Apparatus and method for in vitro storage of a cornea
AssigneeCleo Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Co., LLC
InventorsRolf A. Schmidt, David B. Soll, Richard C. Pauley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fixture and method is provided for in vitro storage of a cornea. The fixture includes a platform having a corneal-sceral rim receiving surface, a clamp having a mating surface for the cornel-scleral rim and handles. A locking mechanism is provided to secure a donor cornea between the clamp and platform. The combination cornea, platform and clamp are placed in a storage unit having a fluid preservation media. In one embodiment, the storage unit includes a vial having an optically clear closed end and an opened end. A lid is secured to the open end of the vial and engages the handles in order to stabilize the clamped cornea within the vial.
Claims28
An apparatus for the in vitro storage of a cornea, the apparatus comprising:
- a platform having a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a cornea receiving surface, wherein the receiving surface is a ring having an annular perimeter and legs extending from the bottom side of the platform;
- a clamp having a top side and a bottom side, the clamp bottom side including a cornea mating surface, wherein the clamp is generally cylindrical in profile and includes a split ring having a first and second ring half which provides the cornea mating surface, the split ring defining an outer periphery;
- a platform and clamp locking mechanism;
- and
- a storage unit for placement of the clamp, platform and locking mechanism.
An apparatus for the in vitro storage of a cornea, the apparatus comprising:
- a circular support base platform having a top side and a bottom side, the top side having a cornea receiving surface, and the bottom side having legs extending from the bottom side of the platform;
- a cylindrically-shaped clamp having a top portion and a bottom portion, the clamp bottom portion including a circular mating surface in the form of a split ring that includes two halves and attached locking flanges for securing the cornea on the receiving surface;
- a vial for receiving the clamp and platform, the vial having an open end with external threads;
- a lid for securing the open end of the vial, the lid having a cylindrical wall and an open end portion forming an interior compartment, the interior compartment having threads along the cylindrical wall, and a conical shaped portion extending from the end portion, whereby as the lid is threaded onto the vial, the conical shaped portion engages the clamp so as to provide further stability and security for the cornea.
A fixture for securing a cornea for in vitro storage within a container, the fixture comprising:
- a platform having a cornea receiving surface;
- a clamp having a cornea mating surface comprising a stepped web portion extending substantially in an annular manner, the stepped web portion providing the cornea mating surface, wherein the clamp includes an upper end and a lower end, the upper end including a ring, the ring having a plurality of support structures, each support structure having a first end and a second end, the first end of each support structure being connected to the ring, with the support structures extending downwardly from the ring toward the lower end of the clamp, the second end of each support structure connecting to the stepped web portion;
- and
- a platform and clamp locking mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.