Abstract: A device for separating tissue in an eye includes a body configured to be positioned on the eye surface. The body receives air from one or more air supplies. The body includes one or more air supply channels. The separation device includes a plurality of needles extending from the body. Each needle includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The proximal openings of the needles are coupled to the one or more air supply channels. The distal openings of the needles are spaced from the body to be positioned in eye tissue. The one or more air supply channels direct the air from the one or more air supplies into the proximal openings, through the passageways, and out the distal openings of the needles and into the eye tissue. The air applies a pressure to separate the eye tissue.

Abstract: A device for separating tissue in an eye includes a body configured to be positioned on the eye surface. The body receives air from one or more air supplies. The body includes one or more air supply channels. The separation device includes a plurality of needles extending from the body. Each needle includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The proximal openings of the needles are coupled to the one or more air supply channels. The distal openings of the needles are spaced from the body to be positioned in eye tissue. The one or more air supply channels direct the air from the one or more air supplies into the proximal openings, through the passageways, and out the distal openings of the needles and into the eye tissue. The air applies a pressure to separate the eye tissue.

Abstract: A dissection system for corneal transplants includes a housing including a contact side to be positioned against a cornea. The housing includes an interior passageway with an opening at the contact side. The dissection system includes a blade assembly disposed in the interior passageway. The blade assembly includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade includes a first cutting edge and the second blade includes a second cutting edge. The first blade and the second blade are movable relative to the housing such that the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge extend through the opening of the housing and out of the interior passageway. The first cutting edge produces a first cut in the cornea. The second cutting edge produces a second cut in the cornea. The first cut and the second cut define a volume of tissue for removal from the cornea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of culturing corneal endothelial cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a composition for culturing or growing corneal endothelial cells, comprising at least one agent consisting of laminins and fragments thereof which express in corneal endothelial cells. Specifically, the present invention can comprise laminin 511 (alpha5 beta1 gamma1) and laminin 512 (alpha5 beta2 gamma 1). The present invention further provides a culture container for corneal endothelial cells, which is coated with the composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for culturing corneal endothelial cells comprising the step of using the composition or the container of the present invention to culture the corneal endothelial cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the normalized culturing of corneal endothelial cells. More specifically, the present invention provides a culture-normalizing-agent of a corneal endothelial cell, comprising a fibrosis inhibitor. In detail, the present invention provides a culture-normalizing agent comprising a transforming growth factor (TGF) ? signal inhibitor. The present invention also provides a culture medium for culturing a corneal endothelial cell normally, which comprises the culture-normalizing agent according to the present invention and corneal endothelium culture components. The present invention also provides a method for culturing a corneal endothelial cell normally, comprising the step of culturing a corneal endothelial cell using the culture-normalizing agent according to the present invention or the culture medium according to the present invention.

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

Abstract: Corneal transplant procedures may involve suturing an implant of healthy corneal tissue to a recipient cornea. The sutures may cause unwanted deformation of the corneal implant and the recipient cornea. A supporting structure may be embedded into the corneal implant to enhance the stability of the corneal implant and the recipient cornea and to reduce the likelihood of unwanted deformation when the corneal implant is sutured to the recipient cornea. According to one embodiment, a corneal implant includes donor corneal tissue extracted from a donor cornea. The donor corneal tissue includes an interior channel formed at a depth below an anterior surface. The corneal implant includes a supporting structure formed from non-tissue material and positioned in the channel.

Abstract: A device for manipulating an implant includes a handle coupled to a guide extending from the handle to a distal end. The device includes an engagement mechanism disposed at the distal end of the guide and configured to engage an implant. The device includes a first actuator disposed on the handle and coupled to the engagement mechanism. The first actuator causes the engagement mechanism to engage the implant. The device includes an air chamber disposed in an interior chamber of the handle and configured to hold air. The device includes a lumen coupled to the air chamber and extending along the guide to the distal end. The lumen includes an air channel extending through the lumen. The device includes a second actuator disposed on the handle. The second actuator causes the air chamber to deliver the air, via the air channel, to the distal end.

Abstract: Corneal transplant procedures may involve suturing an implant of healthy corneal tissue to a recipient cornea. The sutures may cause unwanted deformation of the corneal implant and the recipient cornea. A supporting structure may be embedded into the corneal implant to enhance the stability of the corneal implant and the recipient cornea and to reduce the likelihood of unwanted deformation when the corneal implant is sutured to the recipient cornea. According to one embodiment, a corneal implant includes donor corneal tissue extracted from a donor cornea. The donor corneal tissue includes an interior channel formed at a depth below an anterior surface. The corneal implant includes a supporting structure formed from non-tissue material and positioned in the channel.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of purification and preparation of cultured corneal endothelial cells, and in particular, to provide cell surface markers for use in corneal endothelial cells not including transformed cells. Provided are cell markers for distinguishing normal cells and transformed cells, in particular normal and transformed corneal endothelium cells. These cell markers relate to specific cell surface markers, for example, to a normal corneal endothelial surface marker such as CD166, and a transformed cell surface marker such as CD73. By using the transformed cell surface marker such as CD73 to remove transformed cells by sorting, it becomes possible to improve purity of a normal cultured corneal endothelium. By using normal corneal endothelial surface marker such as CD166, or by combined use with the transformed cell surface marker, it becomes possible to provide a means for verifying the purity of a prepared corneal endothelium.

Abstract: A dissection system for corneal transplants includes a housing including a contact side to be positioned against a cornea. The housing includes an interior passageway with an opening at the contact side. The dissection system includes a blade assembly disposed in the interior passageway. The blade assembly includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade includes a first cutting edge and the second blade includes a second cutting edge. The first blade and the second blade are movable relative to the housing such that the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge extend through the opening of the housing and out of the interior passageway. The first cutting edge produces a first cut in the cornea. The second cutting edge produces a second cut in the cornea. The first cut and the second cut define a volume of tissue for removal from the cornea.

Abstract: A device for manipulating an implant includes a handle coupled to a guide extending from the handle to a distal end. The device includes an engagement mechanism disposed at the distal end of the guide and configured to engage an implant. The device includes a first actuator disposed on the handle and coupled to the engagement mechanism. The first actuator causes the engagement mechanism to engage the implant. The device includes an air chamber disposed in an interior chamber of the handle and configured to hold air. The device includes a lumen coupled to the air chamber and extending along the guide to the distal end. The lumen includes an air channel extending through the lumen. The device includes a second actuator disposed on the handle. The second actuator causes the air chamber to deliver the air, via the air channel, to the distal end.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of purification and preparation of cultured corneal endothelial cells, and in particular, to provide cell surface markers for use in corneal endothelial cells not including transformed cells. Provided are cell markers for distinguishing normal cells and transformed cells, in particular normal and transformed corneal endothelium cells. These cell markers relate to specific cell surface markers, for example, to a normal corneal endothelial surface marker such as CD166, and a transformed cell surface marker such as CD73. By using the transformed cell surface marker such as CD73 to remove transformed cells by sorting, it becomes possible to improve purity of a normal cultured corneal endothelium. By using normal corneal endothelial surface marker such as CD166, or by combined use with the transformed cell surface marker, it becomes possible to provide a means for verifying the purity of a prepared corneal endothelium.

Abstract: A dissection system for corneal transplants includes a housing including a contact side to be positioned against a cornea. The housing includes an interior passageway with an opening at the contact side. The dissection system includes a blade assembly disposed in the interior passageway. The blade assembly includes a first blade and a second blade. The first blade includes a first cutting edge and the second blade includes a second cutting edge. The first blade and the second blade are movable relative to the housing such that the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge extend through the opening of the housing and out of the interior passageway. The first cutting edge produces a first cut in the cornea. The second cutting edge produces a second cut in the cornea. The first cut and the second cut define a volume of tissue for removal from the cornea.

Abstract: A device for separating tissue in an eye includes a body configured to be positioned on the eye surface. The body receives air from one or more air supplies. The body includes one or more air supply channels. The separation device includes a plurality of needles extending from the body. Each needle includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a passageway extending between the proximal and distal openings. The proximal openings of the needles are coupled to the one or more air supply channels. The distal openings of the needles are spaced from the body to be positioned in eye tissue. The one or more air supply channels direct the air from the one or more air supplies into the proximal openings, through the passageways, and out the distal openings of the needles and into the eye tissue. The air applies a pressure to separate the eye tissue.