当前申请(专利权)人地址：
Incorporated in the United Kingdom, All Saints Building, Oxford Road, All Saints, MANCHESTER, M15 6BH , United Kingdom
摘要：
A method of manufacturing an artificial eye for fitting as a whole or partial replacement of a patient's original eye comprises providing an image of an iris on a substrate 100 comprising at least a frontal region of an artificial eye, providing a support on the substrate 108, positioning the substrate and support in a mould, and encapsulating the substrate within a mould material 136. Preferably, the support is a pin, the head of which 110 may be positioned on a frontal side of the substrate to form the pupil; a hole and recess may be provided in the substrate for positioning the support. The end of the support may be snapped off once the substrate is encapsulated. A digital image of an iris may be acquired and transferred to the substrate either by 3D printing or a transfer material such as a dye sublimation film. A pre-moulded artificial eye and artificial eye are also provided.
权利要求：
Claims 1. A method of manufacturing an artificial eye for fitting as a whole or partial replacement of a patient’s original eye, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing an image of an iris on a substrate comprising at least a frontal region of an artificial eye; b) providing a support on the substrate; c) positioning the substrate and support in a mould; and d) encapsulating the substrate within a mould material. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the support is a pin 3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 where in the support is provided on an internal side of the eye. 4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is provided as a separate component to the substrate. 5. A method according to claim 4, comprising the step of providing a support that is made from a similar material as the mould material, for example the support may be made from the same material as the mould material. 6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, comprising the step of positioning a head of the support on an frontal side of the substrate, e.g. to form the pupil of the artificial eye. 7. A method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising the step of providing a hole in the substrate and positioning the support through the hole of the substrate. 8. A method according to claim 7 comprising the step of providing a recess in the substrate circumferentially around the hole for seating a head of the support. 1. A method of manufacturing an artificial eye for fitting as a whole or partial replacement of a patient’s original eye, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing an image of an iris on a substrate comprising at least a frontal region of an artificial eye; b) providing a support on the substrate; c) positioning the substrate and support in a mould; and d) encapsulating the substrate within a mould material. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the support is a pin 3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 where in the support is provided on an internal side of the eye. 4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is provided as a separate component to the substrate. 5. A method according to claim 4, comprising the step of providing a support that is made from a similar material as the mould material, for example the support may be made from the same material as the mould material. 6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, comprising the step of positioning a head of the support on an frontal side of the substrate, e.g. to form the pupil of the artificial eye. 7. A method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising the step of providing a hole in the substrate and positioning the support through the hole of the substrate. 8. A method according to claim 7 comprising the step of providing a recess in the substrate circumferentially around the hole for seating a head of the support. 9. A method according to claim 7 or 8 comprising the step of pushing the support from an outer side of the substrate through the hole towards an inner side of the substrate. 10. A method according to claim 9, comprising the step of providing lugs on the support positioned and arranged so as to retain the support on the substrate once it has been pushed through the hole. 11. A method according to any one of the previous claims wherein the mould comprises a hole and the method comprises the step of locating the support in the hole of the mould. 12. A method according to any one of the previous claims, comprising the step of removing an end of the support once the substrate is encapsulated. 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the portion of the support is snapped off once the substrate is encapsulated. 14. A method according to any one of the previous claims, comprising the step of providing a support having a non-circular, preferably splined cross section. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the cross section of the support is cross-shaped. 16. A method according to any one of the previous claims, including the step of providing an enlarged portion transverse an axis of the support along a longitudinal length of the support. 17. A method according to any one of the previous claims comprising the step of polishing the encapsulated substrate. 18. A method according to any one of the previous claims wherein the frontal region is non-planar, preferably dome-shaped. 19. A method according to any one of the previous claims comprising the step of acquiring a digital image of an iris and transferring said digital image to the substrate. 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein the image is transferred to a substrate by a 3D printer. 21. A method according to claim 19 wherein in the image is printed onto a transfer material. 22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the transfer material is dye sublimation film and the image is printed using dye sublimation ink. 23. A pre-moulded artificial eye comprising: a substrate having at least a frontal region of an artificial eye; an image of an iris positioned on an outer side of the substrate; and a support on the substrate to suitably position the pre-moulded eye with a mould. 24. An artificial eye comprising: a substrate layer having an image of an iris formed thereon; a pin extending from an outer side of the substrate through the substrate to an inner side of the substrate, the pin having a head that forms a pupil of the artificial eye; and a capsule formed around the substrate and pin. 25. An artificial eye or a pre-moulded artificial eye according to claim 23 or 24 wherein the support is a pin. 26. An artificial eye or a pre-moulded artificial eye according to any one of claims 23 to 25 the support is positioned on an internal side of the substrate. 27. An artificial eye or a pre-moulded artificial eye according to any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein the support is a separate component from the substrate. 28. An artificial eye according to claim 24 wherein the support is made from a similar material to the mould material, preferably the same material. 29. An artificial eye or a pre-moulded artificial eye according to any of claims 23 to 28 wherein the support has a head and the head is positioned on a frontal side of the substrate e.g. to form a pupil of the artificial eye. 30. An artificial eye or a pre-moulded artificial eye according to any one of claims 23 to 29 wherein the substrate is formed at least partially from a 3D printed of additive manufactured material. 31. A method, a pre-moulded artificial eye, or artificial eye substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.