Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the clinical stability of the new fixation method for epiretinal implants and their explantability. Retinal tacks are an established method for the fixation of epiretinal implants on the retina, but this form of anchorage, however, does not allow the removal of the implant without potentially causing major trauma. We have developed a new fixation method which limits the surgical risk and trauma of the explantation procedure.
Methods: :
This is an experimental animal study. The implantation surgery was performed on 11 Göttinger minipigs. The tack was inserted first and the implant was fixated on the tack with a silicone tube by using a special instrument developed for this purpose. Thus the implant is firmly attached to the retina but can nevertheless be removed easily by cutting the silicone tube and lifting the implant from the tack while leaving the tack in place.
Results: :
All animals were implanted successfully without major complications. At the end of the observation periods the retinal tack and the silicone tube fixating the implant on the tack were still in position. The explantation procedure was accomplished easily and without any complications.
Conclusions: :
This new implantation method ensures a firm fixation of the implant whilst also allowing explantation without trauma to the posterior eye segment.