Alignment of microkeratome blade to blade handle

Abstract

A cutting tool ( 20 ) for a microkeratome ( 4 ) is disclosed. This cutting tool ( 20 ) includes a blade handle ( 24 ) and a separate cutting blade ( 56 ). Both the blade handle ( 24 ) and cutting blade ( 56 ) include features to register or align a cutting edge ( 80 ) of the cutting blade ( 56 ) with a microkeratome registration surface ( 28 ) of the blade handle ( 24 ). This microkeratome registration surface ( 28 ) of the blade handle ( 24 ) interfaces with a cutting tool registration surface ( 14 ) of a head assembly ( 10 ) of the microkeratome ( 4 ) on which the cutting tool ( 20 ) is installed. Therefore, the cutting edge ( 80 ) of the cutting blade ( 56 ) is registered or aligned relative to the cutting tool registration surface ( 14 ) of the head assembly ( 10 ) of the microkeratome ( 4 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cutting tool, comprising: 
 a blade comprising first cutting edge surface, a second cutting edge surface, a cutting edge defined by an intersection of said first and second cutting edge surfaces, and a first registration surface spaced from said cutting edge and parallel with said first cutting edge surface; and    a blade handle interconnected with said blade and comprising a first registrant that interfaces with at least part of said first registration surface.    
     
     
         2 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces that are planar and disposed in parallel relation, wherein said first cutting edge surface is disposed at an angle relative to and intersects with said top surface, and wherein said bottom surface comprises said second cutting edge surface.    
     
     
         3 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces that are planar and disposed in parallel relation, wherein both said first cutting edge surface and said first registration surface are disposed at an angle relative to and intersect with said top surface, wherein said bottom surface comprises said second cutting edge surface, and wherein said first registration surface is disposed at an angle relative to and intersects with said bottom surface.    
     
     
         4 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said first cutting edge surface extends from a first edge to said cutting edge, wherein said first registration surface extends from a second edge to a third edge, wherein said first and second edges are disposed within a first reference plane, wherein said cutting edge and said third edge are disposed within a second reference plane, and wherein said first and second reference planes are parallel.    
     
     
         5 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said blade comprises a second registration surface spaced from said cutting edge and parallel with said first cutting edge surface; and    wherein said blade handle comprises a second registrant that interfaces with at least part of said second registration surface.    
     
     
         6 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said first and second registration surfaces are coplanar.    
     
     
         7 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said blade comprises a concave first registration cavity spaced from said cutting edge and comprising first and second ends with said first end being disposed between said cutting edge and said second end, wherein said second end comprises said first registration surface.    
     
     
         8 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said first registration cavity extends entirely through said blade.    
     
     
         9 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said blade comprises a planar top surface, wherein said first end of said first registration cavity is perpendicular to said planar top surface, and wherein said first registration surface is disposed at an angle other than perpendicular relative to said planar top surface.    
     
     
         10 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said first registrant is separated from said first end by a space.    
     
     
         11 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises a concave second registration cavity spaced from said cutting edge and comprising third and fourth ends with said third end being disposed between said cutting edge and said fourth end, wherein said fourth end comprises a second registration surface that is parallel with said first cutting edge surface and coplanar with said first registration surface; and    wherein said blade handle comprises a second registrant that interfaces with at least part of said second registration surface.    
     
     
         12 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 an interface between said first registrant and said first registration surface is limited to being at least substantially along a line.    
     
     
         13 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces, wherein an intersection between said first registration surface and said top surface defines a first edge, and wherein an intersection between said first registration surface and said bottom surface defines a second edge.    
     
     
         14 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said first registrant interfaces with said first registration surface closer to said second edge than said first edge.    
     
     
         15 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said first registrant interfaces with said first registration surface along said second edge.    
     
     
         16 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said first registrant extends below said second edge.    
     
     
         17 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said blade handle comprises a second registrant, wherein said second registrant disposes said blade handle in a predetermined position relative to a microkeratome when said cutting tool is installed on the microkeratome.    
     
     
         18 . A cutting tool, comprising: 
 a blade comprising a first cutting edge surface, a second cutting edge surface, a cutting edge defined by an intersection of said first and second cutting edge surfaces, a concave first registration cavity spaced from said cutting edge and comprising first and second ends with said first end being disposed between said first cutting edge and said second end; and    a blade handle interconnected with said blade and comprising a first registrant that extends within said first registration cavity, wherein said first registrant interfaces with at least part of said second end of said first registration cavity and is spaced from said first end of said first registration cavity.    
     
     
         19 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said first registration cavity extends entirely through said blade.    
     
     
         20 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said blade comprises a planar top surface, wherein said first end of said first registration cavity is perpendicular to said planar top surface, and wherein said second end of said first registration cavity is disposed at an angle other than perpendicular relative to said planar top surface.    
     
     
         21 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said first registrant is separated from said first end of said first registration cavity by a distance of at least about 1 millimeter.    
     
     
         22 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises a concave second registration cavity spaced from said cutting edge and comprising third and fourth ends with said third end being disposed between said cutting edge and said fourth end; and    wherein said blade handle comprises a second registrant that interfaces with at least part of said fourth end and is spaced from said third end.    
     
     
         23 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 said first and second registrants are positioned along a reference axis that is parallel with said cutting edge.    
     
     
         24 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 said first and second registrants are equidistant from said cutting edge.    
     
     
         25 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein: 
 said second end of said first registration cavity comprises a first registration surface that is spaced from said first cutting edge and parallel with said first cutting edge surface;    wherein said fourth end of said second registration cavity comprises a second registration surface that is spaced from said cutting edge and parallel with said first cutting edge surface; and    wherein said second registrant interfaces with at least part of said second registration surface.    
     
     
         26 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein: 
 said first and second registration surfaces are coplanar.    
     
     
         27 . A cutting, tool, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said second end of said first registration cavity comprises a first registration surface that is spaced from said cutting edge and parallel with said first cutting edge surface, wherein said first registrant interfaces with at least part of said first registration surface.    
     
     
         28 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces that are planar and disposed in parallel relation, wherein said first cutting edge surface is disposed at an angle relative to and intersects said top surface, and wherein said bottom surface comprises said second cutting edge surface.    
     
     
         29 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces that are planar and disposed in parallel relation, wherein both said first cutting edge surface and said first registration surface are disposed at an angle relative to and intersects with said top surface, wherein said bottom surface comprises said second cutting edge surface, and wherein said first registration surface is disposed at an angle relative to and intersects with said bottom surface.    
     
     
         30 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein: 
 said first cutting edge surface extends from a first edge to said cutting edge, wherein said first registration surface extends from a second edge to a third edge, wherein said first and second edges are disposed within a first reference plane, wherein said cutting edge and said third edge are disposed within a second reference plane, and wherein said first and second reference planes are parallel.    
     
     
         31 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein: 
 an interface between said first registrant and said first registration surface is limited to being at least substantially along a line.    
     
     
         32 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces, wherein an intersection between said first registration surface and said top surface defines a first edge, and wherein an intersection between said first registration surface and said bottom surface defines a second edge.    
     
     
         33 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein: 
 said first registrant interfaces with said first registration surface closer to said second edge than said first edge.    
     
     
         34 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein: 
 said first registrant interfaces with said first registration surface along said second edge.    
     
     
         35 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein: 
 said first registrant extends below said second edge.    
     
     
         36 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein: 
 said blade handle comprises a second registrant, wherein said second registrant disposes said blade handle in a predetermined position relative to a microkeratome when said cutting tool is installed on the microkeratome.    
     
     
         37 . A cutting tool, comprising: 
 a blade comprising first cutting edge surface, a second cutting edge surface, a cutting edge defined by an intersection of said first and second cutting edge surfaces, and a first registration surface spaced from said cutting edge and parallel with said first cutting edge surface.    
     
     
         38 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces that are planar and disposed in parallel relation, wherein said first cutting edge surface is disposed at an angle relative to and intersects with said top surface, and wherein said bottom surface comprises said second cutting edge surface.    
     
     
         39 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises top and bottom surfaces that are planar and disposed in parallel relation, wherein both said first cutting edge surface and said first registration surface are disposed at an angle relative to and intersect with said top surface, wherein said bottom surface comprises said second cutting edge surface, and wherein said first registration surface is disposed at an angle relative to and intersects with said bottom surface.    
     
     
         40 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 said first cutting edge surface extends from a first edge to said cutting edge, wherein said first registration surface extends from a second edge to a third edge, wherein said first and second edges are disposed within a first reference plane, wherein said cutting edge and said third edge are disposed within a second reference plane, and wherein said first and second reference planes are parallel.    
     
     
         41 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 said blade comprises a second registration surface spaced from said cutting edge and parallel with said first cutting edge surface.    
     
     
         42 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein: 
 said first and second registration surfaces are coplanar.    
     
     
         43 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein: 
 said blade comprises a concave first registration cavity spaced from said cutting edge and comprising first and second ends with said first end being disposed between said cutting edge and said second end, wherein said second end comprises said first registration surface.    
     
     
         44 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said first registration cavity extends entirely through said blade.    
     
     
         45 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said blade comprises a planar top surface, wherein said first end of said first registration cavity is perpendicular to said planar top surface, and wherein said first registration surface is disposed at an angle other than perpendicular relative to said planar top surface.    
     
     
         46 . A cutting tool, as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein: 
 said blade further comprises a concave second registration cavity spaced from said cutting edge and comprising third and fourth ends with said third end being disposed between said cutting edge and said fourth end, wherein said fourth end comprises a second registration surface that is parallel with said first cutting edge surface and coplanar with said first registration surface.