. In some embodiments, the input/output interface  132  can be configured to allow the user including the doctor to control the operation of the dopant delivery system  114 , and to specifically control the interaction of the dopant delivery system  114  with the patient. 
         [0031]    The dopant delivery system  114  can comprise a communication engine  134 . The communication engine  134  can allow the dopant delivery system  114  to communicatingly connect with other devices, and can allow the dopant delivery system  114  to send and receive information from other devices. The communication engine  134  can include features configured to send and receive information, including, for example, an antenna, a modem, a transmitter, a receiver, or any other feature that can send and receive information. The communication engine  134  can communicate via telephone, cable, fiber-optic, or any other wired communication network. In some embodiments, the communication engine  134  can communicate via cellular networks, WLAN networks, or any other wireless network. 
         [0032]    The dopant delivery system  114  includes a measurement engine  136 . In some embodiments, for example, the measurement engine  136  can be configured to measure aberration data relating to the eye  102 . The measurement engine  136  can use any technique and/or desired features to measure the aberration relating to the eye  102 . In some embodiments, the measurement engine  136  can include a phoroptor and/or aberrometer. 
         [0033]    The dopant delivery system  114  can include a configuration engine  138 . In some embodiments, the configuration engine  138  can include features that can configured the dopant delivery device  116  for delivering the dopant  112  to the eye  102 . In some embodiments, the configuration engine  138  can comprise an activation device. The activation device will be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0034]    The dopant delivery system  114  can include memory  140 . The memory  140  can include stored instructions that, when executed by the processor  130 , control the operation of the dopant delivery system  114 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the memory  140  can include a dopant database  142 . The dopant database  142  can include information relating to the dopant  112  such as, for example, information relating to the effect of the dopant on the index of refraction of the eye  102 , doping patterns that can be used as corrections for optical aberrations, and information relating to the configuration of the dopant delivery device  114 . 
         [0036]    The memory  140  can include a scan database  144 . The scan database  144  can include data generated by the measurement engine  134 . This information can relate to the aberration the eye  102 , refractive state of the eye  102  after performing the noninvasive refractive treatment. 
         [0037]    The dopant delivery system  114  can include a feature  146  communicatingly linking all of the components of the dopant delivery system  114 . In some embodiments, this feature  146  can comprise, for example, a bus. 
         [0038]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2A-2B , graph&#39;s depicting changes in refractive properties of an eye  102  caused by the implantation of a dopant  112  in the eye  102  are shown. Specifically, the graphs depict the impact of the uniform implantation of nanoparticles having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the cornea into the corneal tissue. 
         [0039]    Specifically,  FIG. 2A  includes graph  200  which depicts the effective corneal index as a function of the implanted fraction of dopant  112 , and  FIG. 2B  includes graph  202  which depicts the corneal power change as a function of the implanted fraction of dopant  112 . 
         [0040]    As seen in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the nominal corneal effective refractive index is approximately 1.337. Further, the mean human corneal radius of curvature is approximately 7.8 mm. The combination of the nominal corneal effective refractive index and the mean human corneal radius of curvature results in an effective corneal power of approximately 43.2 diopters. The above figures depict the change in the effective corneal index and corneal power resulting from the implantation of nanoparticles having an index of refraction of 1.65. As seen in  FIGS. 2A-2B , as the fractional percent of implanted nanoparticles increases, the effective corneal index likewise increases, and the corneal power changes. For example, and based on  FIGS. 2A-2B , when the fraction of nanoparticles implanted reaches 1%, the local index of refraction increases to 1.35 and the corneal power increases by approximately 2.1 dpt. 
         [0041]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a schematic illustration of embodiments of dopant  112  distribution in the eye  102  is shown. In some embodiments, the dopant  112  distributions in the eye  102  shown in  FIG. 3  can comprise non-uniform distribution patterns. These non-uniform distribution patterns can be used in the treatment of specific refractive problems. Non-uniform distributions can effectively lead to a graded index of refraction useful for treating all the common refractive conditions, in some cases with reduced implant rates. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  depicts a first distribution pattern  300 -A occurring in the first pupil  302 -A. In this first distribution pattern  300 -A, dopant  112  is concentrated in the center of the pupil  302 -A. In some embodiments, the concentration of dopant  112  in the center the pupil  302 -A, and specifically lateral distributions of high index particles concentrated at the center of the pupil  302 -A can be used to increase the corneal power for treating hyperopia. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  depicts a second distribution pattern  300 -B occurring in the second pupil  302 -B. In the second distribution pattern  300 -B, dopant  112  is concentrated radially around the periphery of the pupil  302 -B. In some embodiments, the concentration of dopant  112  around the radial periphery of the pupil  302 -B, and specifically lateral distributions with a minimum number of particles at the pupil center can be used to reduce the corneal power and thereby treat myopia. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  depicts a third distribution pattern  300 -C occurring in the third pupil  302 -C. In the third distribution pattern  300 -C, dopant  112  is cylindrically distributed perpendicular to the fast axis of the pupil  302 -C. In some embodiments, the cylindrical distribution perpendicular to the fast axis of the pupil  302 -C, and/or an elliptical distribution can be used to treat astigmatism. 
         [0045]    Similarly, other dopant distribution patterns can be used to treat other optical aberrations including, for example, higher order aberrations. Specifically, higher order aberrations can be treated through other non-uniform particle distribution patterns. 
         [0046]    With reference now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , schematic illustrations of one embodiment of a contact lens dopant delivery system  400  are shown. The contact lens dopant delivery system  400  is a subset of the dopant delivery device  116 . In some embodiments, the contact lens dopant delivery system  400  can be configured to deliver dopant  112  to the eye  102 , and specifically to the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . In some embodiments, the contact lens dopant delivery system  400  can be configured for placement on a portion of the eye  102  such as, for example, on top of the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . In some embodiments, the contact lens dopant delivery system  400  can include dopant  112  embedded and/or applied onto portions of the contact lens dopant delivery system  400 . 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, the dopant  112  can be uniformly distributed throughout the contact lens  402 , so as to allow the customization of the contact lens  402  to treat a range of desired aberrations. In some embodiments, the dopant  112  can be non-uniformly distributed throughout the contact lens  402 . In some such embodiments, the non-uniform distribution of dopant  112  can allow the pre-configuration of the contact lens for treatment of a specific type and/or strength of aberration. In embodiments in which the dopant  112  is pre-distributed throughout the contact lens  402  to allow the treatment of a specific type and/or strength of aberration, the contact lens dopant delivery system  100  can comprise one or several contact lenses  402  which can be applied to the eye, singly, or in succession to treat a specified aberration including, for example, a type and a strength of aberration. 
         [0048]    This dopant  112  can be transferred to the eye  102 , and specifically to the cornea  104  of the eye when the contact lens dopant delivery system  400  is placed on the eye  102 . 
         [0049]    With reference now to  FIG. 4A , a side view of one embodiment of the contact lens dopant delivery system  400  is shown. The contact lens dopant delivery system  400  includes a contact lens  402  that can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, for example, the contact lens  402  can be sized to cover and/or substantially cover the cornea  104 . In some embodiments, the contact lens  402  can comprise a variety of materials. In some embodiments, for example, the contact lens  402  can comprise a biocompatible material. 
         [0050]    The contact lens  402  comprises a front  404  and an opposing back  406 . In some embodiments, the contact lens  402  can comprise a convex shape configured for placement onto the cornea  104  of the eye  102 , which shape can advantageously increase the contact area of the back  406  of the contact lens  402  with the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . In some embodiments, for example, all or portions of the contact lens  402  can comprise a dopant carrier  408 . In some embodiments, the dopant carrier  408  can be configured to releasably contain the dopant  112 . In some embodiments, for example, the dopant carrier  408  can be configured to retain the dopant  112  in the contact lens  402  unless the dopant  112  is activated, which activation can allow the dopant  112  to be released from the contact lens  402 , and specifically from the dopant carrier  408  of the contact lens  402 . In some embodiments, for example, the activation of the dopant  112  can comprise a change in the shape, composition, and/or properties of the dopant and/or the dopant carrier  408 . 
         [0051]    With reference now to  FIG. 4B , a front view of one embodiment of the contact lens delivery system  400  is shown. As seen in  FIG. 4B , the contact lens  402  can comprise a circular shape when viewed from the front. In some embodiments, the contact lens  402  can comprise an orienting feature  412 . This orienting feature  412  can advantageously facilitate in orienting the contact lens  402  on the eye  102 . This can allow use of the contact lens dopant delivery system  400  in the treatment of astigmatism and/or higher order aberrations. In some embodiments, the orienting feature  412  can be configured to automatically orient the contact lens  402  on the eye  102  such as, for example, when the patient blinks their eye  102 . 
         [0052]    With reference now to  FIG. 4C , side view of one embodiment of the noninvasive refractive treatment system  100  is shown. In this embodiment, the contact lens delivery system  400  is shown placed on the eye  102  so that the back  406  of the contact lens  402  is contacting the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . In this embodiment, activated dopant  112  can be delivered to the cornea  104  of the eye  102 , which delivery can affect a change in the index of refraction of the cornea  104  and thereby alter a refractive property of the eye  102 . In embodiments in which the dopant  112  is activated according to a doping pattern configured to compensate for an optical aberration of the eye, the activated dopant  112  can remedy and/or provide for the noninvasive treatment of the optical aberration of the eye  102 . 
         [0053]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a dopant delivery configuration system  500  is shown. In some embodiments, for example, the dopant delivery configuration system  500  can comprise the contact lens  402  and an activation device  502 . The dopant delivery configuration system  500  can be configured to activate the dopant  112  in and/or on the contact lens  402  so as to allow the delivery of the dopant  112  to the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . 
         [0054]    The activation device  502  can comprise any device configured to activate the dopant  112  by changing the shape, composition, and/or properties of the dopant  112  and/or the dopant carrier  408 . In some embodiments, for example, the activation device  502  can activate the dopant via the irradiation of the contact lens  402  including, for example, the dopant  112  and/or the dopant carrier  408 , the application of one or several chemicals to the contact lens  402  including, for example, the dopant  112  and/or the dopant carrier  408 , and/or via the mechanical interaction with the contact lens  402  including, for example, the dopant  112  and/or the dopant carrier  408 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the activation device  502  is interacting  504  with the contact lens  402  so as to activate the dopant  112 . In some embodiments, this interaction  504  can be controlled so that desired portions of the dopant  112  are activated and so that other portions of the dopant  112  are not activated. Advantageously, selective activation of portions of the dopant  112  on the contact lens  402  can allow treatment of different aberrations including, for example, lower order aberrations and/or higher order aberrations. 
         [0055]    With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  600  for noninvasive refractive treatment is shown. In some embodiments, this process  600  can be used to provide dopant  112  to portions of the eye  102  including, for example, to the cornea  104 . In some embodiments, the process  600  can be performed using noninvasive refractive treatment system  100 , and specifically the dopant delivery system  114 , the contact lens delivery system  400 , and/or the activation device  502 . 
         [0056]    The process  600  can begin at block  602  wherein aberration data is received. In some embodiments, for example, the aberration data can be received from any device capable of identifying and/or detecting optical aberration in an eye  102 . In some embodiments, for example, the aberration data can be received from a phoroptor, an aberrometer, and/or any other desired device capable of collecting this data, and in some embodiments, this information can be received from the measurement engine  136  and/or any component of the measurement engine  136 . In some embodiments, this information can be generated by component other than the dopant delivery system  114  and can be communicated to the noninvasive refractive treatment system via the communication engine  134 . In some embodiments, the received aberration data can be stored in the memory  140  including, for example the scan database  144 . 
         [0057]    After the aberration data is collected, the process  600  proceeds to block  604  wherein the correction for the collected aberration data is calculated. In some embodiments, the calculation of the correction can be performed by a component of dopant delivery system  114 , and in some embodiments, the calculation of the correction can be performed by a component and/or device other than the dopant delivery system  114 . In some embodiments, for example, the correction can be calculated by a component of the dopant delivery system  114  including, for example, the processor  130 . In some embodiments, the correction can be calculated with inputs regarding the details of the anatomy of the eye  102  including, for example, the details of the size and shape of the eye  102  and/or the components of the eye  102 . In some embodiments in which a phoropter is used to collect aberration data, the calculation of the correction can be likewise received from the phoropter via, for example, the communications engine  134 . 
         [0058]    After the correction has been calculated, the process  600  proceeds to block  606  wherein the change in the index of refraction that will result in achieving the correction is calculated. In some embodiments, this calculation can be performed as part of the step performed in block  604  discussed above, in some embodiments, this step can be performed separate from step performed in block  604  discussed above. In some embodiments, this calculation can be performed by components of the dopant delivery system  114 , and in some embodiments, this calculation can be performed by components other than those of the dopant delivery system  114 . In some embodiments, this calculation can comprise the generation of an index of refraction profile indicating the locations of changes to the index of refraction on the cornea  104  of the eye  102 , in the magnitude of the changes to the index of refraction of the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . 
         [0059]    After the change in the index of refraction is calculated, the process  600  proceeds to block  608  wherein the doping pattern that creates indices of refraction within the cornea  104  corresponding to the index of refraction profile is generated. In some embodiments, the doping pattern can be generated by a component of the dopant delivery system  114  including, for example, the processor  130  and can be based off of information retrieved from the dopant database  142  and the scan database  144 . In some embodiments, the doping pattern can include information identifying the location for the placement of dopant  112  on the eye  102 , and specifically on the cornea  104  of the eye, and the concentration of the dopant  112  in those locations. 
         [0060]    After the doping pattern is been calculated, the process  600  proceeds to block  612  wherein the dopant delivery device  116  is configured. In some embodiments, for example, the configuring of the dopant delivery device  116  can comprise making changes to the dopant delivery device  116  so that the dopant delivery device  116  delivers dopant  112  to portions of the eye  102  including, for example, the cornea  104 , specified by the doping pattern. In some embodiments, the dopant delivery device  116  can be configured by the configuration engine  138  and/or a component of the configuration engine. In some embodiments, this component of the configuration engine  148  can include the dopant delivery configuration system  500 , and specifically the activation device  502  of the dopant delivery configuration system  500 . 
         [0061]    After the dopant delivery device has been configured, the process proceeds to block  614  wherein the dopant  112  is delivered. In some embodiments, for example, the dopant  112  can be delivered by the dopant delivery system  114  including, for example, the dopant delivery device  116 . In one specific embodiment, the dopant  112  can be delivered by the contact lens delivery system  400  by placement of the contact lens  402  of the contact lens delivery system  400  on the eye  102 , and specifically on the cornea  104  of the eye  102 . 
         [0062]    After the dopant is been delivered, the process  600  proceeds to block  618  wherein the refractive state of the eye  102  can be measured. In some embodiments, this step can be performed in the same manner as that performed in block  602  above, and the information measured in this step can be used to determine the success of the noninvasive refractive treatment. 
         [0063]    After the refractive student the eye  102  has been measured, the process  600  proceeds to decision state  620  wherein it is determined if the measured refractive state of the eye  102  corresponds with the correct refractive state of the eye. In some embodiments, this determination can be made by the processor  130  of the dopant delivery system  114  based on the comparison of the outcome calculated from the collected aberration data and the calculated correction, and the measured refractive state of the eye. If it is determined that the measured refractive state of the eye  102  does not correspond with the desired outcome of the noninvasive refractive treatment, then the process  600  returns to block  604 . If it is determined that the measured refractive state of the eye  102  does correspond with the desired outcome of the noninvasive refractive treatment, then the process can terminate. 
         [0064]    A number of variations and modifications of the disclosed embodiments can also be used. Specific details are given in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is understood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. 
         [0065]    Implementation of the techniques, blocks, steps and means described above may be done in various ways. For example, these techniques, blocks, steps and means may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing units may be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described above, and/or a combination thereof. 
         [0066]    Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a swim diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a depiction may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in the figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function. 
         [0067]    Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, scripting languages, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, and/or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, scripting language, and/or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a machine readable medium such as a storage medium. A code segment or machine-executable instruction may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a script, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, and/or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, and/or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc. 
         [0068]    For a firmware and/or software implementation, the methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes may be stored in a memory. Memory may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor. As used herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other storage medium and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored. 
         [0069]    Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium” may represent one or more memories for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other machine readable mediums for storing information. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and/or various other storage mediums capable of storing that contain or carry instruction(s) and/or data. 
         [0070]    While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the disclosure.