U.S. patent application number 14/723702 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-15 for corneal cover and method of use thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thomas P. Hull. Invention is credited to Thomas P. Hull.
Application Number | 20160262610 14/723702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56739343 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160262610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hull; Thomas P. |
September 15, 2016 |
Corneal Cover and Method of Use Thereof
Abstract
A corneal cover for placement on a patient's eye during eye
surgery. A generally concave central arcuate portion has a first
radius of curvature. A generally concave peripheral arcuate portion
has a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of
curvature. One of a stem projecting from the peripheral arcuate
portion, and a lip projecting from an outer periphery is provided
to grasp the corneal cover, with a tool or manually, to place it on
the eye and to remove it from the eye. The corneal cover has
substantially no corrective power. The corneal cover is made of a
hydrophobic material so it does not need to be irrigated during
surgery.
Inventors: |
Hull; Thomas P.; (Akron,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hull; Thomas P. |
Akron |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56739343 |
Appl. No.: |
14/723702 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62131348 |
Mar 11, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 9/04 20130101; A61B
3/107 20130101; A61B 3/117 20130101; A61F 9/00736 20130101; A61F
2009/00874 20130101; A61B 3/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 3/107 20060101
A61B003/107; A61B 3/117 20060101 A61B003/117; A61B 3/10 20060101
A61B003/10 |
Claims
1. A corneal cover for placement on an eye of a patient during eye
surgery, the corneal cover comprising: a central arcuate portion
having a first radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature
being between approximately 7 mm and approximately 8.5 mm, the
central arcuate portion having a generally concave lower surface
and a generally convex upper surface, the generally concave lower
surface being adapted to substantially conform to a generally
convex upper surface of a cornea of the patient's eye, and to
substantially cover the cornea of the patient's eye; a peripheral
arcuate portion having a second radius of curvature, the second
radius of curvature being between approximately 11 mm and
approximately 13 mm, the peripheral arcuate portion having a
generally concave lower surface, a generally convex upper surface,
and an outer periphery, the generally concave lower surface being
adapted to substantially conform to a generally convex upper
surface of at least a portion of a sclera of the patient's eye, and
to substantially cover the at least the portion of the sclera of
the patient's eye; and a lip projecting from at least a portion of
the outer periphery of the peripheral arcuate portion; wherein the
corneal cover is configured without a corrective power to correct
vision of the patient; and wherein the corneal cover is made of a
hydrophobic material.
2. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the hydrophopic
material includes a hard plastic.
3. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the central
arcuate portion has a thickness between the lower surface and the
upper surface of between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 2.0
mm.
4. A corneal cover as recited in claim 3, wherein the thickness is
between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.
5. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the lip has a
length of between approximately 1 mm and approximately 5 mm.
6. A corneal cover as recited in claim 5, wherein the lip has a
length of between approximately 2 mm and approximately 3 mm.
7. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the lip is
configured to be grasped by one of a tool and a hand.
8. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the first radius
of curvature is between approximately 7.5 mm and 8.0 mm.
9. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the first radius
of curvature is between approximately 7.7 mm and approximately 7.9
mm.
10. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, having a diameter
measured across the outer periphery of the peripheral arcuate
portion of between approximately 13 mm and approximately 18 mm.
11. A corneal cover as recited in claim 10, wherein the diameter is
between approximately 15 mm and approximately 16 mm.
12. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the lip has a
length of one of less than and equal to approximately 1/3 of a
diameter of the corneal cover.
13. A corneal cover for placement on an eye of a patient during eye
surgery, the corneal cover comprising: a central arcuate portion
having a first radius of curvature, the central arcuate portion
having a generally concave lower surface and a generally convex
upper surface, the generally concave lower surface being adapted to
substantially conform to a generally convex outer surface of a
cornea of the patient's eye, and to substantially cover the cornea
of the patient's eye; a peripheral arcuate portion having a second
radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature being greater
than the first radius of curvature, the peripheral arcuate portion
being configured to substantially cover at least a portion of a
sclera of the patient's eye, and having at least a generally
concave lower surface and a generally convex upper surface, the
generally concave lower surface being adapted to substantially
conform to a generally convex outer surface of the at least the
portion of the sclera of the patients eye; and a stem projecting
from a selected position on the generally convex upper surface of
the peripheral arcuate portion, the stem being configured to be
grasped by one of a hand and a tool, for one of placement on and
removal from the patient's eye; wherein the corneal cover has a
corrective power of between approximately -4 diopters and +4
diopters; and wherein the corneal cover is made of a gas
impermeable hydrophobic material.
14. A corneal cover as recited in claim 13, wherein the first
radius of curvature is between approximately 7 mm and approximately
8.5 mm.
15. (canceled)
16. A corneal cover as recited in claim 13, wherein the second
radius of curvature is between approximately 11 mm and
approximately 13 mm.
17. A corneal cover as recited in claim 13, wherein the corrective
power is approximately 0 diopters.
18. (canceled)
19. A method of performing a surgery on a surgical site in a
patient's eye, the method comprising: utilizing a corneal cover,
the corneal cover including: a central arcuate portion having a
first radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being
between approximately 7 mm and approximately 8.5 mm, the central
arcuate portion having a generally concave lower surface and a
generally convex upper surface, the generally concave lower surface
being adapted to substantially conform to a generally convex outer
surface of a cornea of the patient's eye, and to substantially
cover the cornea of the patient's eye; a peripheral arcuate portion
having a second radius of curvature, the second radius of curvature
being between approximately 11 mm and approximately 13 mm the
peripheral arcuate portion having a generally concave lower surface
and a generally convex upper surface, the generally concave lower
surface being adapted to substantially conform to a generally
convex outer surface of at least a portion of a sclera of the
patient's eye, and to substantially cover the at least the portion
of the sclera of the patient's eye; and one of a stem projecting
from a selected position on the peripheral arcuate portion and a
lip projecting from at least a portion of an outer periphery of the
peripheral arcuate portion; wherein the corneal cover has a
corrective power of substantially 0 diopters; and wherein the
corneal cover is made of a hydrophobic material; preparing the
patient's eye for the surgery; installing the corneal cover on the
patient's eye by grasping the one of the stem and the lip with one
of a tool and a hand and placing the corneal cover on the patient's
eye; making at least one incision in a portion of the patient's
sclera not covered by the peripheral arcuate portion; inserting at
least one surgical instrument into the at least one incision;
observing the surgical site through the central arcuate portion and
the patient's cornea; and performing the surgery with the at least
one surgical tool.
20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein performing the surgery
with the at least one surgical tool includes performing a
vitrectomy.
21. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein installing the corneal
cover on the patient's eye includes placing the corneal cover on
the patient's eye with a viscoelastic material.
22. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein an interface between
the corneal cover and the viscoelastic material defines a tear
film, the tear film providing a correction for an astigmatism
present in the patient's eye.
23. A method of performing a surgery on a surgical site in a
patient's eye, the method comprising: utilizing a corneal cover,
the corneal cover including: a central arcuate portion having a
first radius of curvature, the central arcuate portion having a
generally concave lower surface and a generally convex upper
surface, the generally concave lower surface being adapted to
substantially conform to a generally convex outer surface of a
cornea of the patient's eye, and to substantially cover the cornea
of the patient's eye; and a peripheral arcuate portion having a
second radius of curvature, the peripheral arcuate portion having a
generally concave lower surface and a generally convex upper
surface, the generally concave lower surface being adapted to
substantially conform to a generally convex upper surface of at
least a portion of a sclera of the patient's eye, and to
substantially cover at the least the portion of the sclera of the
patient's eye; wherein the corneal cover has a corrective power of
between approximately -4 diopters and +4 diopters; and wherein the
corneal cover is made of a hydrophobic material; preparing the
patient's eye for surgery; making at least one incision in a
portion of the patient's sclera; installing the corneal cover on
the patient's eye such that the peripheral arcuate portion of the
corneal cover does not cover the at least one incision; inserting
at least one surgical instrument into the at least one incision;
observing the surgical site through the central arcuate portion and
the patient's cornea; and performing the surgery with the at least
one surgical tool.
24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein installing the corneal
cover on the patient's eye includes grasping one of a stem
projecting from a selected position on the peripheral arcuate
portion, and a lip projecting from at least a portion of an outer
perimeter of the peripheral arcuate portion, with one of a tool and
a hand, and placing the corneal cover onto the patient's eye.
25. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein performing the surgery
with the at least one surgical tool includes performing a
viterectomy.
26. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the first radius of
curvature is between approximately 7 mm and approximately 8.5
mm.
27. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the second radius of
curvature is between approximately 11 mm and approximately 13
mm.
28. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the corrective power
is approximately 0 diopters.
29. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein installing the corneal
cover on the patient's eye includes placing the corneal cover on
the patient's eye with a viscoelastic material.
30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein an interface between
the corneal cover and the viscoelastic material defines a tear
film, the tear film providing a correction for an astigmatism in
the patient's eye.
31. A corneal cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the corneal
cover is further configured for placement on the patient's eye with
a viscoelastic material.
Description
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/131,348, filed Mar. 11, 2015, which
is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a corneal cover, and a
method of performing surgery on a surgical site in a patient's eye,
using the corneal cover.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] It is known to use a wide-field non-contact viewing
instrument during surgery, e.g., a vitrectomy, on a surgical site
in a patient's eye. The surgeon uses the wide-field non-contact
viewing system to view the surgical site through the patient's
cornea. The clarity of the view, however, is dependent on keeping
the patient's cornea well hydrated. Difficulty is encountered
trying to irrigate the cornea during vitrectomy surgery due to the
close proximity of the viewing instrument lens and the corneal
surface. The surgery is frequently interrupted to allow the
surgeon's assistant to re-wet the cornea. In some cases, irrigation
liquid splashes onto the viewing instrument lens, creating water
spots, which must be dried off, further interrupting the
surgery.
[0004] Another disadvantage with the related art occurs during
long, involved eye surgeries. During such long, involved surgeries,
the surface of the patient's cornea can deteriorate. Such
deterioration requires removal of the outer layer of the cornea,
i.e., the corneal epithelium, by scraping it with an appropriate
surgical tool. After the corneal epithelium is removed,
near--constant corneal irrigation is required, and the patient
experiences significant post--operative discomfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of one embodiment of the present invention
to provide a corneal cover, and a method of use thereof, which will
enable a surgeon to view a surgical site in a patient's eye during
surgery on the eye, without having to interrupt the surgery to
irrigate the cornea or to clear the viewing instrument lens of
inadvertent irrigation liquid drops.
[0006] It is another object of one embodiment of the present
invention to provide a corneal cover, and a method of use thereof,
wherein the lens of the corneal cover has nearly constant
clarity.
[0007] It is a further object of one embodiment of the present
invention to provide a corneal cover, and method of use thereof,
which compensate for an astigmatism present in the patient's
cornea.
[0008] It is a further object of one embodiment of the present
invention to provide a corneal cover, and a method of use thereof,
which reduces the likelihood for the need, during long, involved
eye surgeries, to scrape corroded tissue off of the patient's
corneal epithelium, thereby reducing post-operative discomfort.
[0009] These and other objects of the present invention will be
apparent from review of the following specification and the
accompanying drawings.
[0010] In view of the above objectives of the invention, a corneal
cover for placement on an eye of a patient during eye surgery, the
corneal cover as depicted, disclosed, and claimed below,
substantially obviates one or more of the disadvantages of the
related art.
[0011] In one preferred embodiment of the corneal cover in
accordance with the invention, the corneal cover includes a central
arcuate portion having a first radius of curvature, a generally
concave lower surface and a generally convex upper surface, the
generally concave lower surface being adapted to cover a cornea of
a patient's eye, a peripheral arcuate portion having a second
radius of curvature, the peripheral arcuate portion having a
generally concave lower surface and a generally convex upper
surface, the generally concave lower surface being adapted to cover
at least a portion of a sclera of the patient's eye, and one of a
stem projecting from a selected position on the peripheral arcuate
portion and a lip projecting from at least a portion of an outer
periphery of the peripheral arcuate portion, the corneal cover
being made of a hydrophobic material.
[0012] The first radius of curvature preferably is between
approximately 7 mm and approximately 8.5 mm, more preferably
between approximately 7.5 mm and approximately 8.0 mm, and even
more preferably between approximately 7.7 mm and approximately 7.9
mm.
[0013] The second radius of curvature preferably is between
approximately 11 mm and approximately 13 mm, more preferably
between approximately 11.5 mm and approximately 12.5 mm, and even
more preferably approximately 12 mm.
[0014] The hydrophobic material preferably includes a hard
plastic.
[0015] The central arcuate portion preferably has a thickness
between the lower surface and the upper surface of between
approximately 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm, and more preferably between
approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.
[0016] A diameter of the corneal cover, measured across the outer
periphery of the peripheral arcuate portion, preferably is between
approximately 12 mm and approximately 18 mm, and more preferably
between approximately 13 mm and 16 mm.
[0017] The one of the stem and the lip of the one preferred
embodiment of the corneal cover in accordance with the invention
preferably has a length of less than or equal to approximately 1/3
of the diameter, preferably between approximately 1 mm and
approximately 5 mm, and more preferably between approximately 2 mm
and approximately 3 mm.
[0018] The generally concave lower surface of the central arcuate
portion preferably conforms to a generally convex surface of the
cornea of the patient's eye.
[0019] The general concave lower surface of the peripheral arcuate
portion preferably corresponds to a generally convex surface of the
at least the portion of the sclera of the patient's eye.
[0020] The corneal cover preferably has a corrective power between
approximately -4 diopters and approximately +4 diopters, and more
preferably approximately 0 diopters.
[0021] In one preferred embodiment of a method of performing a
surgery on a surgical site in a patient's eye in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention, the method includes utilizing a
corneal cover, the corneal cover including a central arcuate
portion having a first radius of curvature, the first radius of
curvature being between approximately 7 mm and approximately 8.5
mm, the central arcuate portion having a generally concave lower
surface and a generally convex upper surface, the generally concave
lower surface being adapted to cover a cornea of the patient's eye,
a peripheral arcuate portion having a second radius of curvature,
the second radius of curvature being approximately 11 mm and
approximately 13 mm, the peripheral arcuate portion having a
generally concave lower surface and a generally convex upper
surface, the generally concave lower surface being adapted to cover
at least a portion of a sclera of the patient's eye, and one of a
stem projecting from a selected position on the peripheral arcuate
portion and a lip projecting from at least a portion of an outer
periphery of the peripheral arcuate portion, wherein the corneal
cover has a corrective power of substantially 0 diopters, and
wherein the corneal cover is made of a hydrophobic material,
preparing the patient's eye for the surgery, making at least one
incision in a portion of the patient's sclera, installing the
corneal cover on the patient's eye such that the peripheral arcuate
portion of the corneal cover does not cover the at least one
incision; inserting at least one surgical instrument into the at
least one incision, observing the surgical site through the central
arcuate portion, and performing the surgery with the at least one
surgical tool.
[0022] Performing the surgery with the at least one surgical tool
preferably includes performing a vitrectomy.
[0023] Installing the corneal cover on the patient's eye preferably
includes placing the corneal cover on the patient's eye with a
viscoelastic material being on at least one of the corneal cover
and the eye prior to placing the corneal cover onto the eye, an
interface between the corneal cover and the viscoelastic material
defining a tear film, the tear film providing a correction for an
astigmatism present in the patient's eye.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an upper plan view of a corneal cover in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the corneal cover,
viewed along line 2 of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3A is a side plan view of a corneal cover having a
single concave radius in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention, depicting a stem configured to place the corneal cover
on the patient's eye, and remove the corneal cover from a patient's
eye;
[0027] FIG. 3B is an upper plan view of the embodiment of FIG.
3A;
[0028] FIG. 4A is a side plan view of a corneal cover in accordance
with yet another embodiment of the invention, depicting a lip
configured to place the corneal cover on the patient's eye, and
remove the corneal cover from the patient's eye; and
[0029] FIG. 4B is an upper plan view of the embodiment of FIG.
4A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope
and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following
claims.
[0031] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, as depicted in
FIGS. 1-4B, a corneal cover 10 includes a central arcuate portion
12. The central arcuate portion 12 includes a concave lower surface
14 and a convex upper surface 16. The concave lower surface 14 is
configured to cover a cornea 18 of a patient's eye, conforming
substantially to a convex surface of the cornea 18. The central
arcuate portion 12 preferably has a thickness T1 between the
concave lower surface 14 and the convex upper surface 16 of
preferably between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 2.0 mm,
and more preferably between approximately 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm. The
central arcuate portion further has a first radius of curvature R1
of preferably between approximately 7 mm and approximately 8.5 mm,
and more preferably between approximately 7.5 mm and approximately
8 mm, and even more preferably between about 7.7 mm and 7.9 mm.
[0032] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, as depicted in
FIGS. 1-4B, the corneal cover 10 further includes a peripheral
arcuate portion 20. The peripheral arcuate portion 20 includes a
concave lower surface 22 and a convex upper surface 24. The concave
lower surface 22 is configured to cover a portion of a sclera 26 of
the patient's eye. In the embodiment of the invention shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the peripheral arcuate portion 20 has a second arc
of curvature R2 which is greater than the first arc of curvature
R1, of preferably between approximately 11 mm and approximately 13
mm, more preferably between approximately 11.5 mm and approximately
12.5 mm, and even more preferably approximately 12 mm.
[0033] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the corneal
cover 10 is made of a gas impermeable hydrophobic material,
preferably hard plastic. In one preferred embodiment, the
hydrophobic hard plastic further includes a hard acrylic, e.g.,
PMMA. The corneal cover 10 preferably is made of a hydrophobic
material so it will not need to be irrigated during surgery.
[0034] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the corneal
cover 10 has no corrective power, e.g., approximately 0 diopters.
It is within the scope of the invention, however, for the corneal
cover 10 to include some mild corrective power, e.g., approximately
+4 diopters to -4 diopters.
[0035] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, as depicted in
FIGS. 3A-3B, the corneal cover 10 has a diameter D1, measured
across an outer periphery 27 of the peripheral arcuate portion 20.
Diameter D1 is preferably between approximately 13 mm and
approximately 18 mm.
[0036] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, and as
embodied in FIGS. 1-3B, corneal cover 10 includes a stem 28
projecting from a position on the peripheral arcuate portion 20.
The stem 28 is configured to be grasped, either by a surgical tool,
or manually by a hand of a surgeon to both place the corneal cover
10 on the patient's eye, and remove the corneal cover 10 from the
patient's eye. The stem 28 preferably has a length no greater than
1/3 of the diameter D1, in order to provide a grasping surface
without interfering with the work of the surgeon, The length of the
stem 28 is preferably between approximately 1 mm and approximately
5 mm, and more preferably between approximately 2 mm and
approximately 3 mm. The stem 28 preferably is made of the same
hydrophobic material as the corneal cover 10, and preferably is
attached to the corneal cover 10 as part of a unitary device. As
depicted in FIGS. 1-3B, the stem 28 projects from the outer
periphery 27 of the peripheral arcuate portion 20. It is within the
scope of the invention, however, for the stem 28 to project from
any selected position on the peripheral arcuate portion 20.
[0037] In one preferred embodiment, and as embodied in FIGS. 4A-4B,
an additional, or alternate, grasping device can be provided with
the corneal cover 10. A lip 30 projects from the outer periphery 27
of the outer peripheral portion 20. The lip 30 can project from the
entire 360.degree. of the outer periphery 27, or only a portion
thereof. The lip 30, like the stem 28 is configured, and has a
selected length, allowing it to be grasped by either a surgical
tool or the hand of the surgeon, in order to place the corneal
cover 10 on the eye of the patient, or remove the corneal cover
from the eye of the patient, without being so large as to interfere
with the surgery. The stem 28 and the lip 30 can be used either
separately or together to facilitate placement of the corneal cover
10 on the patient's eye, or remove the corneal cover 10 from the
patient's eye.
[0038] Although certain preferred embodiments of the present
invention include the peripheral arcuate portion 20 having a second
arc of curvature R2 which is greater than the first arc of
curvature R1, in other preferred embodiments that include at least
one of stem 28 and lip 30 or some other projection used to
facilitate placement of the corneal cover onto the eye and removal
therefrom during surgery, R1 and R2 can be the same.
[0039] The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as
described and depicted above, is used to perform surgery, e.g., a
vitrectomy, on a surgical site in a patient's eye.
[0040] Initially, the patient's eye is prepared for surgery using
known techniques and procedures, e.g., administering at least a
local anesthetic, and using conventional surgical clamps to clamp
the patient's eyelids open far enough to leave the patient's cornea
and sclera unobstructed.
[0041] The surgeon, or the surgeon's assistant, places the corneal
cover 10 on the patient's eye with a viscoelastic material, e.g.,
GONIOSOL.RTM.. An interface between the corneal cover 10 and the
viscoelastic material defines a tear film 32, which functions to
compensate for any astigmatism present in the patient's eye.
Placement of the corneal cover 10 on the patient's eye can include
grasping one or both of the stem 28 and the lip 30, either manually
or with a tool, and placing the corneal cover 10 in the desired
location on the eye, with the central arcuate portion 12 covering
the patient's cornea 18, and the peripheral arcuate portion 20
covering a portion of the patient's sclera 26.
[0042] The surgeon makes at least one incision (not shown) at a
selected position in the sclera 26, and inserts at least one
surgical tool (not shown) through the at least one incision. It is
within the scope of the invention for the steps of making the
incision, and inserting the surgical tool therethrough, to be
performed either before or after placing the corneal cover 10 on
the patient's eye.
[0043] While performing the surgery, the surgeon can view the
surgical site in the patient's eye by looking through a viewing
instrument, e.g., a microscope (not shown) positioned over the
central arcuate portion 12 and the patient's cornea 18. The surgery
proceeds without interruption caused by a need to irrigate the
corneal cover 10, or by a need to clean inadvertent irrigation
liquid spots off the viewing instrument lens. The clarity of the
image is clear and constant, without "waves" of clarity that
typically accompany periodic corneal irrigation. In some cases, the
role of the surgical assistant can be limited to handing needed
surgical tools to the surgeon; in other cases, e.g., where state
laws allow, it is envisioned that the need for a surgical assistant
potentially may be eliminated.
[0044] A significant advantage of the corneal cover 10, as
described and depicted above, exists in long, involved eye
surgeries. With use of the corneal cover 10, even in the case of
long, involved eye surgeries, the cornea 18 looks pristine.
Scraping of the corneal epithelium, therefore, is avoided,
substantially reducing post-operative discomfort experience by the
patient.
[0045] After the surgery is complete, the surgeon removes the
corneal cover 10. Removal can be performed utilizing the one of the
stem 26 and the lip 30. The corneal cover 10 may be made as a
disposable, single-use product, to avoid cost and time associated
with cleaning and disinfecting it between surgeries.
* * * * *