Surgical tool and method for soft ocular tissue transplantation

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for performing tissue transplantation within an eye comprising:
 a hollow handle portion configured to convey a fluid therein; and   an injector portion fluidically coupled to the handle portion and defining an internal channel via which the fluid is conveyed, the injector portion comprising:
 a substantially flat shaped tip that defines an aperture connected to the internal channel of the injector portion and configured to enshroud a tissue for transplantation, wherein the tissue is held in place within the aperture when a vacuum pressure is applied to the tissue via the fluid, and wherein the tissue is injected into the eye when an injection pressure that is opposite in direction to the vacuum pressure is applied to the tissue via the fluid. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a syringe configured to house a reservoir of the fluid, wherein the syringe is fluidically coupled to the handle portion to convey the fluid between the syringe and the handle portion.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a syringe pump or other device capable to produce vacuum and pressure coupled to the syringe and configured to regulate the vacuum and insertion pressures.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the syringe pump is electronically controlled. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tip of the injector portion is tapered. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the injector portion comprises:
 an elongated portion that defines a longitudinal axis; and   a middle portion that curves away from the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion, wherein the tip of the injector extends from the middle portion and curves towards the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion and the injector portion are removably coupled. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a liquid alginate solution. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a hyaluronic acid solution. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue is coated in a cured alginate. 
     
     
         11 . A method of transplanting tissue into an eye comprising:
 vacuuming a sheet of tissue into an aperture of a tip of a surgical injector tool, wherein the aperture provides a suction force to the sheet of tissue via a fluid;   inserting the tip of the injector tool into an implantation area of the eye; and   injecting the sheet of tissue into the implantation area by providing an injection force to the sheet of tissue, via the fluid, that is opposite to the suction force.   
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 cutting the sheet into a desired shape for implantation; and   coating the cut sheet of tissue with a biodegradable material.   
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein the biodegradable material is an alginate material cured using a calcium chloride mist. 
     
     
         14 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is a liquid alginate solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is a hyaluronic acid solution. 
     
     
         16 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the tip of the surgical injector tool is substantially flat. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the surgical injector tool is curved in a direction extending distally away from a handle of the surgical injector tool. 
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 using a syringe to regulate the fluid such that the suction and injection forces are applied to the sheet of tissue.   
     
     
         19 . A system for performing tissue transplantation within an eye comprising:
 means for hydraulically securing a sheet of tissue to be implanted; and   means for injecting the secured sheet of tissue into a transplantation area of the eye.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 means for positioning the sheet of tissue for injection into the transplantation area of the eye.