Abstract: A blade assembly that can be assembled into a microkeratome which is used to cut a cornea. The blade assembly is constructed in a manner that minimizes the tolerance of the cutting depth into the cornea. The blade assembly includes a blade holder that can be pressed onto a blade. The relative position of the blade holder and the blade can be established with a tool assembly that accurately controls the distance between a reference surface of the blade holder and the cutting edge of the blade. This distance defines the cutting depth of the blade. The tool allows a manufacturer to closely control the cutting depth of the blade assembly. The blade holder may have a color or other indicator that provides an indication of the cutting depth of the blade assembly. The blade assembly may be carried in a package that has an opening to allow visual inspection of the blade. The package may have a color or other indicator that provides a visual indication of the blade cutting depth.

Abstract: A medical device that can be used to cut a cornea. The device includes a blade that is located within an opening of a ring. The ring can be placed onto a cornea. The device may further have a first drive mechanism that moves the blade in a first direction and a separate second drive mechanism that moves the blade in a second direction. The first drive mechanism may be controlled by a first input device. The second drive mechanism may be controlled by a second input device. The separate input devices and drive mechanisms may allow a surgeon to vary the shape and size of the corneal cut.

Abstract: A surgical cutting system. The cutting system includes a cutter which has an inner sleeve that moves adjacent to an aspiration port of an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is coupled to a source of vacuum that pulls tissue into the outer port when the inner sleeve is moved away from the port. The inner sleeve then moves across the outer port and severs the tissue in a guillotine fashion. The tip of the inner sleeve may exert a spring force that assist in the cutting action of the cutter. The cutter includes a motor which creates an oscillating translational movement of the sleeve. The motor can be controlled by a controller that is coupled a foot pedal. The foot pedal and controller can be configured so that the motor decreases speed as the pedal is depressed by the operator. The inner sleeve is coupled to an aspiration line that pulls the severed tissue out of the cutter. The level of the aspiration vacuum pressure can be controlled by a variable regulator valve.

Abstract: A medical device that can be used to cut a cornea. The device may include a head that houses a blade. The head and blade can be moved across a ring by a drive assembly. The drive assembly may also move the blade relative to the head to resect the cornea. The head may have a pair of tongues that can slide along corresponding grooves in the ring. The tongues and grooves may be configured so that the head can be loaded onto the ring from a vertical direction.

Abstract: A surgical tissue cutter. The cutter includes an inner sleeve that moves adjacent to an outer port of an outer sleeve. The outer port is coupled to a source of vacuum that pulls tissue into the outer port when the inner sleeve is moved away from the port. The inner sleeve then moves across the outer port and severs the tissue in a guillotine fashion. The inner sleeve is coupled to a rotating output shaft of a motor by a wobble plate which induces an oscillating translational movement of the sleeve in response to a rotation of the output shaft. The motor speed is controlled by a foot pedal which allows the surgeon to directly control the cutting speed of the device. The wobble plate can be replaced to vary the stroke and duty cycle of the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve is coupled to an aspiration line that pulls the severed tissue out of the cutter. The level of the aspiration vacuum pressure can be controlled by varying the speed of the motor and the movement of the inner sleeve.