ABSTRACT
This chapter is inspired by US Patent Application 20030139808, Surgical Correction of Human Eye Refractive Errors by Active Composite Artificial Muscle Implants. It is also inspired by the patent application 20030139808 (https://www.pat2pdf.org" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">pat2pdf.org).
Refractive errors such as presbyopia, hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism can be corrected by using either pre-tensioned or transcutaneously energized artificial muscle implants to change the axial length and anterior curvature of the eye globe by bringing the retina/macula region to coincide with the focal point. The implants are scleral constrictor bands, segments, or ribs for inducing accommodation of a few diopters to correct the refractive errors on demand or automatically. An implant comprises an active sphinctering band encircling the sclera, implanted under the conjunctiva and the extraocular muscles to uniformly constrict the eye globe and induce active temporary myopia (hyperopia) by increasing (decreasing) the length and curvature of the globe. Multiple and specially designed constrictor bands enable surgeons to correct astigmatism. The artificial muscles are made of materials such as composite magnetic shape memory (MSM), heat-shrink, 382shape-memory alloy (SMA)–silicone rubber, electroactive ionic polymeric artificial muscles, or electrochemically contractile ionic polymers bands.
