Abstract: Devices and methods for the amelioration of ectatic corneal disorders using corneal augmentations derived from corneal tissue are disclosed. The shape of the augmentation is determined using data obtained from mapping of a patient's cornea based on computerized corneal topography and tomography. Factors considered include the maximum keratometry and specific iso-deviation contours. In one embodiment, an augmentation is a corneal inlay, intended for insertion into an intrastromal pocket. In a further embodiment, the augmentation is a corneal onlay, intended to be positioned over a region of the cornea from which the epithelial layer has been removed. The corneal onlay is held in place until the epithelial layer regrows over the augmentation. In a further embodiment, the inlay or onlay augmentation is followed by a post-augmentation, further reshaping of the corneal augmentation. In one embodiment, this further reshaping is photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery.

Abstract: A system and method of replacing a lens to treat a cataract is disclosed. Cataractous tissue is ablated via a multi-photon process using focused, ultra-short laser pulses. Multi-photon ablation requires an energy intensity between 1013 to 1015 W/cm2. Using lasers having femto-second duration pulses, this intensity is achieved with 50 micro-Joules of energy, allowing material disruption with very little heating or shock. The multi-photon ablated material is removed through a micro-channel that leads from the multi-photon ablated region to at least the surface of the eye. Once the material is removed a pre-polymer fluid is injected in to fill the void. This polymerizes into a gel once inside the lens. The polymerized, transformed material matches both the transparency to visible light and the Young's modulus of healthy lens.

Abstract: Ultra-short, ultra-intense laser pulses from a first laser beam are applied to a patient's cornea, creating a temporary micro-channel extending from the cornea surface to an end-point within it. Further ultra-short ultra-intense laser pulses from a second laser beam, are then delivered to the endpoint along with further pulses from the first beam, but delayed by a few nanoseconds. The micro-channel acts as a light-guide for these pulses. At the end point, they are focused to sufficient intensity to multiphoton ablate surrounding stromal tissue. With a few small entrance holes and without the lamellar flap necessary in LASIK procedures, the cornea is reshaped by rotating the direction of the laser beam. The vertical location of ablation is adjusted precisely using an applanator on the corneal surface. The multiphoton ablated tissue is ejected via the micro-channels, allowing the cornea surface to collapse after the procedure, changing its refractive power.

Abstract: A system and method of replacing a lens to treat a cataract is disclosed. Cataractous tissue is ablated via a multi-photon process using focused, ultra-short laser pulses. Multi-photon ablation requires an energy intensity between 1013 to 1015 W/cm2. Using lasers having femto-second duration pulses, this intensity is achieved with 50 micro-Joules of energy, allowing material disruption with very little heating or shock. The multi-photon ablated material is removed through a micro-channel that leads from the multi-photon ablated region to at least the surface of the eye. Once the material is removed a pre-polymer fluid is injected in to fill the void. This polymerizes into a gel once inside the lens. The polymerized, transformed material matches both the transparency to visible light and the Young's modulus of healthy lens.

Abstract: A device includes a back contact, an absorber layer coupled to the back contact, a buffer layer coupled to the absorber layer; and an amorphous transparent conductive layer coupled to the buffer layer, wherein the amorphous transparent conductive phase is characterized by, as a function of composition, i) a range of band gaps and ii) a range of work functions.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, compositions and methods used to improve vision and/or to treat an eye lens disease or condition. In some embodiments, the invention relates to altering or removing eye lens material for the treatment of presbyopia. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to placing compositions in a lens of an eye to improve elasticity of the lens both therapeutically by improving elasticity and/or improving refractive properties and/or prophylactically by preventing renewed stiffening and/or renewed deterioration of the lens refractive properties. In further embodiments, the invention relates to devices and methods of obtaining and analyzing data for use in altering the lens to optimize its elasticity and/or refractive properties.

Abstract: A method and device for flapless, intrastromal keratomileusis for the correction of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, i.e., for vision correction by corneal reshaping without creating a flap. Ultra-short laser pulses are used to create a temporary micro-channel extending to an end point located within the cornea. A second series of ultra-short laser pulses are then delivered to photo-ablate material in the vicinity of the micro-channel end-point. The photo-ablated material may exit through the micro-channel used to deliver the laser pulses, or via a separate micro-channel. With the micro-channel oriented substantially normal to the optical axis of the cornea, and by continuing to supply the ultra-short laser pulses in the appropriate number while moving the point of ablation along the micro-channel, the photo-ablation of the intrastromal tissue may continue in a controlled fashion and the cornea reshaped in a predetermined manner without creating a flap.

Abstract: Devices and approaches for activating cross-linking within at least one eye component of an eye to stabilize and strengthen corneal tissue or other tissues of the eye. Cross-linking is activated within the at least one eye component by conveying a cross-linking agent to regions of the at least one eye component and then activating the cross-linking agent by delivering an initiating element to the at least one eye component. Approaches disclosed herein allow for precisely controlling the three dimensional region of strengthened tissue by conveying the cross-linking agent to regions of the at least one eye component. Approaches allow for conveying the cross-linking agent to a depth below the corneal surface such that cross-linking is activated below the corneal surface.

Abstract: Devices and approaches for activating cross-linking within at least one eye component of an eye to stabilize and strengthen corneal tissue or other tissues of the eye. Cross-linking is activated within the at least one eye component by conveying a cross-linking agent to regions of the at least one eye component and then activating the cross-linking agent by delivering an initiating element to the at least one eye component. Approaches disclosed herein allow for precisely controlling the three dimensional region of strengthened tissue by conveying the cross-linking agent to regions of the at least one eye component. Approaches allow for conveying the cross-linking agent to a depth below the corneal surface such that cross-linking is activated below the corneal surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices, compositions and methods used to improve vision and/or to treat an eye lens disease or condition. In some embodiments, the invention relates to altering or removing eye lens material for the treatment of presbyopia. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to placing compositions in a lens of an eye to improve elasticity of the lens both therapeutically by improving elasticity and/or improving refractive properties and/or prophylactically by preventing renewed stiffening and/or renewed deterioration of the lens refractive properties. In further embodiments, the invention relates to devices and methods of obtaining and analyzing data for use in altering the lens to optimize its elasticity and/or refractive properties.

Abstract: A method and device for flapless, intrastromal keratomileusis for the correction of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, i.e., for vision correction by corneal reshaping without creating a flap. Ultra-short laser pulses are used to create a temporary micro-channel extending to an end point located within the cornea. A second series of ultra-short laser pulses are then delivered to photo-ablate material in the vicinity of the micro-channel end-point. The photo-ablated material may exit through the micro-channel used to deliver the laser pulses, or via a separate micro-channel. With the micro-channel oriented substantially normal to the optical axis of the cornea, and by continuing to supply the ultra-short laser pulses in the appropriate number while moving the point of ablation along the micro-channel, the photo-ablation of the intrastromal tissue may continue in a controlled fashion and the cornea reshaped in a predetermined manner without creating a flap.