Microkeratome

Patent 5586980 Issued on December 24, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 14, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Cornea incision device
Patent #: 4526171
Issued on: 07/02/1985
Inventor: Schachar

Apparatus to measure conical thickness
Patent #: 4546773
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Inventor: Kremer , et al.

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Patent #: 4598714
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Inventor: Kremer , et al.

Ophthalmologic surgical instrument
Patent #: 4688570
Issued on: 08/25/1987
Inventor: Kramer , et al.

Method and apparatus for performing a keratomileusis or the like operation
Patent #: 4903695
Issued on: 02/27/1990
Inventor: Warner, et al.

Cracking and rotating cataract for removal from eye Patent #: 5222960
Issued on: 06/29/1993
Inventor: Poley

Inventors

Application

No. 323177 filed on 10/14/1994

US Classes:

606/4Ophthalmic

Examiners

Primary: Sykes, Angela D.
Assistant: Harris-Ogugua, Sonya

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Volpe & Koenig, P.C.

Foreign Patent References

0442156 EP 08/12/1991
0531756 EP 03/12/1993
9305738 WO 04/12/1993

International Classes

A61F 009/00
A61N 005/06

Abstract

A micro-keratome device for performing eye surgery is disclosed. The device is comprised of a vacuum ring, an applanation shoe and a cutting blade. The cutting blade and applanation shoe are mounted on the vacuum ring with the cutting blade being pivotally mounted to the applanation shoe so that movement of the cutting blade, while the vacuum ring is still mounted to a patient's eye, permits the user to have an unobstructed path to that portion of the eye exposed by the cutting blade. In a further embodiment, the device includes a guard, mounted at one end of the applanation shoe, which collects, protects and positions the previously cut portion of eye tissue.

Other References

Pallikaris et al., Excimer Laser In Situ Keratomileusis and Photorefractive keratectomy for Correction of High Myopia, Journal of Refractive & Corneal Surgery, vol. 10, Sep.-Oct. 1994, pp. 498-510
Barraquer et al., Lamellar Keratoplasty (Special Techniques), Annals of Ophthalmology, Jun. 1972
Kremer, ALK-E: As Good as Advertise, Review of Ophthalmology, Aug. 1994, p. 46
Ruiz, "Flap and Zap": Is the Next Radial K?, Review of Ophthalmology, Aug. 1994, pp. 44-45
Rozakis et al., Refractive Lamellar Keratoplasty, Slack Incorporated, 1994, (Chapters 1-2, 5-10 & 13) pp. 1-16, 19-32, 45-99 and 125-137
Barraquer, Keratomileusis for Myopia and Aphakia, Ophthalmology, vol. 88, No. 8, Aug. 1981, pp. 701-708
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Schanzlin, Epikeratophakia and Keratomileusis, Refractive Surgery, Chap. 24, pp. 696-69