Patent Grant
9974646
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to corneal repair, and more in particular, to a novel keratoprosthesis that provides enhanced soft tissue adhesion and less extrusion, a system for repairing severely damaged cornea using such keratoprosthesis, and a method of implanting such keratoprosthesis to effect corneal repair.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the greatest challenges in ophthalmology is the management of the severely damaged cornea. Severe damage to the cornea can arise from Stevens Johnson's syndrome, chemical burns, Cicatricial pemphigoid, Lyell's syndrome and recurrent graft failure, for example. These conditions can lead to scarring of the cornea and corneal blindness that is not amenable to treatment or repair by common techniques such as corneal transplantation (also called “penetrating keratoplasty”). In these circumstances, management is limited to a keratoprosthesis.
The three most frequently used keratoprostheses currently are the autogenous modified osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (MOOKP), the alloplastic Boston Keratoprosthesis®, and the AlphaCor™ keratoprosthesis. The Alphacor™ keratoprosthesis was abandoned in the United States due to poor results after two years, mainly caused by retraction of the cornea at the interface with the prosthesis which can cause aqueous leaks and consequent loss of intraocular pressure and potential endophthalmitis. The Boston Keratoprosthesis® has had better results but also suffers from cornea thinning and retraction at the cornea-implant interface which, if not repaired in time, can also lead to extrusion, or rejection of the implant, and endophthalmitis. Also, the Boston Keratoprosthesis® requires a donor cornea. Human tissue availability might be problematic in countries where donor tissue is difficult to obtain or not available. In addition, as the Boston Keratoprosthesis® has a fixation member, a plastic or a metal ring, located in the anterior chamber of the patient, contact with the iris is problematic as when the patient's iris closes in bright light, it may contact the fixation ring or the protruding posterior surface of the implant and iris inflammation occurs. The inflammation can induce fibrinous secretion which engenders the formation of an opaque intraocular fibrous capsule (called retroprosthetic membrane) which impedes vision and needs intraocular surgery to be resected. The fibrous membrane sometimes closes the anterior chamber angle preventing normal aqueous outflow and the intraocular pressure rises. If the membrane is not removed surgically, the increase in intraocular pressure may cause glaucoma and loss of vision. The major problem with all alloplastic keratoprostheses is the lack of tissue attachment, and therefore a potential rejection.
Of the current keratoprostheses, the MOOKP has had the most success thus far, having been used for over 30 years with a documented success rate of approximately 85%. Generally, the MOOKP comprises a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) optic cylinder embedded into an autogenous graft consisting of tooth, periodontal ligament (PDL), bone, and periosteum. The implantation procedure is a multistep process involving both maxillofacial and ocular surgery. The first step includes preparing the eye by cutting and removing the synechiaes to free the globe, removing all corneal and conjunctival epithelium, and removing the crystalline lens and iris. The second step includes the excision and transfer of oral buccal mucosa from the patient's mouth to the anterior surface of the eye. A combination of tooth and bone is then resected from the patient and formed into a support skirt of approximately 3 millimeters in thickness. The selection of a tooth used in the MOOKP procedure is based on clinical and radiographic evaluation of the patient's dentition. The surgeon selects the largest tooth root, usually the maxillary canine, for use in the MOOKP. The largest root allows for the optical cylinder with the largest diameter to be utilized for the prosthesis. Traditionally, the optical cylinder varies in diameter between three and four millimeters. The larger the cylinder, the wider the field of view for the patient, therefore the largest optical cylinder (determined by the width of the patient's chosen canine, which varies patient-to-patient) that can be fitted into the support skirt, or lamina, without causing structural damage is selected. A hole is then hand-drilled in the support skirt to fit the selected optical cylinder, which is then cemented into the skirt to form the MOOKP. The skirt is then implanted into a subcutaneous pocket within the cheek or subclavicular chest wall of the patient. After a three month healing period, which allows the formation of a neovascular network of tissue and blood vessels to attach to the prosthesis, the third step of the procedure involves transplanting the prosthesis, along with the newly attached tissue, from the subcutaneous pocket to a pocket created deep to the transplanted buccal mucosa over the host cornea. The de novo tissues attached to the implant are then sutured to the surrounding environment to keep the prosthesis in place.
Despite its relative success, the MOOKP suffers from multiple complications and drawbacks. For example, ocular complications can develop subsequent to implantation, including glaucoma, infection, extrusion, and retinitis. In fact, a primary cause of keratoprosthesis failure is extrusion, in which epithelial cells infiltrate the implant area and literally push the implant out. Secondary infections resulting from bacterial invasion upon epithelial infiltration is also a major problem contributing to prosthesis rejection. Dental complications arising from the resection of the osteo-odonto lamina may produce damage to adjacent teeth, oro-nasal and oro-antral communication, infection, sinusitis, and nerve damage. Drawbacks of the MOOKP procedure include a poor cosmetic outcome of the eye. Although a shell can be developed to cover the buccal mucosa in an attempt to improve the cosmesis of the eye, often times the osteo-odonto lamina or skirt displaces such a large volume of space that the eye cannot be appropriately covered. Therefore, the appearance of the eye cannot be fully or completely improved. In another drawback, the MOOKP procedure creates a surgical defect of the oral cavity from the removal of tooth and bone. This defect ideally can be reconstructed utilizing a bone graft followed by a dental implant or additional options of dental rehabilitation. However, such an oral defect is complex and generally is difficult to reconstruct. Finally, the multistage nature of the MOOKP procedure, involving two different groups of surgeons, and the duration of the various steps makes it an inherently prolonged procedure with numerous opportunities for complications to arise.
A new keratoprosthesis is therefore needed which emulates the success of the MOOKP without the resultant complications and defects. The ideal keratoprosthesis should have optimal biointegration, resist infection, replicate qualities of the cornea including drug penetration and intraocular pressure measurements, and last the lifetime of the patient. The keratoprosthesis should also prevent, or at least reduce, the risk of extrusion and rejection of the keratoprosthesis as well as iris inflammation.
The present invention is directed to a novel keratoprosthesis and a system and method for implementing the same in repairing severe corneal damage. The keratoprosthesis comprises a support made of a biocompatible material, preferably titanium, and is disposable fully anterior of the cornea of an eye within a pocket of non-ocular tissue placed thereon. Moreover, the present invention enables improved soft tissue adhesion, which results in less extrusion, than previously known keratoprostheses for treating severely damaged cornea. It also obviates many of the complications and drawbacks of known keratoprostheses. For instance, use of the present keratoprosthesis presents no oral defects.
More in particular, the keratoprosthesis of the present invention comprises a support, also termed a skirt, which may be made entirely of titanium or of a laminate or composite having outer surfaces of titanium. An optic member is disposed through the support in vision facilitating relation to the eye. The support also includes a plurality of apertures located along the periphery of the support to facilitate securing of the keratoprosthesis in position upon implantation. The support may also comprise a plurality of openings disposed throughout the support, which may be contoured, to allow for tissue integration as well as nutrients and hydration to permeate the keratoprosthesis for overall eye health and prolonged successful implantation.
A collar extends from the support and surrounds the optic member such that any surface of the keratoprosthesis that comes into contact with the surrounding environment is titanium. These titanium surfaces are pre-treated to create a microstructure that promotes the adhesion of the surrounding soft tissue thereto which forms a bioseal with the keratoprosthesis, preventing epithelial encroachment and resulting extrusion. For example, the titanium surface may be pre-treated with sandblasting and/or acid etching to produce texture on the surface to which the soft tissue may attach and adhere. A locking member may also be disposed between the optic member and collar to secure the optic member to the titanium support.
The present invention is also directed to a system for corneal repair including the above-described keratoprosthesis and an isolated soft tissue segment of non-ocular tissue disposed on the surface of a cornea from which the damaged portion or corneal epithelium has been removed. In one embodiment, the non-ocular tissue is oral mucosa, such as buccal mucosa, taken from the inner cheek of a patient. In the present system, the keratoprosthesis is placed within the isolated soft tissue anterior to the cornea, and in at least one embodiment, in substantially isolated relation from the cornea such that the support of the keratoprosthesis does not contact the cornea.
The present invention is further directed to a method of implanting the above-described keratoprosthesis. This method involves removing a portion of corneal epithelium from a damaged cornea, creating a de-epithelialized section of cornea. A segment of soft tissue is isolated, such as from the cheek of a patient or other non-ocular donor site, and the isolated soft tissue segment is positioned on the de-epithelialized section of cornea and may be allowed to graft thereto. A receiving area within the soft tissue segment is created, such as by making an incision or pocket. The keratoprosthesis is inserted into the receiving area of the soft tissue so that the keratoprosthesis is located entirely anterior to the cornea, and preferably not in contact with the cornea. The keratoprosthesis is then secured in place within the soft tissue segment, such as by suturing the support of the keratoprosthesis to the surrounding soft tissue and/or cornea.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The present invention is directed to a novel keratoprosthesis and a system and method for implementing the same in repairing severe corneal damage. The present invention promotes the adhesion of soft tissue to the implanted keratoprosthesis to form a bioseal, prohibiting epithelial infiltration and extrusion that plagues currently available keratoprostheses. Moreover, the present keratoprosthesis produces no oral defects, and involves fewer ocular complications.
To begin, the keratoprosthesis of the present invention, shown throughout the Figures as 100, comprises an optic member 110 disposable in vision facilitating relation to the eye of a patient. As should be readily understood by those skilled in the art, the optic member is a cylinder or tube-like structure that houses a lens through which light passes in order for vision to occur. The optic member 110 used herein may be made from any appropriate and biologically compatible material, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polysulfone, trimethyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polysterene-polyisobutylene-polysterene (SIBS) etc. The optic member 110 may be any size sufficient to accommodate vision, such as to permit an appropriate amount of light to pass through. In at least one embodiment the optic member 110 has a diameter of approximately 4 millimeters.
The keratoprosthesis 100 further includes a biocompatible support 120, which may also be referred to as a skirt or lamina of the keratoprosthesis. The support 120 is made of a biocompatible material that is biologically inert and will not react or cause a reaction in the body. In at least one embodiment, the support 120 is made of a metallic material. This is in contrast to known keratoprostheses, which typically employ a bone complex or PMMA for the skirt. However, all corneal cells have shown some form of reaction to PMMA, such as neovascularization, necrosis, and corneal melting, all of which predispose the prosthesis to extrusion and failure. The present keratoprosthesis 100, on the other hand, utilizes an alloplastic and biologically inert material, such as a metal, thereby avoiding such problems.
In a preferred embodiment, the support 120 comprises titanium. Titanium is an inert metal having high biocompatibility that has been successfully used in other medical implantation procedures. In addition to biocompatibility, titanium has additional characteristics that make it amenable for use in implantation, including rigidity, lack of evoking an inflammatory response, resistance to corrosion, and integration with bone and soft tissue.
In at least one embodiment, the support 120 is made entirely of titanium, such as milled from a single piece of titanium. In other embodiments, the support 120 is made of a core of biocompatible material and has an outer surface of titanium. For instance, the core may be made of a laminate or composite of materials, which may be rigid or flexible. In some embodiments, the core may be made of films or layers of material bonded together. Examples of core material include, but are not limited to, polymeric materials such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, metals such as stainless steel, and/or combinations thereof. At least one surface of the support 120 comprises titanium, and preferably the entire outer surface of the support 120 comprises titanium. For instance, the surfaces of the core can be impregnated or loaded with a titanium-containing material, such as titanium powder. In another embodiment, the core is coated with titanium, such as by any of various deposition techniques, including but not limited to surface or particle deposition through the use of plasma or other techniques, or any other method of permanently adhering titanium to the surface of the core.
The support 120 is sufficiently shaped to stably support the keratoprosthesis 100 upon implantation. For example, the support 120 may have an extended length, and may comprise an elliptical discoid shape. In some other embodiments, the support 120 comprises a more circular shape. The diameter of the support 120 is appropriately sized to correspond to the size of the cornea, though it may be smaller or larger in diameter than a cornea. For instance, the diameter of the support 120 may be in the range of about 5 to 14 millimeters. In at least one embodiment, the diameter is approximately 8 millimeters. In another embodiment, the diameter is approximately 10 millimeters. In at least one other embodiment, in which the support 120 comprises an elliptical shape, the diameter of the support 120 is 10 millimeters along the long axis and 8 millimeters along the short axis (10 mm×8 mm). Moreover, the support 120 is relatively thin, having a thickness of less than 1 millimeter in at least one embodiment. As best shown in
As shown in
The biocompatible support 120 is further structured to be secured anterior to a cornea of a patient's eye and to engage soft tissue. Many of the keratoprostheses currently known “sandwich” the cornea between a back plate disposed posterior of the cornea and a forward plate on the anterior side of the cornea, or position the keratoprosthesis in an intralamellar arrangement, within the cornea such as in a supra-Descemet fashion, or behind/posterior to the cornea. Such placement is prone to inflammation, increased ocular pressure and extrusion of the prosthesis from epithelial ingrowth. In contrast, the present keratoprosthesis 100 is disposable entirely anterior to the cornea, as depicted in
More specifically, as seen in
The size and dimension of the support 120 may vary as previously described, but is contemplated to be large enough to permit securing of the keratoprosthesis 100 and to enable soft tissue adhesion, and yet may be small enough to permit the free transfer of nutrients through the cornea. For example, the diameter of a typical cornea is between approximately 9.5 to 13 millimeters horizontally and approximately 9.21 and 12.4 millimeters vertically. A preferred embodiment of the support 120 will therefore measure a smaller diameter than the cornea to allow for perfusion of nutrients through the uncovered cornea extending around the circumference of the keratoprosthesis 100. If too large a surface of the cornea is covered, corneal melting may occur, which is detrimental to ocular health. To prevent this, in at least one embodiment, the support 120 may further comprise a plurality of openings 126, as best depicted in
Moreover, and as can be seen from
At least a portion of the surface of the support 120 is a treated surface that is structured to promote the adhesion of soft tissue thereto. The treated surface may comprise a texture, such as having a plurality of pores and/or extrusions that provides sufficient “footholds” for the soft tissue to grip and grow onto, thereby adhering to the support 120 over time. For example, the treated surface may comprise a texture having a surface microstructure wherein each “foothold” ranges generally from about 0.5 to 2 microns in diameter, and the treated surface comprises a plurality of such “footholds” that collectively form a textured surface and/or contour.
Moreover, the treated surface may be the surface facing the anterior cornea upon implantation (the deep aspect), the opposite surface facing outward from the eye upon implantation (the superficial aspect), and/or both surfaces. In at least one embodiment, the treated surface comprises substantially all of an outer surface of the support 120. As used herein, “substantially all” means a majority of the surface of the support 120, which may include the entire outer surface or almost all of the outer surface, including one or both sides, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Indeed, in at least one embodiment, every surface of the support 120 is treated to create a texture and structure to promote adhesion. However, the channel 122 of the support 120 need not have a treated surface, since the channel 122 only contacts the optic member 110 and locking member 130. It does not contact the soft tissue 210, even upon implantation of the keratoprosthesis 100, and therefore does not need to be treated to create a texture for adhesion.
The treated surface may be the result of any number or type of treatment that would create the appropriate porosity, texture and/or microstructure on the surface of the support 120 to provide enhanced soft tissue adhesion capabilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, at least one of sandblasting and acid etching, or both. For instance, the support 120 may be sandblasted with a large grit, such as in the range of about 0.25 to 0.5 micrometers, although other sized grits are also contemplated and may be used depending on the desired texture or porosity to be formed. The grit may be made of alumina or other appropriate material capable of cutting and/or shaping the support 120 upon rapid firing, scraping, grinding, or other method of forming texture. The support 120 may also be acid etched, such as using a mixture of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4), although other acids and combinations thereof are also contemplated. Indeed, even a single acid may be used for etching. Any concentration, strength, and ratio of acids may be used for acid etching as will yield the desired textured surface outcome. The acid etching may comprise subjecting the surfaces of the support 120 to be treated to boiling acids, such as those identified previously. In one example, the surfaces of the support 120 are treated with acid in the range of about 125° C. to 130° C. for approximately 5 minutes. Other acid treatment times and conditions that also result in an appropriate microstructure texture for soft tissue adhesion are also contemplated and within the spirit of the present invention.
In at least one embodiment, the keratoprosthesis 100 of the present invention also includes a collar 132 extending away from the support 120 and in at least partially encircling relation to the optic member 110, as best seen in
Moreover, in at least one embodiment the collar 132 comprises a treated surface having a textured structure to promote the adhesion of soft tissue thereto, similar to the support 120. The collar 132 may be treated by the same methods and protocols as the support 120 to accomplish such a textured structure, including but not limited to sandblasting and/or acid etching as previously described.
In at least one embodiment, the keratoprosthesis 100 further comprises a locking member 130, as best shown in
The locking member 130 may further be secured to the optic member 110, such as bonded, fused, or welded using appropriate materials. For instance, in embodiments in which the locking member 130 is made of PMMA, the solvent methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) may be applied to both the locking member 130 and the optic member 110, also comprised of PMMA, in order to fuse the two together. Of course, appropriate bonding agents may also be used, such as epoxy, cyanoacrylate, and others, particularly when the locking member 130 is made of a metal or other material. In still another embodiment, the locking member 130 comprises potting material, including but not limited to epoxy, liquid silicone (such as GE RTV 100 silicone rubbers), or other appropriate materials as may be of medical grade that can be used to fill in the space between the optic member 110 and collar 132.
As previously mentioned, the present invention is also directed to a system 200 for corneal repair, as depicted schematically in
Specifically, and with reference to
The isolated soft tissue segment 210 is comparably sized to correspond to at least a damaged portion of cornea that is being repaired, up to and including the entire surface of the eye. Ultimately, the size of the isolated soft tissue segment 210 will be determined based on the size of the damaged cornea that is being repaired or replaced, and/or on the size of the eye. Therefore, in some embodiments, the isolated soft tissue segment 210 may measure up to the full size of the eye. On the other hand, the isolated soft tissue segment 210 may be minimally sized to repair even small areas of corneal damage.
The isolated soft tissue segment 210 of the present system 200 is disposable in covering relation to an exposed portion of the cornea 20 from which the damaged portion of the cornea has previously been removed. Accordingly, the isolated soft tissue segment 210 is positioned in direct contact with the exposed cornea 20. Therefore, the blood, oxygen, and other nutrients carried by the vascular network originating from the periphery of the host bed including the sclera and the insertions of the extraocular muscles, supply the isolated soft tissue segment 210 with the nutrients it needs to grow and adhere to its new environment on the corneal surface.
The system 200 further comprises a keratoprosthesis 100 as described previously, such as having a metal or titanium support 120. The keratoprosthesis 100 is disposed such that the optic member 110 is positioned in vision facilitating relation to the eye of the patient. For instance, as seen in
In some embodiments, such as depicted in
In other embodiments, a shorter optic member 110 may be preferred. For instance, when the lens and/or iris remain intact within the eye, the use of a shorter optic member 110 may be necessary to avoid contacting the iris with the optic member 110, which causes irritation and inflammation. Similarly, a shorter optic member 110 avoids contact between the posterior surface of the optic member 110 and the lens upon the application of pressure to the eye, such as during massage of the eye or washing the surface of the optic member 110, and so avoids contact that could lead to cataract formation. Also, a shorter optic member 110 provides a greater field of view, which may be desired for vision purposes. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the optic member 110 is sufficiently long to pass fully through the isolated soft tissue 210, and yet is also sufficiently short so as to avoid contact with the iris and lens, even upon external pressure. Accordingly, the keratoprosthesis 100 may be positioned such that the posterior surface of the optic member 110 is substantially coincident with the posterior surface of the cornea 20, as shown in
Once placed, the keratoprosthesis 100 is secured in position as described above, such as by suturing through the various peripheral apertures 124 disposed in the support 120, so that the optic member 110 does not move or drift from position and can provide an accurate line of sight, depicted schematically as dotted line 27 in
In general, the keratoprosthesis 100 is structured to be disposed and secured in engaging relation with the isolated soft tissue segment 210 anterior to the cornea 20, and more in particular, anterior to the exposed portion of the cornea. Accordingly, the isolated soft tissue segment 210 is disposed in direct contacting relation with anterior surface 22 of the exposed cornea 20, and the keratoprosthesis 100 is disposed in contacting relation to the isolated soft tissue segment 210. In at least one embodiment, the keratoprosthesis 100 is disposed within the isolated soft tissue segment 210. Moreover, the support 120 of the keratoprosthesis 100 is positioned in spaced relation, or substantially isolated relation, from the anterior 22 of the exposed portion of cornea 20. In other words, the support 120 of the keratoprosthesis 100 does not directly touch the cornea 20, but rather is positioned anterior to the cornea. Instead, the support 120 of the keratoprosthesis 100 contacts only the isolated soft tissue segment 210.
Such positioning is advantageous since the keratoprosthesis 100 is structured to facilitate the adhesion of the isolated soft tissue 210 surrounding it in the present system 200 to the keratoprosthesis 100. As described above, the keratoprosthesis 100 has certain characteristics, such as a metal and/or titanium support 120 and a treated surface(s) providing certain textures to promote the adhesion of soft tissue thereto. Accordingly, when positioned within the isolated soft tissue segment 210 of the present system 200, the keratoprosthesis 100 is structured to promote the formation of a bioseal 220 between the isolated soft tissue segment 210 and the keratoprosthesis 100, as indicated in
The present invention is further directed to a method of corneal repair by implanting a keratoprosthesis, as at 300 and depicted schematically in
The method further includes isolating a segment of soft tissue, as at 320. As previously described, such soft tissue may be isolated from any appropriate non-ocular tissue site, such as buccal mucosa of the oral cheek, and is sized to substantially correspond to at least the de-epithelialized section of the cornea, or to be larger than the de-epithelialized section of the cornea, up to and including the size of the entire eye. The soft tissue may be isolated from a donor site on the patient or other donor tissue as described above.
Once isolated, the method 300 further comprises positioning the isolated soft tissue segment on the de-epithelialized section of cornea, as at 330. More specifically, and as explained previously with reference to the system 200, the isolated soft tissue segment is overlaid on the de-epithelialized section of cornea, in contacting relation with the cornea and the circumferential vascular network of the peripheral recipient site to provide needed nutrients for transplanted soft tissue to grow and graft thereto. In at least one embodiment, the method 300 also comprises grafting the transplanted and positioned isolated soft tissue segment to the cornea, as at 335. In one example, the transplanted soft tissue is permitted to grow and the eye allowed to heal for approximately one month, although other lengths of time are also permitted. In such embodiment, the entire method 300 may be performed in a single procedure, rather than the multi-step procedure currently required by other methods.
The method 300 further includes creating a receiving area in the transplanted soft tissue segment, as at 340. Such receiving area is sized to accommodate a keratoprosthesis therein, such as the keratoprosthesis 100 described above. In at least one embodiment, creating a receiving area 340 includes creating an incision in the transplanted soft tissue, so as to form a flap, pocket, or other similar structure. The receiving area may be created at any depth within the soft tissue, such as for example ⅔ to ¾ of the way deep into the soft tissue, but preferably does not disrupt the contact of the soft tissue with the underlying cornea. The receiving area is therefore also created anterior to the cornea.
Continuing with
The method 300 further includes securing the keratoprosthesis in position, as at 360. Securing the keratoprosthesis prevents it from drifting in the receiving area. A stationary position allows the soft tissue to be able to adhere to the keratoprosthesis over time. Moreover, securing the keratoprosthesis maintains the position of the optic member, and therefore permits prolonged accurate vision using the keratoprosthesis. In at least one embodiment, securing 360 involves suturing the keratoprosthesis to at least a portion of the surrounding environment, such as to the surrounding soft tissue, cornea, anterior cornea, conjunctiva of the eye, etc. Such suturing may be accomplished through the apertures located along the periphery of the support of the keratoprosthesis, as described previously. In other embodiments, the keratoprosthesis may be secured to the surrounding environment, including the surrounding soft tissue, anterior cornea, conjunctiva, etc. by methods other than suturing.
In at least one embodiment, the present method 300 further comprises treating at least a portion of an exterior surface of the keratoprosthesis, as at 370, to create a treated surface having a textured contour that promotes the adhesion of soft tissue thereto. At least the surfaces that will contact soft tissue upon implantation are treated 370. In some embodiments, the entirety of every exterior surface of the keratoprosthesis is so treated to create a textured surface. For example, treating 370 may comprise treating one or both sides of the support of the keratoprosthesis, and may further comprise treating the outer surface of the collar 132. Moreover, treating 370 may occur by sandblasting and/or acid etching the surfaces of the keratoprosthesis, as previously described, and may occur by additional methods that produce a sufficient texture on the surface for promoting the adhesion of soft tissue. Such treating 370 preferably occurs prior to implantation of the keratoprosthesis 100.
In at least one embodiment, the method 300 further comprises decontaminating or sterilizing the treated keratoprosthesis, as at 380. For instance, at least the portion of the keratoprosthesis that has been treated 370 is decontaminated 380, including the surfaces of the support and collar. Such decontamination or sterilization 380, which terms may be used interchangeably, involves any appropriate method of cleaning and eliminating the surfaces of particulates, microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, mold, fungus, and other foreign matter that may be detrimental to successful implantation. For example, decontamination 380 may occur according to the guidelines and protocol set forth in ASTM b600-11. In some embodiments, the entire keratoprosthesis is decontaminated 380, such as prior to implantation, to reduce the chance of infection and complications.
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Now that the invention has been described,
The present application is based on and a claim of priority is made under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to a provisional patent application that is currently pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, namely, that having Ser. No. 60/696,937 and a filing date of Sep. 5, 2012, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
This invention was made with government support under grant number W81XWH-09-1-0674 awarded by USARMY MEDCOM USAMRAA. The government has certain rights in the invention
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2013/057949 | 9/4/2013 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014/039495 | 3/13/2014 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 650156 | Oct 1994 | AU |
| 107181 | Apr 2004 | BG |
| 1266669 | Sep 2000 | CN |
| 956834 | Nov 1999 | EP |
| 1408881 | Apr 2004 | EP |
| 1289451 | Dec 2004 | EP |
| 2649605 | Jan 1991 | FR |
| 2403908 | Jan 2005 | GB |
| 2120307 | Aug 1995 | RU |
| 2124331 | Mar 1997 | RU |
| 2102939 | Jan 1998 | RU |
| 2139014 | Oct 1999 | RU |
| 2139014 | Oct 1999 | RU |
| 2150956 | Jun 2000 | RU |
| 2157147 | Oct 2000 | RU |
| 2157147 | Oct 2000 | RU |
| 2162678 | Feb 2001 | RU |
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| WO02089709 | Nov 2002 | WO |
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| WO2014039495 | Mar 2014 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Linnola, Titanium and bioactive glass-ceramic coated titanium as materials for keratoprosthesis,Experimental Eye Research. (63(4):471-8, 119 Oct. (Abstract). |
| KPRO Study Group Bibliography of Keratoprosthesis and Artificial Corea and Biomaterials Therefor from 1789 to 2015; Compiled at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute under the Guidance of the KPRO Steering Committee, Last Update Mar. 23, 2015. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150216651 A1 | Aug 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60696937 | Sep 2012 | US |
