Incised Descemet's membrane and methods of making and using
Inventors
Hou, Joshua Honghan • Bedard, Peter • Justin, Jeffrey Joseph • Hansen, Mark Spencer • de la Presa, Martin • Hardten, David Ronald
Assignees
University of Minnesota System
Publication Number
US-12257365-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-25
Expiration Date
2040-04-24
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
This disclosure describes a Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft prepared using paired incisions; compositions including the incised DMEK graft; an injector including the incised DMEK graft; a viewing chamber including the incised DMEK graft, methods of preparing the incised DMEK graft; and methods of using the DMEK graft, the compositions, the injectors, and the viewing chambers including to facilitate placement of DMEK grafts during cornea transplant surgery.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft that is prepared with two specifically placed incisions, resulting in a unique triple scroll conformation with three scrolling axes. This graft includes Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelial cells, and the two incisions are positioned in a range of 105 degrees to 135 degrees apart relative to the geometric center of the graft. The paired incisions induce a conformational change, causing the graft to form a more planar, triple scroll shape, as opposed to conventional single or double scroll conformations.
Existing DMEK grafts have a strong tendency to scroll tightly, which poses significant challenges during corneal transplantation procedures. The technical difficulty of unscrolling and centering the graft in the recipient's eye results in unpredictable surgical times, increased endothelial cell loss, and higher post-operative detachment rates. This discourages adoption of DMEK, particularly with tissue from younger donors which tends to scroll even more tightly.
By incorporating two incisions at precise angular separations, the invention seeks to facilitate easier unscrolling of the DMEK graft during transplantation. The modified graft, with its triple scroll conformation, widens more effectively compared to existing grafts, reduces the need for complex intraoperative manipulations, and supports more predictable and efficient placement of grafts, thereby potentially expanding the donor pool for DMEK surgery.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims focus on inventive features related to a DMEK graft with specific incisions, methods of making such grafts, and devices comprising the graft.
DMEK graft with two incisions placed 105–135 degrees apart forming a triple scroll conformation
A Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) graft comprising: - Two incisions, three scrolling axes, and a triple scroll conformation. - Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelial cells. - A geometric center, with the two incisions placed in a range of 105 to 135 degrees apart as measured relative to the geometric center of the graft.
Method for making an incised DMEK graft with a triple scroll conformation
A method comprising: 1. Providing a DMEK graft comprising Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelial cells. 2. Making two incisions to the DMEK graft to form an incised graft with three scrolling axes and a triple scroll conformation, where the two incisions are placed at a distance apart from each other in the range of 105 to 135 degrees, measured with respect to the geometric center of the graft.
DMEK graft with two incisions extending from the graft edge towards the geometric center or along vectors of a triangle
A DMEK graft comprising: - Two incisions and three scrolling axes. - Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelial cells. - Each incision extends at least 0.3 mm and up to 2 mm from the graft edge towards the geometric center, or along a vector formed by a side of an isosceles or equilateral triangle. - The incisions are separated by 105–135 degrees relative to the geometric center.
The inventive features define a corneal graft with specifically positioned incisions to induce a desirable triple scroll conformation, methods for creating such grafts, and related compositions and devices incorporating the incised graft.
Stated Advantages
Facilitates unscrolling and positioning of DMEK grafts during cornea transplant surgery, reducing surgical difficulty.
Significantly decreases operative times for centering and unscrolling the DMEK graft during surgery.
Widens the conformational width of the graft compared to non-incised single or double scroll grafts.
May reduce the learning curve for novice DMEK surgeons and improve adoption of DMEK techniques.
Allows use of tissue from younger donors that would otherwise be challenging due to tight scrolling, potentially expanding the donor pool.
Documented Applications
Placement of DMEK grafts during cornea transplant surgery using incised grafts, injectors containing the grafts, and viewing chambers.
Method of preparing DMEK grafts with specific incisions for use in endothelial keratoplasty procedures.
Use of injectors and viewing chambers containing incised DMEK grafts for surgical handling and transplantation.
Interested in licensing this patent?