US 2004/0167556 A1 · Devices and methods for harvesting limbal stem cells

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for harvesting from the eye of a mammilian (e.g., cadaveric) donor a disc-shaped graft or lenticle consisting of corneal tissue and a quantity of scleral or pericorneal tissue wherein limbal stem cells are located. This graft or lenticle is then transplanted onto the eye of a human or veterinary patient to treat a disorder caused by the absence or deficiency of limbal stem cells in the patient's eye. The system of the present invention comprises a) an eye-contacting ring and cutter guide apparatus and b) a cutter apparatus. The eye-contacting ring and cutter guide apparatus is initially placed in contact with the donor eye such that a portion of the cornea and adjacent scleral or pericorneal tissue containing limbal stem cells protrudes upwardly through the center of the ring. The cutter is then engaged with guide member(s) formed on the ring and the cutter is advanced, severing the protruding cornea and stem-cell-containing pericorneal tissue. In this manner the desired lenticle is obtained for subsequent transplantation.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A system for harvesting from a mammalian eye a desired quantity of corneal tissue along with a desired quantity of pericorneal tissue that contains limbal stem cells, the system comprising:

(a) an eye-contacting ring and guide member;
and,
(b) a cutter;
and wherein;
(c) the eye-contacting ring and guide member comprises a ring member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a cutter guide for guiding the cutter along a predetermined path a spaced distance above the upper surface of the ring member;
(d) the cutter comprises a blade for cutting the corneal and adjacent scleral tissue;
and,
(e) the ring member is sized such that when its lower surface is placed in contact with the anterior aspect of the eye, a portion of the cornea and adjacent pericorneal tissue containing limbal stem cells protrudes upwardly through the ring member above the ring member's upper surface and in relation to the cutter guide such that when the cutter is advanced along the cutter guide it will remove the desired quantity of corneal tissue along with the desired quantity of pericorneal tissue containing stem cells.

5 more elements

A method for harvesting corneal and scleral tissue of an eye, the method comprising steps of:

(a) providing a device for harvesting from a mammalian eye a quantity of corneal tissue along with a quantity of pericorneal tissue containing limbal stem cells, the device comprising:
(i) an eye-contacting ring and guide member;
and,
(ii) a cutter;
and,
wherein,
(iii) the eye-contacting ring and guide member comprises a ring member having a an upper surface and a lower surface and a cutter guide for guiding the cutter along a predetermined path a spaced distance above the upper surface of the ring member;
(iv) the cutter comprises a blade for cutting the corneal and adjacent scleral tissue;
and,
(v) the ring member is sized such that when its lower surface is placed in contact with the anterior aspect of the eye, a portion of the cornea and adjacent pericorneal tissue containing limbal stem cells protrudes upwardly through the ring member above the ring member's upper surface and in relation to the cutter guide such that when the cutter is advanced along the cutter guide it will remove the desired quantity of corneal tissue along with a quantity of pericorneal tissue containg limbal stem cells;
(b) placing the lower surface of the ring member in contact with the anterior aspect of the eye such that the cornea and a desired quantity of pericornial tissue containing limbal stem cells protrudes upwardly through the ring member;
and,
(c) engaging the cutter with the cutter guide and advancing the cutter along the cutter guide such that blade means severs the desired quantity of corneal tissue along with the pericorneal tissue containing limbal stem cells.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Devices and methods for harvesting limbal stem cells

Life of this patent

Devices and methods for harvesting limbal stem cells

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34