Coopervision, Inc.

The Cooper Companies, Inc.

John W Berkman

Mark E Steen

Gary N Krasner

David A Dewey

Michael H Curtis

Tamer Akkas

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.

Corneal vacuum trephine system

A radial keratotomy knife which includes an accurate linear position transducer for digitally displaying the extension of a surgical blade beyond a footplate on the knife. A system is also disclosed for zeroing the blade position relative to the footplate. The system includes a zeroing sleeve having a reflective membrane to reflect light to a detector. The knife is inserted into the sleeve so that the footplate is in contact with the membrane within the system contained within a console. When the blade is advanced to contact the reflective membrane from within the sleeve, the reflected light pattern is altered to establish accurately a zero position of the knife blade relative to the footplate. The knife is then withdrawn from the sleeve and the blade advanced by a micrometer so that the transducer produces a signal relative to the reference level indicating the extension of the blade.

Radial keratotomy knife and system using same

A surgical suction cassette for use with a microsurgical apparatus having a surgical handpiece connected by tubing with a control cabinet contains a tank to receive aspirated material from the microsurgical site, fluid connections for the tubes providing suction, pressure and irrigation fluid to the handpiece, fluid connections for connecting sources of pressure, vacuum and vent within the cabinet, fluid connection for an external source of irrigation fluid, and internal tubing providing connections between the connections to the handpiece and the connections to the cabinet. Solenoid actuated occluders in the cabinet compress the tubing in the cassette to turn the various fluid streams on and off. The cassette is provided with a drain for automatically removing the contents without changing the cassette. A latch hook, centrally located between the fluid connections to the cabinet holds the cassette in the cabinet when in use.

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Costa Mesa, CA, United States of America

John W Berkman