Method and apparatus for endothelial keratoplasty
AssigneeE.K.—D.D.S. Ltd.
InventorNatan Galperin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool for endothelial implantation comprising a base frame on a stem and a covering frame such that the base frame is insertable between a stroma and a Descemet's membrane and the covering frame is positionable over the base frame to lockingly engage the base frame trapping a section of Descemet's membrane between the base frame and the cover frame for surgical separation of the section by cutting therearound.
Claims5
A tool for endothelial manipulation and implantation in a recipient eye, the recipient eye having a cornea, a stoma and an anterior chamber, the tool comprising:
- a) a framework on a stem configured to be insertable through an incision in the recipient eye's cornea between the recipient eye's stoma and the recipient eye's anterior chamber, said framework being positionable to hold a section of Descemet's membrane in a manner suitable for surgical manipulation of said section of Descemet's membrane;
- and,
- b) a heating element in said framework, said heating element having connecting wires to couple said heating element to a power supply via a switch, said heating element being configured so that activation of the switch burns the perimeter of said section of Descemet's membrane within said framework thereby releasing said section of Descemet's membrane from said framework.
A method of surgically replacing a section of Descemet's membrane in a recipient eye, the recipient eye having a cornea, a stoma and an anterior chamber said method comprising the steps of:
- a) obtaining a section of Descemet's membrane from a donor eye, and placing said section of Descemet's membrane on a framework;
- b) making an incision in a recipient eye's cornea and removing a section of damaged Descemet's membrane from the recipient eye via said incision;
- c) inserting said framework containing said section of Descemet's membrane through said incision into said recipient eye to a position between the recipient eye's stoma and the recipient eye's anterior chamber;
- d) applying electrical current to heat the perimeter of said section of Descemet's membrane, thereby detaching said section of Descemet's membrane from said framework, thereby placing said section of Descemet's membrane into an appropriate position in said recipient eye;
- and
- e) releasing gas below said section of Descemet's membrane to float said section of Descemet's membrane into position against the recipient eye's stoma.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.