A surgical blade (10) for being combined with an elongate handle (50) to form a cutting instrument for ophthalmic surgery includes a proximal portion (12) for being attached to the handle (12), an operative, distal portion (14), and a central portion (20) extending therebetween. The central portion (20) having a trapezoidal configuration that tapers radially inwardly from the proximal portion (12) to the distal portion and having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (21, 22). The distal portion (14) includes a first tapered section (23) defining a pair of sharpened lateral edges (24, 25) and extending from the central portion (20) to a substantially straight section (26) having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (27, 28). The substantially straight section (26) extends from the first tapered section (23) to a second tapered section (30) having a pair of sharpened lateral edges (32, 33) and terminating at a pointed tip (36).

A technique can consistently achieve thicknesses of ≤50 μm for corneal tissue for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Grafts with thicknesses of ≤50 μm are also known as nanothin DSAEK (NT-DSAEK) grafts. Evidence shows that using thinner DSAEK grafts, particularly NT-DSAEK grafts, can significantly improve visual outcomes. According to an example embodiment, a method for producing a corneal graft includes drying a donor cornea to cause a pre-cut thickness of the donor cornea to decrease. The method includes, concurrently with drying the donor cornea, determining pre-cut thickness measurements for the donor cornea. The method includes, in response to the pre-cut thickness measurements indicating the pre-cut thickness of the donor cornea has decreased to a predetermined value, cutting the donor cornea to a post-cut thickness of ≤100 μm, or more particularly ≤50 μm, to produce a corneal graft.

A vibrating tissue separator suitable for use in separating a lenticule established by a femtosecond laser during a smile procedure may include a surgical implement such as a blunt spatula mounted on a handle that carries a haptic actuator for applying vibratory motion to the surgical implement. A damping arrangement may be provided to isolate the surgeons hand from the vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted through the handle. The actuator may apply a linear vibration along the axis of the handle which applies a lifting and chopping motion to the tip of a surgical implement having a bend. The tip may be suitable to the tissue being separated. For example, for SMILE lenticule separation, a blunt or semi-sharp spatula, blunted wire or loop may be used. The direction of vibration at the tip may be changed by rotating the implement in a plane other than the plane of the bend or by rotating an actuator such as an LRA with respect to the handle.

A method for performing a corneal transplantation comprising the steps of: inserting at least part of a corneal implant into the anterior chamber of the eye, the corneal implant comprising an implant portion and a manipulating portion, the manipulating portion comprising non-endothelial tissue; positioning the implant portion of the implant to adhere to the posterior surface of the cornea using the manipulating portion.

A technique can consistently achieve thicknesses of ≤ 50 .Math.m for corneal tissue for for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Grafts with thicknesses of ≤ 50 .Math.m are also known as nanothin DSAEK (NT-DSAEK) grafts. Evidence shows that using thinner DSAEK grafts, particularly NT-DSAEK grafts, can significantly improve visual outcomes. According to an example embodiment, a method for producing a corneal graft includes drying a donor cornea to cause a pre-cut thickness of the donor cornea to decrease. The method includes, concurrently with drying the donor cornea, determining pre-cut thickness measurements for the donor cornea. The method includes, in response to the precut thickness measurements indicating the pre-cut thickness of the donor cornea has decreased to a predetermined value, cutting the donor cornea to a post-cut thickness of ≤ 100 .Math.m, or more particularly ≤ 50 .Math.m, to produce a corneal graft.

A device includes a body configured to be placed on an eye and multiple tine assemblies configured to secure the body to and release the body from the eye. The body includes multiple corners and multiple sides. Each corner includes a passage through the corner. Each side connects an adjacent pair of corners. Each tine assembly includes a twist pick configured to be inserted through one of the passages. Bottom surfaces of the sides are raised relative to bottom surfaces of the corners such that the bottom surfaces of the sides are spaced apart from the eye when the bottom surfaces of the corners are resting on the eye. Each of at least one side includes multiple openings configured to allow manipulation of a position of the body and a groove configured to receive a projection from a surgical tool in order to position the surgical tool on the eye.

The present invention relates to an ophthalmic knife and methods of its use for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The device is configured for cutting the tissues within the eye, for example, a trabecular meshwork (TM).

A dissection system for corneal transplants includes a housing including a contact side to be positioned against a cornea. The housing includes an interior passageway with an opening at the contact side. The dissection system includes a blade assembly disposed in the interior passageway. The blade assembly includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade includes a first cutting edge and the second blade includes a second cutting edge. The first blade and the second blade are movable relative to the housing such that the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge extend through the opening of the housing and out of the interior passageway. The first cutting edge produces a first cut in the cornea. The second cutting edge produces a second cut in the cornea. The first cut and the second cut define a volume of tissue for removal from the cornea.

A microsurgical device and methods of its use can be used for treatment of various conditions including eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. A device can be used for cutting the trabecular meshwork (“TM”) in the eye. The device tip provides entry into the Schlemm’s canal via its size (i.e., for example, 0.2-0.3 mm width) and configuration where a ramp elevates the TM away from the outer wall of the Schlemm’s canal and guides the TM to first and second lateral elements for creating first and second incisions through the TM. The dimensions and configuration of the device is such that an entire strip of TM is removed without leaving TM leaflets behind and without causing collateral damage to adjacent tissues.

A vibrating tissue separator suitable for use in separating a lenticule established by a femtosecond laser during a smile procedure may include a surgical implement such as a blunt spatula mounted on a handle that carries a haptic actuator for applying vibratory motion to the surgical implement. A damping arrangement may be provided to isolate the surgeons hand from the vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted through the handle. The actuator may apply a linear vibration along the axis of the handle which applies a lifting and chopping motion to the tip of a surgical implement having a bend. The tip may be suitable to the tissue being separated. For example, for SMILE lenticule separation, a blunt or semi-sharp spatula, blunted wire or loop may be used. The direction of vibration at the tip may be changed by rotating the implement in a plane other than the plane of the bend or by rotating an actuator such as an LRA with respect to the handle.