A simple apparatus for controlled rate corneal freezing.
The construction and operation of an apparatus for controlled rate corneal freezing is described. The cooling is obtained by close thermal contact between a vial holding the cornea and a metal core. A predetermined cooling rate is achieved by partial immersion of the core in a fixed amount of liquid nitrogen. In a preliminary series greater than or equal to 95% endothelial survival was obtained.
D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004727:Endothelium; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005615:Freezing; D006801:Humans; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014022:Tissue Survival