Process for manufacturing microkeratome blade

Abstract

An improved process for the manufacture of uniform and accurately sized thin metal blades, particularly for Microkeratome blades used in the Lasik eye correction procedure. The steps comprise qualifying raw blades stock with an accurately positioned dowel hole. Once the raw blade stock is qualified, individual blades are stacked one on top of each other via the accurately positioned dowel hole. Multiple raw blades, stacked one on top of another, are clamped. The wire EDM process is then used to cut precise geometries through individual blades, which are accurately stacked one on top of each other. This process is unique in that multiple blades and individual sharp edges are stacked such that all sharp edges have the same leading edge location.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for the manufacturing of accurately sized surgical blades having a desired geometry and having the same leading edge distance that is comprised of the steps of qualifying and doweling individual leading edges, and stacking individually qualified and doweled leading edges, and manufacturing multiple stacked units from stacked components, whereby: 
 a method for the qualifying of the individual blades whereby electrical continuity is used to determine the exact position of the sharp ultra-thin leading blade edge, and whereby,    the blades are stacked against onto a dowel or similar stop, and the dowel is used to qualify the exact position of the sharp ultra-thin leading blade edge used, and    a cleaning solution is used to remove brass residue from the surgical blades including the use of an oxidation inhibition bath and drying sequence including burst of dry air and centrifuge.