초록 ▼

A device is disclosed for separating the epithelial layer of a cornea from the eye. The device includes a separator having an edge to remove the epithelial layer as the separator moves across the eye. The edge includes a thickness thicker than the thickness of at least one epithelial cell and less t

A device is disclosed for separating the epithelial layer of a cornea from the eye. The device includes a separator having an edge to remove the epithelial layer as the separator moves across the eye. The edge includes a thickness thicker than the thickness of at least one epithelial cell and less thick than the thickness of the epithelial layer. Separation can be performed mechanically, without the use of chemicals, so that the shape and integrity of the separated epithelial layer is preserved. The device can also be used with a polymer film that adheres to the epithelial layer to help preserve an integrity of the epithelial layer.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma without substantially cutting the corneal stroma; and an electro-mechanical

We claim: 1. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma without substantially cutting the corneal stroma; and an electro-mechanical device coupled with the means for separating so as to be capable of moving the means for separating during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for separating comprises a blade having a bent edge. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge comprising a thickness configured to be between about 5 and 25 micrometers. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the separator has a trapezoidal shape. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge that has a dimension that is greater than about 5 mm. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge that has a dimension that is at least as large as approximately the size of a diameter of an iris of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge that has a dimension that is greater than the size of a diameter of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an oscillation device that is capable of oscillating the means for separating as the means for separating moves across the cornea. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the means for separating to move across at least a part of the cornea and the movement is capable of causing the means for separating to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma without the means for separating cutting the stroma. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of generating through the means for separating a mechanical force that is sufficient to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from said cornea, but insufficient to cut the corneal stroma. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the means for separating to move a distance across the cornea that corresponds to at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer so that a length of the portion of the epithelial layer corresponding to the distance is separated. 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an engagement surface; and wherein the electromechanical device is capable of moving the engagement surface across the cornea, and wherein during such movement the engagement surface flattens the portion of the epithelial layer. 13. The device of claim 1 wherein a dull edge of the means for separating comprises an approximately semi-cylindrical surface including a front edge. 14. The device of claim 13 wherein the semi-circular surface comprises a radius of between about 2 and 13 micrometers. 15. The device of claim 1 wherein a dull edge of the means for separating comprises a bent front edge to form a shape resembling a semicircle. 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the semicircle comprises a diameter of between about 5 and 25 micrometers. 17. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for separating comprises a bent blade. 18. The device of claim 17 wherein the bent blade comprises a dull edge that comprises a thickness configured to be between about 5 and 25 micrometers. 19. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for separating is unable to cut into between 20% and 80% of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 20. The device of claim 19 wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge that comprises a thickness configured to be between about 5 and 25 micrometers. 21. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for separating has a structure such that less than a 10% loss in epithelial cells of the epithelial layer results during the separation of the portion of the epithelial layer. 22. The device of claim 9, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of moving the means for separating along a distance of at least 6 mm, wherein the movement of the means for separating by the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the means for separating to substantially separate the portion of the epithelial layer along the distance without substantially cutting the corneal stroma along the distance. 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the dull edge to move across at least a part of the cornea as the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the electro-mechanical device causes the dull edge to move a distance that corresponds to at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer so that a length of the portion of the epithelial layer corresponding to the distance is separated. 25. The device of claim 1 further comprising a track that is capable of guiding movement of the means for separating. 26. The device of claim 25 wherein the means for separating is capable of moving along a majority of a length of the track by the electro-mechanical device such that the means for separating is capable of separating the portion of the epithelial layer for a significant portion of the length of the track and does not cut the corneal stroma along the significant portion of the length of the track. 27. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for separating has a dimension, excluding a thickness dimension, that has a magnitude that is less than about 16 mm. 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the dimension is greater than about 5 mm. 29. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for separating has a structure so as to be capable of separating the portion of the epithelial layer from said cornea without the assistance of any chemicals. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the means for separating has a structure so as that the portion of the separated epithelial layer has an area of at least approximately π*6.25 mm2. 31. The device of claim 1 further comprising a seating. 32. The device of claim 31 further comprising a track that is capable of guiding movement of the means for separating. 33. The device of claim 32, wherein the track is associated with the seating. 34. The device of claim 32 wherein a length of the track is at least 6 mm. 35. The device of claim 32, wherein the seating or track at least partially defines an opening. 36. The device of claims 35, wherein a length of the track has a magnitude that is more than half of a dimension of the opening. 37. The device of claim 35, wherein a magnitude of a dimension of the means for separating is approximately the same as a magnitude of a dimension of the opening. 38. The device of claim 1, wherein should the means for separating contact the cornea, the electro-mechanical device would be capable of causing through the means for separating a force to sufficiently disrupt a sufficient number of bonds between the portion of the epithelial layer and the corneal stroma to allow the means for separating to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from the cornea. 39. The device of claim 38, wherein the force is not sufficient to break a substantial number of epithelial intercellular bonds associated with the portion of said epithelial layer. 40. The device of claim 38, wherein the force is not sufficient to incise a bowman's layer of the cornea. 41. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma without substantially cutting a corneal stroma of the cornea, wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge configured to have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of one epithelial cell of the epithelial layer of the cornea; and an electro-mechanical device coupled with the means for separating so as to be capable of moving the means for separating during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 42. The device of claim 41, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a bowman layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 43. The device of claim 41, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a basal layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 44. The device of claim 41 wherein the dull edge has a dullness such that it is unable to cut into between 20% and 80% of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 45. The device of claim 41, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the dull edge to move across at least a part of the cornea as the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 46. The device of claim 41 wherein the dull edge has a dimension that is greater than about 5 mm. 47. The device of claim 41, wherein the dull edge has a dimension that is at least as large as approximately the size of a diameter of an iris of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 48. The device of claim 41, wherein the dull edge has a dimension that is greater than the size of a diameter of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 49. The device of claim 41, further comprising an oscillation device that is capable of oscillating the dull edge as the dull edge moves across the cornea. 50. The device of claim 41, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of generating through the means for separating a mechanical force that is sufficient to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from the cornea, but insufficient to cut the corneal stroma. 51. The device of claim 41, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the dull edge to move a distance across the cornea that corresponds to at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer so that a length of the portion of the epithelial layer corresponding to the distance is separated. 52. The device as claimed in claim 41, further comprising: an engagement surface; and wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of moving the engagement surface across the cornea, wherein during such movement the engagement surface flattens the portion of the epithelial layer. 53. The device of claim 41, wherein the dull edge moves across at least a part of the cornea as the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 54. The device of claim 53, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the dull edge to move a distance that corresponds to at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer so that a length of the portion of the epithelial layer corresponding to the distance is separated. 55. The device of claim 41 further comprising a track that is capable of guiding movement of the dull edge. 56. The device of claim 55 wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of moving the means for separating so that the means for separating is movable along a majority of a length of the track wherein the means for separating does not cut the corneal stroma anywhere along the majority of the length of the track. 57. The device of claim 41 wherein excluding a thickness dimension, the dull edge has a dimension that has a magnitude that is less than about 16 mm. 58. The device of claim 57, wherein the dimension is greater than about 5 mm. 59. The device of claim 41, wherein the edge has a structure so as to be capable of separating the portion of the epithelial layer from the cornea without the assistance of any chemicals. 60. The device of claim 59, wherein the edge has a structure so that the separated portion of the epithelial layer has an area of at least approximately π*6.25 mm2. 61. The device of claim 41, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the means for separating to move across at least a part of the cornea as the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 62. The device of claim 61, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of moving the means for separating along a distance of at least 6 mm, wherein the means for separating is capable of separating the portion of the epithelial layer and does not cut the corneal stroma while moving along the distance. 63. The device of claim 41, wherein the means for separating has a structure such that less than a 10% loss in epithelial cells of the epithelial layer results during the separation of the portion of the epithelial layer. 64. The device of claim 63, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a bowman layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 65. The device of claim 63, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a basal layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 66. The device of claim 41, wherein at least a portion of the dull edge contacts a surface of the cornea from which the portion of the epithelial layer is separated as the means for separating moves across the cornea during the separation. 67. The device of claim 41 wherein the means for separating has a structure such that the means for separating is capable of lifting the portion of the epithelial layer and capable of separating the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 68. The device of claim 67 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force under at least one cell layer of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 69. The device of claim 67, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a bowman layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 70. The device of claim 67, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a basal layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 71. The device of claim 67, wherein the means for separating has a structure such that less than a 10% loss in epithelial cells of the portion of the epithelial layer results during the separation of the portion of the epithelial layer. 72. The device of claim 67, wherein the means for separating further comprises a surface directly attached to the dull edge. 73. The device of claim 72, wherein the surface and the dull edge meet so as to define an angled corner. 74. The device of claim 73 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force under at least one cell layer of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 75. The device of claim 73 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force to a portion of the cornea during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 76. The device of claim 73, wherein at least a portion of the dull edge contacts a surface of the cornea from which the portion of the epithelial layer is separated as the means for separating mover across the cornea during the separation. 77. The device of claim 73, wherein the means for separating further comprises a second surface directly attached to the dull edge, wherein the dull edge is positioned between the surface and the second surface. 78. The device of claim 77 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force under at least one cell layer of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 79. The device of claim 78, wherein contact between the means for separating and the epithelial layer generates the at least one mechanical force that solely causes the portion of the epithelial layer to separate from the corneal stroma. 80. The device of claim 78, wherein the mechanical force is by direct contact between the means for separating and the at least one cell below an outermost layer of the epithelial layer. 81. The device of claim 78, wherein the at least one mechanical force has a vector component pointing towards the cornea. 82. The device of claim 77 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force to a portion of the cornea during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 83. The device of claim 82, wherein contact between the means for separating and the epithelial layer generates the at least one mechanical force that solely causes the portion of the epithelial layer to separate from the corneal stroma. 84. The device of claim 82, wherein the at least one mechanical force has a vector component pointing towards the cornea. 85. The device of claim 77, wherein the surface and the dull edge meet so as to define an angled corner and the second surface and the dull edge meet so as to define a second angled corner. 86. The device of claim 85 wherein the means for separating applies at least one mechanical force under at least one cell layer of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 87. The device of claim 85 wherein the means for separating applies at least one mechanical force to a portion of the cornea during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 88. The device of claim 41 further comprising a seating. 89. The device of claim 88 further comprising a track that is capable of guiding movement of the dull edge. 90. The device of claim 89, wherein the track is associated with the seating. 91. The device of claim 89 wherein a length of the track is at least 6 mm. 92. The device of claim 89, wherein the seating or track at least partially defines an opening. 93. The device of claims 92, wherein a length of the track has a magnitude that is more than half of a dimension of the opening. 94. The device of claim 92, wherein a magnitude of a dimension of the dull edge is approximately the same as a magnitude of a dimension of the opening. 95. The device of claim 41, wherein should the means for separating contact the cornea, the electro-mechanical device would be capable of causing through the means for separating a force to sufficiently disrupt a sufficient number of bonds between the portion of said epithelial layer and the corneal stroma to allow said means for separating to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from the said cornea. 96. The device of claim 95, wherein the force is not sufficient to break a substantial number of epithelial intercellular bonds associated with the portion of said epithelial layer. 97. The device of claim 95, wherein the force is not sufficient to incise a bowman's layer of the cornea. 98. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma without substantially cutting a corneal stroma of the cornea, wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge configured to have a thickness that is less than a total thickness of an epithelial layer; and an electro-mechanical device coupled with the means for separating so as to be capable of moving the means for separating during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 99. The device of claim 98, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a bowman layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithehal layer from the corneal stroma. 100. The device of claim 98, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a basal layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 101. The device of claim 98 wherein the dull edge has a dullness such that it is unable to cut into between 20% and 80% of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 102. The device of claim 98, wherein at least a portion of the dull edge contacts a surface of the cornea from which the portion of the epithelial layer is separated as the means for seperating moves across the cornea during the separation. 103. The device of claim 98 wherein the edge has a dimension that is greater than about 5 mm. 104. The device of claim 98, wherein the dull edge has a dimension that is at least as large as approximately the size of a diameter of an iris of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 105. The device of claim 98, wherein the dull edge has a dimension that is greater than the size of a diameter of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 106. The device of claim 98, further comprising an oscillation device that is capable of oscillating the dull edge as the dull edge moves across the cornea. 107. The device of claim 98, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of generating through the means for separating a mechanical force that is sufficient to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from the cornea, but insufficient to cut the corneal stroma. 108. The device of claim 98, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the means for separating to move a distance across the cornea that corresponds to at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer so that a length of the portion of the epithelial layer substantially corresponding to the distance is separated. 109. The device as claimed in claim 98, further comprising: an engagement surface; and wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of moving the engagement surface across the cornea, wherein during such movement the engagement surface flattens the portion of the epithelial layer. 110. The device of claim 98, wherein the means for separating has a structure such that less than a 10% loss in epithelial cells of the epithelial layer results during the separation of the portion of the epithelial layer. 111. The device of claim 110, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a bowman layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 112. The device of claim 110, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a basal layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 113. The device of claim 98 wherein the means for separating has a structure such that the means for separating is capable of lifting the portion of the epithelial layer during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 114. The device of claim 113 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force under at least one cell layer of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 115. The device of claim 113, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a bowman layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 116. The device of claim 113, wherein the dull edge is unable to substantially cut a basal layer of the cornea while the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 117. The device of claim 113, wherein the means for separating has a structure such that less than a 10% loss in epithelial cells of the portion of the epithelial layer results during the separation of the portion of the epithelial layer. 118. The device of claim 113, wherein the means for separating further comprises a surface directly attached to the dull edge. 119. The device of claim 118, wherein the surface and the dull edge meet so as to define an angled corner. 120. The device of claim 119 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force under at least one cell layer of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 121. The device of claim 119 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force to a portion of the cornea during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 122. The device of claim 119, wherein the means for separating further comprises a second surface directly attached to the dull edge, wherein the dull edge is positioned between the surface and the second surface. 123. The device of claim 122, wherein at least a portion of the dull edge contacts a surface of the cornea from which the portion of the epithelial layer is separated as the means for separating moves across the cornea during the separation. 124. The device of claim 122 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force under at least one cell of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 125. The device of claim 124, wherein contact between the means for separating and the epithelial layer generates the at least one mechanical force that solely causes the portion of the epithelial layer to separate from the corneal stroma. 126. The device of claim 124, wherein the at least one mechanical force is by direct contact between the means for separating and the at least one cell layer below an outermost layer of the epithelial layer. 127. The device of claim 124, wherein the at least one mechanical force has a vector component pointing towards the cornea. 128. The device of claim 122 wherein the means for separating is capable of applying at least one mechanical force to a portion of the cornea during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 129. The device of claim 128, wherein contact between the means for separating and the epithelial layer generates the at least one mechanical force that solely causes the portion of the epithelial layer to separate from the corneal stroma. 130. The device of claim 128, wherein the at least one mechanical force has a vector component pointing towards the cornea. 131. The device of claim 122, wherein the surface and the dull edge meet so as to define an angled corner and the second surface and the dull edge meet so as to define a second angled corner. 132. The device of claim 131 wherein the means for separating applies at least one mechanical force under at least one cell layer of the portion of the epithelial layer in order to lift the portion of the epithelial layer. 133. The device of claim 131 wherein the means for separating applies at least one mechanical force to a portion of the cornea during the separating of the portion of the epithelial layer. 134. The device of claim 98, wherein the dull edge moves across at least a part of the cornea as the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 135. The device of claim 134, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the dull edge to move a distance across the cornea that corresponds to at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer so that a length of the portion of the epithelial layer corresponding to the distance is separated. 136. The device of claim 98 further comprising a track that is capable of guiding movement of the dull edge. 137. The device of claim 136 wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of moving the means for separating so that the means for separating is movable along a majority of a length of the track wherein the means for separating does not cut the corneal stroma anywhere along the majority of the length of the track. 138. The device of claim 98 further comprising a seating. 139. The device of claim 138 further comprising a track that is capable of guiding movement of the dull edge. 140. The device of claim 139, wherein the track is associated with the seating. 141. The device of claim 139 wherein a length of the track is at least 6 mm. 142. The device of claim 139, wherein a magnitude of a dimension of the dull edge is approximately the same as a magnitude of a dimension of the opening. 143. The device of claim 139, wherein the seating or track at least partially defines an opening. 144. The device of claims 143, wherein a length of the track has a magnitude that is more than half of a dimension of the opening. 145. The device of claim 98 wherein excluding a thickness dimension, the edge has a dimension that has a magnitude that is less than about 16 mm. 146. The device of claim 145, wherein the dimension is greater than about 5 mm. 147. The device of claim 98, wherein should the means for separating contact the cornea, the electro-mechanical device would be capable of causing through the means for separating a force to sufficiently disrupt a sufficient number of bonds between the portion of the epithelial layer and the cornea to allow the means for separating to separate the portion of said epithelial layer from the cornea. 148. The device of claim 147, wherein the force is not sufficient to break a substantial number of epithelial intercellular bonds associated with the portion of said epithelial layer. 149. The device of claim 147, wherein the force is not sufficient to incise a bowman's layer of the cornea. 150. The device of claim 98, wherein the edge has a structure so as to be capable of separating the portion of the epithelial layer from the cornea without the assistance of any chemicals. 151. The device of claim 150, wherein the edge has a structure so that the separated portion of the epithelial layer has an area of at least approximately π*6.25 mm2. 152. The device of claim 98, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of causing the means for separating to move across at least a part of the cornea as the means for separating separates the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma. 153. The device of claim 152, wherein the electro-mechanical device is capable of moving the means for separating along a distance of at least 6 mm, wherein the means for separating is capable of separating the portion of the epithelial layer and does not cut the corneal stroma while moving along the distance. 154. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the portion of the epithelial layer from a corneal stroma without the use of chemicals and without substantially cutting the corneal stroma of the cornea along a predetermined path, wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge configured to have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of one epithelial cell of the epithelial layer of the cornea and is less than a total thickness of the epithelial layer; and means for moving the means for separating and for constraining movement of the means for separating along the predetermined path. 155. The device of claim 154, wherein the means for moving is capable of causing the dull edge to move a distance along the predetermined path that corresponds to at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer so that a length of the portion of the epithelial layer corresponding to the distance is separated. 156. The device of claim 154, wherein the means for moving is capable of generating through the means for separating a mechanical force that is sufficient to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from said cornea, but insufficient to cut said corneal stroma. 157. The device as claimed in claim 154, further comprising: an engagement surface, wherein the means for moving is capable of moving the engagement surface and during movement of the engagement surface the engagement surface flattens the portion of the epithelial layer. 158. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the portion of the epithelial layer from a corneal stroma without substantially cutting the corneal stroma of the cornea along a path having a length of at least a radius of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer; and means for moving the means for separating and for constraining movement of the means for separating along the path; wherein a dimension of the portion mostly corresponds to the length. 159. The device as claimed in claim 158, further comprising: an engagement surface, wherein the means for moving is capable of moving the engagement surface and during movement of the engagement surface the engagement surface flattens the portion of the epithelial layer. 160. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma without the use of chemicals and without substantially cutting a corneal stroma of the cornea, wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge configured to have a thickness that is greater than a thickness of one epithelial cell of the epithelial layer of the cornea and is less than a total thickness of the epithelial layer; means for moving the means for separating and for constraining movement of the means for separating along a predetermined path; and means for positioning the means for separating relative to the cornea. 161. The device of claim 160, wherein the means for moving is capable of causing the dull edge to move a distance along the predetermined path that corresponds to at least a diameter of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 162. The device of claim 160, wherein the means for moving is capable of generating through the means for separating a mechanical force that is sufficient to separate the portion of the epithelial layer from the cornea, but insufficient to cut the corneal stroma. 163. The device as claimed in claim 160, further comprising: an engagement surface, wherein the means for moving is capable of moving the engagement surface and during movement of the engagement surface the engagement surface flattens the portion of the epithelial layer. 164. A device for separating a portion of an epithelial layer of a cornea from a corneal stroma of the cornea, the device comprising: means for separating the portion of the epithelial layer from the corneal stroma without substantially cutting into a corneal stroma of the cornea, wherein the means for separating comprises a dull edge that has a thickness configured to be greater than a thickness of one epithelial cell of the epithelial layer of the cornea and is less than a total thickness of the epithelial layer; means for moving the means for separating and guiding movement of the means for separating along a predetermined path; and means for positioning the means for separating relative to the cornea. 165. The device of claim 164, wherein the means for moving is capable of causing the dull edge to move a distance along the predetermined path that corresponds to at least a diameter of a pupil of an eye that includes the epithelial layer. 166. The device of claim 164, wherein the means for moving is capable of generating though the means for separating a mechanical force that is sufficient to separate the epithelial layer from the cornea, but insufficient to cut the corneal stroma. 167. The device as claimed in claim 164, further comprising: an engagement surface, wherein the means for moving is capable of moving the engagement surface and during movement of the engagement surface the engagement surface flattens the portion of the epithelial layer.