Surgical tool and method for soft ocular tissue transplantation
Inventors
Assignees
US Department of Health and Human Services
Publication Number
US-11723799-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-15
Expiration Date
2035-07-10
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Abstract
Disclosed are devices and methods for delivering a sheet of tissue into the eye in such a way that damage to the tissue is minimized, damage to the eye during insertion and manipulation of the tissue is minimized, and the tissue is released and delivered in a precise and controlled fashion.
Core Innovation
The present invention relates to devices and methods for ocular procedures, particularly for holding and precisely delivering a small piece of tissue or cells into the subretinal space while minimizing damage to the tissue and the eye. The device includes a hollow handle and an injector portion defining an internal fluid channel, where a vacuum pressure holds the tissue in place within a flat tip aperture and an injection pressure releases the tissue precisely into the eye.
The problem addressed is the difficulty in inserting delicate tissues into the eye with minimal trauma. Existing methods, such as using forceps to fold or roll tissue, can cause significant damage and are unsuitable for subretinal applications. While some devices reduce tissue and eye damage during ocular insertion, further improvements are needed to avoid retina damage and enable precise delivery of tissue into the limited subretinal compartment.
Claims Coverage
The claims present three primary inventive features covering the surgical tip, the surgical device including fluid control and coupling, and the surgical method for tissue transplantation.
Surgical tip design with fluidic tissue holding and release
An elongate body portion defining an internal channel to enshroud and hydraulically hold tissue by vacuum pressure via liquid fluid. The distal end includes a semi-circular or tapered rounded edge tip configured for insertion into the eye, with an open region to expel tissue when injection pressure opposite to the vacuum is applied.
Fluidically coupled surgical device with detachable injector and fluid control
A surgical device comprising a hollow handle conveying liquid fluid and an injector portion with an internal channel fluidically coupled to the handle. The device retains tissue by vacuum and releases it by injection pressure via the fluid. The injector body has a curved middle portion and a distal tip with semi-circular or tapered rounded edge. The handle and injector are removably coupled. The device includes a syringe and syringe pump that regulate vacuum and injection pressures.
Surgical method for tissue transplantation using hydraulic forces
A method of transplanting tissue into an eye by vacuuming a sheet of tissue into the aperture of a surgical injector tip, inserting the tipped edge into the implantation area, and injecting the tissue by applying an injection force opposite to the suction force via liquid fluid. The method may include cutting the tissue to shape and coating it with a biodegradable or non-biodegradable material.
Together, these features define a fluidically controlled surgical instrument with a specialized tip for minimally traumatic delivery of tissue into the eye and a method employing suction and injection hydraulic forces to secure and release tissue precisely.
Stated Advantages
Minimizes damage to delicate tissues during manipulation and insertion.
Reduces trauma to the eye, particularly the retina and Bruch's membrane, by allowing insertion at a reduced angle and through small incisions.
Enables precise and controlled delivery of tissue to desired implantation sites with minimal need for repositioning.
Facilitates handling and delivery of very fragile tissue and implantable flat carriers loaded with medications or biological agents.
Is simple, inexpensive, ergonomic, and familiar to surgeons, supporting use in humans and animals.
Documented Applications
Transplantation of soft ocular tissue, particularly retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) monolayer cultures into the subretinal space.
Endothelial keratoplasty procedures involving insertion of corneal tissues.
Delivery of fragile implantable tissues during ocular surgeries requiring minimally traumatic methods.
Delivery of flat carriers loaded with medications or biological reactors in retinal surgeries.
Potential application in other surgical fields such as brain surgery, skin surgery, pancreas function restoration, stem cell surgery, and thyroid restoration surgery.
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