BACKGROUND

Keratoprosthesis implantation is a procedure that involves full-thickness removal of the cornea and replacement with an artificial cornea. The need for keratoprosthesis implantation arises from failed cornea transplants, unsuitable candidacy for cornea transplants, and a shortage of donor corneas. As such there exists a need for the development of keratoprosthesis devices.

SUMMARY

Described herein are aspects of a keratoprosthesis (Kpro) device that can include an anchor body; and a plurality of flexible haptics, wherein the plurality of flexible haptics can be attached to and can be capable of extending radially from the anchor body. The Kpro device can further include a front plate, wherein the front plate can be attached to the anchor body such that the Kpro device is a single implantable device.

In some aspects the anchor body is a cannula or a cylinder. The anchor body can have an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter ranges from about 1 mm to about 8 mm, and wherein the inner diameter ranges from about 1 mm to about 8 mm.

In some aspects, the diameter of the front plate is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the anchor body. In some aspects, the diameter of the front plate is different than the outer diameter of the anchor body. The diameter of the front plate can be larger than the outer diameter of the anchor body.

The anchor body can have a height of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm as measured from the bottom of the anchor body to the bottom of the front plate.

The front plate can be curved along the portion of the front plate that is distal to the anchor body. In some aspects the front plate forms a half-sphere.

In some aspects the plurality of haptics are all attached to the anchor body at substantially the same height along the circumference of the anchor body as measured from the bottom of the anchor body. In some aspects, at least two of the plurality of haptics are attached to the anchor body at different heights along the circumference of the anchor body as measured from the bottom of the anchor body. In some aspects, the plurality of haptics are positioned on the anchor body such that plurality of haptics form two groups of haptics, wherein each group comprises at least one haptic, wherein the at least one haptic of the first group is attached to the anchor body along its circumference at a first height and the at least one haptic of the second group is attached to the anchor body along its circumference at a second height, wherein the first and the second height are measured from the bottom of the anchor body and the first and the second height are different.

In some aspects, all components of the Kpro device are flexible.

In some aspects, the Kpro device is implantable using a minimally invasive incision. The minimally invasive incision can be about 3 mm.

In some aspects the anchor body can be configured to couple to a front plate during implantation. In some aspects the anchor body can be a ring having an inner diameter and an outer diameter can range from about 1 mm to about 8 mm, and wherein the inner diameter can range from about 1 mm to about 8 mm. The front plate can include an anterior portion and a posterior stem portion, wherein the stem portion is configured to couple to the anchor body during implantation. The anterior portion of the front plate can be substantially round as measured along a first axis. The stem portion can be a cannula or a solid cylinder and the stem portion can have an outer diameter. The diameter of the anterior portion of the front plate as measured along the first axis can be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the stem portion as measured along the same axis. The diameter of the anterior portion of the front plate as measured along the first axis can be different than the outer diameter of the stem portion as measured along the same axis. The stem portion can be threaded and the anchor body can be configured to be screwed onto the stem during implantation.

In some aspects, at least one of the plurality of haptics can have a hole.

In some aspects, the plurality of haptics can be in a first position prior to implantation and a second position after implantation, wherein the plurality of haptics can be folded in towards the anchor body when in the first position and can be extended radially away from the anchor body when in the second position.

Also described herein is a method of implanting a keraposthesis (Kpro) device as described herein into an eye, wherein the method can include: folding the plurality of flexible haptics in towards the center of the anchor body; inserting the anchor body into the eye through an incision; and un-folding the plurality of flexible haptics such that they extend radially away from the anchor body into a portion of the eye. The incision is a minimally invasive incision. The incision can be about 3 mm or less. In some aspects, the method can further include inserting the front plate into the eye through the incision; and coupling the stem portion of the front plate to the anchor body.

