Importance

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Abstract

In a blade (1) for cutting away an epithelial flap from a Bowman's membrane (31), the blade tip (11) is designed in such a way that, in the state in which the blade tip (11) is inserted between epithelium (2) and Bowman's membrane (31), said blade tip (11) spreads open a clearance space between the epithelium (2) and the Bowman's membrane (31). The clearance space thus held open results in a pre-tensioning of connections between the epithelium (2) and the Bowman's membrane (31). The cutting edge of the blade tip (11) is rounded and has a thickness which corresponds at least substantially to the thickness of the epithelium (2). The blade (1) is held removably in a blade holder (8) in such a way that the blade tip (11), in relation to the cutting plane (9), has an application clearance angle in a range of from 10.degree. to 30.degree.. Drive means (82, 83) of the blade holder (8) move the blade (1) in the advance direction (7) and set the cutting edge of the blade (1) in a lateral oscillating movement perpendicular to the advance direction (7) in the cutting plane (9), the advance travel being negligible compared to the cumulative lateral travel of the cutting edge resulting from the oscillation movement. As a result of the pre-tensioning and of the alternating load caused by the oscillating movement, the connection between the epithelium (2) and the Bowman's membrane (31) can be separated without forward pressure having to be exerted on the epithelial cells to do this, with the result that intercellular connections of the epithelium (2) are not impaired.

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