ACCOMMODATING INTRAOCULAR LENSES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
A method of manufacturing an accommodating intraocular lens including molding an optical component having at least a central portion formed of an optically clear silicone material; molding a second component, the second component comprising a silicone material; activating surfaces of the optical component and surfaces of the second component in a plasma chamber; and covalently bonding together without adhesive the optical component and the second component to form a lens capsule having an internal chamber.
1 . A method of manufacturing an accommodating intraocular lens, the method comprising:
molding an optical component having at least a central portion formed of an optically clear silicone material;
molding a second component, the second component comprising a silicone material;
activating surfaces of the optical component and surfaces of the second component in a plasma chamber; and
covalently bonding together without adhesive the optical component and the second component to form a lens capsule having an internal chamber.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a vacuum pressure within the plasma chamber during the activating.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the vacuum pressure is between 0.01 mbar and 1 mbar.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a process power of the plasma chamber during the activating is between 270-300 W.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising supplying a gas to the plasma chamber during the activating.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the gas is Argon, atmospheric air, or oxygen.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the gas is supplied with or without applying vacuum pressure to the plasma chamber.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the gas comprises 70%-100% oxygen.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising holding the optical component and the second component within a fixture during the covalently bonding.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the fixture is designed to apply an amount of compression between the surfaces of the optical component and the surfaces of the second component.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the amount of compression is between 30-100 gf.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the fixture is designed to hold the optical component and the second component in contact with one another without applying compressive force on the optical component and the second component.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the fixture is formed of a material that does not bond to the optical component or the second component during covalently bonding.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fixture is a high-heat resistant material.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the fixture is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the fixture comprises a first surface contacting the optical component and a second surface contacting the second component.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first surface and the second surface are modified to prevent bonding to optical component and the second component, respectively.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first surface and the second surface are modified by coating or by laser texturing.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first surface is on a fixture lid and the second surface is on a fixture base, wherein the fixture lid and the fixture base are configured to mate with one another while also holding the optical component and the second component relative to one another.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the fixture lid comprises a pin and the fixture base comprises a helical groove, wherein the pin rides within the helical groove as the fixture lid is locked with the fixture base.
21 .- 42 . (canceled)