Method for stromal corneal repair and refractive alteration

Abstract

A method and means of providing stromal repair and improved refractive correction by creating corneal stromal collagen tissue with fibril diameter and spacing that duplicates the optical transmission and diffusion characteristics of natural corneal collagen. The repair method includes implanting the collagen scaffold during laser corneal ablation or other interlamellar surgery to improve visual acuity or to preclude the possibility of ectasia

1 . A method of producing microstrands of collagen, comprising: 
 forming a solution of collagen using a solvent, spraying said solution of collagen onto a conductive target from a    conductive spraying needle that is maintained at a high potential with respect to said target    moving said needle to and fro with respect to said target,    allowing said solvent to evaporate from said target so as to form collagen fibrils or strands on said target upon the evaporation of said solvent, and    continuing said spraying until a mat of said fibrils or strands are formed on said target.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including implanting said mat of said fibrils into the cornea of an animal.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said animal is human.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  where the sprayed fiber is exposed to ionizing radiation.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  where the electrical potential is alternated.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  where glycerose is applied.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2  where polyethylene glycol is applied.  
   
   
       8 . A method of  claim 1  where the distributed charge of the fiber is neutralized by a source of free ions.  
   
   
       9 . A method of  claim 8  where the ion source is electrically generated.  
   
   
       10 . A method of  claim 8  where the ion source is radioactively generated.  
   
   
       11 . A method of  claim 8  where the ionizing source is an ultraviolet light.