Patents Assigned to Keravision
  • Patent number: 5403335
    Abstract: This invention is a surgical device for producing a generally circular, interlamellar pathway within the corneal stroma of the eye. The device is made up of three major components: a vacuum centering guide having an inner bore which fits at one end against the front of the eye, a barrel which fits within the inner bore of the centering guide and to which is attached the third major component, a generally circular dissecting ring. The dissecting ring is shaped in such way that when an eye surgeon twists the barrel to which the ring is attached, the ring moves through the interlamellar space in the stroma producing the desired channel or pathway. The centering guide may optionally include a ring having one or more pins which firmly engage the cornea's epiphilium. The constituent parts of the surgical device, particularly the dissecting ring, also form a part of this invention. A split ring, or intracorneal ring ("ICR"), is inserted into the intrastromal passageway produced by the inventive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: KeraVision, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Loomas, James Davenport, Mark Mathis
  • Patent number: 5323788
    Abstract: The intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) of the invention has a flexible, preferably circular body sized and configured such that it can be inserted into a human eye and comprised of a material which is compatible with human ocular tissue. The end portions of the circular body overlap each other and are formed in several different configurations or embodiments. The end portions are preferably configured such that when allowed to come together they intermesh and provide a ring with a smooth and continuous outer profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Keravision
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Mark Mathis
  • Patent number: 5318047
    Abstract: A method for refractive correction of the eye in order to improve the vision of the eye while not adversely affecting its natural asphericity is described. The method involves determining the amount of correction necessary, selecting an intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) of appropriate thickness to obtain the necessary correction from a selection of ICRs of varying thickness, and inserting the ICR into the corneal stroma. The method may be useful for the correction of myopia and excessive astigmatism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: KeraVision Inc.
    Inventors: James Davenport, Bryan Loomas, Mark Mathis, Thomas Silvestrini
  • Patent number: 5312424
    Abstract: Surgical apparatus for inserting a plastic, split end, adjusting ring into the stroma of the cornea of the eye wherein the adjusting ring includes, as a part thereof, a dissecting head to part the stroma and provide a pathway for the adjusting ring as the ring is rotated. The ends of the adjusting ring are moved to change the shape of the cornea to a desired shape in accordance with the desired visual correction after which the ends of the adjusting ring are fixably joined to maintain the desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Keravision, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren G. Kilmer, Alvin E. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5300118
    Abstract: The intrastromal corneal ring (ICR) is adjustable in thickness and has an elongated, flexible, preferably transparent or translucent body which forms a circle. The ICR 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 ICRs are disclosed each of which are adjustable in terms of their thickness. The thickness may be adjusted prior to the insertion of the ICR into the cornea and may not be further adjustable after insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Keravision
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Mark Mathis, Bryan Loomas
  • Patent number: 5188125
    Abstract: Surgical apparatus for inserting a plastic, split end, adjusting ring into the stroma of the cornea of the eye wherein the adjusting ring includes, as a part thereof, a dissecting head to part the stroma and provide a pathway for the adjusting ring as the ring is rotated. The ends of the adjusting ring are moved to change the shape of the cornea to a desired shape in accordance with the desired visual correction after which the ends of the adjusting ring are fixably joined to maintain the desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Keravision, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren G. Kilmer, Alvin E. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 4961744
    Abstract: Surgical apparatus for inserting a plastic, split end, adjusting ring into the stroma of the cornea of the eye wherein the adjusting ring includes, as a part thereof, a dissecting head to part the stroma and provide a pathway for the adjusting ring as the ring is rotated. The ends of the adjusting ring are moved to change the shape of the cornea to a desired shape in accordance with the desired visual correction after which the ends of the adjusting ring are fixably joined to maintain the desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Keravision, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren G. Kilmer, Alvin E. Reynolds