Patents Assigned to Iovision, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5772667
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injector compresses an intraocular lens by rolling the lens into a tight spiral and injects the compressed lens though a relatively small incision in the eye, approximately 2-3 millimeters in length, resulting from a phacoemulsification procedure. The intraocular lens is inserted into a receiving channel of the injector in an uncompressed state and is urged into a cylindrical passageway. As the intraocular lens advances into the cylindrical passageway, the lens will roll upon itself into a tightly rolled spiral within the confines of the cylindrical passageway. An insertion rod is inserted into an open end of the cylindrical passageway and advances the compressed lens down the passageway. As the lens exits the passageway and enters the eye, the lens will expand back to its uncompressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Pharmacia Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5717049
    Abstract: Novel biocompatible, high strength hydrogels useful in intraocular lenses are provided which are optically transparent, have high refractive indices and possess long term stability. The hydrogels are prepared from cross-linked copolymers of N-benzyl-N-methylacrylamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Pharmacia Iovision, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiugao Liao, Yading Wang, Stephen Q. Zhou
  • Patent number: 5674435
    Abstract: A lens, having an optical power surface, which may have multiple radii portions or aspherical portions as well as spherical portions, is molded in a coined mold. A pair of core pins, positioned within the mold cavity during the lens forming process, will produce a pair of haptic-mounting holes within the lens. As the lenses are subsequently tumbled to remove flash, indentations will form adjacent to the haptic-mounting holes. These indentations allow for tangential attachment of the haptic to the lens which, in turn, enables maximum flexibility without exceeding the width of the optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Pharmacia Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5643275
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injector compresses an intraocular lens by rolling the lens into a tight spiral and injects the compressed lens though a relatively small incision in the eye, approximately 2-3 millimeters in length, resulting from a phacoemulsification procedure. The intraocular lens is inserted into a receiving channel of the injector in an uncompressed state and is urged into a cylindrical passageway. As the intraocular lens advances into the cylindrical passageway, the lens will roll upon itself into a tightly rolled spiral within the confines of the cylindrical passageway. An insertion rod is inserted into an open end of the cylindrical passageway and advances the compressed lens down the passageway. As the lens exits the passageway and enters the eye, the lens will expand back to its uncompressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Pharmacia Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5589024
    Abstract: A lens, having an optical power surface, which may have multiple radii portions or aspherical portions as well as spherical portions, is molded in a coined mold. A pair of core pins, positioned within the mold cavity during the lens forming process, will produce a pair of haptic-mounting holes within the lens. As the lenses are subsequently tumbled to remove flash, indentations will form adjacent to the haptic-mounting holes. These indentations allow for tangential attachment of the haptic to the lens which, in turn, enables maximum flexibility without exceeding the width of the optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Pharmacia Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5558629
    Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in-shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes the risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Iovision, Inc.
    Inventors: George Baerveldt, Larry W. Blake, George M. Wright
  • Patent number: 5507806
    Abstract: An improved multi-faceted intraocular lens with a main optical element having a plurality of optical elements. The flexible, thin multi-faceted intraocular lens is made of an optical-grade soft biocompatible material, such as a flexible acrylic material, a hydrophilic material, or a silicone material. The thin, flat, multi-faceted intraocular lens may enable implantation of the lens through an intraocular lens injector having an injection tube with a diameter of approximately 1 mm to 4 mm. The plurality of optical elements each may have the same or differing diopter powers. Additionally, the plurality of optical elements may be aligned to form a multi-focal lens. Further, the optical elements each may be selected from a group consisting of toric elements, aspheric elements, and spherical elements depending upon the type of correction desired. Lastly, the multi-faceted intraocular lens may be effective in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Pharmacia Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5476445
    Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is curved so as to conform to the spherical anatomy of the eyeball. An annular sloped wall extends from the plate and surrounds the opening of the drainage tube into the plate. The plate is inserted beneath Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera utilizing temporary and non-dissolving permanent sutures. The annular wall provides a temporary sealing surface against the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the sclera and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The annular wall around the tube forms a temporary seal which restricts the drainage of aqueous fluid until formation of the bleb is completed. After bleb formation occurs, the temporary sutures around the wall are removed or dissolve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Iovision, Inc.
    Inventors: George Baerveldt, Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5468246
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injector compresses an intraocular lens by rolling the lens into a tight spiral and injects the compressed lens though a relatively small incision in the eye, approximately 2-3 millimeters in length, resulting from a phacoemulsification procedure. The intraocular lens is inserted into a receiving channel of the injector in an uncompressed state and is urged into a cylindrical passageway. As the intraocular lens advances into the cylindrical passageway, the lens will roll upon itself into a tightly rolled spiral within the confines of the cylindrical passageway. An insertion rod is inserted into an open end of the cylindrical passageway and advances the compressed lens down the passageway. As the lens exits the passageway and enters the eye, the lens will expand back to its uncompressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5425734
    Abstract: An intraocular lens injector compresses an intraocular lens by rolling the lens into a tight spiral and injects the compressed lens though a relatively small incision in the eye, approximately 2-3 millimeters in length, resulting from a phacoemulsification procedure. The intraocular lens is inserted into a receiving channel of the injector in an uncompressed state and is urged into a cylindrical passageway. As the intraocular lens advances into the cylindrical passageway, the lens will roll upon itself into a tightly rolled spiral within the confines of the cylindrical passageway. An insertion rod is inserted into an open end of the cylindrical passageway and advances the compressed lens down the passageway. The insertion rod includes a cup shaped recess on the distal end of the insertion rod. The cup shaped recess cradles the haptic portion of the lens and enables a majority of the insertion force applied by the insertion rod to be directly applied to the optic portion of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5397300
    Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. At least one hole is made in the plate to facilitate the formation of a tethered scar tissue bubble, referred to a bleb, to form around the carrier plate. The scar tissue will grow through the hole or holes and pull the perimeter of the bubble towards the carrier plate at the hole locations to tether the formation of the bleb to the carrier plate and finally to the sclera tissue. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Iovision, Inc.
    Inventors: George Baerveldt, Larry W. Blake, George M. Wright
  • Patent number: 5185107
    Abstract: A lens, having an optical power surface, which may have multiple radii portions or aspherical portions as well as spherical portions, is molded in a coined mold. A pair of core pins, positioned within the mold cavity during the lens forming process, will produce a pair of haptic-mounting holes within the lens. As the lenses are subsequently tumbled to remove flash, indentations will form adjacent to the haptic-mounting holes. These indentations allow for tangential attachment of the haptic to the lens which, in turn, enables maximum flexibility without exceeding the width of the optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Iovision, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry W. Blake
  • Patent number: 5178604
    Abstract: An implant for use in the treatment of glaucoma is disclosed wherein the implant comprises an elastomeric plate having a non-valved elastomeric drainage tube attached thereto. The plate is elliptical in shape and curved so as to conform to the curvature of the eye. The plate is inserted into the eye in an incision made in the Tenon's capsule and sutured to the sclera. The drainage tube is tunnelled through the Tenon's capsule and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber, thus providing patent fluid communication between the anterior chamber and the elastomeric plate. The flexible structure of the plate allows the plate to be easily inserted, thus reducing the surgical procedure length. In addition, the pliable material minimizes th risk of damage and trauma to surrounding tissues in the insertion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Iovision, Inc.
    Inventors: George Baerveldt, Larry W. Blake, George M. Wright