Capsulotomy device

A capsulotomy device for accessing a lens capsule through a cornea of an eye, the device comprising:

• an elastomeric structure;
• and
• a support structure mounted to said elastomeric structure, said support structure comprising a plurality of openings along the length of the top of said support structure wherein the top of said support structure is attached to said elastomeric structure, said support structure comprising a cutting element segment along the length of the bottom of the support structure, said support structure connecting the elastomeric structure to the cutting element segment, said support structure comprising a plurality of tabs attached to the elastomeric structure.

A method for performing a capsulotomy of a lens capsule of an eye, the method comprising:

• contacting the lens capsule with a cutting element, wherein said cutting element extends from a support structure, wherein said support structure is mounted to an elastomeric structure, the support structure comprising a plurality of openings along the length of the top of the support structure, wherein the top of the support structure is attached to the elastomeric structure, and a plurality of tabs attached to the elastomeric structure, and wherein said cutting element and said elastomeric structure are not in physical contact;
• and
• applying energy to the lens capsule along the cutting element during the application of stress, resulting in the cutting of a portion of the lens capsule along the cutting element.

A method for performing a capsulotomy of a lens capsule of an eye, the method comprising:

• contacting the lens capsule with a cutting element segment, wherein said cutting element segment extends from the bottom of a support structure along its length, wherein the top of said support structure is mounted to an elastomeric structure, and wherein the length of the top of said support structure comprises a plurality of openings to inhibit the flow of current at the top of the support structure attached to the elastomeric structure, said support structure connecting the elastomeric structure to the cutting element segment, said support structure comprising a plurality of tabs attached to the elastomeric structure;
• and
• applying energy to the lens capsule along the cutting element during the application of stress, resulting in the cutting of a portion of the lens capsule along the cutting element.

A method for accessing a second layer of tissue behind a first layer of tissue for performing microsurgery or therapeutic work, the method comprising:

• contacting said second layer of tissue with a cutting element, wherein said cutting element is mounted to an elastomeric structure, and wherein said cutting element is attached to a support structure, said support structure comprising a plurality of openings along the length of the top of the support structure, wherein the top of the support structure is attached to the elastomeric structure, and a plurality of tabs attached to the elastomeric structure;
• and
• engaging in microsurgery or therapeutic work on a portion of the second layer of tissue.