Device for the mechanization of corneal transplants
Name
776198014-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
3.54 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
fd27c8e6c2680a1b6acd3e1e282491c1
Author(s)
Hawthorne, Stephan Andre
Advisor(s)
Alexander Slocum.
Date Issued
2011
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
There are millions of patients in the developing world who would benefit from corneal transplant surgery. Unfortunately, these patients do not always have access to either skilled ophthalmologists or the technology needed for the procedure. While there are tools to efficiently punch out both the diseased and donor corneas, there are no devices to assist with the delicate suturing of donor to host cornea. This thesis proposes replacing the painstaking manual procedure with a device that will automate the placement of a ring of sutures. Such a device will enable ophthalmologists to easily suture transplanted corneas and increase procedural success rates. This thesis develops a method of inserting tiny needles and attached filaments along a curved path by forming the needle geometry as the device is operated,. This work presents the initial needle placement testing and conceptual groundwork for developing a device for the mechanization of corneal transplants.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2011.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 17).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
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