Particulate contamination in disposable corneal trephines.
In two cases scheduled for corneal transplantation, edges of donor corneal buttons were discolored by a black contaminant transferred from the disposable trephines. Trephines from two different manufacturers produced this same problem. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis indicated that the contaminant was a mixture of stainless steel particles from the trephine and silicon carbide abrasive used in sharpening.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D011786:Quality Control; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000592:standards*