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Surgical apparatus for inserting a plastic, split end, adjusting ring into the stroma of the cornea of the eye wherein the adjusting ring includes, as a part thereof, a dissecting head to part the stroma and provide a pathway for the adjusting ring as the ring is rotated. The ends of the adjusting ring are moved to change the shape of the cornea to a desired shape in accordance with the desired visual correction after which the ends of the adjusting ring are fixably joined to maintain the desired shape.

Inventors: Lauren G. Kilmer, Alvin E. Reynolds
Original Assignee: Keravision, Inc.
Current U.S. Classification: 128/898; 606/107; 606/166
International Classification: A61B 1700

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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US4205682Sep 19, 1977Jun 3, 1980The University of MelbourneContact lens corneal cutter
US4319575Sep 7, 1979Mar 16, 1982Storz Instrument CompanyUniversal trephine handle
US4332039Oct 31, 1980Jun 1, 1982Ocular prosthesis which simulates change in pupil diameter
US4346482Jan 22, 1981Aug 31, 1982Living contact lens
US4346713Aug 21, 1978Aug 31, 1982Hair replacement method
US4452235Jan 4, 1982Jun 5, 1984Method for corneal curvature adjustment
US4705035Sep 2, 1986Nov 10, 1987Visitec CompanyParallax-free optical zone marker

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US5267553Feb 18, 1992Dec 7, 1993Pupil expander and method of using the same
US5300118Sep 21, 1992Apr 5, 1994KeravisionAdjustable devices for corneal curvature adjustment
US5405384Dec 6, 1993Apr 11, 1995Keravision, Inc.Astigmatic correcting intrastromal corneal ring
US5451230Oct 11, 1994Sep 19, 1995Cataract disassembly
US5466260Oct 22, 1993Nov 14, 1995KeraVision, Inc.Adjustable devices for corneal curvature adjustment
US5634884Apr 4, 1995Jun 3, 1997Graether Development CorporationApparatus for inserting a pupil expander
US5634921Jun 8, 1995Jun 3, 1997Method and apparatus for modifications of visual acuity by thermal means
US5653752Feb 28, 1995Aug 5, 1997KeraVision, Inc.Adjustable devices for corneal curvature adjustment
US5693092Jun 6, 1995Dec 2, 1997KeraVision, Inc.Adjustable devices for corneal curvature adjustment
US5733334Dec 9, 1996Mar 31, 1998MicroOptixMethod and apparatus for adjusting corneal curvature
US5749871Aug 9, 1994May 12, 1998Refractec Inc.Method and apparatus for modifications of visual acuity by thermal means
US5855604Apr 1, 1997Jan 5, 1999MicroOptix, LLCMethod and apparatus for adjusting corneal curvature using a solid filled corneal ring
US5876439May 15, 1997Mar 2, 1999MicoOptix, LLCMethod and appartus for adjusting corneal curvature using a fluid-filled corneal ring
US6030398May 30, 1997Feb 29, 2000Summit Technology, Inc.Surgical microtomes
US6050999Dec 18, 1997Apr 18, 2000KeraVision, Inc.Corneal implant introducer and method of use
US6066170Mar 20, 1998May 23, 2000MicroOptix LLCMethod and apparatus for adjusting corneal curvature
US6099541Nov 30, 1998Aug 8, 2000Summit Technology, Inc.Surgical microtomes
US6206919Jan 13, 1999Mar 27, 2001Method and apparatus to correct refractive errors using adjustable corneal arcuate segments
US6213997Oct 27, 1997Apr 10, 2001Refractec, Inc.Apparatus for modifications of visual acuity by thermal means
US6228114Nov 17, 1997May 8, 2001Adjustable corneal ring
US6231583Jul 9, 1998May 15, 2001Corneal circular channel dissecting device
US6508837Oct 19, 1998Jan 21, 2003Addition Technology, Inc.Segmented pre-formed intrastromal corneal insert
US6626924Aug 30, 2000Sep 30, 2003Peter J. KlopotekSurgical microtomes
US6673069Mar 30, 2000Jan 6, 2004Refractec, Inc.Thermokeratoplasty system with a power supply that can determine a wet or dry cornea
US6723093Mar 22, 2002Apr 20, 2004Refractec Inc.Electrode assembly for a thermokeratoplasty system used to correct vision acuity
US6966927Mar 30, 1999Nov 22, 2005Addition Technology, Inc.Hybrid intrastromal corneal ring
US6986770Oct 7, 2003Jan 17, 2006Refractec, Inc.Thermokeratoplasty system with a power supply that can determine a wet or dry cornea
US7166117Jan 31, 2002Jan 23, 2007Automatic surgical device and control assembly for cutting a cornea
US7776086Apr 30, 2004Aug 17, 2010ReVision Optics, Inc.Aspherical corneal implant
US7780689Mar 23, 2004Aug 24, 2010Technolas Perfect Vision GmbHBar-link drive system for a microkeratome
US7824423Dec 30, 2005Nov 2, 2010Refocus Ocular, Inc.System and method for making incisions for scleral eye implants
US7854742Jan 25, 2007Dec 21, 2010ReFocus Ocular, Inc.System and method for making incisions for scleral eye implants
US7909780May 20, 2003Mar 22, 2011Refocus Ocular, Inc.System and method for determining a position for a scleral pocket for a scleral prosthesis
US8057541Oct 30, 2006Nov 15, 2011ReVision Optics, Inc.Method of using small diameter intracorneal inlays to treat visual impairment
US8162953Mar 28, 2007Apr 24, 2012ReVision Optics, Inc.Insertion system for corneal implants
US8201942Apr 1, 2009Jun 19, 2012Refocus Group, Inc.System and method for identifying a position to insert a scleral prosthesis into an eye

Claims

1. A method for correcting vision by adjusting the curvature of the cornea of an eye, comprising the steps of:

incising a stroma portion of said cornea;
positioning and temporarily retaining, at said incision, a forward dissecting end of a corneal adjustment ring at an angle corresponding to the slope of the corneal arc of said cornea, said ring having a trailing end;
rotating said forward dissecting end of said corneal adjustment ring into said stroma portion of said cornea in a circular manner; and
affixing the distance between said forward end and said trailing end of said corneal adjustment ring according to the desired curvature.

2. The method of claim 1 including the step of temporarily marking said corneal surface to identify the place for incising.

3. The method of claim 2 including the step of marking a temporary circular ring on said corneal surface to act as a visual guide for rotating said corneal adjustment ring substantially parallel to said marked circular ring.

4. A method for correcting vision by adjusting the curvature of the cornea of an eye, comprising the steps of:

incising a stroma portion of said cornea;
positioning and temporarily retaining, at said incision, a corneal dissecting ring at an angle corresponding to the slope of the corneal arc of said cornea, said dissecting ring having a forward end and a trailing end;
rotating said forward end of said dissecting ring into said stroma portion of said cornea in a circular manner until said forward end reaches said incision, and rotatably removing said dissecting ring;
positioning and retaining, at said incision, a corneal adjustment ring at an angle corresponding to said slope of the corneal arc of said cornea, said ring having a forward end and a trailing end
rotating said forward end of said corneal adjustment ring into said stroma portion of said cornea in a circular manner until said forward end and said trailing end are contiguous to said incision; and
affixing the distance between said forward end and said trailing end of said corneal adjustment ring according to the desired curvature.

5. The method of claim 4 including the step of marking a temporary circular ring on said corneal surface to act as a visual guide for rotating said corneal adjustment ring substantially parallel to said marked circular ring.

6. The method of claim 5 including the step of temporarily marking said corneal surface to identify the place for incising.

Drawings