The microtrephine. A new diagnostic tool for obtaining corneal biopsies.
We have developed a new tool for obtaining biopsies of the cornea in a manner which is less traumatic than former biopsy techniques. The new instrument consists of a drill with an aperture of 160 microns which functions as a trephine and is powered at 30,000 rpm. The instrument contains a 120 microns mandrel to remove the samples. In order to monitor electrolyte contents in alkali burnt corneas, 32 rabbit eyes underwent an alkali burn of one cornea (1 n NaOH for 30 sec) followed by a sequence of microtrephinations at different times. A total of 81 microtrephinations were performed. Fifty samples were obtained. One corneal perforation occurred. Forty-four puncture sites were examined by means of histology. Forty-eight biopsies were examined in a scanning electron microscope and identified as punctures of corneal tissue by way of an energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Human corneas had been punctured with this device.
Ophthalmic Clinic, RWTH Aachen, Germany.
N F
NF
Schrage
U
U
Lorenz
T
T
von Fischern
M
M
Reim
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011817:Rabbits; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide
D012972:Sodium Hydroxide