Patent ID: 7708750

Claim:
An automated mechanical device to separate the epithelial layer of a cornea from the cornea, the device comprising: a separator, where said device can preserve the separated epithelial layer as a disk without rupturing said disk and without substantial epithelial cell loss; a ring configured to seat on the eye with its plane parallel to a limbus, and having an internal diameter ranging from about 10 to about 12 mm and external diameter from about 13 to about 16 mm including a groove, where said groove is wider than the internal diameter; a separator support that fits in said groove to carry the separator on a determined travel; an oscillation device that provides motion and vibration to the separator, wherein the separator oscillates with frequency ranging from about 10 Hz to about 10 KHz; and rotating gears where a motion of the separator support is provided by the rotating gears placed on the support, where rotation to the gears is provided by said oscillating device and said rotating gears are traveling on toothed rails that are parallel to the groove.