A tissue holding assembly for endothelial implantation comprising an open frame having legs for engaging a stem, such that said frame is insertable between a stroma and a Descemets membrane, said frame being coated with a biological adhesive for adhering to a perimeter of a section of the Descemets membrane to adhere the section of the Descemets membrane to the frame for surgical separation of said section by cutting therearound, wherein said frame further comprises a heating element around its inner perimeter.
