Instruments for use in performing gel injection adjustable keratoplasty
First Claim
1. A guiding device for facilitating the insertion of a delaminating device into an incision in the cornea for separating the lamellae of the cornea during a procedure for altering the radius of curvature of the cornea of an eye, said device comprising:
- a first section consisting of a flat planar surface of uniform thickness for insertion into an incision in a cornea for guiding the end of a delaminating device between the lamellae of the cornea at a selected depth, anda second section, coupled to said guide section, for contacting the surface of the cornea to limit the depth of travel of said first section into the incision, wherein said first and second sections are coplanar, and wherein said first section extends curvillinearly from said second section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a surgical technique and instrument kit that allows for subtle modification of the corneal curvature by interlamellar injection of a synthetic gel at the corneal periphery while sparing the optical zone. The gel viscosity, volume and disposition within the surgical annular track as well as the diameter of the track, width, depth, and location are all parameters in the refractive change obtained. Following ultrasonic pachymetry performed centrally and at a selected wound entrance located about 2.5 to 3.5 mm from the apex, a one millimeter or so wide, about 75-85% corneal thickness depth radial incision is performed with a micrometric diamond knife adjusted to about 86% corneal thickness. Inserted through the partial-depth incision, a corkscrew-like dissector or helicoidal spatula forms a 360° annular track centered about the apex. A transparent gel is manually injected through the incision, filling the annular channel. Using a surgical keratometer mounted to an operation microscope, the final corneal power is adjusted by massaging and removing the gel as necessary during the primary procedure or subsequent procedures, as the GIAK technique is reversible.
86 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A guiding device for facilitating the insertion of a delaminating device into an incision in the cornea for separating the lamellae of the cornea during a procedure for altering the radius of curvature of the cornea of an eye, said device comprising:
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a first section consisting of a flat planar surface of uniform thickness for insertion into an incision in a cornea for guiding the end of a delaminating device between the lamellae of the cornea at a selected depth, and a second section, coupled to said guide section, for contacting the surface of the cornea to limit the depth of travel of said first section into the incision, wherein said first and second sections are coplanar, and wherein said first section extends curvillinearly from said second section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A guide for facilitating the insertion of a curved delaminating device into an incision in the cornea for forming an annular channel between lamellae in the cornea at a desired depth spaced radially from the central region of the cornea during a procedure for altering the radius of curvature of the cornea of an eye, said guide comprising:
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a first section consisting of a flat planar surface of uniform thickness for insertion into an incision in the cornea for guiding a curved delaminating device between lamellae at a desired depth within the incision; and a second section consisting of a flat planar surface of the same uniform thickness as said first section, coupled to and co-planar with said first section, for contacting the surface of the cornea to limit the depth of penetration of said first section into the incision in the cornea, wherein said first section extends curvillinearly from said second section at the same radius of curvature as the curved delaminating device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification