Abstract: There is disclosed a surgical device comprising a handle (14) for releasable attachment to a cartridge (1) adapted to hold an endothelial corneal implant in a scrolled or double coiled configuration. The handle has a forward end for releasable attachment to the cartridge, a rearward end and a gripping portion (60) between said forward and rearward ends. The gripping portion is substantially planar so as to facilitate being gripped between finger and thumb. The handle incorporates a first flexible fluid conduit (61) for releasable fluid connection to the cartridge at the forward end of the handle. There is further disclosed a surgical device comprising a handle having a forward end and a rearward end and a gripping portion between said forward and rearward ends. The gripping portion is substantially planar so as to facilitate being gripped between finger and thumb.

Abstract: There is disclosed a trephine guide having an upper guide member having a first substantially circular guide aperture and a first circumferential portion and a lower guide member having a second substantially circular guide aperture and a second circumferential portion. The upper and lower guide members are connected in a spaced apart configuration by at least one arm extending from the first circumferential portion to the second circumferential portion, such that the first and second guide apertures are substantially concentric, thereby to allow a trephine to pass through the upper and lower guide members. The at least one arm has a width that extends over less than three quarters of the circumference of the first or second circumferential portions to allow good visibility to a trephine blade.

Abstract: There is disclosed a trephine guide having an upper guide member having a first substantially circular guide aperture and a first circumferential portion and a lower guide member having a second substantially circular guide aperture and a second circumferential portion. The upper and lower guide members are connected in a spaced apart configuration by at least one arm extending from the first circumferential portion to the second circumferential portion, such that the first and second guide apertures are substantially concentric, thereby to allow a trephine to pass through the upper and lower guide members. The at least one arm has a width that extends over less than three quarters of the circumference of the first or second circumferential portions to allow good visibility to a trephine blade.

Abstract: Trephine apparatus has an outer casing with means defining a substantially cylindrical passage, or aperture, opening at a substantially circular lower end element, and an inner, substantially cylindrical tube having a bore opening at a substantially circular lower end element, the lower end element of the inner tube being upwardly spaced, or recessed, from the lower end element of the outer casing within the passage. A substantially cylindrical trephine blade is mounted within the bore of the inner tube by means that is so constructed as to enable raising and lowering of the blade relative to the end elements of the outer casing and the inner tube. At least a lower end element of the outer casing, or a base portion including it, is made of a non-opaque material, enabling edge-on viewing of the basal element of the inner tube and the blade, such as by use of a microscope, without parallax between the blade and the basal element of the inner tube.

Abstract: A system for use in preparing a lenticular or corneal implant includes a cartridge having a generally tubular portion, comprised of a sidewall defining a longitudinal bore of curvilinear cross section and having open forward and rearward ends. The system also includes a preparation base with an upper portion having a recess and cartridge-receiving structure for removably engaging the cartridge in position with the open, rearward end of the longitudinal bore thereof proximate one side of the recess, allowing for facile removal of the cartridge from the base. An insert member has structure for removably engaging it in the recess, and has one portion defining a platform for receiving the implant and another, adjacent portion defining funnel structure having a wider end facing the platform and a narrower end facing the open rearward end of the cartridge.

Abstract: The system for donor cornea implantation includes a preparation base having a well for receiving a posterior lamellar donor corneal lenticule, a cartridge disengageably mounted on the base adjacent the well, and a handle for disengageable attachment to a posterior end portion of the cartridge. In drawing the donor lenticule from the well into and through a bore or chamber of the cartridge, from the posterior end, the lenticule is caused to assume a double coil configuration. After attachment of the handle, removal of the assembly from the preparation base, and insertion of blade and adjacent body portions of the cartridge through an incision in the cornea, the coiled donor lenticule is pulled from the cartridge bore through its forward end, to uncoil automatically within the anterior chamber of the recipient's eye.

Abstract: A corneal punch comprising a base unit having a first annular mating surface surrounding a well in which a donor cornea may be located, and a separate guide unit including an inner annular guide shaft and an outer locating ring connected to the guide shaft and having a second annular mating surface. The base unit and the guide unit may be releasably positioned in registration with each other by way of the first and second mating surfaces such that the guide shaft is substantially coaxial with the well.

Abstract: Trephine apparatus has an outer casing with means defining a substantially cylindrical passage, or aperture, opening at a substantially circular lower end element, and an inner, substantially cylindrical tube having a bore opening at a substantially circular lower end element, the lower end element of the inner tube being upwardly spaced, or recessed, from the lower end element of the outer casing within the passage. A substantially cylindrical trephine blade is mounted within the bore of the inner tube by means that is so constructed as to enable raising and lowering of the blade relative to the end elements of the outer casing and the inner tube. At least a lower end element of the outer casing, or a base portion including it, is made of a non-opaque material, enabling edge-on viewing of the basal element of the inner tube and the blade, such as by use of a microscope, without parallax between the blade and the basal element of the inner tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of separating a posterior endothelial layer of a donor cornea having an epithelium, layers of stroma, a Descemet's membrane and an endothelium, after the donor cornea has been harvested from a cadaver. The method comprises the steps of mounting the donor cornea on an artificial anterior chamber provided with a datum point and means for receiving a microkeratome and using the microkeratome to separate the posterior endothelial layer of the donor cornea. The artificial anterior chamber is configured such that the datum point is located at a predetermined height relative to the endothelium when the donor cornea is mounted, and a cutting height of the microkeratome is set to a predetermined height with reference to the datum point. There is also disclosed an artificial anterior chamber and a microkeratome for use with the method.

Abstract: A corneal punch comprising a base unit having a first annular mating surface surrounding a well in which a donor cornea may be located, and a separate guide unit including an inner annular guide shaft and an outer locating ring connected to the guide shaft and having a second annular mating surface. The base unit and the guide unit may be releasably positioned in registration with each other by way of the first and second mating surfaces such that the guide shaft is substantially coaxial with the well.