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:
Sep. 10, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 23, 2000
Cesar C. Carriazo, Barranquilla, CO;
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus which attaches to microkeratome surgical devices. The disposable microkeratome blade housing apparatus securely attaches to the surgical devices but remains independent of the motor, gearing and cutting head components. In a first embodiment, the blade housing includes a knife edged blade, a blade holder, plaque and flexible coupling structure. The snap tight coupling structure provides a self-positioning, secure attachment of the housing to existing compatible and accommodating microkeratomes. In a second embodiment, the blade housing and cutting head are integral and include a knife edged blade, a blade holder, and a plaque. The blade housing/cutting head combination of the second embodiment is entirely disposable and fixedly secured to said motor. In both embodiments, the blade holder is acted upon by the motor and gearing to oscillate the blade holder in the housing. As the microkeratome advances over the eye, the plaque portion of the housing partially compresses the cornea just ahead of the blade. The partial compression produced by the plaque along with the blade define the shape and depth of the corneal resection. The disposable blade housing is fabricated from materials selected from a group consisting of polymers, composites and ceramics.