Trephine device for removing anterior epithelial cells from corneal surface
OwnerEric J. Arnottinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trephine device for at least partially removing a section of the anterior epithelial cells from a corneal surface, typically prior to laser excimer reshaping of a portion of the corneal surface, comprises a housing having upper and lower end portions, removal apparatus integral to the housing, and apparatus for activating and deactivating the removal apparatus. The removal apparatus may have at least one cutting surface adapted to conform substantially to the shape of the cornea, with the cutting surface contacted with the cornea at a pressure sufficient to remove the anterior epithelial cells without affecting underlying corneal tissue.
Claims14
A trephine device for partially removing or reflecting the anterior epithelium from a corneal surface, the device comprising:
- (a) a housing having upper and lower end portions;
- (b) cutting means integral to the lower portion of the housing, said cutting means having at least one cutting surface adapted to conform substantially to the shape of the corneal surface, said cutting surface being effective for partially removing or reflecting a substantially circular portion of the epithelium from the corneal surface in such manner as to permit the partially removed or reflected portion to be replaced on a reshaped corneal surface;
- and
- (c) means for activating and deactivating the cutting means, said activating and deactivating means acting cooperatively with pressure-sensing means to activate and deactivate the cutting means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.