Patent US4796623A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4796623A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Corneal vacuum trephine system
Assignee: Nestle SA
•
Filing: 1987-07-20
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Granted: 1989-01-10
•
Expires: 2007-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A corneal vacuum trephine system including a suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define a suction annular space positionable against the eye. A vacuum device creates a vacuum in the suction annular space to secure the suction ring to the eye over the cornea. A trephine having a cutting edge is positionable so as to be movable relative to the suction ring for making with its cutting edge a circular cut in the cornea. A trephine guide is positionable on the suction ring for subsequently guiding the trephine therethrough and relative to the cornea. The guide permits the trephine to be separated from the suction ring after cutting the cornea when the suction ring is secured to the eye so that the cut in the cornea can be examined and the trephine positioned again in the suction ring precisely in the same place and orientation in the incomplete cornea cut to deepen the cut. The guide is also removable off of the suction ring when the ring is secured to the eye providing a large viewing area of the cornea through the bore of the suction ring. The guide and ring are configured to define a space therebetween through which the corneal cut made by the trephine and the cutting edge thereof can be seen with the ring in place on the eye and the trephine in the ring.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary N. Krasner
- 👤 John W. Berkman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/013; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye. said suction ring defining a suction ring bore, said annular suction space being positioned outside of and so as to generally not be in fluid communication with said suction ring bore, a trephine positionable in said suction ring bore and so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means defining an elongated guide cylinder for guiding said trephine therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye. said suction ring defining a suction ring bore, said annular suction space being positioned outside of and so as to generally not be in fluid communication with said suction ring bore, a trephine positionable in said suction ring bore and so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means defining an elongated guide cylinder for guiding said trephine therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said guide cylinder is positioned within the cylinder defined by said suction ring bore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said trephine is positionable from a separated position relative to said suction ring to an inserted position in said suction ring while said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said guide means is removable from said suction ring when said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said trephine guide means defines a sleeve longitudinally down into which said cylindrical member and said cutting edge slide and in which said trephine is rotatable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a vacuum means for providing a vacuum in said suction space when said suction ring is generally on the eye for securing said suction ring to the eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 6 further comprising said vacuum means being external of said suction ring, and a tubing communicating said external vacuum means with said suction space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said suction ring defines a suction ring opening therethrough and into which said vacuum tubing is received, and said suction ring opening is positioned radially out from said trephine guide means and from said trephine when positioned in said trephine guide means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said cylinder extends only a small distance above the cornea for guiding generally the entire bottom portion of said cylindrical member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said trephine guide means includes a support member extending radially out from the base of said elongated cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said support member rests directly on top of said suction ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
178 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye. said suction ring comprising a first ring portion defining an outside surface of said annular suction space and a second ring portion defining an inside surface of said annular suction space, said first and second ring portions being at right angles to one another, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, and a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
178 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye. said suction ring comprising a first ring portion defining an outside surface of said annular suction space and a second ring portion defining an inside surface of said annular suction space, said first and second ring portions being at right angles to one another, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, and a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said second ring portion defines a suction ring bore in which said trephine is positionable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said first ring portion defines a passageway therethrough through which a suction pressure can be applied to said suction space to securely hold said suction ring to the eye.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 12 further comprising a vacuum means for providing a vacuum in said suction space when said suction ring is generally on the eye for securing said suction ring to the eye.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising said vacuum means external of said suction ring, and a tubing communicating said external vacuum means with said suction space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said suction ring defines a suction ring opening therethrough and into which said vacuum tubing is received, and said suction ring opening is positioned radially out from said trephine guide means and from said trephine when positioned in said trephine guide means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said trephine is positionable from a separated position relative to said suction ring to an inserted position in said suction ring while said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said guide means is removable from said suction ring when said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said trephine guide means defines a sleeve longitudinally down into which said trephine slides and in which said trephine is rotatable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said trephine guide means comprises an elongated cylinder extending so as to be spaced only a small distance above the cornea for guiding therein the entire bottom portion of said cylinder.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 21 wherein said elongated cylinder has a base, and said trephine guide means includes a support member extending radially out from said base of said elongated cylinder.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 22 wherein said support member rests directly on top of said second ring portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
191 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on the eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define a suction space positionable against the eye, said suction ring defining a bore having a bore diameter. a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine including a circular cutting edge at one end thereof, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, said trephine guide means defining a trephine guide cylinder having an outer cylinder diameter, said bore diameter being greater than said outer cylinder diameter, and said trephine guide means including a support means for supporting said trephine guide cylinder so that said guide cylinder is positionable in the cylinder defined by said bore and such that a space is defined therebetween through which said circular cutting edge can be seen when said trephine is positioned in said trephine guide means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
191 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on the eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define a suction space positionable against the eye, said suction ring defining a bore having a bore diameter. a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine including a circular cutting edge at one end thereof, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, said trephine guide means defining a trephine guide cylinder having an outer cylinder diameter, said bore diameter being greater than said outer cylinder diameter, and said trephine guide means including a support means for supporting said trephine guide cylinder so that said guide cylinder is positionable in the cylinder defined by said bore and such that a space is defined therebetween through which said circular cutting edge can be seen when said trephine is positioned in said trephine guide means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said support means positions said trephine guide cylinder concentrically within the cylinder defined by said bore.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said support means comprises at least three spaced legs extending out from said trephine guide cylinder to contact said suction ring.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said at least three spaced legs comprise three legs extending out from said trephine guide cylinder and spaced generally 120° relative to each other.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 26 wherein said suction ring includes an upwardly projecting portion, and said legs rest on said upwardly projecting portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said upwardly projecting portion is annular.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said legs have downwardly depending foot portions at the outer ends thereof positionable directly outside of said upwardly projecting portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said suction space has an annular configuration and said suction ring defines the inner and outer annular surfaces thereof.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 24 further comprising a vacuum means for providing a vacuum in said suction space when said suction ring is generally on the eye for securing said suction ring to the eye.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 32 including said vacuum means being external of said suction ring, a tubing communicating said external vacuum means with said suction space, said suction ring defining a suction ring opening therethrough and into which said vacuum tubing is received, and said suction ring opening being positioned radially out from said trephine guide means and from said trephine when positioned in said trephine guide means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said trephine is positionable from a separated position relative to said suction ring to an inserted position in said suction ring while said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 24 wherein said guide means is removable from said suction ring when said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
191 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on the eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define a suction space positionable against the eye, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, said suction ring defining a bore having a bore diameter, said trephine guide means defining a trephine guide cylinder having an outer cylinder diameter, said trephine comprising a circular cutting edge at one end thereof, said trephine guide means including a support means for supporting said trephine guide cylinder relative to said bore such that a space is defined therebetween through which said cutting edge of said trephine can be seen when said trephine is positioned in said trephine guide means, and said support means comprising at least three spaced legs extending out from said trephine guide cylinder to contact said
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
191 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on the eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define a suction space positionable against the eye, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, said suction ring defining a bore having a bore diameter, said trephine guide means defining a trephine guide cylinder having an outer cylinder diameter, said trephine comprising a circular cutting edge at one end thereof, said trephine guide means including a support means for supporting said trephine guide cylinder relative to said bore such that a space is defined therebetween through which said cutting edge of said trephine can be seen when said trephine is positioned in said trephine guide means, and said support means comprising at least three spaced legs extending out from said trephine guide cylinder to contact said
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said at least three spaced legs comprise three legs extending out from said trephine guide cylinder and spaced generally 120° relative to each other.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said suction ring includes an upwardly projecting portion, and said legs rest on said upwardly projecting portion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 38 wherein said upwardly projecting portion is annular.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 38 wherein said legs have downwardly depending foot portions at the outer ends thereof positionable directly outside of said upwardly projecting portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 36 wherein said bore diameter is greater than said outer cylinder diameter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
198 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring defining a suction ring bore, said annular suction space being positioned outside of and so as to generally not be in fluid communication with said suction ring bore, a trephine positionable in said suction ring bore and so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means defining a sleeve longitudinally down into which said cylindrical member and said cutting edge abuttingly slide and in which said trephine is rotatable.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
198 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring defining a suction ring bore, said annular suction space being positioned outside of and so as to generally not be in fluid communication with said suction ring bore, a trephine positionable in said suction ring bore and so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means defining a sleeve longitudinally down into which said cylindrical member and said cutting edge abuttingly slide and in which said trephine is rotatable.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
198 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring defining a suction ring bore, said annular suction space being positioned outside of and so as to generally not be in fluid communication with said suction ring bore, a trephine positionable in said suction ring bore and so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means comprising an elongated cylinder extending only a small distance above the cornea for guiding therein the entire bottom portion of said cylindrical member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
198 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring defining a suction ring bore, said annular suction space being positioned outside of and so as to generally not be in fluid communication with said suction ring bore, a trephine positionable in said suction ring bore and so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means comprising an elongated cylinder extending only a small distance above the cornea for guiding therein the entire bottom portion of said cylindrical member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 43 wherein said trephine guide means includes a support member extending radially out from the base of said elongated cylinder.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 44 wherein said support member rests directly on top of said suction ring.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
187 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular surface of when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring comprising a first ring portion defining an outside surface of said annular suction space and a second ring portion defining an inside surface of said annular suction space, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means defining a sleeve longitudinally down into which said trephine abbutingly slides and in which said trephine is rotatable.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
187 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular surface of when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring comprising a first ring portion defining an outside surface of said annular suction space and a second ring portion defining an inside surface of said annular suction space, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means defining a sleeve longitudinally down into which said trephine abbutingly slides and in which said trephine is rotatable.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 46 wherein said second ring portion defines a suction ring bore in which said trephine is positionable.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 46 wherein said first ring portion defines a passageway therethrough through which a suction pressure can be applied to said suction space to securely hold said suction ring to the eye.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 46 further comprising a vacuum means for providing a vacuum in said suction space when said suction ring is generally on the eye for securing said suction ring to the eye.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 49 further comprising said vacuum means being external of said suction ring, and a tubing communicating said external vacuum means with said suction space.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 50 wherein said suction ring defines a suction ring opening therethrough and into which said vacuum tubing is received, and said suction ring opening is positioned radially out from said trephine guide means and from said trephine when positioned in said trephine guide means.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 46 wherein said trephine is positionable from a separated position relative to said suction ring to an inserted position in said suction ring while said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said guide means is removable from said suction ring when said suction ring is attached to the eye.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
197 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring comprising a first ring portion defining an outside surface of said annular suction space and a second ring portion defining an inside surface of said annular suction space, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means comprising an elongated cylinder extending so as to be spaced only a small distance above the cornea for guiding therein the entire bottom portion of said cylindrical member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
197 words
A corneal vacuum trephine system comprising: a suction ring adapted to be positioned on an eye over the cornea, said suction ring having an annular suction ring surface configured to define an annular suction space when said suction ring is positioned against the eye, said suction ring comprising a first ring portion defining an outside surface of said annular suction space and a second ring portion defining an inside surface of said annular suction space, a trephine positionable so as to be movable relative to said suction ring for cutting the cornea, said trephine comprising a generally cylindrical member and a sharp circular corneal cutting edge at the distal end of said cylindrical member for cutting a corneal disk by the rotation of said cylindrical member against the cornea, a trephine guide means positionable on said suction ring for guiding said trephine therein and for permitting said trephine to be separated from said suction ring when said suction ring is secured to the eye, and said trephine guide means comprising an elongated cylinder extending so as to be spaced only a small distance above the cornea for guiding therein the entire bottom portion of said cylindrical member.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 54 wherein said cylinder has a base, and said trephine guide means includes a support member extending radially out from said base of said cylinder.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 55 wherein said support member rests directly on top of said second ring portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-10 | 1992-07-11 | 1993-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-10 | 1996-07-11 | 1997-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-10 | 2000-07-11 | 2001-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |