Multi-function surgical instrument for facilitating ophthalmic laser surgery
OwnerLeon C. LaHayeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The multi-function surgical instrument for facilitating corneal surgery by laser includes lower and upper rings. Lower ring includes a wall structure about a central aperture. Wall of the lower ring isolates a cornea disposed within the central aperture. Drainage system of the lower ring is used to control hydration of corneal tissue disposed in the central aperture. Platform of the lower ring isolates and prevents excessive hydration of a corneal flap reposed thereon. Upper ring includes a plurality of passages having directed ports and may be used to evacuate plume, direct beneficial fluids or gases onto tissues below.
Claims24
A surgical instrument, for placement around the limbus of the eye during corneal surgery by laser, comprising:
- a. a lower ring having a vertical axis, an upper surface, a lower surface curved to substantially match the curvature of the eye outside of the limbus, a thickness between said upper surface and said lower surface, an outer diameter;
- and, a central aperture substantially sized to fit about the limbus of the eye;
- all together defining a disc shaped structure having a central aperture surrounded by an annular wall;
- b. wherein said lower ring includes a platform having an upper surface which has an area at least the size of a hinged corneal flap to be created in the course of said corneal surgery, which said upper surface of said platform extends radially outward from an inner diameter of said lower ring which is proximate to the hinge of said corneal flap and is disposed at a height which is above the lower surface of said lower ring where said lower surface of said lower ring intersects with the outer diameter of said lower ring;
- and,
- c. means for movably attaching said platform to a segment of said lower ring.
A surgical instrument, for placement around the limbus of the eye during corneal surgery by laser, comprising:
- a. a lower ring having a vertical axis, an upper surface, a lower surface curved to substantially match the curvature of the eye outside of the limbus, a thickness between said upper surface and said lower surface, an outer diameter;
- and, a central aperture substantially sized to fit about the limbus of the eye;
- all together defining a disc shaped structure having a central aperture surrounded by an annular wall;
- b. wherein said lower ring includes a platform having an upper surface which has an area at least the size of a hinged corneal flap to be created in the course of said corneal surgery, which said upper surface of said platform extends radially outward from an inner diameter of said lower ring which is proximate to the hinge of said corneal flap and is disposed at a height which is above the lower surface of said lower ring where said lower surface of said lower ring intersects with the outer diameter of said lower ring;
- and,
- c. means for releasably attaching said platform to a segment of said lower ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.