Graybill, Walter R.; Graybill, Jeffery J.;

Ophthalmic surgery tool

An ophthalmic surgery tool which takes the form of an apparatus which is to simultaneously produce a plurality of cuts within the cornea of an eye in order to improve vision. The surgery tool includes a cutter assembly which is movably mounted in respect to a base. The extent of movement of the cutter assembly is predetermined to preclude excessive cutting. Movement of the cutter assembly is due to movement structure which may either be mechanical or fluid operated.

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What is claimed is:

1. An ophthalmic surgery tool for producing a series of cuts within the cornea of an eye for the purpose of improving vision, said surgery tool comprising:

a locating base, the exterior surface of said locating base being recessed to closely conform to the exterior surface of the eye, said locating base having an internal chamber, said locating base having a longitudinal center axis, said locating base having a plurality of spaced apart first openings formed within said exterior surface;

a cutter assembly, said cutter assembly located within said internal chamber and mounted in conjunction with said first openings, said cutter assembly being symmetrically arranged about said longitudinal center axis, said cutter assembly being movable in respect to said locating base between a retracted (non-cutting) position and an extended position, said retracted position locating said cutter assembly substantially entirely within said internal chamber, said extended position connecting said cutter assembly with said first openings with a portion of said cutter assembly conducted through said first openings protruding exteriorly of said locating base;

means connected to said cutter assembly for moving said cutter assembly between said retracted position and said extended position;

vacuum means connected to locating base, said vacuum means for applying a vacuum within said internal chamber;

biasing means located between said locating base and said cutter assembly, said biasing means exerting a continuing bias against said cutter assembly tending to locate such in said retracted position, said biasing means comprising a ring of resilient material; and

second openings formed within said locating base, there being a said second opening located between each directly adjacent pair of said first openings, said vacuum to cause a slight suction force to be created between said locating base and the eye thereby holding the eye tightly against said locating base directly in the proximity of said cutter assembly.