Surgical instruments and method for corneal reformation
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument for use in corneal reconstruction, comprising:
- a connecting end; and
a hollow spatula-like member having a proximal end supported by said connecting end and a distal tip opposite said proximal end, said spatula-like member including an arcuate distal section formed in a plane along a curvature, and further including a fluid passageway therein, said fluid passageway being in fluid communication with a fluid source, with one side of said spatula-like member further including a plurality of apertures wherefrom fluid from said fluid source may be ejected,wherein said spatula-like member has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, andwherein said surgical instrument is adapted to separate corneal surface epithelium from the underlying cornea.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical method of corneal reformation reduces the risk of trauma and shortens overall recovery while yielding improved visual acuity includes making a relatively shallow incision of no more than about 85 microns deep into the corneal epithelium, separating the corneal epithelial sheet from the underlying Bowman'"'"'s Membrane using an epithelial separator or a specialized cannula, and lifting the epithelial sheet away from the ablation zone so that the Bowman'"'"'s Membrane and underlying stromal bed can be reformed. Multiple surgical instruments include the optional use of vibration with an epithelial separator or cannula to separate an epithelial sheet from the cornea of no more than about 85 microns thick.
61 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A surgical instrument for use in corneal reconstruction, comprising:
-
a connecting end; and a hollow spatula-like member having a proximal end supported by said connecting end and a distal tip opposite said proximal end, said spatula-like member including an arcuate distal section formed in a plane along a curvature, and further including a fluid passageway therein, said fluid passageway being in fluid communication with a fluid source, with one side of said spatula-like member further including a plurality of apertures wherefrom fluid from said fluid source may be ejected, wherein said spatula-like member has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and wherein said surgical instrument is adapted to separate corneal surface epithelium from the underlying cornea. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification