Patent ID: 6679898
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for harvesting from the eye of a mammalian donor a graft which comprises limbal stem cells in addition to corneal tissue, said method comprising the steps of:A. providing a graft harvesting device which comprises; (i) a ring/guide member that is positionable in contact with the eye, said ring/guide member comprising a ring and a cutting device guide surface; and (ii) a cutting device configured to engage the guide surface of the ring/guide member and to move along a path guided by said guide surface; (iii) said ring/guide member being sized relative to the eye such that, when the ring member is placed in contact with the eye and the cutting device is engaged with the guide surface and moved along the path guided by said guide surface, the cutting device will remove from the eye a graft that includes limbal stem cells as well as corneal tissue; B. placing the ring/guide member in contact with the eye; and C. engaging the cutter with the guide surface and moving the cutter on the path guided by the guide surface, thereby removing from the eye a graft that comprises limbal stem cells as well as corneal tissue.