Cutting apparatus for the cutting of a round corneal disc

US5011498A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Jorg H. Krumeich · Bochum, DE
• Norbert Quast · Freudenberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 16, 1990
• Grant date: Apr 30, 1991
• Expiry date: Jan 16, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B26F1/3846
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Cutting apparatus for excision of a round corneal disc. The cutting apparatus includes a hollow cylindrical cutting knife known as a trepan. The cutting knife is held by an outer cylinder which has a connection plate on its end extending toward the cornea to be cut. Extending perpendicularly to the axis of the cylinder is a connection plate with a bore for the passage of the cutting knife. In the cylinder there is situated near its rear end a clip ring, within which the rear end of the cutting knife is held by a frictional fit. With the aid of a feed apparatus, the cutting knife is axially moveable with respect to the cylinder for the performance of the cutting movement. The cutting apparatus can be joined with its connection plate either by an artificial anterior chamber support or with a vacuum ring on the patient eye. In both cases, there is assured guiding of the cutting knife perpendicularly to a plane which traverses the base of the cornea. With such an apparatus, it is possible, first to obtain cuts running through the outer surface of the cornea running perpendicularly through the outer surface of the cornea and moreover to obtain corneal discs from a donor eye which are ta…