Corneagen Inc.

Kevin Potts

Timothy G Baldwin

Edward J Holland

Jerry W Barker

Devices, kits and tools that facilitate pre-loading, storage, transportation and small incision, partial thickness corneal replacement procedures, including deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK), Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), using donor eye tissue are provided.

Medical tools for corneal tissue delivery

A technique can consistently achieve thicknesses of ≤50 μm for corneal tissue for 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 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 μm, or more particularly ≤50 μm, to produce a corneal graft.

Systems and methods for preparing corneal tissue for implant

A technique can consistently achieve thicknesses of &#x2264;50 &#x3bc;m for corneal tissue for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). Grafts with thicknesses of &#x2264;50 &#x3bc;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 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 &#x2264;100 &#x3bc;m, or more particularly &#x2264;50 &#x3bc;m, to produce a corneal graft.

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Lexington, NC, United States of America

Kevin Potts