Von Hippel corneal trephine
Von Hippel corneal trephine was invented by Arthur von Hippel in the late 1800s. It is discussed in this article in the early 1900s. Von Hippel corneal trephine was a mechanical way to create a circular opening to allow for corneal transplant. The only flaw in von Hippel’s early endeavors in transplantation is that he proposed using corneas from other species rather than human donor corneas.
Von Hippel corneal trephine was the prototype behind the corneal trephines still used today.