STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR TEAR SHAPING FOR REFRACTIVE CORRECTION

Abstract

A tear shaping structure or structures that shape a tear film of an eye thereby enabling a desired refractive effect. The tear shaping structure includes a supporting structure supporting a plurality of capillary action members, the capillary action members being spaced apart and arranged in such a way as to create a desired refractive lens effect by shaping the tear film of an eye.

Claims

1.-27. (canceled)

28. A method of shaping a tear film of an eye, comprising: placing a supporting structure having a plurality of tear shaping capillary action structures into the tear film to interact with the tear film by capillary action; and selecting the tear shaping capillary action structures to be spaced apart and arranged in such a way as to create a desired refractive lens effect by shaping the tear film of the eye.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising selecting the tear shaping capillary action structures to comprise a plurality of fibers or filaments arranged in a grid structure.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising selecting the grid structure to include mutually substantially perpendicular fibers or filaments in a first orientation and a second orientation and wherein the fibers or filaments in at least one orientation are evenly spaced apart from each other in at least one meridian.

31. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising selecting the grid structure to include mutually substantially perpendicular fibers or filaments in a first orientation and a second orientation and wherein the fibers or filaments in at least one of the first orientation and second orientation are spaced apart from each other at a greater distance centrally than peripherally in at least one meridian.

32. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising selecting the grid structure to include mutually substantially perpendicular fibers or filaments in a first orientation and a second orientation and selecting the grid structure such that the fibers or filaments in at least one of the first and second orientation are spaced apart from each other at a greater distance centrally than peripherally in at least one meridian.

33. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising selecting the grid structure to include a plurality of fibers or filaments including radial fibers arranged in a radial orientation and elliptical fibers arranged in an elliptical orientation.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising selecting the grid structure to be structured such that the elliptical fibers are spaced apart from each other more closely centrally and more distantly peripherally.

35. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising selecting the grid structure to be structured such that the elliptical fibers are spaced apart from each other more closely peripherally and more distantly centrally.

36. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising selecting the grid structure to be structured such that the radial fibers are angularly spaced apart from each other more closely in some meridional orientations than in other meridional orientations.

37. The method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising selecting the grid structure such that the elliptical fibers further circumscribe a circular path, an elliptical path, an oval path or a race track shaped path.

38. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising selecting the grid structure such that additional three-dimensional structural components are located at junctures of crossing fibers.

39. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising selecting the grid structure such that a first subset of fibers has a first cross sectional diameter and a second subset of fibers has a second cross sectional diameter.

40. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising selecting the tear shaping capillary action structures to comprise remaining parts of a perforated structure.

41. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising selecting a first subset of fibers to have a first cross sectional shape and a second subset of fibers to have a second cross sectional shape.

42. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising selecting the tear shaping structure to include a plurality of independent tear shaping objects.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, further comprising selecting the independent tear shaping objects from a group consisting of microballoons, microspheres, micro rings, irregularly shaped objects or a combination of the foregoing.

44. The method as claimed in claim 42, further comprising selecting the independent tear shaping objects to cause the tear film to take on a shape that presents convex areas, concave areas or a combination of both convex areas and concave areas.

45. The method as claimed in claim 42, further comprising selecting the independent tear shaping objects to comprise multi-lobate structures

46. The method as claimed in claim 42, further comprising selecting the independent tear shaping objects to comprise micro rings having a ring shaped or open centered cylindrical shaped structure

47. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising selecting the micro rings to have a shape selected from a group consisting of circular, elliptical, oval, race track shaped and a combination of the foregoing.

48. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising selecting the ring portion such that the ring portion varies in size around a circumference thereof.

49. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising selecting the independent tear shaping objects to comprise nano robots.

50. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising dispersing the independent tear shaping objects in a liquid or gel suspension.

51. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising structuring the independent tear shaping objects to be organized by capillary action in combination with repulsive forces, attractive forces or a combination of repulsive and attractive forces.

52. The method as claimed in claim 51, further comprising structuring the independent tear shaping objects such that the repulsive forces or attractive forces comprise electrostatic forces, magnetic forces or intermolecular forces.

53. The method as claimed in claim 50, further comprising varying a size or a configuration of the independent tear shaping objects and dispersing the independent tear shaping objects in a liquid or gel suspension.

54. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising selecting a material of the tear shaping structure based on a polarity of molecules thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having an evenly spaced grid pattern according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having a grid pattern more closely spaced peripherally than centrally according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having a grid pattern more closely spaced centrally than peripherally according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having meshwork structures oriented radially and circularly and more closely spaced peripherally than centrally according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having meshwork structures oriented radially and circularly and more closely spaced centrally than peripherally according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having meshwork structures oriented radially and elliptically and more closely spaced centrally than peripherally according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having meshwork structures oriented radially and elliptically and more closely spaced peripherally than centrally according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of a meshwork tear shaping structure having additional structural components at junctions of fibers;

[0051] FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of a tear shaping formation including a large number individual structural components instilled in a tear film according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 10 is a schematic depiction of a tear shaping formation including a large number individual structural components that are cylindrical or of another shape instilled in a tear film according to an example embodiment of the invention;

[0053] FIG. 11 is a schematic depiction of a tear shaping formation including a large number of multi-lobate individual structural components instilled in the tear film according to a further example embodiment of the invention; and

[0054] FIG. 12 is a schematic depiction of a tear shaping formation including a large number of individual structural components that are ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical shaped instilled in the tear film according to a further example embodiment of the invention

[0055] While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, in a schematic depiction, according to an example embodiment of the invention, tear shaping structure 10 may include a lenticular structure 12 having perimeter ring 14 and grid 16 of fibers 18. Perimeter ring 14 supports grid 16 of fibers 18.

[0057] In the depicted embodiment, grid 16 of fibers 18 includes horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22. The adjectives horizontal and vertical are used here for convenience of description and merely to distinguish the substantially perpendicular relative orientation of horizontal fibers 20 from vertical fibers 22. Horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22 can be in any orientation however they are oriented approximately perpendicular to each other. In the context of the invention approximately perpendicular means within plus or minus 15 of 90. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1 horizontal fibers 20 are substantially evenly spaced from other horizontal fibers 20 that are generally parallel thereto and vertical fibers 22 are substantially evenly spaced from other vertical fibers 22 that are generally parallel thereto. Lenticular structure 12 may be formed as a shell having a shape approximating a portion of the sphere.

[0058] Fibers 18 and other structures utilized in tear shaping herein include but are not limited to fibers 18, particles, microscopic particles, nanoparticles, nanostructures or nano robots may be collectively referred to as capillary action structures. This is because the above identified capillary action structures enable the tear film to interact with the capillary action structures to cause shaping of the tear film to support a desired refractive result.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 2, a depicted example embodiment also includes perimeter ring 14 supporting grid 16 of fibers 18 including horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22. In the depicted embodiment, horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22 are more distantly spaced centrally and more closely spaced peripherally. In the depicted embodiment, it is expected that such a configuration will result in tear shaping that will focus light to have an overall refractive effect similar to minus power lens to assist in the correction of myopia. While the depicted embodiment includes a similar structure of both horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22 it is to be understood that, for example, horizontal fibers 20 may be more closely spaced centrally and vertical fibers 22 may be more closely spaced peripherally in which case, it is expected that a mixed astigmatic correction will be achieved. Alternatively, horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22 may both be space more closely either peripherally or centrally but in varying degrees of spacing.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 3, another example embodiment of tear shaping structure 10 is depicted. In the depicted embodiment, horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22 are more closely spaced a centrally than peripherally. It is expected that such a configuration will provide a tear shape having a focusing effect similar to a plus lens to assist in correcting refractive error for hyperopia. As discussed above, it is to be understood that horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22 maybe differently spaced from each other as to which is spaced closer centrally and which is spaced closer peripherally.

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 4 another schematic example embodiment of tear shaping structure 10 is depicted. The depicted embodiment elliptical fibers 24 and radial fibers 26 are utilized. Elliptical fibers 24 extend generally around a center 28 of tear shaping structure 10. According to example embodiments of the invention, elliptical fibers 24 may follow a circular path or may follow another closed path that includes but is not limited to circular, oval, elliptical or racetrack shaped in nature. In the depicted embodiment, radial fibers 26 extend generally through center 28 and to periphery 30 of tear shaping structure 10. In the depicted embodiment, elliptical fibers 24 are spaced more closely peripherally and more distantly centrally. It is expected that such an arrangement will lead to a negative refractive correction for correcting myopia.

[0062] In the context of this application, elliptical fibers 24 are to be understood to include fibers that define a circular path or shape or the other paths or shapes discussed above. It is noted that, from a geometrical standpoint, it is to be understood that a circle is a special case of an ellipse in which the major and minor axis of the ellipse are equal. Thus, elliptical fibers 24 include circular fibers as well.

[0063] Referring now to FIG. 5, another example embodiment of tear shaping structure 10 is schematically depicted. This embodiment also includes elliptical fibers 24 and radial fibers 26. In this example embodiment, elliptical fibers 24 are spaced more closely together centrally and more distantly from each other peripherally. Such a configuration is expected to provide a positive refractive correction for correcting myopia.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 6, another example embodiment of tear shaping structure 10 is schematically depicted. In the depicted embodiment elliptical fibers 24 are elliptically arranged and may be referred to as elliptical fibers 32. In this example embodiment the range of elliptical fibers 32 is more closely spaced centrally and more distantly spaced peripherally. This configuration is expected to provide a refractive correction appropriate for correcting astigmatism.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 7, another example embodiment of tear shaping structure 10 is schematically depicted. In this example embodiment, elliptical fibers 32 are present and spaced more closely peripherally than they are centrally. In addition radial fibers 26 are present and spaced more closely angularly in some orientations than other orientations. The depicted arrangement is expected to assist in providing refractive correction for astigmatism.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 8, a schematic depiction of a grid structure of a tear shaping structure 10 is depicted having additional structural components at junctions 34 of fibers 18. As depicted here, fibers 18 includes horizontal fibers 20 and vertical fibers 22. Junctions 34 include additional spherical structures 36. Embodiments of the invention are not, however, limited to spherical structures 36. Similar structures may be present in other shapes such as cubes, tetrahedra, octahedra or other polyhedral shapes including for example, the five Platonic solids. Other three-dimensional structures may be utilized as well. In addition, spherical structures 36 may also be located at junctions of elliptical fibers 24 and radial fibers 26.

[0067] According to other example embodiments of the invention, some of fibers 18 may be formed to be thicker or thinner than other of fibers 18. Variations in fiber 18 thickness are expected to provide a different refractive correction or prismatic correction. According to another example embodiment of the invention fibers 18 may vary in cross sectional shape to assist in shaping the tear film. Cross-sectional shapes may include but are not limited to circular, polygonal, triangular, dentate or irregular shapes.

[0068] According to another example embodiment of the invention, tear shaping structure 10 may be formed by perforating a solid structure with a multitude of openings. According to example embodiments of the invention, the openings may be circular, square, rectangular, polygonal or of any other shape.

[0069] According to another example embodiment of the invention, perimeter ring 14 may surround a periphery of tear shaping structure 10. Perimeter ring 14 may be formed of similar material to the rest of tear shaping structure 10 or may be formed of an alternative material, for example, a material of greater rigidity than the rest of tear shaping structure 10.

[0070] According to another example embodiment of the invention, additional surface features 38 may include textured features 40. Surface features 38 including textured features 40 may present nodules or indentations of a microscopic or nano structural size level in order to further assist in shaping the tear film as desired.

[0071] Tear shaping structure 10 may be formed of a durable material or may be formed of a bioabsorbable or biodegradable material. According to one example embodiment tear shaping structure 10 may be formed of collagen.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 9 tear shaping structure 10 may include independent tear shaping objects 42. Independent tear shaping objects 42 may include micro-balloons, microspheres, micro rings, irregular shaped objects or a combination of the foregoing. Independent tear shaping objects 42 may vary in size.

[0073] As depicted in FIG. 9 tear shaping objects 42 may include microspheres 44. As depicted in FIG. 9, microspheres 44 are dispersed relatively evenly in tear film 46. The presence of tear shaping objects 42 such as microspheres 44 is expected to cause tear film 46 to present convex areas 48 and concave areas 50. Depending upon the size, shape and spacing of tear shaping objects 42 is expected that either convex areas 48 or concave areas 50 will dominate and contribute to a positive refractive correction or a negative refractive correction. A positive refractive correction is expected to occur if convex areas 48 dominate. A negative refractive correction is expected to occur if concave areas 50 dominate. Tear film 46 and tear shaping objects 42 are depicted overlying cornea 52.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 10, an example embodiment of the invention is depicted in which concave areas 50 indirectly created dominate thus a negative refractive effect is expected.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 11, tear shaping objects 42 may include irregular shapes such as multi-lobate tear shaping object 54. Multi-lobate tear shaping object 54 are expected to enable control distance between tear shaping objects 42 thus assisting in control of the tear film shaping.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 12, tear shaping micro rings 56 are depicted. Micro rings 56 include ring-shaped or cylinder shaped objects having an open center. Depending upon the size of micro rings 56 it is expected that positive refractive effects or negative refractive effects may be achieved. Tear shaping micro rings 56 may include circular, elliptical, oval and/or racetrack shaped rings. Micro rings 56 may have a ring a portion that is the same size around its entire circumference or a ring-shaped portion that varies in size around the circumference.

[0077] FIG. 12 also includes a depiction of light rays 58 impinging upon tear film 46 in convex areas 48 and concave areas 50. Parallel light rays 60 impinging upon concave areas 50 are diverged which is expected to lead to a minus lens effect by creating diverging light rays 62. Parallel right light rays 60 impinging upon convex areas 48 are converged which is expected to lead to a plus lens effect by creating converging light rays 64.

[0078] According to another example embodiment of the invention, independent tear shaping objects 42 may be positioned relative to one another by attractive and repulsive forces.

[0079] According to another example embodiment of the invention, independent tear shaping objects 42 may be applied dispersed in a liquid suspension which is instilled into the tears such that individual structural members may position themselves relative to one another by attractive and repulsive forces once introduced into the tear film. Independent tear shaping objects 42 may be supported in a sol or gel suspension. Independent tear shaping objects 42 may also be partially cross-linked or interlinked while in the suspension and further organized once instilled into the tear film.

[0080] Independent tear shaping objects 42, according to an example embodiment of the invention, may be organized by capillary action in combination with electrostatic forces, magnetic forces, intermolecular forces, and/or various repulsive and/or attractive forces. According to example embodiments of the invention Independent tear shaping objects 42 may vary in size and configuration. A suspension may include independent tear shaping objects 42 of a single size and configuration or of several sizes and configurations. According to example embodiments of the invention, independent tear shaping objects 42 may be organized to provide correction for myopia, presbyopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and prismatic correction.

[0081] According to example embodiments of the invention, independent tear shaping objects 42 may include microscopic structural members, nanostructural members or even nano-robots.

[0082] According to another example embodiment, independent tear shaping objects 42 may be configured to provide correction for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia and other refractive errors. According to another example embodiment, capillary action structures, meshwork structural members or independent tear shaping objects 42 may be configured to improve image quality by reducing higher-order aberrations or spherical aberration of the eye or by providing compensation for corneal irregularities that exist due to disease or injury.

[0083] In operation, tear shaping structure 10 is applied to an eye. In the case of lenticular structure 12, lenticular structure 12 is applied to the eye in a way that is similar to application of a contact lens. Grid 16 of fibers 18 interacts with the tear film in such a way that the tear film occupies the space between horizontal fibers 20, vertical fibers 22, elliptical fibers 24 and/or radial fibers 26 because of capillary action. Capillary action causes the tear film to be shaped such that it has a changed refractive effect from the unshaped tear film. Thus, fibers 18 contribute to shaping of the tear film such that the tear film does not create a smooth layer over the corneal surface and instead alters the refractive interface between the tear film and the atmosphere to create a desired refractive effect to compensate for ametropia.

[0084] In the case of uneven spacing of fibers 18, refractive effects are expected to include compensation for astigmatism and/or compensation for prismatic effects. Varying spacing of elliptical fibers 24 and/or radial fibers 26 also are expected to provide refractive compensation for astigmatism.

[0085] In the case of independent tear shaping objects 42, these structures may be introduced into the eye in a liquid suspension or a sol/gel suspension. Independent tear shaping objects 42 are expected to organize themselves because of attractive and repulsive forces to alter the tear film to provide refractive benefits.

[0086] Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

[0087] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

[0088] Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

[0089] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0090] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms means for or step for are recited in a claim.