Patent ID: 6874629

Claim:
A case for protecting a small microkeratome blade unit having a precise and delicate front cutting edge and a driver element spaced apart from the cutting edge, the case functioning in a manner to allow the cutting edge to be inspected and cleaned on either side while still protected, but making the blade unit still readily accessible for a surgeon's forceps, comprising: a double-walled case including a front edge hinge, the walls having dissimilar interior configurations within peripheries which encompass the periphery of the blade unit, wherein a first wall includes an inner recess shaped to receive at least a portion of the driver of the blade unit with the cutting edge substantially parallel to the front edge of the case, and also including a window surrounding the cutting edge and providing access to the cutting edge from the exterior; the second wall including an inner boss engaging the opposite side of the blade unit located in position in the recess of the opposite wall when the walls are brought together, the second wall also including a window surrounding the cutting edge and providing access to the cutting edge from the exterior, and wherein the second wall includes a forceps guideway extending between the exterior of the second wall to a region of the blade unit adjacent to but spaced from the cutting edge.