Patents by Inventor Thomas Silvestrini

Thomas Silvestrini has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160128826
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) comprises an anterior lens, a posterior surface and an articulating member joining the anterior lens and the posterior surface to define an enclosed cavity. The articulating member comprises anterior and posterior arms coupling the anterior lens and the posterior surface, respectively. The articulating member further comprising a peripheral portion. A posterior flex region is disposed about the posterior arm and at a distance from the peripheral portion. The posterior flex region permits the flexible posterior surface to articulate relative to the posterior arm, to decrease the radius of curvature of the posterior surface as the peripheral portions on opposing sides of the IOL move toward one another in a first state and to increase the radius of curvature of the posterior surface as the peripheral portions on opposite sides of the IOL move away from one another in a second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Ramgopal Rao
  • Publication number: 20160081794
    Abstract: Implantable corneal and intraocular implants such as a mask are provided. The mask can improve the vision of a patient, such as by being configured to increase the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. The mask can include an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all visible incident light. The mask can further include a transition portion that surrounds at least a portion of the aperture. This portion can be configured to switch from one level of opacity to another level of opacity through the use of a controllably variable absorbance feature such as a switchable photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Publication number: 20160030161
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) can be implanted either alone or as part of a two-part lens assembly. The IOL comprises an optic, a flexible membrane and a peripheral edge coupling the optic and the flexible membrane. The peripheral edge comprises an external circumferential surface having a height and a force transmitting area defined along a portion of the height of the external circumferential surface. A closed volume spaces apart the optic and the flexible membrane. The optic is axially displaced and the flexible membrane changes in curvature about a central axis when a radial compressive force is applied to the force transmitting area. A volume defined by the closed volume remains fixed when the optic is axially displaced and the flexible membrane changes in curvature and/or when the radial compressive force is applied to the force transmitting area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Brady, Thomas Silvestrini, Ramgopal Rao
  • Publication number: 20160022486
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in treating eye conditions with implantable drug delivery devices. One method includes introducing an implant into the suprachoroidal space, wherein the interior volume of the implant is plugged with a drug-release material comprising at least one active agent that elutes through at least one opening in the implant, wherein the drug-release material degrades from the interior volume of the implant over a period time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Luke Clauson, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Tsontcho Ianchulev, Steven John
  • Publication number: 20150366658
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Patent number: 9216107
    Abstract: Described herein are delivery devices and methods of using the devices for delivering an ocular implant into a suprachoroidal space without use of a goniolens. The delivery device includes a handle including a channel extending from a proximal end of the handle to a distal end of the handle, an applier coupled to the handle, the applier including a blunt distal tip and an elongate, flexible wire insertable through a fluid channel of an ocular implant, and a fiber optic image bundle reversibly inserted through the channel such that the fiber optic image bundle extends to a region proximal to the blunt distal tip of the applier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Richard S. Lilly
  • Patent number: 9204962
    Abstract: Implantable corneal and intraocular implants such as a mask are provided. The mask can improve the vision of a patient, such as by being configured to increase the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. The mask can include an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all visible incident light. The mask can further include a transition portion that surrounds at least a portion of the aperture. This portion can be configured to switch from one level of opacity to another level of opacity through the use of a controllably variable absorbance feature such as a switchable photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 9186244
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) comprises a lens, a flexible surface, and an articulating member joining the lens and the flexible surface. The articulating member comprises first and second arms extending from and joined to form a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion has a length extending radially away from a point at which the first and second arms join together and a thickness that is greater than each of a thickness of the first arm and a thickness of the second arm, first and second arms coupling the lens and the flexible surface, respectively. A flex region is disposed about the second arm and at a distance from the peripheral portion. The flex region permits the flexible surface to articulate relative to the second arm. The flex region has a reduced thickness as compared to each of the second arm and the flexible surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: LensGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Ramgopal Rao
  • Patent number: 9138142
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device that includes a mask configured to be implanted posterior of the cornea. The mask is configured to increase the depth of focus of the patient. The mask includes an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all incident light and a substantially opaque portion surrounding at least a portion of the aperture. The ophthalmic device can further include a plurality of light transmission structures configured to allow some light to pass through the substantially opaque portion. The light transmission structures are configured to minimize generation of visible artifacts due to the transmission of light through the light transmission structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Patent number: 9089392
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in treating eye conditions with implantable drug delivery devices. One method includes introducing an implant into the suprachoroidal space, wherein the interior volume of the implant is plugged with a drug-release material comprising at least one active agent that elutes through at least one opening in the implant, wherein the drug-release material degrades from the interior volume of the implant over a period time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Clauson, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Tsontcho Ianchulev, Steven John
  • Publication number: 20150126809
    Abstract: Described herein are delivery devices and methods of using the devices for delivering an ocular implant into a suprachoroidal space without use of a goniolens. The delivery device includes a handle including a channel extending from a proximal end of the handle to a distal end of the handle, an applier coupled to the handle, the applier including a blunt distal tip and an elongate, flexible wire insertable through a fluid channel of an ocular implant, and a fiber optic image bundle reversibly inserted through the channel such that the fiber optic image bundle extends to a region proximal to the blunt distal tip of the applier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Richard S. Lilly
  • Publication number: 20150105760
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the refractive power of a fluid-filled intraocular lens implanted into a patient's eye. The method comprises ablating a portion of the intraocular lens to alter either one or both of a refractive power and an amplitude of accommodation of the intraocular lens. The ablating is performed while the intraocular lens remains implanted in the patient's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: LENSGEN, INC.
    Inventors: Ramgopal Rao, Thomas Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 8932205
    Abstract: Described herein are delivery devices and methods of using the devices for delivering an ocular implant into a suprachoroidal space without use of a goniolens. The delivery device includes a handle including a channel extending from a proximal end of the handle to a distal end of the handle, an applier coupled to the handle, the applier including a blunt distal tip and an elongate, flexible wire insertable through a fluid channel of an ocular implant, and a fiber optic image bundle reversibly inserted through the channel such that the fiber optic image bundle extends to a region proximal to the blunt distal tip of the applier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Richard S. Lilly
  • Patent number: 8864824
    Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A visual axis of the eye is aligned with an instrument axis of an ophthalmic instrument. The ophthalmic instrument has an aperture through which the patient may look along the instrument axis. A first reference target is imaged on the instrument axis at a first distance with respect to the eye. A second reference target is imaged on the instrument axis with the ophthalmic instrument at a second distance with respect to the eye. The second distance is greater than the first distance. Movement is provided such that the patient's eye is in a position where the images of the first and second reference targets appear to the patient's eye to be aligned. A mask comprising a pin-hole aperture having a mask axis is aligned with the instrument axis such that the mask axis and the instrument axis are substantially collinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Bruce A. Christie, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Patent number: 8858624
    Abstract: A mask configured to be implanted in a cornea of a patient to increase the depth of focus of the patient includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a plurality of holes. The anterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a first corneal layer. The posterior surface is configured to reside adjacent a second corneal layer. The plurality of holes extends at least partially between the anterior surface and the posterior surface. The holes of the plurality of holes are configured to substantially eliminate visible diffraction patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AcuFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Christie, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Kevin F. Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20140277432
    Abstract: Implantable corneal and intraocular implants such as a mask are provided. The mask can improve the vision of a patient, such as by being configured to increase the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. The mask can include an aperture configured to transmit along an optical axis substantially all visible incident light. The mask can further include a transition portion that surrounds at least a portion of the aperture. This portion can be configured to switch from one level of opacity to another level of opacity through the use of a controllably variable absorbance feature such as a switchable photochromic chromophore within a polymer matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Publication number: 20140180403
    Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) comprises an anterior lens, a posterior surface and an articulating member joining the anterior lens and the posterior surface to define an enclosed cavity. The articulating member comprises anterior and posterior arms coupling the anterior lens and the posterior surface, respectively. The articulating member further comprising a peripheral portion. A posterior flex region is disposed about the posterior arm and at a distance from the peripheral portion. The posterior flex region permits the flexible posterior surface to articulate relative to the posterior arm, to decrease the radius of curvature of the posterior surface as the peripheral portions on opposing sides of the IOC move toward one another in a first state and to increase the radius of curvature of the posterior surface as the peripheral portions on opposite sides of the IOC move away from one another in a second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: LensGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Ramgopal Rao
  • Publication number: 20140171885
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for use in treating eye conditions with implantable drug delivery devices. One method includes introducing an implant into the suprachoroidal space, wherein the interior volume of the implant is plugged with a drug-release material comprising at least one active agent that elutes through at least one opening in the implant, wherein the drug-release material degrades from the interior volume of the implant over a period time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Clauson, Thomas A. Silvestrini, Tsontcho Ianchulev, Steven John
  • Publication number: 20140155803
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, methods and systems for treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma. Implants are described herein that enhance aqueous flow through the normal outflow system of the eye with minimal to no complications. The implant can include reversibly deformable portions that have a plurality of openings layered, covered or otherwise spanned by an elastomeric film or membrane having micropores. The micropores allow for fluid flow out of the implant while inhibit cellular infiltration and blockage of the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Transcend Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Silvestrini
  • Publication number: 20140142378
    Abstract: Described herein are delivery devices and methods of using the devices for delivering an ocular implant into a suprachoroidal space without use of a goniolens. The delivery device includes a handle including a channel extending from a proximal end of the handle to a distal end of the handle, an applier coupled to the handle, the applier including a blunt distal tip and an elongate, flexible wire insertable through a fluid channel of an ocular implant, and a fiber optic image bundle reversibly inserted through the channel such that the fiber optic image bundle extends to a region proximal to the blunt distal tip of the applier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Transcend Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Silvestrini, Richard S. Lilly