Abstract: A system and method for inserting an intraocular lens in a patient's eye includes a light source for generating a light beam, a scanner for deflecting the light beam to form an enclosed treatment pattern that includes a registration feature, and a delivery system for delivering the enclosed treatment pattern to target tissue in the patient's eye to form an enclosed incision therein having the registration feature. An intraocular lens is placed within the enclosed incision, wherein the intraocular lens has a registration feature that engages with the registration feature of the enclosed incision. Alternately, the scanner can make a separate registration incision for a post that is connected to the intraocular lens via a strut member.

Abstract: A system and method for inserting an intraocular lens in a patient's eye includes a light source for generating a light beam, a scanner for deflecting the light beam to form an enclosed treatment pattern that includes a registration feature, and a delivery system for delivering the enclosed treatment pattern to target tissue in the patient's eye to form an enclosed incision therein having the registration feature. An intraocular lens is placed within the enclosed incision, wherein the intraocular lens has a registration feature that engages with the registration feature of the enclosed incision. Alternately, the scanner can make a separate registration incision for a post that is connected to the intraocular lens via a strut member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating an ocular disease in a subject. In a first step, a nucleic acid is introduced into cells or a tissue. The nucleic acid is introduced by electron avalanche transfection. With this technique, a high electric field induces a vapor bubble and plasma discharge between an electrode and the surrounding medium. The formation of a vapor bubble generates mechanical stress. Plasma discharge through the ionized vapor in the bubble enables connectivity between the electrode and the surrounding medium, so that mechanical stress and electric field are applied simultaneously, which results in permeabilization of the cells or tissue. This permeabilization in turn allows the nucleic acid to enter the cell or tissue. Cells or tissue containing the nucleic acid are then transplanted into an ocular region of the subject.

Abstract: System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye tissue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist.

Abstract: A self-sufficient retinal prosthesis powered by intra-ocular photovoltaic cells illuminated only by ambient light is provided. Photovoltaic cells can be disposed at the periphery of the retina or in the anterior chamber of the eye. An adaptive retinal prosthesis is also provided, such that the number of pixels energized in the prosthesis is selected according to the variable available power from ambient light.

Abstract: Patterned laser treatment of the retina is provided. A visible alignment pattern having at least two separated spots is projected onto the retina. By triggering a laser subsystem, doses of laser energy are automatically provided to at least two treatment locations coincident with the alignment spots. All of the doses of laser energy may be delivered in less than about 1 second, which is a typical eye fixation time. A scanner can be used to sequentially move an alignment beam from spot to spot on the retina and to move a treatment laser beam from location to location on the retina.

Abstract: The invention provides microfabricated devices and methods for directing the growth of a cell process to form an artificial synapse. The devices are called artificial synapse chips. The artificial synapse comprises a nanofabricated aperture (about 50–100 nm in size) that connects the cell process to a chemical or electrical means of neuronal excitation. Such an aperture width mimics the length scales of a natural synapse and thus emphasizes the localized spatial relationship between a neuron and a stimulation source. The invention further provides devices and methods for regenerating a nerve fiber into an electrode. The invention thus provides a regeneration electrode that uses a novel neural interface for stimulation and that uses novel surface methods for directing neuronal growth making possible in vivo connection of the devices to neural circuitry in a retina and other anatomical locations.

Abstract: The invention provides implants suitable for use as an artificial cornea, and methods for making and using such implants. Artificial corneas having features of the invention may be two-phase artificial corneas, or may be three phase artificial corneas. These artificial corneas have a flexible, optically clear central core and a hydrophilic, porous skirt, both of which are biocompatible and allow for tissue integration. A three-phase artificial cornea will further have an interface region between the core and skirt. The artificial corneas have a high degree of ocular tolerance, and allow for tissue integration into the skirt and for epithelial cell growth over the surface of the prosthesis. The use of biocompatible material avoids the risk of disease transmission inherent with corneal transplants, and acts to minimize post-operative inflammation and so to reduce the chance or severity of tissue necrosis following implantation of the synthetic cornea onto a host eye.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue, growing cells on modified membranous tissue, and for transplantation of modified tissues and modified tissues with attached cells are provided. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue such as lens capsule tissue and inner limiting membrane tissue, for growing cells such as iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on modified membranous tissue, and for modifying membranous tissue and growing cells on biodegradable polymer substrates. A method of modifying membranous tissues comprises depositing micropatterns of biomolecules onto membranous tissue with a contacting surface such as a stamp; other methods include mechanical ablation, photoablation, ion beam ablation, and modification of membranous tissues via the action of proteolytic enzymes.

Abstract: An ocular implant is provided with a substrate and a membranous tissue layer secured to the substrate. Cells such as IPE cells, RPE cells and stem cells are attached on the surface of the membranous tissue layer either in situ or in vivo through cells transplantation. The cells are separated into regions on the surface by creating a pattern on the surface enclosing regions for receiving the cells. The substrate is a bioabsorbable and/or polymeric substrate. Examples of membranous tissue layer are lens capsule, inner limiting membrane, corneal tissue, Bruch's membrane tissue, amniotic membrane tissue, serosal membrane tissue, mucosal membrane tissue and neurological tissue. The membranous tissue layer could have a micropattern of biomolecules. A microfluidic network could be placed onto the microfabricated membranous tissue layer.

Abstract: A self-sufficient retinal prosthesis powered by intra-ocular photovoltaic cells illuminated only by ambient light is provided. Photovoltaic cells can be disposed at the periphery of the retina or in the anterior chamber of the eye. An adaptive retinal prosthesis is also provided, such that the number of pixels energized in the prosthesis is selected according to the variable available power from ambient light.

Abstract: The invention provides implants suitable for use as an artificial cornea, and methods for making and using such implants. Artificial corneas having features of the invention may be two-phase artificial corneas, or may be three phase artificial corneas. These artificial corneas have a flexible, optically clear central core and a hydrophilic, porous skirt, both of which are biocompatible and allow for tissue integration. A three-phase artificial cornea will further have an interface region between the core and skirt. The artificial corneas have a high degree of ocular tolerance, and allow for tissue integration into the skirt and for epithelial cell growth over the surface of the prosthesis. The use of biocompatible material avoids the risk of disease transmission inherent with corneal transplants, and acts to minimize post-operative inflammation and so to reduce the chance or severity of tissue necrosis following implantation of the synthetic cornea onto a host eye.

Abstract: The invention provides microfabricated devices and methods for directing the growth of a cell process to form an artificial synapse. The devices are called artificial synapse chips. The artificial synapse comprises a nanofabricated aperture (about 50-100 nm in size) that connects the cell process to a chemical or electrical means of neuronal excitation. Such an aperture width mimics the length scales of a natural synapse and thus emphasizes the localized spatial relationship between a neuron and a stimulation source. The invention further provides devices and methods for regenerating a nerve fiber into an electrode. The invention thus provides a regeneration electrode that uses a novel neural interface for stimulation and that uses novel surface methods for directing neuronal growth making possible in vivo connection of the devices to neural circuitry in a retina and other anatomical locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue, growing cells on modified membranous tissue, and for transplantation of modified tissues and modified tissues with attached cells are provided. In particular, the invention provides methods and apparatus for modifying membranous tissue such as lens capsule tissue and inner limiting membrane tissue, for growing cells such as iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells on modified membranous tissue, and for modifying membranous tissue and growing cells on biodegradable polymer substrates. A method of modifying membranous tissues comprises depositing micropatterns of biomolecules onto membranous tissue with a contacting surface such as a stamp; other methods include mechanical ablation, photoablation, ion beam ablation, and modification of membranous tissues via the action of proteolytic enzymes.