Patent · US Expired

Radial keratotomy knife and system using same

US4750489A · kind A · utility

204Cited by
7References
44Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 29, 1985
Grant dateJun 14, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 29, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F9/013
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A radial keratotomy knife which includes an accurate linear position transducer for digitally displaying the extension of a surgical blade beyond a footplate on the knife. A system is also disclosed for zeroing the blade position relative to the footplate. The system includes a zeroing sleeve having a reflective membrane to reflect light to a detector. The knife is inserted into the sleeve so that the footplate is in contact with the membrane within the system contained within a console. When the blade is advanced to contact the reflective membrane from within the sleeve, the reflected light pattern is altered to establish accurately a zero position of the knife blade relative to the footplate. The knife is then withdrawn from the sleeve and the blade advanced by a micrometer so that the transducer produces a signal relative to the reference level indicating the extension of the blade.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.