Ophthalmic surgical system and method

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.

1 . A microkeratome for keratomileusis ophthalmic surgery comprising: 
 a base, a carriage mounted to the base and a cutting blade carried in the carriage, the carriage being guided for movement in an axial cutting direction and the cutting blade being movable in an oscillating motion transverse to the cutting direction,    wherein the carriage has an upwardly facing surface and the cutting blade projects from the carriage and forms a continuation of that surface.    
     
     
         2 . The microkeratome of  claim 1 , wherein the base has an opening extending from a top surface of the base to a suction chamber on a bottom side of the base, the suction chamber being adapted to be seated on an eye such that at least a portion of a cornea of the eye passes through the opening and protrudes above the top surface of the base  
     
     
         3 . A system for ophthalmic surgery comprising a plurality of microkeratomes which provide for respective different depths of cut and a controller, wherein the controller is connected to a microkeratome selected from the plurality of microkeratomes.  
     
     
         4 . A method for keratomileusis opthalmic surgery, comprising: 
 selecting one of a plurality of microkeratomes which provide for respective depths of cut;    connecting an axial drive to the one microkeratome to advance and retract a cutting blade;    connecting a rotary drive to the microkeratome to oscillate the cutting blade;    applying the microkeratome to an eye; and    controlling the axial drive independent of the rotary drive.