Abstract: A system (100) and method for preparing a corneal graft from a corneo-scleral button for keratoplasty, such as DLEK, DSEK, or DSAEK, are characterized by the combination of a sterile, disposable, artificial anterior chamber (102) for holding a corneo-scleral button, and a sterile, disposable keratome (104, 130) having a cutting blade (136) for cutting a corneal flap or resection from the button. The keratome (104, 130) and the artificial chamber (102) are substantially entirely plastic and disposable, and a reusable control assembly (106, 400) is connected to the keratome (104, 130) by a control cable (402) to automatically cut the button. The control cable (402) includes a shaft (406) movable within a sheath (404). The artificial chamber (102) includes a stand (112) for supporting a corneo-scleral button, and a cap (114, 302) mountable to the stand (112) to hold the button in place while it is cut.

Abstract: A system (20) for ophthalmic surgery includes a control assembly (24) placed away from the patient to prevent contamination, and a sterile disposable microkeratome (22) for performing surgery on a patient's eye. The disposable microkeratome is connected to the reusable control assembly by a cable (28). The microkeratome includes a base that sits on the eye, and a carriage that supports and guides a cutting blade as it moves relative to the base. The base includes a main portion that holds the microkeratome on the eye and a handle that extends away from the main portion. The cable is connected to the microkeratome at an end of the handle spaced from the main portion to help maintain the sterility of that portion of the microkeratome.

Abstract: A system (20) for ophthalmic surgery includes a control assembly (24) placed away from the patient to prevent contamination, and a sterile disposable microkeratome (22) for performing surgery on a patient's eye. The disposable microkeratome is connected to the reusable control assembly by a cable (28). The microkeratome includes a base that sits on the eye, and a carriage that supports and guides a cutting blade as it moves relative to the base. The base includes a main portion that holds the microkeratome on the eye and a handle that extends away from the main portion. The cable is connected to the microkeratome at an end of the handle spaced from the main portion to help maintain the sterility of that portion of the microkeratome.

Abstract: A system (20) for making a consistent and uniformly thick resection of the cornea includes a plurality of microkeratomes (22) individually and interchangeably connectable to a controller (24). Each microkeratome (22) has a base that mounts on an eye, a cutting blade that having a cutting edge and an applanator spaced above the cutting edge of the cutting blade. The base has an aperture for receiving an eye therethrough. The microkeratomes (22) have a different size apertures or different blade gap distances between the cutting edge and a bottom of the applanator. The microkeratome (22) is mostly made of plastic, which allows the microkeratome to be used when wet, improving the operation of the microkeratome.

Abstract: A system (20) for ophthalmic surgery includes a control assembly (24) placed away from the patient to prevent contamination, and a sterile disposable microkeratome (22) for performing surgery on a patient's eye. The disposable microkeratome is connected to the reusable control assembly by a cable (28). The microkeratome includes a base that sits on the eye, and a carriage that supports and guides a cutting blade as it moves relative to the base. The base includes a main portion that holds the microkeratome on the eye and a handle that extends away from the main portion. The cable is connected to the microkeratome at an end of the handle spaced from the main portion to help maintain the sterility of that portion of the microkeratome.

Abstract: A microkeratome for keratomileusis ophthalmic surgery having a base, a carriage mounted to the base and a cutting blade carried in the carriage. The carriage is guided for movement in an axial cutting direction and the cutting blade is movable in an oscillating motion transverse to the cutting direction. In addition, the carriage is movable in the cutting direction without imparting the oscillating motion to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A microkeratome for keratomileusis ophthalmic surgery having a base, a carriage mounted to the base and a cutting blade carried in the carriage. The carriage is guided for movement in an axial cutting direction and the cutting blade is movable in an oscillating motion transverse to the cutting direction. In addition, the carriage is movable in the cutting direction without imparting the oscillating motion to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A microkeratome for keratomileusis ophthalmic surgery having a base, a carriage mounted to the base and a cutting blade carried in the carriage. The carriage is guided for movement in an axial cutting direction and the cutting blade is movable in an oscillating motion transverse to the cutting direction. In addition, the carriage is movable in the cutting direction without imparting the oscillating motion to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A microkeratome for keratomileusis ophthalmic surgery having a base, a carriage mounted to the base and a cutting blade carried in the carriage. The carriage is guided for movement in an axial cutting direction and the cutting blade is movable in an oscillating motion transverse to the cutting direction. In addition, the carriage is movable in the cutting direction without imparting the oscillating motion to the cutting blade.

Abstract: A corneal surgical instrument comprising a surgical knife and ultrasonic probe assembly (12) that measures the corneal thickness, monitors the positioning and perpendicularity of the knife (37) and controls the depth of the knife blade (37). The ultrasonic probe assembly (15) includes a pair of ultrasonic probes (47) disposed on opposite sides of the knife blade (37). Information on monitored parameters is displayed to the surgeon.

Abstract: A corneal surgical instrument comprising a surgical knife and ultrasonic probe assembly that measures the corneal thickness, monitors the positioning and perpendicularity of the knife and controls the depth of the knife blade. The ultrasonic probe assembly includes a pair of ultrasonic probes disposed on opposite sides of said cutting plane of the knife blade. Information on monitored parameters is displayed to the surgeon in the display of a surgical instrument used to perform corneal surgery.