Corneal implants and methods and systems for placement

Abstract

Systems and methods for implanting scaffolds in a corneal pocket of a cornea are provided. In some embodiments, a reversibly deformable scaffold may have a relaxed state and a deformed state. The scaffold may include a first ring and a second ring, a first connector extending from the first ring to the second ring, and a second connector extending from the first ring to the second ring. In some embodiments, a curvature of the first connector and a curvature of the second connector may extend at least partially radially outwardly relative to a central axis of the first ring and the second ring.

1 . A reversibly deformable scaffold for implanting in a corneal pocket of a cornea and having (i) a relaxed state in which the scaffold has a predetermined peripheral shape before implantation in the corneal pocket, and (ii) a deformed state in which the scaffold is configured to be implanted into the cornea, the scaffold being configured to return to the relaxed state inside the corneal pocket, the scaffold comprising:
 a first ring and a second ring, the first ring having a first circumference and the second ring having a second circumference, wherein the second circumference is greater than the first circumference;   a first connector extending from the first ring to the second ring, the first connector being arcuate in the relaxed state; and   a second connector extending from the first ring to the second ring, the second connector being arcuate in the relaxed state;   wherein a curvature of the first connector extends at least partially radially outwardly relative to a central axis of the first ring and the second ring, and a curvature of the second connector extends at least partially radially outwardly relative to the central axis of the first ring and the second ring;   wherein the scaffold comprises a material having a rigidity that is greater than that of the cornea such that implantation into the corneal pocket results in a flattening of a central region of the cornea.   
     
     
         2 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are coplanar. 
     
     
         3 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the first ring extends in a first plane, the second ring extends in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, and the first connector extends in a third plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane. 
     
     
         4 . The scaffold of  claim 3 , wherein the third plane intersects the central axis. 
     
     
         5 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein a radius of curvature of the first connector is less than a radius of curvature of the cornea. 
     
     
         6 . The scaffold of  claim 4 , wherein the second connector extends in a fourth plane that is perpendicular to the to the first plane and the second plane, the fourth plane being different than the third plane. 
     
     
         7 . The scaffold of  claim 6 , wherein the third plane is perpendicular to the fourth plane. 
     
     
         8 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold, in the relaxed state, is formed in the shape of a truncate dome. 
     
     
         9 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is configured to reduce astigmatism when placed in the corneal pocket. 
     
     
         10 . The scaffold of  claim 1 , wherein, upon implantation, the first ring is closer to the central region of the eye than is the second ring. 
     
     
         11 . A method for treating myopia, the method comprising:
 inserting a reversibly deformable scaffold into a corneal pocket of a cornea, the scaffold being in a deformed state during insertion, wherein after insertion, the scaffold reversibly expands to a relaxed state in which the scaffold has a predetermined peripheral shape, the scaffold comprising:
 a first ring and a second ring, the first ring having a first circumference and the second ring having a second circumference, wherein the second circumference is greater than the first circumference; 
 a first connector extending from the first ring to the second ring, the first connector being arcuate in the relaxed state; and 
 a second connector extending from the first ring to the second ring, the second connector being arcuate in the relaxed state; 
 wherein a curvature of the first connector extends at least partially radially outwardly relative to a central axis of the first ring and the second ring, and a curvature of the second connector extends at least partially radially outwardly relative to the central axis of the first ring and the second ring; 
   wherein the scaffold comprises a material having a rigidity that is greater than that of the cornea such that implantation into the corneal pocket results in a flattening of a central region of the cornea.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are coplanar. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first ring extends in a first plane, the second ring extends in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, and the first connector extends in a third plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the third plane intersects the central axis. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a radius of curvature of the first connector is less than a radius of curvature of the cornea. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second connector extends in a fourth plane that is perpendicular to the to the first plane and the second plane, the fourth plane being different than the third plane. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the third plane is perpendicular to the fourth plane. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the scaffold, in the relaxed state, is formed in the shape of a truncate dome. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein implanting the scaffold into the corneal pocket reduces astigmatism. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, upon implantation, the first ring is closer to the central region of the eye than is the second ring.