Intraocular lens system and method for power adjustment

Abstract

An intraocular lens (IOL) that provides means for optical power adjustable following its implantation, for example for use in treating cataract patients. The lens body has first and second surface portion that bound at least one interior chamber or space that extends from the central optic portion to the lens periphery. The interior chamber or space has a microporous body that is intermediate inner and outer portions of the space. In one embodiment, the microporous body is capable of cooperating with an external Rf or light source to expose a charge to a charge-carrying fluid within the interior chamber. By this means, fluid flows are induced to alter the optical parameters of the lens.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An intraocular lens comprising a central optic portion for focusing light and a peripheral portion outward of the optic portion, an interior chamber in the lens with a first chamber region in the optic portion and a second chamber portion in the peripheral portion, a selected fluid media within the interior chamber; and a microporous body portion intermediate the first and second chamber portion.  
     
     
         2 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein a portion of lens adjacent the first chamber region is of a deformable material for altering the shape of the optic portion.  
     
     
         3 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein a portion of lens adjacent the second chamber region is of a deformable material.  
     
     
         4 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein a microporous body portion defines pores extending therethrough that have a cross-sectional dimension ranging from about 5 nanometers to about 25 microns.  
     
     
         5 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein a microporous body portion defines pores extending therethrough that have a cross-sectional dimension ranging from about 100 nanometers to about 5 microns.  
     
     
         6 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein the lens defines coincident surfaces on opposing sides of the first chamber portion, and at least one coincident surface has a non-uniform radius.  
     
     
         7 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein the lens defines coincident surfaces on opposing sides of the first chamber portion, and at least one coincident surface is configured with projecting shape structures.  
     
     
         8 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein the lens defines coincident surfaces on opposing sides of the first chamber portion, and both coincident surfaces are configured with projecting shape structures.  
     
     
         9 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  wherein the selected fluid media has an index of refraction that matches that of the material of the optic portion.  
     
     
         10 . The intraocular lens of  claim 1  further comprising at least one electrical charge-applying surface within the microporous body portion and wherein the selected fluid media carries a charge.  
     
     
         11 . The introcular lens of  claim 9  further an external energy source for applying energy to the at least one charge-applying surface, the energy source selected from the class consisting of Rf sources and light sources.  
     
     
         12 . An intraocular lens comprising a central optic portion for focusing light and a peripheral portion outward of the optic portion, an interior chamber in the central optic portion, the lens defining coincident surfaces on opposing sides of said interior chamber, wherein at least one coincident surface is adjacent a plurality of projecting shape stuctures.  
     
     
         13 . The intraocular lens of  claim 12  wherein the coincident surfaces have cooperating projecting shape structures.  
     
     
         14 . The intraocular lens of  claim 12  further comprising an interior chamber portion in the peripheral portion that communicates with the interior chamber in the central optic portion.  
     
     
         15 . The intraocular lens of  claim 12  further comprising an index-matching fluid in the interior chamber and between the coincident surfaces that matches the index of refraction of the materials of the optic portion.  
     
     
         16 . The intraocular lens of  claim 12  wherein a portion of lens adjacent the interior chamber is of a deformable material.  
     
     
         17 . The intraocular lens of  claim 17  wherein the deformable material changes in dimension is response to light energy.  
     
     
         18 . An intraocular lens body defining anterior and posterior lens surfaces and a peripheral lens portion, the lens body of a first and second structures of first and second polymers, the first structure of the first polymer being selectively deformable to allow shape changes in the anterior or posterior lens surface, the second polymer being adjustable in dimension in response to energy application thereto to deform the first structure of the first polymer.  
     
     
         19 . The intraocular lens of  claim 18  wherein the second polymer is transparent to visible light.  
     
     
         20 . The intraocular lens of  claim 18  wherein the second polymer expands in a cross-sectional dimension in response to irradiation from a light source of a selected wavelength.  
     
     
         21 . The intraocular lens of  claim 18  wherein the second polymer contracts in a cross-sectional dimension in response to irradiation from a light source of a selected wavelength.  
     
     
         22 . The intraocular lens of  claim 18  wherein the second structure is embedded in the first structure.  
     
     
         23 . The intraocular lens of  claim 18  wherein the second structure is adjacent a fluid permeable portion of the lens.  
     
     
         24 . The intraocular lens of  claim 18  wherein the second structure is adjacent coincident surfaces about an interior chamber of the lens.