Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Silvestrini

Thomas A. 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: 20070225691
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20060274264
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060274265
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271177
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271183
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060268227
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271179
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271026
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20060268226
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271182
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271178
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271185
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a mask configured to improve the depth of focus of an eye of a patient. A substrate is provided with a mask forming feature. The mask forming feature comprises an annular surface that has a curved profile that corresponds to the curvature of a corneal layer of the eye. A release layer is formed on the annular surface. A mask layer of a biocompatible metal is formed above the release layer. The mask layer is separated from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Silvestrini
  • Publication number: 20060271180
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271184
    Abstract: A method of making a mask configured to improve the depth of focus of an eye of a patient is provided. A substrate with a mask forming feature is provided. The mask forming feature comprises a forming surface that extends from an outer periphery. The forming surface is centered on a central axis of the mask forming feature. A release layer is formed on the forming surface. A mask layer is formed such that the release layer is between the mask layer and the substrate. The mask layer is formed of a biocompatible metal. A surface of the mask layer opposite the release layer is configured to not corrode. The mask layer is separated from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Silvestrini
  • Publication number: 20060268228
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060268229
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20060270946
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20060271176
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen
  • Publication number: 20060271027
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Silvestrini, Bruce Christie, Kevin Hahnen, Carl Knopp
  • Publication number: 20060271181
    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: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Bruce Christie, Thomas Silvestrini, Kevin Hahnen