The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 06, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 04, 1995
Applicant:
Inventor:
Alok Nigam, Trabuco Canyon, CA (US);
Assignee:
Chiron Vision Corporation, Claremont, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A61F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
606166 ; 606167 ; 606172 ; 606174 ;
Abstract
A cutting instrument for severing a thin layer of corneal tissue from the surface of the eye, preferably leaving a flap. The cutting instrument includes a body portion that forces the surface of the eye against an applanating surface through a vacuum. A blade with a cutting edge not perpendicular to the direction of travel is then urged across the surface of the eye, severing a thin layer of corneal tissue. The blade can then be retracted, the instrument removed, leaving a flap of corneal tissue suitable for surgical procedures to modify corneal curvature.