The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 06, 1995
Thomas Silvestrini, Alamo, CA (US);
Mark Mathis, Fremont, CA (US);
Bryan Loomas, Santa Clara, CA (US);
KeraVision, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
The intrastromal corneal ring is adjustable in thickness and has an elongated, flexible, preferably transparent or translucent body which forms a circle. The intrastromal corneal ring is of a size such that it can be inserted into a human eye and is comprised of a material which is compatible with human ocular tissue. The thickness of the ring can be adjusted so that it is not necessary to stock a plurality of different rings of different sizes to be used in connection with a method of adjusting the shape of the cornea of the eye. A plurality of different embodiments of intrastromal corneal rings are disclosed each of which are adjustable in terms of their thickness. The thickness may be adjusted prior to the insertion of the intrastromal corneal ring into the cornea and may not be further adjustable after insertion. However, in accordance with preferred embodiments the intrastromal corneal ring is inserted at a thickness which is believed to be proper and may thereafter be further adjusted in order to precisely define the desired thickness and thereby more precisely adjust the shape of the cornea and focus the light entering the eye on the retina.