Universal automated keratectomy apparatus and method
OwnerRussell G. Koepnickinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical device for altering the curvature of an eye includes a base which carries a transparent insert, a drive device, a knife edge coupled to the drive device and movable to a plane immediately adjacent the under surface of the transparent insert. The transparent insert includes a face having a surface portion shaped according to a predetermined correction. The base further includes a suction ring which forms a vacuum chamber with the eye. The suction ring is placed against the eye. Application of vacuum results in the cornea of the eye being urged into engagement with the shaped surface portion. Actuation of the drive device moves the knife edge whereby the cornea is cut. Only the knife edge traverses the insert.
Claims38
A surgical device for making a surgical cut to the cornea of an eye, said device comprising:
- a base;
- a single vacuum chamber adapted to engage the sclera of an eye, said vacuum chamber being connectable to a vacuum source;
- an insert, said insert being carried on said base, said insert having a face disposed toward said eye, said face having a surface portion shaped according to a predetermined prescriptive correction, said insert being positioned such that said vacuum chamber is disposed adjacent said insert, and whereby application of vacuum to said vacuum chamber causes the cornea of said eye to engage said surface portion;
- a knife provided on said base and movable in a plane transverse to said face and adjacent to said face, said knife having a cutting edge;
- said base, said vacuum chamber and said insert being cooperatively shaped such that when said knife is moved in said plane, said knife will cut only corneal tissue of said eye in said plane;
- a first drive apparatus drivingly connected to said knife for causing the cutting edge of said knife to swing from side to side in an arc in said plane;
- a drive device coupled to said knife for moving said knife in reciprocal fashion in said plane to advance said knife to cut said cornea;
- and
- said drive device and said first knife apparatus positioned and operable such that only said knife is movable across said insert.
A surgical device in accordance with claim 13 wherein:
- said vacuum source will raise the inner ocular pressure in said eye forcing the cornea of said eye against said shaped surface portion.
A surgical device comprising:
- a base having a knife receiving recess;
- a suction ring carried on said base and adapted to engage the sclera of an eye to form a single vacuum chamber with said eye;
- an insert, said insert being carried on said base, said insert having a face disposed toward said eye, said face having a surface portion according to a predetermined correction;
- a knife, said knife being movable in said recess in a plane transverse to and adjacent said face;
- a drive device for advancing said knife in said plane across said insert, said drive device being positioned and operable such that only said knife is movable across said insert;
- said suction ring being couplable to a vacuum source, such that the application of vacuum to said vacuum chamber raises the inner ocular pressure of said eye causing the cornea of said eye to be urged into contact with said surface portion;
- and
- a knife motor coupled to said knife to move the cutting edge of said knife from side to side in an arc in said plane.
An insert for use in a surgical device for altering the curvature of an eye, said device comprising a base portion, said base portion including a suction ring and a portion adapted to receive said insert, said suction ring cooperating with the eye to form a vacuum chamber, said device further comprising a knife edge movable by a drive device in a plane immediately below and adjacent said insert, said insert comprising:
- a member having top and bottom faces, said bottom face having a surface portion shaped in accordance with a predetermined desired correction of said eye, said member having a groove adapted to engage a corresponding projection on said base whereby said insert will be carried on said base in a predetermined registered alignment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.