Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Beaver-visitec International (us), Inc.

Joseph Francis Keenan

James Joseph Hughes

Vadim Mark Daskal

Dana Michael Cote

Robert W Pierce

Edwin G Lee

Attila E Kiss

Susan M Chavez

Richard V Kennedy

Michael Joseph Murphy

A method for manufacturing surgical blades from either a crystalline or poly-crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer, is disclosed. The method includes preparing the crystalline or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. The methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, and a hot forge press. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single or double bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

System and method for the manufacture of surgical blades

A method for manufacturing blades for surgical and other uses from either a crystalline or polycrystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer, comprises preparing the crystalline or polycrystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. The methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. When a router is used, through-holes are drilled in the wafer to define the starting locations of the trenches. After the trenches are formed, the wafers are placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or polycrystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single or double bevel blades, with each bevel having one or more facets. Nearly any bevel angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

System and method for creating linear and non-linear trenches in silicon and other crystalline materials with a router

Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a single crystal or poly-crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the single crystal or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and etching trenches into the wafers using one of several processes. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. Other processes include wet etching (isotropic and anisotropic) and dry etching (isotropic and anisotropic, including reactive ion etching), and combinations of these etching steps. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer, and the machined angle remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost. A range of radii may be 30 to 60 nm, with a specific implementation being about 40 nm. The blade profile may have an angle of, for example, about 60&#xb0;. The ophthalmic surgical blades can be used for cataract and refractive surgical procedures, as well as microsurgical, biological and non-medical, non-biological purposes. Surgical and non-surgical blades and mechanical devices manufactured as described herein can also exhibit substantially smoother surfaces than metal blades.

Methods of fabricating complex blade geometries from silicon wafers and strengthening blade geometries

Ophthalmic surgical blades are manufactured from either a crystalline or polycrystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer. The method comprises preparing the crystalline or polycrystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. Methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or polycrystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single, double or multiple bevel blades. Nearly any bevel angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost. The ophthalmic surgical blades can be used for cataract and refractive surgical procedures, as well as microsurgical, biological and non-medical, non-biological purposes.

Silicon blades for surgical and non-surgical use

A method for manufacturing surgical blades from either a crystalline or poly-crystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer, is disclosed. The method includes preparing the crystalline or poly-crystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. The methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, and a hot forge press. The wafers are then placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or poly-crystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single or double bevel blades. Nearly any angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5&#x2013;500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.

The present invention provides systems and methods for simulating certain regions of the anatomy involved in ophthalmological surgery. In particular, the present invention provides a practice cornea simulating dimensional, geometric and mechanical properties of a human cornea. In one embodiment, the practice cornea is seated in tight apposition to a simulated iris that is characterized by dimensional and geometric properties similar to a human iris. The practice cornea seated upon the simulated iris may be inserted into an aperture in a simulated sclera, forming therewith a smooth surface similar to that found in the anterior part of the human eye. The simulated sclera may be provided with dimensional and geometric characteristics resembling the human sclera. The combination of these elements provides an anatomic replica of the anterior part of the human eye upon which surgeons may realistically practice surgical techniques, in particular corneal incisions.

Incision trainer for ophthalmological surgery

A corneal incision device of the present invention includes a surgical blade and a frame having an inner surface with a configuration that is generally in the shape of a ring-like segment of a hollow sphere. The frame has an aperture therein to allow the surgical blade to be inserted through the frame beyond the inner surface. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow movement of the surgical blade in one axis. The device may have a protuberance affixed to the inner surface of the frame adjacent to the aperture disposed to distort a surface of a patient's eye when the device is selectively positioned on the eye by a practitioner. The device has provisions for holding, advancing and withdrawing the surgical blade through the aperture, disposed on the frame. The device is releasably retained on the patient's eye by fixation elements disposed on the inner surface of the frame. There is a handle affixed to the frame to facilitate the practitioner's manipulation of device.

Corneal incision device

A corneal marker and a method of using a corneal marker are disclosed. The corneal marker includes a handle having a head coupled thereto. The inferior surface of the head includes a set of protuberances which form marking surfaces adapted to simultaneously engage corneal tissue. The marking surfaces form opposing sets of marks which allow a surgeon to form an incision of precise length and width. An alignment line on the superior and/or front surface of the marker facilitates the positioning thereof. A method of performing clear corneal surgery following the application of markings to the cornea is also provided.

Marker for corneal incision

A corneal incision device includes a surgical blade and a frame having an inner surface with a configuration that is generally in the shape of a ring-like segment of a hollow sphere. The frame has an aperture therein to allow the surgical blade to be inserted through the frame beyond the inner surface. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow movement of the surgical blade in one axis. The device may have a protuberance affixed to the inner surface of the frame adjacent to the aperture disposed to distort a surface of a patient's eye when the device is selectively positioned on the eye by a practitioner. The device has provisions for holding, advancing and withdrawing the surgical blade through the aperture, disposed on the frame. The device is releasably retained on the patient's eye by fixation elements disposed on the inner surface of the frame. There is a handle affixed to the frame to facilitate the practitioner's manipulation of device.

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Cohasset, MA, United States of America

Joseph Francis Keenan