US4739761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cornea marker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-06-26
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2006-06-26
Abstract
Abstract Cornea marker apparatus and a method of corneal marking are provided for purposes of corrective surgery. The apparatus features a blade assembly having readily visible blade ends as well as a blade assembly concept with a radial guide allowing rotation of the blades to selected meridian alignments for precise marking of the surface of the cornea.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley C. Grandon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/013; A61F9/0136; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
Surgical apparatus for concentric placement on the cornea of the eye and for radially marking selected meridians of the corneal surface surrounding the central clear zone of the eye, comprising: a planar blade assembly holder plate having a central opening and a concentric circumferential bearing surface, for engagement with the bearing surface of a rotary knife blade assembly, a rotary knife blade assembly including a planar circumferential support frame having a central opening dimensioned for concentric alignment exposing the clear zone, and a pair of diametrically opposed co-planar radially disposed knife blades for each of said selected meridians, each blade having a cutting edge with concave curvature adapted in profile for co-extensive matching contact with the convex curvature of the outer corneal surface, and each blade further being unitary with and supported on the support frame, the assembly being configured with a circular peripheral bearing surface engaging said concentric bearing surface by a snap fit allowing rotation of the assembly planar frame in parallel relation with respect to the planar blade holder plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
Surgical apparatus for concentric placement on the cornea of the eye and for radially marking selected meridians of the corneal surface surrounding the central clear zone of the eye, comprising: a planar blade assembly holder plate having a central opening and a concentric circumferential bearing surface, for engagement with the bearing surface of a rotary knife blade assembly, a rotary knife blade assembly including a planar circumferential support frame having a central opening dimensioned for concentric alignment exposing the clear zone, and a pair of diametrically opposed co-planar radially disposed knife blades for each of said selected meridians, each blade having a cutting edge with concave curvature adapted in profile for co-extensive matching contact with the convex curvature of the outer corneal surface, and each blade further being unitary with and supported on the support frame, the assembly being configured with a circular peripheral bearing surface engaging said concentric bearing surface by a snap fit allowing rotation of the assembly planar frame in parallel relation with respect to the planar blade holder plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 where the opening in the support frame is circular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 where the opening in the support frame is elliptical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 2 where the inner end of each blade is conspicuously exposed in the support frame opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 3 where the inner end of each blade is conspicuously exposed in the support frame opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 where the knife blade assembly comprises blade guide indicia coinciding with the diametral alignment of each blade pair.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 where the blade holder plate comprises meridial indicia referable to the degree of rotation of a rotary knife blade assembly contained in the blade holder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 where the support frame is elliptical and the cutting edges of blades of the knife blade assembly are configured with a 3-dimensional concave elliptical curvature for co-extensive matching contact with the convex curvature of an elliptical astigmatic outer surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 4 where the blade assembly holder plate and the rotary blade assembly are adapted to be reversibly fitted together to a position for controlled rotation of the blade assembly to predetermined positions for marking of selected meridians.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 9 where the blade assembly holder plate and the roatry blade assembly are adapted to be fitted together in a snap fit and to be reversibly disengageable for replacement of a different rotary blade assembly in the blade assembly holder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 9 where the rotary blade assembly is circular.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 9 where the rotary blade assembly is elliptical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 9 where the inner end of each blade is conspicuously exposed in the support frame opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |