Refocus Group Inc.

Harry R A Jacobson

Rex O Bare

Mark Allan Cox

Jack C Griffis, Iii

Timothy John Payne

Andrew J Scherer

Douglas C Williamson

Gene W Zdenek

Barrie D Soloway

Michael K Smolek

Peter J Richardson

A system includes a scleral prosthesis and an insert. The scleral prosthesis includes a first end configured to be pulled through a scleral tunnel in an eye and a second end. Each end is wider than a middle portion of the scleral prosthesis. Two portions form the first end of the scleral prosthesis, and the portions are separated along at least half of a length of the scleral prosthesis. The scleral prosthesis is formed from a single integrated piece of material. The second end is undivided. The insert is configured to be placeable between the two portions. The two portions may be separated from one another without external interference, and the two portions may be configured to be pushed towards each other in order to reduce a width of the first end and then separate after release.

Scleral prosthesis for treating presbyopia and other eye disorders and related devices and methods

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body having a first free end, a second free end opposite the first free end, a central portion extending between and coupling the ends, and a convex top surface extending lengthwise along at least part of the central portion. A maximum width of the body at each end is wider than a maximum width of the body along the central portion. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert having a convex top surface extending lengthwise along at least part of the insert. The body includes multiple portions that form the first end and part of the central portion. The portions are separated lengthwise along part of a total length of the body by empty space, which tapers and then expands in width. The insert has a shape complementary to the empty space such that the insert tapers and then expands in width.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body having a first free end and a second free end opposite the first free end. A maximum width of the body at each end is wider than a maximum width of the body between the ends. The body includes multiple first portions that form the first free end of the body and a part of the body between the ends. The first portions are separated lengthwise along a substantial portion of a total length of the body. The first portions of the body are biased so that they maintain separation from one another without external interference but are configured to be pushed towards each other. The body is configured to receive and retain, between the first portions of the body, an insert that is configured to maintain the separation of the first portions.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The body includes (i) opposing first and second free ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the ends. The first portions are separated along at least about half of a total length of the body by empty space such that the first portions meet at a point between the ends and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end. The ends are wider than the remainder. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert configured to be placed between the first portions and to substantially fill the empty space. The body includes a convex upper surface extending lengthwise between the ends. The insert includes a convex upper surface extending lengthwise along the insert.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes (i) opposing first and second free ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the first and second ends. The first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The first portions are separated by empty space such that the first portions meet at a point between the first and second ends and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end. The first end projects beyond one or more sides of the remainder of the body and angles back towards the second end. The second end projects beyond the one or more sides of the remainder of the body and angles back towards the first end.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body and an insert. The body includes (i) opposing first and second free ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end and part of a remainder of the body between the ends. The first portions are separated along at least about half of a total length of the body by empty space such that the first portions meet at a point between the ends and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end. The ends are wider than the remainder. The insert is configured to be placed between the first portions and to substantially fill the empty space. The first portions are biased so that they maintain separation from one another without external interference but are configured to be pushed towards each other in order to reduce a width of the first end. The insert, when placed between the first portions, keeps the first portions separated and prevents the first portions from being pushed together and reducing the width of the first end.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The body includes (i) opposing first and second free ends and (ii) a pair of first portions that form the first end and part of a remainder of the body between the ends. The first portions are separated along at least about half of a total length of the body by empty space such that the first portions meet at a point between the ends and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end. The ends are wider than the remainder. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert configured to be placed between the first portions and to substantially fill the empty space. The insert, prior to insertion, includes one or more slots. The first portions include one or more ridges configured to engage with the one or more slots of the insert.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes opposing first and second ends. Multiple portions form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the first and second ends. The first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The multiple portions of the body are separated by empty space such that the multiple portions meet at a point between the first and second ends of the body and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end of the body. The second end of the body is integral with the remainder of the body and not divided into multiple separated portions.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes (i) opposing first and second ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the first and second ends. The first portions of the body are separated by empty space, and the first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert configured to be placed and retained between the first portions of the body. At least part of the insert, prior to insertion between the first portions of the body, has a shape complementary to a shape of the empty space.

A system includes a scleral prosthesis and an insert. The scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body having a first free end and a second free end opposite the first end. A maximum width of the body at each end is wider than a maximum width of the body between the ends. The body includes multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and a part of the body between the ends. The first portions are separated lengthwise along a substantial portion of a total length of the body. The first portions are biased so that they maintain separation from one another without external interference but are configured to be pushed towards each other. The insert is configured to be placed between the first portions to maintain a separation of the first portions. The body and/or the insert could be formed using one or more magnetic materials.

A scleral prosthesis includes an elongated body configured to be implanted into scleral tissue of an eye. The elongated body includes (i) opposing first and second ends and (ii) multiple first portions that form the first end of the body and part of a remainder of the body between the ends. The first and second ends are wider than the remainder of the body. The first portions of the body are separated lengthwise along the body by empty space such that the first portions meet at a point between the first and second ends of the body and are not connected to each other between that point and the first end. The scleral prosthesis also includes an insert configured to be placed and retained between the first portions of the body. The insert has a length that is at least about half of a length of the elongated body.

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Nashville, TN, United States of America

Harry R A Jacobson