Abstract: A positioning assembly for retaining, positioning and at least partially exposing a cornea of an eye during a surgical procedure. The positioning assembly includes a positioning segment having a retention plate with an aperture to receive and expose the cornea, and a flange member disposed about the aperture and structured to engage the eye. The positioning assembly further includes a suctioning assembly having a vacuum port extending vertically from the positioning segment and angled outwardly away from a guide track integrally disposed on in the retention plate to define an arcuate cutting path for a microkeratome cutting head assembly. A pivot assembly including at least a post member is further provided which operably interconnects the cutting head assembly and the post member. A cut origination control is provided at the post member to define an origination point.

Abstract: A microkeratome cutting head assembly 10. A cutting blade 14 of the assembly 10 has a nominal length and presents a forward cutting edge 22. An applanation member 12 for applanating a cornea of an eye includes a trailing portion 18 having a curved section presenting an apex 20. The forward cutting edge 22 of the cutting blade 14 of the nominal length is positioned relative to the apex 20 so that together the forward cutting edge 22 and the apex 20 define a desired thickness of a flap 50 to be created from the cornea 48 such that the flap 50 is essentially not compressed.

Abstract: A microkeratome cutting head 10 includes a body 12 for securing a cornea cutting element and presents a leading cornea engaging portion 18, 20, 22. The leading cornea engaging portion is tapered so that in operation the cutting head 10 gradually compresses a cornea and thus minimizes epithelial damage to the cornea.

Abstract: A surgical handpiece and tip having two coaxial tubes or channels mounted within a body. The first tube is used for aspiration and is smaller in diameter than the second tube so as to create an annular passage between the first and second tube. The annular passage communicates with a pumping chamber formed between two electrodes. The pumping chamber works by boiling a small volume of the surgical fluid. As the fluid boils, it expands rapidly, thereby propelling the liquid downstream of the pumping chamber out of the annular passage. The distal end of the annular gap is sealed by a nozzle at the distal ends of the first and second tube and a plurality of orifices or ports may be formed in the nozzle. As the expanding gas is propelled down the annular gap, the gas/liquid stream is forced out of the distal orifice in a controlled and directed manner.

Abstract: An artificial chamber that can support and pressurize a donor cornea to extract a corneal graft. The artificial chamber has a stationary stem that is adapted to support a cornea. The stem has an inner channel that allows air to pressurize the cornea. The artificial chamber has an outer cap that can be moved in a downward direction to secure the cornea. The cap has an opening that exposes a portion of the cornea to allow for the extraction of a corneal graft. The outer cap is attached to an outer sleeve that is moved by rotation of a cam. The chamber includes a spring that exerts a clamping force onto the cornea. The clamping force can be adjusted by rotating an adjustment wheel. The adjustable spring force allows an operator to set a desired clamping force that is then repeated for each grafting procedure.

Abstract: A blade holder is provided for receiving and holding a keratome blade. The keratome blade used with the blade holder is of material so as to be attracted to a magnetic field. The blade holder includes a handle portion configured to be grasped by a user. A head portion is coupled to the handle portion and has a receiving surface sized to receive at least a portion of the keratome blade. The head portion is constructed and arranged to facilitate application of a magnetic field to attract the keratome blade such that the keratome blade can be carried by the receiving surface of the head portion. Hence, the blade can be inspected and loaded into a keratome having only been contacted by the sterile blade holder.

Abstract: A retractable ophthalmic surgical tool includes a shell, slidable insert, slide button, spring, and blade. The shell is preferably a hollow tube. A first slot is formed through the wall of the shell at substantially a first end thereof. A second slot is formed through the wall of the shell at substantially a middle of the shell length. A connecting slot is formed between the first and second slots to enable the slide button to be slid therebetween. The slidable insert includes a body, a first cantilever arm, and a second cantilever arm. The blade is preferably inserted into a first end of the body. The first cantilever arm extends from substantially a middle of said body and the second cantilever arm extends from an end of the first cantilever arm. The slide button is attached to a top of the second cantilever arm at assembly. At least one side of the body has a groove formed therein to provide clearance for the spring. A hole is formed through a middle of the body for attachment of one end of the spring.

Abstract: An improved positioning assembly for positioning a cornea of an eye during surgery includes a positioning element, a suction force operably coupled to the positioning element to temporarily attach it to the eye, and a suction enhancement assembly. The positioning element includes a retention plate, having an aperture defined therein to receive the cornea of the eye for engagement with an interior rim disposed in surrounding relation about the aperture, and a flange member extending downwardly from the retention plate in spaced, surrounding relation to the aperture. The positioning element further includes a vacuum port in fluid flow communication with a point radially exterior of the aperture such that a suction force applied therethrough secures the positioning segment to the eye with the cornea protruding through the aperture.

Abstract: This invention involves an improved surgical method and associated apparatus for correcting refractive defects of the vision, using an intracorneal implant. A small radial incision is made in the periphery of the cornea, near the limbus and a blunt spatula is used to separate the lamellae of the corneal stroma. A circular interlamellar pathway through the stroma is formed using either a single 360 degree blunt, arc-shaped dissector tool or a pair of clockwise and counterclockwise 180-200 degree dissector tools. The circular pathway created defines the margin or outer boundary of an intracorneal channel that will be formed. The intracorneal channel is then expanded radially inward in a controlled stepwise fashion to widen the channel or to create an intracorneal pocket. This is done by introducing a dissector tool with a side leg into the incision and moving the dissector tool in an arc-shaped path to widen the intracorneal channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blade (1) consisting of a carrier member (7) and a foil (5) of amorphous metal joined to the carrier member via an adhesive layer (9), said amorphous metal forming the cutting edge (3) of the blade. The cutting edge (3) of the blade is formed by a one-sided ground section extending over the carrier material as well as the amorphous metal. The use of the foil (5) of amorphous metal allows the manufacture of an inexpensive blade having a high sharpness and a, with respect to the blade body, exactly defined position of the cutting edge (3).

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: An incising apparatus for cataract surgery is provided. The incising apparatus includes a handle having a proximal end and a distal end. A circular cutting band is adapted to slide along the handle. At least one stopper element is provided in the vicinity of the proximal end of the handle. The at least one stopper element is positioned within the interior of the circular band so as to restrict the motion of the circular band relative to the handle.

Abstract: A device for surgery of the cornea comprising:

Abstract: A corneal incision device of the present invention includes a surgical blade and a frame having an inner surface with a configuration that is generally in the shape of a ring-like segment of a hollow sphere. The frame has an aperture therein to allow the surgical blade to be inserted through the frame beyond the inner surface. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow movement of the surgical blade in one axis. The device may have a protuberance affixed to the inner surface of the frame adjacent to the aperture disposed to distort a surface of a patient's eye when the device is selectively positioned on the eye by a practitioner. The device has provisions for holding, advancing and withdrawing the surgical blade through the aperture, disposed on the frame. The device is releasably retained on the patient's eye by fixation elements disposed on the inner surface of the frame. There is a handle affixed to the frame to facilitate the practitioner's manipulation of device.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument having a handle and a dissecting tip coupled to the handle is disclosed. The handle includes a cannula for transporting surgical fluid. The dissecting tip includes a blade for dissecting tissue and an aperture for delivering the fluid. The instrument may be used to more effectively create an intracorneal pocket for the implantation of an intracorneal optical lens.

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 microsurgical instrument that includes a handle and a dissecting tip coupled to the handle is disclosed. The tip includes a blade having a generally elliptical three-dimensional geometry. The blade may include an edge having a first arc and an opposing second arc. When the instrument is used to form an intracorneal pocket for the implantation of an intracorneal optical lens, the curvature of the first arc allows the edge to dissect a first blind spot of the pocket, and the curvature of the second arc allows the edge to dissect a second blind spot of the pocket. The blade may also be formed with a first depression in its top surface and a second depression in its bottom surface. When the instrument is used to form an intracorneal pocket, the depressions reduce the drag on, and corresponding trauma to, stromal tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is used to cut a substantially oblong corneal flap to facilitate reshaping of a live cornea. In particular, the method and apparatus of cutting a substantially oblong corneal flap is used during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery to correct hyperopia. A cornea holding device is positioned over the live cornea such that a portion of the cornea extends through a substantially oblong opening in the cornea holding device. The portion of the cornea conforms to the oblong shape of the opening and is cut to form a substantially oblong corneal flap. The substantially oblong corneal flap is folded over to expose an oblong inner corneal surface. A laser is directed at the oblong corneal surface to ablate a ring-shaped region. The oblong shape of the corneal flap and the exposed inner corneal surface allows the laser ablation to occur without damaging the connecting portion of the corneal flap or corneal blood vessels which extend vertically in the cornea.

Abstract: A corneal surgical apparatus for incising a cornea of a patient's eye in a layered form includes: a suction ring unit, having a circular opening, that is to be vacuum-fixed onto a peripheral part of the cornea; a rotatable shaft; an eccentric pin projecting from a distal end of the shaft, the eccentric pin being located at a position offset from a rotational central axis of the shaft; and a cutting unit movable in an incising direction above the suction ring unit.

Abstract: The present invention involves a surgical instrument for guiding a delamination instrument into the cornea of a human eye. The instrument generally includes a handle portion and an end portion. The end portion has at least two flat (or substantially flat) members extending therefrom and in different directions. Each of the members being adapted to be inserted through an incision in the cornea to form a guide for a corneal delamination instrument. With at least two members extending in different directions one may easily access either pocket formed from a corneal incision with a single tool.

Abstract: A keratome includes a body configured to be movable during a stroke thereof with respect to a suction ring assembly. The body includes spring structure constructed and arranged to resiliently contact a portion of the suction ring assembly at an end of the stroke of the body.

Abstract: A microkeratotome for the dissection of lamellae of corneal tissue includes a body (1) inside which a chassis (8) is housed where two motors (10) and (12) are installed which provide the oscillation of the corresponding cutting blade and the movement of the head (21) in which the cutting blade itself (20) is situated, all of which is combined with a suction ring (24) which immobilizes and imparts vacuum pressure to the eyeball through an orifice, the vacuum pressure being distributed simultaneously from the ring (24) through a peripheral channel situated in the same. The said ring is prevented from coming loose due to the maximum pressure reached in the eye when the unit is mounted upon it. It also includes an electronic control unit which has, according to the keratometry appropriate to the patient, several programmes which predefine cutting qualities.

Abstract: A microkeratome and method for performing lamellar keratoplasty is disclosed. The microkeratome consist of a cutting blade with a curved sharp edge. In surgery, a programmed curved guide rail is utilized to guide the cutting blade to move along a programmed curved path so that achieve a near spherical curved cutting pathway so as to cut the cornea in near its original un-flattened normal position. The microkeratome for performing lamellar keratoplasty includes a vacuum suction ring with guide rails, a cutting head assembly with a cambered cutting blade and curved front press and curved rear press. By controlling the internal components of the tool so that the vacuum suction ring can fix an eyeball.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new approach to reshaping of the cornea, e.g., for refraction change, using multiple, displaced planar cuts and a custom shaping template. Large refractive change and/or substantial tissue removal can be obtained by a two-cut approach to reshaping of the cornea to a desired shape using a template or applanator. The process begins with a planar template being applied to the cornea. The template includes one or more moveable sections or cams positioned to provide an overall flat contact surface with the cornea. Then, a first cut is made by a water microjet producing a hinged flap. The first cut is parallel to but displaced from the anterior cornea surface in contact with the template. Then the template cam or cams are repositioned to change the shape of the cornea surface in situ in preparation for the second cut. The hinged flap is not moved; it remains in contact with the stromal bed. The second cut is along the same path as the first cut.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a high speed liquid jet used in forming ophthalmic incisions includes an instrument body having an elongated rectangular portion and a tapered end portion. An applanation suction ring assembly is secured to the tapered end, and is provided with a stepped opening extending axially therethrough. A carriage assembly extends longitudinally within the instrument body, and a pair of high precision crossed roller slides join the carriage and body to permit lateral translation of the carriage. A micro-motor assembly secured within the body is joined to a pinion gear which engages a rack gear joined to the carriage to drive the carriage in lateral translation. The carriage includes a proximal connector for a high pressure fluid hose, and a jet nozzle assembly extending from the distal end. A plurality of guide members are provided, all having common structural features adapted to engage the stepped opening of the distal end of the instrument body.

Abstract: A keratome includes a head assembly having a cutting head and blade for cutting corneal tissue and an applanation member associated with the cutting head. The keratome includes an eyeball retaining structure and at least one sensor is associated with the keratome providing measurement of a respective at least one operative factor during cutting of the corneal tissue.

Abstract: A microkeratome and related surgical methods for performing lamellar keratotomies are provided. The microkeratome includes a guide ring assembly for placement on the eyeball, or ocular globe such that the globe's cornea protrudes therethrough. The guide ring can be temporarily fixed to the ocular globe, immobilizing the eyeball relative to the instrument. A cutting blade suitable for corneal resections is carried in a cutting head over the guide ring through a cutting path defined by the guide ring. An adjustable float head, also generally known as a plaque, is connected to the cutting head for at least partially compressing the cornea ahead of the blade, so as to set the desired thickness of the corneal resection. The cutting head and float head can be driven across the guide ring, whereby the blade cuts at least partially through the cornea to perform the lamellar keratotomy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical scalpel for incising a spherical biological tissue comprising a shank and a planar blade portion being associated to said shank and having a first face and a second face opposed in parallel as a whole with each other. The blade portion has a pointed end to thereby show a reverse-V profile and has, on both sides of such pointed end, an edge in parallel as a whole with said first face and said second face and the blade portion is formed so as to have a ratio of the partial thickness thereof on one side of a virtual flat plane surrounded by said edge to the total thickness thereof which resides within a range from 75 to 93%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for using the apparatus for injecting an agent into a tissue, particularly into thin tissues such as the sclera of the eye. The invention provides an apparatus and method for effectively imbedding a needle into a tissue at a predetermined penetration approach angle and penetration distance thereby reducing the risk of penetrating the full thickness of the tissue. The invention includes a support element and a needle guide platform disposed on the support element with an external support surface and a channel extending therethrough and terminating in an aperture at the support surface. A needle disposed in the channel is axially movable along an axis of injection through the channel. The needle is movable from a first retracted position to an extended position corresponding to the penetration distance, along the axis of injection.

Abstract: A surgical device for cutting substantially across a cornea of an eye of a patient, the device including a positioning ring structured to be temporarily attached to a portion of the eye surrounding the cornea to be cut, and defining an aperture sized to receive and expose the cornea to be cut. The surgical device further includes a cutting head assembly structured to be guided and driven over an upper surface of the positioning ring in a generally arcuate path, and having a cutting element positioned therein and structured to oscillate laterally to facilitate smooth and effective cutting of the cornea. The cutting head assembly is structured to be detachably coupled to the positioning ring while simultaneously permitting movement of the cutting head assembly relative to the positioning ring along the generally arcuate path.

Abstract: A microkeratome is provided for performing a lamellar keratotomy of an ocular globe. The microkeratome includes a guide ring assembly adapted for placement on the ocular globe and suction conduit for temporarily fixing the guide ring to the ocular globe. A cutting head containing a cutting blade suitable for corneal resections is also provided. A vertical support assembly is connected to the guide ring and supports the cutting head for rotation about a horizontal axis such that rotation of the cutting head about the horizontal axis moves the cutting blade along an arcuate cutting path into engagement with the cornea of the ocular globe.

Abstract: A corneal surgical apparatus, which can smoothly incise the cornea (particularly the Bowman's membrane at the cutting start) while ensuring the cutting ability of the blade with a simple arrangement. After a suction unit is fixed to a periphery of the cornea of patient's eye, the cornea projecting from an opening portion provided in the suction unit is applanated substantially flatly, and the applanated cornea is incised in a layered form by a blade. The blade is moved such that any point on the blade depicts an arcuate locus of the same shape.

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: An instrument for producing a fistula through a tissue wall of an eye of a patient. The instrument has a housing with a flat blade supported in the housing for penetrating through the tissue wall to form an incised slit in the wall forming a tunnel therein. By rotating the housing and the flat blade a lamellar flap can be formed at the top of the tunnel. The housing contains a second cutting device to remove a large portion of tissue material at the bottom of the tunnel producing an aperture joined to the slit for forming the fistula. The cutting device can be a curved blade having a scoop-shaped cross-section, a punch or an optical fiber capable of transmitting a laser beam. The cutting device is operated while the flat blade remains in the tunnel.

Abstract: A positioning assembly for retaining, positioning and at least partially exposing a cornea of an eye during a surgical procedure, the eye being disposed in a latitudinally narrowed ocular access. The positioning assembly includes a positioning segment having a retention plate with an aperture defined therein to receive and expose the cornea of the eye, and a flange member disposed about the aperture, a closely spaced apart distance from a latitudinal radius thereof, and structured to engage the eye. The positioning assembly further includes a suctioning assembly operably associated with the positioning segment for at least temporarily attaching the positioning segment to the eye, the suctioning assembly including a vacuum port extending vertically from the positioning segment and angled outwardly away from a guide track integrally disposed on the retention plate to define an arcuate cutting path for a microkeratome cutting head assembly.

Abstract: A microkeratome for use with a handpiece and a microkeratome blade, the microkeratome having a positioning assembly and a head portion with a base portion and an insert portion. The positioning assembly has a platform with a corneal opening and a suction ring for application to the surface of the patient's eyeball. The positioned assembly has two spaced apart guide walls that are high enough to prevent a patient's eyelids from passing over the upper surface of the positioning assembly. The base portion has a lower planar face with a base slot extending therethrough through which the microkeratome blade will extend, and opposing sides with skates to slidably engage with inner sliding surfaces of guide walls. The insert portion lockably fits into the base portion. Stops are present to control the amount of uncut corneal flap.

Abstract: Instruments and methods are provided which permit a surgeon to implant multiple radial inserts within a patient's cornea through one or more incisions made into the cornea. Instruments provided by the invention include a corneal marker, a radial pocket-forming instrument, and a positioning instrument. In one method provided by the invention, the surgeon uses the corneal marker to mark the patient's cornea with an incision mark, radial pocket marks, and circumferential channels marks simultaneously. The surgeon forms clockwise and counter-clockwise intrastromal circumferential channels through a single incision into the cornea, and then the surgeon inserts the radial pocket-forming instrument through the incision and into one of the circumferential channels to form radial pockets beneath the radial pocket marks. The surgeon inserts radial intrastromal inserts through the incision and into the circumferential channels and positions them within the radial pockets using the positioning instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a circularly or substantially circularly shaped pocket between layers of a live cornea, and then, expanding the pocket to form a flap-like layer at the front of the live cornea which is pivotally attached to the remainder of the cornea by a flap connecting section. The cutting tool of the apparatus preferably has a circular or substantially circular cutting portion which is inserted into the cornea and reciprocated to form the pocket. Suction is applied to the front surface of the cornea to stabilize the cornea during the pocket forming process.

Abstract: A corneal surgical apparatus for incising a cornea of a patient's eye in a layered form includes: a suction ring unit, having a circular opening, that is to be vacuum-fixed onto a peripheral part of the cornea; a rotatable shaft; an eccentric pin projecting from a distal end of the shaft, the eccentric pin being located at a position offset from a rotational central axis of the shaft; and a cutting unit movable in an incising direction above the suction ring unit.

Abstract: This invention is a surgical device for producing a circular, interlamellar channel within the corneal stroma. An intracorneal ring can be implanted into this channel at the corneal periphery modifying the corneal curvature while sparing the important central optical zone of the cornea. This channel is formed by the sequential use of two separate instruments. The first instrument, the channel-guide dissector, is a circular dissecting instrument which is a split ring dissector with the dissecting end having a blunt tip and the other end connected to a handle. The important aspect of this channel-guide dissector is that it has a relatively narrow width which results in production of a lamellar corneal channel that is typically too narrow for the insertion of a typical intracorneal ring for myopic adjustment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a corneal pocketing tool for separating the lamella of the cornea. The corneal pocketing tool has a dissector portion for insertion into a corneal incision and a reference surface or region adapted to contact the cornea. As the dissector is advanced into the corneal incision the reference region comes into contact with the surface of the cornea and resists further advancement of the dissector. As the reference region is moved in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the dissector portion follows in the same direction forming a pocket in the cornea.

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 surface and pupillary cardinal axes marker instrument and a method of corneal marking are provided for purposes of astigmatic refractive surgery. The instrument comprises a head and a handle. The head features a blade and point marker assembly having readily visible ends as well as a blade assembly concept with a horizontally placed inclinometer allowing the exact determination and marking of the cardinal axes of the pupil, the marking of the surface of the corneal flap in LASIK surgery, and the measurement of positional eye cyclotorsion. The marking method involves preoperatively marking the corneal surface with suitable indicia in a pattern of radial lines extending over the inferior half of the cornea. The marking is done preoperatively while the patient is sitting at the slit lamp, with the inclinometer of the instrument horizontally leveled.

Abstract: A corneal surgical apparatus for incising a cornea of a patient's eye in a layered form includes: a suction ring unit, having a circular opening, that is to be vacuum-fixed onto a peripheral part of the cornea; a rotatable shaft; an eccentric pin projecting from a distal end of the shaft, the eccentric pin being located at a position offset from a rotational central axis of the shaft; and a cutting unit movable in an incising direction above the suction ring unit.

Abstract: A microkeratome for improved corneal flap production for corneal surgery. The microkeratome, having a first aperture and a cutting blade, includes a second aperture located just below the plane of the cutting blade and through which a corneal plug protrudes in preparation for the lamellar cut of the microkeratome to create a uniformly thick lamellar flap of predetermined diameter and depth. The second aperture can include a second cutting blade. The microkeratome also includes a transparent applanation plate positioned at a predetermined distance above the plane of the cutting blade and an adjustable stop to prevent complete transection of the corneal flap.

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 stabilizer and method of lens capsule retraction. The stabilizer includes a shaft, a stabilizing bend extending from the shaft, and a shank terminating at a termination end. The bend is between the shank and the shaft and is configured to provide a hook-like configuration. A distance between a trough of the stabilizing bend and the termination end is between 1.6 mm and 5.0 mm, preferably between 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm.

Abstract: A medical system that includes a foot pedal which can be used to actuate a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be coupled to an actuator assembly and inserted into a cornea. The actuator assembly may be coupled to the foot pedal by a cable. The foot pedal may include a platform that can be depressed by a surgeon to move the cable and actuate the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A corneal marker and a method of using a corneal marker are disclosed. The corneal marker includes a handle having a head coupled thereto. The inferior surface of the head includes a set of protuberances which form marking surfaces adapted to simultaneously engage corneal tissue. The marking surfaces form opposing sets of marks which allow a surgeon to form an incision of precise length and width. An alignment line on the superior and/or front surface of the marker facilitates the positioning thereof. A method of performing clear corneal surgery following the application of markings to the cornea is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical knife blade of the type primarily intended for making incisions in the eye, though suitable for incising virtually any spherical surface, is disclosed. The blade is uniquely characterized by its construction to include cutting edge bevels of different transverse dimension on the anterior surface of the blade with respect to the transverse dimension of corresponding bevels on the posterior surface of the blade, such that the blade of this invention will incise a substantially straight, perpendicular cut into the eye or other spherical surface.